Universal studios for the non-roller coaster person

[kana]

Hi,

We are going to Universal Studios January 20th and I'm not a roller coaster person AT ALL. I LOVE simulation rides the best and don't mind spinning or moving fast. What I am extremely nervous about is finding myself on a ride that drops more then 5 feet!!! Please tell me what rides NOT to ride! I don't mind dropping if it is just simulated on the screen and I can close my eyes.

Someone mentioned that rows 3 and 6 have bigger seats, is that just certain rides or all? I'm about 220#'s and don't want to have to squeeze into a small seat if I can help it.

Is it advised that we purchase tickets online prior or are the lines pretty short when they open?

Thank you

 

[Figment22]

If you're only going to the Studios (and not to Islands of Adventure), then the only ride with any drops is The Mummy.

The bigger seats in rows 3 and 6 are on The Hulk and Dueling Dragons which are both at Islands of Adventure.

 

[phamton]

It shouldn't be too busy Jan. 20 so I doubt you'll have to wait much. You should be able to fit in all the rides there. MIB might be a bit uncomfortable for you but you should fit fine. The seats are kind of small but there is room to spread out a little onto the other seat. Just have someone you know sit next to you on the other side and it won't be bad.

 

[Beanie]

Hi Kana! Welcome to the DIS Boards!! You will get lots of great advice here (as you have already), so I hope you stay and join us in our discussions!

Have a wonderful time at Universal!!

 

[robvia]

Lines are short when the parks open. The key is to be there early, at 08:00am. There is no wait at the ticket booths if you arrive early. Park opens at 09:00am, the time goes fast waiting in line at the gate. In your case, I'd suggest going to USF so you can see Shrek first. From there you can visit Neutron, and then move on to the movie attractions.

 

[gschmerl]

I visit Universal with a friend who will not get on a roller coaster or any ride with a drop. She LOVES going to the Universal Parks. She even did the Jurassic Park River ride since you can't really see the drop on that one. There is plenty to do at both parks.

 

[Sandyincanada]

I'm also not big on roller coasters but LOVE simulator rides. You'll find theres very few rides you CAN'T do at either park. The only ones I stay away from are Hulk (DD dragged me on this one, had a head ache all day, grrr) and Dueling Dragons. I can do all the rest.

DH is 6'2" and around 260 ( very husky build) and he is ok on most rides. They do put him in the "big boy" seats on DD and the hulk.

Have fun, you'll love it!

 

[Motherfletcher]

Welcome to the Dis! It has already been said but you probably want to skip the Mummy. The drop is only about 20 feet but is backwards in the dark. I got sick from the ride. You'll fit in everything comfortably unless you have a mean son, like mine, who pulls down really hard on the lap bar just to mess with me.

 

[kana]

The drop is only about 20 feet but is backwards in the dark

Thank you so much for adding this info. I was really thinking about going on this ride because I thought I could tolerate 20 feet, BUT NOT BACKWARDS!

I appreciate everyones input! It is kind of crazy how I am looking for every little detail on every ride just so I avoid those icky rides that drop.
I wish I could just jump on any ride and love it!

I have my Dramamine and Ativan......Keep the nervousness away and the nausea! Sounds kind of ironic. My mind wants to ride, but my body gets ill.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

I don't do roller coasters at all (ok, well not anything big) and I had a great time at US/IOA!! We loved the NickToons and Shrek things (movies? rides? shows?!) very very cool and fun! I did do ET, MIB, Jaws, Twister at US, I did the Woody Wood Pecker roller coaster there, it's easy! At IOA - I did Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, well, almost everything on Suess Island, almost did Duddley Do Right but I wasn't up for getting wet, same thing as the Popeye river ride thing. I stayed off the Mummy, Hulk, Doctor Dooms Fear-Fall, Jurrasic Park (I've done it before though), Dueling Dragons, I did do the Flying Unicorn once with DS, gave me a headache!

Don't worry too much, there's lots to do that won't scare you to death!

 

[phamton]

Thank you so much for adding this info. I was really thinking about going on this ride because I thought I could tolerate 20 feet, BUT NOT BACKWARDS!

The ride does not drop 20 feet backwards. The big drop is forward. You have a short backward part of the ride with a dip but it more like Maelstrom when you go backwards. The backward part is very mild and only a few feet drop (less than 5 feet.) This is the only backward part. Then the ride enters a turntable and turns you around forward and then shoots up going forward for 45 feet. Then it goes through drops and curves all forward. The final drop is then 25 feet. The final drop is the largest drop and it is all forward for those 25 feet.

The nice thing about the drops is they don't go straight down but curve.

 

[kana]

Ok, you are making me brave again. I really want to fight my fears and ride this ride, but I need to know the things like you all are telling me. Thank you.

I think I can handle the drops as long as they aren't straight up and then straight down. Sloping and curving down is ok, but not straight. Is this all in the dark when things are coming at you? Are you distracted by everything or more aware of the coaster?

I really do thank you all for your help. I'm going to be brave and do this one....I think.

 

[phamton]

There are fluorescent figures in the dark that will distract. I hate straight down drops like SplashMountain but the drops on Mummy aren't bad because they curve and you aren't looking straight down but banking to the left or right. I am sure you will love the ride. Only the last minute is a coaster. The first half of the ride is a dark slow ride.

The first launch of the coaster part is straight up but when you come down you are curving.