Well, US Isn't for us!

[summerrluvv]

We went to US on Saturday and I guess I expected more after going to WDW so many times. Everything seemed to be a ride simulator type ride and just wasn't fun. Jaws was okay, but scared the bejeezus out of DS.
He wanted to leave by 2pm. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price for the tickets!! Maybe we should have done IOA.

 

[Metro West]

We went to US on Saturday and I guess I expected more after going to WDW so many times. Everything seemed to be a ride simulator type ride and just wasn't fun. Jaws was okay, but scared the bejeezus out of DS.
He wanted to leave by 2pm. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price for the tickets!! Maybe we should have done IOA.

Sorry you didn't have a good time. What attractions...other than Jaws did you check out? IOA has a lot more themeing than the Studios mainly because it's a working studio more than a theme park. Maybe next time you'll try IOA instead.

 

[damo]

We went to US on Saturday and I guess I expected more after going to WDW so many times. Everything seemed to be a ride simulator type ride and just wasn't fun. Jaws was okay, but scared the bejeezus out of DS.
He wanted to leave by 2pm. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price for the tickets!! Maybe we should have done IOA.

How did he like Men in Black? That is usually a big hit with 10 year olds? Disaster also tends to be liked by the younger crowd. ET? He didn't think the flying cow in Twister was funny or the Horror Make-up Show was entertaining? Was he too short for Mummy? Was Terminator too boring...that one usually is great for young boys. He didn't even think Shrek was fun and didn't get a big laugh out of the Simpsons ride?

I'm not sure I would recommend IOA since those rides are a lot more adventurous.

Perhaps you should just try again when he is older.

 

[ChrisFL]

"Everything seemed to be a ride simulator type ride"

That's odd, since there's only 2 of them in the entire park

 

[Darcy03231]

Sorry you didn't have a good time. I would wait a few years and then try IOA. My kids are teens and love thrill rides so they prefer US/IOA over WDW.

 

[summerrluvv]

Okay, I don't want my little vent to turn into a thread bashing me for not enjoying US. So if you have snarky remarks, please refrain. Thanks!

My son has Autism, he LOVES kiddie rides and roller coasters and shows. I can't stomach simulator rides or things that jerk you around in your seat (I wanted to throw up on Simpsons). He can take it or leave it. Yes it's my own fault for not researching the parks/attractions more. He probably would have liked IOA more since there seemed to be more rides. Everyone told me US is GREAT, he would love it, etc., so I just went on that. I think they meant the IOA park.

We did

Jaws
Simpsons
Nicktoons
Shrek
MIB (I would say he liked this one the best out of all of them).
Twister (We couldn't see anything since they cattle you in and we had a lot of taller people in front of us).
Kiddie Area (none of the slides were in operation and the play structure was run down)
Animal Show
Tried to do Beetlejuice, but they cancelled the show.
Oh and ET we wanted to do, but then I read the sign and figured it was another simulator ride so we skipped it.

Disaster and Terminator were things I asked if he wanted to do, he said nah lets just leave, so we left. It was hot, we were bored, it just wasn't for us.

I will say, the valet parking is fantastic!

We spent two days at SW and we both LOVED that.

Maybe next time we'll try IOA!

 

[damo]

No one is bashing you for not liking USF. Saying everything was a simulator and nothing was fun is just a pretty broad statement that needs some clarification.

 

[jewell]

It really surprises me that your son didn't like Universal, when my family went, my son was barely six years old and he loved it, but then again all kids are different. ET is not a simulator ride at all, it is a great ride, sorry you missed it.

Also, sorry to hear that US isn't for you, not all parks fit all people, we went to Dollywood a few years ago, and I don't think I'll ever go back, but some people love this place.

 

[OvertheRainbow]

My youngest daughter has autism also and loves US & IOA, actually my family prefers them to the WDW parks Can't say if you would have liked ET or not but I'd compare it to Peter Pan at MK for the "type" of ride it is. It's too bad you didn't get the chance to check out IOA there are some really great rides there We're hoping to add another Universal visit to our upcoming Orlando trip in November. Actually if it wasn't for wanting to check out our BLT home we would probably skip WDW all together and just do Universal

 

[Jonny_Duck]

We went to US on Saturday and I guess I expected more after going to WDW so many times. Everything seemed to be a ride simulator type ride and just wasn't fun. Jaws was okay, but scared the bejeezus out of DS.
He wanted to leave by 2pm. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price for the tickets!! Maybe we should have done IOA.

Kids change over time... In a cpl years he may love it. When I was in teens it was my favorite park of all we visit, but I have always enjoyed movies. Idk if you checked out the ball pit but my 7 year old could of spent all day playing in that thing and we did spend most of night there. Its behind Fievel,

Sorry you guys had a bad time but I wouldn't write off the park completely based on this experience. As for IOA... It has 3 water rides and some big coasters as well as a cpl kids rides in the Seuss land. Not sure if its worth $70 or so they charge for admission for you but maybe. Be sure to research it to find out next time you go. It sucks wasting money!

