Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[Leshaface]

Oh my! You and Ed totally cleared out the MK. The pictures from both of you are fantastic! Can't believe you guys had a little entourage with you to make sure you didn't hang back in the park. I didn't even know you can hang around up till an hour and a half after park hours.

The room looks very spacious and wonderful that it was ready.

The FotL pass sounds like something we would do, especially for those wait times. But yikes, the queues are definitely boring. And no pictures allowed? I bet you were a little disappointed by that.

Too bad about Mel's Diner. It looks fun from the outside.

 

[zanzibar138]

Oh, now I know why I wasn't allowed to take photos at Universal in Singapore then! They didn't have any problem with it at the Hollywood location back in 2011. I'm guessing it's a new policy they've brought in across the board I'll admit I was a little taken aback when I got in trouble for taking photos, but I don't usually bother with photos of rides, so it didn't affect me that much.

The Universal hotel looks nice. I think when I *finally* make it there I'll have to stay onsite (although it will probably change by then and there will be no more FOTL passes ). It was certainly worth it for you guys!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Even though your time is up at WDW and we won't see each other for quite awhile, I am looking forward to this part of your report. I really know NOTHING about Universal. The last time we were there the daughters were 7 & 9 I think they are now 38 & 39 ( 40 in Oct )

If we ever go this will give us some insight. I try to plan but the website and the 2 parks, maybe 3 just gets me confused. I hear Universal I think Harry Potter, ET, and Yogi Bear teach me will you ??
So far I've learned definitely FOTL pass and your hotel looks perfect. I am taking notes.

I think you need to head to the Dark Side at some stage. It's actually a nice change from Disney.

Cool! I haven't been to Universal for a few years but love to try the Transformer ride! Love the movies! The room looks nice glad the beds were comfy! Oh dear the rain is coming..

Hope you did The Simpsons ride I loved that one...

There are a number of cool rides at UO. You'll have to wait and see if we got on the Simpsons.....

I have not been a fan of Universal Studios every time I go there from Orlando or Hollywood. It is nice but it doesn't have that feel like Disney. If I ever go back to Universal Orlando is to see the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley which just opened this summer.

The room on-site looks very nice. Just like you said that Universal has a restriction of photographing on there rides. There are a few rides and shows that Disney doesn't allow photographing which I can understand. Good thing that you got the FotL passes or you would have to wait in those long lines. At least there was a benefit of staying on-site. I did enjoy the Transformer ride when I rode it in Universal.

I think its a nice contrast to Disney. It isn't in the same league where theming is concerned but some of the rides do put Disney to shame. And there is no denying the Harry factor. That whole WWoHP area is amazing. We missed seeing Diagon Alley and if we head back, UO will be getting a proportion of our tourist dollars.

Sorry to see the time end at WDW, but it was an amazing trip from the photo evidence. Congrats on your 1 AM departure.

Your photos are amazing and I love them all

Your first part of the day at the Dark Side looks like it is going good until the rain.

Thanks Brandi.

It took me a while to warm up to the Dark Side but the rides were great.

Fun update and nice room view. I'll show DH this update as he knows he'll never get me to Universal as long as Disney is an option.

Lunch looks good but I'm sorry it wasn't fab.

Looks like rain!

Thanks. Yes. It is rain. And I won't be heading back to Mel's Diner if I can help it. Hope your DH liked the update.

I've never been to Universal. Never had a desire. Nothing I've seen here has changed my mind. And you can't take pictures on the rides!?!?!?!?!? I would hate that!

It just snuck up on me this trip. I'm a Harry Potter tragic. Love the books and I just HAD to visit WWoHP again. And the rides are actually really cool. In many of them, I really wouldn't be able to hold on to the camera anyway; so the camera really is safer in the bag and in a locker somewhere.

 

[PrincessInOz]

You guys must have got there pretty early to get all that in! Great that the room was ready. I like that hotel. We have stayed there twice and for being the cheapest of the three, I don't notice it in the rooms or service. It also doesn't hurt that they have Emeril's restaurant there. We like to eat there when we stay.

I didn't realize that you couldn't take photographs in the rides at Universal. I guess that they are just too intense for me to even think about it.

