What rides/attractions are worth skipping?

[Tasha228]

Anything that you weren't overly impressed with that you wouldn't do again? Or something you would say "could take it or leave it?"

 

[wookiebeck]

Kind of depends on how much time you have. I believe all rides are to be done at least once so go ahead and try it. But then again, we usually stay for 4 to 10 days at a time and just do it all.

Shrek 4-D, Terminator, and Poseidon's Fury are shows that can eat time up. Definitely stay away if only there for one day. I'm a Terminator fan so you can fit that into a two-day plan and have fun.

I also avoid Storm's Accelaratron (of whatever it is called). Basically teacups and that makes me sick sick sick.

 

[Tasha228]

Kind of depends on how much time you have. I believe all rides are to be done at least once so go ahead and try it. But then again, we usually stay for 4 to 10 days at a time and just do it all.

Shrek 4-D, Terminator, and Poseidon's Fury are shows that can eat time up. Definitely stay away if only there for one day. I'm a Terminator fan so you can fit that into a two-day plan and have fun.

I also avoid Storm's Accelaratron (of whatever it is called). Basically teacups and that makes me sick sick sick.

We will have about 2.5 days. But also working in NYE at City Walk and I'm expecting large crowds. I have never done Storm's so that is good info. I don't like rides like that. They make me sick too. My dh would enjoy it but he's on his own for that one if he wants to ride!

 

[angierae]

Poseidon's Fury was neat, but I have no desire to do it again, and probably would leave it off if I had limited time.

 

[TommyJK]

Here would be my list in order from "must do" to "leave it". It's just my personal preference so take it that way.

IOA

1. Forbidden Journey / Explore Hogsmead
2. Spiderman
3. Hulk
4. Jurassic Park River Adventure
5. Kong
6. Dragon Challenge
7. Doctor Doom's Fearfall
8. Popeye's
9. Dudley Do-Right's
10. Flight of the Hippogriff
11. Storm Force Accelerator
12. Poseidon's Fury
13. Seuss Stuff

USO

1. Gringotts / Explore Diagon Alley
2. Mummy
3. Transformers
4. Rip Ride Rockit
5. Minions
6. Simpsons
7. MIB
8. Simpsons Ride
9. Shrek 4-D
10. Terminator 2
11. ET
12. Kids Zone stuff

Don't think I've missed anything else major (other than perhaps some shows)

 

[Gillbob316]

Tommy’s list is pretty good as a rough guideline. I’d move a couple things around, but… that’s more or less a good list. So I’ll just throw some general thoughts and opinions on top of it…

I’ve been to Universal/IoA dozens upon dozens of times, and have done every ride, show or attraction there at least once… except for A Day in the Park with Barney (And it’s honestly been on my to-do list for like 10 years, but always gets cut, haha)

There’s nothing there I’d say NOT to do, and I think with 2.5 days… you have plenty of time to do most, if not all of it. BUT… if you have lots of dilly in your dally, I could easily see where you might miss some stuff, so… random tidbits…

Don’t skip Spider-Man. A lot of people seem to do that. Don’t do that. Ride it. If you enjoy it, ride Transformers, because it’s basically the same ride with a change of theming.

The Seuss rides can actually be fairly entertaining if you have little ones, even as an adult. But can also easily be skipped. I’d give them a once over if you have time, but don’t feel bad if you don’t. The kidzone rides all pretty much suck and I never ride any of them anymore.

If you’re not a fan of getting drenched, don’t ride ANYTHING in Toon Lagoon. You WILL come off both Ripsaw Falls and Bilgerat Barges drenched from head to toe. I often skip them for that reason alone. (By the same token, Jurassic Park River Adventure will give you a decent splash, but won’t soak you to the bone. You might come off with a large wet spot somewhere on your person, but you’ll usually drip dry in an hour or so.)

Shrek & Terminator 2 take a lot of crap, because they’re pretty run of the mill 3D shows, and they lose a lot of their luster on repeat viewings… but if you enjoy either movie, they’re worth doing at least once. They’re both mini-sequels to the movies they’re based on.

Poseidon has some neat effects, but it is very cold, and involves a lot of time on your feet. Again, worth doing once… but probably something that could be cut if you don’t have time, as others suggest.

As was mentioned Storm is just teacups. It’s only worth doing if someone in your group is a major X-Men fan. And even then, only barely.

A Word on Shows: See the Horror Make-up Show. Again, like Spider-Man, a lot of people pass this up because it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s basically the best show in the park. Well worth seeing. Sinbad is a decent stunt show, but feels a bit dated these days (but if it’s new to you it could be good?). I’d personally skip Fear Factor (if it’s even open, because it seems to be shut down half the year anyway). I’m not sure if the Animal Actors show is even still running, but that’s skippable too. Cute animal stunts… but… nothing to write home about.

 

[Seeker615]

If you have time try everything at least once. You never know - you may love it.

Personally for us we do skip over the kids zone areas as we are 2 adults travelling. That said I do want to check out the Seuss area better next time. We do ride the Cat in the Hat. It is a pretty cute ride and my favorite Dr. Seuss character.

