We're Home From the Road!! 17 Days of Travel with Tons of Pics~COMPLETE!!

[PHXscuba]

We didn't find the customer service bad at Universal in Florida when we were there last month, but we were two adults at a slow time. I can't imagine trying to do it with kids at a busy time. We keep considering Universal Hollywood (it's only an hour from my parents') but it keeps getting pushed down the list. I agree they rely a lot on screens for entertainment.

PHXscuba

 

[kelmac284]

Even if you don't like harry potter or even care about it I can tell you the Harry Potter area was about the coolest thing I have ever seen. The themeing alone is amazing and the main ride is better than any Disney ride I have ever been on. I LOVE Disney don't get me wrong but the themeing of Islands of Adventure is amazing. I think you would like that place better too because they have different areas that are themed. So they have a marvel area that probably your boys would like and then an area with like popeye and Dudley Do Right and of course the Harry Potter Area and the twins would LOVE the Dr. Seuss area. So there is more for everyone and the rides and themeing are AMAZING. I agree the Hollywood one does nothing for me and it is fine every 5 or so years when there is nothing else to do and mom and I actually go there sometimes and just go to city walk but I am not even that excited about going next month. We only added it in since we can't go to Disneyland and wanted to do something the girls would like.

But the Florida version is amazing and I think you would like it better if you ever had a chance to go. And of course going at a downtime make a huge difference too.

 

[kelmac284]

Oh and they do the christmas Whoville in Hollywood. Since it was such a bust for you I don't know if you would even want to try again at the holidays but we liked it a lot better when it was decorated and they had characters dressed like who's in the whoville section as well as the grinch on the tour and then they had meet and greet opportunities as well as an ice rink and snow. So it was really fun for the kids.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I do love the kids shirts in these pictures.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We didn't find the customer service bad at Universal in Florida when we were there last month, but we were two adults at a slow time. I can't imagine trying to do it with kids at a busy time. We keep considering Universal Hollywood (it's only an hour from my parents') but it keeps getting pushed down the list. I agree they rely a lot on screens for entertainment.

PHXscuba

Even if you don't like harry potter or even care about it I can tell you the Harry Potter area was about the coolest thing I have ever seen. The themeing alone is amazing and the main ride is better than any Disney ride I have ever been on. I LOVE Disney don't get me wrong but the themeing of Islands of Adventure is amazing. I think you would like that place better too because they have different areas that are themed. So they have a marvel area that probably your boys would like and then an area with like popeye and Dudley Do Right and of course the Harry Potter Area and the twins would LOVE the Dr. Seuss area. So there is more for everyone and the rides and themeing are AMAZING. I agree the Hollywood one does nothing for me and it is fine every 5 or so years when there is nothing else to do and mom and I actually go there sometimes and just go to city walk but I am not even that excited about going next month. We only added it in since we can't go to Disneyland and wanted to do something the girls would like.

But the Florida version is amazing and I think you would like it better if you ever had a chance to go. And of course going at a downtime make a huge difference too.

I've heard that the Universal Studios in Florida is a totally different experience then the one in Hollywood. I doubt we'll ever get to it.....if & when we go back to Florida we'll spend it exploring more of WDW. Our trip a year ago was so short and rushed, we barely touched on any thing. We are hoping to go back in August at the end of Derek's program but we will see if we can.

Oh and they do the christmas Whoville in Hollywood. Since it was such a bust for you I don't know if you would even want to try again at the holidays but we liked it a lot better when it was decorated and they had characters dressed like who's in the whoville section as well as the grinch on the tour and then they had meet and greet opportunities as well as an ice rink and snow. So it was really fun for the kids.

Whoville would be my only draw back to the Hollywood one.....but I can enjoy it by just watching the movie......lol

I do love the kids shirts in these pictures.

Thanks!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 4:​

I wanted to do the Studio Backlot Tour, so we gave the boys the Front of the Line Passes and they took Anthony & Addy to go ride Jurassic Park, The Mummy, Transformers, Despicable Me & Shrek 4D. They didn't take pictures.

Here's some pics of the new Harry Potter area:





These pictures were while we were waiting for the tour. We were in the wheelchair line & wanted to keep Michayla in her chair, so our wait was about 45 minutes. (it would have been less if we wanted her to sit on the seats...but we were concerned about keeping her sitting).











(don't I look thrilled......)



We loaded and were on our way.







Our Tour Guide with help from Jimmy Fallon.





Signs lined the street with movies & years put out by Universal.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 5:​

The Backlot Studio Tour drives you through the back area by buildings, town sets, residential sets,m movie sets, etc. These pictures are from our tour. So much information given that I don't remember most of what things were. If I recall what it was, I will share that, otherwise it will be a lot of random pics.

































I believe this is the City Hall from the Back to the Future movies.

















The entrance to the King Kong experience. I actually could have skipped this part and not missed it. You get shook around & wet as you watch the scene unfold on both sides of the tram. Neat effect but not something I'm normally into.



Mike tried to get pictures but too much shaking.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 6:​

Continuing on with the tour with cars from different movies or shows.















As we entered into Jurassic Park:

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 7:​

We headed a town south of the border.





Here comes the torrential rains & flooding!!















