CURRENT hidden gems at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure 2012

[newlittleminnie]

I've seen a couple of other threads along this line but am looking for up to date information.

At WDW i've discovered hidden gems such as Miyuki the Candy Lady, the Pick a Pearl, Silhouette cutting and glass blowing.

I was just wondering if there are any hidden gems like this at Universal?

TIA

 

[Jason71]

In Seuss Landing, "If I Ran the Zoo", an interactive playground to the left as you enter. It's fairly large, but hidden. Similarly, Curious George's ballroom back behind Barney and Woody Woodpecker in US.

 

[damo]

The Mystic Fountain in IOA is pretty cool. Other often ignored areas are the Jurassic Park Discovery Center and the playground. Both are really fun places.

Also often missed is the character interaction with Shrek and Donkey outside the Shrek exit at USF.

 

[ccgirl]

Subbing to this one. Taking kids for the first time in May.

 

[TIGGERGUY]

I consider the Horror Makeup Show to be a hidden gem. I passed on it for many years thinking it was just about makeup. Other favorite hidden gems include:

the three fish that squirt you when you get money in their mouth in the Seuss area
Velociraptor water cannons in Camp Jurassic
Conversations overheard at the IOA sub and the bathrooms near the IOA exit
The music groups that play near the entrances of both parks

 

[reelmom]

I would love to know too.

 

[RMulieri]

If you climb up on Me Ship the Olive at IOA you can use the water guns to spray the riders on Popeye

 

[damo]

If you climb up on Me Ship the Olive at IOA you can use the water guns to spray the riders on Popeye

For free!!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The Blues Brothers Show near ROTM. It's popular, but people skip it too often!

The 25¢-per-shot water guns on the bridge from Toon-JP. These SOAK the riders of Ripsaw Falls.

 

[schumigirl]

The Blues Brothers Show near ROTM. It's popular, but people skip it too often!

The 25¢-per-shot water guns on the bridge from Toon-JP. These SOAK the riders of Ripsaw Falls.

Love the Blues Brothers show

DS and I spent a small fortune on these water guns at Ripsaw and Bilge Barges.........we were laughing like Hyenas.........it was worth every cent. Particularly love using the shower head ones on BB as you go under the bridge............the look of surprise on people`s faces were priceless. DH was mortified at us though and cut our spending........... limited us to $5 each or we would have been there for hours.

I could also spend hours watching the Mystic Fountain, I never knew it existed until a couple of years ago, but it`s so much fun watching people`s reaction to it.

 

[cbdmhgp]

Soak up Port of Entry because it is so interesting/fun and most people blow through it to get to the rides (I am guilty of it sometimes...)

Also, we really enjoy going through the Lucy: A Tribute little "museum" in the studios, very cool though we are big fans of the show!

Central Park in the studios is also really nice to walk through and take pictures!

Animal Actors on Location (again in the studios) is a cute show that my family loves! I call it a gem only because it is NEVER busy or filled when we go to see it!

 

[glocon]

Highjacking- Where are the 3 fish in Suess Landing that you throw change into their mouths?

 

[RMulieri]

For free!!!

Yup..that and the .$25 ones by Toontown/JP bridge was a bundle of fun.LOL

 

[momm2four]

Horror Makeup Show = my favorite thing to do at Universal!!! I had to drag my family into it because they thought it would be boring, but it was so funny and entertaining, we went back to see it again the next day

Lori P.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Highjacking- Where are the 3 fish in Suess Landing that you throw change into their mouths?

They're in McElligot's Pool, which is very close to the entrance from Port of Entry. They're tucked in a little corner, across from If I Ran the Zoo and near the Cats, Hats, and Things gift shop.

 

[Brandis]

The magic show near the Interactive Fountain at IoA is also cool. It's really a shop but I'm not sure if it is open all the time or only when they do shows.

 

[TIGGERGUY]

There is a second entrance to US going to/from Blue Man Group. From inside the park it is between the main gift shop and the upcoming Despicable Me. I consider anything that saves me time to be a hidden gem.

 

[jkshel]