What would you tell 40 yr old (Universal) Virgins?

[DanenRox]

The husband & I are making our first 2 night trip next week. Hoping for some basic advice. We like thrill rides but aren't big fans of intense coasters. Staying offsite. Hoping for "Top Five Things To Know/Do" in US/IOA?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

IOA: Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Cat in the Hat

USF: ROTM, MIB, Shrek, Jaws, Horror Make-up Show

 

[damo]

Make sure your ride Men in Black several times to improve your score. Use the single rider's line. Make sure you shoot the exhaust port in the last room and press the red button after you are told! There is a page of tips at the top of this page. Study it and beat your husband's score.

 

[MassMom94]

The husband & I are making our first 2 night trip next week. Hoping for some basic advice. We like thrill rides but aren't big fans of intense coasters. Staying offsite. Hoping for "Top Five Things To Know/Do" in US/IOA?

Do you have an example of an "intense coaster" you've ridden and haven't liked? That would factor into my recommendations. If your idea of an intense coaster is Space Mountain (don't laugh, some people are of that opinion!) you probably wouldn't like Mummy, but to my mind, that is not an intense coaster from a coaster point of view. (It's intense from a thematic point of view.) If you didn't care for something like Millenium Force at Cedar Point, then the only coasters you might not like are Hulk and Dueling Dragons. I think all three are great rides and would rank among my top five. Others would be Spiderman at IOA and MIB at US.

I don't think this rises to a "Top Five" recommendation, but the pizza at Louie's in US is very good, best theme park pizza I've ever had. Seuss Land at IOA is very cute, not crowded, worth checking out even if you don't have kids.

 

[aztecgoods]

I would recommend riding everything with the possible exception of the 3 "coasters" at U. Hulk, Dueling Dragons and the Mummy. HOWEVER, with that being said, the Mummy is not even remotely an intense coaster to me and is a terrific ride. If you think you could possibly stand it I would highly recommend this ride it is great. Also, it is just a little fast, there are no giant drops I don't think it goes upside down, real tame in my personal opinion. I honestly think you could handle it and should ride it for it is probably the best ride at the old park.

The Hulk and DD are for the most part the only 2 that could fit that category, I personally think they are fairly tame in the grand scheme of things. To me a real intense coaster is one at 175ft or taller, the coasters at U are pretty short, under 125 feet or so I think. AND the Hulk is another GREAT coaster, would highly recommend if at all possible. DD is ok, but as far as coasters go, I can take it or leave it, but I always do ride them. (They are really 2 coasters.)

Top 5 things to do: 1) Juassic Park River Adv. 2) Spider Man 3D 3) Men In Black 4) The Mummy 5) Twister/ET/ everything else!

 

[aztecgoods]

I should add there are any other things besides rides we are all probably leaving off so here goes yet another list (I actually like doing this if you couldn't tell):

1) Mythos Restaurant
2) Jimmy Buffets Margharitaville
3) Portifino Pool
4) All the shows (Terminator/Shrek/Poiseidens Fury etc.)
5) Hard Rock Rest.

 

[robvia]

Mine are a little different from the ride choices. September has light crowds, but the parks close around 6-7pm.

1. Arrive the parking garage at 8am. Parks open at 9am, and you'll be first in for some walk on rides.
2. Most restaurants open around 11am. Eat at Mythos at 11:30am and share a meal to save money.
3. If you ride Popeye, keep your feet up or you'll have water logged shoes.
4. There are 3 bars in each park and happy hour starts around 4pm.
5. Margaritaville is a lot of fun, to avoid the crowd, try to get there before 8pm.

 

[aztecgoods]

Mine are a little different from the ride choices. September has light crowds, but the parks close around 6-7pm.

1. Arrive the parking garage at 8am. Parks open at 9am, and you'll be first in for some walk on rides.
2. Most restaurants open around 11am. Eat at Mythos at 11:30am and share a meal to save money.
3. If you ride Popeye, keep your feet up or you'll have water logged shoes.
4. There are 3 bars in each park and happy hour starts around 4pm.
5. Margaritaville is a lot of fun, to avoid the crowd, try to get there before 8pm.

Good and funny tips, ROBVIA, are you counting Mythos as a 3rd bar in IOA? If not, I am missing one, Enchanted Oak, Jurassic Park and Mythos? Or is there another? Thanks,

 

[DanenRox]

MassMom: I like coasters in general, but the BIG DROPS Foward don't like me. Love Space Mountain, Aerosmith is fine (except the first few seconds when I can't breath), Tower of Terror makes me laugh. But I won't do something like Splash Mountain because of the big drop forward, or that water ride at Busch that ends with a big drop and splash- No, No, No.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Top Five for USO Virgins, eh?

Here goes.

5) Go slow and take your time. It will only be your "first" once, so you want to make sure it doesn't all seem like a blur when you remember it years later. Plus, just jumping in too quick can be painful (blisters, chafing, etc.).

4) Avoid drinking too, too much. One, maybe two hurricanes are okay, but any more than that on any given day will make you wake up the next morning and go, "OMG ... who is this and what did I do last night?"

