Attraction Experts Advice for Coaster Weenie DH

[Rileygirl]

Hi Guys

Throwing myself on your mercy here --

We are going to Universal for the very first time, myself, my coaster weenie husband, and three thrill seeking kids.

We are going for 7 days, staying at the hard rock - woohoo

Ok, so knowing we are there for a long period of time, and have FOTL, I am not so worried about trying to see everything in one day, we will spread it over several days.

We have been to Disney several times, but have never set foot of Disney property, so we are truly International Drive virgins

I do want my husband to have a fantastic time, so he will want to come back! (I think its a forgone conclusion that me and the kids will).

OK - here is the question(s)/ advice needed.

Can anyone out there give me an attraction order advice to build his confidence to try some of the bigger rides at Universal? Like, I dont want throw him on Mummies, and then he refuses to try MIB (something I am sure he would like).

The Hulk and Dueling Dragons are totally out of the question for him, fyi. Its spidy, simpsons, MIB, T2,jurrassic park, stuff like that I would like to know about. Are there any steep drops, how much like a coaster are these rides, ect. Starting with the tamest and building up if you know what I mean.

TIA

 

[damo]

Start with Terminator. My husband loves that for some strange reason but it isn't always open right away. If not, start with Shrek and Jimmy Neutron and ET .

Throw in Simpsons and MIB and then do Jaws, Disaster and Twister. Now throw in the Mummy.

Throw the Horror Makeup show in there somewhere.

Those aren't necessarily in order but should work. Universal only has one coaster right now -- The Mummy. Are you going to IOA as well?


You need to show him the videos on You Tube of Men in Black Alien Attack. Maybe that will change his mind. It is our favourite.

 

[Rileygirl]

Thanks Damo!

Yes, we are going to do both parks probably a couple of times. Can you also give any advice on how rough the ride is, or if there are any big drops?

I have to get a book on the attractions so I can read about them I guess. I am not sure which ones are 'shows', which ones are motion simulator types (like star tours, I know I can get DH on those ones), and which ones are 'track type rides'.

I am guessing MIB is like Buzz lightyear at Disney, only on steriods. Is that correct?

Thanks again, sorry for all the questions!

 

[damo]

Thanks Damo!

Yes, we are going to do both parks probably a couple of times. Can you also give any advice on how rough the ride is, or if there are any big drops?

I have to get a book on the attractions so I can read about them I guess. I am not sure which ones are 'shows', which ones are motion simulator types (like star tours, I know I can get DH on those ones), and which ones are 'track type rides'.

I am guessing MIB is like Buzz lightyear at Disney, only on steriods. Is that correct?

Thanks again, sorry for all the questions!

Here ya go
Universal:
Shrek -- simulator -- mild
Jimmy Neutron -- simulator -- mild
Terminator -- 3D show and special effects with a bit of simulator --mild
Horror Make-up -- hilarious show --mild
Jaws -- boat ride with effects --medium
Disaster -- subway train ride after a few pre shows --mild
Twister -- tornado pre shows and then watching a simulated tornado --mild
MIB -- target ride with aliens from Men in Black -mild
ET -- ride "bikes" and get ET to home planet --mild
Mummy -- dark ride with two roller coaster sections. Each has a small drop and a few twists --most intense in this park
Simpsons -- motion simulator --medium

IOA:

Hulk -- outdoors multiple inversions and launch --intense
Storm Force acceletron -- tea cup style ride --medium
Dr. Doom's Fearfall -- Tower of Terror but shoot up and then drop down --medium
Spiderman -- 3D ride on moving vehicles that ride on a track but also act like simulators --medium
Popeye -- river raft ride -medium
Dudley do right -- water ride with big drop -more intense
Jurrasic park -- boat tour through Jurassic Park with big drop --more intense
Dueling Dragons -- two inverted coasters with multiple inversions and near collisions --intense
Poseidan's Fury -- indoor walking attraction with special effects --mild
High in the Sky Toontown trolley -- raised train ride though Suess stuff --mild
Cat in the Hat -- dark ride with pizzazz --mild

 

[Rileygirl]

Thank YOU!!!!!!

