Trip to US/IOA (March 13-15)
Background: My brother (18) and I (22) went to Universal over a weekend in March (it was his college spring break). I had been to Universal ages ago, before IOA was built, and he had never been there. We were both so excited to finally go to Universal, and it definitely lived up to our expectations!
Saturday:
My brother and I arrived to the Royal Pacific Resort at 9am on Saturday. We had both been up since 5am in order to get there, but it was worth the sleeplessness. As we headed towards the hotel, right in front of us was the Hulk and Dr. Doom, looming up from behind the trees! Quite a sight!
Impressions of the Royal Pacific Resort: Incredible! From the bridge with the little froggy statues, to the moat with the lily pads, the outside was lush and serene. The inside was even more beautiful, and we were duly impressed with the simple and elegant furnishings in the lobby and the spaciousness of the hotel. We stood on line for 2 seconds (being a Loews member helped, since we had a separate line), and check-in was a breeze. The hotel was completely booked so we didnt get an upgrade, but we were promised a New York Times and our request of fruit and water. We dropped off our bags at the bag check, and we headed to the park!
We walked through the gate at Universal by 9:20, and what a sight! The Port of Entry was beautifully done, reminiscent of an old village/marketplace. Sights and sounds abounded with details like the second story balconies and cute shop signs (I liked the candy store sign with the clinking camels). We walked to Marvel Super Hero Island, and after checking our bags at the neat thumbprint lockers, we went to the Hulk!
Well, since we had the room keys, we literally WALKED ON to the Hulk! Which would have been a great thing, except that we werent really prepared to get on a rollercoaster (the build-up while waiting on line is part of the fun and it prepares you for being scared)! I also forgot (and my brother didnt know) that the Hulk SHOOTS you out at 40 mph! So we screamed our heads off! Of course, once it was over, we went right back on and did it again!
The rest of the day was spent walking around the park in a clockwise fashion. The Spiderman ride was incredible, although it made us a little dizzy (not recommended right after 2 rides on the Hulk). Dudley do-Right was closed, but we went on Popeye. Wow, that was the WETTEST water ride I have ever been on. We wore plastic ponchos (bought for $1 before the trip), and although my brother groaned about wearing them, he definitely thanked me later! Jurassic Park Island was lushly landscaped, and the ride was a lot of fun (and dry if you ride in the back). We then went on Dueling Dragons, which was great! The Express Pass line was a little disorganized, but we found our way there. We did Fire and Ice, and Ice was by far better! It had really intense loops, and at the end it let you chill a bit and enjoy the ride.
After, we went to the Enchanted Oak for lunch. I had a great cheeseburger, and my brother dove into the Turkey Leg. All great, although the fries were slightly soggy. Wow, do they feed you at Universal! And the restaurant was beautiful (check out the animals carved in the ceiling, and the stained glass above! Reminded me of a Hobbit Hole!).
Then it was off for more! We saw the little shops in the Lost Continent, and had fun watching the booth with the medallion-making. The guys working there obviously were having fun hamming it up for the spectators, and it was a cool booth. We went to Poseidons Fury, which had a gorgeous outside. The show, however wow, it was really pathetic. Cool effects and our tour guide was good, but still a pathetic ride/show. After, we attempted to find the magic fountain, but it was closed! So sad! Well, then we headed to Seussland, which was cool and whimsical. The Cat in the Hat was suspiciously psychedelic to the adults, but kids loved it.
By then it was around 4pm and we were exhausted! After one more ride on the Hulk and a stop for a huge cookie (in the candy store), we went back to the hotel. Our room was ready, and we had one on the 5th floor in Tower 2. Our room was beautiful! Dark wood furniture, a surprisingly nice view, great TV channels, nice bathroom with a fun backscratcher! Two seconds later, a bellhop brought us our paper and our Loews gift of fruit and water (lots of fruit and 4 Fiji waters! Wow!) We relaxed until 6pm, and then headed back to the park for dinner and nighttime rides! I highly recommend taking an afternoon breakit was so great to take a breather!
We went back to IOA at 6pm (open until 8 that night) and walked around as it was getting dark. This is the BEST time to go to IOA! The place was nearly empty, the rides were fun in the dark, and the park really showed off its best side! The Lost Continent was gorgeous, with colored lanterns, jewel-toned stores, and the Enchanted Oak had glowing eyes! It really brought out the magic of the park! However, Seuss Island was definitely a bit eerie at night! We had dinner at Confiscos (great food and reasonable prices), and then called it a night. An amazing day one stay tuned for day two!
