I know this might sound stupid but exactly what is there to do at Universal Studios.

[jaw62901]

I have never been to Universal Studios or Island of adventure in Orlando and need some advice. Like I said I am a major novice at this and would like to know exactly what is there to do at Universal Studios and Island of Adventure.

I am trying to plan a solo trip to Orlando Dec 26 to Jan 3 and am thinking of splitting my time between Universal and WDW (4 days each) but stay at a Universal realated hotel.

Besides the rides, what else is there to do.

Also, any help with hotel advice would be great.

Any information would be extremely helpful.

Thanks,

 

[TraderAsh]

I can't really tell you what all there is to do at Universal because there is so much...I can however give you a few websites that you can use to see for yourself, here are a few...
www.uescape.com - Universals official website
www.ioacentral.com - great site with lots of mor opinionated articles
www.usoinfo.com- has been down for a while but when upp has some great info

Hope this helps!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I have to agree with Trader...so much to do!! Universal has many shows, but don't bother with any shows at IOA...they aren't that great. Universal has a great interactive ride called Men in Black as well as some simulators. IOA is more thrill rides like rollercoasters, a few water rides, etc.

A word though, go to WDW first or you may go crazy because if you are staying at a Universal hotel, it gives you FOTL benefit at Universal and IOA...you'll be spoiled with that and although they have Fast passes at WDW it's not like showing your room key and entering the line.

Hope this helped and yes, check out Universal websites for more detailed descriptions of rides and activities.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Universal has a lot for people to do! "Riding the movies" is not a hype. It is fun, and much more suited to accomodate the crowds than ...

the

other vacation destination in the Orlando area.

Check out the websites, but what I do promise you is this: You come in and check it out with an open mind, you'll find yourself so enamored you'll feel you have to share the experience with loved ones and return!

 

[prncess674]

Read through USO/IOA trip reports to see what other people have done. Here is a link to my trip report that I am still in the middle of writing.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=380239

 

[luvaladdin]

I just returned from Universal, first time visit, and I think 4 days is too much for Universal Studios and IOA. On our 4 day trip we ended up going on the rides over and over again because we had run out of new things to do. I would spend 6 days at WDW and only 2 days at Universal. We go to WDW almost every year for a week and we never see it all because there's so much to do. The front of the line perk at Universal cannot be beat, it was amazing to have a 5 minute wait on a ride that posted a 60 minute wait. Of course this also contributed to getting so much done in so quick of a time period. If you stay at the Hard Rock or one of the other Universal hotels, I would plan on taking a day to relax at the pool. The pool area at Hard Rock is just beautiful and all the staff treat their guests very well.

 

[ksdave]

If you are a theme park comando, then luvaladdin is probably right: Four days is too much for UO. My family used to be that way when we visited. Then we discovered PBH. Now, a four day trip seems too short.
We love to go to the parks for a few hours, then lay around the "castle" pool at PBH for a while, with lunch at that brick oven pizza place, then have a couple more hours at the parks, followed by dinner at Mama Della's or one of the better restaurants at Citywalk, then some partying at Margaritaville, and a nice boat ride back to PBH.
With this plan, you get totally relaxed (what a vacation is supposed to be for), while still getting to do all the stuff in the parks a few times each.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by luvaladdin
I just returned from Universal, first time visit, and I think 4 days is too much for Universal Studios and IOA. On our 4 day trip we ended up going on the rides over and over again because we had run out of new things to do. I would spend 6 days at WDW and only 2 days at Universal.

Oh how much I disagree. Do these people who claim WDW has so much to do include all 4 parks? That can get quite expensive, and though I've never been to Animal Kingdom, I very much dislike Disney. I get so bored because there isn't much for me to do. I'm the one who loves rollercoasters, shows, etc. Disney is cute and all with the theming, but rides are better at IOA. As far as not much to do at Universal...okay, maybe 4 consecutive days may leave you bored. But I had the annual pass last year...went 8 or more times and requested to get it again this year...and did. I'm going on a 3-day vacation this weekend (leaving tomorrow!!!!) and am SO excited. I could never get bored at Universal and IOA. Especially with rides like MIB...try to beat your last score and all. My mom could go on Spiderman all day.

Don't take this person's word that Universal is boring and not much to do. IOA has more than Universal to do and you'd need AT LEAST 2 days to do everything you want.

Again, I'm only a teenager and seek thrill rides so I am always disappointed with WDW but LOVE Universal/IoA. Make sure you check out Horror Makeup Show at Universal... Definately not something Disney would do, and VERY entertaining!!

 

[Robinrs]

I never tire of Universal and cannot get enough of the parks! But I'm not partial,am I?

My one problem is I cannot deal with it without Universal Express. Once you've done it that way it's very hard to do it any other way.

Suggestion: Take your time. There is so much to experience at these parks, and commandering them makes you miss so much. I thought I could do it all in a few hours until I started reading these boards and realized how much I'd missed!

 

[TraderAsh]

I agree with everyone about Universal.. I think you could easily spend 4 days at Universal.... I like to re-ride stuff so it would be fine for me... I also like Disney but its prob cause ive been going since I was Born... feels sort of like a second home.... Disney has more heart and a much different feeling than Universal.... Universal, however, has more of a since of adventure and much more thrills... I enjoy bot and am glad they are cpmpeting... just makes things better faster... Disney and Universal both added a park.... Disney is *yes* expensive but has great theming and great very very detailed attractions plus a more than amazing staff... Unversal has good theming and some world class coasters and amazing high tech rides... either way you go your good but I wouldnt miss either of them

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Oh my, you're going during an ultrabusy time frame. Just follow the tips of what everyone else has said and if you've done everything, make a scavenger hunt for yourself. Find things and take a picture of/with it and then challenge others you know to find the same stuff when they go.

 

[Planogirl]

I would plan to be as flexible as possible. We spent three days at Universal this year for the first time and we could have stayed longer. We had originally planned to stay for two days and leave early the morning of the third day to go to DisneyQuest but we were having so much fun that we decided to forget about DQ and just enjoy Universal for another day. We were offsite across the street from the entrance to Universal but we did some resort hopping and I could see staying even longer if we were at one of the fabulous Universal resorts.

We ended up spending one day at IOA and two at Universal park. My son and I were really thrilled with the simulator rides and shows at Universal park but Spiderman at IOA is incredible. I don't know if it's even possible to ride that one enough. Some of the theming at IOA is wonderful too. We also spent some time in Citywalk which is very fun IMO.

 

[lenny l]

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