Universal Highs and Lows, 7/2 -7/4, 2013

[shelemm]

Return to Universal for this family of three (me, DS 18, DD 14) after six years of sticking purely with Disney. Mostly to experience the new.

The high is Harry Potter - of course fantastic theme and a great ride. Also Rip Ride Rocket is very cool, smooth, fun.

The other high is a reminder of how great the parks look.

The hotel value is good since you get Express Pass plus early entry.

The lows are numerous, though. Too much motion simulation - both Simpsons and Despicable Me - yuck. I was hoping for rides, not an expanded version of a hackneyed shopping mall diversion. There's only so much of that one can take - please come up with some new ideas!!!!!

Transformers was another low - visually more 'pure' than Spiderman, but repetitious and stupid. Just like a Transformers movie. This appeals to the sub zero mentality set. Plus the building looks completely out of place in its position - kills the visuals of that location.

Nighttime show is too mechanical and uninvolving, with no human connection except for the movie clips that are each waaaaay too short to give you any feel for the scene. Short Attention Span Theatre. Parade is mercifully short.

Parks seemed uncrowded. On July 4, 30 minutes after public park opening, TMs were trying to drum up interest in Transformers - trying to draw people in from the sidewalk. Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom was at capacity by mid-morning.

Food is another low. Mythos food comes out room temperature pre-made, and Lombardy's doesn't know how to blacken fish. City Walk counter service Italian is something I'd be ashamed to defrost from the supermarket freezer section.

Both parks are beautiful with some great rides and attractions, but now I'm going back for my Disney fix.

 

[macraven]

Return to Universal for this family of three (me, DS 18, DD 14) after six years of sticking purely with Disney. Mostly to experience the new.

The high is Harry Potter - of course fantastic theme and a great ride. Also Rip Ride Rocket is very cool, smooth, fun.

The other high is a reminder of how great the parks look.

The hotel value is good since you get Express Pass plus early entry.

The lows are numerous, though. Too much motion simulation - both Simpsons and Despicable Me - yuck. I was hoping for rides, not an expanded version of a hackneyed shopping mall diversion. There's only so much of that one can take - please come up with some new ideas!!!!!

Transformers was another low - visually more 'pure' than Spiderman, but repetitious and stupid. Just like a Transformers movie. This appeals to the sub zero mentality set. Plus the building looks completely out of place in its position - kills the visuals of that location.

Nighttime show is too mechanical and uninvolving, with no human connection except for the movie clips that are each waaaaay too short to give you any feel for the scene. Short Attention Span Theatre. Parade is mercifully short.

Parks seemed uncrowded. On July 4, 30 minutes after public park opening, TMs were trying to drum up interest in Transformers - trying to draw people in from the sidewalk. Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom was at capacity by mid-morning.

Food is another low. Mythos food comes out room temperature pre-made, and Lombardy's doesn't know how to blacken fish. City Walk counter service Italian is something I'd be ashamed to defrost from the supermarket freezer section.

Both parks are beautiful with some great rides and attractions, but now I'm going back for my Disney fix.

this sub zero mental one is really looking forward to TF in the fall.

 

[Metro West]

this sub zero mental one is really looking forward to TF in the fall.

Me too.

 

[goofyfigment]

Me too.

I rode it and I loved it! Guess my sub zero mentality is the reason! To each their own! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and since the wait for transformers was 180 minutes every day of our trip (June 22-29) others must like it to. And the employees were trying to help with crowd control so that is why they were directing you. Each day we were there they either directed you either towards shrek or terminator to get to transformers so that there was not major congestion when you entered the park.

 

[stitchaholic]

I gotta say , I am not unhappy it is uncrowded , plz , plz let it stay that way for a few more days !!!! I think everyone should go to Disney instead , we will be at US & IOA from the 8th-11th

 

[-Hope-]

Am I the only one highly amused at the implication that amusement park rides must be intellectually stimulating?

 

[Tink2Day]

I really think Die hard Disney aficionados (trying to be nice here) should stay away from Universal/IOA.
It usually seems to be a disappointment and frankly I don't think it makes a good report because it's different strokes for different folks.
I loved IOA and definitely have it in my return plans.

AND my opinion is coming from someone who has been going to Disney since the FIRST and ORIGINAL Disney park opened! By the way I found MK to not be NEARLY as clean as Disneyland (or IOA).

 

[Nancy for Disney]

The lows are numerous, though. Too much motion simulation - both Simpsons and Despicable Me - yuck. I was hoping for rides, not an expanded version of a hackneyed shopping mall diversion. There's only so much of that one can take - please come up with some new ideas!!!!!

Transformers was another low - visually more 'pure' than Spiderman, but repetitious and stupid. Just like a Transformers movie. This appeals to the sub zero mentality set. Plus the building looks completely out of place in its position - kills the visuals of that location.

I had a great trip but I too got very tired of the motion simulation. I did like the humor of The Simpsons but was meh about Despicable Me. We rode Spiderman first and I loved it! We rode Transformers later that same night and all I could think was it was the same thing but the characters were just metal things being thrown at me. Your right about the building too. Now will never go back to US? No, I look forward to returning but will likely add it on to a WDW trip. I loved the Hulk and The Mummy. These are now some of my favorite coasters but fall behind Space Mountain and EE but very closely behind.

