Universal Studios?

[AbsoluteAwesome1]

I went to the one in California a while ago. We had a VIP tour, so... really, that guy did everything for us so we didn't have to figure anything out o___o;

It was really cool, though. Front of the line in every ride, even the backlot tour. We got to walk around on the part in Bruce Almighty where the dog peed. OUTSIDE BAD INSIDE GOOD!

And we saw Wisteria Lane

Very fun. You'll enjoy it if you go. Of course, it's nothing like WDW, so...yeah.
The rides are great, and I don't really think there's too many loopies. Jurrasic Park is kinda like Splash Mountain. The Mummy is kinda like Indiana Jones Adventure Ride.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I went to the one in California a while ago. We had a VIP tour, so... really, that guy did everything for us so we didn't have to figure anything out o___o;

It was really cool, though. Front of the line in every ride, even the backlot tour. We got to walk around on the part in Bruce Almighty where the dog peed. OUTSIDE BAD INSIDE GOOD!

And we saw Wisteria Lane

Very fun. You'll enjoy it if you go. Of course, it's nothing like WDW, so...yeah.
The rides are great, and I don't really think there's too many loopies. Jurrasic Park is kinda like Splash Mountain. The Mummy is kinda like Indiana Jones Adventure Ride.

Wisteria Lane? But Disney owns ABC.......

 

[Babyjustrun]

Wisteria Lane? But Disney owns ABC.......

She means the Universal in Cali.

 

[RaggedyAnnPrincess]

My dad used to work at Universal Studios Hollywood, it was fun! I got to see a couple of movie sets, I got to go with my dad to the costume trailers, where the characters would hang, and went on E.T. the ride. It was the coolest ride ever, and they replaced it with, idk, Shrek 4D or something -_- Compared to the Florida one, it doesn't have very many rides.... though they do have that mummy ride that's scary as h*ll now... so it's probably a lot better! Woo! I haven't beeen there in a while

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Hey, Jenny!

I went to USO/IoA last July/August.

IT'S AWESOME!!!

Definately check out Revenge of the Mummy in USO.
Yes, it's a roller-coaster, but does not go upside-down. Think Space Mnt., only faster. Yes, it's in the dark. And suspenseful! But I loved it to death, we went on 7 times in 5 days (and we weren't even in the park all those days!)

Also, as the OP's have said, the water rides at IoA are worth checking out. My advice: go on them right before you leave the parks for the day. That way, you can just change into pj's. They're also better at night, hardly a wait, and more zany/colorful.

Dr. Doom's FEARFALL is like Tower of Terror--only not enclosed and well...bigger. Scarier. Less themed. But amazing views at night, if you're lucky enough to get a park-facing view. In fact, we could see all the way to the very end of USO!!

Men In Black is like Buzz Lightyear, but IMO, this one is more fun and addicting.

Check out their website, www.universalorlando.com

Also, DO NOT MISS THE SPIDERMAN RIDE AT IOA!!!!!

It is SO amazing! You cannot compare it to anything in WDW!!

YouTube has decent on-ride vids (a few good ones are by a user called OnRide Videos).

See if you can find my (old) TR on the Universal TR Boards. You may have to do some searching, but it's there!

 

[BabyPiglet]

She means the Universal in Cali.

???

Jenny is confused.

 

[Babyjustrun]

???

Jenny is confused.

Nvm.
I read what you wrote wrong.

 

[Boomer1]

we went to universal last christmas. it was okay, nothing compared to disney, but the mummy ride was awesome. most of them were decent but it just wasnt as good as disney. when i went they were having quite a few problems. dr.dooms fear fall was not working properly we had to sit on the ride and it didnt go up for an hour and when it did it went up slowly noce then brought us back down and the ride was over. In MIB my gun was broken. ET was cute though. and the rollercoasters were awesome but if u dont like upside down fast rides stay away. personnaly though i liked sea world much better. ( disney is still my favorite though ) HAVE FUN!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

From what I've read and seen on the Universal/IoA Boards, Dudley has lap bars now. More restraining, yes, but safer (although the airtime at the top was AWESOME!!)

For shows I recommend the Horror Make-Up Show in USO. It's very funny, informative, and cool! A nice break from the crowds, because not many know about it. It's inside, and there's a decent amount of room.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

Okay, so MUST SEES:
ET
MIB- better than Buzz. Yes, I said it, and I stick to it! :]
Spiderman
Cat in the Hat
Jaws
Revenge of the Mummy
Jurassic Park
All of Seuss Landing- it's actually got a really great theme throughout

Things not to do (since you're not a fan of loops..)
Hulk- ridiculously intense coaster
Dueling Dragons

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I've been to Universal Studios and IOA probably 7 or 8 times, and I've always had a good time.
You just have to go in and try your hardest not to compare it to Disney. I know it's hard not to, but if you do, it'll be much less enjoyable.

