Scaredy Cat Questions

[SlightlyGoofy]

We have been going to DW for many years and I have finally got it down. We love the place because I can find it (directionally challenged), there are many rides that we are not afraid of and now, thanks to the DIS boards we have all the info we could possibly want about discounts, menus and such.

We are going back in September for what will probably be our last FL trip and I have been curious about the possibility of including a few days at Universal. I have read tour books about it and have been afraid that there would not be many rides we would be brave enough to ride. I have been checking out the price of the 2 on site hotels and really would like those because of the FOTL advantage. If everyone who stays there gets that does it really help though? We are retired and on a budget so don't want to spend for unnecessary items.

I cannot drive after dark, so what is the transportation like. Oh my, so many questions, so little time to learn it all from scratch. Any help would be most welcome.

Thank you, Slightly Goofy

 

[Disney Debbie]

Goofy - go read my 2 trip reports for my advice! Here's the links! I think I've answered all your questions.

1st One:
http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36549

2nd One:
http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37007

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Debbie

I had to laugh when I saw who had responded to my plea. I had just clicked on your profile and thought about e mailing you cause I just love your signature. I am in much "better" shape than you are. I am rounder.

I had already read your posts cause I am anal and when I research something I read it all. I only went back the last 100 days though. Had grands here all day and am a bit tired. LOL

Thank you for the info. Is there a place where I can find maps, menus and such as there are for Disney?

Glad to "meet" you and looking forward to reading more of your posts.

Slightly Goofy

 

[BevS97]

we just came back from Florida and did Seaworld, Universal and IOA along with Disney. My dd is 3.5 and very very timid, so we avoided anything scary.
Universal has a few scary rides, but generally it's more about a 'show' rather than a thrill - although things were too scary for a toddler they weren't rollercoaster type things (I'm not explaining myself very well)
I didn't like IOA as much - it seemed to be more thrill based, and the kids ride terrified my dd, which put us at a disadvantage.
We loved Seaworld - in fact we went back again as it was so great.

As for front of line access - we stayed off site at the Clarion Hotel Universal and were at the parks as they opened both mornings, we had the parks to ourselves until about noon, and we walked straight onto most things. I can't recommend getting there early enough.

Bev

 

[fboy9287]

http://www.themeparks.com/unifl/default.htm is where you can find a lot of info. little tip. the scariest part of a ride is before it!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi Bev and Boy

Thank you so much for taking the time to post a reply to my plaintive plea.

I was checking out the maps and such last night and was thinking I was correct, before, that Universal was too scary for us. I have trouble with Merry Go Rounds. LOL

Boy, I will check out the site and see what they have to say. If I can find a half dozen things to enjoy it would be worth a day at the very least.

Bev, are the off site places easy to drive to and from? I can only handle straight, with no turns, once I get out of the park. We are retired and while certainly not penniless, we like to streeeeeeeeech our dollars for maximum fun. (smile)

Slightly Goofy

 

[BevS97]

The Clarion Hotel Universal is literally 5 minutes from the Universal carpark - you turn right out of the hotel and go straight up Universal Blvd, and into the Universal car park - it really couldn't be easier.

The walk from the car park to the parks will take you longer (not joking - it is a long walk from the car park).

The clarion was not posh, but we stayed there for a week and it was quite comfortable.

I think you would find plenty to do in Universal - they have lots of shows which are movie effects rather than thrill rides, we did Earthquake and it was funny rather than scary. I think Jaws is similiar. I am not so sure about IOA, I think that is more thrill rides - we just soaked up the atmosphere and had lunch with the characters at Circus McGurcus and we had a nice 1/2 day there, but it was included in our multi-day pass - I don't think I would have gotten my money's worth out of a 1 day pass.

Bev

 

[IOATech]

I think I will be the one to caution you to rethink the whole thing. If you have trouble driving after dark, or TURNING, you should not even consider driving in Orlando. I-4 is our biggest thrill ride going, but has a lousey safety record. Please, the potential risk is not worth a one-day diversion from the Disney empire.

Take cabs.

 

[Cindy B]

I 4 is nothing compared to the shulkykill (renamed the sure kill) expressway in Philadelphia....

Traffic in Orlando is easy compared to the sure kill...

But I would say take cabs or busses than.

 

[gschmerl]

Hey Cindy,
I agree about the "sure kill" expressway in Phila. By the way, I work right outside of Wayne.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Awwww! You are all so nice. Bev, I was looking at the Clarion (price etc.) and thanks to your directions I know I can handle that. As far as walking is concerned, I am "lucky?" enough to have a handicap sticker. I try to use it only when I absolutely have to as there are people worse off than I. As a matter of fact my doctor is the one who insisted I have it, I did not ask. I am sure I could handle the walk in but the walk back out is another matter. I tend not to ride rides that require some sort of restraint as I figure if it is that rough I know I would not like it. Circus McGurcus? Sounds fun and silly,j ust like me. I will have to check t hat out. I am leaning toward a 2 day ticket so I can get through the lines quicker. If HRH offered great deals like the one I am getting on site at Disney ($49) I might reconsider staying offsite.

Tech, I surely do appreciate your concern but I did have to smile when I noticed that you are from Orlando. The life you save may be your own? (great big grin) I drive from IN to FL and the only place that makes my heart race is Atlanta so it is not that I am not a fairly good driver. It is the fact that I do know my limitations and would never want to put anyone else at risk. I do avoid 1-4 except to get on property.

The scarest driving I ever did was to go to PA to see my brother who had been missing for 18 1/2 years. The deer, dead and alive all over the interstate reinforced my religious nature. LOL

Thank you all for your help and hope you enjoy the 500 this weekend, if it doesn't rain. We will watch on tv also. Much more comfortable.

Slightly Goofy