Feeling Hot Hot Hot! The Rain Curse is Broken! Two Weeks of Fun in the Sun! COMPLETE

[kittylady1972]

Welcome!

Yes, the Volcano we rode was at King's Dominion. Canada's Wonderland up here in Toronto is nearly identical to King's Dominion except it is lacking Volcano! We lived in Virginia Beach for 6 years so we went to King's a few times although we mainly visited Busch Gardens (had season's passes almost every year). Alpengeist is still my favourite coaster, I would love to go back and try the new coaster, Griffin I think? Anyways.... thanks for reading and commenting! I love to hear from the lurkers!

Oooh...just saw this. We actually went to Busch Gardens a few years ago, right after Griffin opened. It is an AMAZING AMAZING coaster...you definitely should try to get there to ride it. I believe next year BG is coming out with a new coaster...a replacement to the Big Bad Wolf...so we are hoping to make a return trip there next summer! I like Alpengeist okay but my other favorite is Apollo's Chariot!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oooh...just saw this. We actually went to Busch Gardens a few years ago, right after Griffin opened. It is an AMAZING AMAZING coaster...you definitely should try to get there to ride it. I believe next year BG is coming out with a new coaster...a replacement to the Big Bad Wolf...so we are hoping to make a return trip there next summer! I like Alpengeist okay but my other favorite is Apollo's Chariot!

RIP Big Bad Wolf, it was my first coaster.

Apollo's Chariot is fun but Alpengeist is my fav. Alek and I went one day on our own and the park was dead and we rode 7 times in a row without having to get off. We couldn't walk straight once we did get off. It was awesome!

 

[PopArtGal]

Seuss landings is great. I remember walking through it. I had no idea who Dr. Seuss was. Yep, sadly I had never read those books. Not part of the French culture, other than the Grinch.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Seuss landings is great. I remember walking through it. I had no idea who Dr. Seuss was. Yep, sadly I had never read those books. Not part of the French culture, other than the Grinch.

Not know Dr. Seuss! I thought he was a global phenomenon!

 

[kittylady1972]

RIP Big Bad Wolf, it was my first coaster.

Apollo's Chariot is fun but Alpengeist is my fav. Alek and I went one day on our own and the park was dead and we rode 7 times in a row without having to get off. We couldn't walk straight once we did get off. It was awesome!

We actually planned a trip to BGW when I learned they were removing the Big Bad Wolf because I really wanted my youngest son to experience it and he hadn't been big enough on previous trips. Plus it was also my younger kids' FAVORITE...since it was a coaster they could ride at a very young age! We made sure we got a last ride int he front car too!

So for nostalgia, here is our last trip in August 2009...RIP BBW Indeed!

DS (5 at the time) first ride on BBW:

He did want to ride again later...in the front of course:

 

[marDgreen88]

Suess Landing is seriously cute.
Sorry your mom (and you!) felt sick after the dark ride. It's a tad ridiculous to think that a dark ride wouldn't be tame. Also... what's with the no pictures? That's a pretty stupid rule. So people can look at the stuff when they ride but never again? Haha, umm ok. I would totally have taken pictures too.

 

[marDgreen88]

We actually planned a trip to BGW when I learned they were removing the Big Bad Wolf because I really wanted my youngest son to experience it and he hadn't been big enough on previous trips. Plus it was also my younger kids' FAVORITE...since it was a coaster they could ride at a very young age! We made sure we got a last ride int he front car too!

So for nostalgia, here is our last trip in August 2009...RIP BBW Indeed!

DS (5 at the time) first ride on BBW:

He did want to ride again later...in the front of course:

Sorry to barge in but I had to jump back in when I saw mention of BG again! I LOVED Big Bad Wolf, I thought it was so much fun. Maybe it wasn't as 'daredevil-ish' as some of the other roller coasters but I think it was good to have a more kid friendly ride like that. I miss it. I hadn't heard about the new coaster though! Tell me more!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

We actually planned a trip to BGW when I learned they were removing the Big Bad Wolf because I really wanted my youngest son to experience it and he hadn't been big enough on previous trips. Plus it was also my younger kids' FAVORITE...since it was a coaster they could ride at a very young age! We made sure we got a last ride int he front car too!

So for nostalgia, here is our last trip in August 2009...RIP BBW Indeed!

