Just got back and I have been converted LOL

[torinsmom]

So DS14 and I just got back tonight from our first trip to Universal. We have been to WDW quite a few times, but never made it to Universal. Truth be told, I kind of considered Universal second class next to WDW. But then I won two tickets and got a great deal on a hotel through Priceline, and figured what the heck, we might as well try it!

Well...we really had a great time and Universal exceeded my expectations! We LOVED the Studios the best and went on every ride that was open. MIB was our favorite and we discovered the single rider line was totally the best thing ever invented. We must have ridden that thing 40 times. After about our 10th ride one day, the ride operator said "You guys DO know there are other rides here, right? LOL The only thing I didn't like about MIB is the no bags rule. I got tired of retrieving my bag only to lock it up in a different locker. Two times, I got stuck waiting behind people who didn't know how to work the rental thing and had to pay $3

Loved the Simpsons, but hated that it didn't have a single rider line. Rode it 4 times anyway. Loved ROTM, after I finally got past my chicken-ness. I hope noone bought any of the pictures showing me with my eyes squeezed shut.

Jaws was cool, Disaster was cool, Twister was cool, but the whole queue thing was overdone. We wanted to do it again, but didn't want to go through the queue. Shrek was not bad, but the horse galloping stuff was annoying. ET and Nicktoons were just so-so and Terminator 3-D was corny to me, LOL.

At IOA, we did Spiderman a few times and loved it. Did the Bilge Rats and got soaked even with ponchos, DS did Jurassic Park and did not get very wet, then did Ripsaw Falls and got SOAKED! One guy said there were three positions in the raft, Wet, Wetter, and Swimming in your clothes, LOL. My son got swimming in your clothes wet. Did the Poseidon thing and that was pretty cool as well.

Overall, we had a lot more fun at Universal than we did our last trip to WDW. Only things that bothered me were lots more tour groups, smoking in the parks and inappropriate language and clothing. I don't know if I am fully converted, but if not, I am on my way!

Marsha

 

[Tank]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Next time try staying on site for FOTL and you may never want to stand in a line at DW again.

 

[phamton]

I'm so glad you had a great time. I agree about staying onsite next time. You will feel like a VIP.

About the lockers: next time, just tell a team member at the lockers or at the entrance to the ride what happened and they will be glad to open the locker for you. You can also choose stationary seating for Shrek.

Stick around the forums awhile and you can help answer questions. We get many Disney fans who have never been to Universal. It helps having a fresh perspective like you have.

 

[torinsmom]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Next time try staying on site for FOTL and you may never want to stand in a line at DW again.

Can't afford that, even at their biggest discount. I paid $30/nt at the Hyatt Place Universal this trip, so I got all 6 nights for about the price of one night on site. I just learned to do the rides without single rider options first thing each day. A lot of the time, the single rider lines moved faster than the express lines anyway.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

About the lockers: next time, just tell a team member at the lockers or at the entrance to the ride what happened and they will be glad to open the locker for you. You can also choose stationary seating for Shrek.

I did tell the guy. I had to, because it was asking for money and my money was in the locker. He got the locker open and then I had to pay the money. We were extra careful the second time and by our cell phone timers we had 2 minutes left for our rental , but the thing said we owed Anyway, last night, we just went with our tickets and money, so we didn't have to deal with the lockers. We ended up having to deal with a MONSOON, but that is a whole different story.

Marsha

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Can't afford that, even at their biggest discount. I paid $30/nt at the Hyatt Place Universal this trip, so I got all 6 nights for about the price of one night on site. I just learned to do the rides without single rider options first thing each day. A lot of the time, the single rider lines moved faster than the express lines anyway.

Marsha

I need to try Priceline! Any advice?

 

[macraven]

Glad you returned to tell us about your vacation.

so good to hear you had a great time!

 

[Metro West]

Glad you had a great time!

 

[dogodisney]

Thank you from this soon to be first-timer.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for posting. I'm glad that you had fun.

Those lockers are a pest though aren't they? I have finally gotten to where I carry just what will fit in my pockets but it's a pain.

As for the smokers, I didn't see any of those this time. I think that Universal could enforce that rule a little better though.

 

[torinsmom]

I need to try Priceline! Any advice?

I just looked at the betterbidding.com site to see what hotels people were getting for what price. I checked all the 3* and above hotels that were listed on tripadvisor and they all had good reviews. Priceline has different zones and the zone for the Universal area is Universal/Sea World. I bid for a 3* in that zone and bid $30. Looks like that price is accepted a lot. You can never guarantee what you get, but since all the 3*s in that area got good reviews, I was willing to risk it.

Marsha

 

[tripletots]

I love this thread! We are going to Universal this Aug. for the first time because I couldn't afford Disney even with free dining.

What is this with putting your bag in a locker before you get on a ride? Is it like this with all rides or just some?

