This morning, I actually snoozed twice before getting up. Took it quite slow and arrived at the Universal Islands of Adventure first at 9:45. Walked around for a bit, and ended up at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. It was the same technology as the Transformers, a pod holding eight people over two rows, which then runs on a track while turning in several directions.
Walked on through the park and saw a couple of rides ending in a long drop and water splashes. The riders seemed to get quite wet!
I went onto Skull Island: Reign of Kong. I had to check what kind of ride it was, but when I was told I could bring the backpack, it should be safe. It was the same technology as Fast and Furious, a bus that shakes you up a bit, but no bar to hold you down, all this while chaos happens around you. Quite fun.
Disney vs Universal
At Disney, I saw very few stairs. There were very few places that had steps, and if there were, it had always a way around it. All queuing were ramps, so a scooter could go all the way. At Universal, there are steps everywhere. Both in the park and at the rides. It’s a noticable difference.
I notice that most attractions have a lot of space for queuing people, but at many of them, only a small part is used. I assume they were “A-grade” attractions when they came, but later on, new attractions have taken the spotlight, and the “old” ones are just something you do while you wait.
I arrived at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and bought myself a butterbeer. Didn’t really know what I was expecting, but it was alright. The next stop was Flight of the Hippogriff. While in the queue, one train stopped in the first climb. After a few minutes, they were on their way again, then ran two laps without riders and then resumed operations. The ride itself wasn’t that bad, but the anticipation of the drop got me a bit.
I had lunch at the Three Broomsticks, Fish and Chips with an apple cider, outside next to the water, quite nice. At the table next to me, there was a girl sleeping on the bench; she seemed exhausted. Her friends sat, however close by, and had her under supervision.
Kept strolling through the park and ducked into The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. A slow ride over this part of the park while talking about the alphabet (I think, didn’t really listen). I took the opportunity to get another perspective and take some selfies. You exited the ride through a sweet shop, and I fell for a Grinch apple. Looked like a real treat, but it was an ordinary apple, with some marzipan (or similar) and frosting. Well, the apple was good but not what I had expected 😛
I left the IoA and went into the other one, Universal Studios Florida instead. I checked up on what shows were offered, and found out that The Bourne Stuntacular was just about to start. I got in, and it was a huge screen with a movie, and then some parts were played by real actors/stuntmen on the stage in front, with props. Quite cool!
Disney vs Universal
While Disney had signs and sometimes informed about you not being allowed to take photos or video of rides, it usually felt more for saftey reasons. Here at Universal it is stated everywhere, and told before all rides and just before it starts. Yesterday they actually cut the sound twice on a ride to tell someone to stop using their phone. This feels more to protect the rides and the intellectual property, rather than the saftey of the riders.
When that show was over, I walked over to Animal Actors On Location. A great show with audience participation, lots of cute animals, and a few corny jokes. Quite impressive what they could get the animals to do. I have a hard time getting my cats to get down from the counter. When a black cat ran across the stage, I thought about my at home <3
Next up was The Simpsons Ride. It was about 45 minutes of waiting, but quite fun. Eight people in a pod, that was lifted up from the room you boarded in, and then, like Avatar, several pods looked at the same big screen and got “shaken up”.
I walked over to the Escape from Gringots and used my express pass ticket I got yesterday, because I realized that it couldn’t be used in Epic (which I was saving it for). Fun to see the pre-show and elevator ride again. It went so quickly, so I went for another ride as a single rider before grabbing my bag from the lockers again.
I checked the app, and one ride I hadn’t tried was Revenge of the Mummy. When I visited Universal Studios in Los Angeles back in 2019, my review was this:
Didn’t really know what to expect, so when I realized it was a rollercoaster, I got a bit nervous, not a fan of those. But it was more of scary stuff than upside-downs, so I was okay.
However, this was much more intense than I expected. Drops that made me lift from my seat, going backwards, tilting heavily, and quick stops. But it wasn’t too scary because I went for another ride right after. I thought about these rollercoasters, and it’s pretty clear that I have much easier to handle simulated drops, like Transformers, Spiderman, Minions, or Simpsons, in comparison to Escape from Gringotts or Revenge of the Mummy. Perhaps not that strange, cause it’s easier to convince my brain that I’m not falling than convince myself that the fall isn’t dangerous.
Before leaving the park, I made a final stop at Minions Mayhem. This time, there was no trivia and minimal waiting.
I left the park and entered CityWalk to find some dinner. I ended up at NBC Sports Grill & Brew, where I got seated at a bar table next to the kitchen. I ordered myself a burger, which came fairly quickly. It was really good, the fries as well (even though I ordered tater tots). Paid and left for the bus home. Stopped by Voodoo Doughnut and brought a couple back to the hotel room.
Tomorrow it’s time for the newest park, Epic Universe. My ticket is only valid for one day at this park, and it’s not located at the same place as the others, so the plan is to spend the whole day there.