DS (5 at the time) first ride on BBW:

He did want to ride again later...in the front of course:

Thanks for sharing! I will miss that coaster! It may not have been the most intense coaster out there but it was always fun!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Suess Landing is seriously cute.
Sorry your mom (and you!) felt sick after the dark ride. It's a tad ridiculous to think that a dark ride wouldn't be tame. Also... what's with the no pictures? That's a pretty stupid rule. So people can look at the stuff when they ride but never again? Haha, umm ok. I would totally have taken pictures too.

I know, we were so surprised that the dark ride was not really tame and was in fact a bit wild (for a dark ride).

I enjoyed Universal but I have to say that the no camera rules really put a bee in my bonnet.

Sorry to barge in but I had to jump back in when I saw mention of BG again! I LOVED Big Bad Wolf, I thought it was so much fun. Maybe it wasn't as 'daredevil-ish' as some of the other roller coasters but I think it was good to have a more kid friendly ride like that. I miss it. I hadn't heard about the new coaster though! Tell me more!

We posted the same thoughts at the same time. I feel the same way about BBW, I may never have learned to love coasters if it weren't for it.

 

[marDgreen88]

I know, we were so surprised that the dark ride was not really tame and was in fact a bit wild (for a dark ride).

I enjoyed Universal but I have to say that the no camera rules really put a bee in my bonnet.



We posted the same thoughts at the same time. I feel the same way about BBW, I may never have learned to love coasters if it weren't for it.

We really did! Makes me wonder how many other BG fans out there miss the Big Bad Wolf... sigh...

 

[englishrose47]

Okay I am sold on Suess landing !!I can handle the dark ride and the Trolley Train , so that's 2 for me !!!
I am with The Bros on Green Eggs and Ham !!!Gotta try some Green eggs !!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Okay I am sold on Suess landing !!I can handle the dark ride and the Trolley Train , so that's 2 for me !!!
I am with The Bros on Green Eggs and Ham !!!Gotta try some Green eggs !!!

I think you could handle all the rides in Seuss Landing.

 

[KatMark]

The Seuss area looks like so much fun. I'll have to remember that if we ever have grandkids we can take.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The Seuss area looks like so much fun. I'll have to remember that if we ever have grandkids we can take.

It looked like a great area for kids and the whole family, very colourful and the rides are good for the whole family.

 

[bound2travel]

Finally all caught up! whew

I really loved Seuss Landing the last time I was at Universal. I saw the tracks for the train, but never saw it running the three times I was there. Of course the last time was in 2007....

I love the Cat in the Hat ride, I start laughing hysterically because of the jerks and twists. But then I'm crazy.

Christmas time at Seuss Landing is awesome because of Grinchmas. I think I saw it the first year or two they did it. It was a lot of fun. They had a big pile of snow for kids to slide down - no adults unless with kids though - but that may have changed.

How snug are the seats for FJ? I'm "pooh" size I fit on Soarin with no problem. How do the seats compare? I don't do RnR or TT so I can't go by their seats.

Thanks

Kristi

 

[micky hater]

I would like to point out something, the same thing I had to point out at the parks that once again Lessa seems to be neglecting. In every line there were signs with pictures on them showing you what you were in for, jerkiness,wetness,drops etc. Erich and I noticed these in most of the rides we went on but mom and Lessa always seemed shocked when we got off the ride. I guess Lessa was to angry over the no pictures rule.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Finally all caught up! whew

I really loved Seuss Landing the last time I was at Universal. I saw the tracks for the train, but never saw it running the three times I was there. Of course the last time was in 2007....

I love the Cat in the Hat ride, I start laughing hysterically because of the jerks and twists. But then I'm crazy.

The twists and turns were fun, just made me a little ill by the end. Must be my age, as I get older I can tolerate less.

Christmas time at Seuss Landing is awesome because of Grinchmas. I think I saw it the first year or two they did it. It was a lot of fun. They had a big pile of snow for kids to slide down - no adults unless with kids though - but that may have changed.

Oh, I bet Christmas there is so much fun! If we ever do a trip in December again we will have to go back to Universal.

How snug are the seats for FJ? I'm "pooh" size I fit on Soarin with no problem. How do the seats compare? I don't do RnR or TT so I can't go by their seats.

Thanks

Kristi

I was worried about the seats too as I am not svelte myself but there was plenty of room for me. There are also test seats you can try out near the start of the queue if you are not sure.

I would like to point out something, the same thing I had to point out at the parks that once again Lessa seems to be neglecting. In every line there were signs with pictures on them showing you what you were in for, jerkiness,wetness,drops etc. Erich and I noticed these in most of the rides we went on but mom and Lessa always seemed shocked when we got off the ride. I guess Lessa was to angry over the no pictures rule.

