Catch me up!

[sharona]

Haven't been to UO in a while. We had AP's for a few years in a row about 5 years ago and visited frequently during that time, always staying at RPR or HRH so we're pretty familiar with EP and all of the "old" stuff. Wondering what's new? We'll be at RPR for 4 nights at the beginning of March. Looking forward to seeing the "new to us" Kong and Jimmy Fallon attractions and want to be surprised so don't want to know too much about them but...

Any other new attractions? What's gone? How crowded is the new stuff?
What attractions don't have EP access?
Any new restaurants in the parks or at City Walk that are must do's?
Any updates to my favorite rides - Mummy and Spiderman?
Any new rules or policies to be aware of? I sometimes bring my camera to the park but it's small enough for a simple bag...
"Mardi Gras" will be going on while we're there - what's the deal with that?

Thanks!

 

[schumigirl]

Welcome back sharona

Nice to see you post here again.

I never remember when things were implemented but RRR and Hulk now have metal detectors and you can’t take anything on the rides......nothing in pockets and such. There are lockers of course, only takes a few moments no big deal.

Terminator is gone and Kong is new......kong is quite popular and can get busy on occasions. Fast and Furious, Jimmy Fallon both new.......will be interested to see what you think of them........Check out the website and park maps for full changes.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/resort-maps/index.html


Duelling Dragons has also been rippped down and gone......can you tell I miss that ride!! Although the new Harry Potter ride is being built there and it’ll be a lot of fun when it opens this year.

Wait. 5 years?? So have you seen Diagon Alley? It opened July 2014.....if you haven’t seen that you are in for a real treat......Gringotts is a wonderful ride and the whole area is spectacular........

Spider-Man was given an update at some point......couldn’t tell you when though.

There’s a night show on Hogwarts Castle......the Christmas one is lovely but the regular one throughout the year is alright.....if you were there I’d watch it. The studios has a new cinematic show.........it’s been updated and has a light/water show and fireworks. It’s worth seeing.

Toothsome will definitely a new restaurant for you........some folks love it. Some for the massive milk shake desserts you can get there.......to be honest it didn’t thrill us at all and we won’t be rushing back. The theme is Steampunk and it is quite cool to go see it.....the chocolate shop looks good but chocolate isn’t great. We were told the stuff they add to stop it melting may be what we didn’t like......we don’t have that in the UK.

Was NBC open when you were there last time.....used to be NASCAR.....it’s very good. Cowfish is also fabulous......burgers and sushi options. Burgers are good, sushi is just ok. Nice atmosphere.

As for Mardi Gras.......we went last year and enjoyed it.......parades with beads of course......they have some lovely food options specially for the occasion.....it is a lot of fun.....we’re going back for 2 weeks in March to enjoy it again.

Check out the blurb on the website for full details..........there’s not much on there yet in the way of updates as to who is playing and updated food options but it’ll give you an idea.


https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/mardi-gras/index.html#parade

Have fun planning........and again, nice to see you back.....

 

[sharona]

Welcome back sharona

Nice to see you post here again.

I never remember when things were implemented but RRR and Hulk now have metal detectors and you can’t take anything on the rides......nothing in pockets and such. There are lockers of course, only takes a few moments no big deal.

Terminator is gone and Kong is new......kong is quite popular and can get busy on occasions. Fast and Furious, Jimmy Fallon both new.......will be interested to see what you think of them........Check out the website and park maps for full changes.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/resort-maps/index.html


Duelling Dragons has also been rippped down and gone......can you tell I miss that ride!! Although the new Harry Potter ride is being built there and it’ll be a lot of fun when it opens this year.

Wait. 5 years?? So have you seen Diagon Alley? It opened July 2014.....if you haven’t seen that you are in for a real treat......Gringotts is a wonderful ride and the whole area is spectacular........

Spider-Man was given an update at some point......couldn’t tell you when though.

There’s a night show on Hogwarts Castle......the Christmas one is lovely but the regular one throughout the year is alright.....if you were there I’d watch it. The studios has a new cinematic show.........it’s been updated and has a light/water show and fireworks. It’s worth seeing.

Toothsome will definitely a new restaurant for you........some folks love it. Some for the massive milk shake desserts you can get there.......to be honest it didn’t thrill us at all and we won’t be rushing back. The theme is Steampunk and it is quite cool to go see it.....the chocolate shop looks good but chocolate isn’t great. We were told the stuff they add to stop it melting may be what we didn’t like......we don’t have that in the UK.

Was NBC open when you were there last time.....used to be NASCAR.....it’s very good. Cowfish is also fabulous......burgers and sushi options. Burgers are good, sushi is just ok. Nice atmosphere.

As for Mardi Gras.......we went last year and enjoyed it.......parades with beads of course......they have some lovely food options specially for the occasion.....it is a lot of fun.....we’re going back for 2 weeks in March to enjoy it again.

Check out the blurb on the website for full details..........there’s not much on there yet in the way of updates as to who is playing and updated food options but it’ll give you an idea.


https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/mardi-gras/index.html#parade

Have fun planning........and again, nice to see you back.....

Hi! Thanks for the welcome back. Good to see you still posting here. DA opened about midway through our 2 years of AP's. It is incredible and one of the reasons we had renewed the AP. NBC was a few days from opening when we were there so that will be new. We enjoyed NASCAR for a quick bite even though it wasn't on our top 10 for Orlando so will be interested to see and compare with NBC. Will have to check out Toothsome as well - thanks! Cowfish we have been to. Going with a friend this time not my DD so hoping to step up our restaurant and cocktail game.

I've been on Kong and Fast/Furious in LA once a few years ago but I'm assuming what was built in UO is different. Looking forward to it!

We'll probably check out the chocolate shop but I've found that most of the sweet shops at these type of places are not worth it - including most of the places that get raved about at WDW. Too fancy, too big portions, too expensive!

 

[Squirlz]

We'll probably check out the chocolate shop but I've found that most of the sweet shops at these type of places are not worth it - including most of the places that get raved about at WDW. Too fancy, too big portions, too expensive!

If you're talking about Toothsome it is so much more than a sweet shop. In fact we've eaten there 4 times and never had anything sweet! Their food is unique and delicious.

 

[schumigirl]

Hi! Thanks for the welcome back. Good to see you still posting here. DA opened about midway through our 2 years of AP's. It is incredible and one of the reasons we had renewed the AP. NBC was a few days from opening when we were there so that will be new. We enjoyed NASCAR for a quick bite even though it wasn't on our top 10 for Orlando so will be interested to see and compare with NBC. Will have to check out Toothsome as well - thanks! Cowfish we have been to. Going with a friend this time not my DD so hoping to step up our restaurant and cocktail game.

I've been on Kong and Fast/Furious in LA once a few years ago but I'm assuming what was built in UO is different. Looking forward to it!

We'll probably check out the chocolate shop but I've found that most of the sweet shops at these type of places are not worth it - including most of the places that get raved about at WDW. Too fancy, too big portions, too expensive!

Yep, I’m still here......lol........

Oh you’ve seen some of what I wondered would be new for you.......I always forget how long things have been open......

Yes Toothsome is more than a chocolate shop as squirlz says......it’s well worth a visit......the food is unique in some ways, just not for us........the burger was alright for us, but you can get a burger anywhere.

We do like NBC, and they also do some nice cocktails.........nice to hear it’s a friends trip......yep, cocktails will be necessary........

I have no idea if F&F is the same as LA........same with Kong.......