 

[taliategan]

I'm a bit concerned about US and IoA for our daughters, 8 and 6, when we go in January for a few days before our cruise. They are not the most adventerous when it comes to rides. I like the idea of Universal though over Disney, since it is all self-contained - can walk to everything & will not be as rushed as Disney. I do not think I will ever get DW back to Disney for a full trip - probably only a day or 2 at the parks. She did not like crowds, the rushed feeling, the buses, having to get started in the early morning and not being able to get everything accomplished. But I will be in Orlando for a few days at the end of June, so I am going to check out both US or SW to see which park(s) would be better for our daughters. I am thinking it will be SW, and I will probably make the US family trip for the following year when they are bit older and can enjoy more of the rides.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a bit concerned about US and IoA for our daughters, 8 and 6, when we go in January for a few days before our cruise. They are not the most adventerous when it comes to rides. I like the idea of Universal though over Disney, since it is all self-contained - can walk to everything & will not be as rushed as Disney. I do not think I will ever get DW back to Disney for a full trip - probably only a day or 2 at the parks. She did not like crowds, the rushed feeling, the buses, having to get started in the early morning and not being able to get everything accomplished. But I will be in Orlando for a few days at the end of June, so I am going to check out both US or SW to see which park(s) would be better for our daughters. I am thinking it will be SW, and I will probably make the US family trip for the following year when they are bit older and can enjoy more of the rides.

I would definitely go with SW! My niece, who was 9 at the time, had a great time there. She was too short for a lot of the rides in IOA. She had a good time at US, but really loved SW.

 

[avic77]

I was more impressed with IOA then US as well. There is more to see in IOA while US did appear to be just big buildings when we first walked in. However my kids ended up spending our "repeat your favorites" in US at Curious Gorge and on MIB/Simpsons/ET.
I have not finished my trip report but i will be giving my complete opinion of all the rides in it. Just like at WDW there were the good and the bad

Next time try IOA especially after HP opens

 

[phamton]

I didn't see any bashing. It is just a little frustrating when we get posts about not liking the parks after the fact. If you had posted here before the trip and told us all a little bit about your kids' likes and dislikes, we could have all pitched in with some good advice on what rides/shows to do and what to skip. Now that the trip is over, there is not a whole lot we can offer to help you. Letting you know now that the park isn't just simulator rides or that Jaws can be scary is not very productive. I am sorry that you didn't get the full benefit of the parks. If you decide to go again, stop in here and we'll help you plan your trip. Many find that WDW can be a let-down when they go unprepared. I bet your son and daughter would have loved Seuss Landing both the rides and the play areas. Also, the Discovery Center is great for those who like dinosaurs and the play area in Jurassic Park is great also. Your 2 year old would have probably loved the Barney show and the Barney play area. There is just a lot that you missed. Let us help you if you decide to go again.

 

[MAH4546]

Oh and ET we wanted to do, but then I read the sign and figured it was another simulator ride so we skipped it.

That's too bad you made that assumption.

E.T. is an "E-Ticket" dark ride with suspended ride vehicles taking you through various scenes recreating the E.T. film, flying over a scale-model of Denver and ending on the Green Planet.

Think of it as Peter Pan-style vehicles meets Pirates of the Caribbean-style audio-animatronics.

 

[donaldduck352]

US is not eveybodys cup of tea.Your deffinatly in the minority tho!!
Like phamton pointed out,we would have led you in the right dirrection before you went..
Dont sell Universal short,it is a world class theme park.If done right very enjoyable.
So come back,ask questions and maybe your next trip wont be dissapointing!!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

My son has Autism, he LOVES kiddie rides and roller coasters and shows.

Maybe next time we'll try IOA!

Based on your sons likes, I would say IOA would by far be your best bet. Lots of kiddie rides (Seuss Landing) & coasters. If he likes spinning type rides they have a ride like Disney's Tea Cups. There are also some really fun water rides if you guys like those. My kids like UO, but love IOA.

 

[Metro West]

Based on your sons likes, I would say IOA would by far be your best bet. Lots of kiddie rides (Seuss Landing) & coasters. If he likes spinning type rides they have a ride like Disney's Tea Cups. There are also some really fun water rides if you guys like those. My kids like UO, but love IOA.

And don't forget...next year HP will open as well as The Flying Unicorn with a new name.

 

[summerrluvv]

Your 2 year old would have probably loved the Barney show and the Barney play area. There is just a lot that you missed. Let us help you if you decide to go again.

My 2 year old wasn't traveling with us, it was a mom/son trip.

He loves HP, so we'll def. check out IOA next time!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm a bit concerned about US and IoA for our daughters, 8 and 6, when we go in January for a few days before our cruise. They are not the most adventerous when it comes to rides. I like the idea of Universal though over Disney, since it is all self-contained - can walk to everything & will not be as rushed as Disney. I do not think I will ever get DW back to Disney for a full trip - probably only a day or 2 at the parks. She did not like crowds, the rushed feeling, the buses, having to get started in the early morning and not being able to get everything accomplished. But I will be in Orlando for a few days at the end of June, so I am going to check out both US or SW to see which park(s) would be better for our daughters. I am thinking it will be SW, and I will probably make the US family trip for the following year when they are bit older and can enjoy more of the rides.

I would highly recommend staying onsite at a Universal hotel. You can show your room key to bypass the lines on almost all rides. We weren't huge fans of USF until we stayed onsite. It really changed the whole flavor of our visit. Not only are they beautiful, deluxe hotels but also within walking distance to the parks. FOTL made our whole stay so relaxing. The kids could ride their favorites over and over w/out feeling like we'll never finish all that we want in 1 day. IOA is def our favorite. We love Seuss Landing and Spiderman!

And don't forget...next year HP will open as well as The Flying Unicorn with a new name.

YAY!!!! Ds8 was so sad when this closed. He's too small for Hulk and DD. FU was perfect for him. I hope he hasn't outgrown it by the time it opens. Only 2 more inches til he can ride the Hulk.