Other Parks

[apriliss0710]

Ive never been to Universal Stuidos. I didnt know if it was that great. If anyone has any experiences I would love to hear about them. I have thought about staying at my home resort but doing Universal, and Sea World instead. Any comments?:confused:

[Niki]

DH and I have done this several times, and will do so again this September. US and SW are great parks. Neither seem to have as much foot traffic as WDW, so shorter lines. SW is very interactive, and has a great coaster, Kraaken. It has a barrel roll as you are dropping. Very cool. The dolphin and sting ray petting areas are great, too. US and IOA are awesome parks as well. Although I don't think the theming compares to WDW in any way, the intensity of the rides make up for it. They have better coasters than WDW. If you are not into thrill rides, IOA might not be your thing. WDW is definately better for small kids. I think US/IOA can be done completely in about 3 days. Don't rule out Busch Gardens in Tampa, either. That is an awesome park as well.

What I like about staying at DVC and going to other parks is that I still feel like I have a little Disney in my vacation, even if I am not going to the Disney parks.

[TimK]

We're visiting US and IOA in about a week after our Disney Cruise. :)

I spent about half of a day bouncing between the two parks a couple years ago. Had a business conference at Portofino Bay and they ended things early one day so folks could visit the parks.

The attractions are unique and certainly above Six Flags quality. Still one of my lasting memories was that they weren't nearly as immersive as Disney attractions. The park design doesn't do anything to block out the real world. There are often stark contrasts when moving from one "land" to another. The quality of theming varies greatly from one to the next--the cardboard cut-out Marvel Super Hero land was really cheezy, IMO.

Still it's something different to do. I'm curious to see what the kids think of it. We've been visiting the Disney parks regularly for 6-7 years now but this will be the first family trip to another destination in Orlando. Not sure if it will be a regular diversion or just a one-off thing.

[newjerseynick]

There are other parks?:rolleyes:

The Spider-Man ride at IOA is possibly the best ride in Orlando. And if you like Buzz's Space Ranger Spin, Men in Black at US is a blast.
I'm waiting for the whole Harry Potter area to be done to go back. Then we'll probably stay over there a couple days and then go to WDW.

Nick

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Going to US and IOA is kinda like growing up in WDW and one day visiting DL.

You kinda look down Main Street USA and wonder why they replaced the Castle with that fancy little shed.

[newjerseynick]

Going to US and IOA is kinda like growing up in WDW and one day visiting DL.

You kinda look down Main Street USA and wonder why they replaced the Castle with that fancy little shed.

Oh boy. Listen.... hear that? It's Walt rolling over in his grave.

Nick

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Oh boy. Listen.... hear that? It's Walt rolling over in his grave.

Nick

Naw. He's still exhausted from spinning at warp speed thru the later half of Ei$ner's reign.

[newjerseynick]

Naw. He's still exhausted from spinning at warp speed thru the later half of Ei$ner's reign.

Point taken.

[ffpmme]

In my younger days before my obsession fully blossomed I was at US and IOA on 9-22-01, and the place was empty, stayed at Portfolio Bay for 100/night. :eek:

Anyway if your a roller coaster person ride the Incredible Hulk, WOW. :rocker: The dueling roller coaster Fire and Ice are cool also, but not worth a long wait.

[Colorado Belle]

I like the Mummy!

[DiZ NeE 08]

I went during August of 08 to US and IOA.(I needed some change for 2 days) it was different! awesome rides but don't hold it to disney standards because it is very different. we stayed in the Wyndham and it was amazing! and was only 80/night!

just remember that if you do go it is NOT disney! just keep that in mind!

[lllovell]

I think I must not be *gasp* as much of a purist as many here.

I find SeaWorld/Aquatica/Busch Gardens to be amazing parks. We have tried Universal and IOA but the kids were too young for a lot of it. (size wise and experience wise) I think for adults or older kids, both parks have a lot to offer.

Maybe it is my need for variation that I no longer see at WDW that makes me enjoy these other parks. I hate having the same merchandise, the same food, the same rides even (sometimes retooled and sometimes not) for the different parks. If you want to sell me merchandise, WDW is going to have to make it so that I dont feel like they take the same store and plop it down with the same merchandise 20 times per park.

Either way - try these other parks. I think you will enjoy them. If you are going to Universal and IoA and can stay at one of their big 3, then do so. You get a front of the line pass for your family AND those hotels blow away the Disney hotels. (DVCs are not 5 star or even close).

Have fun!

Laura

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

I like the Mummy!


We were at US during the soft opening of The Mummy. Great ride with a few flaws ( at least when we were riding it). we rode it several times and a few times got front row. I showed Millie & the "CM" working the ride that it was very possible for a person to fall thru the gate and down onto the trax. the CM was very disinterested. We were "interviewed" about our ride experience but again they didn't seem interested in the flaws we found, especially the safety issue at the gate.

Well, fast forward a month after the official opening and guess what happens ? a man is killed when he falls thru that very gate.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

I think I must not be *gasp* as much of a purist as many here.

