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Originally Posted by Mr. Plow
Boom. Almost a 2 year bump on a 15 year old thread.
Going to be in Orlando for a couple days next month and thinking about spending one day at a park. Wanting to do something different from Disney. We've never been to Universal Studios and was hoping to get some input from those of you that have.
I'm hoping to have one day at a park and one day of relaxing or doing something NOT park related - but it looks like to experience everything at Universal, you have to get through both Universal Studio's and Island of Adventure. Is that a 2 full day deal or is that something you can get through in one day?
If we ultimately decide to NOT do a park, what are some other things to do that teenagers will enjoy as much as teenagers can enjoy anything?
Any suggestions on good hotels to stay at?
Thanks in advance for the help.
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About Universal, it really depends on a lot of factors. They've got three parks now: Universal, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay (water park).
Are all of your kids teens? If so, you could probably skip Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon in IoA. That'd leave you with Incredible Hulk (great coaster), Spider-Man (awesome simulator), Hagrid's (great coaster but seemingly always broken down), King Kong (simulator), Jurassic Park (low key water ride), Forbidden Journey (cool simulator kind of deal) and they'll open the new Velocicoaster on June 10th which is ****ing awesome as well. Plus they've got the Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade if you're into the sights.
In Universal, you'd be able to skip the kiddie area as well as Minions and Shrek so that'd leave you with Mummy (cool indoor coaster), Rip Ride Rock-It (great coaster), Transformers (simulator just like Spider-Man), Fast and Furious (would NOT recommend, it ****ing sucks), Simpsons (simulator) and Gringott's (coaster/simulator). For sights, Universal also has Diagon Alley which is so cool to see for the first time.
Volcano Bay is just ****ing awesome. For all teens/pre-teens, it might e your best bet. They've got this cool system where you wear this digital bracelet. You can walk up to a ride and swipe your bracelet and it'll keep you in a virtual line. When the time has passed and you're able to ride, it'll buzz and you just walk up and ride. It just makes it so much more chill. Instead of sitting in the heat in a long ass line for an hour like the other parks, your kids can hit the lazy river or the wave pool or grab something to eat.
The parks have been packed lately so understand that there will be long waits and it's Florida so it's hot as balls. I've been spoiled so going without an Express Pass is not an option for me. If you've got the money, id recommend staying at one of the premiere hotels on-site like Hard Rock or Portofino since they will give your whole family Express passes with the reservation. Plus, Hard Rock has a bitchin' ass pool.