Hi Guys! I'm still a Universal Newbie here, but I read this thread every day to follow along and keep learning stuff (okay, I'm a lurker, not a responder). I really enjoy it and you guys seem like really nice people. I've been emailing Lori (loribell) and she suggested I ask some of my questions here so here goes!
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, we got tickets for Blue Man Group on Saturday afternoon (August 4) for the 3pm show. They're a surprise birthday present for my middle son so he and my husband are going (front row!). However, that day is one of our break days so we plan to sleep in and then all go over together early afternoon. Then while they're at the show, my other sons (then 12 and 15) and I will go explore Universal a bit, try to get our bearings, check out the RPR (where we'll be checking in the following day) and pick up our tickets from the kiosks so we're all ready to go early the next morning. We'll follow that with dinner at Margaritaville for all of us since the kids especially are Jimmy Buffet fans.
My question is, if we go into the park on a Saturday afternoon (around 2:30-4:30) without Express Passes (just to get a feel for the atmosphere, etc. and find our way around), what rides (if any!) do you think we'd be able to get on without a wait? I don't want to stand in line since we'll have the FOTL for the next couple days, but figure there have to be some walk ons (kind of like CoP or TTA at Disney). Things that would be fun and get us in the mood but not leave me with cranky kids from standing in the heat for too long! Any suggestions? Any other things to do (either at RPR or Citywalk, etc.). We only have a couple hours and do want to get into both parks and to RPR so I know we won't accomplish much. Thanks for any suggestions!
Lori - congrats on your game! We had a nail-biting soccer game on Wednesday night (no, nowhere near the state level or anything but still stressful!). We were playing the number one team in the region, which was undefeated all last year and so far this year. Got a 1-0 lead early in the game and the kids did their best to hold on. Unfortunately, they managed to score with just a few minutes left, but the boys held the rest of the game to at least get a tie which was impressive for them so they were happy but disappointed

at the same time because they were really hoping to have SOMEONE (hey, might as well be them!) beat this team!
We were sitting next to parents from the other team (who were very friendly). Early in the game, my son ALMOST got a goal that the goalie managed to do a really good save on. (My son plays defense and NEVER gets goals!). When the couple next to us cheered the save, I said, "Hey, that was MY son they blocked!" and the dad said "Well, that was MY son who blocked it!"
Anyways - thanks for the help everyone! tlinus - I will try to get over to your trip report (have to figure out where they are first!) and read it because it sounds good!