First time at Studios, second at IOA

[daannzzz]

I stayed 4 nights at Portofino Bay and did three days at the Universal Parks. I had been to IOA in 2000 and like parts of that park alot. My least favorite areas are Marvel Superhero Island and Toon Lagoon. That doesn't include the rides in these lands just the chosend themes and some of the architecture and signage. I can't handle big coasters anymore so didn't do them. Spiderman was great again. It is just amazing what they were able to do in parts of that ride. ripsaw Falls is great to look at from the front and a fun ride but is in general just average in the story and scenery department. Still and awesome ending though. Last visit Popeye and Bluto's barges were down fro rehab so this was my first time on them. This is the best rapids ride I have been on. The story doesn't come through real strong but it is fun and all the extras along the way are fun. The boat wash was great. This is much better than Kali River Rapids and a bit better than Grizzly River Run at DCA just because it is more playful and cute. I spent more time in Jurrasic Park and Lost Continent as these are more my style of "lands". I think Camp Jurassic is the best kids play area in any park. Finally did the triceratops encounter and that was good too. Had lunch at Confisco's which was good but not nearly as atmospheric as Mythos and the food choices not as inspiring.
I have been to Universal Studios in Hollywood a few times. I use to really like it when it was more a studio oriented park than a theme park. You could actually see all the old sets form the 30's to the present and new all those movie stars had been in those make up bungalos and such. As time has progressed there are less of the older sets and less concentration on it being a studio.
This being my first trip to the studios in Orlando I still knew quite a bit about it after studying Orlando and WDW guides for years now. I found this park to be wonderful. It has a couple spots that are not so spectacular but from the Beverly Hills area and Hollywood section to Central Park. The Garden of Allah, Amity, The Men in Black Fair Building, SF and most especially the New Yor set, I was so impressed. The ET attraction was quite similar to the Hollywood version but better. Men in Black was fun. It is nice to have a large ride through dark ride. Jaws was fun though more for watching the other people on the ride. Earthquake was good and a bit different. I though Twister was spectacular in parts and a bit off but exciting and certainly refresshing on such a hot day. The only disappointment was Terminator 2 3D. I had heard that this was so great but I thought it was just on par with other 3D attractions. Bigger isn't always better. The motorcycle and people coming out of the screen was pretty awesome but doesn't carry the attraction. I loved the Queue area and the idea of the 3 screens at the end. This was also a refreshing show on a hot day. The gory gruesome makeup shot was great and those guys deserve a lot of credit to do that numerous times daily.
I liked the studios so much I spend my 3'd day there instead of at IOA.
Taking the boat to and from Portofino Bay was great. I even walked a couple times and went over to the Royal Pacific which was quite beautiful. Citywalk is not much my style but from the water it was a great site at night. I think the Citywalk in Hoolywood is much more interesting looking.
I can't wait to take friends and family to Universal.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for your observations. I liked Universal Park better than IOA too but only because the types of attractions it has suit us better. But the theming in Lost Continent is so stunning that we entered a second time just to see that again.

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks!!

We've only been to IOA and our trip in November will be our 1st visit to USF so I was very interested in your comments.

Thanks again for the very detailed report,