Just Back - Any Questions?

[Esmeralda]

Hi everyone! Just back from 4 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel and 3 days at the parks. Front of the Line Access was the absolute best! Better that Disney's FastPass by far. We never had to wait for anything except the Pteranadon Flyers at IOA which doesn't have FOTL (and I wish I had known this beforehand). At US, the only thing without FOTL is Woody Woodpecker's Coaster so just get there when it opens.

Anyway, we went on practically every attraction so if there are any questions, feel free to ask.

I'll post detailed reviews on Mythos, Latin Quarter, Confisco Grille, Emeril's, Mama Della's, The Kitchen, and Tchoup Tchoup if anyone's interested.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Did you see any shows at Unversal?

Overall, what were your favorite things about the parks? Hotel?

 

[Esmeralda]

You are gonna want to kill me but we are major ride lovers so the only thing we skipped at Universal were some of the shows, one of them being the Ghostbuster Show! If we had had more time, I wanted to see it just so I could see the "cute guy" I've heard so much about!

At Universal, our favorites were Shrek 4-D & Men in Black, and my daughter spent what felt like an eternity in Fievel's Playland. We spent a lot of time doing things for her like Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Nickelodeon Studios (she was picked to be a contestant!), the Barney Show, etc.

At IOA, we love eveything but especially the Hulk, Spiderman, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dueling Dragons, and all of Seuss Landing.

We also spent loads of time waiting in lines for characters. That really makes the day go by.

Our favorite thing about the HRH was getting FOTL, a 5 minute walk to US, and the awesome pool and water slide.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

That's great! Thanks for sharing!!

Now make sure you see the Ghostbusters Show next time! And oh yeah...sometimes there's more than one cute guy.... But yeah, a couple in particular we talk about...hehe.

I always wanted to try HRH (closer to Universal, anyway). I went to their pool and loved it too. How far/close is the walk to Universal from there? The RPH is close to IOA but has a long winding walkway that just teases you and takes a while...but I think this is the only hotel that is like that?

Do you have another trip planned yet

 

[Esmeralda]

The fastest way is to use the walkway from the pool (by the slide entrance) and you're there in 5 minutes! We couldn't believe how close we were.

We won't be going again for 2 years. We are much closer to DL so we'll go there in between. But I'm forever planning the next trip so that helps!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

awww.hope the GB Show is still there by then!!! Well, you never know!

Worse comes to worst, I'll just send you a tape of the show and a truck-load of pictures...how does that sound?

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I would love to hear your reviews of Mythos and Tchoup Chop and Emerils as we are planning to go on our trip to definately Mythos and Tchoup Chop. We are not sure about Emerils, but we are thinking of skipping it.

By the way, I believe there is Express at Woody's - it is over by the exit.

 

[Esmeralda]

Mythos and Tchoup Tchoup were 2 of my favorite dinners out of the whole trip (and we ate at most of the upscale restaurants) so good choices! I was very disappointed in Emeril's. We ate there 3 years ago and loved it. I believe it has gone downhill. Our food was so-so. I couldn't believe it. It wasn't horrible or anything, just not worthy of Emeril's name. I will post details later (what we ordered, etc.)

 

[Esmeralda]

Also, there was no Express available for Woody's when we were there. I just checked the park map to be sure. We used Express everywhere it was available, so I was careful to check all the rides at the beginning of the day. We got there when it opened (Fievel's Playland opened an hour after the rest of the park) and rode it without a line.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

That's odd. They must have changed it. When we were there, Woody's did have express access.

Thanks for updating us. Sounds like you had a great time.

So does Universal California compare to Universal Orlando?

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Can't wait for the details on the restaurants, thanks so much! I think we will just forgo Emeril's, I have heard nothing good about this place in months.

When we were there, there was no express sign for Woody's, you had to ask the attendant and they directed you to the exit. And I was glad too - I couldn't believe the line for that ride!! Bummer that you couldn't use it on your trip. But, sounds like you had a great time!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Woody's Coaster does not have express, though sometimes you can use your room key or express plus pass. It's not guaranteed, so if you get to, then you lucked out. If not, oh well.

 

[highlander447]

Can't wait to read your reviews on dining will help with our choices next year

 

[MamaKate]

Originally posted by SpideyHulk24


So does Universal California compare to Universal Orlando?

SpideyHulk- It doesn't even compare!! I live in Southern California and have been there a few times, but I rather save my money and travel to US/IOA in Florida.

When we went to US/IOA Orlando last year (my kids 1st time) they were sort of bummed out to leave WDW to go to US/IOA because they thought it would be like the park in Hollywood. Needless to say they were overwhelmed and LOVED it, so this December we are staying onsite for the first time and going to the park for 3 days instead of 2.

 

[Robinrs]

Glad you had a great trip, Esmeralda!! (BTW, LOVE your signature! )

I also used my room key to get on Woody by entering at the exit several times. I hope that hasn't changed for good.

I, too, love Mythos and Tchoup Chop. They are NEVER MISSES in my USF world! I have not tried Emerils simply because the menu doesn't have a thing on it that I'd eat! and the PRICES... ... YIKES!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Thanks Mama Kate. Now another park would be great too!

 

[pitmindi]

Hi, thanks for your informative post. How old are your kids? I am wondering how many days to save for universal for my 8 year old daughter who doesn't like big roller-costers? We are staying at Disney for 5 nights then at RPH for 3 nights. Nov 1--Nov 8, looks like disney will be very crowded and since we don't like hour long lines, I reserved RPH for the express pass to avoid lines, but how does Universal compare to Disney for 8-10 year olds? Also, any dining suggestions????? How is the RPH pool? Can we use other hotel's pools? Thanks to Everyone who replies. Mindy

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Mindy:

My son is 10 and has been going to USf since he was 6. He wasn't tall enough to ride the big roller coasters till he was 8 and had been there 11 times. He STILL liked the Universal parks more than any other park in Orlando.

The big coasters are less than a 10th of what Universal offers. There is so much more! The shows, the characters, the rides, the water play in Fievel's playland, your daughter doesn't have to even think about the Hulk and Dueling Dragons, which, btw, are the only big coasters there.

My son loved the Royal Pacific's pool, they have a play area where they can shoot water guns and just have a ball. Yes, you can go to any of the other two hotel's pools as a Loews Hotel guest.

HTH!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I have to agree. My son is 3 and of course, he can't ride most of the things, but he loves Universal as much as Disney.

 

[Esmeralda]

pitmindi - I, as well, agree. My 5-1/2 year old daughter is a Disney freak like me but still says IOA is her favorite park. There are lots of rides that are fun for the whole family (Our favorites - Spiderman, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Pteranodon Flyers, The Flying Unicorn, The Cat in the Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, & Caro-Seuss-el) Your daughter is at an age where she should also love all the above.

The best restaurant in the park is Mythos. The theming is nice, you have a great view of the park, and the food is great. For our second lunch, we ate at Confisco's Grille which is also good.

US doesn't have any "big rides." Our favorites are Shrek 4-D, Men in Black, Terminator 2, Back to the Future, E.T., The Animal Planet Live! show, and my daughter could have spent all day in Fievel's Playland. Your daughter will love it, too; it's great for older kids.

We spent our first day at IOA, our second day at US, and our third day visiting both parks, going on our favorites and things we missed. It was a perfect 3 days.

Have fun!

Have fun! By the way, the Express Lines are MUCH shorter than Disney's Fast Pass lines!