The Characters were out in full force!

[crazyme5kids]

I couldn't believe how many characters were out and about this week at Universal/IOA! It was fantastic! My older boys started groaning whenever we saw them because it meant my two younger kids would have to stop and say hi!
It was hot and humid, and all the characters were wonderful. I don't know how they could stand it in the costumes. It made our trip so special!

 

[JessicaR]

It was like that when we were there in June and we loved it too! The characters were everywhere. We had a few hot and very humid days as well and I wondered how they could stand that heat. They really do make the trip so special. When we saw shrek he was indoors in the air conditioning and my husband made a comment that he must have been happy he wasnt outside. He seemed to agree!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

That's great!! Meeting characters always adds to the atmosphere of the parks, and makes the trips more memorable.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

What characters did you see?

We saw all the Marvel superheros, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, Princess Fiona, the Rug Rats, Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto, and the list goes on...

 

[laurenk]

I know this is probably a dumb question, but do they sell autograph books at Universal like they do at WDW?

 

[crazyme5kids]

Yes They sell autograph books. We saw so many character it was amazing! They stayed out for quite a while, and I think they did feel bad when they had to turn people away.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

He got over 35 autographs during our stay. I didn't think there were that many characters!!!!

 

[themepark]

Seeing the characters was a highlight of our trip last month. We saw lots of the Marvel Superheroes including Spiderman, Dr. Doom, Green Goblin and Hulk. We also saw Tommy, Angelica, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, Spongebob (indoors...in a pineapple under the sea no less), Shaggy and Scooby, The Wildthornberry's, Woody Woodpecker, Crash Bandicoot (is that his name?), Sam I Am, Cat in the Hat, and my favorite The Grinch. We were never in Toon Lagoon during the hours characters were out. We have some great photos with the characters too! My favorite is of the Green Goblin looking menacing while holding my daughter in a choke hold. My son got lots of autographs too. He was afraid to ask the Hulk for his autograph though! LOL

 

[AngieBelle]

How funny...I spent time at both parks about a week and a half ago, and the only characters I saw were pretty much scheduled appearences- Marvel characters and the little show in Toon Lagoon. It was about 4pm by the time I went over to the Studios so I guess most of the ones there were already gone.

I've been hired as a part time character at Universal! I start training on Monday.

 

[laurenk]

themepark-
They have Crash Bandicoot there? my son will know him for sure. I am a little worried that my twins won't recognize many of the characters.

 

[themepark]

laurenk-- Crash was at USF at the front as soon as we came in the gate. We saw him two different days when entering the park between 9:30-10:30. I didn't even know who he was until one of the kids told me! During our time there, the hours the characters would be out was printed on the park map. I believe they were out until 4:00-4:30 each day.

 

[JessicaR]

I wanted to congratulate you AngieBelle! I hope you enjoy it at Universal.

We saw Crash Bandicoot during our last 2 visits. My kids play the game and thought he was great. He was funny. We were eating breakfast at the bakery and he was right out in front in the AM he asked us if we had considered that he might like a cinnamon roll!

 

[crazyme5kids]

How cool is that AngieBelle! Congratulation!!!!!! Do you know "who" you will be yet? Keep us posted.

 

[AngieBelle]

Well, at the callback, I was fitted for Popeye, Chuckie Finster, Sam I Am, and Woody Woodpecker.

 

[Tinkbell]

Congratulations, Angie! You will be awesome in any role.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Congrats!!! Now make sure you are always out for us to see you!!!!

 

[PattiPB]

AngieBelle---how very cool for you!!!! Good luck!

Re: characters. DH is now considered the coolest teacher at school, because he has photos of himself with Sponge, Spidey and Shrek on display in his Kindergarten classroom! He is worse than my 3 kids with the characters!

Patti

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Come on now Patti. You sound just like my wife. Okay, I have a confession. I almost lost it when I saw the Hulk and I have about 1/2 roll of film of pictures of him and me...... and I got two autographs.....one for my son who is also a fan....and one for....yes, I admit it....me. But it was great to see my nephew's reaction when he knew that his uncle and cousin hung out with the Hulk!

 

[PattiPB]

I think all of us "addicts" have our faves!!! For me it is the villains! June 2001 I dropped my then 5 and 3 yo DS's hands and RAN---full out RAN---to where a CM told us the Old Hag was hiding. My then 7 yo DD had her "It's my B-day" button on, and the CM said he'd tell her a B-day secret, and that the Old Hag was over by Sid Cahuengas (MGM) scaring people. I left my poor family in the dust!!!!! She literally was hiding, and peering into the windows at Cahuenga's scaring the shoppers inside! It was the last day of a two-week vacation, and MAGICAL to me! One complete roll of film!

For DH it's Sponge, Minnie, Tink, Spidey, and once we saw Jiminy Cricket (3/02)---he only comes out for Earth Week, so that was a find!

Patti