Universal Studios

Universal Studios, located in sunny Orlando, is all about bringing the movies to life or at least turning them into state of the art shows, 3D films and rides. It is a working studio and television programmes are made and broadcast from there. But for this review we are looking at the Theme Park - a place to shoot Aliens, be stalked by sharks and monsters and see parts of blockbuster film franchises not available anywhere else (except at other Universal ...
...staying at any of the Universal Hotels, there are large car parks and most hotels on International Drive have free buses that go there every morning. The car parks and bus parks are linked to City Walk and both parks are a five minute walk from the entrance via City Walk. You can technically walk there from International Drive but this would probably involve running very fast to avoid cars. Taxis will take you there but you can also use the Lynx ... more

Universal Studios, located in sunny Orlando, is all about bringing the movies to life or at least turning them into state of the art shows, 3D films and rides. It is a working studio and television programmes are made and broadcast from there. But for this review we are looking at the Theme Park - a place to shoot Aliens, be stalked by sharks and monsters and see parts of blockbuster film franchises not available anywhere else (except at other Universal Parks).

LOCATION

Universal Studios is situated near to International Drive and has grown from a single studio theme park to a whole resort with another Theme Park (Islands of Adventure), a night spot with clubs, restaurants and shops (City Walk) and hotels.

The park can be reached by water taxi if staying at any of the Universal Hotels, there are large car parks and most hotels on International Drive have free buses that go there every morning. The car parks and bus parks are linked to City Walk and both parks are a five minute walk from the entrance via City Walk. You can technically walk there from International Drive but this would probably involve running very fast to avoid cars. Taxis will take you there but you can also use the Lynx system bus service. We didn't use this to get to the parks but there is a bus stop just at the steps to the walkway to City Walk.

A lot of these buses cross International Drive and so are a cheap way to get back (if your staying there) as a trip costs $1 each

PRICE

As part of our holiday package, we purchased a five park flexi ticket that gave us unlimited access to SeaWorld, Wet 'n Wild, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens for 14 days. This cost about $225 each ($200 for children) and proved excellent value. You are given a ticket at the first of the parks you visit which can then be used to access any of the parks as many times as you like (including visiting more than one on the same day). This also includes a free bus ride from Seaworld to Busch Gardens in Tampa.

A 4 park flexi ticket is also available (it doesn't include Busch Gardens) for around $180 ($150 for children). If you are planning on visiting all the parks on your visit then these tickets are the way to go.

For a one-day visit to Islands is around $60 for adults and $50 for children while a better value is the two-park two-day pass giving access to Islands and Universal Studios for two days for around $100. There are often other deals going on for extra days such as a third day free.

THE PARK ITSELF

Universal studios is split into four lands each with a certain look but they all cleverly merge into each other. It is possibly the best design of all the Orlando parks with the sleepy harbour around Jaws merging into the Brownstones of New York. The old style cinema and shops of Hollywood and the giant MIB building complete with spaceships.

It is not just the look though, as music plays throughout the park and characters walk around interacting with guests. Curious George might pass on a train, Beetlejuice may tell you off for not eating a piazza with your hands, Doc Brown may be standing next to his Delorean or the Blues Brothers might cruise past in their car before performing on the steps of a building.
A lot of the attractions here are shows or films and take place at certain times throughout the day (although some take place continuously like Shrek). Like the Disney Parks and Islands of Adventure, a fast pass system (called Universal Express) is used allowing you to pre-book a window in which to visit certain attractions. These can be invaluable on a busy day but remember if using them for shows/films then you will still have to wait for the next show to start.

It can be more worthwhile using the fast passes for the rides (Mummy, Jaws, Men in Black, E.T) and then ensuring you get to the shows early and queuing up that way. For the rides, not only will you avoid standing in a long queue, you'll usually have to walk less of a distance (although queues (in actual distance) at Universal Studios are small compared to its sister park next door.

Also remember that you can book another fast pass as soon as the window for you current pass has opened. You don't have to wait until you've actually been on the ride (so if your pass is for the Mummy between 10 and 10.30 then you can get another pass at 10.01 for another ride later in the day before you've got in your shorter queue to ride the Mummy).

The best bet is to get to the park early - opening time is listed at 9.00am but get there for 8.30am and the doors may open 15 minutes early. We got into the park at 8.45am, rode Men In Black, Back to the Future (with a car to ourselves), Jaws, E.T, Woody Wood Peckers Coaster (for completists sake) and ran around Curious Georges town in less than an hour leaving us plenty of time to see all the shows and ride the Mummy 3 times. In fact we left at 4.00 and went to Islands of Adventure (but that's another review).

