Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW July 2011* Top Ten "Things" *

[AnjieNet]

We've never been to the Portofino but for the pool alone, I might have to look into it for a future trip if we spend more than our usual four or five days. We usually stay at a value resort since we spend most of our time in the parks and not back at the resort.

 

[natebenma]

We've never been to the Portofino but for the pool alone, I might have to look into it for a future trip if we spend more than our usual four or five days. We usually stay at a value resort since we spend most of our time in the parks and not back at the resort.

Definitely a beautiful, fun pool!

Between the pool and the privileges at the Universal parks (early entry to Harry Potter and Front of the Line access to rides at US and IoA), I highly recommend staying on-site. One of the other nice things is that pool hopping between the 3 resorts is not prohibited. A friend who stayed at the Hard Rock, but tried out pools at all 3 resorts during her trip, found that the Portofino pool was her favorite.

 

[jmamom]

Finally all caught up - I was a few updates behind. Wow, that was a long day at the Magic Kingdom, you must have been ready to drop! Sea World looks fun, I love the penguins (they are my favorite at the Aquarium in Boston as well), and the box for the kids meal is too cute! Really enjoying your report!

 

[natebenma]

Finally all caught up - I was a few updates behind. Wow, that was a long day at the Magic Kingdom, you must have been ready to drop! Sea World looks fun, I love the penguins (they are my favorite at the Aquarium in Boston as well), and the box for the kids meal is too cute! Really enjoying your report!

We had such a fun day at MK!!! We were doing pretty well. The boys did fall asleep in the van on the way back to the Portofino. Fortunately, we had planned the next morning to be Sea World, and we didn't have to get there until 9. This is a late start for my typically early family.

The penguins really do have a front and center stage at the NE Aquarium.

I still have two plastic Orca lunch/snack boxes from SW in 2004. The kids meals used to come in those. I like these new boxes. They are cute and they are not collecting dust in my house.

 

[natebenma]

Well, it seems like it has been YEARS since my family last visited Islands of Adventure. Actually it has only been about 48 hours.

Since leaving IoA on Tuesday, we have been to Sea World, City Walk, Magic Kingdom and back to Sea World. After our swim, we boarded the resort boat from Portofino to City Walk and continued on to Islands of Adventure.

Nate had not been on the Hulk coaster yet, and Ben did not want to ride, so we split up with plans to meet at Jurassic Park River Adventure. We hoped it would finally be open after striking out on Tuesday.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster- Feel the rage on a high-speed roller coaster rampage

Think Rock-n-Roller Coaster without the music and Steven Tyler replaced by a big angry green dude. Like RNR, there is a high speed takeoff at the beginning of the ride.

Here is an interesting note from the Universal Orlando 2011 travel guide:

The initial thrust of this ride consumes so much power that, if the needed electricity were drawn directly from Orlando’s electric supply, lights across town would dim every time the coaster launched. So Universal draws power at a steady rate from the city’s power grid and stores it in a huge flywheel hidden in the greenish building by the Inland Sea labeled Power Supply. This enables them to get the power needed for that first heart-stopping effect without inconveniencing their neighbors.

Mark and Nate rode Hulk a couple of times- LOVED it!


After splitting up, I discovered the really cool picture spot between Marvel Super Hero Island and Seuss Landing. In the rush to get to Harry Potter land on our first morning, I totally missed it. I would have skipped it anyway then, but I was really happy to find this today. When you enter IoA through the Point of Entry if you keep walking straight until you hit the lake, you will be there. I think there is a step or two, like a sunken living room in a house.

I am hoping that bubba’smom has a picture of the picture spot.

There was nobody else there!!!

After our photo shoot, Ben and I walked through Toon Lagoon on our way to Jurassic Park. There are some really cute photo opportunities here.

We decided to ride Ripsaw Falls. Once again, my camera managed to find its way out of my pack during the ride.

It was ok that we got a little wet, because we were hoping to get a little wetter at our next destination.

Next up: When Dinosaurs FINALLY Ruled the Earth!

 

[jmamom]

Great pictures! I don't think I'd be brave enough to ride Hulk - I like my roller coasters hidden and in the dark so I don't know what I'm in for!

Dee -I'd love to hear your opinion on this one: While at Disney last week, I gave my DD14 lots of freedom. I felt really comfortable letting her go off on her own around the resort and in the parks. Does Universal give you that same sense of safety for teens? I'd love to take her and a friend for a long weekend next year (I'm dying to see Harry Potter and my younger kids just aren't ready for Universal's rides). What do you think about 2 15 year old girls on their own (within reason, they'd have to check in often)? Thanks!