Do be sure to really soak up the areas of both parks. There is so much to take in. I love the comic area at IOA. So many colors and things to look at. Great photo op area!

 

[Squirlz]

ET aka It's A Small Alien World.

 

[TommyJK]

ET aka It's A Small Alien World.

I've always called it p-ET-er Pan.

 

[Squirlz]

I've always called it p-ET-er Pan.

That works too!

 

[Tasha228]

Ha! I actually really enjoy ET though. But I see your point.

 

[cbsnyber1]

A Word on Shows: See the Horror Make-up Show. Again, like Spider-Man, a lot of people pass this up because it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s basically the best show in the park. Well worth seeing. Sinbad is a decent stunt show, but feels a bit dated these days (but if it’s new to you it could be good?). I’d personally skip Fear Factor (if it’s even open, because it seems to be shut down half the year anyway). I’m not sure if the Animal Actors show is even still running, but that’s skippable too. Cute animal stunts… but… nothing to write home about.

I second this! Give the Horror Makeup show some love, you won't be disappointed. The lobby alone is worth a visit, like a mini horror film museum.

I found it interesting that they did change the show quite a bit from the last time we saw it, in 2012. The relentless advance of CGI special effects has really impacted the use of "physical" special effects in movies (masks, limbs cut off, that sort of stuff). Let's just say the show has taken that into consideration. It still uses physical props, just not as much, but it's still funny and entertaining.

Animal actors was live when we were there over Thanksgiving, so it's still going, but it is hit-or-miss as to its schedule.

 

[Tasha228]

I second this! Give the Horror Makeup show some love, you won't be disappointed. The lobby alone is worth a visit, like a mini horror film museum.

I found it interesting that they did change the show quite a bit from the last time we saw it, in 2012. The relentless advance of CGI special effects has really impacted the use of "physical" special effects in movies (masks, limbs cut off, that sort of stuff). Let's just say the show has taken that into consideration. It still uses physical props, just not as much, but it's still funny and entertaining.

Animal actors was live when we were there over Thanksgiving, so it's still going, but it is hit-or-miss as to its schedule.

Okay, thanks for this info. I saw the Horror Makeup show but it was around 2004 so I'm sure it's different. And I don't remember it all that well anyway, tbh. BUT I bet my dh would love it so I'll make sure we see it!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I second the comment on getting drenched on Toon Town water rides. These are not mansy pansy water rides - these are soaker rides - and you may well want to pay for the $5 people dryer afterward. I wish I had reconsidered the barges as it was a coolish day. I am sure in the heat of summer it would be super welcome though! I mean if you are going to be a water ride - then BE one right?

 

[PantherPete]

I have thought hard about this. Very difficult, but I'll say Storm Force and Dr Doom aren't worth it because the rides are not unique to Universal. Just about every amusement park in the world has something similar. They are decent rides, just not unique. USF is tougher. Everything there is worth doing at least once, IMO, including the street shows (especially the Blues Brothers). If I were going to skip something, I guess I'd pick Fear Factor Live because it clearly is very safe, i.e. not a lot of tension or the other Simpson's ride (the twirl and hurl thing) because it is basically the Dumbo ride with a Simpson's alien theme. Other than that, I'd do everything.

 

[hdnwaters]

I like ET, Dr. Seuss, and Shrek! Would not stand in line long just to ride and once is enough! If you are going to Sea World....skip the Universal Animal show and make sure you see Pet's Ahoy at SW! It's much better. Don't care if I ever do Bilge Rats again. It was not fun, just wet. Love Ripsaw Falls....but would not do it if it's chilly out! These are my top 3 picks...

Universal
1. Escape from Gringotts
2. The Mummy
3. Transformers

IOA
1. Forbidden Journey
2. Reign Of Kong
3. Jurassic Park/Spiderman...tie

 

[Parker Clan]

ET is a classic IMO. Brings me back to my childhood. It all depends on personal preference. For example we hate roller coasters (the crazy ones like Rip Rockit) we love the water rides, the Harry Potter rides are amazing, the Mummy, Simpsons, Minions. Didn't like Seuss. Kong was awesome!

 

[klmall]

While I am a firm believer in trying everything once or twice, Poseidon's Fury is definitely an attraction everyone in my family dislikes. Long lines with lots of standing and waiting in place for very little action.

I'm another Suess's fan and love the Trolley ride. It's a relaxing ride that takes you all over the park with some great views of other rides. I could ride it over and over sort of like the Peoplemover at WDW.

Even on our 1.5 day trips we have usually been able to do almost everything once including most of Harry Potter. Both US parks are relatively compact and easy to navigate so you should be able to ride everything you want!

 

[Tasha228]

Even on our 1.5 day trips we have usually been able to do almost everything once including most of Harry Potter. Both US parks are relatively compact and easy to navigate so you should be able to ride everything you want!

What about the weekend of New Year's? That's when we will be there and I'd heard that is one of the craziest for crowds. We are staying on site and have the FotL perk but I've never been during that time of year.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I absolutely can not stand Poseidon's Fury. I was talked into doing it during our trip in November and it reinforced my feelings of how lame it was plus how much standing around. We are going back to US in February, this time if the rest of the group wants to do it, count me out!