 

[schumigirl]

Me too.

Me three Who knew we were the sub zero mentality group

I really think Die hard Disney aficionados (trying to be nice here) should stay away from Universal/IOA.
It usually seems to be a disappointment and frankly I don't think it makes a good report because it's different strokes for different folks.
I loved IOA and definitely have it in my return plans.

Yep.....I think so too

OP.....you do sound like it`s a good idea for you not to visit Universal again since you didn`t enjoy it

 

[Choozee]

I enjoy US & IOA so much that I only frequent Disney every 5 years and US and IOA every year

 

[shelemm]

I said there were highs and lows, focusing on all the new attractions since I was there 6 years ago. I also enjoyed other attractions I've been to before.

I think all reports are fine, not just ones that mimic the company line.

 

[shelemm]

And the employees were trying to help with crowd control so that is why they were directing you.

No, the employees were openly calling for people to enter saying the pre-show (or whatever they called it) was about to begin. NOBODY was approaching the ride at this time. I am not saying this is normal, but I am showing you the contrast between Universal Studios and WDW on the 4th of July. The park was pretty much deserted - most EE people as well as other visitors were heading to HP first. I would say that on my two EE visits, everyone on the boats headed to IOA. That means, though we did not get up especially early, we were first at the gates for US, and by the time EE opened, there were only a handful of people. When the park opened for the public, even they had an easy time of it and TF was walk-on 30 minutes after public opening.

 

[goofyfigment]

No, the employees were openly calling for people to enter saying the pre-show (or whatever they called it) was about to begin. NOBODY was approaching the ride at this time. I am not saying this is normal, but I am showing you the contrast between Universal Studios and WDW on the 4th of July. The park was pretty much deserted - most EE people as well as other visitors were heading to HP first. I would say that on my two EE visits, everyone on the boats headed to IOA. That means, though we did not get up especially early, we were first at the gates for US, and by the time EE opened, there were only a handful of people. When the park opened for the public, even they had an easy time of it and TF was walk-on 30 minutes after public opening.

There is no pre-show for transformers

 

[shelemm]

Am I the only one highly amused at the implication that amusement park rides must be intellectually stimulating?

Rollercoasters do not have a stupid story to them.... you really are flying through the air. They don't need a story. Log flume rides drop you a good distance (first they tease you, hopefully), and really plunge you into water. If I'm going to subject myself to a story so I can watch it on the screen, yes, I'd like it to be at least as intellectually engaging as Spiderman.

Neither I nor my two teenagers were happy that Transformers was a visually compelling but ultimately stupid ride. You can't be harmed if you can simply fly through a building or have a missile explode on you, so there is no cleverness for you to be saved. One robot duel after another. Yes, it's sub zero. Dudley do-right is more thrilling, engaging, and compelling. Plus you might get wet!

 

[shelemm]

There is no pre-show for transformers

They may have been saying next ride to begin or next launch to begin or something like that. Anything at all to entice people to come in, really, so that they understood there was no wait.

 

[-Hope-]

I said there were highs and lows, focusing on all the new attractions since I was there 6 years ago. I also enjoyed other attractions I've been to before.

I think all reports are fine, not just ones that mimic the company line.

Yes, all reports are fine but you should expect feedback, especially when you don't just talk about the rides but insult the people who enjoy them. :

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I find it funny that people complain when parks are busy and also when parks are deserted I'd much rather leisurely stroll around a relatively empty park than struggling through the crowds at one that has reached capacity.

Sincerely, a member of the sub zero mentality set.

 

[shelemm]

i certainly wasn't complaining, just pointing out that July 4th is not a packed time at Universal Studios. despite what I had been told. I was plenty glad it wasn't crowded.

And as far as TF goes, I mean, it's obvious that Universal put zero effort in the storytelling aspect of the ride, isn't it? Certainly I can't be saying anything surprising or new. One special effect after another with no heart in it, as far as I can tell.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

i certainly wasn't complaining, just pointing out that July 4th is not a packed time at Universal Studios. despite what I had been told. I was plenty glad it wasn't crowded.

And as far as TF goes, I mean, it's obvious that Universal put zero effort in the storytelling aspect of the ride, isn't it? Certainly I can't be saying anything surprising or new. One special effect after another with no heart in it, as far as I can tell.

I think it is set up well.. it may not be a heartwarming story, but the queue sets up the scene. As someone who's never seen the TF movies, I was able to get a good gist of what was going on.

It's meant to be an exciting thrill ride. I found it riveting, personally, and I'm fairly critical of rides. The transitions between real sets and screens is pretty much flawless. To me, it feels as though you are actually flying through city streets as opposed to moving along a track inside a building. I've been on it twice and was impressed both times. To each their own, I suppose!

 

[waikiki]

I sincerely believe that "it's a small world" is so ... intellectual!


Ok, I stop kiddin!

In fact, I do not like chocolate .. according to you it is because chocolate is bad or that chocolate is not to my taste?