 

[natebenma]

Great pictures! I don't think I'd be brave enough to ride Hulk - I like my roller coasters hidden and in the dark so I don't know what I'm in for!

Dee -I'd love to hear your opinion on this one: While at Disney last week, I gave my DD14 lots of freedom. I felt really comfortable letting her go off on her own around the resort and in the parks. Does Universal give you that same sense of safety for teens? I'd love to take her and a friend for a long weekend next year (I'm dying to see Harry Potter and my younger kids just aren't ready for Universal's rides). What do you think about 2 15 year old girls on their own (within reason, they'd have to check in often)? Thanks!

I can convince myself to ride almost anything (unless it spins) by logically figuring that it must be safe and the chances that something will go wrong are very small. But I don't always like it!

We gave Nate, who just turned 13, a lot more freedom than we ever have before on this trip. Letting him stay alone in the room while the rest of us went for a swim, and letting him go on Kraken alone, with a designated meeting spot. This was really big for us- we tend to be overprotective parents.

We didn't give Nate any alone time in Universal, because he didn't need it (if there were things Ben wouldn't do, we just split our forces). I tend to think that girls are more mature (responsible) than boys are, so if these are girls you trust to make good decisions, then I think they would be totally safe to spend an hour or an hour and a half on their own.

You could meet up at that time or call/text in to form a new meet-up plan.

My only cautions are to have a definite meeting place and time and to even have a Plan B. We stupidly ran into the problem where I was going to meet Mark and Nate in WWoHP at a certain time, but the area was closed due to too many people. We didn't have phones because it was our wet-ride day. So we should have had a secondary meeting place/time maybe an hour later.

One thing we found is that it didn't take as long to go on rides as we thought it would with the Front of the Line access, so we always had extra time before our pre-arranged meeting time.

The other thing we eventually figured out is that your meeting place should either be:

The next attraction you will all be doing together
or
Airconditioned
or
Have lots to do while you are waiting (gift shop, Discovery Center at Jurassic Park, Innoventions at EPCOT are some examples)

If your meeting place is all of the above, even better!

Hope that helps!

 

[AnjieNet]

The Hulk looks like so much fun! The travel guide you mentioned, is that the one by Seth Kubersky? I thumbed through the 2011 version at B&N and was thinking about getting the 2012 version when it comes out in November. Is it worth the $? Or is there another guide you'd recommend? We usually get one for WDW so thought maybe one for Universal would be a good idea as well.

 

[natebenma]

The Hulk looks like so much fun! The travel guide you mentioned, is that the one by Seth Kubersky? I thumbed through the 2011 version at B&N and was thinking about getting the 2012 version when it comes out in November. Is it worth the $? Or is there another guide you'd recommend? We usually get one for WDW so thought maybe one for Universal would be a good idea as well.

Yes, it is the one by Seth Kubersky, $16. I thought it was worth it. Having never been to Universal/IoA before (well, we were there around 20 years ago), it was good to be able to read in detail about the parks and rides and restaurants. I found the book to be accurate, honest and witty.

They are big supporters of using Single Rider (and they also tell you when you should go through the regular line to get the benefit of the preshow background)- this is excellent advice.

This is also where I read about the water squirters and the amazing photo ops aboard Me Ship, the Olive. I dont' think we would have gone onto the ship if I hadn't read about it. The spot was really fun for my husband and son, keeping them occupied while I got some great park pictures.

If I can think of some of more useful tips that came from the book, I will let you know.

 

[RAPstar]

Great update, these next 26 days till I'm there will not get here quickly enough!!

 

[jmamom]

Thank you for your thoughts. It's good to hear from someone who's been there. Now to figure out if I can actually do it! That book you are talking about sounds interesting - what's it called. I love doing research - maybe too much!

 

[natebenma]

Thank you for your thoughts. It's good to hear from someone who's been there. Now to figure out if I can actually do it! That book you are talking about sounds interesting - what's it called. I love doing research - maybe too much!

Universal Orlando 2011- The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure by Seth Kubersky with Kelly Monaghan

according to AnjieNet, 2012 version will be out in November.

I got mine at Barnes and Noble, I would imagine Amazon has it, too.

Is it possible to plan too much???

 

[reelmom]

Universal Orlando 2011- The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure by Seth Kubersky with Kelly Monaghan

according to AnjieNet, 2012 version will be out in November.