I rarely read the signs. Usually they just have the usual health warnings about heart conditions, pregnancy, etc. Oh yeah, and no cameras!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

May 17th continued

On to our next adventure! We were leaving Seuss Landing and heading over to Marvel Super Hero Island! Home of The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom's Freefall, and Storm Force Accelerator.

You have to pass through the far end of Port of Entry to get to Super Hero Island from Seuss Landing as they are the two "islands" to either side of the entrance of the park. They had these "giants" out for pictures. Over the two days we spent at the Universal park we found that Universal really likes to put characters up on stilts.

They are probably meant to be the local residents of the imaginary country depicted in the Port of Entry.

There is a great open area along the water here where you can get pictures.

Jurassic Park and Hogwarts

Mythos

The Hulk

It was now time for the ride Alek and I had been eagerly anticipating, The Hulk! Mom and Erich, of course, sat out this one.

It was a walk-on. Wait time was posted at 5 minutes and that was pretty much just allowing for the walk through the queue. As with all new rides I started to get nervous the closer we got, a strange neurosis of mine.

Let me just say, IT WAS AWESOME! I hadn't read up on the coaster so it was all a surprise for me. For instance, I had no idea that it had an accelerated start. Once you get on the ride and start to climb the hill, instead of climbing nice and slow and steady like most coasters it was BOOM! You are off! I think it was even thrilling for Alek who is hard to impress when it comes to coasters. We enjoyed the whole ride, there was no head banging side to side like on some coasters, it was a smooth, fast, thrilling and enjoyable ride. It is now on my list of favourite coasters.

When we got off the ride it was tempting to jump back in line and go again since there was not much of a wait but we decided not to since Mom and Erich were waiting for us.

Right next to The Hulk are Doctor Doom's Freefall which is one of those you go up and then drop straight down rides. We skipped it. Also next to The Hulk were the Storm Force Accelerators which is basically just a tea cup ride, we also skipped this.

We moved further into Super Hero Island and took everything in. Super Hero Island is designed to look like you are in a comic book. There are big comic versions of Marvel heroes and villains all over the place on the buildings etc. I have read that some don't like the theme and think it looks cheap. I didn't mind it, sure, it wasn't pretty like The Lost Continent or crazy and colourful like Seuss Landing but it was fun in its own way.

There is a shop set-up with a Spider-Man meet and greet. The line wasn't long so we decided to go for it. What happens at this meet and greet is that you pose with Spider-Man in front of a white screen. You are free to take pictures with your own camera but Universal will also take a picture and that white backdrop in their picture is then turned into a fun background. It looked neat but we didn't buy it.

With flash

Without flash

We saw this Iron Man for sale in the same shop that has the Spider-Man meet and greet. It is made of metal, no price attached, just a sign that says to ask a sales clerk for info. That must mean the price is insane.

Next up was The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Erich and Mom decided to sit this out. Mom knew she couldn't handle it and Erich was unsure if he would like it because of the description in the guide book.

Alek LOVED this ride. He loved the queue which played a cartoon episode of Spider-Man that correlated with the ride. Then the ride was pretty awesome as well. I did not appreciate the whole experience as much as Alek since I did not watch Spider-Man cartoons growing up, that was more his and Erich's thing, but I still had a lot of fun on the ride as well. It turns out that it was definitely a ride that Erich could handle, it is just a simulated ride, an awesome simulated ride, but a simulated ride none the less.

What did Mom and Erich do while they waited for us? Took pictures! Some Marvel characters had come out for pictures. Erich got his picture with the Green Goblin(?). Please excuse me if I get these character names wrong, I am not all that familiar with super heroes/villains. I am pretty much only familiar with the main ones: Superman, Spider-Man, Batman.

We didn't want Erich to miss out on a ride we knew he would love so when we exited the ride we talked him into trying it out. So, Alek went back on the ride with Erich and I stayed outside with Mom.

[post=43170360]Click here to continue[/post]

 

[bound2travel]

getting older did a number on spinning rides for me as well. When I was a teen I would have gone on Misson: Space over and over. Now, I don't even want to do the non-spinning ride.

 

[Chaitali]

I just caught up on all your IOA posts We're thinking of a short trip in January and hopefully it will include a trip to IOA. We're mostly doing it for the Harry Potter but the rest of the park looks great too! I'm glad I'm following along on your TR so I know not to just pass through the rest of the park.