 

[RaggedyAnnPrincess]

Okay, so MUST SEES:
ET
MIB- better than Buzz. Yes, I said it, and I stick to it! :]
Spiderman
Cat in the Hat
Jaws
Revenge of the Mummy
Jurassic Park
All of Seuss Landing- it's actually got a really great theme throughout

Things not to do (since you're not a fan of loops..)
Hulk- ridiculously intense coaster
Dueling Dragons

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I've been to Universal Studios and IOA probably 7 or 8 times, and I've always had a good time.
You just have to go in and try your hardest not to compare it to Disney. I know it's hard not to, but if you do, it'll be much less enjoyable.

They still have ET at US Florida???
Excuse me.....
* goes and begs parents for plane ticket to florida *

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Universal Orlando is not Disney.
Don't expect magic.

But, saying that Islands of Adventure is my favourite theme park.

Universal has it's own kind of magic, theres a difference between Disney magic and this kind of "vibe".

Keep an open mind when you go. Don't work yourself up in a frenzy to be let down and don't try and purposely find flaws and say to yourself "OH EM GEE, THIS SO WUDNT BE A DISNEY BEBZ".

Universal is awesome It is a shame some people don't like it. MIB is a lot better than Buzz IMO.

Single Riders at Universal are a must for me and my family personally. Especially if your going in a popular month. You might as well que up for 0-10 mins and go on the ride alone or with one other person, than que up for 2 hours just to be seated together.

Islands of Adventure does have quite alot of "thrill rides" but it has plenty of attractions that are tame and as just as excitting.

Lastly, make sure you go on spiderman!

-Ashleigh

 

[tinkerbelle22]

Ahhh, I love Universal!! It's so much different than Disney, but it's still amazing. I was going to recommend rides, but these other posters have already done so, and they're all completely right! Those are exactly the ones I would say to go on. My personal favorites are Spiderman, Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park, ET, The Hulk, Popeye and Blutos Bilge Rat Barges (a river raft ride), and MIB. The last time I went to Universal, they were still building Revenge of the Mummy, so obviously never went on it. But I've heard it's incredible. I hope you have a great time! This is a really fun park, but like others have said, don't compare it to Disney. It's different, definitely, but it's soooo much fun!

 

[Babyjustrun]

Mm, I defnitely agree on the make-up show.
Though be careful with some of the shows. If you're picked, you have to be prepared to have the bejeezes scared out of you.

 

[Damhsa04]

I went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in October for the first time. It was a lot of fun but nothing like Disney.

We spent two separate days there. First day we went to the Studios.
We did Shrek 4D which was really cute.
Then Revenge of the Mummy (twice because the lines were really short, basically walk on) which was the best ride in the park.
We went over to do Men in Black but right as we went to get seated the ride broke and so we went through the ride without being able to shoot anything. I didn't like MIB for that reason but maybe if I go back and do it again I'll like it.
Terminator 2 also broke on us so there's another bad experience.
JAWS I got soaked on. Do NOT sit on the left side of the boat. No matter what. I was walking around with soaked shorts and underwear ALL day.
Earthquake which I guess is now called Disaster was okay. Just watch the YouTube videos it's nothing that amazing.
Twister was cool.

Then on day 2 of Universal we went to Islands of Adventure.
SpiderMan was so cool. I was not expecting it at all.
The Hulk was also so fun. My dad and I sat in the front. Worth the wait if you like coasters that go upside down.
Dr. Doom's Fearfall you can skip if you're in love with Tower of Terror. You only fall once and there's no theming.
Dudley Do-Right had a wicked long line with no air condition until the end so I wasn't too pleased. The ride IMO was okay. I love Splash so much that nothing can compare.
I really like Jurassic Park though. That was so cool and funny. I did it twice.
Dueling Dragon's scared me so much. I really thought that we were going to crash with the other Dragon.

 

[pigletgirl]

Jurassic park is one of my fav's. I also loved the dueling dragons and the hulk. amazing times!

 

[Pirate Me]

I got SOAKED on Dudley Doo-Rights falls thing (don't know how to spell it; I went when I was 5)
I have a picture and it looks so funny. All of us are soaking wet and mad. xD

 

[Babyjustrun]

Oh forgot.

You MUST MUST MUST do Popeye and Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges.
It's kind of like Kali River Rapids, but you get SOAKED. It's not a 'You might get wet thing' (I've walked off of Kali dry before). You do get wet. It's really really fun.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ITA with the OP. Popeye's gets you SOAKED!

 

[Kristyxoxo]

Also, DO NOT MISS THE SPIDERMAN RIDE AT IOA!!!!!

It is SO amazing! You cannot compare it to anything in WDW!!

I totally agree.. if you only get to go on one ride at IOA, go on that one.. its awesome!!!