I got mine at Barnes and Noble, I would imagine Amazon has it, too.

Is it possible to plan too much???

I have this book along with all the other Universal and SeaWorld books by Kelly Monaghan. He is a member of the Disboards also. He writes great books.

 

[Marquibiri]

Very detailed TR.. Loved it! There's a pic on Ripsaw where you can se Hogwarts, fabulous!

Frozen butterbeer is my fav!

Cheers!

Marquibiri

HHN21 Pre-Trip Report

 

[natebenma]

Very detailed TR.. Loved it! There's a pic on Ripsaw where you can se Hogwarts, fabulous!

Frozen butterbeer is my fav!

Cheers!

Marquibiri

HHN21 Pre-Trip Report

Thanks so much for comments about the report. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

I love being able to take pictures on water rides, especially ones like Ripsaw and Splash Mountain, trying to get a nice pictures before the drop at the top!

Frozen BB is incredible! Thar's gold (or maybe magic) in them there cups!

Need to go catch up on your report. Your trip is getting so close!!! How exciting!

 

[natebenma]

On our first visit to IoA on Tuesday, Jurassic Park River Adventure was broken down. We were really bummed out because this was the ride Ben was most looking forward to, and the rest of us were excited about it too. We checked at least 4 times that day and none of the TMs were able to tell us when it would open! So today we approached the ride with crossed fingers.

The ride was up and running!!!

I already included the description of the ride in a previous update, but I will repeat it here.

Jurassic Park River Adventure- Escape the jaws of a T-rex on a river raft.
(Note, YOU are the ones on the river raft. Not the dinosaur. Although that would be cool to see!)

Think AK's Dinosaur meets Splash Mountain


This is another ride where I had read reports that taking photos was discouraged. But I didn’t hear any announcements until we got into the containment building.

Ben is at school as I write this update, so I will do my best to identify the Dinosaur species and when he gets home, I will have him edit in the correct names!


Ride 1:

Ultrasaurus?

Baby Stegosaurus

Something’s gone wrong!!!

A bunch of people had their cameras out and a disembodied voice boomed through the building

“Put away your cameras!”

Quick snap:

Ride 2:

Hadrosaur?

Compys! (Compsygnathus)

This time, no announcement about cameras…

Note- these are taken from a ride over-look spot:

Well, that sure worked up a thirst!


Next: Is there a Gringott’s branch around here? The boys want MORE butterbeer!

 

[RAPstar]

Yay for Jurassic Park.

 

[AnjieNet]

Jurassic Park looks like fun! The more I see your pictures, the more I'm thinking I need a waterproof camera. Wonder how I can talk my DH into that one? And I'm amazed at how many pictures you are in. People look at our pictures and don't think I went on vacation with the family!

 

[SharonK0527]

Awesome update!! Question for you - how would you compare the drop on Jurassic Park to other rides like Splash Mountain or Expedition Everest? I'm not a huge drop fan but can handle both of those rides.

Can't wait for more!

 

[natebenma]

Yay for Jurassic Park.

I'll second that!!! I was so happy it was open. Ben was worried that he wouldn't get a chance to ride it. He proclaims it his favorite ride at Universal/IoA.

Jurassic Park looks like fun! The more I see your pictures, the more I'm thinking I need a waterproof camera. Wonder how I can talk my DH into that one? And I'm amazed at how many pictures you are in. People look at our pictures and don't think I went on vacation with the family!

I can't tell you how much I love having a waterproof/underwater camera. I never have to worry about it getting wet, or leaving it behind on a beach chair while I am swimming, or in the rain.

I'm also pleased with the quality of the photos. It's no DSLR, but I don't know how to work one of those things, anyway.

Funny that you comment on noticing me in photos! I know exactly what you are talking about! Many past vacation photo albums look like my DH is a single dad with the two boys. I have started asking to have my photo taken once in a while and now he sometimes even asks! I will occasionally ask one of the boys to take a picture of us so we have some couples shots.

Awesome update!! Question for you - how would you compare the drop on Jurassic Park to other rides like Splash Mountain or Expedition Everest? I'm not a huge drop fan but can handle both of those rides.

Can't wait for more!

Trying to get information to help with your question. Drops don't bother me at all, so I didn't really pay attention to compare the 3 rides.

My guidebook does say that JP has an 85 foot plunge. I don't know what the drops are on the other two. I tried to search on Splash Mountain Drop on the Theme Park parks forum, but I didn't find any "technical info"