I'm not a fan of the REAL Mel's diner and I've eaten there a few times. I had an ex who lived down the street and just loved the place. Me, eh, take it or leave it.

The transformers ride sounds pretty cool. I'll have to try it someday. Optimus Prime? I would wait in line for a picture with him too!

Yes, I do remember that rain. We had just eaten our last yummy molten chocolate cake from Ireland and we said, "Hmmm, I think it might start raining. Shall we start heading back?" We spent at least 20 minutes in the gift shop and the Intl Gateway before breaking down and buying yet another set of ponchos (our OL was packed up with Bell Services and the others were in our luggage enroute to the airport via DME).

Anyone reading my current TR, knows how frustrated we were to purchase yet another poncho just last May due to poor planning!

I remember you staying at the RPR when you were visiting Harry. Your pictures of it and your review played a big part in me deciding that it was probably going to suit my family. So thanks for that.

I think I've eaten at the real Mel's Diner as well. I can leave it as well.

And yes....another poncho for your collection. It did rain hard that afternoon, didn't it?

The hotel room looks really nice and the Front of Line access sounds like a great perk. We have been to Universal Studios once and to Islands of Adventure once and it is just not our thing. Neither of us is into the big rides. The photo package sounds like a fantastic deal, but what a shame that you are not allowed to take photos inside the rides. I wonder if it will be that way at Disney at some point in the future, too, as people keep ignoring requests not to use flash.

Corinna

If you're not into big rides, then I can see how it isn't your thing. There are some extreme rides there that I wouldn't go on. Even DS looked at them and decided they weren't for him either. Thankfully for us, we managed to find other things to fill our time and rides that were more our speed.

I sure hope that Disney don't ban photography on their rides.

Enjoying your insight into Universal which will be different from several others I have read. Also love your report and pics on closing MK. My DH would have been getting twitchy saying we gotta go, he is such a "do the right thing" guy and wouldn't have let me dawdle like that (and these days he really is the picture taker), especially once security guards appeared!

Thanks Wendy. I think I had read and seen a few photographers stay at Disney after hours enough to know that I wasn't going to get into serious trouble.

Oh my! You and Ed totally cleared out the MK. The pictures from both of you are fantastic! Can't believe you guys had a little entourage with you to make sure you didn't hang back in the park. I didn't even know you can hang around up till an hour and a half after park hours.

The room looks very spacious and wonderful that it was ready.

The FotL pass sounds like something we would do, especially for those wait times. But yikes, the queues are definitely boring. And no pictures allowed? I bet you were a little disappointed by that.

Too bad about Mel's Diner. It looks fun from the outside.

Thanks!

I did know that UO didn't let you take photographs inside the rides before I got there. So, whilst I was disappointed, I was expecting it.

Oh, now I know why I wasn't allowed to take photos at Universal in Singapore then! They didn't have any problem with it at the Hollywood location back in 2011. I'm guessing it's a new policy they've brought in across the board I'll admit I was a little taken aback when I got in trouble for taking photos, but I don't usually bother with photos of rides, so it didn't affect me that much.

The Universal hotel looks nice. I think when I *finally* make it there I'll have to stay onsite (although it will probably change by then and there will be no more FOTL passes ). It was certainly worth it for you guys!

Glad to see that they have consistent policies at the various US!


I liked the Universal hotels. They are roomier than the ones at Disney. I think they will offer Express Pass in some form or another. When you make it out, the Express Pass is really worth it if you are hitting the parks during a busy period.

 

[Pinkocto]

Oooohhhh, Universal! I have never been and know that I must. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and have been waiting for the hype to die down a little before going. How was the Minions ride?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oooohhhh, Universal! I have never been and know that I must. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and have been waiting for the hype to die down a little before going. How was the Minions ride?

It's a fun ride. But I wouldn't wait a long time in the queue for this one. If you have Express Pass and can skip stand-by, then it's worth it.
I do love the characters; but there are better rides in Universal for me to spend my time waiting for.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Adults Being Kids



The rain chewed out about 1.5 hours of our day. And once back in the room, DS was not inclined to head back out again. Even when the rain stopped, we couldn't convince him out again.


We are very bad parents. The convenience of staying on-site. It was really only a 10 minute walk between the resort and the park. And with the benefit of the FotL or more correctly the Express Pass, DH and I decided to head back to the park again. We decided DS could stay in the room by himself.


