Things that make us happy at Universal

[bg4]

Things that make me (and my family) happy at Universal. Probably going to repeat some.

1) Not having to execute a military maneuver to get from hotel to theme park. All we have to do is take a short walk from HRH.

2) The walk from HRH to CityWalk/Universal thru the garden path in the morning.

3) No need for (and with due respect to the Disney Unofficial Guide which was my reference manual for many many years) a disney type - Dumbo in a day or die type of schedule, because of two factors: Universal Express for resort guests and staying on-site.

4) Being able to walk from farthest park IOA to HRH and be in pool in about 30 minutes and that includes going to room to change.

5) Not for everyone but for us being on 7th floor club pool-view room at HRH.

6) Being so close to International Drive/Kirkman Road/Sand Lake Road and ability to eat and shop off site.

7) Makes wife happy is being close to Millenium Mall and shopping at high end shops

8) Eating at the Hard Rock Cafe and never having to wait very long for a seat and prices are reasonable.

9) Shooting aliens at Men in Black and going on it over and over again because of Front of Line Access until I get too dizzy/nauseous to continue.

10) Watching fireworks from both parks from HRH 7th floor pool view room.

11) Wandering around CityWalk and just enjoying the festive atmosphere

12) Walking into Universal Studios in the morning and listening to the man on the microphone welcoming you.

13) Seeing the rotating (or is it revolving) Universal fountain that was seen on so many Nickelodeon shows many years ago. Now thats magical.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I'm really enjoying reading all of your replies. I can relate to so many of them. Some I have jotted down!

damo, as I read yours and got to "time the ever flowing river" I knew I knew it but couldn't place it. So I said it out loud a few times and my son yells out, Jurassic Park!

We eat those egg croissants all the time for years now at each bakery in the AM. They have eggs, cheese and ham or bacon on them and come with fruit on the side. They do stop making them by 11A and you do have to ask for them at the counter.

ChisJo, the entire locker experience if just funny to us too!

We spend lots of lost moments sitting on those Margaritaville chairs, sipping a cocktail and watching the 'sights'! We were last there at Mardi Gras and the kids had lots of coins from the parade. The CW streets were very crowded so we sat and every once in a while they would roll a coin into the middle of the crowd to see who would pick them up!

bg4, We have enough high end shops right here on LI and she still needs more?! I have yet to set foot in a mall over there but so many folks talk about them.

Someone mentioned the shops around the parks. My favorite place that I always buy things each trip is the little shop in Amity, Quint's Surf Shack. I love all their stuff!

ksdave, I wish I could have been there to see that! They never expect a volunteer but it sounds like he had a great comeback!! We seat ourselves in those same seats.

I also love that we have quite a few people that we know on a first name basis at the parks/hotels and CW! Its like seeing an old friend each time we visit.

More, please!

 

[damo]

Pressing the red button so the little kid beats his dad.

 

[phamton]

Pressing the red button so the little kid beats his dad.

Oh I do that too. I try to do it quickly while the child is busy shooting the big bug, that way the child has no idea that I got the bonus for him/her. It's fun helping a stranger and watching their excitement when they "won" a bonus!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

We had them from April 25-29 at the Boulangerie. Maybe you were too late? They have a sign on the glass case that says what they include and their price.

Ugh!! Okay. I'm on a mission now

We went twice, once about 11:30 in the morning -- knowing they probably wouldn't still be serving, but hoping to take a look at a menu or something. Then the second time, the Saturday before we left, 5/5, I believe, we got there by about 9:30, maybe even a little earlier, and it was all pastries ... even when we asked!

Don't get me wrong; the pastries and fruit were delicious and a wonderful value considering we were all able to share a large plate of fruit and a huge danish, but after reading about these scramby-eggie sandwiches, we were really looking forward to them. And got there early to get one!

Well, I suppose this seals my decision on where to vacation in September. Move over, Wine Country of Oregon, it's back to O-Town for the sandwich we missed

 

[damo]

On the glass case as soon as you go in there is a sign that states what they are and their price. Maybe when they pointed towards the glass case they meant everything there (which included the sign on the case). It isn't a huge sign but it is there.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

The music from the car parks to the parks. It gets you in the mood.

 

[drj1950]

Riding MIB until my family drags me away(no they will let me ride as long as I want)Mythos for lunch,then doing it again the next day(if we stay overnight.I also like to hit the red button for the children if they don't know of it.

 

[Locknload82]

Can someone explain the "Red Button"? is this on MIB?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Can someone explain the "Red Button"? is this on MIB?

Yes, it's the red button on MIB. At the end, the ride will say "There's only one thing left to do ... press the red button!" That red button will get you a 100K point bonus (assuming no one locks you out, or too many others in your car have beat you to hitting the button).

