Spongebob suggestions and advice please :)

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hello! I've read these boards off and on for a little while but I'm not anywhere educated on Universal and IOA like I am Disney since I've never been to Universal.

My DS (7) is a HUGE and I mean HUGE Spongebob fan. I'm really leaning towards adding a day to the beginning of our Disney trip in June so that we can spend the day at Universal Studios so he can meet Spongebob.

First - silly question, will the closure of Jimmy Neutron impact the meet and greet for Spongebob at all? If my DS doesn't get to meet him, he will truly be gutted.

Can any of you provide any more valuable information related to Spongebob at Universal? I know they have a "build a Spongebob" much like the Potato Head pieces - can you think of anything else?

I sincerely appreciate the advice and suggestions!

Heather

 

[Bluer101]

I would say that whats happening with Jimmy and Nickelodeon, I would say don't go expecting them to be there. Then if they are not there, then there will be no disappointment.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thanks and you're right - we'll go with an open mind and hope to be surprised!

If anyone has been there since Jimmy Neutron closed can you confirm seeing Spongebob?

Thanks in advance,
Heather

 

[SmallWorld71]

Deleted post.Sorry, I'm confused tonight.

 

[HLAuburn]

We were there a few weeks ago and the Jimmy Neutron ride was definitely closed, but the Nick store was open and SpongeBob had his regular hours.

When the ride was open, it would let out right to the SB meet and greet - now that the ride is closed, you have to walk to the back of the store to see him, so when we went, there was no one there. Dora and Diego were out front and had long lines, but unless someone was specifically looking for SpongeBob, you wouldn't see him just walking by. It was kinda nice to have him all to ourselves.

My girls love SpongeBob too, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd make a trip just for that. He used to make an appearance in the Jimmy Neutron ride, but now that it's gone, you could do the meet and greet and maybe pick up some different SP things in the store (the build-a-SpongeBob is really cool), but unless you're interested in seeing the rest of the park too, I'd say that's a lot of $ and effort to spend just to see SB.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We were there a few weeks ago and the Jimmy Neutron ride was definitely closed, but the Nick store was open and SpongeBob had his regular hours.

When the ride was open, it would let out right to the SB meet and greet - now that the ride is closed, you have to walk to the back of the store to see him, so when we went, there was no one there. Dora and Diego were out front and had long lines, but unless someone was specifically looking for SpongeBob, you wouldn't see him just walking by. It was kinda nice to have him all to ourselves.

My girls love SpongeBob too, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd make a trip just for that. He used to make an appearance in the Jimmy Neutron ride, but now that it's gone, you could do the meet and greet and maybe pick up some different SP things in the store (the build-a-SpongeBob is really cool), but unless you're interested in seeing the rest of the park too, I'd say that's a lot of $ and effort to spend just to see SB.

Thanks for the info!! Trust me, we're not going there *just* for Spongebob, although it is a big reason. I've already had the conversation with him that he possibly might not meet him and surprisingly he was ok with it. He still wants to do some shopping there and experience the other parts. If we see and meet Spongebob it will just it make it perfect

Heather

 

[callieskye]

We were there last week & the ride is still opened, spongebob was there for pics when ride was over.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We were there last week & the ride is still opened, spongebob was there for pics when ride was over.

Thank you! I wonder if the ride will be temporarily open in June when we are there?

Heather

 

[carmiedog]

We'll also be there in June and I'm somewhat expecting Jimmy to be open. I'm too lazy to look for a link, but I remember reading that although it was closing, it would be intermittent for a while and WOULD be open during busy periods (spring break, summer). I think it might close permanently in the fall. If it's not open in June, I'll be disappointed (first trip so only chance at this ride), but no biggie.

 

[Bluer101]

We'll also be there in June and I'm somewhat expecting Jimmy to be open. I'm too lazy to look for a link, but I remember reading that although it was closing, it would be intermittent for a while and WOULD be open during busy periods (spring break, summer). I think it might close permanently in the fall. If it's not open in June, I'll be disappointed (first trip so only chance at this ride), but no biggie.

It will be open limited amounts of time through August 18, 2011.

 

[lpereira]

Have you thought about the character breakfast at the nickelodeon hotel?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Have you thought about the character breakfast at the nickelodeon hotel?

You have to stay at the Nick Hotel to do this, right? We've looked at the hotel but the reviews seem very iffy. The main reason we ruled it out for this trip was due to the hassle of checking in and out of the hotels and we don't want to lose any park time, for one night there.

Thanks for the suggestion ~ if we could do the breakfast without staying there I would really consider it and would surprise him!

Heather

 

[HLAuburn]

You have to stay at the Nick Hotel to do this, right? We've looked at the hotel but the reviews seem very iffy. The main reason we ruled it out for this trip was due to the hassle of checking in and out of the hotels and we don't want to lose any park time, for one night there.

Thanks for the suggestion ~ if we could do the breakfast without staying there I would really consider it and would surprise him!

Heather

Unless it changed, I also understood you had to stay at the Nick Hotel to do the character breakfast. Seems to me they could get a lot of business from people coming in just for that.

 

[lpereira]

I dont know if you have to stay onsite we were going to anyway. I don't see anything on their website that says you do. It's a quick call to find out.

 

[lpereira]

Cancel that. You have to be staying on property. Just called the hotel.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Cancel that. You have to be staying on property. Just called the hotel.

Thanks for confirming that! We'll just keep our fingers crossed he'll be there in June!

Heather

 

[Ohiodislover]

It was open daily this past week.

We saw Spongebob taking photos

Also there is the coolest Potato head type toy station too. You start with a Spongebob body, then get the eyes, mouths, arms, etc for a set price. I think you could pick something like 18 different pieces. VERY VERY CUTE!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

It was open daily this past week.

We saw Spongebob taking photos

Also there is the coolest Potato head type toy station too. You start with a Spongebob body, then get the eyes, mouths, arms, etc for a set price. I think you could pick something like 18 different pieces. VERY VERY CUTE!!

THIS is exactly what my DS has his heart set on! He already has his money saved up to do it. Do you remember how much it was by chance?

Thanks,
Heather

 

[Ohiodislover]

THIS is exactly what my DS has his heart set on! He already has his money saved up to do it. Do you remember how much it was by chance?

Thanks,
Heather

Checked with DD. She thinks it was around $20. Have fun!!

 

[sonomom]

Just an update, was there last Sunday and Spongebob was doing a meet and greet in the store