Can anyone spot which way we were heading?






Yup. It does say This Way!






Our interaction with Shrek and Donkey, in particular, was hilarious! Whoever was ad-libbing for Donkey that day really knew how to push DH's buttons! And Donkey sure knew his Australian culture and accent. There were jokes about vegemite and Aussie Rules Football flying thick and fast.






So the other benefit I was fast discovering was the Star Card. It sure was paying dividends for me on this trip.






After our Meet and Greet, we headed on in. If anyone has any doubts about the value of the Express Pass, check out the difference in queue entry. The one to the right is the stand-by line. If you look close enough, you can see it snake along all the way in. The one to the left is the Express Pass. The Cast Member checked it out and it was go Express Pass Go and collect $200 worth of time savings. Of course, the value of the Express Pass will depend on how busy UO is going to be.

We still had to wait for the next show; but we didn't have to wonder if we were going to get in.






The Shrek 4-D experience? Think Bugs Life 4D or Philharmagic and that would be about right. I have to say that I enjoyed the Shrek 4-D experience better than the Minions experience but that's because I like Shrek better.


So far, we'd covered the Production Central area of Universal Studios with Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Transformers and Shrek 4D. We also looked at the Rip Ride Rockit and decided that drop wasn't for us. I have to admit that whilst the theming wasn't as polished as Disney, the attractions that we'd been on were definitely more in line with our teenage age group. DH and I were definitely adults being kids at Universal and we were loving it.


We moved out of this area and into the Hollywood section. Fashion statements were all the rage here. Check out the trio of Men in Black Shades, complete with matching flaring nostrils!






Guess who was the unfashionable one? I completely missed the fashion statement memo today.






There really was no rhyme or reason to our touring plan at US. We were going with the flow and again it was quite liberating not to have this part of the trip planned down to the Fast Pass microsecond.
And whilst logic would dictate that we would continue down the Hollywood section, logic could not hold a candle to a bright flashy float with loud music. And this time, I recognised Diego. Vamos, Diego, Vamos! It's Adventura time.






I might have recognised Diego....and I might have known that this could have been the Bobo brothers....






....and I might or might not have known Baby Jaguar....






....but I had no idea who these petals were.










I think you can see the queue for Diego. I decided that we didn't need to go meet him anyway. It's not as if I watch Dora or Diego....much....any more.


As we were kinda in the area, DH and I walked by in the hopes of another Express pass entry. Sadly, the ride was down.






So, it was meet and greet time. DH found out that we could meet 3 of the transformers. I had no idea he was such a closet Transformer fan!
















And I didn't forget to claim our Star Card photos. You can't miss the photobooth as you'll be looking straight at it as you take your pictures with the Decepticon and Autobots. If you claim your picture at the booth, I think they immediately add the borders to the shots.

For anyone who is wondering. They rotate the Transformers every 20 minutes; so we ended up being here for 45 minutes or so. DH made sure we stayed for the complete set of Meet and Greets.....and photographs.


Megatron






Optimus Prime






Bumble Bee










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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


More Meet and Greets in Hollywood



DH was rather happy about his Meet and Greets so far and he was more than willing to follow me for a walk-around the park. So, we made our way back to the Hollywood section.






I was rather amused to see that there was a US version of the Brown Derby. We amused ourselves trying on some of the hats but didn't stay that long....






....because I spotted an old friend across the street. I used to watch Woody Woodpecker cartoons when I was a child.






But I don't remember a female version of Woody at all!






I know there was a Woody Woodpecker KidZone section of the park. DH never say Woody Woodpecker so he wasn't that interested to check it out. I had always intended to come back to catch the ET and the Animal Actors shows. Somehow it never worked out that way and I completely missed out on checking out this section altogether. Next time.


We must have hit the jackpot with characters at this time. Curious George was also out and about.






As was two of my all-time favourite Hanna-Barbera characters.






I've always thought Scooby was a very clever dog. I definitely wasn't wrong! He could pick which one of us was the bigger fan immediately.






From the Star Card collection.











There is a I Love Lucy tribute near the Brown Derby. DH is not a fan and really didn't want to go in. He was happy to accompany me, if I really wanted to go in but I decided to give it a miss this time round.
Afterall, if we keep walking along the Hollywood section, we would strike an attraction that both of us would enjoy.