I am a coaster chicken and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I can ride and what I can't. I know the kids will be fine, but I don't want to miss out on anything. When I was 13 I rode Space Mtn. and when I got off I was trembling... legs, teeth, arms you name it. I've never been on it since, but my family rides it at least 15 times a day when we are there. Anyway, does anyone have suggestions for me.......I ride Test Track, Thunder Mountain, Star Tours and Soaring. I just don't like drops like Splash, Pirates is it for me. I will be very grateful for suggestions? I don't want to miss out on the fun. Thank you!

 

[ma2jr]

I'm so glad you had a great time. I agree about staying onsite next time. You will feel like a VIP.

.

Absolutely

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I love this thread! We are going to Universal this Aug. for the first time because I couldn't afford Disney even with free dining.

What is this with putting your bag in a locker before you get on a ride? Is it like this with all rides or just some?

I am a coaster chicken and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I can ride and what I can't. I know the kids will be fine, but I don't want to miss out on anything. When I was 13 I rode Space Mtn. and when I got off I was trembling... legs, teeth, arms you name it. I've never been on it since, but my family rides it at least 15 times a day when we are there. Anyway, does anyone have suggestions for me.......I ride Test Track, Thunder Mountain, Star Tours and Soaring. I just don't like drops like Splash, Pirates is it for me. I will be very grateful for suggestions? I don't want to miss out on the fun. Thank you!

Its not on every ride. Others will know but I know its MIB and I believe Hulk. Being a coaster chicken I doubt hulk be an issue for you . I cannot stand space mountain. I like the fact that it is a big coaster in a small space and the darkness is cool but omg that thing knocks me around like crazy and afterwards my neck and head feel terrible all day. You could try Mummy but thats up to you its fast dark and fun.(Probably currently my favorite coaster). You will want to avoid Jurassic and Dudley if you don't do drops.

I need to try Priceline! Any advice?

You could check out Hotwire also...I check them both during trips. Hotwire you can usually know before you bid what you will get. Last trip I payed $36 for decent place with free breakfast. I have done priceline and got Hilton Garden inn for $30 and it was incredibly nice place the price. Check betterbidding.com and you can narrow down what to get from hotwire normally through what amentities are listed. Does help for priceline also but not as accurately I don't believe.

Only things that bothered me were lots more tour groups, smoking in the parks and inappropriate language and clothing. I don't know if I am fully converted, but if not, I am on my way!

Ya know I did not see much of this my last trip. Saw 2 ppl smoking out of place but luckily I wasn't walking behind them, so it didn't bother me.

Can't afford that, even at their biggest discount. I paid $30/nt at the Hyatt Place Universal this trip, so I got all 6 nights for about the price of one night on site. I just learned to do the rides without single rider options first thing each day. A lot of the time, the single rider lines moved faster than the express lines anyway.

I stayed there for a night when I went with my nephew, same price. It was a great hotel and I might go as far as saying its better then onsite. Nowadays I am kinda hooked to staying onsite but I am considering skipping it next trip and going the cheap route.

Terminator 3-D was corny to me, LOL

:gasp: How dare you! LoL one of my favs... Glad you had a great time!!

 

[torinsmom]

I love this thread! We are going to Universal this Aug. for the first time because I couldn't afford Disney even with free dining.

What is this with putting your bag in a locker before you get on a ride? Is it like this with all rides or just some?

I am a coaster chicken and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I can ride and what I can't. I know the kids will be fine, but I don't want to miss out on anything. When I was 13 I rode Space Mtn. and when I got off I was trembling... legs, teeth, arms you name it. I've never been on it since, but my family rides it at least 15 times a day when we are there. Anyway, does anyone have suggestions for me.......I ride Test Track, Thunder Mountain, Star Tours and Soaring. I just don't like drops like Splash, Pirates is it for me. I will be very grateful for suggestions? I don't want to miss out on the fun. Thank you!

They have free lockers you have to put your bags in for Revenge of the Mummy and Men in Black. There may be more, but those are the ones we rode. You get a certain amount of time free(it is linked to the wait time for the ride) It uses your fingerprint to open and close the locker. If you go over the time, you have to pay for the locker.

I am a ride chicken for sure and I did everything in the US park. Well, we didn't do Rip Ride Rockit(and wouldn't) but it wasn't open. Here is a ride chicken's review of the rides at US:


Simpsons---A++--similar to Star Tours, but with Simpson's theming. I really liked this one a lot! Go early, because the lines get long quick.

Shrek 4-D--B---You are inside the movie, and your seat gallops, etc. I found all the movement kind of irritating, not in a motion sickness kind of way. I wouldn't go if there was more than a 15 minute wait.

Revenge of the Mummy--A++--I was scared to ride this one, because it had a drop, but it was actually a really fun ride! The first part is all themed and creepy and then you get about 1 minute of a Space Mountain type ride, but with a quick launch. There is one small(POTC or less) backwards drop and then 2-3 Space Mountain type drops, but you are going fast enough that you don't really feel them before they are done. Single rider line moves very fast.

