Universal Orlando
- This topic has 151 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 6 months ago by
.
-
By the way, just saw this! Dragon Challenge is closing for good. Will have to take that one off of our plans. We were going to ride at least twice — once for each track. No worries, will still be a great time!
This really bums me out :'(
Dueling Dragons was incredible, so innovative and well done. A smooth, thrilling ride like you will never find anywhere else. Unfortunately, stupid guests who insisted on filming themselves, wearing flip flops and other inconsiderate things created a spike of alleged injuries in the first year of the ride’s operating under the Harry Potter brand, and so, the dragon would intentionally be dispatched one at a time to avoid the dueling (its whole purpose) and reduce the risk of injury. In addition, the metal detectors were installed. At that point this once unique ride lost its edge, and so I guess with the success of Harry Potter and the ride’s location in Hogwarts they decided that creating something new under the HP brand was the only option. Very sad. Even more sad that I will be there just 40 days after it permanently closes 
I know what you mean, I read the first Harry Potter book and didn’t care to read any more. I saw the first movie and the Quidditch bored me to death and I didn’t watch any more movies. So I don’t really have any idea what’s going on in the HP areas, but I can still appreciate how well done it is and the rides are still a lot of fun! Forbidden Journey is my favorite. You really can hear Moaning Myrtle (in the women’s restroom at least, I can’t speak for the men’s :p ) and it’s creepy!
I like the sound of your Touring Plan! There is a ton to explore in the Harry Potter sections and it looks like you’ve got that covered
a couple of suggestions: be sure to check how long the locker at the Harry Potters rides are free. The time will change based on the wait time for the attraction. For example a 20 minute posted wait means the lockers are free for 30 minutes, a 30 minute posted wait means the lockers are free for 45 minutes. If you pass your time, you’ll have to pay to get your stuff back. Also when getting the Hogwarts Express to IOA, you might want to check if your Express is good for that ride. If not, I would suggest getting there at 4:30pm not 4:45pm because with the park closing at 5pm, you might not make it. Also, ride the train from IOA to USF at some point too if you can. It’s a different ride in each direction Toothsome is so awesome I can’t say enough good things about it! If you’re a beer fan, try the chocolate stout, it’s so good! If you’re not sure like I wasn’t, ask for a sample. They were happy to do that for us! Poseidon’s Fury is an extremely clever show, blows my mind every time! I have no idea how they do that! It’s a lot of fun! It’s a walkthrough show, there is no seating, so make sure everyone in your party is able to stand for the duration of the show. I think it’s worth it! Sindbad’s show is fun too (that one is stadium seating).
Ferg that looks awesome! I’ve only seen WWoHP at IOA so I can’t really add anything but you really did your homework! I’d be proud to follow your plan!
You really can hear Moaning Myrtle (in the women’s restroom at least, I can’t speak for the men’s
) and it’s creepy!
I’ll let you know if you can hear her in the men’s room! LOL!
a couple of suggestions: be sure to check how long the locker at the Harry Potters rides are free. The time will change based on the wait time for the attraction. For example a 20 minute posted wait means the lockers are free for 30 minutes, a 30 minute posted wait means the lockers are free for 45 minutes. If you pass your time, you’ll have to pay to get your stuff back. Also when getting the Hogwarts Express to IOA, you might want to check if your Express is good for that ride. If not, I would suggest getting there at 4:30pm not 4:45pm because with the park closing at 5pm, you might not make it. Also, ride the train from IOA to USF at some point too if you can. It’s a different ride in each direction
Toothsome is so awesome I can’t say enough good things about it! If you’re a beer fan, try the chocolate stout, it’s so good! If you’re not sure like I wasn’t, ask for a sample. They were happy to do that for us! Poseidon’s Fury is an extremely clever show, blows my mind every time! I have no idea how they do that! It’s a lot of fun! It’s a walkthrough show, there is no seating, so make sure everyone in your party is able to stand for the duration of the show. I think it’s worth it! Sindbad’s show is fun too (that one is stadium seating).
