Any special "must do's" not normally advertised?

[E.Jane]

We will spend a week at Universal next April. We've never been before, but have been to Disney twice. Can any one tell me about some of their "best guarded secrets"? You know the kinds of things I mean - like at disney, just ask to ride upfront on the monorail; plans for getting the best spot for the fireworks display, etc. etc. Stuff that's there, but not really advertised.

Are there any fireworks at either IOA or US?

 

[Dznefreek]

Are there any fireworks at either IOA or US?

Only for a couple of months during the summer.

 

[Cindy B]

Single rider line is a gread invention.
Stand right in front of the podium in the Earthquake attraction and raise your hand enthusiatically... you may get picked!

Thats what worked for my son.

 

[h20jag]

At IOA early A.M., just as park opens, adults may ride Pteranodon Flyers without having to observe the "must have child under x - inches (56"?) to ride".
2 per vehicle; short aerial ride (80 secs.); verrry long waits by mid-day.
It's fun though, great overview of park.
Jim

 

[horseshowmom]

To get picked for the Earthquake show:
If you aren't standing directly in front of the podium, it helps if you're wearing something that makes it easy for them to distinguish who they're calling on (so they don't have to say, "No, not you, him, no the other guy"). Every time we've been, someone in our party has been selected. Fluorescent (sp?) colored hats or shirts help (my DH had a neon pink hat that he shared that worked about every time). Of course, as CindyB said, it also helps to be enthusiastic.

We also used the same plan for the "game shows" they had at Nickelodeon Studios (audience participation but not televised). It always worked, but I don't know if they do those anymore.

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I would suggest visiting my usf.i8.com website and viewing the Tips Sections for both IOA and USF. They will help you plan a great trip.

Mike

Why not post some of your tips HERE? People come here for tips and info, and I'm pretty sure the DIS people would like to see the questions answered HERE, not have them sent to another site...

Isn't that the point to having a discussion board here???


Karen

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
Well then they should built a Tips Section for people see. I did people want tips which is why I took the time to make them.

If it satisfies you I'll post the tips here.

Mike

Well, they built a discussion board so people can ask questions and read the answers to them here. So yeah, it would be nice to post them here in answer to their question, if you have some to offer, IMO.

Karen

 

[Dave in the Frozen North]

Mike:

Thanks for the great set of tips and all the helpful info. I bopped over to your site to explore all the other great info you have. (I'm loaded to the hilt with Disney info and now looking for all the detail I can get on Universal.) We're planning our first extended trip to Universal next year and I appreciate all the wealth of knowledge you've provided.

I'm always so impressed with folks such as yourself that put together these awesome web sites.

Thanks again,

Dave in the Frozen North

 

[CdnMom2]

Ditto! Dave in the Frozen North beat me to it! I also checked out your site this weekend & was thrilled to get some info on Universal. I have so much info on Disney too for our upcoming trip, but know so little about Universal as I didn't think we'd be going until somewhat recently. Your well-organized site was a very pleasant surprise that eased my anxiety considerably. Thank you for posting your link & even the tips on here (though I already had the info after this weekend). I'm sure you've helped many! So many helpful people on these boards. Thank you.

 

[E.Jane]

Many thanks for all the info! I'll be sure to print it off and memorize it before we leave!

 

[Cindy B]

Don't forget about the Talking Fountain at IOA.. I didn't see anyone mention it.

The Fountain loves to talk to kids, play jokes, and just say hi, and occasionally squirt them.

My son and daughter liked him. Well, truth be told, my son was embarassed/worried on how the fountain actually saw him...


But later on, he like it!


BTW , Mikes height requirements are posted incorectly for the Jurassic Park River Adventure, it is NOT 46, but 42.

I know this since my 42 inch daughter rode it multiple times two weeks ago.

 

[Cindy B]

Also note that the Pterdon Flyers height requirement was incorecct in Mikes posting as well...

It is not 46, because my 42 inch daughter rode that as well.
Also if you get there early, adults can ride that by themselves.

We did that as well.

 

[MsDisney]

It is not 46, because my 42 inch daughter rode that as well.

I noticed that in one section, he posted noone under 46 inches, but in another (lot's of repetition - a little editing might have been helpful ), he posted the correct info, noone under 56 inches is allowed on unless accompanied by someone under that height. With Pteranadon Flyers, the issue isn't being tall enough, it's being too tall.

