Just Back from US/IOA ... a Few Impressions About This Page:

[TinkRocks]

My family (DH, DD 10, DD 8) and I just returned from a long weekend at US and IOA. We stayed off site at the Mariott Cypress Harbour (LOVED this place), and spent one day in each park. We enjoyed our time a US and IOA and are very glad we went.

I wanted to share a few things/opinions on what we saw and experienced. I am sure there will be nothing earth-shattering here, but I do enjoy reading about fellow PP'ers experiences and such as I think it helps so much. So here goes:

* WWHOP is crowded - really crowded. Even (or maybe especially) first thing in the morning.

* We waited 60 minutes for the Forbidden Journey. It was an incredible ride though! Very intense ... I actually closed my eyes through half of it! Then I regretted it. But as it turned out, we ventured back later in the day and rode again - this time I kept my eyes open ... for the most part. Posted wait time: 45 minutes which was really only about 1/2 an hour. This was somewhere around 5 p.m.

* FJ seating ... I am a larger size. I read a lot about fitting into these seats and that if you are "front loaded" (for lack of a better description) you might not fit. I didn't try the seat out front (forgot to) and was slightly worried. However, in line, a cast member asked me to step into the test seat. I did, it fit, and he told me I could ask for an end seat to be more comfortable, which I did.

* FJ lockers. This place is a train wreck! Honestly. I cannot figure out why this park can engineer a ride as sophisticated as FJ, but can't figure out a more efficient way to get people in and out of this locker area. It was so overwhelming to literally fight your way into this area twice - to drop off your stuff and then pick up. And there weren't enough employees around to help if there was an issue.

* More WWHOP: Flight of the Hippogriff is a surprisingly fast coaster. It was waaay more fun and exhilerating than I thought it would be. Olivander's was interesting and the "Olivander" we had was excellent - very good character. But I am not sure it is worth a long wait. We were melting into the sidewalk waiting for this, not sure it was worth the payoff.

* Butterbeer = Delicious! Definitely worth it, especially on a hot day. (In comparison, the Flaming Moe = Tasty, but not worth the $8.99 price tag IMHO).

* Hogsmeade with all the shops and scenery is really great and we enjoyed our time here. We made a few purchases at Honeydukes - don't miss this place.

* Height Requirements: these regulations seem to vary across the entire 2 parks based on who is working at the attraction. My youngest DD (who is barely 48 inches) walked onto FJ w/out a person even giving her a second glance let alone trying to measure her ... the first time. The second time, she was measured, and probably about a 1/4 inch under the bar, but they let her on. At the other park, she tried to get onto Twirl and Hurl in the Simpsons area with her older sister, she was slightly under, and they refused to let her ride with her and I had to get on. No big deal at all. Just that all the rules seemed fairly variable.

* The Express lines and the General lines are generally a giant cluster. I can't tell you how many times we went to an attraction and there was a crowd of people gathering at the entrance. We'd try to get by to get into the general line and couldn't. Nobody seemed to know where to go, what line to be in, etc. We found that typically what was happening is that there was only 1 employee at the entrance, supervising both lines and trying to scan or look at those express line tickets or whatever, and just couldn't do both at once. (And sometimes it was just rude people arguing about one thing or another and wouldn't let anyone past).

* Which brings me to my next two points: these parks could use a few more employees around in general and the park-goers here seemed a bit ruder. Granted, there is nothing at all that can be done about my second point. Just an observation.

* For the exception of WWHOP, we preferred the US park to IOA. We really loved all the attractions/rides we experienced at US and we seemed to be able to do a lot more of them as the lines weren't as long. The only exception being Despicable Me Minion Mayhem which was also a 60 minute wait, like FJ in IOA. This attraction was also amazing!

*FJ and Minion Mayhem were our favorite attractions. But we didn't NOT like anything we tried. Transformers, The Simpsons Ride and MIB were also great. And my girls loved ET ... that to me had a very whimsical feel (like Peter Pan in MK). And the wait was like 10 minutes for that! So that a "win!"

So ... just some random thoughts.

[chezp]

Thanks for sharing those.

[aliceinwdw]

Nice update! Thanks for sharing, and glad you had a great time!

[HiddenMickey]

I agree with the need to figure out a better way of doing the lockers for FoJ. They never should have been put in an enclosed area like that.

I also think US is a better fit for me than IOA. While the theming in IOA is impeccable, I like the rides at US on a whole better. Really looking forward to the new Diagon Alley area next time we visit.

[Huntermom]

I enjoy both parks and find lots to do as a ride whimp. I hope you were able to spend some time in Suessland. I really love that place.

[xwewhisper]

Thanks for sharing! I think they've put a lot more money into US after the initial WWHP expansion so the park as a whole is nicer. I haven't been since early 2011 so can't wait to see all the new updates!

[PlantJoe]

We're just back as well and were really happy with most things as well. It did seem like there may have been a slightly higher number of rude people here than other attractions in the area. That said ultimately it did hurt the experience. Hogsmeade and Hogwarts are incredible. I would say the locker situation could have been better and I would like to see the owl emporium have been designed a little more open for the inevitable crowds. I had to test the seats as well, but due to the width of my shoulders not depth. I did fit, but it did make my nervous for a moment.

[Sue M.]

Thanks for your update! We can't wait to go in August! Staying on site so hope getting in with early entry helps. Can't wait to see both Diagon Alley and WWOHP! It was still under construction last time we went. So haven't seen new Simpsons Area (although Simpsons ride was just opened) Minions or Transformers yet either!
Did you go on Spider-Man? And we loved Shreck 4-D so cute! And we loved the coasters too!

[mitchg]

Thanks for posting this! We're really excited for our trip in November. Looking forward to WWOHP and Spiderman, which we've been hearing about for years, but have never ridden.

[lura008]

Glad to see this. We are going 1 day during our WDW vacation. I am also Pooh sized and I am concerned about fitting. Were there any other ride concerns besides FJ? This is my first time since 1998. DH took DD 2 years ago to see WWOHP. I have decided to take DS (autism) too since he craves rides for his sensory issues. Hoping for a great outcome! My DD is beyond excited for the Gringotts and Hogwarts express, I am too but dont tell Mickey��

[B.M.]

Thanks for the review! I've never been to Universal, but it is somewhere I hope to visit....

[Huntermom]

I just wanted to comment on "rudeness" of Universal visitors. I love the parks and have encountered as many rude people at WDW. I do think Universal attracts a lot more local teens who may be there without families and may contribute to the idea that visitors are ruder.

As far as attractions, go I think Universal has many that are outstanding and worth a visit. I personally love just sitting in Suessland and soaking int he atmosphere.