Originally posted by Beechparty
earthquake and king kong are other attractions that highlight the theme of the movie.
King Kong isn't there anymore
But I found it rather cheesy... Anyway, I'm a 15-year old girl and these are my opinions on some rides at Universal Studios:
Jimmy Neutron: replaces Hanna Barbara. They REALLY improved on this. It's still a simulator where you travel through Nick Studios after some bad guy steals one of Jimmy's inventions I think the Mark IV. Lots of Nick cartoons featured. I actually like it despite the cartoons (I don't even watch Nick but it's a decent ride).
MIB: My Favorite ride there!! It's like Buzz Lightyear but many times better. Scenery and all is better (these are almost more realistic) and you can actually pick up you guns and move them around (they are connected only with a cord, unlike Buzz). Plus you can try to shoot the exhaust port of the opposing team and make them spin. This is sooooo much fun!!!
Back to the Future: Probably my second favorite. I LOVED the movie!! So of course I'd like the ride. A fun simulator where you have to capture Biff who stole a time traveling car for a "joy ride"
Shrek 4-D: The newest attraction. Rather cute but nothing spectacular. A see-at-least-once type thing. You are sitting in a room and it's sorta a simulator but not as rough as Back to the Future and Jimmy Neutron. Takes place after the end of the Shrek movie (but they do recap the movie so those who never saw it or don't remember it understand who the characters are and everything)
Jaws: cheesy but cool. Boat ride but it's actually sorta relaxing if you don't mind an occasional pop-up of a mechanical shark! This rides a LOT better with a good tour-guide.
Earthquake: LOVE it! This is neat. I really like learning about how they do special effects (pre-show) and then experiencing an earthquake. Pretty neat!! You are in a subway train and are trapped when an earthquake hits. GREAT effects here.
SHOWS:
Ghostbusters Show: hehehe...teenage girls LOVE this show...and so does my mom! I can't say anything else besides that and that sometimes there are cute guys...because it'll give the show away. Only about 15 minutes long.
Horror Make-up Show: Teens would like this show a LOT! VERY funny!! Rated PG-13 for sexual jokes and "scary horror images". But I had a 15-year old friend who didn't understand a lot of the jokes. So for some it flies over their head. 30 minutes long.
Twister: This is more a show than ride but is neat. I hate it because I don't like the thought of tornadoes...one of my biggest fears....
T:3D : I don't care much for it. My dad called it a "ride" but it's a show, so I was disappointed about that. I didn't get to experience it thinking "Show." I never saw the movies but my dad did and I guess as far as a show goes this is actually pretty neat. Gotta love the lady at the preshow...she's too funny!!
Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show: See at least once. It's been the same for years and I feel they could maybe update it. Some of it is rather cheesy but there are some decent stunts.
Animal Planet Live : Cute! Cute! Cute! It's cheesy but oh so cute! Also a see-at-least-once if you like animals!
Street Breaks: Love this show too! A bunch of break dancing and sometimes get some volunteers for "The Wave." It's funny and FUN. My grandmother even enjoyed this despite it not being what she's used to. It's not a long show and it's located in the street so you can leave any time if you get bored ...which I doubt!!
AS FOR IOA:
Hulk: big, fun rollercoaster! Speaks for itself
Spiderman: VERY clever simulator that is actually on a track! This is probably the best ride ANYWHERE.
Popeyes: Water ride raft (if you've been to Busch Gardens it's like Congo River Rapids but much better).
Cat in the Hat: Nothing really special but kids like it and it's pretty cute. I go on for all the spins. Tells the story of The Cat in the Hat.
Dr. Dooms Fearfall: LOVE this ride so much!!!! You get launched up the tower and slowly drop down. Now THAT'S a thrill!!
Jurassic Park: boat ride which is really cool. In a way similar to Jaws where you are on a boat and have a tour guide. But something goes oh-so-wrong.
Dueling Dragons: rollercoasters
Dudly Dorights (SP?) : Water ride. I guess similar to Splash mountain with the final big drop? Sit up front and you will probably get soaked the most!
NO SHOWS are enjoyable at IOA, at least for me. The Sinbad is sooo cheesy but I think my parents enjoyed it.
So when I was 14 IOA was my favorite park of the two. I guess now I'd have to say US because I like the guys in the Ghostbusters Show and MIB and all and also 2 new rides have opened since then: Jimmy Neutron and Shrek.
I will give you a warning though: if the teens don't like rollercoasters and all then IOA isn't for them (I know some teens who don't like them). But I did meet one girl who hated US with a passion (though it's been a LOOONG time since she's been). She didn't see Ghostbusters or Horror Make-up Show and new rides have been added since then. She might have a different opinion now.
Hope this information helps some!!
(I do know you can purchase 1 day/ 2 park pass for I believe $70.00 which is only about $18 dollars more than a 1 day/ 1 park pass. Something to consider too if you can't decide between the two.)
ALSO: my parents prefer Universal because they don't do thrill rides. The only rides we can all 3 do together at IOA is Spiderman and Popeyes. So if you don't like thrill rides...keep that in mind.
