Universal Studios Florida — Attraction in Orlando

I don't know why I like this park, but I do. By all accounts, the majority of rides here range from an absolute waste of time to worth riding ironically (yes, that's a rating lower than a waste of time).

If you like screen based motion simulators, you're going to love Universal Studios Florida. Transformers, Simpsons, Minions, that moving sidewalk Minions, Fast and Furious, Jimmy Fallon for some reason, Gringots, Hogwarts... I'm sure I'm missing three or so. I don't care. I enjoy walking around Universal Studios... I enjoy being there. When I feel like going on a ride - MiB and the first half of ET are worth the visit for me. I like that cheesy moving sidewalk ride too... but I shouldn't.

Universal Studios was once a world class park with attractions that were superior to Disney rides, but had been stripped of everything except yet another Harry Potter land and two unique but really janky coasters. On paper it's awful. Let's try to analyze what I like about this park... maybe we'll both learn something.

The ease of access is fantastic. I enjoy the Disneyland-like setup of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Wok, and the hotels. Best to worst of the latter - Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, Puerto fino. I haven't stayed at any of the budgets but don't sleep on the express pass offer of those three hotels... essentially makes your hotel free if you have a few people in your party that were going to buy that.

It feels like a park and it feels like a theme park. I love being able to walk from Wilshire to Gramercy Park; from Corona Park to Avery... or is it San Francisco? Take a stroll through a TriBeCa neighborhood... alone because there's nothing there. Even the Diagon Alley is fun to explore, unlike the other two Harry Potter worlds in Florida. When it isn't packed with people trying to take a video of the dragon fire, there are neat little cave-like back alleys to see.

Universal Studios feels lived in. You can easily miss the forest through the trees... or standing in line for the sub par rides. See the Blues Mobile advertising a revue? It's not just a gag from the movie... follow it and you can watch the show! Like Stomp? I don't, but there's a version of that that is played what seems like constantly from a building scaffolding. The parades are excellent. They're not as good as Magic Kingdom parades, but they don't require you to patrol a spot on a curb for hours like it's a parking spot you shoveled in Boston.

After, you can sit on a park bench in an actual park. That's something you can't do at IoA or Epic.

Bored? If you like rough coasters, The Mummy is well themed and has some interesting elements. After an annoying name ceremony, ET's redwood-dotted line, bicycle ride system, and the feeling of flying over police cars are phenomenal. Second half of the ride gets real weird, but the awfulness gets a good laugh out of me - ET calling out all the fake names like a Speak & Spell is classic. I keep wanting him to say "I Win" at the end... if you know you know. MiB is like riding through a city sized physical shooting galley. Quietly might be the best ride at the entire Universal Resort, even if IoA's River Adventure is more expansive and Epic's Monsters has better animatronics. Fast and Furious is legendarily bad, and making fun of how much worse it is than you thought is always a good time.

Yeah, Comcast will close this place at 5PM... that's harsh. Don't worry if you don't get on Transformers, Jimmy Fallons, Simpsons, or missed the Bourne show. Don't get me started on Hogwarts- the best theme park train ruined by it pulling into the station backwards. (hint - add the dummy train from IoA to the train and extend the tracks 25 feet past the platforms - train pulls in the right way and hides behind the wall; newly exposed engine faces the right way).

USF feel like an abandoned park was reopened and a few things still worked. I say that in the best way - that's what I like about it. Even if you don't like it, HHN alone is enough of a reason for this park to exist, both physically and...

As a family of 4, we travelled from Australia to spend this week in Orlando to visit 7 theme parks. We had high expectations for Universal Studios. For us the trouble began after purchasing tickets via their phone customer service a month before we departed. Their rep failed to send a confirmation email and we never received tickets at all. Luckily we retained the reference number for our purchase. After three lengthy calls, their reps were still unable to send us the tickets. We were advised to collect entry passes from customer relations on arrival at the park. This defeats skipping the lines with the advanced purchase we had paid, it was inconvenient and absolutely stressful considering the costs involved. We asked for compensation on our arrival at the park for this and received a fast pass for a Single ride for each member of our family.

We were fortunate to be able to purchase pre entry tickets to Epic universe. It's a beautiful park, especially at night with the futuristic Celestial aspects. As our ticket was before the official opening we had expected the possibility of glitches. The first was in the car park trying to use the app to access the ministry of Magic virtual reservation. The app failed to work properly throughout the entire day. Again, we approached customer service with screenshot proof we were in the virtual reservation before it glitched. We were appreciative for the 4 fast passes they gave us for that ride. The Ministry of Magic ride completely malfunctioned half way through but were given another ride immediately.

