#Lights #Camera #Action @ Universal Studios, Florida

As a die-hard fan of Disney club and present resident of Florida, I was obsessed with Walt Disney World Resort and always view the other theme parks with suspicion. However my last visit to Universal Studios, Orlando, FL has completely changed my opinion.

BACKGROUND

Universal Studios is the biggest competitor of Walt Disney World. It has found something more with a series of rides that combine motion with 3D/ 4D movie screens. Universal is competently the home of the movie-as-theme park ride, advancing on traditional motion simulators by doubling down on rides that do not just simulate that motion but combine elaborate track systems with gigantic projection screens and 3D / 4D special effects.

Universal Studios has not limited itself to the attractions based on its vast film library.  It has occasionally licensed popular characters from other rival studios, many of whom did not operate theme parks themselves. Some examples include Ghostbusters and Men in Black (Sony’s Columbia Pictures), The Simpsons (20th Century Fox) and Shrek (DreamWorks Animation).

Universal Studios primarily focus on entertaining movie fans and if you are fan of movies like Transformer, Terminator, MIB, MUMMY or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then this is the best place. You will go beyond the screen, behind the scenes and jump into the action of your favorite movies at the world’s premier movie and TV based theme park.

 GLIMPSES

Do checkout the glimpses of my entire day and get the feel to be at Universal Studios, FL.

 GEOGRAPHY

There are two theme parks – Universal Studios & Island of Adventure side-by-side, connected by Universal CityWalk, a strip of entertainment options including stores and restaurants. Both the parks have separate admission. 

There are  seven surrounding themed areas in Universal Studios, clockwise from the entrance, are Production Central, New York, San Francisco, London/Diagon Alley, World Expo, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets and merchandise stores. 

CHECK IN

We checked in around 10:30 AM. As my husband Peeyush had already been there before, we had already decided the checklist about the rides and attractions that we need to cover. As it is impossible to cover both the parks in a single day, we decided to cover Universal Studios first. 

RIDES

11:10 AM — TERMINATOR 2, 3D at HOLLYWOOD

This is the show based on futuristic mix of live action and 3D film. Firstly you will enter into Pre-show auditorium where you will witness a promotional video about Cyberdyne’s numerous technological innovations, which includes several references to the Terminator universe and a cameo by Shaquille O’Neal. Later you will enter into main auditorium and put your 3D glasses. A Terminator, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, bursts through the movie screen “time portal” on his signature Harley-Davidson motorcycle to rescue John. He takes John back through the portal and into the future war between humans and machines. I enjoyed this show.

12:25 — TRANSFORMER THE RIDE- 3D at PRODUCTION CENTRAL

We waited for almost 20 minutes for this ride but it was worth it. This ride perfectly captures the style- over- substance enigma of Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMER movies which is also dependent on movie screens, but this time your vehicle is constantly moving, suddenly speeding up or slowing down, rushing backwards and making tight spins or turns. The story involves Transformers punching each other a lot (yes, including Megatron and Optimus Prime) and loud sounds and buildings falling apart. It is an overwhelming experience, rapid-fire spectacle, especially since the movie scenes are all in 3D. 

01:15 PM — DISASTER at SAN FRANCISCO

Our next ride was Disaster which is an old-school movie studio theme park attraction in a park full of thrill rides. The ride aspect to it is minimal—near the end you ride in a tram through a subway station replica during an earthquake, ostensibly to be filmed as extras for the disaster movie of the title. The best thing about Disaster is the crowd interaction and the charming sense of humor. It is set up as a tour of B-movie director Frank Kincaid’s movie studio. The special effects make it look like Walken is on stage in the room with you, physically interacting with your tour guide, who really is in the room with you, and the effect works surprisingly well. From there the tour guide and a small film crew use a few crowd members to make a short disaster film, climaxing with that subway ride and a cameo from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It is fun and funny and the closest Universal gets to feeling like an actual movie studio.

02:30 PM — E.T. ADVENTURE at WOODY WOODPECKER’S KIDSZONE

 This is the classic dark ride based on Steven Spielberg movie E.T.. The exterior queue is themed to a sound stage where E.T. is being filmed. TV monitors above guests heads display the filmmakers discussing their experiences on creating the film as well as E.T. trivia. Before going into the interior queue, Spielberg appears on TV screens above the guests and tells them that E.T.’s teacher Botanicus needs E.T. to come back to his home world, ‘The Green Planet’, because the planet is dying. Only E.T.’s magical healing touch can save the planet and its inhabitants, so it is up to the guests to bring him home. You give your name to a ride attendant before you board, and at the end E.T. says your name in a heavy Speak & Spell accent. It is an overwhelming experience to save E.T. and send it back to its home.

 03:05 PM — NIBBLING

We delighted our taste buds with Minion Cup cakes, Strawberry Cheese Pastry and Caramel Frapachinno. It was a feast for our taste buds.

                   

 3:30 PM — MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack at WORLD EXPO

There was waiting time of 60 mins for this rides. So we decided to go in a single rider lines (a single-rider line offers guests a chance to wait for a significantly shorter length of time in exchange for not necessarily being able to experience the attraction with others in their party or from a desired seat). We waited for 10 minutes only and completed our rides with strangers but it was fun.

