What movies to watch before visiting Universal/IoA?

[coastgirl]

I know before we went to WDW for the first time, we made sure the kids had seen some of the “classics” (the old princess movies, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, etc.)—the things on which attractions or character greetings are based. Now we are planning on going to Universal, and I thought it’d be fun to do the same thing.

All I have on my list now is “Back to the Future” (is there a ride based on that or have I imagined it?) and “Men in Black”. I don’t think “The Mummy” is appropriate for a 7 yo girl and 10 yo boy (not having seen it myself, I have to say—I stand to be corrected), and we don’t have much interest in “scary” rides anyway. Is “Twister” interesting for kids? I haven’t seen it in so long. (And maybe the ride is up there in the “scary” category?) We have seen ET (and will again before we go) and we own the Harry Potter books and movies.

Barney and Spongebob will be studiously avoided (“Mom hates Barney”, the kids will quickly tell you), and I won’t run from Dora but the kids probably would! ;-) Superheroes…the 10 yo watches a lot of the tv series stuff, I don’t know if any of the related movies would be family fare with a 7 yo girl in the picture?

What else?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I know before we went to WDW for the first time, we made sure the kids had seen some of the “classics” (the old princess movies, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, etc.)—the things on which attractions or character greetings are based. Now we are planning on going to Universal, and I thought it’d be fun to do the same thing.

All I have on my list now is “Back to the Future” (is there a ride based on that or have I imagined it?) and “Men in Black”. I don’t think “The Mummy” is appropriate for a 7 yo girl and 10 yo boy (not having seen it myself, I have to say—I stand to be corrected), and we don’t have much interest in “scary” rides anyway. Is “Twister” interesting for kids? I haven’t seen it in so long. (And maybe the ride is up there in the “scary” category?) We have seen ET (and will again before we go) and we own the Harry Potter books and movies.

Barney and Spongebob will be studiously avoided (“Mom hates Barney”, the kids will quickly tell you), and I won’t run from Dora but the kids probably would! ;-) Superheroes…the 10 yo watches a lot of the tv series stuff, I don’t know if any of the related movies would be family fare with a 7 yo girl in the picture?

What else?

No Back to the Future ride but they have a Delorean and the train from the 3rd one as well as a pic opportunity with Doc Brown in front of the Delorean.

I would say watch the HP movies...its nice to walk into HP land and know what its about.

The Mummy imo isn't too bad for kids and also a pretty great movie so thats a possibility.

T2 obviously is rated R so up to you whether its worth the kids watching it or not. They do a good job of explaining everything and seeing it isn't a necessity.

Jaws also is rated R so again up to you. Tbh not rly needing to see but it does help a little in knowing about the story-line.

Jimmy Neutron and Shrek could be good ones for the little ones to see.

You could watch some of the Hulk cartoon movies/shows and the X-men/Spidermen.

Jurassic park could be a good one as well...awesome ride and good movie.

O and Men in Black could be a good one for them to watch. Entertaining imo for kids and the ride is top notch.

The Simpsons also a good one to watch, idk if they have seen the show but good to see movie or show whichever.

Twister isn't rly scary but its not an every trip show for me either. Then again whats scary to one varies so they might consider it that way. Rly depends on your kids attention spans whether its worth watching the movie or not. Its also closed a lot for some reason.

Cat in the Hat imo could be good book to read...The movie is fairly entertaining too imo but reading it to them and then them seeing it could be nicer then seeing the movie.

 

[Chelley00]

Here's what we added to our DVD collection (or what we already had) for the ride down last trip:

Cat in the Hat (Seuss Landing)
Shrek
Jimmy Neutron
Spongebob (headphones are your friend!)
Jurassic Park

at the library we found DVDs with Popeye and Woody Woodpecker cartoons

The older kids watched
Spiderman
Hulk

Harry Potter was not open yet, but we could have had the kids watch it.

 

[JenM]

No Back to the Future ride but they have a Delorean and the train from the 3rd one as well as a pic opportunity with Doc Brown in front of the Delorean.

And don't let the ride being gone stop you from watching Back to the Future. Great movie (and the sequels are a lot of fun too).

The car and the train are definitely still there? That just made my day. Next week will be my first time back there since the ride closed.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

And don't let the ride being gone stop you from watching Back to the Future. Great movie (and the sequels are a lot of fun too).

The car and the train are definitely still there? That just made my day. Next week will be my first time back there since the ride closed.

I haven't heard of them removing and it was still there in Aug so yup it should be...Go down the street where the Blues Brothers show and its there.

