US/IOA Virgin - Questions

[kath1210]

Well, we are finally going to tear ourselves away from Disney and try Universal. Two questions:

1. I know my DS15 and DH will love all of the thrill rides, but what about me and my DD12? I am a thrill ride chicken and love the shows and gentler rides. What is there for us to do at US/IOA?

2. Are the rides generally big enough for "plus-sized" people. Any that larger people should avoid?

Thanks!

 

[damo]

There is only one ride at Universal that I consider a thrill ride and that is Mummy, the rest are great for everyone including all "pooh" sized people.

At IOA the rides are more thrill oriented but you can still go on Spiderman and Popeye's Bilge Barges. Jurassic Park is like Splash Mountain so if you consider Splash a thrill ride, then you should avoid it. You can do everything in Seuss Landing and all the shows.

Don't worry, there is lots to do!

 

[dash]

I don't really like thrill rides either, but I really enjoy IOA. The theming is incredible! You'll enjoy walking around and the island of Jurassic Park will remind you of the movie. As stated in the previous post, the River adventure is like Splash Mountain, although I think the drop is a little worse (maybe because the Castle isn't in the background). There is a main building that is like the one in the movie and has entertaining activities. Spiderman is the most incredible ride out there (when all the special effects are working). If you are going to Universal, you should definitely go to IOA. Have fun!

 

[kath1210]

Thanks for the information and advice, Damo and Dash! We definitely plan to go to both US and IOA.

It's kind of fun to have a new vacation destination to research. My DS15 doesn't really like most of the rides at Disney anymore, so he'll be thrilled. I'm sure my DD12 and I will find lots to do and enjoy!

 

[damo]

You should check out the Men in Black thread on this page and show it to your son. There are guides on how to score really well. He will love that ride if he loves video games at all.

 

[kath1210]

Great idea, Damo. Thanks again!

 

[DisneyWisher]

Kathy, we were in your shoes last summer. I hope you are staying onsite. Its incredible. Its like having fastpasses for every ride but having to wait til a certain time to use them. Personnally its the only way to go. We went in July never waited more than 10 mins thanks to FOTL (front of the line) access. Studios has more shows, I'm somewhat of a chicken too(will not do MS or ToT, though I have tried them, my kids talked me into it, actually bribed me into it(should have known they wouldn't keep their rooms clean for a month LOL). I agree with Dash the drop for JP is alot worse than Splash Mountain, I have yet to get a pic without my eyes slammed shut. We shot a video of DD12 getting soaked by the boats from JP. Its to the left of the ride. You can watch them coming down and it makes quite a splash, she was already wet from Dudley. Popeye gets you more wet than Kali but ponchos help. I hope you guys have an awesome time.

 

[kath1210]

Thanks, DisneyWisher! We are planning on staying onsite at RPH.

FOTL sounds awesome! (I keep thinking Fruit of the Loom when I see that, though. )

 

[robvia]

If the DD12 doesn't care that much about the thrill rides, you can always let the DH and DS15 go off on their own and ride them. You can set up a meeting time and keep in touch with cell phones. This is better because the women love to shop and look in every store. Guys don't care about this, and it drives them nuts. If you really want to impress your hubby, tell him it's ok to have a happy hour drink, and set up the meeting place at one of the bars in the park. The kids can have a slushie drink.

The flip side to this, is the 15 and 12 year old are old enough to tour the park together. 13 is the age most kids are old enough to go alone, so the 15 year old could easily go on the rides with the 12 year old. You watch, they'll probably want to leave mom and dad behind, tour the park together, then meet up for lunch. Just make sure the kids have pants with velcro pockets, so they don't lose their phone or money.