Need Help, 1st time at Universal/IOA

[Debs5angels]

In August me and my husband and our 5 girls( 15 yrs., 13 yrs., 10 yrs. and 5 yr. old twins) will be going to Universal and IOA for the first time and the first time on the Autotrain. Can anyone help answer a few questions?

1. We were wondering if Universal or IOA has any parades, fireworks?

2. Can anyone give me some good hints and or good photo opts in the parks?

3. Also my 10 year old daughter is not much of a thrill ride seeker what would be some good rides for her?

4. Has anyone ever traveled on the Autotrain to Florida before any advice or experiences would be helpful.

Finally any kind of helpful information would be greatly appreciated. Sorry to ask so many questions my first time on the board, but with 5 kids I need as much help as I can possably get! Thanks for everyone's help in advance!!!

 

[BarryHom]

1.) The first two weeks of August generally has fireworks. Parades usually occur in February to April during Mardi Gras and December during the Macy's Day parade.

2.) As for photo ops, USF has two trick photography areas: one by BTTF and one by Mel's Diner. You can set up your camera and have the Hollywood sign or the Space shuttle in the background. Also look for the Kodak picture spots around the park.

3.) For kids and Universal, go to www.usoinfo.com and click on the link for stuff for kids to do at Universal.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Buy Kelly's Monaghan's Universal 2003 book. It answers all your questions.

 

[Debs5angels]

Thanks so much Barry and Debbie for answering my post.
Barry your tips on where to take pictures is great to know. And now I can stop driving myself crazy looking for a site to tell me if there are parades and fireworks. That saves me a lot of time and with 5 kids I really don't have.

Debbie I have ordered the book that you have suggested. I'm sure it will come in handy. I can't wait to get it.

Thanks again!

 

[USO2003]

1. We were wondering if Universal or IOA has any parades, fireworks?

When you are going they would have ended their nightly Fireworks show. They have small little nothing pardes daily when The Characters come out for phots and stuff nothing big at all.

2. Can anyone give me some good hints and or good photo opts in the parks?

There are signs all over the parks, that say Photo SPOT, and that a good area for photos, then the 3 trick photo areas Barry mentioned, one across from Mel's, one across from Twister, and on in front of the bridge to Back to the Future.

3. Also my 10 year old daughter is not much of a thrill ride seeker what would be some good rides for her?

All of them except the Following:

At IOA she might want to avoid the following- Dr.Doom Fear Fall, Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster, Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dueling Dragons. So people have a problem with spinning so avoid Storm Force Accelatron and Cat in The Hat.

At USF I seen no problems with any of the rides, Back to the Future is commonly considered the bumpiest ride at either USF or IOA. So people have a problem with spinning so avoid Men In Black.

4. Has anyone ever traveled on the Autotrain to Florida before any advice or experiences would be helpful.

No, sorry can't help on that one.

 

[Debs5angels]

Thanks for all your info. I'm sorry to have missed your web site. It would have been a lot of help!

 

[Tracie]

if you go over to the transportation board there are alot of post about the auto train.

 

[The Sweetness]

Originally posted by Disney Debbie
Buy Kelly's Monaghan's Universal 2003 book.

I have this book, its is totally worth the $