We visited the park two more times during our holiday for a few hours to take in a couple more shows and re-ride Men in Black, Jaws and Mummy after spending the morning at Islands. We were very lucky with queues as we visited in April.

The park also offers a pass that can be purchased on entry giving you fast pass entry onto all of the rides once. I think this was around $12 and may be worth the extra expense if you're visiting at a busy period.

If you can try to get a 3 day pass for the Studios and Islands of Adventure, spending a day at each and then splitting time between them on the 3rd day (re-riding favourite rides at Islands and then seeing any shows you missed at the Studios). If you are lucky, like we were, you may be able split your time between the parks on more than one day.

You can probably just about see it all in a day providing you get there early, use the fast passes and plan when you are going to view each show but as a lot of the attractions take place at set times it leaves little margin for error (or having a rest).

***Production Central***

JIMMY NEUTRONS BLAST - This is like a 3D film but not actually in 3D. The seats move around a bit and its filmed to make you feel like you're moving although it is not quite a simulator. It stars Jimmy Neutron and Sponge Bob Square Pants and is a good one for the kids but if you haven't got kids or they hate Sponge Bob then it can be missed especially if you have to choose between this and.......

SHREK 4D - This is a 3D film (I'll leave you to find out what the 4th D involves) set between Shrek 1 & 2 and staring all the original cast. I enjoyed all the different 3D films in Orlando but this is one of the best with some great effects, and like Terminator, it is great to be able to see part of a film franchise that you can not see anywhere else. Be warned that there is one bit that had a lot of younger kids (and some adults too) screaming. Probably big queues for this one as it is right near the entrance and Shrek was a very popular film.

***Hollywood***

LUCY: A TRIBUTE - Not really an attraction but it is listed on the map as one so I've included it. This is an exhibit of memorabilia from the I Love Lucy show with various televisions playing clips and information about the history about the programme. I'm sure its very interesting if you're a fan.

TERMINATOR 2 3D - Per minute, this is the most expensive film ever made. An original film in 3D following on from Terminator 2, directed by James Cameron and staring Arnie. The action doesn't just take place on the screen and the whole show (about 30 minutes) is really well presented. A must see (there may be an age restriction or at least an advisory age restriction) if you're a fan of the films or not. Out of all the shows and films at the park this is the most popular (along with Shrek) so get there early.

UNIVERSAL HORROR MAKE-UP SHOW - This showcases how horror films use make-up effects and costumes. Lots of clips from classic films plus demonstrations on how certain effects are achieved. It is all done with humour so isn't really scary. Very interesting and entertaining and worth a look if you can fit it in.

***Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone***

WOODY WOODPECKER COASTER - A standard kiddie roller coaster with a Woody Wood-Pecker Theme. (see Goofy's Barnstormer at Disney World).

ANIMAL PLANET LIVE - Unsurprisingly this is an animal show. Lots of different animals doing lots of different things with some "you've been framed" type animal clips thrown in on the big screen. Want to know how they make it look like birds are flying over different landscapes in films? Then this is the place to come. I didn't see the animal show in Seaworld to compare but this is worth visiting.

E.T - This can attract some big queues. Mr Spielberg himself introduces the ride which is similar to the indoor rides in the Magic Kingdom. Your seated on bikes so no prizes for guessing that at some point you take to the sky. Personally, I thought some of the Disney rides were better than this but if you've got the kids with you then it is a must visit plus there is something very imaginative that happens near the end of the ride that sets it apart.

CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO TOWN - This is a model town form small kids where curiosity = soaked!. There are loads of levers and buttons that cause water to be sprayed and dumped from everywhere. If you are not a small kid but happen to be in the park early before anyone else then............ - People who passed (and stared) at me that morning may have spent ages looking for the 'water ride'.

FIEVEL'S PLAYGROUND - A play area for smaller kids.

***World Expo***

BACK TO THE FUTURE - Great Scott! This is a simulator ride and compared to similar rides in Orlando (Spiderman, Mission Space) it is showing its age a bit. In saying that it is still a good ride as you get sit in a Delorean, accelerate up to 88 mph and then race back and forth through time. It uses a very big screen (more than one Delorean is aimed at it at once) and is one of the tamer simulators if you suffer from motion sickness.

