LukenDC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2004
- Messages
- 4,938
I recently returned from spending four days at UO/IOA (and three nights at Portofino Bay; for a Portofino review with pics see the Universal hotels forum). I arrived at UO/IOA after spending a week at WDW.
The parks were not very crowded, although I saw that a few attractions had twenty minute waits and the Pteranodon Flyers at IOA had forty minute waits. I, however, had Express privileges and waited no more than five minutes for any attraction. The British invasion was in full force and I suspect that the Brits were the largest nationality represented by park guests. I am always pleased to see foreign visitors in the US!
To give you an indication of how uncrowded the parks were, I'll share my acitivites on my final day. I arrived at UO just after 10:00 AM and grabbed a bite to eat before hitting the rides. I then rode ET, Jaws, and Mummy (twice!). I then went to IOA and rode Dr. Doom, Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, and the Seuss overhead trolley before returning to Portofino at 12:45 PM to catch my ride to the airport.
Last year I skipped the rides in Seuss Landing thinking that they were for toddlers. Big mistake! I rode some of the Seuss rides this trip and they hold a lot of charm and nostalgia for kids of all ages. If you grew up with Dr. Seuss books, you need to spend at least a little time exploring Seuss Landing.
IOA has some great water rides that leave guests soaked to the skin. These include Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges and Dudley Do Right. Jurassic Park River Adventure lightly splashes guests, but does not drench them. Before enjoying these attractions, I returned to Portofino and changed into swim trunks, t-shirt, and deck shoes. This made the inevitable drenching much more bearable and fun. The signage at the water rides insists that shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, but I saw many guests ignoring those rules without intervention from the ride operators.
The employees at the parks were friendly and efficient. No complaints.
I saw Blue Man Group on Wednesday night. It is not something that I would see again, but I am glad that I experienced it. It was lacking in spectacle, but also surprisingly thought provoking. After the show I found myself contemplating the meaning of humanity and human existence in a technology driven world.
Last year I prefered UO over IOA and this year it was the exact opposite. I also find that the way in which I enjoy the Disney parks changes with each visit, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting.
The parks were not very crowded, although I saw that a few attractions had twenty minute waits and the Pteranodon Flyers at IOA had forty minute waits. I, however, had Express privileges and waited no more than five minutes for any attraction. The British invasion was in full force and I suspect that the Brits were the largest nationality represented by park guests. I am always pleased to see foreign visitors in the US!
To give you an indication of how uncrowded the parks were, I'll share my acitivites on my final day. I arrived at UO just after 10:00 AM and grabbed a bite to eat before hitting the rides. I then rode ET, Jaws, and Mummy (twice!). I then went to IOA and rode Dr. Doom, Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, and the Seuss overhead trolley before returning to Portofino at 12:45 PM to catch my ride to the airport.
Last year I skipped the rides in Seuss Landing thinking that they were for toddlers. Big mistake! I rode some of the Seuss rides this trip and they hold a lot of charm and nostalgia for kids of all ages. If you grew up with Dr. Seuss books, you need to spend at least a little time exploring Seuss Landing.
IOA has some great water rides that leave guests soaked to the skin. These include Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges and Dudley Do Right. Jurassic Park River Adventure lightly splashes guests, but does not drench them. Before enjoying these attractions, I returned to Portofino and changed into swim trunks, t-shirt, and deck shoes. This made the inevitable drenching much more bearable and fun. The signage at the water rides insists that shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, but I saw many guests ignoring those rules without intervention from the ride operators.
The employees at the parks were friendly and efficient. No complaints.
I saw Blue Man Group on Wednesday night. It is not something that I would see again, but I am glad that I experienced it. It was lacking in spectacle, but also surprisingly thought provoking. After the show I found myself contemplating the meaning of humanity and human existence in a technology driven world.
Last year I prefered UO over IOA and this year it was the exact opposite. I also find that the way in which I enjoy the Disney parks changes with each visit, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting.