As we continued on with the tour:

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 8:​

We continue on the tour driving through a lake.









Props!







Now we drove into a building for the earthquake set. That was kinda neat! Things shaking and falling, pavement cracking & fire!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 9:​

Continuing the tour in a Western Town.







Next was a quaint fishing village.





Time to go down the cul-de-sac of the Desperate Housewives.





















My favorite set, but a lot smaller then I expected.......its Whoville from The Grinch!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 10:​

We next traveled to the Bates Motel.....EEK!













I didn't see anything, did you????

We drove through the War of the Worlds set.



























As we were coming back to the loading area at the end of the tour.



We headed back to the entry to meet up with the kids and decide on our next move.

 

[kelmac284]

Most of that stuff looks the same. The lake that you drove through was the parting of the red sea from the 10 commandments. And the fishing village is where they used to have jaws. Some of that stuff like those 2 and the flash flood are REALLY old and have been there since the 70's and some of it is new. Do they still have the cars from Fast and Furious that spin around? Or the War of the Worlds plane crash area? I like that you got to go close to the town sets like Back to the Future. That city hall was the courthouse and then they used that set for Ghost Whisperer but that all burned a few years back. So now it looks like they are using it from a different movie.

I like the tour but it changes so seldom that you could seemingly go years and it would pretty much be the same.

What did the older kids think of the other rides? I would like to try Transformers and the Minions but not sure if they are simulators that would make me sick. I know I can't do Simpsons and that just leaves Jurrassic park and the mummy which I know I can do but have done them.

 

[kelmac284]

I just missed your next post. I see you still do WoW. That is cool with Norman Bates. That's new and wonder if they just do that in the summer. Like I said it is cool to go at different times because when we went at xmas they had Grinchmas. But cool.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Wow!! These pictures are good. I haven't been on this since 2004. I'll have to tell my parents about the GAC because we had no clue about this the last time we went to Universal Florida (2010)

 

[DizNee Luver]

Most of that stuff looks the same. The lake that you drove through was the parting of the red sea from the 10 commandments. And the fishing village is where they used to have jaws. Some of that stuff like those 2 and the flash flood are REALLY old and have been there since the 70's and some of it is new. Do they still have the cars from Fast and Furious that spin around? Or the War of the Worlds plane crash area? I like that you got to go close to the town sets like Back to the Future. That city hall was the courthouse and then they used that set for Ghost Whisperer but that all burned a few years back. So now it looks like they are using it from a different movie.

I like the tour but it changes so seldom that you could seemingly go years and it would pretty much be the same.

What did the older kids think of the other rides? I would like to try Transformers and the Minions but not sure if they are simulators that would make me sick. I know I can't do Simpsons and that just leaves Jurrassic park and the mummy which I know I can do but have done them.

I just missed your next post. I see you still do WoW. That is cool with Norman Bates. That's new and wonder if they just do that in the summer. Like I said it is cool to go at different times because when we went at xmas they had Grinchmas. But cool.

No on the Fast & Furious cars doing anything....just the ones sitting as we drive by. I remember when they had the fire! The guide said that was the building used in the Back to the Future movie but maybe they rebuilt and just tell you it's the original??

The kids were surprised at how short they were. They said if they hadn't of had the Front of the Line Passes it wouldn't have been worth the wait to do them. That's coming from the older boys. Anthony liked the Transformer's & Minions (which I figured he would). They really didn't talk about them after we met back up with them.

The Bates Motel section was kinda cool......the back tram car got a good scare when he came running at them with the knife!! lol

Wow!! These pictures are good. I haven't been on this since 2004. I'll have to tell my parents about the GAC because we had no clue about this the last time we went to Universal Florida (2010)

I'm assuming Florida would have the GAC.....I think most places are trying to be accommodating for all guests.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

The minion ride looks fun. I can't wait for the Harry Potter area

 

[DizNee Luver]

The minion ride looks fun. I can't wait for the Harry Potter area

I don't know much about either so it's not a draw for me....... but I know the Harry Potter will be a big deal when it opens.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 11:​

We all agreed that we were done at the park, but our plan was to eat at Hard Rock Cafe in the CityWalk. We headed out of the park and got some pics as we walked our way towards our early dinner at Hard Rock.









We did make a stop in the Studio Store to get the twins the Dr Seuss "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" shirts.





These are some happy girls!!!





We arrived at our destination!!





Had to get a picture of this for our son Nick, who wasn't on the trip with us and works at Starbucks!!



Since we beat the dinner rush, we were seated as soon as they put some tables together for our big group. Here are random pictures from inside the restaurant.



















Michayla was enjoying some whip cream!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 10, Part 12:​

A couple yummy drinks!!





I had the Air Mexico Margarita Flight with Chips & Salsa. The 3 flavors I chose for the margaritas: Pomegranate, Mango & Watermelon DELICIOUS!!



Memorabilia inside the restaurant.





The food.......YUMMO!!

















More memorabilia.



















So dinner was very good. We only had one issue~~Derek's burger was raw.....like you could see that it was ground burger meat. So when the manager stopped to see how everything was, we pointed it out and took care of getting Derek a whole new plate of food. This time it was cooked and good!!

Dinner was the highlight of our day.