Universal Orlando

[Frito]

I'm headed for Universal Orlando for the first time in July. I'm taking 30+ high school aged kids with me (and 6 other adults) and had some questions about the parks that I know the kids are going to what answered. I'm guessing that those that don't like coasters (:eek: ) would rather go to Studios. The main question is whether or not the rides at Studios would keep you entertained for the majority of the day, or would you get bored quick? Is there any restaurants in either park that stands out as far as taste, value, etc. Any other points of interest other than the rides?
Thanks.

[erhswimming]

Well you're in luck! I'm a Universal veteran (I have annual passes) and know a lot about Universal. If you're going to Universal Studios there is definitely enough to satisfy a stay for a whole day if you're not picky on what you're riding. Being in the middle of the summer the waits during the main part of the day will be a little long so it will take almost a day to do everything you want to do. Rides you can't miss at Universal Studios are Revenge of the Mummy (an indoor coaster with no loops), Men in Black Alien Attack (an indoor ride you ride around and shoot the aliens), and Terminator 2:3-D (a 3-D show). Finnegan's was the only restaraunt I've been to here. It's a sit-down restaraunt serving Irish-type food with a bar. It was pretty good, nothing I want to revisit anytime soon, but maybe that was because I didn't like the malt vinegar that I put on my fish and chips.

If you decide to go to Islands of Adventure, there is definitely enough there to fill a whole day, even if you skip over the coasters. The must-rides here include The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Jurassic Park River Adventure. This is also the best park to beat the heat since there's three water rides and most of the queue areas are indoors. From what I've heard Mythos in the Lost Continent by Dueling Dragons is the best restaurant at IOA. I've been inside it and it looked fantastic! The only restaurant I've been to at IOA was a counter service called the Comic Strip Cafe in Toon Lagoon by Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls. The food I had there (pizza) was very good and there was a lot of selection! There was chicken, fish, Chinese, Italian, and pizza so that my choice to go to for lunch since it's got something for everyone.

Whatever park you go to, make use of the Express pass. Similar to Disney's FastPass system, all you do is go to the corresponding Express pass kiosk near the ride you want to Express Pass, swipe you're card, choose your time to come back, then come back during your hour window of time on the card it gives you. At Universal Studios you should definitely FastPass Men in Black Alien Attack and at Islands of Adventure FastPass either The Incredible Hulk or The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman.

If you DO get bored at either park, which I doubt you will, you can always check out CityWalk. There are many shops, resteraunts, and a big movie theater and nightclubs. But this is only if you're kids have an extra $15 bucks or so to drop at the movies, etc.

Being high school students though they may want to skip over rides like E.T. and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast at Universal Studios so you're choices may get limited depending on how picky your kids are. Islands of Adventure would definitely be my choice, especially with high school students since there's more rides to appeal to them. Even if you're kids don't want to ride the coasters, there are only 2 at IOA, and there's plenty else to do.

If you want to do further research definitely go to Theme Park Insider (http://www.themeparkinsider.com) where it has reviews and ratings for Universal Studios. Or you can visit the official Universal Studios site here (http://www.universalorlando.com)

[Frito]

Thanks for the comments, just one more question that came from the bean counters. How much, on average, would one meal cost at either park? Based on other parks I've been to, I suggested at least $10 per meal per person but wasn't sure if we should go higher since FL parks are typically a litter higher overall than northern parks (at least that's the impression I got). Should we go higher, or would $10 be enough for one meal?

[erhswimming]

Ten dollars can be enough for one meal, if you go counter service and try not to buy too many sides or that collector's cup. If you want sit-down service, $20 is more in the range, but I've walked out of some only spending $12 or so after just buying the basic burger/fries and a water instead of a pop. Do bring extra money than what you intend to spend for meals though since at some point in the day that Dippin' Dots stand will be calling your name or that Icee stand will look really nice when you're suffering in the Florida heat and humidity. But whatever you thought was enough at northern parks you probably need to only add on a dollar or two down here per meal. It does get more expensive but that's only because the food is much better and everything is a lot more personal, you won't be splitting that large pizza or anything like that.

Tip-bring water in backpacks if you can! Buying that big 24 case of water at the Walgreens and distributing it among your kids will save lots of money all-around. Bottled water goes usually for $2.50 a pop at Florida theme parks and is essential during the hot day.

Another tip, if you're going to Islands of Adventure and planning on riding Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (two really great rides!) plan on getting wet, most likely soaked (especially if you sit in the front on Dudley Do-Right's). My advice would be at least bring an extra shirt, if not an extra pair of short especially if you hate walking around in wet clothes for a majority of the day. I've brought an extra shirt when I rode those ride and boy was it a lifesaver! And don't wear jean shorts if you're gonna ride those rides! Jeans take waaayyy longer than other shorts to dry out and it will be really annoying and probably leave a rash in a certain area that you won't want it in. Also, if you don't mind leaving your tennis shoes and socks back at the hotel room, please do and wear flip-flops or sandals. Some do cause blisters but some don't, I've walked around theme parks in many a pair and haven't had problems. Wearing these will definitely come in handy on water rides and during the storms, it's a lot nicer to wear wet sandals than wet tennis shoes!