Universal Studios Recommendations

[kathi]

My mom has decided that she wants to go to Universal for a day since they are having some Mardi Gras thing.

I have never been to Universal Studios. I'm hoping that some of you can give me suggestions of things not to miss and rides to skip that will be "too much" for her. (She doesn't do roller coasters, but loved Soarin. She gets sick on things like Star Tours and she can handle Dinosaur, but it's a bit jerky for her.)

They like shows and "kiddie rides" like Small World, etc.

Thanks!!!

[SuzyQ]

Hey Kathi!

I moved this over to "Outside the World" because that is where a lot of USF people post the goings on and what not for Universal Studios.

If you like roller coasters, then don't miss Island of Adventure! Fire and Ice is suppose to be an amazing coaster! Sounds like your mom wouldn't be too interested in the coasters, though. ;)

Though they have many other non-coaster rides at IoA, if you (or your mom) are more into shows and "tamer yet still exciting rides", the Studios side may be the one for you! They have some great attractions (remeniscent of Disney style) on that side. :)

[ddoll]

I would avoid "Back to the Future" as it is a very jerky motion simulator ride (normally it's a 'Don't Miss' attraction), as well as the Jimmy Neutron.

Men In Black is like Buzz, but better, IMO, so you should try that. The Shrek ride is fabulous. Grab fastpasses to this one as soon as you go thru the gates. Or if you're fairly early and the wait isn't too bad, go standby. There's a lot of good theming in the queue.

Terminator 3-D may not be what you're looking for. It's a live action, 3D show woven together with guns and motocycles. Definitely not one to bring the baby into.

Everything in the Kids area is good for you guys. The Feivel play area is great and ET is a lot of fun. It's another one with a super queue. They have Barney, which really isn't too bad when you have a little one with you. She'll LOVE it.
Everyone will love the Animal Planet Live show.

The shows are all worth your time. DO NOT MISS the Horror Make-up show. It's not at all what you think. It's very funny!! They have a short filmstrip in the beginning that shows some scary movie clips, but I'm sure you can keep the baby distracted thru that.
Blues Brothers is one to stop and watch: VERY good!
Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue is just so-so.

Earthquake and Jaws are pretty tame. No probs with those for the adults, but there are some loud/scary noises that may bother the baby.
Twister would be WAY too intense for the baby, but great for grown-ups. No ride there, just the special effects as they recreate the big twister scene in the movie.

The Mummy: fabulous ride, but your mom (and you) should skip it. Brian should take the opportunity to go on it while he's there though, as it's one heck of a good ride.

[MargaretJ]

Well ddoll really summed it up. I am a ride weenie so I really don't care too much for Islands of Adventure. It is a really cool looking park & there are a few things for me to ride. At Universal I love Jaws, Earthquake, ET, Shrek, Beetle Juice, Twister, Horror Make-up Show (it is great), Lucy walk through & Blue Brothers. What I especially love though is staying at a Universal Resort & getting front of the line access!

[Robin]

I don't remember Twister being that intense. The baby won't understand the build up, and I just remember standing there watching lots of stuff 'flying' on the 'stage'. That includes everyone's favorite, the flying cow.

Most of the rides in the Studio are pretty tame. The ones that might be a bit more intense are:

Mummy - a coaster

Men in Black - There are a few parts if you don't shoot the alien (think Buzz Lightyear) your car will spin around. Going clockwise wasn't too bad for me, but the counter clockwise spin had me green. The spin is pretty quick, but I'm sensitive to them.

Back to the Future is simulator type ride. Instead of an inclosed room like Star Tours, you're in a 'flying car' with a large screen. (picture Soarin' screen) If Star Tours doesn't bother her, than Back to the Future shouldn't either. Much of the sense of motion comes from the screen, so she can close her eyes if it starts to bother her.

Is Jimmy Neutron the old Hanna Barbera movie? I skipped it last time as I'm not a Jimmy fan. If so I remember that one having banks of seats that went up and down (like a seesaw) in sync to the movie. I enjoyed it, my friend hated it. Way back then, they had stationary seats in the back for those who wanted to skip the motion.

[ddoll]

I don't remember Twister being that intense. The baby won't understand the build up, and I just remember standing there watching lots of stuff 'flying' on the 'stage'. That includes everyone's favorite, the flying cow.

.......................
Is Jimmy Neutron the old Hanna Barbera movie? I skipped it last time as I'm not a Jimmy fan. If so I remember that one having banks of seats that went up and down (like a seesaw) in sync to the movie. I enjoyed it, my friend hated it. Way back then, they had stationary seats in the back for those who wanted to skip the motion.

Our youngest DS was traumatized by the pre-show in Twister. It's dark, noisy, and pretty scary. They do post warnings there for young children. Once you get to the show, there's thunder and lightning, fire, sirens, explosions....pretty intense, I think. And all done in the dark.

I forgot all about the stationary seats in Jimmy Neutron, Robin! That's perfect. The show is NOT the old Hanna Barbera show at all. It's an all new Nickelodeon themed show. Very cute and fun, especially for those of us who are familiar with the Nick cartoons.

Both Back to the Future and Jimmy Neutron are basically the same, just with different shows. And then there are the stationary seats in J.N. which is not an option for BTTF. They're motion simulator CARS that bump and weave to the movie being shown in front of you. And there actually is some motion there if you consider the car lifts up in the air.

Ooooh...I wish I was back there right now! I LOVE USF!

[Robin]

I wasn't thinking of the movie part, but they way they do it. (Basically the seats). The last time I was at Universal (Mousefest 1) I was trying to figure out what replaced some of the attractions I'd remembered from years before.

I really missed the old Hitchcock show.

[kathi]

Thanks everyone. Sorry about putting it in the wrong place. I guess I never realized there was a separate forum for non-Disney parks.

It will just be my mom and dad going to Universal. Sadly, we are back in cold, dreary NJ!

[Robin]

I just took a peek at Universal's ticket options. It looks like they can get a 2 park 'power pass' for about the same money as a park and party ticket. Not a bad option.

Come and celebrate the spirit of New Orleans at Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras celebration!

For a limited time, Florida residents can save $20 off a 2-Park Power Pass ($99.95 plus tax after discount) with specially-marked Coca-Cola 24-pack from participating Winn-Dixie locations.

Florida & Georgia residents can save $20 off a 2-Park Power Pass with a coupon from participating Wendy’s locations beginning on February 6. Just purchase any combo with a refreshing Coca-Cola at participating Wendy’s and save $20 off a 2-Park Power Pass that gets you into every night of Mardi Gras at Universal Studios. Look for a coupon on specially marked cups to save. Or, visit participating Wendy’s with a coupon from specially-marked Coca-Cola drinks to save $20 off a 2-Park Power Pass.
http://www.universalorlando.com/hd_florida.html

(Power Pass is similiar to Disney's seasonal AP. No free parking)

[Sheryl]

I am a ride weenie

Sorry to interupt, but this just cracks me up!! You were quite the wild woman on the Wedway thrill ride.

[MargaretJ]

I am a ride weenie

Sorry to interupt, but this just cracks me up!! You were quite the wild woman on the Wedway thrill ride.

Yep & that was one thrilling ride!!!

[ddoll]

Oh, I missed the part about your parents going alone. They'll love the Mardi Gras. That was one of our very favorite events of all.

[kathi]

They always used to go to Gulfport, MS for MardiGras every year. They are so sad this year that so many are still homeless in Gulfport/Biloxi. They hope that someday the area will be rebuilt and that tourists will return.