Anyway, here's our list:


1. The Loews First program is soooo generous, we think! We take every advantage of upgrades, gifts, etc.
2. That you can walk every place in the resort without a need for a rental car or park provided transportation.
3. Happy hour!
4. Express passes with no appointment times!
5. Tickle fights in the scarab room on The Mummy (really only works while wearing shorts or short-sleeved shirts).
6. Watching little kids ride Jaws.
7. Being on the ride with any Spidey newbie.
8. Having 'shroom flashbacks while on Dudley Doo Right's.
9. French Dips at the Hard Rock Cafe.
10. The Perfect Margarita at Margaritaville!

 

[brandip22]

I know it's been a while, but if anyone else has some, please post. We are firt timers going to US/IOA on Monday and this is the stuff I want to hear so I know how to have fun like a pro! Thanks

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Oh, I have MANY happy moments!

#1. Riding ROTM with newbies and having them ask you, "is this a roller coaster?"

#2. Spidey!

#3. Watching the Hulk roar in the background

#4. Riding water rides at night

#5. People asking you "do you get wet?" on Popeye when we're soaked to the underwear!

#6. The awesome nature of the TM's at every ride and attraction

#7. Horror Make-Up Show

#8. Seeing the horrified expressions of people on the rides

#9. Picture on MIB-we all have "determined" faces on

#10. FOTL!!

LOL, these are the best for me!

 

[Akdar]

In think I said this before, but what the heck, I'll say it again. Walking over the bridge into IOA and hearing the roar of the hulk. That is such a great feeling!

 

[t-and-a]

In think I said this before, but what the heck, I'll say it again. Walking over the bridge into IOA and hearing the roar of the hulk. That is such a great feeling!

I know exactly what you mean! It's just awesome!

 

[vacation dreamer]

Picking crazy funny names at ET.

LOL we do this.......last trip we did Pat, Cat, Rat, and so on. It's a hoot!!

 

[Starry]

Picking crazy funny names at ET.

LOL we do this.......last trip we did Pat, Cat, Rat, and so on. It's a hoot!!

We do this too!

1- Going on The Hulk first thing in the morning- better than any coffee!!
2- The Cookies at The Crescent Moon Bakery
3- Cheeseburgers and Margarita's at Margaritaville
4- THE MUMMY!!!
5- Taking my son on Jurasic Park for the first time
6-The Pool at The HRH
7- Dive in Movies
8- The boat rides to and from the parks-especially at night
9-Going on Dudley Doo Right over and over again
10-Grabbing beers at Finagins and then watching the Blues Bros show

(That' s ny top 10, I could go on forever)

 

[Spidey7]

Pretty much everything, including just being there in general.

But one very simple things stands out to me and that is just walking up to the entrance at IOA past the lighthouse and hearing that cool music at Point of Entry that kinda takes me to the other world and begins the journey, and seeing the sign over the arch "The Adventure Begins"

 

[bubba's mom]

Pretty much everything, including just being there in general.

 

[Lei]

Here's my good memories of US/IoA while we were there last month (Sep 2007):

- Not knowing that Revenge of The Mummy was a roller coaster. Yes, we were the newbiest of newbies. I thought The Mummy was going to be exactly like Indiana Jones The Ride @ Disneyland California, but just with different story & theming. Whoops!

- My Dad's expression with his mouth wide opened during our very first Spiderman ride, especially at the final "drop" scene (bit of background info: my Dad is a guy who's very hard to impress. He actually managed to keep a 'bored-as-hell' look during our visit to WDW (before Universal trip). After we got off from Spidey, his only comment was "If you closed one of your eyes, the 3D effect won't work". What kind of comment is that? Dad! I saw your face back there!! )

- Beverly Hills Boungalerie sandwiches & cakes @ US for breakfast. Best counter food ever, even Disney couldn't beat it. Nevertheless, the coffee tasted yuck and we spotted a cockroach running between tables. Blecch.

- Ben & Jerry's on a boiling day @ IoA. That place desperately needs some serious shading.

- My picture on The Hulk. I'm a Muslim wearing veil, and of course, my veil came off during the ride So the camera caught me screaming, looking terrified, while frantically grabbing my veil at the same time.

 

[MummyAW100]

I have lots of happy memories at UO, but I will remember Halloween Horror Nights the most. I will never forget how nervous I was walking into my first ever house (Screamhouse: Resurrection), jumping out of my skin in Psycho Scareapy: Maximum Madness when an inmate unexpectedly loudly whispered "Happy birthday!" in my ear, and getting my picture taken with the icons, and, for some reason, my mom mistaking The Director for the Caretaker. Ah, I hope I can go to next year's.