The next two days were hoppers between Universal Studios and islands of adventure. Great parks but again, multiple ride delays and glitches.

We were waiting 90 minutes in line for Hagrids coaster, before they announced an extended delay with no compensation offered for our time wasted. We approached customer service and were obliged a specially pass for that specific ride later that day. The hogwarts hopper train was also glitching and was not operating for much of the two days, affecting planned out activities, essential for enjoying the parks to the best capacity. This was not compensated.

The Krusty clown ride stopped completely within a minute of starting and we had to wait 30 minutes up in the air for techs to arrive and manually return us to the ground. We were offered a fast pass for another ride to compensate.

Next the absolutely incredible live Bourne stunt show screen glitched half way through the performance. It didn't take long to resume, perhaps 15 minutes, but by this stage we were considering it a bit of a funny joke and beginning to expect it at every ride.

And then again, at our very next attraction, the transformers ride, the screen aspect of the ride completely glitches and stopped half way through.

Other rides were also experiencing delays throughout the day, which of course we avoided when these occurred. But this forces one to walk much further and loose valuable time. It leaves a slightly sour taste in one's mouth when paying premium prices.

Verdict: Lots of rides, slides and overall appeal to visit Universal, but they don't convey a high care factor for their customer's overall experience. We recommend appealing to their customer service when experiencing a genuine disturbance to a reasonable expectation as described. Requesting a fast pass as compensation did appease us, however we approached each situation with understanding and polite demeanor. The staff don't appear to be happy in their positions, contributing to a less positive vibe. Their rides are fantastic... when they work. I have to admit, I had trust issues with their actual safety procedures by the end of our time with universal and because we had experienced so many technical problems over our 3 park days, I didn't feel confident going on any fast coasters. I couldn't quite convince my family not to go on them, but I felt physically ill watching them go on big coasters considering the 5 ride malfunctions we had encountered in such...

I give Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure: ★★★★☆

Visiting Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is an unforgettable experience, packed with thrilling rides, immersive attractions, and a vibrant atmosphere that truly brings movies to life. As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time exploring both parks, I can confidently say that they offer a unique blend of excitement and entertainment for all ages.

Rides and Attractions: One of the standout rides for me was the Mummy coaster. This indoor roller coaster combines impressive theming with heart-pounding thrills. The moment you enter the queue, you are transported into an ancient Egyptian tomb, complete with mummies and stunning set pieces that set the tone perfectly. The ride itself is a fantastic mix of dark ride elements and high-speed twists, making it not only exhilarating but also a fun experience for those who appreciate storytelling in their attractions.

Another favorite of mine was the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. This ride is an absolute must-try for adrenaline junkies. The launch speed, inversions, and overall design are just phenomenal. The theming is top-notch, and you can really feel the intensity of being chased by velociraptors as you soar through the park. The views from the ride are spectacular, giving you a chance to see the beauty of Islands of Adventure while you’re screaming your head off!

Theming and Atmosphere: Both parks excel in theming. From the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the vibrant colors of Seuss Landing, every corner of the parks is meticulously designed. The gift shops are equally impressive; they offer a wide variety of memorabilia that caters to fans of every franchise, making it hard to resist picking up a souvenir or two. The dining options are diverse, with everything from quick bites to sit-down meals that cater to various tastes.

Dining and Costs: However, it's essential to be prepared for the expenses involved. Park tickets can be pricey, and food costs can add up quickly. While the options are plentiful and generally of good quality, I would recommend budgeting appropriately. If you're looking to enjoy a full day at the park, plan ahead for meals and snacks. Additionally, if you want to collect memorabilia, be ready to spend a bit more, as the unique items can be quite tempting.

Wait Times: The only significant downside to my experience was the wait times for some of the more popular attractions. During peak times, you can expect lengthy lines, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the day. While the parks offer a Universal Express Pass for an additional cost, it’s a considerable investment. I highly recommend planning your day in advance and prioritizing which attractions you want to experience first to maximize your time.

Conclusion: Overall, my experience at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure was fantastic. The thrilling rides, immersive theming, and variety of dining options create a memorable experience for visitors. Just be prepared to spend on tickets, food, and souvenirs, and consider investing in a flash pass to skip the long lines. With a little planning and saving, you can have an incredible time at these iconic parks!

PS- If you found any value in my review don’t hesitate to like and comment on the video and photos as well...