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MeanGene
07-21-2003, 08:12 PM
I got back early Saturday morning (2:00 a.m.) from Orlando. One of the kids I was with was sick so we left early. That is O.K. though. First I will let you in on a few secrets and tips.

1. The Giant turkey legs that I have eaten many times are not Turkey afterall. They are actually EMU legs. I asked the guy how they can call them Turkey legs, and he said that EMU's are "in the Turkey family". They are still god as hell though.

2. Single Rider Lines If a ride has a single rider line, then go for it. You may ride with strangers, but you may also get to ride with whoeer you came with. You save a whole lot of time.

3. Another way to save time in line is to purchase an Express ticket. That gives you unlimited access to the express lines so you can avoid the main lines. They are $25.00 per day, per person.

4. Yet another way is to stay at a Universal Hotel. If you have a Universal Studios Club Card or you are a seaon pass holder, you can get a room for as little as $149.00. That is not too bad. You can walk to the parks, or take the Water Taxi. Walking is a little quicker. It took us about 3-5 inutes from our hotel. We stayed at the Royal Pacific Hotel. You also get preferred seating at restraunts like Margaritiville, and Hard Rock Cafe.

5. They let you take food and drinks in. Tote around a rolling cooler or stroller, and you are set. Bottled water cost about 4.00 there. I saved a lot of money that way. The only thing I brought was a turkey, sorry, EMU leg.

Water Rides have much shorter lines at night. We stayed on the Raft ride that holds 12 people for 10 rides in a row the other night. Jurassic Park, and Ripsaw falls had about 2 minute lines. It is still quite warm at 8:00. The only ride you get really wet on in the Raft Ride. It is Bluto's Barge I believe.

My personal must ride rides:

Islands of Adventure:

Hulk Coaster (even though I can not ride it) I am still in awe of it!

Spiderman Ride

Jurassic Park

Ripsaw Falls

Bluto's Barges



The rest of the rides are good too


UNIVERSAL STUDIOS:

Shrek 4D

ET

Terminator 3D

Twister (very loud)

Animal Planet Show

Men in Black You have to do it once

The following rides are O.K. but not Must Ride in my opinion

Back to the Future

Jaws

Earthquake


They are making a new Mummy returns ride to open next year. It is being billed as a "physcological thrill ride."

If you are thinking of going soon here is a good deal. You can buy a season pass and get the second year free now. Passes w/ blackout dates whcih include most if nto all Saturday and Sundays in the summer was $100.00 when I got mine last year. I have gone to the park about 6 different days since november and I am going back this november. It is not much more than a 2 day ticket.

When you walk through Islands of Adventure, it is like 5 different worlds. Dr. Suess land and Marvel Island make it seem like you are actually in a storybook or a movie. It is kind of surreal. I will try to post a pic that I took of Marvel Island so you can see what I mean. That is all for now. Please excuse my spelling errors. I am too tired to proofread! :D

Stormbringer
07-21-2003, 08:19 PM
2. Single Rider Lines If a ride has a single rider line, then go for it. You may ride with strangers, but you may also get to ride with whoeer you came with. You save a whole lot of time.

This can go for various rides at Disney World too...especially the Test Track in Epcot.

Canesluver
07-21-2003, 09:37 PM
Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure are great fun!

Have to disagree about the Back to the Future ride, though. It's my favorite. I just think the combination of the open moving Delorian and the film on a HUGE screen, just makes you feel like you're flying through air. I love it! Have to sit in the front seat, though. It's not as much fun in the back seat.

A close 2nd is the Spiderman ride. To be in a moving car, w/3-D effects is thrilling. The combination of movements and the 3-D is fascinating to me-- the way it makes you feel like you're speeding along, when you're not really.

I think Blutos Barges got me the wettest of any water ride I've ever been on-- very fun. Another fun part of the ride you have to do -- after you've gotten off, you climb up to the top of the docked boat and fire water cannons at other people still on the ride. Last time we were there, a raft got a little stuck, and my cannon was hitting them perfectly, so I just kept firing one shot after another at them until my husband dragged me away (they were getting a little pissed. . . . :roll: )

Jeff O Rocks
07-21-2003, 09:51 PM
Thanks for the report MG....Now I really want to go back to Orlando..our family is planning on making a trip back next year...but if the Canes are in the Stanley Cup, we won't be able to make it...

..and I love Ripsaw Falls...did you ride it for me too!!?? :D ;)

Stormbringer
07-21-2003, 11:40 PM
A close 2nd is the Spiderman ride. To be in a moving car, w/3-D effects is thrilling. The combination of movements and the 3-D is fascinating to me-- the way it makes you feel like you're speeding along, when you're not really.

Spider-Man is definitely a well done ride and one of the best in not just Universal but Orlando too. On the part where you're ascending over the Manhattan skyline thanks to Dr. Octopus, if you look carefully, you can spot Four Freedoms Plaza, which is the building sporting the four on top and is the former home of the Fantastic Four. :)

*Islands of Adventures spoilers abound!*

As much as I love Disney World and have spent the most time there, I sometimes looked forward to my day at Islands of Adventure a little more. The three times I've gone there, I have spent all my time in two sections, Marvel Island and the Lost Continent, being the superhero/sci-fi/fantasy nut I am. The one other time I've gone, which was also my first time, I went on a tour of the whole IoA, and got to check out most of the rides and the two shows, Poseidon's Fury and the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad. Poseidon's Fury was ok, but other than the water tunnel part, it wasn't all that spectacular IMO. As for Eighth Voyage of Sinbad...my dad and I really weren't impressed (As were a few guidebooks I've read.), but quite a few have said they liked it, so it's up to you if you want to see it. I really enjoyed the water rides that day, despite my making the HUGE mistake of wearing jean shorts that day. (insert shivering emoticon here) Would've gone on Ripsaw Falls and Bluto's Barges more on the other times I came to IoA if it weren't for it being too mild/cold (November and January) or the lines being too long (Early May).

Anyway, my picks for most favorite and best rides are easily Dueling Dragons, the Hulk, Spider-Man, and Doom's Fearfall...the Fearfall probably being more of a favorite of mine than it should be because of the Fantastic Four fan/nostalgia factor. :)

MeanGene
07-22-2003, 01:11 AM
Here is a picture I took in Marvel Island. And yes, I think that the guy in front is picking his nose! :D



http://static1.photobox.co.uk/images/link/2/f620de80b9f8c89ade0f_158106_3873642.jpg?ch=71

SOrry, it will not let me show the picture anymore. :cry:

Guyute
07-22-2003, 08:01 AM
do they not have the Tower of Terror anymore? that was pretty fun. last time I was there was several years ago...

and me and a few friends were in an 'odd' state of mind... but did that ride 6 times in a row. it was spot-on. :) better than the avg 'free fall' ride.

Jeff O Rocks
07-22-2003, 08:18 AM
do they not have the Tower of Terror anymore? that was pretty fun. last time I was there was several years ago...

and me and a few friends were in an 'odd' state of mind... but did that ride 6 times in a row. it was spot-on. :) better than the avg 'free fall' ride.

Tower of Terror is at MGM/Disney!! ;) and I love that ride....very cool special effects!! :D

Guyute
07-22-2003, 08:20 AM
ahh, ok. couldn't remember.. head was a bit foggy that day... :angel:

Jeff O Rocks
07-22-2003, 08:59 AM
ahh, ok. couldn't remember.. head was a bit foggy that day... :angel:

My head is foggy everyday.........and no smart comments mister!! :p :D ;)

Guyute
07-22-2003, 09:03 AM
:crazy: :angel: