I took a two year break from Universal Studios, beginning in 2007. Memorial Day Weekend of this year, we returned, to see whether it had gotten any more "exciting" since the last time. Of course, on our return, the weather turned bad and we ended up having to take shelter immediately. We then proceeded to drink Sangria until the storm let up, at which time, the park was closing.
We returned the following week, and spent about two hours in the "old" park, Universal Studios. Last week, we toured the "new" one, Islands of Adventure. That's what my husband calls them. Mind you, neither is new, but they were built at different times, and it's easier for him to remember, so I don't set him straight about that.
As you will probably guess, if you follow this series of essays, I am a roller coaster fanatic. Never mind that the signs all warn riders that they should not ride if they have dizziness or neck problems; there is no substitute in life for a good roller coaster. Now, if I don't see them, I don't "need" them, but point me in the direction of an amusement park, and my steel will dissolves like sugar in a vat of boiling water.
But I'm not going to concentrate on the coasters this time... this one is going to just show you around the park a bit. I'll show you the roller coasters at a later date.
I am, however, anxiously awaiting the opening of this one, the Rip Ride Rockit. It seems to weave its way around a good share of the park!
Near the entrance, looking toward Islands of Adventure, which I'll show you in my next essay...
My husband finds Twister rather boring. As for me, I think they do a pretty good job of making you feel that foreboding feeling of a tornado on its way. Been there, done that... and this is not perfect, but I still thought it was fun. Now, I'd like it better if the cow didn't fly by, looking just as fake as it does in the movie.
The new coaster, taking you by the New York Public Library... which looks more real from a distance.
Some boys apparently never grow up.
Only a few yards away, the Metropolis Tribune.
One of the better rides in the park, The Mummy... an indoor coaster of sorts.
Inside The Mummy ride, there are all sorts of cool props from the movie, but it's pretty dark for good photos.
Just down the street from The Mummy is Fishermans Wharf. I haven't figured out the connection there, but somehow it works anyway.
And as July 4 approaches, should we really be approaching the village of Amity?
We all remember what Amity is famous for, right? We didn't go on the boat ride this time, but I'll try to get some good shots next trip.
I also didn't go on the Disaster ride... and I'm not sure whether it has changed from when Earthquake was in this building. It looks the same, aside from the name. Not my favorite ride.
I took some shots of the new Simpsons ride, and Men in Black, but we were short on time, so I didn't get close enough to get shots good enough to post. Here, I was just looking back at the Fishermans Wharf area from across the lake.
We visited this show once; I don't really remember much about it except that it was sort of fun...
Just down the street are many famous buildings... most of which I managed to miss, somehow.
As we headed home, the skies began to clear...
And I made a promise to myself to get some better shots next time. Well, actually, all of the "better shots" from this visit were roller coaster ones.
I'll be back. :)
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Comments: 33
You do know how "jealous" I am, right??? ;)
Where's the "House of Lucy"?
We sort of rushed through that one this time, J M... but it's my husband's favorite, for some odd reason.
I just sent my husband, Nic, a link to this article so he can read about it and see the pictures. We are moving to Orlando before Christmas for 1 1/2 years. :) I haven't been there for 8 years - to Walt Disney World, and I can't remember the last time I went to Universal Studios.
I'll be posting more, in the next few days, Michelle, but it really is a fun place! Orlando has lots to do; that's for sure.
You will love it here (except maybe the weather in the summer). So much to do around here.
Oh my what fun!!! I want to go there so bad now! It looks great!
The last time I was on a rollercoaster, I went on one of those loopy ones where you go upside down, and I blacked out! It was pretty scary, but a fun ride. I didn't think there were that many g's involved, but I guess so! The guy I was with, Reggie was his name said "How could you have blacked out, you were screaming the entire time" like it was a bad thing. How can you not scream on a roller coaster?? That's part of the fun!
I don't scream, actually... I NEVER scream. But I do enjoy, and even put my arms up sometimes.
Islands of Adventure is great fun. Especially with a lot of friends. I lost my roller coaster virginity there. The Hulk and Dueling Dragons still remain as some of my favorites.
Looks like you guys had a great time!
I love the Hulk and Dueling Dragons, too! Those will be in a separate post, though. The Kraken, at Sea World remains my favorite of all time, though.
Great photo essay Julie. I have never been to Universal, but it looks interesting. I especially found the New York Public Library quite interesting as this is a place I have passed many many times.
It's a pretty cool place, J and we can go there for far less expense than Disney. Well, except that we always get free passes to Disney. The cost, if you don't have passes, is obscene, in my opinion!
I love Islands of Adventure! I haven't been to Universal in a really long time, I'm surprised to see how much it has changed! I think I may have to go back soon! :)
I like both parks, but it depends on my mood and the weather, mostly. There's also so much I did not show, here... but I have the benefit of not having to cram it all into one day, so we tend just to focus on certain things one time, then come back again and again to take it all in.
I love old wooden roller coasters...just can't resist, even though I know I will end up regretting it
I'm the same, flit... I am SO not supposed to ride them, for so many reasons... but there are some things I just can't give up. Funny that this should be one of them.
This is a great photo essay and I enjoyed looking at it very much.
Thanks!
LOVE the design of the mummy ride!
Me too, Shannon!
Great photo essay. I've never been there.
It's worth checking out if you are looking for someplace to vacation.
Looks like fun. We haven't been to Orlando in many many years. I can't remember what year it was but hubby would know.
Well, if you ever decide to return, Marge... I'd love to show you some of my favorite places!
I have never been to Florida. This looks like a great place to visit. I used to love the roller coaster when I was a teen. I am 38 now, and I haven't been on one for a long while. I'm not sure if I would still like them or not.
You should come for a visit if you can, Monica... especially if you can do so in the winter, which is, in my humble opinion, paradise.
Gosh, we've been to Disney and Universal Studios probably 10 to 12 times when our son was little and growing up! Haven't been back in a number of years, though.......the photos are great! Is the Mummy ride a really scary one...like a roller coaster? I love those "Mummy" movies....LOL!
The Mummy is cool, Nora. It is a roller coaster of sorts, but there's only one "scary" part, I guess. I love roller coasters, so it's hard to say. But mostly, it's special effects, like "fire" all around you and it gets really hot so it feels real... and there's a place where those bugs are crawling toward you and suddenly you feel something on your skin... I think it's just droplets of water, but I can't remember.
Excellent photo essay! I was there once or twice, but didn't get as many cool photos as you did
Sassy, I had an annual pass the first year I was here in Florida, and we literally went there at least twice weekly, but I never had a camera back then. I'm really enjoying the picture-taking, now!
You know for all of the time I've spent in Orlando, I've never gone to Universal. The kids always wanted to go to Disney and Seaworld, so it just never happened. I actually have a free ticket-so maybe we will buy another one and go the next time we are down. I dont' really ride things anymore, so I wasn't sure I'd have much to do!
That would be don't, not dont'
Sue, this comment cracked me up. I do the same thing... no, actually, I go back and delete my comment when I do something like that, unless someone has already replied to it. Then I fix it and resubmit. But the truth is, I would never have noticed the typo if you hadn't pointed it out.
Wow! What a nice photo essay Julie. You never cease to amaze me with your photo essays... :) Have you ever considered being a tour guide of some sort? You have such great knowledge of places such as this one.