Background: My brother (18) and I (22) went to Universal over a weekend in March (it was his college spring break). I had been to Universal ages ago, before IOA was built, and he had never been there. We were both so excited to finally go to Universal, and it definitely lived up to our expectations!
Saturday:
My brother and I arrived to the Royal Pacific Resort at 9am on Saturday. We had both been up since 5am in order to get there, but it was worth the sleeplessness. As we headed towards the hotel, right in front of us was the Hulk and Dr. Doom, looming up from behind the trees! Quite a sight!
Impressions of the Royal Pacific Resort: Incredible! From the bridge with the little froggy statues, to the moat with the lily pads, the outside was lush and serene. The inside was even more beautiful, and we were duly impressed with the simple and elegant furnishings in the lobby and the spaciousness of the hotel. We stood on line for 2 seconds (being a Loews member helped, since we had a separate line), and check-in was a breeze. The hotel was completely booked so we didnt get an upgrade, but we were promised a New York Times and our request of fruit and water. We dropped off our bags at the bag check, and we headed to the park!
We walked through the gate at Universal by 9:20, and what a sight! The Port of Entry was beautifully done, reminiscent of an old village/marketplace. Sights and sounds abounded with details like the second story balconies and cute shop signs (I liked the candy store sign with the clinking camels). We walked to Marvel Super Hero Island, and after checking our bags at the neat thumbprint lockers, we went to the Hulk!
Well, since we had the room keys, we literally WALKED ON to the Hulk! Which would have been a great thing, except that we werent really prepared to get on a rollercoaster (the build-up while waiting on line is part of the fun and it prepares you for being scared)! I also forgot (and my brother didnt know) that the Hulk SHOOTS you out at 40 mph! So we screamed our heads off! Of course, once it was over, we went right back on and did it again!
The rest of the day was spent walking around the park in a clockwise fashion. The Spiderman ride was incredible, although it made us a little dizzy (not recommended right after 2 rides on the Hulk). Dudley do-Right was closed, but we went on Popeye. Wow, that was the WETTEST water ride I have ever been on. We wore plastic ponchos (bought for $1 before the trip), and although my brother groaned about wearing them, he definitely thanked me later! Jurassic Park Island was lushly landscaped, and the ride was a lot of fun (and dry if you ride in the back). We then went on Dueling Dragons, which was great! The Express Pass line was a little disorganized, but we found our way there. We did Fire and Ice, and Ice was by far better! It had really intense loops, and at the end it let you chill a bit and enjoy the ride.
After, we went to the Enchanted Oak for lunch. I had a great cheeseburger, and my brother dove into the Turkey Leg. All great, although the fries were slightly soggy. Wow, do they feed you at Universal! And the restaurant was beautiful (check out the animals carved in the ceiling, and the stained glass above! Reminded me of a Hobbit Hole!).
Then it was off for more! We saw the little shops in the Lost Continent, and had fun watching the booth with the medallion-making. The guys working there obviously were having fun hamming it up for the spectators, and it was a cool booth. We went to Poseidons Fury, which had a gorgeous outside. The show, however wow, it was really pathetic. Cool effects and our tour guide was good, but still a pathetic ride/show. After, we attempted to find the magic fountain, but it was closed! So sad! Well, then we headed to Seussland, which was cool and whimsical. The Cat in the Hat was suspiciously psychedelic to the adults, but kids loved it.
By then it was around 4pm and we were exhausted! After one more ride on the Hulk and a stop for a huge cookie (in the candy store), we went back to the hotel. Our room was ready, and we had one on the 5th floor in Tower 2. Our room was beautiful! Dark wood furniture, a surprisingly nice view, great TV channels, nice bathroom with a fun backscratcher! Two seconds later, a bellhop brought us our paper and our Loews gift of fruit and water (lots of fruit and 4 Fiji waters! Wow!) We relaxed until 6pm, and then headed back to the park for dinner and nighttime rides! I highly recommend taking an afternoon breakit was so great to take a breather!
We went back to IOA at 6pm (open until 8 that night) and walked around as it was getting dark. This is the BEST time to go to IOA! The place was nearly empty, the rides were fun in the dark, and the park really showed off its best side! The Lost Continent was gorgeous, with colored lanterns, jewel-toned stores, and the Enchanted Oak had glowing eyes! It really brought out the magic of the park! However, Seuss Island was definitely a bit eerie at night! We had dinner at Confiscos (great food and reasonable prices), and then called it a night. An amazing day one stay tuned for day two!
