darthtatty
Been There, Done That, Going Back!
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2008
Monday 18th May. Day 5- Universal Studios
Started the day at the Contempo Café again today.
The cab was booked to take us to Universal Studios for 9.20 am and it turned up on time. After a short journey we arrived at Universal and went up in the lift to reach the long corridor that you had to take to reach City Walk. As we walked through City Walk we made our way to Universal Studios. Obviously taking Pictures of the spinning globe.
I was a bit apprehensive about visiting Universal as 5 years ago found the staff rude and not very helpful. We had got a GAC card before but the woman who gave it to us was very reluctant snapping at us saying, you wont be allowed to the front of the queue We were ok about that, as at the time Luke was in a disabled buggy, and basically needed the GAC so hed be allowed to stay in it for the shows etc. We hardly did anything here or at IOA as the queues were at least 1hour30 and as their height requirements are a lot taller than Disney it meant Luke couldnt do anything. So I was hoping this time would be different.
Before we went in the entrance we spotted Curious George outside and got our pic taken with him. We then made our way to the ticket booths and swapped our Virgin vouchers for Tickets. We then joined the queue for guest services to see what disabled facilities they had but after about 15mins of the queue going nowhere we gave up. When we got inside we saw there was another Guest services with no queue so we went there. We got some booklets but they didnt give us any type of assistance card.
We got the usual guides and times leaflets and headed straight for The Simpsons Ride.
The queue wait time was stated at 40mins but it had to be done. I think we only queued 30mins anyway. I sat in the middle at the back, theres lots of jerking forward and backwards and found a couple of times I hit my head on the bit at the top that comes over and is slightly in front at the top. Its just the design of the seat but I wouldnt of liked to have been taller otherwise id of hit my head every time we jerked forward. I enjoyed the ride more than when it was the Back To The Future ride.
We looked in the shop after
When we came off there it was pouring with rain so we headed for MIB 45 min wait, this was pretty accurate. You cant take any bags with you but they offer you free lockers for this. I thought this was a great idea though after the ride I couldnt understand why as it wasnt a rollercoaster or anything. It was just sitting in a car shooting at aliens. Guess health and safety has really gone mad!
We then did Jaws, 20 min wait but this was much more, probably double. Luke wasnt too sure what to make of it. Wed done it before and I think he loved it, this time he was half and half. We then finally stopped for lunch going to create a burger for guess what? Yes a burger! The rain kept stop/starting and typically it stopped when we were having lunch.
After lunch matt went on the Mummy ride, he used the single ride line so wasnt too long. Luke and I tried to keep out of the rain by sheltering in an alcove. Next up was Shrek 4D (wed missed this last time), Luke loved the moving seats. Finally we went to Terminator 3D, Luke hated this last time but really enjoyed it today.
Overall I thought it was an OK day, we were coming back to do Islands Of Adventure so would probably do bits of Universal again too.
We then left to finally catch the ride back to the hotel.
Now, last time we brought transfers we had cab for the round trip, this time we got cabs in the morning and then it was a coach back to the hotel stopping at Seaworld to pick others up and then dropping at loads of hotels along the journey back. I wouldnt of minded so much if wed know this or been told. Perhaps Virgin need to make those welcome meetings longer again?! If wed had know wed probably have arranged other transport, and saved ourselves a lot of time, as this journey back took over an hour. We had just enough time to shower and change before heading to the Polynesian.
To Be Continued .
Started the day at the Contempo Café again today.
The cab was booked to take us to Universal Studios for 9.20 am and it turned up on time. After a short journey we arrived at Universal and went up in the lift to reach the long corridor that you had to take to reach City Walk. As we walked through City Walk we made our way to Universal Studios. Obviously taking Pictures of the spinning globe.
I was a bit apprehensive about visiting Universal as 5 years ago found the staff rude and not very helpful. We had got a GAC card before but the woman who gave it to us was very reluctant snapping at us saying, you wont be allowed to the front of the queue We were ok about that, as at the time Luke was in a disabled buggy, and basically needed the GAC so hed be allowed to stay in it for the shows etc. We hardly did anything here or at IOA as the queues were at least 1hour30 and as their height requirements are a lot taller than Disney it meant Luke couldnt do anything. So I was hoping this time would be different.
Before we went in the entrance we spotted Curious George outside and got our pic taken with him. We then made our way to the ticket booths and swapped our Virgin vouchers for Tickets. We then joined the queue for guest services to see what disabled facilities they had but after about 15mins of the queue going nowhere we gave up. When we got inside we saw there was another Guest services with no queue so we went there. We got some booklets but they didnt give us any type of assistance card.
We got the usual guides and times leaflets and headed straight for The Simpsons Ride.
The queue wait time was stated at 40mins but it had to be done. I think we only queued 30mins anyway. I sat in the middle at the back, theres lots of jerking forward and backwards and found a couple of times I hit my head on the bit at the top that comes over and is slightly in front at the top. Its just the design of the seat but I wouldnt of liked to have been taller otherwise id of hit my head every time we jerked forward. I enjoyed the ride more than when it was the Back To The Future ride.
We looked in the shop after
When we came off there it was pouring with rain so we headed for MIB 45 min wait, this was pretty accurate. You cant take any bags with you but they offer you free lockers for this. I thought this was a great idea though after the ride I couldnt understand why as it wasnt a rollercoaster or anything. It was just sitting in a car shooting at aliens. Guess health and safety has really gone mad!
We then did Jaws, 20 min wait but this was much more, probably double. Luke wasnt too sure what to make of it. Wed done it before and I think he loved it, this time he was half and half. We then finally stopped for lunch going to create a burger for guess what? Yes a burger! The rain kept stop/starting and typically it stopped when we were having lunch.
After lunch matt went on the Mummy ride, he used the single ride line so wasnt too long. Luke and I tried to keep out of the rain by sheltering in an alcove. Next up was Shrek 4D (wed missed this last time), Luke loved the moving seats. Finally we went to Terminator 3D, Luke hated this last time but really enjoyed it today.
Overall I thought it was an OK day, we were coming back to do Islands Of Adventure so would probably do bits of Universal again too.
We then left to finally catch the ride back to the hotel.
Now, last time we brought transfers we had cab for the round trip, this time we got cabs in the morning and then it was a coach back to the hotel stopping at Seaworld to pick others up and then dropping at loads of hotels along the journey back. I wouldnt of minded so much if wed know this or been told. Perhaps Virgin need to make those welcome meetings longer again?! If wed had know wed probably have arranged other transport, and saved ourselves a lot of time, as this journey back took over an hour. We had just enough time to shower and change before heading to the Polynesian.
To Be Continued .
