Pre-shows

[ceb29]

Since we are staying on-site, we shouldn't have to wait in any lines. Are there any rides where there are "pre-shows" that are enjoyable to see and worth waiting in the lines?

 

[degenerationxwwfwdw1]

Well I think I'll tackle this first. At IOA let's go ride by ride. Ok Hulk has a decent little video but nothing to worry about. Spiderman has an excellent themed line with a pretty good pre boarding info that I think you will see anyway. If the line is 15 min or less (meaning the last few minuites of the day ) go in and see the line area. Dr. Doom (IMHO) has the best preshow in UO. It is quite long and if you dont have to wait in line you wont get to see it (it is a big screen that is seen as you are walking up). But ok if you have to miss. Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls has a very well done and funny line but in the summer expect long lines most of the day so no big deal (but if you get the chance take your time through it and take in all the humor). Popeye has a pretty good line area but nothing worth waiting for. Jurassic Park River Adventure has no themeing in the line and the most annoying preshow EVER. Please miss this one. Dueling Dragons has the best line area in UO. And if you have time make sure to see the staind glass windows preshow *(you will have to stay there to watch it and let others go by. the line is never backed up far enough to see it while actually waiting)*. The show at Lost Continent Posieden's (sp?) Fury has no special line themeing and no preshow that everyone won't see. The Cat In The Hat has little line themeing and no preshow. I skipped a few minor attractions but I hope this helps. In final, I would say see the Spiderman line (time permitting) to fully enjoy and appreciate the story line and the same can be said for Ripsaw Falls. Enjoy your trip and I wish I had that FOTL access for my IOA day!

 

[fboy9287]

i personaly think that the only line that you should really be worried about is the dualing dragons line. i mean it really never has a line to it either. or if when you get there early and spiderman has only a 10 min wait-you should do the line for that one too.

 

[Beckles]

Now that hotel guests use the Universal Express line, in many of the rides you will get to see some of the queing that was missed before ... this goes for MIB, Jaws, Kong, T2-3D, Twister, Spiderman, and Hulk for example ... there were parts of the queues I had not seen on my first three trips for all these rides (all with true "FOTL") but saw on my last trip using the new Universal Express.

 

[fboy9287]

it is kinda cool to see the "back door" entry into the ride!

 

[Beckles]

Except for Hulk where you had to go up the exit ramp ... it was a pain in the butt ... the Universal Express entrance they have now is so much better ...

 

[ceb29]

degenerationxwwfwdw1: Thanks for the play-by-play!

fboy9287: Thank you!



Beckles: Thank you also! Now for another question: Do you mean that on-site guests no longer get FOTL? Do they have to use Express any more? (We are going June 25-30).

 

[gschmerl]

On site guests walk right into the Express line. You don't have to get express tickets--just go to the express line. FOTL used to mean you went right in the exit door.

 

[Beckles]

Exactly ... this seems to be a big misconception. There is no more FOTL for hotel guests. INSTEAD, you get unlimited Universal Express access without having to bother with Universal Express tickets.

What you see people still refer to as FOTL for hotel guests should be Universal Express access.

However, there are intermittment reports of some rides still giving hotel guest "FOTL" access through the exit and such, but in my last two trips, this was not the case for any of the rides we went on, and I think some of these reports may be due to people not being familiar with the old system and only seeing the new system and assuming it was the same as the old FOTL.

The only way to get FOTL now is with the VIP tour ... they still go up the exit ramps (I've seen 'em do it )

 

[ceb29]

You guys are great!!! I always get so much info on these boards. Thanks One more question: Is having the "Express" just as good as FOTL was?

 

[joelkfla]

Originally posted by Beckles
Except for Hulk where you had to go up the exit ramp ... it was a pain in the butt ... the Universal Express entrance they have now is so much better ...

I was at IOA Monday, & the UE entrance was up the exit ramp -- which caused a lot of confusion at the baby swap area, from which UE riders were loaded.

Maybe which route they use depends on the expected crowds & staffing for the day?

joelk,