The Terminator 2: 3D experience is a mix between a live action stunts and special effects and a short movie experience. The story is effectively a continuation of the Terminator 2 movie and quite clever in concept and it does blur the line between cinema magic and live action.






The adults being kids enjoyed this experience very much. We both agreed that this was an experience we would be happy to do again.



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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Springing Around the Field



Springfield is a very common name for a town. I think there are about 5 or 6 Springfields in Australia and well over 35 of them in the US. Not that I've visited everyone single one of these towns but I'm pretty sure that none of them hold a candle to the town founded by Jebediah Springfield.






With such attractions like the Lard Lad donut....






....and.....ummmm.....Duff Beer....






...it really is hard for any of those towns to top this Springfield. Yup. Nothing comes close to Jebediah's town.


The Adults Being Kids were running out of time and we had the choice between checking out the local attractions in Springfield or making a bee-line for the ride.






I think you can guess which one we chose.






This ride is hilarious and definitely worth getting on! I'm not a super rabid Simpsons fan. Afterall, I've only watched about 100 – 150 episodes (out of the over 550) in total. Even so, I knew enough to get the references in this ride that related back to the show. I'm also pretty sure that there were more references in the ride that I didn't get. I think next time the pay TV channels has a Simpsons mega-thon, I might just make some time and watch a few more episodes.


I understand that the Simpsons ride took over the space previously held by Back to the Future.






Sad to see the junkyard but as I never experienced the BttF ride, I have nothing to compare it to.






We kept going.






The World Expo section of US where Springfield is located also has the Fear Factor and the Men In Black Alien Attack ride. We were a little short of time on this day and gave both a miss.


Last year, this is what Diagon Alley looked like.






I really really wish I were there this year!



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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


No Trace of the Superstar Parade



There were two drivers for our rush this afternoon. The first was that we needed to head to San Francisco section of the park.






The Superstar Parade route was down this street. The Superstar Parade is about the only parade in Universal Studios that showcases some of their cartoon favourites. I thought it might be fun to check it out and do the comparisons to the almost embarrassing wealth of Disney parades.






We barricaded ourselves in a spot where we thought we would get a good view of the parade.






Sadly, it was another miss for us. There was more rain predicted and with about 10 minutes to go before parade time, the announcement came over the park. The parade was cancelled.




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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


The Water Taxi Transport



The second driver for our rush this afternoon was that child of ours. We had promised to be back for him by a certain time of the day and we needed to make good on that promise. The rain had come at the opportune time and it was the cue we needed to head back to the resort.


Our timing had worked out great for the trip back. We bundled DS out of the room and rushed him out just in time to make it to the next water taxi departure.







This is a great form of transport if you are feeling just that little tired and want to save your legs from a bit of walking. And every single water taxis we got on this trip were clean and spotless.






As someone was hungry and grumpy, we figured this was the way to get back to the main Universal tourist section today without too much complaining. I don't blame him....it had been a pretty full-on trip this vacay.






The ride took 10 minutes to get to the City Walk area and by that stage, DS had brightened up. There was plenty of time left for us to enjoy the evening.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You did quite a lot at Universal Studios that day. So much has changed at Universal Studios since I last visited in over 10 years. It is nice to see the park in your eyes during your trip.

All of your photos with the characters are very nice especially with the Transformers in the background.

My DB is a fan of the Simpsons and he would really enjoy Springfield at Universal Studios.

Very nice updates.

 

[Pinkocto]

I am really enjoying seeing Universal, the theming looks pretty good from your pictures.

Sorry you missed the parade. Too cute about DH and the Transformers.

You got some great photos with lots of characters

Is the express pass free staying on property or do you pay for that?

 

[jedijill]

I can't wait to get back over to Universal. Diagon Alley looks amazing. Looks like you guys had a good day in between rainstorms but sorry you missed the parade.

Jill in CO

 

[Aussie Wendy]

So how was Simpsons Ride? I keep hearing about people getting motion sick on it. We are generally fine on simulators but after DH experience on EE last time (as per yours this visit but EE is a roller coaster not a simulator) thought you could give us some more info - is it really nauseating movements? How does it compare to Star Tours 3D for example? Thanks.