I find SeaWorld/Aquatica/Busch Gardens to be amazing parks. We have tried Universal and IOA but the kids were too young for a lot of it. (size wise and experience wise) I think for adults or older kids, both parks have a lot to offer.

Maybe it is my need for variation that I no longer see at WDW that makes me enjoy these other parks. I hate having the same merchandise, the same food, the same rides even (sometimes retooled and sometimes not) for the different parks. If you want to sell me merchandise, WDW is going to have to make it so that I dont feel like they take the same store and plop it down with the same merchandise 20 times per park.

Either way - try these other parks. I think you will enjoy them. If you are going to Universal and IoA and can stay at one of their big 3, then do so. You get a front of the line pass for your family AND those hotels blow away the Disney hotels. (DVCs are not 5 star or even close).

Have fun!

Laura

We love Seaworld and Aquatica. We are AP holders.

US & IOA are much better than a Six Flags and have elements that are very Disney'esque. the problem is that after IOA opened, very little money was reinvested into the park.. Nothing was added, The Mummy replaced Kong, Jimmy Neutron replaced Hannah Barbera attraction ( basically they just changed the movie). We found CS dining very unsatisfactory.

Our real frustration with US/IOA came with their Head-of-the-line priviledge for guests staying on property. We wanted to ride Shrek shortly after it opened but got fed up and left because kids would exit the ride and simply run around and re-enter while we stood & watched. We did eventually get to ride it, but their system really stinks unless you're a resort guest.

[DisneyGeek]

If you are not into thrill rides, IOA might not be your thing.

As mush of a Disney Geek (ahem) as I am I will admit that I liked the Cat in the Hat stuff @ IOA. The Jurassic Park plume ride was pushing my limits (what I HATE are large drops, but I LIKE tight turns, inversions, fast acceleration, and short dips are OK).

Back @ the Mouse, I've decided I like BTMRR @ WDW & DL, and at DL I LOVED their SM and the Matterhorn last Nov.! Come this Nov./Dec. @ WDW I plan to steel my nerves and try the Rockin' Rollercoaster... However, I never have and never plan to try Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest. Same for the big coaster @ DLCA. I might try the smaller kiddy-ish coasters at some point, but I think I ever have to date. I have tried Splash Mountain @ WDW's Space Mountain. Wasn't a big fan of either, but I think I'll probably do both again and see if/how my tastes have changed. :)

DW is kinda' the opposite; she likes flume rides with one big straight drop, but turns & spinning make her sick (flying or boats = Drammamine) so my favorite thrill rides don't work for her. At least we both like the slower rides and shows! :D Plus, she doesn't mind parking on a bench or looking at gift shops while I ride. She like Tatooine Traders @ Star Tours in HS for example... Even saw a bomb scare (abandoned backpack) in Oct. '08. :eek: Nothing actually happened, but I'm told 2 security, 2 cops, and a dog appeared instantly out of nowhere.

Wow, I really took a left turn topically, sorry!

[DisneyGeek]

There are other parks?:rolleyes:

The Spider-Man ride at IOA is possibly the best ride in Orlando. And if you like Buzz's Space Ranger Spin, Men in Black at US is a blast.
I'm waiting for the whole Harry Potter area to be done to go back. Then we'll probably stay over there a couple days and then go to WDW.

Nick

We did a mix of Disney & US/IOA for our Honeymoon in Sep. '07 because DW had never been to the latter. We also stayed off-property because she didn't yet understand just how great staying @ the Mouse was (We were at Pop Century in Feb. '06 but she didn't have the right to frame of reference yet to appreciate what off property was missing!)

Anyway, I liked Spider Man and MIB. DW even did MIB twice, I was surprised. Both of those were pushing things for her! (She also tried Star Tours once, but decided that was enough!)

I'm with you on Harry Potter. I'd like to check it out once it opens. I've never been to any of the other Orlando area parks (or non-Disney in the LA area for that matter). Based on family ride preferences, SW might be good; I'm not sure about anything else...

[DisneyGeek]

Oh boy. Listen.... hear that? It's Walt rolling over in his grave.

Nick

I also thought DL was Walt's "beta" version / prototype for WDW... (at least half-serious here)

[DisneyGeek]

the problem is that after IOA opened, very little money was reinvested into the park.. Nothing was added, The Mummy replaced Kong, Jimmy Neutron replaced Hannah Barbera attraction ( basically they just changed the movie).

I was at US once ('94?) before IOA opened. Then my only other time was in '07 and I was REALLY disappointed they took out "Back to the Future". I liked that one a lot... DW mentioned a LOT of things being dated (Twister) and thought the cheap shots at Disney all over were hokey. I kinda' liked the Terminator attraction, but there were a bunch of plot inconsistancies between it and T3. That buggest me; they should have found a way to either make it fit T3's timeline -OR- updated the attraction after the movie.

[DisneyGeek]

BTW, etiquette wise it it preferred to combine quotes from multiple posts from others into one larger post or to have multiple posts like I did above? THX!

