WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2002 PART 16
We were up and sitting in the Ponderosa for a 9.30 breakfast, thought we would give it another try and better service all round today.
We arrived at Universal at about 10.30 and eventually parked up in Jaws 113. Then the long trek began. I cannot believe how far it is to the entrance of the park and feel very sorry for those with children who are walking and the less mobile amongst us. Its a days walking in itself to the entrance. We entered the park without waiting and headed straight over to T23D this has to rank above one of our all time favourites and although seen many times the effects are stunning and the pre show a credit on its own We then strolled on through the park stopping at the animal show on the way. Although this was very good we felt the show time had been cut somewhat as it only lasted about 15 mins and I am sure last time we were in there for at least ½ an hour.Strolled around the shops then onto ET. We then walked further into the park and I took refuge under a shady tree whilst David went on BTTF, he was gone for a little while but turned out had been a small hitch and not a long queue. After this we went over to MIB and watched them in the car out the front of the ride. Dave then went on the ride again with no wait..
On we go to Jaws and once again straight onto a boat. We had a very good captain who put his heart and soul into his job. Tell me why do we all scream and cry at a plastic shark, I jump every time even though I know its coming looking at out timetable we got a move on down to where the Blues Brothers show was to take place. Now four years ago this was a top class ½ hour of music and entertainment, but we were sorely disappointed this time and along with a majority of the crowd moved on after 15 mins or so. Diabolical is the word I would use. We then stopped for an ice cream and watch some very talented street entertainers for quite a while. These were very good. We then went to have a good look at the movie cars and a good look around some shops. We then made our way over for the Ghostbusters show, we and many others spent a good deal of time trying to find where this was showing. Four years ago it was done inside a studio, this time it transpired it was done down the end of a street, in the open air, well we thought the Blues Brothers were bad enough words fail me to describe this. After 10 mins a very large crowd had dwindled down to about 20 and we left about this time as well. My local school could do better than that.
We left the park to have a complete walk around the shops in the City Walk and then tackled the long trek back to the car. We did some of the other usual rides in the park as well but I seem to have omitted them from my notes.
We then went back to the hotel to put our very weary feet up for an hour before going onto the Golden Corral for its usual first class dinner.
THOUGHTS. We thought that universal was looking a bit tired. They need to do something big time about the BB and GBusters as these were really bad and the volume of people walking away from these shows made this very obvious. They park was fairly quiet with most rides walk-ons or very little queue time. The fast pass machines were covered up. I also think they need to do something about the very long walk from the car park, we did on our second visit to IOA pay for preferred parking but it was still a fair distance to walk from here. The weather today was 75 with some very strong sun to begin with then cloudy for a while with a moderate breeze.
THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2002 PART 17
Agreed on a quieter day today. Got up a little later at 7.30 and gave mum and dad a quick call back in England. Breakfast at the GC. Dave wanted to go and have another look at some more motorbikes so I caught up on the washing. A very easy afternoon watching a film on the tv and trying to sort out the packing of some of the stuff we have acquired into the suitcases. Definitely going to have to repack for our last day on Monday or we will buying another case. Walked over to McD for tea and it was fairly busy in there tonight. We then had a walk around the nearest gift shops for a while. Then back to the hotel for hot bath and an easy and relaxing evening.
THOUGHTS. We found that having advantage of having 3 weeks instead of 2, like today we could take a whole day doing nothing without the worry of not doing everything we wanted to. Also feel so much better for having a complete rest day. The weather today was 72 and very humid with cloudy moments.
Tomorrow the not quite so long but long enough trek back to IOA.
We were up and sitting in the Ponderosa for a 9.30 breakfast, thought we would give it another try and better service all round today.
We arrived at Universal at about 10.30 and eventually parked up in Jaws 113. Then the long trek began. I cannot believe how far it is to the entrance of the park and feel very sorry for those with children who are walking and the less mobile amongst us. Its a days walking in itself to the entrance. We entered the park without waiting and headed straight over to T23D this has to rank above one of our all time favourites and although seen many times the effects are stunning and the pre show a credit on its own We then strolled on through the park stopping at the animal show on the way. Although this was very good we felt the show time had been cut somewhat as it only lasted about 15 mins and I am sure last time we were in there for at least ½ an hour.Strolled around the shops then onto ET. We then walked further into the park and I took refuge under a shady tree whilst David went on BTTF, he was gone for a little while but turned out had been a small hitch and not a long queue. After this we went over to MIB and watched them in the car out the front of the ride. Dave then went on the ride again with no wait..
On we go to Jaws and once again straight onto a boat. We had a very good captain who put his heart and soul into his job. Tell me why do we all scream and cry at a plastic shark, I jump every time even though I know its coming looking at out timetable we got a move on down to where the Blues Brothers show was to take place. Now four years ago this was a top class ½ hour of music and entertainment, but we were sorely disappointed this time and along with a majority of the crowd moved on after 15 mins or so. Diabolical is the word I would use. We then stopped for an ice cream and watch some very talented street entertainers for quite a while. These were very good. We then went to have a good look at the movie cars and a good look around some shops. We then made our way over for the Ghostbusters show, we and many others spent a good deal of time trying to find where this was showing. Four years ago it was done inside a studio, this time it transpired it was done down the end of a street, in the open air, well we thought the Blues Brothers were bad enough words fail me to describe this. After 10 mins a very large crowd had dwindled down to about 20 and we left about this time as well. My local school could do better than that.
We left the park to have a complete walk around the shops in the City Walk and then tackled the long trek back to the car. We did some of the other usual rides in the park as well but I seem to have omitted them from my notes.
We then went back to the hotel to put our very weary feet up for an hour before going onto the Golden Corral for its usual first class dinner.
THOUGHTS. We thought that universal was looking a bit tired. They need to do something big time about the BB and GBusters as these were really bad and the volume of people walking away from these shows made this very obvious. They park was fairly quiet with most rides walk-ons or very little queue time. The fast pass machines were covered up. I also think they need to do something about the very long walk from the car park, we did on our second visit to IOA pay for preferred parking but it was still a fair distance to walk from here. The weather today was 75 with some very strong sun to begin with then cloudy for a while with a moderate breeze.
THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2002 PART 17
Agreed on a quieter day today. Got up a little later at 7.30 and gave mum and dad a quick call back in England. Breakfast at the GC. Dave wanted to go and have another look at some more motorbikes so I caught up on the washing. A very easy afternoon watching a film on the tv and trying to sort out the packing of some of the stuff we have acquired into the suitcases. Definitely going to have to repack for our last day on Monday or we will buying another case. Walked over to McD for tea and it was fairly busy in there tonight. We then had a walk around the nearest gift shops for a while. Then back to the hotel for hot bath and an easy and relaxing evening.
THOUGHTS. We found that having advantage of having 3 weeks instead of 2, like today we could take a whole day doing nothing without the worry of not doing everything we wanted to. Also feel so much better for having a complete rest day. The weather today was 72 and very humid with cloudy moments.
Tomorrow the not quite so long but long enough trek back to IOA.
