Universally Fun (Universal Studios (Florida))

Member Name: Mrlovepantsuk

Product:	Universal Studios (Florida)
Date:	04/02/07 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fun for everyone, sun,

Disadvantages: Can't think of any

Universal Studios is in the ever popular holiday resort of Orlando, Florida and can be found on International Drive. You can either drive there or get one of the many shuttle buses that are available from most hotels.

Universal is split into three sections, Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure which are divided by Universal City Walk, my favourite being Islands of Adventure.

****UNIVERSAL STUDIOS****

Universal Studios is an active film studio packed full of rides, shows, shops, restaurants, characters and things to do all with a movie theme to them.

Below is a brief summary of the main rides and attractions:

Men In Black-Alien Attack
This ride is one of my favourite attractions at Universal. You go through an area just like the control area in the film before you get into your car. The idea of the ride is to shoot as many aliens as possible while you are moving around the course. There is a sting in the tail though, you can shoot a target on one of the other cars to send it spinning out of control.

ET Adventure
An old favourite where you ride around the town where ET landed in a bicycle on a suspended track. It isn’t the most thrilling rides that I have ever been on but the second time we went it was closed because somebody fell off and hurt themselves.

Jaws
Travel around Amity Bay by boat, one mean you are having a gentle the cruise. Then a cry of shark goes up, sheer terror sets in as you see a large fin in the water, the next minute the giant Great White is leaping out of the sea at the boat. The terror ride continues until finally the giant man-eater is killed and you float peacefully into harbour.

Back To The Future
Ride in the De’Lorean through a 3 dimensional journey in time to stop Biff entering the future.

Terminator 2:3D
This is easily one of the best attractions in the park. From the moment you start queuing, you are part of the ride. Once you are inside the main theatre you treated to a mixture of 3D film, real actors and animatronics.

Twister
Feel what it's like to be in the eye of the storm as a tornado touches down sending cows flying and pylons crashing down. It was good but not as good as it maybe could have been.

Earthquake
One minute you're riding the Subway into the station the next you are being tossed about like a rag-doll as a giant earthquake hits.
The roof caves in and a lorry crashes in before a pipe bursts and the water comes flowing down extinguishing the flames.

Before you board the train you are treated to a presentation of how earthquakes are filmed in movies.


****UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE****

Built on Universal Studios original car park, Universal Islands of Adventure (UIA) to me is Roller coaster Heaven and is the newest of the two parks. Most of the park is cartoon and film themed, all the rides have something to do with a character of some sort.

The park is divided into different islands and are packed full of rides and attractions, they are:
Marvel Super Hero Island
Toon Lagoon
Jurassic Park
The Lost Continent
Seuss Landing.

Below are the Islands with some of the rides available to you. I will start by writing about the rides that I have been on then add the others later.

***MARVEL SUPER HERO ISLAND***

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
The webbed wonder takes you on a three dimensional journey through the city streets, when he lands on the front of the car you actually feel the car move. The graphics are superb on this ride.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster
The ride takes you from 0-40mph in 2 seconds -skywards. The coaster takes you on an incredible ride of twists and turns on the green steel.

Doctor Dooms Fearfall
Strap yourself in one of the two towers and let yourself be rocketed 150 feet into air before plummeting back to earth. This is one of the least scary of the thrill rides, it gives you great views over the park though.

***TOON LAGOON***

Dudley Do Rights Ripsaw Falls
This has to be the best log flume that I have ever been on with the last drop taking you underneath the water level at the bottom.

Popeye and Bluto`s Bilge-Rat Barges
Once again this has to be the best rapids ride that I have ever been on, set in a cartoon location you are certain to get a good soaking

***JURASSIC PARK***

River Adventure
One minute you are taking a gentle raft ride watching dinosaurs going about their business, next minute the fences are broken and you are fleeing the deadly Raptors. You escape when your raft plunges 85feet in seconds causing a massive soaking tidal wave.

Discovery Centre
Learn about Dinosaurs with exhibits, displays and games, go to the nursery where you may see a Raptor egg hatch.

***THE LOST CONTINENT***

Duelling Dragons
This ride is really two roller coasters, Fire and Ice. They both offer different rides but at one point they both loop over with your feet dangling just inches from the people on the other ride.

The Flying Unicorn
Take a ride through the Enchanted Forest on this essentially children’s ride, but it still can be fun for adults. I would ride this before its neighbour, Duelling Dragons otherwise it will be a massive let down.


****UNIVERSAL CITY WALK****

Universal City Walk is a shopping, eating and drinking complex which really comes alive at night and divides both theme parks.


***DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT***

Motown Cafe serves steaks and barbecues and is one of my favourites as there is some Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Bob Marley A Tribute To Freedom :Live music and Jamaican and Caribbean food.

Pat O’Brien’s :Piano bar, over 21's after 9.30.

The Groove :Nightclub, over 21's.

Latin Quarter :Live music and Latin food.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville :Live music, food and the ultimate Margarita.

Pastamore :Italian food.

Cityjazz :High energy funk, R&B, soul and rock.

Emerils Restaurant ;Imaginative and sophisticated cuisine.

NBA City :Recently voted Orlando's best theme restaurant, check out the giant basketball player outside.

Hard Rock Café :Good food and loads of rock memorabilia especially the pink caddy. One of my favourites.

Hard Rock Live :See some of the biggest names in music live.

Nascar Café :Loads of racing memorabilia and burgers.

Universal Cineplex :A 20 screen cinema complex.


***QUICK EATS***

Big Kahuna Pizza :Cheese and pepperoni pizza, sodas and beer.

St.Augustine Sausage :Coney Island Dogs, hamburgers and jerk chicken sausages.

Pastamore Market Café :Italian favourites for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cinnabon :Fresh cinnamon rolls.

Latin Quarter Express :Latin specialties.

Galaxy Bar :Patio atmosphere with speciality drinks and cold beer.


***SHOPPING***

All Star Collectibles :Sports memorabilia and gifts.

Captain Crackers :Toy store.

Cigarz At Citywalk :Superior cigars and accessories.

Dapy :Lava lamps, novelties and trendy gifts.

Elegant Illusions :Copy designer jewellery.

The Endangered Species Store :Nature merchandise.

Fossil :Watches, apparel and sunglasses.

Fresh Produce :Apparel in vibrant fruit and vegetable colours.

Glow :Reflective and glow products.

Quiet Flight Surf Shop :Custom surfboard and accessories.

Silver :jewellery.

Universal Studio Store :Branded products and character merchandise

Universal is a superb all round entertainment complex with something for everyone and now there are even Universal Hotels right on the doorstep so that you don't have far to go for your days fun.

Ticket prices vary and can be bought for 1 day up to 5 days and prices vary accordingly, more info can be found on the Universal Studios website.

Summary: Fun in the sun for all of the family