Skip to main content

Universal Studios Orlando

Our newly purchased annual passes go through September 2012!  Looking forward to getting back into these parks (we had WDW annuals last year).  So, here is a quick rundown from the local perspective of both parks and City Walk.

A couple general tips: You are allowed to take backpacks with you, so pack wisely (bottled water, rain ponchos, and snacks).  There are free lockers available for rider use to store bags, hats, sunglasses, etc. when you are going on a ride that doesn't allow you to "carry on".  If the parks are busy when you are there, take advantage of single rider lines - you will be able to stand with your party until you are put onto the ride, and sometimes you actually end of up sitting with another member of your party.

Universal Studios
  • Newly added to the park is the Rip Ride Rockit, from which I had a headeache from about 1 minute into the ride until a week later.  I'm from Ohio and have been on old wooden coasters from both Cedar Point and King's Island - none of them were this bad.  If you have any health problems, do NOT go on this ride!
  • The Simpsons ride is in the location of the former Back to the Future.  It's a great 3D ride, although not one of my favorites.
  • Some people still consider US to be the more classic, less adventurous park of the two, but with the new roller coaster and the existing Mummy indoor coaster, I'd say there is enough there for adventure-seekers.
Islands of Adventure
  • The more adventurous of the two parks, according to some, here you will find more exciting ride opportunities.  The Hulk is not bumpy, but you will got jostled a little bit.  Spiderman was slightly updated, and this one is a great option for single rider lines. 
  • Harry Potter world is still the biggest attraction in this park.  Engineers and designers did a fantastic job with the realism, and definitely a great spot for neat vacation photos.  The new 3D adventure ride, Forbidden Journey, was actually pretty action-filled but smooth regardless of the movement.  Dueling Dragons is now Dragon Challenge (not much changed with this ride).
City Walk  The husband and I love City Walk for a night out, especially since Pleaure Island at Downtown Disney shut down.  It's a great place to go for nights out with friends, bachelor(ette) party, business parties, etc. 
  • My favorite way to do City Walk?  The Meal and Party Pass, but I'm not seeing it on the website. http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/CityWalk-Tickets.aspx  Still, the party for all the clubs makes it easier and more affordable to club hop.  I'll update this when we visit the parks again.
  • Pat O'Briens is a fair representation of the original Pat O's in New Orleans, but we don't go for that.  Yes, the hurricanes are fantastic, and you walk away with souvenir glasses, but we go for the dueling pianos bar.  Always a good time - even better with a big group of friends and lots of $1s to put down for song requests.  I recommend dinner somewhere beforehand, as there aren't food options in the piano bar.
  • The Groove is the dance club - two floors, light show, couches, plenty of bar locations.
  • We've never had a bad meal at Pastamore, and it's hands-down our favorite place for dinner.
  • If you are planning to go to Margaritaville for dinner, make reservations or get there early!!  Trust me!
  • Ladies, if you are going out for the night, remember that you will have to hike from the parking garage, on the people movers, and up an escalator.  I always feel bad for girls I see in super strappy or spikey stilletto heals.  If you love your feet, think carefully about your choice of footwear.
Labels:
Location: Orlando, FL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Carnival Breeze - Southern Caribbean

The Breeze ports in Miami and does several different itineries.  We chose an 8-day, which included Curacao, La Romana, Grand Turk, and Aruba. Parking in Miami Premier Cruise Parking ( premiercruisepark@bellsouth.net ), 1415 NE 2nd Ave. Parking Garage $8 per day, including tax.  Free shuttle to port.  The wait for the arrival of the shuttle at the parking garage going to port can be a little long, but it's worth it to us.  We've used this garage twice and will use it again.  I believe that it is better to prepay so you don't have to do it there. The Food The steakhouse is very much the same as any of the other Carnival steakhouses, but still very good. We also ate dinner in Cucina del Capitano - excellent food and service!  Highly recommend!  We also made use of Guy Fieri's Burgers several times - hello yumminess!  Tandoor Indian cuisine (aft pool location) and Blue Iguana burritos were also amazing.  We did not starve on this trip! ...
1 comment
Read more

Boston, MA

I have always wanted to visit Boston and Salem, so we FINALLY made it happen this August.  Visiting at the end of August, doing a lot of the tourist-y stuff during the week is definitely the way to go.  The crowds were low Wednesday, Thursday, and most of Friday (the beginning of the Labor Day weekend). Hotel We stayed at the Boston Marriott at Long Wharf .  It’s not a cheap place to stay, but the location is fantastic if you are here to see the historical places in Boston.  It’s across the street from Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall and next to the New England aquarium and harbor cruises.  The Blue Line from the airport drops off at the hotel, as well as all of the tour trolley stops.  Walking into the North End/Little Italy is also very easy. Food I don’t even know where to start here, so I guess I’ll go chronologically.  I knew that I wanted 1) a lobster roll, 2) clam chowder, and 3) cannoli.  Check, check, and check!  Note, for Wednesday - Fri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Celebrity Solstice - Dawes Glacier, Alaska

If you've ever booked a cruise during the pandemic, you know how frustrating it can be.  In 2019, we booked our Alaska cruise for May 2021. Well, May 2022 was our make-up cruise for the cancelled 2021 sailing.  Better late than never, right? Dawes Glacier - Endicott Arm Pre-cruise First, I’ll hit our pre-cruise stay in Seattle.  We hailed a Lyft from the airport ($50 + tip).  You need to cross the sky bridge and go down one level until you see the green barriers.  The signage was actually great, but several escalators to get there were on the fritz.  Our Lyft dropped us at the Fairfield Inn & Suites near the Space Needle.  The hotel seems newly updated and the front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. For dinner, we took the advice of the front desk staff and visited Thomas Street Warehouse .  The prices are actually really great for downtown, and they have a cool cocktail menu.  In the morning, we grabbed breakfast tacos at Jack’s...
Post a Comment
Read more