My top three takeaways from our first visit to Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure.
1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster - Before take off, you select a song to listen to from the speakers in your seat while riding. There are about 30 songs across five genres. Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart' is THE perfect song for this ride. The song's intro with a car revving through its gears goes right along with the coaster going straight up 167 feet toward the sky. Then, as you're going down the hills and through the loops at 65 MPH, the "Whoa! Yeah! Baby!" are perfect--exactly what you're thinking. If Hollywood Studios can have an Aerosmith roller coaster, Universal Studios can team up with Motley Crue!
2. Mel's Diner - $14.59 for hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. Cost us $71 for lunch for four at a non-sit-down restaurant! I guess Mel has to pay for his fancy antique cars sitting out front. Here's a little tip, don't buy bottles of water at Mel's. They are $5 at Mel's, but only $3.50 at the drink kiosks.
3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Wow, the planning and execution of the set design really make you feel you are transported to Hogsmeade / Diagon Alley. Waiting in line inside of Gringotts for the Escape from Gringotts ride or inside the castle for the Forbidden Journey ride are just breathtaking, with all the cool things to see. BIG disappointment was Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure ride was down for most of the day when we were planning to ride. I feel Disney doesn't have these ride closures as often. E.T. ride was also down for part of that same day.
1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster - Before take off, you select a song to listen to from the speakers in your seat while riding. There are about 30 songs across five genres. Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart' is THE perfect song for this ride. The song's intro with a car revving through its gears goes right along with the coaster going straight up 167 feet toward the sky. Then, as you're going down the hills and through the loops at 65 MPH, the "Whoa! Yeah! Baby!" are perfect--exactly what you're thinking. If Hollywood Studios can have an Aerosmith roller coaster, Universal Studios can team up with Motley Crue!
2. Mel's Diner - $14.59 for hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. Cost us $71 for lunch for four at a non-sit-down restaurant! I guess Mel has to pay for his fancy antique cars sitting out front. Here's a little tip, don't buy bottles of water at Mel's. They are $5 at Mel's, but only $3.50 at the drink kiosks.
3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Wow, the planning and execution of the set design really make you feel you are transported to Hogsmeade / Diagon Alley. Waiting in line inside of Gringotts for the Escape from Gringotts ride or inside the castle for the Forbidden Journey ride are just breathtaking, with all the cool things to see. BIG disappointment was Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure ride was down for most of the day when we were planning to ride. I feel Disney doesn't have these ride closures as often. E.T. ride was also down for part of that same day.
The other coasters that are well worth it: Incredible Hulk (all time favorite), new velocicoaster is incredible, Hagrid's motorbike ride is fantastic and worth the wait, and the Mummy ride is still a blast. There are other rides that are certainly fun too...all repeatedly... especially with express pass 