Men in Black--A++++++--My favorite ride in any park! Other thah spinning in your car, there is nothing physically challenging about this one. It is like Buzz Lightyear on steroids. You're shooting aliens to get points. There is a tutorial in the stickies on the US boards that will help you smoke all the other players and gain the "Galaxy Defender" title. We did this one around 40 times and the only irritating thing was the locker issue.

Terminator 2--3-D---C--It was like you were inside the movie; parts were on the screen and parts were on the stage. I don't care for Terminator so it was just okay for me.

ET Adventure--B---Like Peter Pan at MK. You are on a bike, racing to get ET home. It is not scary at all.

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast--A---This one was cool. It was similar to Star Tours, but with Nick characters.

Jaws--A----You are on a friendly boat tour, but something goes wrong. There is splashing and lots of explosions. Your butt will get wet, but nothing else traumatic.

Disaster--A---Part show, part ride. For the show part, they will pick volunteers to play differenet parts in a "movie". Then you move on to fake subway cars and go through a disaster sequence, which shakes the car and you see explosions, falling stuff, etc. At the end, you get to see the "movie" they made.

Animal Actors on Location---A--Show with different animals in it.

Fear Factor Live---B---Just like the tv show. People apply earlier in the day to be contestants and then they do a live show. Kind of gross at parts, but fun.

Twister, Ride it Out--B--First a long queue with a reenactment of Twister on tv screens with comments by the actors. Then you get to go in a room and witness a "twister".

I guess we totally ignored Woody's Kidzone, since DS is 14.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

Okay, someone else can tell you more about IOA, but I will tell you what I know.....

Spider Man--A++---I was scared to do this one, but even though it moves, all the drops are simulated. It was really fun and there were some cool effects. SIngle rider line was very quick.

Incredible Hulk--No way would I try this!

Doctor Doom's Fearfall--Ditto

Storm Force Accelatron--Didn't do, but seems like the Mad Hatter Tea Cups thing at MK

Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges--A++--No big drops(less than Kali it seemed to me) but you WILL GET WET!

Dudley Do Rights Ripsaw Falls--My DS gave it an A-, but it has a bigger drop than Splash Mountain so no way was I getting on it. You will get wet, wet, wet, no matter where you sit

Jurassic Park River Adventure--My DS gave it an A, but not for me, since it has an 80 foot drop!

Poseidon's Fury--A--Neat walk through show with special effects.

That's all we did in IOA. Wanted to do the Pteranadon Flyers, but we didn't have a kid to go with us,LOL

Marsha

 

[damo]

Can't afford that, even at their biggest discount. I paid $30/nt at the Hyatt Place Universal this trip, so I got all 6 nights for about the price of one night on site. I just learned to do the rides without single rider options first thing each day. A lot of the time, the single rider lines moved faster than the express lines anyway.

Marsha

Tell us about the Hyatt Place. I've got points to redeem there and it looks quite nice!

 

[Josh Hendy]

Grrrrrreat attraction reviews, many thanks

 

[torinsmom]

Tell us about the Hyatt Place. I've got points to redeem there and it looks quite nice!

LOVED IT! The room was HUGE; there was the regular sized part where the two beds, table in between was. In front of that was a long counter with sink and vanity. The bathroom part is pretty much a toilet and a bathtub/shower and very small, but I don't spend much time in there, LOL. THere was a closet across from the bathroom, decent sized. Now, there were only three drawers for clothes, which was pretty pitiful. Maybe bring more hangers to utilize the closet more?

On the other side of the room(entry side), there was a huge area, larger than the area with the beds and vanity. It included a very large sofa that converted into a bed, two tables, a desk, and another sink area with a small counter and fridge/cabinet. Lots of room for luggage, air mattress or whatever. Oh, and a really big LCD tv(basic channels, some cable and HBO) and electronics panel where you could plug in laptops, etc. Free wireless throughout the hotel as well.

We got free continental breakfast and there was a shuttle twice in the morning and four times in the evening/night to and from Universal. You could also walk it in about 15 minutes or a cab was around $4.50. Cracker Barrel and TGIFridays right beside hotel, and lots of fast food within 2 miles of hotel. HOtel workers were really nice and helpful. Food service was about the price of Universal food but better. You had to order and wait for it downstairs.


Cons----housekeeping did not come one day by the time we came back at 3:30, but we were fine with it.

elevators were always busy and slow

no thermostat; the kind of air unit most hotels use I guess, but it
was hard to get the temp right


Like I said, we really loved it and will stay there again when we go back.

Marsha

 

[scrabblegirl]

Last year we rode Mummy and MIB over and over too! Your post is very encouraging! I'm going in a few weeks with DS14. We were going to try and stay onsite to get two FOTL days but our budget isn't what we thought it would be. I had forgotten about the single-rider lines. Maybe it won't be so bad after all.