How different are......

[Magic4UsZ's]

Universal California and Universal Orlando.

Have never been to either but am comptemplating a DL trip in 2010 and wonder if I go to California will it ruin our first time trip to Orlando's park?

Do they have the IOA at California,is it more of a working studio?

Would you go to Florida's first?

I remember Pete's blog about taking a behind the scenes tour in Cal. and loving it but I dont know if that would be feasable for a family of 4.

Help!!!

 

[phamton]

It would not spoil it to go to Universal Hollywood. They are very different. There are a few of the same rides like Jurassic Park but even then the rides are not exactly the same. The Mummy ride is completely different. I enjoy both parks-- Universal Hollywood for the behind the scenes tour and Universal Orlando for the rides and themeing.

 

[AllieKat]

I completely agree w/Phamton. They're so different. When I first visited IOA (which is only in FL), I didn't even want to visit USO because they don't have a tram/studio tour. Geez, was I ignorant. I grew up visiting USH and first visited USO when I was 25 years old. I can honestly say that I love them both for very different reasons. I don't think it matters which you visit first, nothing will be ruined either way.

 

[damo]

We've been to both as well and they are very different experiences except for a few identical rides (Shrek and Simpsons come to mind). Universal Hollywood is only one park done on two levels. The tram tour is really fun and completely different from what you will experience in Orlando, it is easy to do for a family of 4 since you are just sitting in a vehicle touring through the backlot. There is no IOA in Hollywood. No big coasters or water rides other than JP.

 

[SNylund]

VERY!!!! Although Cali is cool, its more like a little smaller version of the old Universal park in Orlando, Orlando has a whole other park, Islands of Adventure, which in and of itself is probably the best park in the world IMHO. Cali is worth going to if your already in LA, or want to do a special trip to hit Universal, Disneyland and/or Six Flags, but Orlando is by far a better stand alone vacation destination, the awesome onsite resorts, the double park feature (Universal and IOA) City Walk is a little better IMO, but both City Walks are similar. Universal Orlando is like a giant resort with 2 world class theme parks, and 3 world class hotels, City Walk, all onsite and within walking distance of everything. Cali is just 1 stand alone, slightly smaller version of the old Universal park in Orlando, also not the same attractions, although Cali has most of the best rides that Orlando does.

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

Thanks everyone!!

Wondering how far is UH from Disneyland?
anyone know off hand?
I could always mapquest it, but just wondering?