That is perfect, thank you!

 

[Jonny_Duck]

If its only coasters he wont ride then there is only 3 rides that will be an issue. Simpsons would be a good one to go on to warm him up to coaster it is like a coaster but its simulated.

 

[Rileygirl]

Well, he's funny about rides. Its not just coasters, - he wont try Test Track because he can see the cars zooming outside the attraction. I tell him its super mild ride, but he cant get past it.

He has no problem on body wars or star tours though, he likes the simulator rides.

I just did not want to unknowingly blow it by putting him on a 'dark ride' that was intense, because he probably would refuse to go on all dark rides. I figured if I did the tamest dark ride first, and then slooooowly build him up, I might even be able to get him on mummies, if he enjoyed the other rides, kwim?

Having never been before, I dont know how 'shrek' compares to the 'simpsons' ride, so I could gently build him up. Thats why I am asking all you experts to help me if he loves Universal, we will be back.

I am on a mission to convert my tame DH into a Universal luving junkie! lol

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Well, he's funny about rides. Its not just coasters, - he wont try Test Track because he can see the cars zooming outside the attraction. I tell him its super mild ride, but he cant get past it.

He has no problem on body wars or star tours though, he likes the simulator rides.

I just did not want to unknowingly blow it by putting him on a 'dark ride' that was intense, because he probably would refuse to go on all dark rides. I figured if I did the tamest dark ride first, and then slooooowly build him up, I might even be able to get him on mummies, if he enjoyed the other rides, kwim?

Having never been before, I dont know how 'shrek' compares to the 'simpsons' ride, so I could gently build him up. Thats why I am asking all you experts to help me if he loves Universal, we will be back.

I am on a mission to convert my tame DH into a Universal luving junkie! lol

Well Shrek is mostly just a 3D show. The seats do move like you are on a horse for a small part of it and there are some other effects. The simpsons is a full simulator somewhat like Star tours but much more intense as there are only 8 ppl in the car and its moves much more then Star tours.

T2 is just 3d and some seats drop once but there is almost no motion rly. Its a good show to start with and is located near the entrance. Especially if he liked the movie it is a great show and its a must see whenever I am there.

Dark rides that are rly intense would mainly just be the Mummy and some might think Spiderman is intense. Its a 3D dark ride but does not move that fast but there is some spinning.

 

[dtm316]

I don't do rollercoasters at all (with the exception of some of the disney ones), but I love all the simulators in US and spiderman in IOA. Haven't had the courage to do jurassic park (but have done atlantis in sea world) or ripsaw falls yet. I have however done the mummy and it will take me a while and a few whiskeys to get back on there again I'm afraid so be careful putting him on this ride if you were considering it.

How do you guys compare jurassic park to journey to atlantis?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I don't do rollercoasters at all (with the exception of some of the disney ones), but I love all the simulators in US and spiderman in IOA. Haven't had the courage to do jurassic park (but have done atlantis in sea world) or ripsaw falls yet. I have however done the mummy and it will take me a while and a few whiskeys to get back on there again I'm afraid so be careful putting him on this ride if you were considering it.

How do you guys compare jurassic park to journey to atlantis?

Have never done atlantis so I cant compare the 2. But I will say JP is one of my fav rides and its actually not bad at all. That last drop is the only wild part of it and you can view that from below. It isnt a very steep drop and a very relaxing ride imo.

 

[Metro West]

I don't do rollercoasters at all (with the exception of some of the disney ones), but I love all the simulators in US and spiderman in IOA. Haven't had the courage to do jurassic park (but have done atlantis in sea world) or ripsaw falls yet. I have however done the mummy and it will take me a while and a few whiskeys to get back on there again I'm afraid so be careful putting him on this ride if you were considering it.

How do you guys compare jurassic park to journey to atlantis?

I can't find the drop height for Journey To Atlantis but I know the drop on JPRA is 85 feet...that's quite a drop!