And E.Jane...there WAS alot of helpful info in there, as well as some outdated/incorrect info, so I wouldn't memorize it all, but use it loosely as a reference.

If you have come up with any specific questions, feel free to ask, we have lots of people here who frequent the parks!!!

Karen

 

[MIB999999]

a lot of the correct info is in the IMPORTANT threads at the top of the forums page. lots of info and lots of good reading to help you plan a trip to Universal

 

[Firedog]

It sure is a lot easier to read it here, than with that bright blue background on your home page.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by Firedog
It sure is a lot easier to read it here, than with that bright blue background on your home page.

If you've been to his site you might want to run "Ad-ware" or another program called "Spybot search and Destory"

 

[MsDisney]

You sure like to argue you tell me to post it, (The Bait) then I post it (The Hook) then you insult what I post (The Sinker) what's the deal?

I thought that it would be a great idea to post your tips here, since you have so many.

I didn't insult what you posted. I stated that there is some outdated info, which there is.

I didn't say your tips were incorrect, I said some of the info contained in it was incorrect.

The height requirement for the Pteranadon Flyers you posted is incomplete.
If you ride Pteranadon Flyers, you can be no taller than 56 inches to ride alone, if you are over that, you must be accompanied by a child who is under 56 inches.

As for "we have lots of people here who frequent the parks!!! " I have gone 8 times in the last 3 weeks.

Where in my statement did I say you weren't ONE of those...stop taking everything personally. I include you in that statement. There are a LOT of us who also do though.

I'm not here to insult you, but if something is incorrect, no matter who posts it (and I know others will check MY facts and let me know if I've got something wrong!) we owe it to the people who come here for info to post the correct info. We all make mistakes. No biggie.
Karen

 

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
Jurassic Park: This is the BIGGEST ISLAND in the park. JP opens at 11am in the morning so when you get there at the opening it will not be open.

Pteranodon Flyers- There part of Camp Jurassic and there not for adults, unless you are with a child 46 inches or under.

Jp may have opened at 11 in the ancient past but that has not been the case for a long long long time. Occasionally it will not open until 9:30 or 10.

the following is from Barry's thread about what kids can do at IOA.

Camp Jurassic is another play area. Kids can run through caves, squirt each other, climb over rope bridges, and go down slides. Be careful because Camp Jurassic winds around a lot and it is easy to lose a child in there. Camp Jurassic is also home to the only ride exclusively for kids, Pterandon Flyers. Children must be 36 to 56 inches to ride. Anyone over 56 inches tall will need to ride with a child who meets the height requirement.

 

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
It opens now at 10 I know, last year it was open at 11am which is when I typed that.

There is a reason why the parks hand out "Attraction & Show Times" at the entrance.

My tips give a general idea, what to do. Just because of all the MISINFORMATION I have I have redone all my sites on my Page. Starting with a new summary of Poseidons Fury.

Tips still will be done and redone in 1 hour.

Mike

I think this is the main concern some of us have. your site has misinformation, yet you constantly tell us how often you are at the parks. If you are there that often and still have bad info on your site, just how credible do you think you look to someone who saved thier money all year, just to spend a week down here and they go to the park expecting what they read to be the truth.

Mike the way we locals tour the parks is a lot different than someone who has 7 days and 7 days only to do all that Orlando has to offer. We locals hit the high spots we are in the mood for that day and then go home because we have another 364 days to do the other items. You need to start giving advice and info keeping that in mind. They only have a limited time so the info needs to be the most current and up to date possible.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

MIB999999

Mike the way we locals tour the parks is a lot different than someone who has 7 days and 7 days only to do all that Orlando has to offer. We locals hit the high spots we are in the mood for that day and then go home because we have another 364 days to do the other items. You need to start giving advice and info keeping that in mind. They only have a limited time so the info needs to be the most current and up to date possible.

Excellent advice! I get to go once, or twice a year. I would never tour the parks the same way you can. After reading some of Mikes posts I have to agree that seeing him tell people they can tour both parks in 4 hours is a bit CRAZY...


I know you can do that Mike, But I cant and better even, I Dont Want To!

Just a friendly hint...MIB is right on about the advice. In my case anyway.