Islands of Adventure. How Good!

[Catherine]

What does everyone think of the universal theme parks, we did not go last year as we thought the children at 6 and 3 where too young, especially the youngest, however we aim to go next year when they will be 8 and just turning 6 while we are there. It looks like it has more rides than Disney. We ordered the free Universal Video and it looks great. Has anyone dined in the resturaunts and what are they like. Thanks

[highlander447]

If you have yahoo their is a universal group with link to site like this the guy there will be able to give u expert info as he is expert on it:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[kiltedwarrior]

Personnally, Im a big fan of the Universal parks. Ive been a frequent visitor since the studios opened in 1990 and have never been dissappointed. Both parks are quite different in stlye, US is more geared to the inner workings of filmaking but also has plenty of movie based rides that all the family can enjoy, notably Back to the future, MIB and ET among the favourites. IOA on the other hand is more theme oriented aimed at the newer generation of thrill seekers. lots of excellent attractions for both young and old, two of the best coasters around in 'The Hulk' and 'Duelling Dragons' and in my book, the most 'must see' ride in Orlando 'Spiderman'. I think you kids will love Universal and if you have the time, id definately reccomend paying it a visit.:)

[kiltedwarrior]

Im just guessing but i think WooGuin quite likes Universal, cant be certain though!!
:D :hehe: :D

[Alison3]

My kids were 7,5 and 2 when we went to Universal for the first time. They loved it and we did too.

[Catherine]

Thanks for all your replys, we will sure be going, it does look great and i do think the kids will love it, my little boy loves spiderman and things like that, my little girl is into Barney. I believe that Barney does a show there, so we must see that. Thanks again, Woo you sure sound like you love Universal.

:princess: :sun: :flower: :princess: :sun: :flower:

[jude]

Howdy, you and your children will just love the Universal parks ET and Spiderman are good fun and take some spare clothes for IOA ,they have a ride called Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, (along the same lines as Kali River Rapids) I have never been on a water ride where you get so totally drenched and it doesn't make a dot of difference where you sit cos you are going to get it one way or another!! You gotta try it, it was soooo much fun !!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Minnie_M]

IOA is such a great park:p A few of my fave rides are there - Spiderman, Popeye + Bluto, The Hulk, Jurassic Park ... I could go on for a while:rolleyes:
This is definitely a park you don't want to miss:D
Catherine, in in answer to your question about dining - we tried the 'green eggs and ham cafe' in Suess Landing (IOA) which wasn't too expensive, had extremely filling meals and is suited for children as well as adults:thumbs:

[Tigger 007]

Jude is soooo right! Take extra clothes 'cos the water rides leave you soaked!! The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man was my favourite ride and I'm sure your kids will love Dr Seuss land. My 9 year old son and I braved Doctor Domm's Fearfall - definately one I wouldn't do again!!!

[highlander447]

only 4 days I will be in heaven & hell i am terrified of these rides but hell you gotta go with the flow :thumbs: :ears: :thumbs:

[WooGuin]

Yes! Highlander................I love IOA and Uni..........love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.............love it.....sorry...I'll stop now!!

:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:

[pegasus]

Have to say it's my favourite park. Just can't get enough of the place, but I am a bit crazy for the rides (except Dr Dooms which I have done twice, but don't plan on doing again in a hurry).

[Jordan]

I agree with all of the above. Universal and Islands of Adventure are fantastic! The children will enjoy Suess Landing, and on the water rides you will get soaked! We brought extra clothes, and boy were we glad that we did. Also there is City Walk which is the Universal version of Downtown Disney. It's not nearly as big, but a lot of fun. We ate at Emerils (my favorite) and I'm not sure if the kids would enjoy it, but I'm sure the adults would, and we also ate at Margaritaville, and I think the little ones would like it here. It is a very fun atmosphere, and there are people walking around on stilts making balloon hats for you. Jimmy Buffet music is playing (of course!) and every so often a volcano erupts with pretend margarita mix. The food was good. The nachos were great, and I had a "cheeseburger in paradise" which was really good for a burger and my husband got the fijitas and he liked them as well. If you do any shopping at Universal or Citywalk if you are a AAA member show your card and you most likely will (depending on the store or restaurant) get a discount (usually 10%). They were also running a special that if you pay for 2 days you get the third day free on admission tickets to the theme parks. We also got our tickets (2 day hoppers) before we left at our local AAA office and they were having a promotion where adults pay the childs price ($81.00 I think) for the two day park admission. IOA has a lot of thrill rides (roller coasters etc) and Universal is more like MGM in the fact that it is movie oriented and you get to "ride the movies". If you do decide to go I'm sure that you will have a great time.

[Catherine]

Thanks for all your replies,

[UKduck]

I went to US in Hollywood years back and really enjoyed it (to show you how long ago it was, the stunt show was Miami Vice!).
Looking forward to seeing things both old and new in Florida next year, especially IOA.:D

[Kfh13]

I have been to IOA and US several times. I love it so much. I can tell you almost anything about it. If you have any questions, private message me with them or post them here. I can tell you the height requirements, fear factors, about the rides, resturants, prices,rumors, rehabs,and more! So feel free to ask your questions!


P.S. I STILL AM A MOUSKETEER THOUGH! hehe

[trevorsem]

Originally posted by Catherine
What does everyone think of the universal theme parks, we did not go last year as we thought the children at 6 and 3 where too young, especially the youngest, however we aim to go next year when they will be 8 and just turning 6 while we are there. It looks like it has more rides than Disney. We ordered the free Universal Video and it looks great. Has anyone dined in the resturaunts and what are they like. Thanks

The Universal parks are far better then Disney's. We always head there first. IOA is slightly aimed at the teenager upwards market, but plenty for the young ones (I have kids of 5 & 7).

:hehe:

Trev

[Goofy Girl]

Originally posted by WooGuin
Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - Fanastic - Brilliant - Not to be missed - - - - - - phewwwww!!!

:group: :group: :group: :group: :group:

I guess that's a 'thumbs up' :thumbs: then? :D

[tybroid59]

my children are 11 and 13 and IOA was their fav for thrill rides ................they preferred it to US and MGM

[Scotch Mist]

IOA is great. I think you will love it and there are lots of characters that come out and interact with the kids (and adults), spiderman, the green goblin, the hulk etc. :bounce:

[renkadima]

In my humble opinion IOA is better than the Studios park, but if you aren't into 'coasters then the reverse will be true. As has been said, the Bilge Barges are superb and you will get utterly and completely drenched - soaked to the skin! Another highlight is the Poseidon thingy - it's a walkthrough attraction, and you do wonder what's coming, but the ending is both superb and flummoxing! I won't spoil it by saying any more than that.

Spider Man is excellent when it works, but I have been on it twice when the car has conked out - you then get a free 'making-of' tour!

Whatever you're into, it's well worth taking a couple of days out to explore them both (and the City Walk is miles better than PI - shhhhhhh!)

[Catherine]

We are sure going to go, i cant wait, thank you everyone for all your replies.

[reddfrogg]

Just got back and we bought season passes, you get a 20% discount anywhere in the park ( Try Mythos it's a restraunt)
and the passes were under $170 per pass. luv the hotels!!!
high quality.

p.s. u can buy season passes with black out dates for $85, but u don't get the discount??!!