Universal is Excellent!!

[Wefferman]

Staying at Portofino Bay is excellent. The Universal Express FOTL is REALLY worth it. We got here on New Years and the two parks were crowded...no problem...right to the front on all attractions. We waited 10-15 minutes for the LONGEST. Most wait times were 5-10 minutes. People waiting 60-70 minutes in the regular queues (and some had attitudes seeing us go right in...oh well). We must have done the Hulk 15 times!!LOL. I love Disney but Universal was voted the best theme park and I can see why. Had dinner at Tchoup Chop and it was 1st class. Palms at HRH was good but their portions are VERY big. PBH is starting to show a bit of wear (furniture getting ragged) but the staff was excellent. We are headed back to New Hampshire tomorrow and it is now -15 below zero there...UGH

Any questions...ASK AWAY

 

[ksdave]

Glad to hear about another UO convert. We were mouse addicts for years (18 trips), but now we can't stand the lines and such there. Love going to UO and staying at PBH!! As a matter of fact, I'll be there in a little over (10) days!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

*will be on the lookout for ksdave*

 

[highlander447]

Glad u had a great trip its a great vacation park

 

[tamman]

We are going on the 13th of February for 3 days at the Hard Rock
before heading over to Disney. We have never been to Universal or IOA. We did eat at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville last year, but never went ot the parks. My kids will be 7 and 5 when we are there. Are there Characters walking around like at disney? I am sure it will be crowded due to Pres. weekend and Daytona 500, so I am glad we will have that access pass. Are there more rides there than at MK?

Thanks

 

[damo]

Yes there are characters. There are Dr. Suess characters over by Cat in the Hat, Superheroes by Dr. Doom, Hulk and Spiderman, cartoon characters by the water rides. In Universal, there are Hanna Barbera cartoon characters as well as famous movie actors and actresses. You will see many, many characters. There are fewer rides than at MK but the two parks are right beside each other making it feel like one big park. Yo will find plenty to do.

 

[Wefferman]

We saw characters all over...had a pic with the Grinch. I was in a shop and Spiderman just popped out of a clothes rack! If your kids are burger and mac and cheeze only then I would say no to Tschop Chop...check the menu board, they may have a kids menu. Yes I heard Ripsaw Falls will be down for February and it was really fun. Our last day we wore bathing suits and did the water rides...yes you WILL get soaked. I found it funny that people pump quarters in these squirt things to add additional soakings to the riders but it was all in good fun. As I said earlier, I am a hard core Disney fan but Universal is getting the edge, perhaps Disney got too big? Did away with Early Entry? Too many hotels, not just the monorail ones anymore? When I was a kid, the monorail seemed so futuristic and cool and now it seems like a subway..the boats in Universal seem so quaint and fun. Times change. Epcot (my favorite) is tough to keep up as tomorrow insists on becoming today. Wasn't overly impressed with Animal Kingdom...liked Busch Gardens much better. Also loved the proximity of the parks to the hotels. Nice ten minute boat ride or 20 minute walk.

Again, love Disney but they need to start getting on board!

 

[Wefferman]

You see all my ravings about Universal but Men in Black wasn't as super as I was expecting. Kinda laser tag. Hey it was real fun but we LOVED the Hulk coaster...that inital blast was so thrilling!

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by the Dark Marauder
*will be on the lookout for ksdave*

He'll be the guy on line with Tigger on his shoulder!

 

[Aptor]

Well I am going to agree with Wefferman especially since we stayed in the same room LOL! I loved Universal the Hulk Coaster is AWESOME

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

tamman--pity that you will be at Universal before Disney as FOTL with your HRH key will likely SPOIL you. Lines at the Disney parks will seem oh so much longer. Have a blast! HRH ROCKS.

 

[silverspark]

yay!! it is so exciting to hear positive remarks about US/IOA because i'll be making my first trip there in a long time...last time i went they stil had kong, but no IOA.....long time

im glad you had fun!!!

 

[ksdave]

Robin;
Actually I gave up walking around with Tigger on my shoulders a couple of years ago. Ever since he discovered the Dole Whips and Emu legs at MK, he has put on entirely too much weight. Can't even bounce anymore.
Actually, I was thinking about carrying that girl from the Sinbad show around this trip .

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Another satisfied customer! That is great! Universal really has become such a great place!