MEN IN BLACK: ALIEN ATTACK - Now this is great fun. One of the best queues in the park as you take an elevator down to MIB HQ and are briefed by the stars of the film. The ride can best be described as a ghost train (but with aliens and probably costing more than any other ghost train ever) except everyone has a laser-gun in which to shoot at the aliens. You can even shoot other cars to make them spin around. A great ride that you'll probably want to ride more than once. For maximum effect - wear your shades and if there is only two of you then one can have a gun in each hand.

FEAR FACTOR: LIVE - This was being constructed while we were there. I assume it is based around the TV show with people doing stunts and eating maggots. Seems a little out of place to me but I assume it is less gross than the show it is based on?

***San Francisco / Amity***

JAWS - The very opposite of a quiet relaxing boat ride as a guide takes you around the town where Jaws caused havoc. Fortunately, the giant shark is long gone or is he? Universal's most famous ride has to experienced (sorry, I'm sounding like the brochure). The special effects are amazing and your guide does a good job of raising the tension as you nervously scan the water. Another one that attracts the queues and it may scare smaller kids but you have to ride it.

EARTHQUAKE - This starts with a talk on special effects before your taken into another room and some volunteers from the audience are used a guinea pigs to show the use of these effects in practice. Then, you're taken to a mock 70s San Francisco underground train station where you board a train and set off during a big, big Earthquake. Good use of special effects and the most realistic of the "disasters' at Universal and MGM. The whole thing is very un-nerving. The Effects presentation is good to.

BEETLEJUICE GRAVEYARD REVIEW - Erm, this is a singing monster show. The mummy, Frankenstein and company all singing rock songs (quite badly). Unless you're a big big fan of stuff like Pop Idol then I'd avoid this as it is the only thing in any of the parks that I'd class as bad. Although do try to meet Beetlejuice between shows as its a darn good impression of the character.

***New York***

TWISTER - This isn't a ride or a show as such. It is based on the tornado chasing film that came out in the late nineties. First you watch a film about twisters and the making of the film narrated by Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Then you go through into a mock up of a small American town and stand there while it gets destroyed by a Twister. It is well done but after experiencing Earthquake, Mummy and Jaws it fell a little flat. If we'd had gone to it before some of the others I probably would have liked it more.

REVENGE OF THE MUMMY - Last, and certainly not least, we have Revenge of the Mummy. This can best be described as a Indoor Ghost Roller Coaster Train although Universal's official description of a Psychological Thrill Ride is good as well. As far as roller coasters go, there are no loops or big drops as this ride is all about the effects, presentation and not quite knowing what will happen next so if you are not a big coaster fan then it shouldn't be too taxing (physically anyway).

It is based around the Mummy franchise staring Brendon Frasier and feels as if it cost as much to make as all the films put together. While your waiting in the queue, you'll hear people coming off the ride clapping and cheering and chances are you will too (once you've got your bearings). It is fantastic and one of the best rides in all of Orlando. There will be big queue for this so it is one to grab a fast-pass for or run straight ahead as soon as you enter the park. You'll probably want to ride it more than once as well.

FOOD AND SHOPS

There are plenty of food outlets as you would expect. It is mainly fast food and quite expensive but still compares reasonably to in-park prices in the U.K. The meatball sub at the restaurant next to the Mummy was very good but I can't recall if we ate there another time. You can leave the Studios for a bit and go back out to City Walk where there is a range of restaurants including the Hard Rock Cafe if nothing takes your fancy in the park.

As for shops, nearly every single ride and attraction has its own shop (even Twister) and most are unavoidable as the ride exit leads straight into the shop. Every possible bit of Terminator, Men In Black, Shrek and Back to The Future merchandise can be picked up and there are also other shops dotted around selling other Universal memorabilia.

You can also purchase on-ride photos for the Mummy and Men-in-Black which can be brought as photos, mugs, magnets, etc.

CONCLUSION

Universal Studios is an amazing place to visit. The rides and attractions are all fantastic and there is a great range for all ages - films, coasters, shooting, sharks, fire, aliens (good and bad), ogres - it is all here. Any film fans will be in heaven with all the models and props and the opportunity to see Shrek and Terminator films not available anywhere else is not to be missed. It is also a great place to just walk around looking at all the mock buildings and appreciating the design and detail that has gone into the park.

It is one of the less tiring days as a lot of the attractions involve sitting down and watching rather than being thrown around. You'll be clocking up less miles as well as the park is relatively small compared to some of the others.

A must visit in Orlando (although they all are really) and whatever types of film you like your bound to have a great time.

 

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