Advice on shows in both parks?

escriven75 · May 4, 2015

Of the many times we've been to Universal, my kids and I have not seen many of the shows with the exception of those in WWoHP. Our group this time ranges in age from 8 yo to 74 yo. And some at both ends of that range may want some time in the shade and off of their feet. Since we have plenty of time during our stay so we won't mind choosing shows over rides at times just to relax. Can anyone provide advice on which shows are worthwhile and which are not??
Thank you!

Kivara · May 4, 2015

My whole family loves the Animal Actors show. If no one gets grossed out easily, Fear Factor was fun. We liked the Sinbad show a lot, but we have to sit in the back area, as my youngest doesn't care for sitting too near the flames.
If you don't mind loud music, the Blues Brothers put on a fun show too.

zbsigpi · May 4, 2015

I agree with Kivara, and don't forget about Beetlejuices' Graveyard Review.

BrinkofSunshine · May 4, 2015

If they won't be scared by cheesy horror stuff, the Horror Make-Up Show is great and always very funny. Outside of Potter it's my favorite show.

HM · May 4, 2015

Horror Makeup show is my favorite. Do it more than once a trip.

atricks · May 4, 2015

Sindbad is currently closed at IOA, they are in the midst of a rewrite/redo. From what I heard they are adding new stunts and changing it up a bit, it should re open by Memorial day. So hopefully it'll be improved.

glocon · May 4, 2015

Wow! Rehabing Sinbad? Is that a first for that show? That's great!

escriven75 · May 4, 2015

Wow, great to hear. Thanks all!! We'll be there for a whole week so it almost sounds as though we should give them all a try!! What about Terminator? Is that a show or a ride?? In all our visits, we've never given it a try. My youngest hated the Poseidon's Fury! He was small and felt all trapped in among the adults and especially in the dark not knowing where we were going when people started pushing. I'm hoping none of the other shows are similar to that one.

escriven75 · May 4, 2015

Where do you catch the Blues Bros show??

schumigirl · May 5, 2015

escriven75 said:
Where do you catch the Blues Bros show??

Opposite Finnegans.....can't miss it......it's fun!

Horror make up and Beetlejuice are the best shows Universal have.......Terminator is worth seeing once......it's a mix of live people and screen time. Loud. But it is where I tend to have a quick power nap......lol......

zbsigpi · May 5, 2015

If you are going to be there for a week then take your time, take in the sights and sounds of universal. Take in all the shows and spend lots of time at the resorts as well. Most of all relax and enjoy.

RMulieri · May 5, 2015

Our favorites ( including our 11 yr old)
Beetlejuice
Blues Brothers
Horror makeup show
Animal Actors

HM · May 5, 2015

escriven75 said:
Wow, great to hear. Thanks all!! We'll be there for a whole week so it almost sounds as though we should give them all a try!! What about Terminator? Is that a show or a ride?? In all our visits, we've never given it a try. My youngest hated the Poseidon's Fury! He was small and felt all trapped in among the adults and especially in the dark not knowing where we were going when people started pushing. I'm hoping none of the other shows are similar to that one.

Terminator is done as a show in an auditorium, with 3D glasses. Starts out in a lobby with a TM doing a welcome and showing a video (standing in this part) and then you move in to the theater. I like it.

I can't think of anything that is like Posiedon's Fury where you are in the dark for periods of time. Disaster has you in a group moving from place to place, but it's lighted and you don't feel as 'trapped.

snoopboop · May 5, 2015

I've always found Beetlejuice to be pretty awful. The times I've seen it, anyway, the singers were not great and the whole show was just cringe-worthy. :-/ To be fair, I haven't seen it since they revamped it (over the winter?). I can enjoy a campy show if the talent is spot-on, but I really felt that the casting in this one didn't hit the mark.

I always enjoy listening to the Blues Brothers. High-energy and super fun! You can't help but boogie as you're listening!!

You mentioned you'd seen the HP shows... But just in case you've missed them, we adored the Three Brothers puppet show and we though Celestina Warbeck was great too.

Kivara · May 5, 2015

My youngest (8 at the time, and a bit squeemish to even fake gore) HATED the Horror Make-Up show. He hid his head under my jacket the whole time. (I would have left with him, but it was POURING rain when we went in.)
That said, everyone else in our group loved the show. It was funny, goofy, and over the top (not realistic gore by any means, that I remember.)

We have missed Beetlejuice every time we went, so I can't comment on that one, but we all loved Terminator.
Disaster was awesome (my oldest was picked for that show) the only problem was, like Posiedon, you go into the rooms in a jumble, and at both shows, my kids ended up stuck behind tall adults and straining to see.

CPanther95 · May 5, 2015

We do the Horror Make-up show every trip - and the Animal Actors show probably every other trip.

We did both a couple weeks ago and the Animal Actors show was a bit rough. Must have been some retirements since the last time I saw it (plus they got rid of the monkey!).

macraven · May 6, 2015

i love horror make up show !!

catch it a few times on each visit.

last fall i was the one in the audience to give the mouth to mouth...

and i did.

escriven75 · May 6, 2015

Where is the horror make-up show? Anyone have any good tips on how early to arrive for any of these shows? Where to stand to make sure the kids can see well? Or how to be picked for audience participation? My daughter got to be the "scream" in the Disaster show last time....she loved it!!

macraven · May 6, 2015

take the first right by boulangerie and walk straight.
go past T2 to the end of that block.
horror make up show is very noticable, can't miss it.
across from it is Mels eatery.

it is seats, not a standing show.
the hours will be in your park guide map and on the marque.

lobby is good, many things to look at and take pics of.
express line available for this show.

i don't usually get there until 15 minutes before the show opens unless i want to look at things in the lobby.
express line and handicap are let in first to the show room.

then, everyone is let in.
TM's usually say, go to the end of the row when they know it wil be a packed house.

usually a woman is chosen to be on stage for the demonstration of ......
i'll keep mum on what that is about if you have never seen this show.

in all the times i have gone, they usually pick a female that has limited knowledge of english.
kids are not chosen for going on the stage but one or two usually get picked on affectionately while in their seats.

bumbershoot · May 8, 2015

snoopboop said:
I've always found Beetlejuice to be pretty awful. The times I've seen it, anyway, the singers were not great and the whole show was just cringe-worthy. :-/ To be fair, I haven't seen it since they revamped it (over the winter?). I can enjoy a campy show if the talent is spot-on, but I really felt that the casting in this one didn't hit the mark.

Isn't that interesting? DH and DS (the ones in the family who have seen it repeatedly) feel exactly the opposite. Even I was laughing pretty hard the only time I saw it.

Advice on shows in both parks?

Mouse bars for breakfast!!!

DIS Veteran

zbsigpi

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My tag from the Tag Fairy is now too long to use.

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DIS Veteran

Mouse bars for breakfast!!!

Mouse bars for breakfast!!!

It's a bit of a roodie doodie word for lady parts

zbsigpi

DIS Veteran

My tag from the Tag Fairy is now too long to use.

DIS Veteran

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Mummyketeer

Proud Redhead

Mouse bars for breakfast!!!

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