Become star of the show at Universal Studios! (Universal Studios (Florida))

Member Name: mr_nadge

Product:	Universal Studios (Florida)
Date:	15/07/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic Rides. Great Shows. Memories that will last a lifetime.

Disadvantages: Queue's. Ride Photo's can be expensive.

Welcome to the home of the stars & the best theme park for Adults in Florida; Universal Studios.

The Park is split into 5 sections which I will cover individually. I have been here twice. Once in March 2007 & once in March 2009 so I have been on most of the rides.

You enter the Park through PRODUCTION CENTRAL. This is where the largest shop is. There is also a bakery with serves breakfast & lunch. I recommend the Ham, Egg & Cheese croissant. Good value & tasty. The 2 attractions that are in this area are:
SHREK 4D; a 3D short film set in between Shrek 1 & Shrek 2. It is good, especially for younger ones. Plus the feelers are pretty funny. You might get a little damp.
JIMMY NEUTRON'S NICKTOON BLAST; an attraction aimed at kids where you ride a rocket through Jimmy's world.

NEW YORK is decorated to look like 1920's New York & is home to 3 attractions.
REVENGE OF THE MUMMY THE RIDE is a fast moving Rollercoaster through the Mummy's tomb. You go both forward & backwards. I get travel sick so I'm not big on coasters but I did go on. There are no loop the loops so I wasn't sick thankfully! You do go forward & backwards & the ride is very atmospheric & looks great (although I did have my eyes shut for half of the ride).
TWISTER RIDE IT OUT is a show based on the film twister. You line up stood side by side & watch a re-enactment of the Drive in scene on a set. There are no people but lots of bursts of fire & obviously heavy wind & rain. Stand at the front to get a little wet.
THE BLUES BROTHERS is a show which takes place in the street. very apt if you've seen the film. Two guys arrive & sing live songs from the film & at one stage one of them comes of the little stage & starts dancing in the streets with the guests who are all encouraged to join in. My family would tell you that I'm the life & soul of the party & you can take me anywhere so I was straight in here. Lots of fun if you like the film or that type of music.

HOLLYWOOD is a mock up of Bevery Hills & contains three attractions:
TERMINATOR 2 3D is definetly one of my favourite 3D shows in the whole of Florida. Sarah Connor & John Connor take control of the Cyberdyne systems building that you are in & battle a Terminator in front of you. Live Actors run around the set, feelers try & scare you in your seat. Good for anyone. Fantastic for terminator fans.
UNIVERSAL HORROR MAKE UP SHOW is as it sounds & to be fair I didn't see it so can't judge
LUCY A TRIBUTE is a short film about the I Love Lucy TV show. More aimed at American's than Brits. I didn't see it although I did get a pic outside with Lucy & Marilyn Monroe

WORLD EXPO is home to arguably the tow best rides in the park & is dressed up to look like each ride.
THE SIMPSONS RIDE replaced the excellent BACK TO THE FUTURE ride in 2008. It is a simulator ride in which you sit in a car which moves about in front of a Giant Cinema screen. The plot is that you are riding Krusty's new rollercoaster in his theme park. The pre ride video is very funny as is the ride along with being a good ride. I really loved the BACK TO THE FUTURE ride but this is better. Also you can have your photo with Homer & Marge outside.
MEN IN BLACK ALIEN ATTACK is my favourite ride in the park. You enter through the World Fair which is a mock up of a park in Queens New York. You enter a lift & are whisked into MIB headquarters which forms the queue area. Once you have made it to the front, you board your vehicle for up to 6 people & go through MIB training where you ride around shooting Aliens with your light gun. Fantastic fun. Very interactive. Cars go round in 2's & at one stage you even shoot the other cars. Bonus points on offer at the end if you aren't too lost in the ride to hear what to do! I loved it.

SAN FRANSISCO / AMITY is a mock up of both a coastal carnaival & San Francisco & includes 4 attractions
JAWS is a boat ride around Amity island in which you encounter the famous Great White from the movies. It's pretty chilled compared with some of the other rides although you can still get thrown around the boat a little. O enjoyed it & woud ride again. Only dissapointment is that they used to have a Jaws shark hanging outside for photo ops. In 2009 this wasn't there. Bring it back!
FEAR FACTOR LIVE is a game show that actually takes place before your eyes. Competitors are park guests who all applied about an hour before the show starts & compete against each other in feats of strength & bravery for a chance to play the final game & win genuine prizes which are really good. I enjoyed the show & it's good if you want to have a rest & take the edge of your feet although you might want to spend your time on the rides. Better still, apply to enter yourself. If I go back, that's what I'll do.
BEETLEJUICE'S GRAVEYARD REVUE is another show. This includes Beetlejuice alongside other famous horror characters singing & dancing around the stage to Rock n Roll Music. Good fun again if you enjoy the music. Funny in places. Bits of innuendo. I would say that the Blues Brothers is probably better because you get to join in & dance around yourself. Although if you're the kind of person who'd rather watch than join in. This is for you.
DISASTER is a new ride Which has replaced EARTHQUAKE. It hasn't changed that much although where it has is fantastic. You are treated to a warm up intro that is funny where they ask for volunteers. Feel free if you game for a laugh. I did on both my visits (told you, can't take me anywhere). The volunteers are then filmed in various situations in a show which might be funny but I was always on stage. Then you all get on board a train which represents the San Francisco underground. You ride into a station & then the earthquake happens around you. The new addition is that cameras both film you & show you the film at the same time intercut with the clips of the volunteers. The story is that you are all extras in the movie. Great fun. Interactive again. Cue much pointing & shouting look it's us. The only dissapointment was that you couldn't buy the 5 minute film you took part in on DVD. Come on Universal. Cash in!

WOODY WOODPECKER'S KIDZONE is the final area & dedicated to young children. I have no children so didn't spend much time in here although I did go on ET ADVENTURE. This is an ET ride where you take to your bycycle. Ride out from the city with ET & visit his homeworld. It's ok although the queue is very long because you all give your name so ET can read it at the end. Plus some of the ride seats don't get that good a view. Definetly one to leave for last unless you love the ET film.

The park really is great fun for all the family but especially adults & teenagers. Lots of thrills to be had & memories to be made. No visit to Orlando is complete without a visit here.

Summary: You'll have a really fantastic time at this theme park.