I would have comfortably left DS alone for a couple of hours for some "down time" too - we used to do that with DD when she was younger as well. Looks like you and DH had a fun afternoon together. Is DS staying behind in Oct with family when you do your SoCal dash? (given school and all).

 

[dolphingirl47]

You definitely got your money's worth out of the Star Card. That meet and greet with Shrek and Donkey looked like a lot of fun. What a shame that the parade was cancelled.

Corinna

 

[RachelleBeaney]

Yes please! I'm game - I always love reading other Aussie trip reports Starting now....

 

[PrincessInOz]

You did quite a lot at Universal Studios that day. So much has changed at Universal Studios since I last visited in over 10 years. It is nice to see the park in your eyes during your trip.

All of your photos with the characters are very nice especially with the Transformers in the background.

My DB is a fan of the Simpsons and he would really enjoy Springfield at Universal Studios.

Very nice updates.

10 years since you last visited UO?

I expect there is heaps of changes compared to then.

I am really enjoying seeing Universal, the theming looks pretty good from your pictures.

Sorry you missed the parade. Too cute about DH and the Transformers.

You got some great photos with lots of characters

Is the express pass free staying on property or do you pay for that?

Thanks. We may have missed the parade but it was a great day nevertheless.

The (unlimited) Express Pass is provided to guests that stay on-site for Portofino, Royal Pacific and Hard Rock for free. They recently opened Cabana Cay and it's more a value hotel. I don't think the Express Pass is available for free for that resort.

Universal do sell the Express Pass to non-resort guests. I don't know if that version of the EP is an unlimited version or not. For the resort guests, they can ride on any ride multiple times. I think the one that UO sells for non-resort guests is single ride. But don't trust me on this one. I have the vague recollection that there are two types of EP that Universal sell - unlimited and single ride.

I can't wait to get back over to Universal. Diagon Alley looks amazing. Looks like you guys had a good day in between rainstorms but sorry you missed the parade.

Jill in CO

I think the Harry factor will definitely pull me back to Universal. I would love to see DA.

So how was Simpsons Ride? I keep hearing about people getting motion sick on it. We are generally fine on simulators but after DH experience on EE last time (as per yours this visit but EE is a roller coaster not a simulator) thought you could give us some more info - is it really nauseating movements? How does it compare to Star Tours 3D for example? Thanks.

I would have comfortably left DS alone for a couple of hours for some "down time" too - we used to do that with DD when she was younger as well. Looks like you and DH had a fun afternoon together. Is DS staying behind in Oct with family when you do your SoCal dash? (given school and all).

I liked the Simpson's Ride. We didn't get motion sickness on that ride or anything. Star Tours is mild by comparison. I thought the visuals on the Simpsons moved a lot quicker than ST.

DS is heading to SoCal on the Mad Dash as well. I wrote in to the Principal and got permission.

You definitely got your money's worth out of the Star Card. That meet and greet with Shrek and Donkey looked like a lot of fun. What a shame that the parade was cancelled.

Corinna

I like the Star Card concept. Shrek was a scream. It was the second time we'd gone to visit him (the first was in 2010) and he has been hilarious both times.
Yes, pity about the parade...but it does give us something else to go back for.

Yes please! I'm game - I always love reading other Aussie trip reports Starting now....

Welcome!


You're starting now???

 

[mvf-m11c]

10 years since you last visited UO?

I expect there is heaps of changes compared to then.

I meant the Universal Studios park. I have been to Universal Studios Orlando at Islands of Adventure during my last few trips to Orlando to see WWoHP but not the actual Universal Studios park.

There are a lot of changes to Universal Studios park over time but there hasn't been a big reason to go on over to Universal Studios park during those trips. But with Diagon Alley now added, I will definitely go in Universal Studios park to see the newest additions to the parks.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I meant the Universal Studios park. I have been to Universal Studios Orlando at Islands of Adventure during my last few trips to Orlando to see WWoHP but not the actual Universal Studios park.

There are a lot of changes to Universal Studios park over time but there hasn't been a big reason to go on over to Universal Studios park during those trips. But with Diagon Alley now added, I will definitely go in Universal Studios park to see the newest additions to the parks.