3) Viewing some films on the VCR or DVD might help you both get in the mood for an optimally pleasurable experience. I'd recommend Twister, Jurassic Park, MIB, Terminator, Spiderman, Shrek & the Hulk.

2) Some folks don't get into this, but I'd strongly recommend a video camera. Film yourselves so you can enjoy the footage again later.

FINALLY ... NO. 1 (drum roll, please)

1) Bring plenty of protection. You never know when you might need extra protection. This could be extra sunscreen, ponchos, sunglasses, hats. This stuff costs a fortune at the parks. Bring it from home. Even if you don't use it on vacation, I'm sure you'll get use from it once you're back at home.

 

[robvia]

Good and funny tips, ROBVIA, are you counting Mythos as a 3rd bar in IOA? If not, I am missing one, Enchanted Oak, Jurassic Park and Mythos? Or is there another? Thanks,

The 3rd bar is at the front of IOA just before Suess landing. This is a great meeting spot for parents who have little kids or people who don't want to go on the coasters. The group can split up, one parent taking the kids to Suess Landing, while the other parent takes the bigger kids on the coasters. The adult can grab a drink and watch as the kids enjoy Suess landing.

Next to Confisco's - The BackWater Bar.
Next to Enchanted Oak - Alchemy Bar.
Next to Burger Diggs - The Watering Hole.

 

[Mortlives]

First time I went to Universal, I was 40 (it was only last year). I got carded by a very serious young man at the Watering Hole. You'll love Universal.

One of these days we're going to do an afternoon medley of the Alchemy Bar and Duelling Dragons.

 

[SnwflkCts]

If I get carded at 48 I may just KISS the server! Hope it's a cute guy cause I would prefer that ...

Great lists all -- next year (Oct 2007) will be my "first time" and DH and I are both excited about it!!!!

BUT I LOVE COASTERS SO I WILL BE TRYING ALL ... drinking will have to wait until later in the day.

 

[Nank]

I am going to turn 40 the day before my first Universal trip. It is my birthday present to myself!!! Yippee!

 

[Amity 3]

Top Five for USO Virgins, eh?

5) Go slow and take your time. It will only be your "first" once, so you want to make sure it doesn't all seem like a blur when you remember it years later.

1) Bring plenty of protection. You never know when you might need extra protection.

these are good tips for all virgins, not just those to Universal.

 

[ChrisFL]

MassMom: I like coasters in general, but the BIG DROPS Foward don't like me. Love Space Mountain, Aerosmith is fine (except the first few seconds when I can't breath), Tower of Terror makes me laugh. But I won't do something like Splash Mountain because of the big drop forward, or that water ride at Busch that ends with a big drop and splash- No, No, No.

Hulk doesn't really have any "lose your stomach" feeling drops IMO and I hate that feeling on some big coasters. Dueling Dragons don't really either since they're turning at an angle it's not bad.

BUT Hulk does have a launch similar to the Aerosmith (Rock n Roller coaster) but it is shorter. I'd reccomend sitting close to the front and you'll feel it less.

Jurassic Park and Ripsaw Falls both have big drops on them like Splash Mountain

 

[PlutoLuvr]

these are good tips for all virgins, not just those to Universal.

Ah-hah!!! I knew someone would read between the lines

I don't know what's gotten into me lately. I turned 34 and my mind's just been in the gutter

 

[OKWMom]

Ah-hah!!! I knew someone would read between the lines

I don't know what's gotten into me lately. I turned 34 and my mind's just been in the gutter

It couldn't possibly have something to do with a certain anniversary trip coming up VERY shortly, could it?

 

[damo]

Top Five for USO Virgins, eh?

Here goes.

5) Go slow and take your time. It will only be your "first" once, so you want to make sure it doesn't all seem like a blur when you remember it years later. Plus, just jumping in too quick can be painful (blisters, chafing, etc.).

4) Avoid drinking too, too much. One, maybe two hurricanes are okay, but any more than that on any given day will make you wake up the next morning and go, "OMG ... who is this and what did I do last night?"

3) Viewing some films on the VCR or DVD might help you both get in the mood for an optimally pleasurable experience. I'd recommend Twister, Jurassic Park, MIB, Terminator, Spiderman, Shrek & the Hulk.

2) Some folks don't get into this, but I'd strongly recommend a video camera. Film yourselves so you can enjoy the footage again later.

FINALLY ... NO. 1 (drum roll, please)

1) Bring plenty of protection. You never know when you might need extra protection. This could be extra sunscreen, ponchos, sunglasses, hats. This stuff costs a fortune at the parks. Bring it from home. Even if you don't use it on vacation, I'm sure you'll get use from it once you're back at home.

Good advice PlutoLuvr!!!

 

[aztecgoods]

The 3rd bar is at the front of IOA just before Suess landing. This is a great meeting spot for parents who have little kids or people who don't want to go on the coasters. The group can split up, one parent taking the kids to Suess Landing, while the other parent takes the bigger kids on the coasters. The adult can grab a drink and watch as the kids enjoy Suess landing.

Next to Confisco's - The BackWater Bar.
Next to Enchanted Oak - Alchemy Bar.
Next to Burger Diggs - The Watering Hole.

Oh yeah, forgot about the BackWater, that is a nice bar too.