This is the dark ride based on the Will Smith’s MIB movie. Motion Simulators makes it more thrilling. You sit inside a car where Laser Gun is attached. You have to shoot  the animatronic aliens that appear everywhere throughout. The car will be  moving forward and backward and taking 7-8 times several spins and turns continuously. If you have motion sickness, then you should skip this ride. However I enjoyed this ride.

 4:10 PM — DESPICABLE ME MINION MAYHEM at PRODUCTION CENTRAL

As Single Rider line was closed for this ride, we waited for almost 40 minutes. This ride is based on the movie ‘Despicable Me’ where Gru, his daughters and the mischievous Minions will take you on a 3D ride. Minion Mayhen is the smoothest motion simulators where you will be sitting inside a dark room in a car that shakes or tilts while you watch a 3D movie on a large screen. At the exit of this ride, there will be dance party with Gru and cute Minions. Its an awesome experience.

 5:15 PM — REVENGE OF THE MUMMY at NEW YORK

This is one of the “don’t miss” classical ride of Universal Studios. If you are looking for high level adrenaline rush in your body, then you should never miss this ride. This is dark roller coaster ride where you will be flying through an underground tomb. You will stop occasionally, as the mummy from the Brendan Fraser movies threatens you, or so you can feel the heat from the sheet of flame engulfing the roof above you. Occasionally screens will make it look like the mummy is jumping out at you as you shoot down the unseen track. Somehow removing our ability to see where we’re going makes a roller coaster even more exciting, and Revenge of the Mummy is the best ride at Universal Studios that isn’t heavily dependent on a movie screen. In the end of this ride, there is a free fall which is breathe taking.

We did this ride as a Single Riders and I was screaming at the top of my voices during steep spins and turns and at the time of free fall, I even felt like I was completely dead. It was the best ride I ever did in my life.

 6:20 PM — HARRY POTTER AND THE ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS at THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

I am a die-hard fan of Harry Potter series and have watched all the movies. So I was very much fascinated by this ride. The Diagon Alley portion of Universal Studios is the most impressive theme park attraction I have ever visited. The Diagon Alley is amazing with its unique, fully formed world, from the architecture to the pavement to the type of stores and restaurants on display.  At the center of Diagon Alley is a large building with a dragon nestled on its roof. Inside that building is Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts.

Gringotts outclasses from the animatronic banktellers to the animated newspaper headlines, you will always have something fascinating to look at while waiting in line. We waited for almost 1 hr 20 minutes but didn’t feel about it.

This ride is a combination of a moving vehicle and 3D film. The vehicle’s motions are far more elaborate, though, and eventually the two-car train splits into individual units that can rotate a full 360 degrees. The story involves an attack on the Gringotts bank, with your car stuck in a battle between Harry and his friends and the forces of Voldemort. The visual effects are superior to the other, similar rides at Universal, and the total experience is about as revelatory as a theme park attraction can get today.

 8:05 PM — Shrek 4-D at Production Central

This ride is also similar to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem but its 4D ride. The technology is more refined and probably less likely to aggravate those prone to motion sickness. This ride is based on Oscar-winning film ‘Shrek’ and ‘Shrek 2’. In this chapter of our saga Lord Farquaad has returned (in ghostly form) to kidnap Princess Fiona. Shrek and the donkey gallop through a haunted forest, ride on the back of a fire-breathing dragon, and plunge over a churning waterfall in order to save the Princess. In this ride, you will enter into 3-D theater designed with special effects as Lord Farquaad’s dungeon. You will see the miracle of OgreVision  glasses that will  bring the experience to life. You will see, hear, and actually FEEL the action as moving seats, water, wind, mist and other special effects put you right in the middle of this fairy tale adventure.

 8:30 PM — TWISTER… RIDE IT OUT at NEW YORK

It is ironic that the word “ride” is in this attraction’s name, because it’s the only one on this list where you don’t ride anything. Twister…Ride it Out is a live special effects show based on the 1996 movie Twister. After a brief introduction from vintage 1996 Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, you walk through the blown out ruins of a tornado touchdown spot before lining up to watch a twister tear down a drive-in movie theater and gas station. Windows shatter, a screen showing the shining falls apart bit by bit, a truck knocks over a gas pump and starts a fire, and then a dark tornado appears just a few feet in front of your face. The effects are nice, and this is the only attraction that legitimately scared many kids during my visit.

 9:00 PM — UNIVERSAL CINEMATIC SPECTACULAR at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS LAGOON

This is the grand finale show of Universal Studios celebrating 100 years of Movie Memories. It features the most powerful scenes of some of Universal Pictures most iconic films projected on cutting edge waterfall screens which is surrounded by colorful, synchronized water fountains, pyrotechnics, fireworks and all set to a powerful musical score.

You can check out the glimpses of this show by clicking the Video.

 9:45 PM — Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort

This part of the Universal never sleeps at night. If you are looking for the best parties of the town, this is the place. There will be live DJ and endless people who will be rocking the floor. CityWalk is the hub spot of an entertainment with high energy of night clubs, eateries, cinemas and bowling alley.

Universal has given me more than I expected. This place has everything, from rides, to restaurants, shopping, candy and ice cream stores, pubs, gift shops.  If they had a hotel inside the actual park I would stay there… but until then, they do have some great hotels like Portofino, Loew’s, and Royal Pacific connected by walkway and waterway and of course you get perks by staying at those hotels, so it is the best option if you are planning family vacation.

Please do share your experiences if you have been there or feel free to ask queries related with Universal Studios. I would be happy to answer.

‘Happy Travelling’ !
Ana