Thank you for the tips! We will watch that closely on the lockers. Don’t want to spend extra cash. We are for sure riding the train in both directions. Just not on that first day.
Excited to see all of the shows at USO and IOA! And I will get the chocolate stout! Sounds awesome. I don’t need a sample. I KNOW I will like it!
Ferg that looks awesome! I’ve only seen WWoHP at IOA so I can’t really add anything but you really did your homework! I’d be proud to follow your plan!
THANK YOU! We are excited about the trip! Can’t wait!
We are for sure riding the train in both directions. Just not on that first day.
Good deal
I wanted to put that out there because it took me a couple trips before I realized the train wasn’t the same in each direction. I was sad I missed out! We are for sure riding the train in both directions. Just not on that first day.
Good deal
I wanted to put that out there because it took me a couple trips before I realized the train wasn’t the same in each direction. I was sad I missed out! I don’t want to miss out on ANYTHING! Well, Fear Factor, but nothing else! LOL! Thanks for that tip! I also realized I left out Cat in the Hat for the Day 2 draft so pretend it is there, with Express Pass, during the other Seuss attractions.
I don’t want to miss out on ANYTHING! Well, Fear Factor, but nothing else! LOL! Thanks for that tip! I also realized I left out Cat in the Hat for the Day 2 draft so pretend it is there, with Express Pass, during the other Seuss attractions.
I don’t think you’re missing out on Fear Factor
Cat in the Hat is super fun! Although more so when it span 
okay, now on to your touring plan!Goal: Arrive AT THE GATES of Islands of Adventure by 8:00 after parking, walking through the HUGE garage, walking through City Walk. The park is scheduled to open at 9 but often opens at 8:30.
I’m glad you’re allowing for plenty of time here. You’re right, walking from the parking garage to the gates alone can take 30 minutes and now they have extra security, which I don’t disagree with. EVERYONE will go through the metal detector and bag check if you have bags. They are very efficient, but still it’s a thorough check so allow time for that. Yes the park does often open at 8:30am, great plan to get there ahead of time!
Ride The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (Marvel Super Hero Island). Lasts 7 minutes. The ride is wild, but smooth. Don’t use Express Pass unless the line is long. Save it for a second ride later. Center of the second row is the most stable for grandfather.
Ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong (Skull Island). Lasts 6 minutes. Sit in rows 7, 8 or 9 even if we have to wait extra time for the next vehicle. Don’t put on the glasses until the first interior screen and take them off after the 360 projection tunnel. Fine for everyone but is scary!
Ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong a second time using our Express Pass. (Skull Island). Lasts 6 minutes.
If it were me, I would hit up Kong first, then either use your Express or go to Spider-Man and then back to Kong. (More walking, but better use of the Express, plus guilt free snacks later
) Everyone heads to one of two places at park open: The Hulk because it’s immediately on your left, or to Kong because it’s the newest attraction. Although the crowds are low, when we were that at almost the exact same time last year (October 21-28) Kong still picked up quickly because everyone is going there first. By that I mean, 30-45 minutes in the first 30 minutes to hour. Will it matter that early in the morning when all you’ll do first is Spider-Man? Maybe not, so feel free to stick to what you have. I don’t want to sound pushy, just my thoughts. You may be looking at 15-20 minutes by the time you get there, which really isn’t bad, just don’t expect to walk on. That was our experience after riding Hulk, then Kong at 8:30am. Spend some time in the Jurassic Park Discovery Center (Jurassic Park) exploring the exhibits. Before leaving, ask about the egg hatching if it hasn’t happened during our visit. Lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Check out the peaceful waterfront terrace and view behind the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. (Jurassic Park). Lasts 1 minute.
Yes!
if you’re into the movies, the Discovery Center is incredible! It’s so screen accurate it’s like walking on to the set! So much fun! The egg hatching is impressive too. 11:30 – watch Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear! (Seuss Landing, between Cat in the Hat ride and One Fish Two Fish ride). Meet characters afterwards, if desired. Lasts 9 minutes plus meet and greet. If raining, it is performed in Circus McGurkus Café Stoopendous.
This is adorable and the characters are so much fun!
