Will we even enjoy US?

[Flyerfan]

First, it's been 13 years since we've been to US. It is just DH & I and we have free admission...DH has the Superbowl free voucher, I have a free ticket (using Coke pts) for just US. We're taking a day from our Disney trip in November and head over there. DH does not like coasters, I'm not big on them either. He is OK with some rides if he takes Bonine. I told him IOA is definitely not for him, but he's got a freebie so go check it out. Anyway, will we enjoy US...it's a freebie so we're going but I was just wondering how the rides are.

Thanks.

 

[SNylund]

I have no idea why so many people have the idea that IOA is a coaster park, its not, nothing could be further from the reality, it is a theme ride and theme park, very well themed, just as much as any Disney park. It is not like 6-Flags which is a coaster park.

IOA is not to be missed, it is the best park in all of Orlando IMO out of all of the parks. There is spiderman, the best ride in all of Orlando (not a coaster) Jurassic Park River Adventure (not a coaster great ride) Actually the whole park is not coasters except of 3 coasters they have (2 in IOA 1 in Universal)

The main universal park is also not a coaster park but a theme ride park, there is the Mummy, MIB, ET, Terminator, Jaws, Simpsons, and a new coaster RIp Ride Rocket. Look at their website. Universal Orlando is every bit as good or more than Disney. You just have to try it and don't go in it thinking it is like 6-Flags because its not.

 

[inkkognito]

I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you have to question whether you are going to enjoy it, you probably are not going to. I don't mean this as a slight to you, but I get tired of people asking if Universal is worth a visit or saying "Convince me to go," then coming back and totally bashing it because it's not Disney or for various reasons that seem like they went in with a mindset to dislike it and were just looking for proof.

If that's not your mindset and you really are open minded, then you probably will like it. I'm an AP at both Disney and Universal, and we visit Uni much more these days. Rip Ride Rockit is great (as is Mummy), but if you don't like coasters there is still plenty to see and do...Disaster, Terminator, MiB, Simpsons, ET, Jaws, Beetlejuice show...I could go on and on. It tends to be less crowded than Disney too, depending on the time of year. It's a more relaxing experience in a way, and although some people claim Universal doesn't have themeing, I beg to differ with that.

 

[Purseval]

Anyway, will we enjoy US

Thanks.

No, you will hate it. I guarantee it will be the worst experience in your life. In fact, don't even bother, just mail your free tickets to me and I'll dispose of them properly for you so you won't even have to soil your garbage bag with Universal paper. PM me for my address.

Universal = 6 Flags, only worse
WDW = Heaven, only better

Trust me on this one.

 

[lawsonsontour]

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I can't handle thrill rides of any type -- not just coasters, but anything that severely drops or spins or major simulators like Star Tours and Simpsons -- and I LOVE both Universal and Islands. Can't imagine any trip to O-Town without hitting both.

Like already mentioned, the theming in IOA is amazing. And Spiderman is quite possibly the coolest ride ever. Ever! The dining is wonderful at both parks, the drinks, happy hours. It's just a much more relaxing side to theme park vacations in Orlando. The shopping is nice, too.

But I do agree that if you feel you need to be talked into going or haven't done enough research to see that there's A LOT more to both parks than just coasters, try and keep an open mind. You'll probably really enjoy yourselves.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I have to agree with inkkognito. You have to go with an open mind. It's not very often we get to travel to Orlando. So DW and I make the most of our trips. We get to go about every 4-5 years if we're lucky. IOA is not strictly just a coaster park. DW is not a big coaster fan either. She's like you DH and prefers not to ride them. Every now and then she'll go on them, but it's very rare. Yet she had a blast there. I on the other hand am a coaster freak. I love coasters. DW had a blast watching me and my sister getting on the coasters. DW joined us on all the other rides and had a blast.

As I've said in some of my other posts; to me, a lot of the rides are the same, just themed differently Example: WDW/AK has Kali River Rapids. IOA has Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. Same type of water ride and both get you soaked.

So like inkkognito said, if you have to be convinced to go, then you might not enjoy it. I personally like both WDW and US/IOA. Each is unique in it's own way. I've had fun at both and will be doing both again next year when we go.

 

[Flyerfan]

Well first of all I was not trying to make US or IOA look like seconds to Disney. I was just trying to get a feel for the rides/attractions as far as how my "motion sickness-prone" DH would be with them. We were there in 1996....it was only US at that time....but we really liked it.

