Popeye ride

[babynurse1]

I'm looking for some sympathy here. My DS-6 is a Popeye FREAK. In fact, he didn't care about meeting Mickey, Goofy, or Donald. All he talked about was Popeye. Riding the ride, playing in Olive's boat, eating a Wimpy burger etc.

Well, when we got to IOA a few weeks ago-guess what? IT WAS CLOSED. We went and asked a maintenance man who was walking by and he said the ride was closed for TWO weeks for annual repairs. My DS burst into tears and was crying uncontrollably. We hadn't been to Orlando in 4 years and who knows when we'll get to go back. In fact one reason we went now was because he LOVES Popeye so much!

Ok, I understand that they have to close rides, but my question is this. Why did they also have to have the Olive ship and the popcorn stand and the Wimpy burger stand closed too? I think if he could have just gone back there and played on the ship or looked around or something it would have helped, but they had the whole section roped off for two weeks.

We took his picture by the Popeye fountain (I'm suprised it wasn't roped off too! ), but the picture is so sad, because he's on the verge of tears.

We told the worker we drove 900 miles with 4 kids just to ride the ride and he was like "Oh sorry". I know he couldn't do anything, but even a little bit of sympathy would have helped.

I'm stepping off my soap box now! Ok, I feel better!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I can relate to what you are saying, we had a similar experience in August when the ride wasn't closed for maintainence.

We got there for park opening on the 2 occassions we went to IOA, mainly to beat the crowds and the hot weather - Popeye & Olive were not open till 11am!

We love Universal and IOA , always have done and always will - but is does annoy me that some of the rides open late at times.

 

[babynurse1]

True, we noticed different rides open at different times. What's up with that? Even at AK, Kali River Rapids open later than other stuff.

 

[phamton]

I posted a thread about the closing a few weeks ago but it didn't get much attention. I tried to give a heads up a few weeks ahead of time for anyone going.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1227436

 

[JohnnySharp2]

True, we noticed different rides open at different times. What's up with that? Even at AK, Kali River Rapids open later than other stuff.

Well yes, you are right ALL the parks have rides that do not open at 9am, however at Universal certainly when we were there , well there were several rides/attractions that were not open.

For example we arrived at US - and the background of our trip is that our son is Autistic and doesn't really understand the need for patience etc, he also gets up very early each morning usually around 5am, as I tend to do so too our plan is always to get to the parks early - when we arrive at any park we concentrate on getting him on the rides he likes.
We are not really bothered about ourselves because we have been on all the rides we like over the years.
So we go on ET (a few times ) - Woody Woodpecker/Curious George opens at 10am, Barney didn't open till 10:30, Jaws and Earthquake were not open till 11.
Now I realise US is a pretty big park, but you are talking about quite a few rides there none of which open at 9am.

In August when we have to visit (because of the UK school holidays, especially as my wife is a teacher also) our plan is to get to the parks early whilst the weather is cooler and the crowds lighter - it is just a bit frustrating when many (not just 1) of the rides are not open.

Also as my son struggles a bit in the heat it's very common for us to leave the park after just a couple of hours, we have been to Universal/IOA many many times over the years so we just visit in short spells now - it would be nice if we could get on the rides before it gets really

It isn't just about Popeye's it is a general comment.

 

[MickeyManiacMom]

Have you looked at getting a tour guide? We just did that 2 weeks ago with our families that included a 5 and 6 year old and we waited for NOTHING. It was the best amusement park experience we've ever had! They walked us around and onto every ride and we rode as many times as we wanted. It might be worth the extra $$ - it was a godsend for us.

 

[babynurse1]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I told my dh we would just have to plan another trip down there soon!