 

[donaldduck352]

Here ya go
Universal:
Shrek -- simulator -- mild
Jimmy Neutron -- simulator -- mild
Terminator -- 3D show and special effects with a bit of simulator --mild
Horror Make-up -- hilarious show --mild
Jaws -- boat ride with effects --medium
Disaster -- subway train ride after a few pre shows --mild
Twister -- tornado pre shows and then watching a simulated tornado --mild
MIB -- target ride with aliens from Men in Black -mild
ET -- ride "bikes" and get ET to home planet --mild
Mummy -- dark ride with two roller coaster sections. Each has a small drop and a few twists --most intense in this park
Simpsons -- motion simulator --medium

IOA:

Hulk -- outdoors multiple inversions and launch --intense
Storm Force acceletron -- tea cup style ride --medium
Dr. Doom's Fearfall -- Tower of Terror but shoot up and then drop down --medium
Spiderman -- 3D ride on moving vehicles that ride on a track but also act like simulators --medium
Popeye -- river raft ride -medium
Dudley do right -- water ride with big drop -more intense
Jurrasic park -- boat tour through Jurassic Park with big drop --more intense
Dueling Dragons -- two inverted coasters with multiple inversions and near collisions --intense
Poseidan's Fury -- indoor walking attraction with special effects --mild
High in the Sky Toontown trolley -- raised train ride though Suess stuff --mild
Cat in the Hat -- dark ride with pizzazz --mild

Good list Damo!!

 

[Rileygirl]

Thanks for everyones help!

I will be carefull about mummies -- I will use 'total disclosure' before I ask him if he wants to go on!

I think Jurrasic Park is out for him, that sounds like too big of a drop-- does Popeye's have such a big drop in it too?

 

[Metro West]

I think Jurrasic Park is out for him, that sounds like too big of a drop-- does Popeye's have such a big drop in it too?

You're thinking of Ripsaw Falls...Popeye and Bluto's is a river raft type ride. I don't think Ripsaw Falls has as big a drop as JPRA but I can't find the dimensions on that either.

 

[damo]

You're thinking of Ripsaw Falls...Popeye and Bluto's is a river raft type ride. I don't think Ripsaw Falls has as big a drop as JPRA but I can't find the dimensions on that either.

The dimensions I have found for the drops are

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls -- 75 ft
Jurassic Park -- 85 ft

Splash Mountain -- 52 ft.

 

[Rileygirl]

ohhh

He wont touch Splash Mountain, so I guess they are all out except Popeye's! Thanks for giving the measurements and the comparison to Splash Mountain, it helps me put it in perspective. (, now I am a little shakey about doing Jurrasic Park! Ack!)

 

[damo]

ohhh

He wont touch Splash Mountain, so I guess they are all out except Popeye's! Thanks for giving the measurements and the comparison to Splash Mountain, it helps me put it in perspective. (, now I am a little shakey about doing Jurrasic Park! Ack!)

Maybe you should just think of it in terms of time instead of height. You are dropping for only a few seconds. How bad can that be?

 

[teresared]

I always tell people who go with us and haven't ridden the rides that I'll send one of my boys with them. When a 6 year old seems brave enough to take on The Mummy it seems to relax them. If all else fails just remind him the thousands of people have riiden these rides and they are all fine!! Have a great time on your trip!!

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I always tell people who go with us and haven't ridden the rides that I'll send one of my boys with them. When a 6 year old seems brave enough to take on The Mummy it seems to relax them. If all else fails just remind him the thousands of people have riiden these rides and they are all fine!! Have a great time on your trip!!

You would think that would calm anyone but ppl still find a reason to not ride. Fear of rides is irrational to me and I just dont understand it.

O and you will most likely get absolutely soaked on Popeye so bring extra clothes if you can and get a locker that day.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a coaster weenie and will ride everything in Universal. In Islands of Adventure the only rides I didn't do are Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Dr. Doom and the spinning thing next to Hulk - I can't remember the name of it (think teacups). Everything else was fine, although I can't ride the Mummy or Men in Black multiple times back to back. I can do them once in the morning and then once again later on in the day.