What else is there for someone who doesn't do roller coasters?

[Huggups]

Just convinced my husband to do a couple of days at Universal this December. We'll be staying at WDW but added Universal to our trip. The reason being that we haven't been there in about 20 years and I'm really interested in seeing the WWOHP. Now I'm wondering if it was worth the money since we don't do roller coasters. Particularly my husband who has to be practically dragged onto TMRR at WDW! I'm not really familiar with the IOA park. Is there anything at IOA that isn't a roller coaster? I'm worried that if we can't do some rides, I'll never hear the end of it. Oh boy!

 

[johde]

Islands of Adventure has 4 coasters (Incredible Hulk, Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriph, and Pteranodon Flyer). The last 2 are kiddie coasters the size of Barnstormer. In addition to the Coasters, there are the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and Harrypotter and the Forbidden Journey. They are consistently ranked in the top 10 dark rides in the country. Toon lagoon and Jurassic park has 3 great water rides.

 

[macraven]

and there are less roller coasters at the studios side.
mummy is a coaster with staged rooms in a story line, RRR is a coaster and i wouldn't do that one again even if i was paid a million dollars.
so you have 2 coasters at this park but a whole lot more things to do outside of parry hotter.

 

[PulsarIII]

My Top 5 attractions in US & IOA, that do not try by design to induce protein spills drop or soak the guest

Universal Studios

Disaster! – Live multi staged show that ends with a Dark ride
A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring YOU

Horror Make-Up Show – Live Show (humorous)
A close-up look at what goes into some of Hollywood's strangest creatures

MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack – Dark Ride (Ride vehicle spins intermittently)
As an agent trainee, you'll zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York

Terminator 2: 3-D – 3D Movie
Join forces with the Terminator in a battle to prevent mankind's extinction

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D – Dark Ride (motion-based ride vehicles, 3-D film)
Prepare for the greatest battle you’ll ever ride!

Islands of Adventure

Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – Dark Ride (motion-based ride vehicles, 3-D film)
Soar with your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man like never before!

Eighth Voyage of Sindbad - Stunt Show
Takes place in a mysterious grotto littered with the wrecks of ships lured to their misfortune by the evil sorceress

Jurassic Park Discovery Center - Hands-on interactive activity center
If you're lucky you might even watch a baby velociraptor hatching

Poseidon's Fury – Live Show with lasers fire and water effects
Venture through the darkened ruins of the ancient Temple of Poseidon

Storm Force Accelatron – Flat Ride (Teacups)
Professor Xavier has enlisted you to help super hero Storm battle the evil Magneto

G’day
III

 

[Seeker615]

There is so much to do at both parks. At the studio side there are a few shows like Beetlejuice, The horror make up show and an animal actor show. There is the ET Adventure, Men In Black and a couple of really awesome attractions like Transformers and Despicable me. Of course there is that new area of Potter!

At IOA there is the Hogwarts area, Jurassic Park, Seuss Landing and an awesome comic strip area that is visually awesome and great for photo ops. Spiderman is another cool 4d ride.

There is a ton to see and do at Universal. We spent 5 nights there and could have easily done another night. Don't forget both parks are walking distance to each other and you also have Citywalk!

 

[jeanico2000]

I don't do any of the big coasters either, yet find that I can pleasantly fill my days in Universal's parks. Mind you, I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and I love love LOVE the 2 fabulous HP areas! On the other hand, my brother went for a day with his wife and adult daughter in January last year, so pre-Diagon Alley and not staying on site. They payed for 1 day park to park tickets, none of them are into rides much and they arrived at Universal from WDW around 11AM because they are not early morning folks when on vacation (which is the absolute opposite of me, my DH and my adult DD, who rope drop the rope drop!). When he came home, he reported back to me that they thoroughly enjoyed just walking around and soaking in the atmosphere! I was thinking wait WHAT??? they didn't ride anything? To each his own, I guess, but that makes for really expensive atmosphere IMHO! The theming is wonderful in both parks, with lots of non-coaster things to see and do and great places to eat. Enjoy!

 

[chefmb]

This is a great thread! DH and I are going to spend three days at Universal in April before moving to Disney for Flower and Garden Fest. We are Universal newbies, and DH doesn't do the thrill rides (doesn't even like TT at Epcot!). I've been trying to research to figure out what he should try. I did read that you can take a "castle tour" at Forbidden Journey so that you can see the castle without riding. I also read that you can sometimes take a "Bank Tour" at Gringott's without riding the ride.

 

[keishashadow]

the universal website is a good place to start planning a trip, lists the attractions/shows, etc. also, many great guidebooks out there, most of the better Disney centered ones (unofficial guide ex) have sections on Universal too.

 

[2girlsmom]

I love coasters, but my 16 year old hates big coasters. She likes Hippogriff in IOA (kiddie coaster, but peppy, comparable to BTMRR but smoother). She will ride Mummy, though she isn't crazy about it, there are really 2 "coaster" sections, and more theming, so it's worth a try even if you don't care for coasters as a whole. She enjoys Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park (both the water ride and the discovery center), Forbidden Journeys in IOA, and Despicable Me, Transformers, Simpsons, Men in Black, Gringotts in Universal Studios particularly well. She also loves seeing the Diagon Alley shops, especially, including the "show" at Olivander's.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

My oldest son doesn't like coasters either, but we managed 3 days at the parks (pre-Gringotts) and he had a blast with the dark rides and shows. And we didn't even do the water rides b/c it was already cool and rainy. So you can definitely find fun stuff to do.

His faves were Spiderman (IOA), MIB (Uni), the Simpsons (Uni) and just wandering through the WWOHP section. Both boys especially liked looking at the theming in WWOHP while eating and drinking - butterbeer, chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, etc. I can't wait to get them to the interactive part of the new HP stuff this summer.

 

[clsteve]

This is a great thread! DH and I are going to spend three days at Universal in April before moving to Disney for Flower and Garden Fest. We are Universal newbies, and DH doesn't do the thrill rides (doesn't even like TT at Epcot!). I've been trying to research to figure out what he should try. I did read that you can take a "castle tour" at Forbidden Journey so that you can see the castle without riding. I also read that you can sometimes take a "Bank Tour" at Gringott's without riding the ride.

If he can do Barnstormer or BTMRR and PotTC, Gringott's will be a piece of cake and worth the trip all by itself.