Enjoy lunch at Three Broomsticks (Hogsmeade). Get butterbeer here and keep an eye on the roof for a ghost shadow!
So many good things to eat!!! By the way, for the fall only you can get a warm butterbeer. It’s sooo good! It tastes different to the cold and frozen butterbeers.
Ride Men in Black: Alien Attack (World Expo) with our Express Pass. Aim for the eyes! Lasts 5 minutes. Fine for all.
This is another ride where you will be required to put everything up in a locker. It’s possible to lose things out of your pockets and there is no storage for items in your ride vehicle. You won’t be allowed to join the line unless your stuff is up. When they made this change, I didn’t realize and made it through the preshow when I got told to leave the line to go put my stuff up. Learn from my experience
on a happier note, if you’re serious about scoring some points I can give you a whole boatload of tips, if you so desire 
Ride Revenge of The Mummy (New York) with our Express Pass. Lasts 5 minutes. Grandfather should skip this today. After riding, grandmother can determine if he can ride tomorrow.
Another one where you’ve got to put your stuff up. This becomes a pain in the patootie, but these rides are so worth it!
Ride Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (New York) with our Express Pass. Lasts 7 minutes. Good for everyone.
This ride has a new queue technology (I don’t know how it works) where you get given a time to return that’s the same as the posted wait time. So if it’s 45 minutes, you come back 45 minutes later, but you don’t have to wait in line. You might get a second ride out of it by doing that and “waiting” while you go ride something else or eat lunch.
quote quote=41894]Ride Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket (Production Central) with Express Pass. Lasts 4 minutes. Not for grandfather. Choose the style of music you want before it starts! (51 inch min). Can be a rough ride.[/quote]
Be sure to choose your song quickly or it will choose for you
Change into water shoes (flip flops or sandals) and get ponchos. Put all backpacks, phones, papers, wallets, EVERYTHING other than our Express Passes into lockers. Keep the ponchos before locking the lockers!
I can’t remember if I mentioned this already but the lockers for the water rides are not free
Ride Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (Toon Lagoon) with Express Pass. Lasts 7 minutes. Good for everyone. Watch the water cannons as walking off at the ride exit!
Ride Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (Toon Lagoon) with Express Pass. We will get VERY VERY wet. Roll pants legs up under the poncho if not wearing shorts. Lasts 7 minutes.
These are so much fun! You’ll get soaked through to your underwear but it’s worth it! If you have anything you need to store, there’s space in the middle of the barges under a waterproof cover, so you could for example take your shoes off at the last minute.
Located right behind Me Ship, the Olive area is a twisting and winding walkway to explore. The pathway turns and curves, leading you around Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. You can enjoy watching the ride, as well as observe those who have discovered the water guns located on the Olive. Along the water’s edge, you can spot some cute themed details, like the School of Fish and the mailbox for some of the characters in Popeye’s world.
If you want you can also go to the top of Me Ship the Olive. Inside is a kids’ play area but there’s nothing to stop you going to the top deck and looking out. And there’s more water cannons
Spend some time interacting with The Mystic Fountain (Lost Continent). Lasts 10-15 minutes.
This is fun! You may get wet
Explore the pathways and bridges behind Mythos (Lost Continent).
Yes!
So pretty! Great picture opportunities. Ride The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (Seuss Landing) with Express Pass. Good for all. Lasts 6 minutes. There are two different tracks and story lines. Make sure we all get on the same one and make note of it so if we choose to ride again later, we can choose the opposite one.
This ride is super cute and fun! I hope you get to ride both tracks because the storylines are different and what you see is different.
Check out the path along Sneetch Beach (Seuss Landing). You veer off of the main path to your left if coming from entrance or to the right if coming from Lost Continent.
This is really cool to see! Super cute with tons of nods to the books
Ride The Incredible Hulk (Marvel Super Hero Island) with Express Pass. Put EVERYTHING in the lockers and completely empty all pockets of EVERYTHING other than the express pass. (54 inch min). Lasts 2 minutes.
Yup, this is another ride where you go through a metal detector. But it’s so much fun!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.