Just Back! Delighted with USF, so-so about IOA

[TreeOfLife]

We just returned, will be happy to answer questions.

We loved USF! Shrek is amazing! That express access pass as a resort guest is priceless. The longest we stood in line was 20 minutes at Shrek, while everyone else's waiting time was 105 minutes! Right on Christmas day, it was a very nice perk to be moved ahead of everyone else.

IOA was disappointing to me. Oh some rides were fun. The Spiderman is one I loved. But it is the construction of the park itself what I did not like. We had a hard time, as first time visitors, finding the entrance to several attractions! Then the exit was another hard to find thing. They force you to walk through that huge circle if you want to leave at any time. I found that to be a big inconvenience. Then it is full of loops that take you around attractions, without signs! You think you're moving ahead to another island and you are just looping around some attraction. When a CM finally points out the exit to you, you realize there was a tiny exit sign in there somewhere after all...

Some buildings I was not sure if they were attractions, fast food pick up places or stores! Toooooo many junk food vendors all over, in my opinion. The buildings look gorgeous, they are very beautiful however.

We tried Mythos. Sorry to its fans but I was not impressed at all. I ordered a Chinesse salad. The taste surprised me... too acidic and unpleasant. The building is fun but with all those caves and holes the squeals and screams of the little kids reverberate. It was maddening. It was fun to watch those riding the Hulk from our table, though.


HRH, definitely worth staying at!

 

[tinaluis]

Welcome back. Glad to hear you had a good trip. We've never stayed onsite as we always visit in the off-season but definitely would spend the extra $$$ for FOTL during a peak time like Christmas. Perhaps a later visit to IOA will be more enjoyable now that you know where the rides and exits are located. We actually prefer the layout of IOA to US because it runs in a circular pattern and you don't have to keep circling back. Anyway, start planning that next trip!

 

[damo]

That's too bad about Mythos! It's really frustrating when everyone recommends something and you aren't happy with it. We've always been very pleased with Mythos, maybe you'll have better luck next time (if there is a next time).

I agree with tinaluis about the layout. We've been to many, many parks and sometimes you really have to search for the entrances and exits of rides. I don't find IOA bad at all though; all the entrances (except maybe for Dr. Doom) are right out front. Some of the FOTL entrances are a little harder to find but I'm certainly not going to complain about that! I think the rides entrances for Universal are trickier!

 

[kaygela]

We love IOA. I think, visually, it is such a stunning, and unusual park. I do love the Studios too and am glad to hear good things about the Shrek ride. we are looking forward to that in Feb. Did you try the Jimmy Neutron ride. If so, how was that.

 

[edie w]

Another vote in favour of the layout of IOA over US - but then I never get lost anywhere, so maybe you should ask my DH..... (last seen purposefully, but misguidedly, striding onto "Me Ship The Olive" en route for Jurassic Park).

Anyway - point of posting is to say Jimmy Neutron is very good. Much the same inside as it was when it was the Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera, but the visuals are stunning and the storyline is very funny. Not as good as Shrek, but well worth seeing.

It's also the only chance you get (in any of the parks I've ever been to) to watch the other simulator vehicles moving to see how much is real movement and how much is the film messing with your mind!

 

[TreeOfLife]

Don't get me wrong, I love USF! My children loved IOA but like me, had a difficult time finding the entrances to many attractions. It was frustrating to see a thing flying above you and not be able to tell where it started, for instance.

The decor is amazing, no arguing there. The park is beautiful. But if I could redesign it, I'd place something in the center that allowed me to jump to other lands or even the exit with ease. I would not keep it enclosed in a circle with hundreds of closed loops all around, without signs or information regarding where you are headed... And would definitely cut down the number of fast food vendors. It makes some areas look too carnivalistic, and I don't think people are starving so wildly after being twirled around in the rides... I guess I would have welcomed more attractions or even character meeting spots over food stands, in the same space. Just my personal opinion.

I know my kids would go back in a heartbeat. They figured their way in and out. Me? I think I'll stick to Universal. Although I loved the lushous trails in IOA, I don't feel as confused and trapped in Universal. I also enjoy the fact that there are several shortcuts you can take to get all over the park...And the wide open spaces!

We loved HRH so much we'll definitely go back sometime, and bring our cat along too. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. The kids got a kick out of listening to the music in the pool's water too. But IOA confused and aggravated me more than it impressed me...

 

[robvia]

I think Confiscos will become the favorite of IOA with Randy being there.
He used to be at Mythos, but moved. Haven't heard from him lately, but he does stop into the boards and says hello. On my last trip, we stopped into Confiscos and had the wood oven pizza, it was good.

As far as the circling stuff, yeah, they could put a walkway thru like Disney. I think people expect the spoke thing, plus it does cut down on walking time.

In the case of IOA, you take a lap, and then leave.

I'd vote for the spoke thing, and shut it down at night when the fireworks happen. Oh, and add the B&M flyer over the water with all the extra land you'll gain, hint, hint.

 

[gschmerl]

Everyone is different. I can get lost in my own neighborhood, yet I can go to IOA alone and navigate perfectly! I guess I'm highly motivated!

 

[highlander447]

Glad u had a good trip and although I am a big fan of IOA I agree for first time visit its pretty confusing at times but u do get used to it

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Glad you had a great trip! I have to agree I do not care for the layout of IOA. I wouldn't mind if there were a couple bridges across the lagoon to cut the walking distance drastically. I'm one who goes on rides in a "what I feel like" order...not in a "which ride is closest to me next?" order. That's why I like Universal's layout...there are many different ways to get where you are going;some shorter than others.

So what all did you do at Universal? We were there yesterday and lines were terrible...we didn't go on any rides except for MIB first thing in the morning (the first hour it was DEAD. Later on, it got up to 90 minutes!). It was so crowded the rest of the day, we just stuck to watching shows (not that we're complaining!). But since we live so close, we don't worry about staying on-site for every trip. Did you happen to catch any shows?

 

[SpideyHulk24]

OH MY EYES!!!! What have I just read???? LOL.... Just kidding. I love IOA, but also enjoy the Studios. Thank you for giving an honest review. I hope you will give Mythos a second chance. We just love it, but have been on days when it's not packed, so that may be a difference.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Robinrs]

I hope you do give Mythos a second chance, also. I took a friend there who ordered something she just HATED and I felt awful. She went back again, ordered another item and her attitude totally changed. I guess it depends on what you have!

I also like the layout of IOA. It reminds me of the Magic Kingdom, a circle with different islands. I used to enjoy the boat (the defunct Skipper Tour) that used to take you from the Port of Entry to Jurassic Park but that's history.