 

[donaldduck352]

Well first of all I was not trying to make US or IOA look like seconds to Disney. I was just trying to get a feel for the rides/attractions as far as how my "motion sickness-prone" DH would be with them. We were there in 1996....it was only US at that time....but we really liked it.

At IOA there rides are cutting edge.If you didnt like Star Tours,Spiderman can be worse with alot less jarring you around.The best thing too do is go with a open mind and enjoy the excellent theming there.There is more to do then rides.Just for example is Suess Landing,you will never find theming like this anywhere.I could add more but I just wanted to add my [

To this thats all../I]

 

[Timmy Boy]

IOA is NOT a coaster park. Both Universal and IOA have the same amount of roller coasters that Disney does in all 4 of its parks. (Universal has 1 more now with addition of Rockit). Just give it a try. Don't expect Disney, and don't point out every little thing such as a dirty queue line, because I've seen that at Disney too.

 

[m0g]

Wow!

If you think the queues at US/IOA are bad, you obviously haven't been to Alton Towers/Thorpe Park here in the UK!!!

Comparitively, I could eat my dinner off the queues at US.

Chris

 

[SNylund]

Go to the Universal website and do all of the video tours, there are several, at least 3 one for each resort, check out all of those and it will give you an idea of what its like. It is equal to or better than Disney in parts of the themeing, I can't imagine anyone saying IOA is not a well themed park, to me its the best and most unique theming of any park in the world. An architectural masterpiece.

 

[Coach81]

They are great!!! Have a great time!!!!

 

[phamton]

Flyerfan, I think you will both have a great time. It's fun to be immersed in the movies at Universal Studios. I'd make sure to do ET, Jaws, Men in Black, The Simpsons, Terminator 3D, Shrek, Twister, and Disaster. if you can handle a coaster that is almost as mild as SpaceMountain, then do the Mummy also.

At Islands of Adventure you will feel like you have entered another world in each land you visit. Head to Seuss Landing and ride Cat in the Hat and then the High in the Sky Trolley ride. Then do Jurassic Park (Splash Mountain with Dinosaurs.) If you like Khali River Rapids them you will love Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rafts. Eat at Mythos which is the number one rated themepark restaurant. Even though the food is fantastic the price tag is not bad at all, definitely not expensive. Splurge a little since your tickets were free. Walk through Lost Continent and enjoy it before Harry Potter comes in. Be some of the first to catch sight of the new building going on for Harry Potter. Even if you are not a fan, you will still be impressed by Hogwarts.

I promise that you won't be disappointed!

 

[wdw&sonny]

My wife rides alomost nothing, but still loves the parks. Like Disney, there is much more to do than thrill rides and even much more to do than just rides. Like your husband, I can no longer do thrill rides continuously. USF has plenty of other options.

The best thing about IoA (IMO), like SNylund said, is it's themeing. It's the only park in the world to create totally fictitional areas. To immerse yourself in the Seuss, Marvel, Jurassic or Lost Continent is a unique experience by itself. Enjoy a walk in the park, catch a show or two and look forward to lunch at Mythos and dinner at Tchoup Chop.

 

[Guitar Player]

Don't mind the sarcastic and unfriendly responses. You have a legitimate question. I have the same problem with motion sickness but I do like these parks better than Disney.

The Simpsons ride is brutal. I am not going on that again. I've avoided the roller coasters, except for the Mummy. I don't get sick on it. The water rides in IOA are fun if you don't mind getting soaked. There are lockers available.

Overall, I do recommend these parks. Even for someone with a bad case of motion sickness!!!

 

[donaldduck352]

I just wanted to add that there is A sticky on this thread thats A must read.It answers alot of questions before you start asking.Here is the link and please feel free to ask anything it dont cover..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1353733

 

[lawsonsontour]

just wanted to ask did you go and more to the point did you enjoy it if you did

 

[budbeerlady]

The tickets are free so just check it out once.

We went with our "Free" tickets, it was alright, I dont have the need to go back again soon and if so it will only be to IOA. The Bluto water ride is very fun, better than Khali river rapids. Dd and dh loved the Hulk and other coasters. I would have rather spent more time over on IOA instead of wasting it at the other side.

I was so bumped and shaken around that I wasnt having fun. It was all ride simulations on the other side. From Jimmy to Shrek to Simpsons, Dh's back was killing him! Dd hated Jaws, the heat from the fire scared her. Et was alright but like Peter pan for the most part. Twister scared her, she liked Woodys coaster.

We would skip the regular universal side and only do IOA again. And the irritating people who kept asking us to do surveys, ugh!

 

[Coach81]

Go with an open mind.. and have a wonderful time!