Finally made it to Universal - Disappointed:(

[damo]

Reason that we were disappointed... not many coasters but sounds like we missed a good one as Dueling Dragons was not open.
We thought the Hulk was great and the new Rocket was decent but not thrilling........ interesting comparisons here......
BTW - Raptor at CP is not a favourite of mine - the Hulk was much better

If you didn't like Raptor, you probably wouldn't like Dueling Dragons. Both B&M inverted steel coasters. Track layouts are different but many elements are the same.

You can't really compare Hulk and Raptor. Hulk is a sit down coaster. Raptor is an inverted.

 

[PAL_1]

Worriers, please stop. If you go expecting disappointment, that's what you'll find. The Universal parks are world class, the only ones I've seen that rival Disney for theming. If there's a difference, Universal is a little edgier and irreverent, with a bit more thrills on offer but still plenty for little ones.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

If you go expecting disappointment, that's what you'll find.

I think I went expecting too much that is why I was disappointed. I am not saying that US doesn't have anything good going on, I am just saying that I expected so much more.

We didn't go on everything.... we only did 2 days (not full days) and we skipped stuff because of the long lines. We didn't do research so ..... we may have missed the best stuff?

 

[inkkognito]

B&M made Raptor at Cedar Point. Dueling Dragons are steel inverted coasters like Raptor. Hulk is also made by B&M

Intamin made Dragster, Millenium Force and Maverick at Cedar Point. There are no Intamin coasters at Universal/IOA mostly because of the lack of space. However, I wish that Rockit would have been an Intamin Coaster.

B&M and Intamin are considered the top manufacturers of coasters.

Don't forget Magnum at Cedar Point, perhaps the last great coaster made by the now defunct Arrow Dynamics. They were the B & M of their day. I remember riding the second-ever inverted coaster, the Chicago Loop, at Old Chicago, which was made by arrow.

OP, if you like coasters I recommend Busch Gardens. SheiKra is great in the back row, and Montu is much better than Raptor in my opinion (both B & M). Their wood coasters will rattle your teeth out tho'.

I love Universal, but some of the OP's points are valid...not so much the cleanliness in my experience, but the lockers are indeed a pain in the butt. I used to avoid them by wearing my giant fanny pack but that doesn't work with Rockit so I've moved to cargo pants.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Don't forget Magnum at Cedar Point, perhaps the last great coaster made by the now defunct Arrow Dynamics.

One of my all-time favourites........ plus Mean Streak at CP + The Bat at Canada's Wonderland, Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris and The Beast at King's Island

 

[kathy884]

My son (age 14) went to US/IOA on a non busy summer day with his cousins, so got to go on almost everything, but he didn't really care for the parks either. The last time I was at Universal was before he was born (I didn't care for it then, but heard it's much improved now), and I've never been to IOA. His very favorite park is Sea World (He's a huge marine mammal fan) and his second favorite park is Cedar Point (We just love coasters, but aren't that into indoor themed rides -- We get to Cedar Point at least every other year). Just letting you know, you are not alone in not being enamoured by the US/IOA parks. My nephew on the other hand who just loves Cedar Point too, loved US/IOA -- his favorite parks in Orlando. There are many different tastes and preferences even in the same family.

Anyway, my son and I will be going to IOA next year just to see the Harry Potter theming. I went though all the rides and attractions with him and all he wants to do (I let him pick our touring plan) was 1) all the HP rides (including both tracks of re-themed dueling dragons), 2) the Hulk, 3) go into any HP stores, etc. --see the HP theming, and 4) go to the Jurrassic Park Discovery center. There wasn't a single thing at Universal he wanted to do again, so that makes it easy to decide to just get the admission for IOA on our next trip.

 

[TaylorsDad]

One of my all-time favourites........ plus Mean Streak at CP + The Bat at Canada's Wonderland, Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris and The Beast at King's Island

I love The Beast at Kings Island. Son of The Beast though was a different story entirely-an absolute pain to ride. I would include Dueling Dragons as another of my favorites as well as The Mummy and Disneys Rock n Roller Coaster. But to me Universal and IOA is so much more than just their coasters. I feel their theming is second to none. And the variety is excellent. If you have small kids or teenagers or adults it seems there is something for everyone.
But I feel ones expectations going in make a huge difference. My first visit to WDW a few years ago was one of great disappointment. I dont know if I just expected more or what. All the rides and the park in general just seemed geared to only small kids. The rides at Magic Kingdom no more exciting to me than those at Six Flags or Kings Island and actually less so. Only MGM Studios seemed close to meeting my expectations. My wife and daughter loved all the parks but I couldnt appreciate them at all. I still went back the next year but did a little reasearch beforehand and modified my expectations. This visit I had a wonderful time and loved the whole experience. We have visited Disney (along with Uni/IOA-still my favorite)each year since. This was just my experience who knows may Uni/Ioa may just not be for you though.

