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Sue M. · 01-13-2009, 02:05 AM

Don't forget the Simpsons Ride!!! I also like Dudley Do-Right & Popeyes Bildge Rats, (Universal's Splash Mtn. & Kali River Rapids). I agree with the 2 days touring. Anything less is a rush thru. Universal is lots of fun. I can't wait for Harry Potter land to open. They have lots of restaurants in City Walk too.

Disneydiana · 01-13-2009, 10:02 AM

what if you're an adult who does not like big roller coasters? (I'm still waiting for the Harry Poter section to open up!

)

**KMB733** · 01-13-2009, 11:33 AM

I

Universal! Like a few others have said you need at least 2 days to see and do what you want. My favorite ride in both parks has to be Men in Black. Who knew that shooting at Aliens could be so much fun!

karadisney · 01-13-2009, 07:30 PM

I love Universal!! The E.T. ride is great you get to ride a bike and E.T. says your name! The twister ride is excellent. The Mummy is actually on my top ten rides of all time. It is great! You won't be disappointed. It is just neat! It's not Disney but that's ok because it is still a GREAT park. Once you go and see how it is you will understand. CityWalk is also great. Margarittaville, Hard Rock Cafe--> the world's largest actually, Emeril's, its just neat. Go and enjoy it. I would say two days. I've never been to IOA's but I bet it is just as good. Oh, go on the Shrek 3-D ride it is great. Mel's Drive-in is a classic also!

coffeechef · 01-14-2009, 02:13 PM

My favorites are Revenge of the Mummy and Spiderman. We were there in November on day it was around 75-80 degrees. Riding Dudleys was a walk on and we were drenched, so we rode over and over. But the most favorite thing we found and spent some time and money on... was feeding quarters into the water cannons to squirt people on the tail end of Dudleys ripsaw falls. As they come around the corner and the 5 people in the boat are discussing who got the wettest... well you can help even that out a bit more. It was hysterically funny and the cannon s were aimed like a hose being turnd on them with no escape. I know... since they are kind of hidden , I got a faceful several times on our trips through. My Nephew came up a stradegy of waving to the people in the boats to distract them and then push the button to spray them with water.

FanofFlorida · 01-14-2009, 02:46 PM

It's been a few years, but my family LOVED Universal! Both parks were great, providing plenty to do. The attractions are definetly more THRILLS than what you find in WDW. I have to say that Hulk and Spiderman were my favorites. If you are a DR SUESS fan you will LOVE IOA- especially at Christmas when it is TRANSFORMED into Whosville.

I am the DISNEY nut in our house. They all prefer Universal for the rides. We are also waiting for the HARRY POTTER of IOA to open before returning. Ticket pricing is AWESOME as you can pre-purchase 7 day/ 2-park passes for about $95!!! That allows for a lot of flexibility!

I have stayed at the HARD ROCK HOTEL onsite and it was AWESOME- worth every penny (and it was ALOT of pennies to stay there in a kids suite.

)
The front of line access, the boat transfer (or 5 min walk) to the parks, dining, pool area, room details and service - all fantastic.

With all that said: Would I skip it all to stay at WDW onsite? Absolutely...

For ME, WDW has the magic and transforms everything around you.
Universal is a park not to be missed, unless it means missing something at WDW.
So if it is your plan to do both, go for it.

Clare loves Stitch · 01-14-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneydiana

what if you're an adult who does not like big roller coasters? (I'm still waiting for the Harry Poter section to open up!

)

US and IOA have lots of non thrill rides you cant miss shrek, men in black,jimmy neutron and psydons adventure (sorry i cant spell that!!)

MMMD · 01-14-2009, 07:37 PM

If you do the thrill rides you need two days. If not, one day is sufficient but it's a long day. Even though the attractions are fun at Universal I think it's a little heavy on simulators. Have fun.

janicelovesmickey · 01-16-2009, 12:06 PM

I love universal, its not a vacation unless I get there aswell
I would also say 2 days is what you should allocate, and you must eat at mythos its wonderful.

keishashadow · 01-16-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanofFlorida

I am the DISNEY nut in our house. They all prefer Universal for the rides. We are also waiting for the HARRY POTTER of IOA to open before returning. Ticket pricing is AWESOME as you can pre-purchase 7 day/ 2-park passes for about $95!!! That allows for a lot of flexibility!

I have stayed at the HARD ROCK HOTEL onsite and it was AWESOME- worth every penny (and it was ALOT of pennies to stay there in a kids suite.

)
The front of line access, the boat transfer (or 5 min walk) to the parks, dining, pool area, room details and service - all fantastic.

With all that said: Would I skip it all to stay at WDW onsite? Absolutely...

For ME, WDW has the magic and transforms everything around you.
Universal is a park not to be missed, unless it means missing something at WDW.
So if it is your plan to do both, go for it.

while tix r currently @ $95, over the past several years various 'deals' have been trotted out after spring break/before summer rush begins (7 day tix less than $70 & BOGO year free Pref Annual Passes - which i've managed to use 5 times thus far & squeezing 1 more visit end of June

)

HRH isn't my fav onsite, prefer RP or PB (very luxe!). FYI, Loews offers YouFirst reward program @ both RP & PB, HR no longer participates. While the program has been revamped & is not quite as generous as it was in the past; this summer as a Platinum Member, i was able to book standard room @ AAA rate of $258 (all taxes, included) and am guaranteed a deluxe 2 room suite upgrade (950 sq ft+ & 2 full bathrooms!).....sweeeeeet!

The mouse owns me

& we r blessed to be able to visit Disney often...yet I've come to look forward to my split stays @ Universal/short cruise-several mini vacations rolled into one

; nice to shake it up to keep things fresh kwim?

Ann2 · 01-16-2009, 01:01 PM

Thanks for all the info on the rides and hotels...definitely sounds like a weekend add on to WDW. Would you suggest before or after, or do you think it matters?

jhoshowski · 01-16-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann2

Thanks for all the info on the rides and hotels...definitely sounds like a weekend add on to WDW. Would you suggest before or after, or do you think it matters?

I have never been to Universal (yet), but I would say after. WDW is a "kinder, gentler" kind of park, and needs to be appreciated as such. I think going there after Universal, you would be comparing coasters, etc. - but WDW is about theming and story more than thrills, and needs to be appreciated as such.

Shell_of_the_South · 01-16-2009, 02:37 PM

I'd say after, because a Universal trip is more relaxing and less fast paced than a Disney trip. And, if you stay onsite, you will be so spoiled by FOTL that you will want to do it at Disney too! So save it for the end of your trip.

The best thing to do is not try and compare the two. Both destinations have their own unique qualities. When people start to compare them you get a lot of "well, it's not Disney" which is correct - it's not. But Universal can be appreciated for its own merits.

SuzieBC · 01-16-2009, 05:59 PM

I think the Universal parks are some of the best themed parks I have ever seen. That said, I, the Disney nut, like them well enough. But my husband and three sons when they were younger, did NOT like Universal. It was my late husband who was definitely NOT a Disney fan, who remarked that there was no "magic" at Universal.
My younger son who loves thrill rides likes Universal but we can usually do both parks in one day. I have never been to Universal when it was really crowded except once back in the 80's when it just opened.
I like going there for a day.
Suzie