I do agree also that its a good movie and you should watch it with sequels...At least if they run into Doc riding his bike(Or at the Delorean) they may know who he is in that case.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I do the same kind of thing all the time weeks before our vacations. Besides the ones you already own I would buy or rent to watch: Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius the movie, Sponge Bob and the Simpsons are some of the funniest cartoons imaginable, Shrek 1 and 2, Curious George, An American Tail, Madagascar, Scooby-doo Cartoons, Woodie Woodpecker Cartoons, Spider-Man & Hulk & X- Men Cartoons, Dudley Do-Rights & Popeye Cartoons and Seuss Celebration which is an excellent DVD for children.

The ones that have some scary scenes would be Jurassic Park, The Mummy 1 & 2 and Twister. I would not recommend Terminator 2 the movie for kids but the show should be ok. Speaking of shows, don't miss The Monster Make-up Show at the Studios. It has a compilation of scary scenes that they run for about a minute but they always warn you about it before its shown, after that, the entire show is very funny and entertaining. Your kids should have a blast. Have a fun trip.

 

[coastgirl]

Fabulous ideas and information, thanks so much!

 

[j9000]

ET, Shrek, Jaws and Men in Black rides are all 'sequels' to the original films, and assume you already have a grip of the characters or events for the show to work (in the same vein as Star Tours)

would recommend Jaws if you're kids can handle films like that (if you're questioning the mummy...maybe not) as again the ride is a sequel,

and why no love for the Sponge Bob Movie??? that movie is wrong on so may levels...I love it!!

 

[Albytaps]

I'm still sad about the Back to the Future ride being gone.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I'm still sad about the Back to the Future ride being gone.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about The Institute of Future Technology. R.I.P.

 

[JenM]

I'm still sad about the Back to the Future ride being gone.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about The Institute of Future Technology. R.I.P.

Me too...although it lives on on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmIHlAuE2Wo

 

[Disney Padawan]

Me too...although it lives on on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmIHlAuE2Wo

Yes it does! Thanks for the link. The latest Back to the Future DVD has the same ride footage and all the queue footage too! Hopefully the Blu-ray version will have all of that, it comes out next month.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[AlienNation]

I see someone mentioned the Popeye and Dudley Do-Right cartoons, but there are also the Popeye movie with Robin Williams and Dudley Do-Right movie with Brendan Fraser that you can watch. Popeye of course is an older movie, but still cute (at least to me it is).

 

[mom2aandj]

I see someone mentioned the Popeye and Dudley Do-Right cartoons, but there are also the Popeye movie with Robin Williams and Dudley Do-Right movie with Brendan Fraser that you can watch. Popeye of course is an older movie, but still cute (at least to me it is).

I have that old Popeye movie on our list to watch this month before we go--I always thought it was a cute movie too. We just finished ET, which the kids LOVED! They couldn't get over how often the kids were left alone. We're definitely skipping Jaws, my parents let me watch that when I was 7 and I was scared out of my mind!

 

[canadiankim]

Have to agree I wouldn't let my DS (10) and DD(8) watch Jaws, but they have done the ride when they were 6 & 4 and really enjoyed it. They also did MIB without seeing the movie, to them it was all about shooting the aliens. This time they know all the HP movies and can't wait to visit WWOHP.

3 weeks today and we arrive for our US/IAO & WDW holiday

DH(46), Me (40ish), DS(10), DD(8)

 

[JenM]

Yes it does! Thanks for the link. The latest Back to the Future DVD has the same ride footage and all the queue footage too! Hopefully the Blu-ray version will have all of that, it comes out next month.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Yep, it's going to be on the blu-rays too!

I've been on a Universal movie kick lately too (and yes, I watched the BTTF movies again, even though the ride is gone!) before my trip next week. I just watched Jurassic Park again, and I'm hoping to at least get ET and Jaws in before I leave. Love those movies.

 

[AlienNation]

Another movie that you can probably watch to build the excitement of going to Universal/IoA is Bring It On: In It To Win It. Tho it isn't based on any of the rides or anything like that, it was filmed at Universal Orlando, so you see a lot of the rides/hotels/landmarks/etc. throughout much of the movie. I know every time I see it come on and watch it, it makes me ready to go back after seeing them (Universal Studios Globe/Front Gate, Hard Rock Hotel, IoA lighthouse, etc.)

 

[brenda1966]

I'm wondering if it would be more fun to watch Bring it On after we've been to US. Sort of a reminiscing after we've visited the park?

Actually Jaws is rated PG, not R. I have a feeling if it were released today it would be PG13. Nevertheless, DD was grossed out by the blood, so I can't say I'd recommend it for 8 year olds! She did watch Jurrasic park just fine.

I'm not sure how I feel about the Delorian still being in US. I guess it's a nice surprise, but I'm so disappointed the ride is gone, that the sight of the car my bring me to tears.