 

[Virgderon]

I've been to many of the Six Flags parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island. What sets Universal and IOA apart is the theming- and rides like the Mummy and Spiderman. I have never been on anything like Spiderman- it's truly one of a kind. I think that Dueling Dragons holds up well against some of the better coasters in Six Flags parks, but I honestly don't go to Universal for the Coasters.
I'm very sorry it was dirty when you went. I've never seen it dirty , and I have been many times.

 

[ChrisFL]

Whomever came up with "Universal is just like Six Flags" needs a good slap.

Six Flags Coaster:

Aw, come on! That's a perfectly accurate and advanced re-creation of an actual parking lot!!

 

[PAL_1]

I think I went expecting too much that is why I was disappointed. I am not saying that US doesn't have anything good going on, I am just saying that I expected so much more.

Sorry OP, that wasn't addressed to you. It was for the subsequent posters who expressed concern following your review. Which is certainly valid.

We have some roller coaster nuts in our family (including me). Magic Mountain is our favorite thrill park. Shame on you for poking fun at our beloved Scream! That's first class LA rush hour theming. j/k That is the most extreme example going. Most of that park is actually quite nice.

OT, but we're hoping to check out the OP's own Cedar Pt in late summer, along with King's Island and several other parks. I'm sure we'll love it.

 

[damo]

Aw, come on! That's a perfectly accurate and advanced re-creation of an actual parking lot!!

And they can duplicate that same theming at other parks too!!! We got to see it at Magic Mountain!

 

[Purseval]

If the lines were long at Universal you can bet they would have been a lot longer at WDW. When we were there 2 weeks ago they had 60 minute waits on Peter Pan, 60 minutes at the Haunted Mansion and I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess on what it was at slower rides like Dumbo. DHS had 70 minutes for TSM and 60 minutes for ToT and RnRC. I don't remember a line over 30 minutes at IOA, and RRR was 20 minutes when my guests went on it (we took the kids that were too young to ride).

We also live near a Six Flags (Georgia) and haven't been there in over 10 years. For all I know they could be bankrupt by now.

 

[Lou Holtz]

And they can duplicate that same theming at other parks too!!! We got to see it at Magic Mountain!

What is that, exactly?

 

[Timmy Boy]

That's the now closed X as Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia California. It was closed, repainted, added lighter trains, onboard audio, added fog and fire effects, and redubbed it as X2:

 

[PAL_1]

^ And its an absolute monster, the only one of its kind in North America and the best operating 4D coaster in the world. The seats rotate. See that vertical plunge? You're looking straight down when it happens, then it rolls you over onto your back. Incredible! And trust me, it doesn't occur to anyone riding X2 that they're soaring and flipping over a gravel lot (although the beautiful rolling hills next door are quite pretty in springtime).

 

[Lucky4me]

I think Harry Potter is the shot in the arm Universal studios needs.
I love both parks, without HP. But the general public has become spoiled with parks like Disney and demand a themed, digitalized, state of the art ride experience, which they will get with HP. Spiderman was enough for me.
I love Universal for their diversity-absolutely loved the holidays with the WHo's, and Macy's day parade. Not sure if they do those anymore. Loved the non Disney aura-no rainbows and puppytails here-just fun with an edge.
Love the cocktail kiosk's all over the place. Loved all of the themes which do come close to Disney standards. Close I said. Really loved that even without express passes, the first week of December we walked on to every ride. Although I'm afraid we won't ever see that again, at least not for awhile with HP making it's debut.

I also hate pizza!

 

[damo]

That's the now closed X as Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia California. It was closed, repainted, added lighter trains, onboard audio, added fog and fire effects, and redubbed it as X2:

We rode it previous to the new vehicles. However, the parking lot scenery was the same.

I must say, though, that we really enjoy that park.

 

[PAL_1]

We rode it previous to the new vehicles. However, the parking lot scenery was the same.

You'd like X2 more now, it isn't nearly as rough (still intense!) and is much more reliable. Unfortunately, the lines for X2 are as crazy as ever.

 

[damo]

You'd like X2 more now, it isn't nearly as rough (still intense!) and is much more reliable. Unfortunately, the lines for X2 are as crazy as ever.

Those lines were insane in the heat (we were there in August --- no shade!) And the fact that the ride didn't open first thing in the morning but the line did made it even worse.

However, like I said we really like the park. We always include it when we go to California. We like that whole area of Valencia and stay at the Hyatt Valencia so we can walk around that whole little section of town.

Next trip is 2012 to coincide with the new California Adventure additions (if the world hasn't ended yet!)

 

[jpeppers]

I loved my trip to Cedar Point last year and we did Magic Mtn the year before and it was also great. My favorite coasters are TTD, Millenium force, Magnum, and Tatsu (X2 hadn't opened yet)............but, the greatest park experience is at universal. If you pay the extra money and stay on site you have the greatest experience that any park can offer.