Favorite non-ride things to do at Universal?

[KangaFan]

We're spending a Wed-Fri at HRH the third week in June because DD16 wants to do the Harry Potter areas, etc. I really enjoyed the theming there when we last visited, but due to motion sickness, didn't enjoy any of the rides. I plan to spend a lot of time checking out the HP stuff, but what other non-ride things do you enjoy there (shows, etc)?

 

[bchbetha]

What about experimenting with motion sickness medicine? Might be worth it!
Things I enjoy- play at Camp Jurassic, Animal Actor show, lots of the street performances in Universal and playing with interactive wands.

 

[KangaFan]

What about experimenting with motion sickness medicine? Might be worth it!
Things I enjoy- play at Camp Jurassic, Animal Actor show, lots of the street performances in Universal and playing with interactive wands.

Thanks for the suggestion--I guess I should have said many rather than all. We did enjoy some of the coasters, but, I think even if they didn't cause motion sickness, I don't think I would enjoy the "simulator" rides like Simpsons, Minions, etc. Since we have 8 days at Disney after, I'm looking forward to enjoying the other aspects and not having to worry too much about rides.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

What about experimenting with motion sickness medicine? Might be worth it!
Things I enjoy- play at Camp Jurassic, Animal Actor show, lots of the street performances in Universal and playing with interactive wands.

This would be my list almost exactly. The kids thought Camp Jurassic was awesome. We watched animal actors twice last trip (and the boy got picked to go onstage) and wandering around HP doing spells is lots of fun. I also like the Beedle Bard show and if you like Acapella style singing the Frog Choir is very good.

 

[schumigirl]

Horror Make up Show is one of the best shows in the park. Very funny.

There are many entertainers around Studios........Beat Builders are very funny and Blues Brothers.

At various points around the day there are singers and dancers around certain areas. And the band is usually set up across from the Boulangerie as you enter the parks.

Wander slightly off the main paths.......there are some nicer areas to see that some don’t.......

 

[hhoope01]

I agree with the Horror Makeup Show. It is great. If its not crowded, we like the Raptor Encounter (though it can be a bit scary for younger ones.)

If the park is really crowded and you want a calm minute or two with a nice view, we liked to go out the back entrance of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Usually is almost completely deserted and there are some nice views over the lake back there too.

 

[damo]

The Jurassic Park Discovery Centre is definitely worth some time. Try Poseidan's Fury...it looks like a ride but it is more of a show.

Do the queues of the major rides if you aren't doing the rides.

 

[pattyw]

People watching!
Love to grab a table in the BBQ restaurant in IOA that looks out over Jurassic Park ride. There's always a bunch of kids that are there because that's where the boats come down and splash loads of water! I guess it's a sweet memory for us as well. When our boys were small, we parked ourselves there for a while as they loved the splash zone!

Lots of characters walking around- fun to watch the character interactions and you could jump in some pictures with them too!

 

[agavegirl1]

I am going to have to agree with the Horror Makeup Show. It is very entertaining and surprisingly fun. Just taking in the scenery is awesome as well. Walking through the areas and picturing them as the set of a movie is fun. Watch the Blues Brothers show. The schedule will be available in the daily guide. Look for photo ops with superheroes, characters from Scooby Doo, Doc from Back to the Future etc. Explore Fast Food Alley in the simpsons area and give some of the food options a try.

 

[macraven]

I always kill time sitting on the stone mini wall and watch Mystic Fountain.
I can easily spend an hour there if there are lots of kids taunting the "fountain"...

Horror Make Up Show always on my list for non ride periods.

The live entertainment in the studios, I aways take time to watch.
Marllyn Monroe, Blues Brothers, Mini parade near Mels/Horror Make up Show, etc

 

[disneyjr77]

I agree with what everyone else said...the shows are great and the Mystic fountain is fantastic! DD11 (10 last time we went) still loves it.

Something i learned last year, is that the Tales of Beedle the Bard has 2 different stories. I thought it was just the tale of the Deathly Hallows, but when we were there last summer they did The Fountain of Fair Fortune and we missed the Deathly Hallows.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Horror Makeup Show

Watching outside the Blues Brothers

Jurassic Park Discovery Center

If you're into people watching we found great amusement in sitting just behind the splash zone of the Jurassic Park ride--either for people who don't realize they are in the splash zone or the people who are waiting to get splashed. Also fun to listen to people's reaction as they come down the drop

Both HP places are good for exploring though you already mentioned you'd be doing that


On the motion sickness thing I tried Bonine in September..the less drowsy formula put me to sleep..seriously I was falling asleep in shows. So it wasn't for me or I needed to halve the pill but I didn't want to risk falling asleep so I ust opted not to take it. I can't handle too many simulators either so after 1 or 2 I would sit out for a while. I opted out of a few rides I did back in 2011 in favor of new rides which were simulators.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We love hanging at the pools. On our last trip I think we spent as much time at the pool as we did in the parks.

Also enjoyed riding the boats and walking the paths between the resorts and parks.

I’d like to try some of the fun restaurants in City Walk, also- or exploring the other resorts. We are planning to go in May and I think we will spend at least as much time at the pools this time as at the parks.

 

[sandam1]

I love the Raptor Encounter. I think that it is one of the most underrated experiences at Universal. People hear that it isn't a ride and/or see the line and walk away. I never mind a wait as watching other people do it is almost more fun than your actual experience. A couple of years ago, you could watch from outside the area, but they've added a bunch of foliage and took away that option.

 

[agavegirl1]

I forgot about Raptor Encounter as it wasn't there when I last went. Adding it my plans now.

 

[Lynne G]

Watching the characters interact with people (those tall Egyptian guys can be really fun to watch) and meeting with them, and having your picture with the animal actors. One time, I got a picture with the pug from MIB near the Animal Actors show.

Getting that giant cotton candy and enjoying Seuss area.

I also like the Trolley High in the Air ride. I don't get motion sickness from it. It's a cute ride, and on a clear day, some great views of the park.

While not in the parks, enjoy mini golfing in CityWalk.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I also like the Trolley High in the Air ride. I don't get motion sickness from it. It's a cute ride, and on a clear day, some great views of the park.

My husband rolls his eyes at that ride but come on it's great for getting pictures and it is a cute ride I agree. But I wouldn't want to wait for eternity to get on it. We went when the wait time was real low.

 

[cam757]

We enjoyed the Animal Actor Show, there are good shows in DA, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" and "Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees". I get motion sick as well but I am going to try a sea-sick patch I was prescribed by my doctor before we went on a cruise last year. It worked great for the cruise so I am hoping it will work for the some of the 3-D rides and roller coasters that I usually skip.

 

[shanew21]

Drinking Butterbeer until I can't move.

 

[agavegirl1]

I can take pictures in the Harry Potter areas for hours. So many little "Easter Eggs" for fans.