The last 2 days we have spent at Universal Orlando style.. catching the bus was stress free transport option especially given a full day in the park the last thing I would have wanted to do was drive. Before you even enter the entrance to the park zones, you go through full body scanners and bag checks like you have at the airport. It’s a couple of minutes walk from here passing through “City Walks” which has cafes, restaurants, bars and shops before zoning off to your park of choice – Universal Studios or Adventure Island.

Friday we went to Universal Studios, for those players playing at home it is much the same as surfers paradise but on roids. Just even trying to get your bearings of where to go and what to do is a task on its own even with a map, the app and signage. The park is split into themes consisting of New York, San Francisco, World Expo, Springfield, Woody Woodpecker, Hollywood and Production Central.

The wanderers just started wandering as we went on rides, watched a couple of street parades, viewed some of the 3D/4D attractions (rides) and took plenty of photos of our surroundings as well as with characters – you need to get into the spirit.

The day finished enjoying a pizza share @ and while they are nothing like we get in Australia but it is an enjoyable experience.

Ride Reviews by the Family

• Shrek 4D (4D theatre)
  A 4D movie experience, family review 7/10
• Revenge of the Mummy (roller coaster)
  Our 1st roller coaster of the trip, was a great ride and super proud of my mum (Barb) for going on this ride, as well as the girls. Family Review 8/10
• ET Adventure (track driven)
  You are on a bike floating in the air as you recollect some of the favourite ET scenes from the movie, Family Review 9/10
• Woody Woodpecker Coaster
  A family friendly coaster with mum decided to sit this one out, its all over in about 60secs but a great ride, Family Review 8/10
• The Simpsons Ride
  3D simulator that has you strapped in a carriage, it twists and turns and is fantastic. Family Review 8/10
• Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon (4D virtual simulator)
  Strapped in another simulator that races around New York, this simulator  was awesome as it hurled around and gave you the sense of going extremely fast without ever moving. Family review 9/10 

 

Thoughts of the Day (Top 3)

• Free wifi in parks is very helpful and works well
• Food is of reasonable quality and we have started to share plates due to serving sizes
• Super Proud of mumma bear for going on the rides including a coaster

 

Saturday saw us returning to the Universal district but this time into Universal Island Adventures.  This park is more themed for movies and includes the following themed zones Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, The Wizard World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Toon Lagoon and Marvel Superheroes.

After yesterday we had more of a feel for how to navigate these over sized parks but found ourselves going to an attraction that was closed or hadn’t opened. More rides, attractions and photos completed today as well as walking around wet for most of the day.

Our Family Ride Reviews

• Fish Carousel
  Brianna, Emily and Mum went on this carousel that allowed you to lower each fish and navigate the random water cannoning out, Family Review 7/10
• High in The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
  A train ride above the park tops giving you great views all around the park while the Suess story is playing, check out the YouTube video, Family Review 8/10
• Dragon Challenge
  A high speed roller coaster with twists and turns that gets you started for the day to come, Family Review 8/10
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  A 4D simulator that goes around on a track and stops in areas where once again you move, shake and even get thrown backwards so you look at the roof, it gives you the feeling you are about to fall backwards, just Brianna, Emily and I went on this one and I thought that it was the best simulator ride for the day, given the effects, theme and motion of it all it was awesome, Family Review 9/10
• Raptor Encounter
  An encounter with a Raptor which has a surprise around every corner, highly recommended, our youtube video is here Family Review 9/10
• Camp Jurassic
  Another aerial attraction that only the girls could go on based on height, they had a blast though which was great, its set in the middle of a kids playground which is pretty cool as well, Family Review 9/10
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
  Our first water raft ride that makes you feel as though you are entering the Jurassic park with those big gates and dinosaurs popping out of the water before the big drop, Family Review 9/10
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
  You better get ready to get wet (or soaked) as this 10 seater water raft twirls in the rapids but the drops are big causing a mass of water to come into you raft soaking your feet, no one is safe  – to top it off other park guests are using cannons to shoot more water at you, Family Review 9/10
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
  Another raft ride in the water which is a combination of rapids with 2 drops and a big drop throughout the ride, highly detailed themed ride more drenching water – you will not stay dry as they tip water on you twice during the build up to this one all while you are in a canoe style raft, Family Review 10/10
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
  A brilliant 4D story of King Kong all set out on a bus, this was by far our longest wait of 45 minutes but worth it, the effects of this ride make you feel as though as you fall down a cliff and Kong jumping on your bus as he fights the dinosaurs away from eating you, with a great surprise in between the fight, Family Review 9/10
• The Cat in the Hat
  Family friendly animated track attraction following a story of Cat in the Hat and his riddles, with Thing 1 and Thing 2. Family Review 7/10
• Poseidon’s Fury
  A walk through voyage of the ancient ruins that has special effects light show, with fire and water gods fighting it out, the only downer on this one was the line to wait and the fact it’s a walkthrough attraction and at the end of our day our legs were tired, Family Review 7/10

 

Thoughts of the Day (Top 3)

• Each ride and park have a great amount of detail for their respective theme, the queue lines are also themed and detailed to pass the time.
• Definitely take your bathers or a change of clothes to this park, you won’t get splashed you will get smashed (check out the photo carousel) on the water rides
• The weather has been perfect

#collectingmemoriesnotthings