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Jurassic Park plume ride is a great example of the difference between US/IOA and Disney. We rode it shortly after it opened and really liked the ride. Year later we did the ride and it was falling apart. The dinosaur rubber "skin" was torn and hanging at the moving joints. The boats had duct tape everywhere. Water features were a weak dribble, ride kept stopping & starting. Basically, it was a mess.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

I was at US once ('94?) before IOA opened. Then my only other time was in '07 and I was REALLY disappointed they took out "Back to the Future". I liked that one a lot... DW mentioned a LOT of things being dated (Twister) and thought the cheap shots at Disney all over were hokey.


Back to the Future is another example. Originally, it was the best simulator ride out there. As competition caught up & surpassed it, they tried to "freshen" the ride a bit. Well, all they did was turn up the hydraulic pressure to the point of making the Car lurch & jerk so severely it was injuring people. Last time we rode it, paramedics had to extract a woman that was seated behind us. I think she had broken ribs. Also, I remember the screen have numerous tears that were taped up.

[Niki]

I agree with Viking that USO does not seem to update their rides or keep them well maintained. Except for the coasters. No sign of wear there. Guess too much potential liability.:rotfl2:

I have a question that fits in this thread. Not trying to hi-jack here, but has anyone tried Mythos restaurant in IOA Is it worth the hype?

[DiZ NeE 08]

We love Seaworld and Aquatica. We are AP holders.

US & IOA are much better than a Six Flags and have elements that are very Disney'esque. the problem is that after IOA opened, very little money was reinvested into the park.. Nothing was added, The Mummy replaced Kong, Jimmy Neutron replaced Hannah Barbera attraction ( basically they just changed the movie). We found CS dining very unsatisfactory.

Our real frustration with US/IOA came with their Head-of-the-line priviledge for guests staying on property. We wanted to ride Shrek shortly after it opened but got fed up and left because kids would exit the ride and simply run around and re-enter while we stood & watched. We did eventually get to ride it, but their system really stinks unless you're a resort guest.

Hey viking how is Aquatica I have heard of it from friends and they have told me to not waste my money that it's not worth it but we live in miamia and have water all the time everywhere around us so I am not totally sure.
Oh! yea if you like thrill rides! then Busch gardens is the place to go! they have awesome roller coasters and some pretty cool shows! and the food in some of the places are amazing! Seaworld is also amazing!!! I like seaworld better than busch gardens due to the fact that it has A LOT of shows that are awesome and you can learn a lot of interesting facts about the wildlife in the sea! they also have journey to atlantis and kraken which are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

[lllovell]

I agree with Viking that USO does not seem to update their rides or keep them well maintained. Except for the coasters. No sign of wear there. Guess too much potential liability.:rotfl2:

I have a question that fits in this thread. Not trying to hi-jack here, but has anyone tried Mythos restaurant in IOA Is it worth the hype?


We have eaten there and I thought it was very good - especially for the way things were priced. I remember it was lunch we had there so maybe it was a lunch menu, but I got a nice steak for $15 which shocked me at a theme park. It is very isolated feeling from the park too which made it a nice break. I would give it a try.

LLL

[lllovell]

BTW, etiquette wise it it preferred to combine quotes from multiple posts from others into one larger post or to have multiple posts like I did above? THX!


I can't ever seem to get the multi quote to work. We are pretty laid back here, so do what works best for you :)

and please don't feed THE Viking

LLL

[lllovell]

I suppose I haven't gone to US and IOA enough to see the wear and tear you all are talking about. Since PJ was too small to enjoy most things, these parks have been put on our "no going back until she is 6 plus" list. Also, if you go off season, MANY of the rides have some sort of water in them and when we are down in the winter months, I have no desire to get wet.

LLL

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Hey viking how is Aquatica


Aquatica is a work in progress. We were there a month or so after it opened and you could tell it was new - landscaping not quite lush enough, construction materials visible, etc.

It isn't as heavily themed as TL or BB but much better than Wet-n-Wild. There is a very large childrens play area including a "Waterworks" area that I think is really cool. Almost had to go out & rent a kid so I wouldn't feel out of place playing there.

The park is large but it's laid out in a way so as not to seem HUGE. Easy access to almost everything.

They have two lazy rivers; one truely lazy, the 2nd a high speed river, very kewl.

One great feature I'd like to see Disney mimmick is the "Banana Beach Cookout". You buy a wrist band for access and all day long it's an all you can eat, as often as you care to eat buffet of hotdogs, hamburgers,cheeseburgers, BBQ chicken legs, cold salads, deserts & soft drinks. If you are planning of spending an entire day there, that's the way to go.

We head back down in three weeks and look forward to seeing how its grown up.

[DisneyGeek]

Aquatica ...
One great feature I'd like to see Disney mimmick is the "Banana Beach Cookout". You buy a wrist band for access and all day long it's an all you can eat, as often as you care to eat buffet of hotdogs, hamburgers,cheeseburgers, BBQ chicken legs, cold salads, deserts & soft drinks. If you are planning of spending an entire day there, that's the way to go.

Interesting... Sounds pretty cool but DANGEROUS for diets!!! ;)

[DiZ NeE 08]

even when I m on a diet I know that goes down the drain when I am on vacation so I make sure that the 2 months before are hard core so that I can relax and eat what I want when I am there since I exercise while at disney still.

thank you viking for the info!