If youve never been to Universal Orlando® Resort
before and especially if youve never been to
Orlando you may have dozens of questions about your
upcoming trip. Just as no two families are the same, no
two vacation experiences are the same, but weve prepared
some general suggestions to help your family prepare for
your visit.
Jimmy
Neutron's Nicktoon Blast Tips
Since
this attraction is located at the front of the park, the
best tip we can offer is to ride it on upon entering the
park since the wait time can easily get quite long. Do
this either before or right after Shrek
4-D. Our normal route is Jimmy Neutron first since
Shrek's exit is located around the block. Jimmy's exit
is a little bit closer to Shrek's entrance. The Universal
Express Pass does cut the wait time considerably when
crowds are heavy. An attendant will assign you a row to
stand in during the briefing. This helps determine your
seating placement on the ride. Odd row placement will
provide a front row viewing from your Mark I rocket pod.
Obviously, a center rocket pod in the theater is always
best, but each seat gives a great view.
Since
this is a motion based ride there will be plenty of bumping
around. Stationary seating is available for disabled guests
and those under the height requirement.
Shrek 4-D Tips
As
with Jimmy Neutron's
Nicktoon Blast, we recommend riding this attraction
when you arrive since it is at the front of the park and
line quickly get very long. The Universal Express Pass
will definitely help in getting you in faster. Our normal
course is to hit Jimmy Neutron first and then Shrek 4-D
because of the location of Shrek's exit around the block.
However, judge this for yourself if the Shrek 4-D express
line is also building up.
There
are really no bad seats in the theater as you can see
everything. Of course you'll want to be center stage for
best viewing, so let some other guest enter before you
and follow into an already started row. At the very end
of the movie, take note as to the direction Tinkerbell
flies off to see what damage to the theater the fairy
has caused.
Motorized
transportation vehicles are allowed into the theater,
but if you are able to, it's worth transferring to a theater
seat as it is a great part of the attraction. There is
a row in the middle of the theater for the vehicles to
stay, but you can park them there and sit right next to
it.
Twister...Ride It Out Tips
This
ride may sound intense, but as mentioned above, it's more
of a display than a ride. Kids shouldn't have a problem
with this attraction other than the sound which does get
loud. For this we offer our always best piece of advise..."Know
your child".
We've
always been packed in like cattle each time we experienced
Twister to the point of having elbows in our chests other
stepping all over us. Try, if you can, to give yourself
and group some breathing room between each other, especially
if you are more towards the right. For those on the right
they are trying to get in further to see better and will
likely push their way around if you let them. Since you're
suppose to be out in the elements count of getting wet.
Not Popeye & Bluto Bilage-Rat Barge wet, but you will
get a least a nice spray.
Handicapped
guests in wheelchair and Electric Vehicles are allowed
to ride right in without transferring. Plus, you will
be in the front row.
Revenge
of the Mummy Tips
This
is not for the faint of heart and those with back problems.
The line will be very long, so be prepared to wait. There
is a Single Rider option which will save much time, but
you will bypass the preshow and the queue. The seats are
tight. (Four rows of four). The harness comes down over
your lap and will fit tightly. We have read that extra-large
guests may experience a problem sitting in these seats
and may not be able to ride. The back of the car offer
the most intense ride, but the front left will offer the
best viewing of Imphotep at the beginning and at the end.
Cameras are forbidden. You will need to leave them with
a companion or get a locker outside the attraction. Our
biggest tip as always is, "Know your Child".
Just because your
child may be tall enough to ride, only you know if they
can handle such an intense experience.
Beetlejuice's
Graveyard Revue Tips
There
are no detailed tips we can offer about this musical revue.
This is a good place to simply sit back, enjoy the singing
and dancing, and just take some time off your feet. They
show does tend to get pretty loud. We've sat across the
the entrance in New York
and still hear every note with ease. So instead of getting
blasted out of your seats, try sitting back further from
the front.
Earthquake...The Big One Tips
It
is our experience that the Express Pass isn't always the
best option for this attraction. If you notice a group
entering the building through the normal entrance and
people standing at the Express Entrance, that should inform
you that the room is almost full and those waiting at
the Express Line just got there. They will have to wait
to be the first to enter for the next showing. While it
isn't a long wait, when you have an Express Pass any wait
feels too long because you'll get spoiled with how well
it works at other attractions. If you're in a rush enter
with the rest of the guest to see the show a little faster.
When
entering the Theater Room and the stage it is a mass exodus
in. If you towards the front, hold back a little to let
other guests go first. Since these two rooms shuffled
along in straight rows, if your first in a row, you will
be all the way to the right. Hanging back for a few seconds
will help you get a more central position. If you happen
to be at the back of the Staged Effect set this comes
in handy as you are closer to the ride entrance. At the
end of the Staged Effects, you will enter the ride from
the back of the stage. The center doors offer closer access
to the second car, which is best for viewing.
The
ride portion really isn't scary at all. The rocking and
rolling is mild in comparison to some of the other attractions,
like Back to the Future. There are three subway cars.
The first used seat that are backwards so guest will not
have to turn around to see the effects behind them. The
best seats are located in the middle of the second car.
This will offer the best viewing of the propane truck
and subway car about to kill you. The right side is the
best view of the flood. The closest seat at the end of
the row will give you the feeling at you are about to
be swept away as you watch the water careens towards you.
As mentioned about, if your in the back of the Staged
Effects set, you're closer to this entrance. You can pick
you seats, but it's first come first served. Target that
middle car in the middle and let three or four people
in your row ahead of you. You'll get to stay on the left.
Jaws Tips
Placement
is everything on this attraction. The left side your tour
boat definitely offers the best views of the shark. Guests
who sit toward the right will have obstructed views of
the shark, exploding dock, and sinking tour boat, but
they will have the best view in the boathouse. Our favorite
possible rows either four or five. If at all possible
try to ride this attraction twice, once in the daytime
and once at dusk or in the evening. The experience of
a shark at night and the pyrotechnics raise the bar for
Jaws. Although the ride is not really scary for adults,
smaller children may find the experience too intense.
If you still take your child on the ride, an obstructed
view may not be such a bad idea after all.
Remember,
this is a water ride, so there is a good chance you'll
get sprayed a bit, especially on the side seats. Plus,
there is a good chance when you enter your boat, small
puddles of water will already be seated, so bring a napkin
to wipe it off.
As
with other rides, Universal Express Pass, cuts the wait
time a lot In several cases, a fifty minutes wait for
normal guest turned into just ten minutes for us. Guests
in wheelchairs and Motorized Transportation Vehicles must
transfer to the boat for this attraction.
E.T.
Adventure Tips
An
option is available for Handicap visitors to ride in a
Spaceship instead of on a bicycle. If at all possible
try to sit in the front row and on the left hand side.
You'll see more of the action on E.T.'s homeworld and
get a great view of the city below.
Take
notice of the moon as you travel above the city. You'll
see E.T., Elliott, and his friends soar across the moon.
A
final note, take a listen to E.T. as the ride concludes,
he will thank you personally by calling your name.
Terminator
2: 3D - Battle Across Time Tips
Terminator
2: 3D - Battle Across Time
outdoes itself by seamless mixing live stage performers
and the 3D movie. The action is viewable for anywhere
in the theater, but the handicapped row provides one extra
piece as the performers use the isle to escape the T-1000.
We
don't recommend hitting this attraction first thing, even
though Hollywood is right off the main entrance to the
park. This attraction fills up quick in the morning hours.
Unless you have a Universal Express Pass, we suggest you
save this attraction for late in the day. Handicapped
guests are escorted into the theater first so please make
room.