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Last Friday I had the chance to attend one of two "UOAP Nights" at Universal Studios Florida, hosted for annual passholders at no additional cost (though reservations were required and did "sell out"). The event featured a significantly reduced capacity in the park, resulting in shorter wait times for the rides that were open. Also included was a pre-party event, a number of surprise meet and greets, speciality food and beverage options, a private showing of the Cinesational nighttime spectacular and a party atmosphere throughout the park. It was also notable that these two event nights took place during the last two days of operation for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit before its permanent closure. Not previously announced or included in past events was this "pre-party" offering... At first glance this looks a little overwhelming but to Universal's credit, it is a well thought-out queue that leads guests to a number of neat meet and greets and other offerings to enjoy inside. Plus we were given a free UOAP button to commemorate attending the night's event. Beyond the special meet and greets in the pre-party, there were additional meet and greet options available throughout the park. In addition to many of the normal dining venues being open with their normal menus served, the event had a few special tastes available to order at key locations in the park. The pre-party featured a DJ playing lively music to keep the vibes going. While Doc Brown isn't uncommon to still find roaming Universal Studios Florida, it is incredibly rare to see him accompanied by Einstein! John Hammond was another rare character brought out for the event. The Ecto-1 from the Universal Mega Movie Parade was parked in the pre-party studio and served as a backdrop for a rare meet and greet with the Spenglers from Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire. It's easier to appreciate the little details on this float when it isn't in motion. This was a nice surprise and delight moment for the event. Woody and Winnie Woodpecker were available for meet and greets as well. The UOAP Nights event was presented by Coca-Cola and as such, they had a free sample bar for Coca-Cola Orange Cream as well as the zero sugar version. While not my favorite flavor, it was still a delicious and refreshing Coca-Cola. There was special event merchandise available to purchase as well. After the pre-party it was time to head back out into the park to enjoy all that was available to us. The app featured a narrowed filter on the offerings exclusive to the event. Exiting the pre-party studio presented me with a chance to snag a few more photos of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit operating during the daytime. Only a few more drops left in this one... Edgy angles for an edgy coaster. Given that we had our five year old with us for the event, our priorities were clear. I'm not going to complain that my son loves Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. A look at the event's exclusive cupcakes. A must-do, especially when the queue is short. A pretty sunset and a reminder that there would be an exclusive showing of Cinesational later in the evening. A photo op for those who really wanted to flaunt their status as passholders. I went to go ride Rockit for the last time, only to find that it was temporarily closed with riders stuck in recline on the lift hill. On the other side of the park it was time to wait for something out of this world... \ When it comes to special meet and greets, I'm easy to please. I mean, this is awesome. "The world is a carousel of color..." Cinesational features a combination of water fountains, lasers, projections (on water and on buildings), fireworks and drones. Being totally honest it isn't my favorite show. The projected visuals are nearly impossible to make out clearly and the choice of segments is odd. That said, the fountains, drones and lasers paired with the fireworks make for an enjoyable spectacle. I just wish the content was more in line with the Universal Cinematic Spectacular--a show that highlighted some of Universal most iconic scenes and sounds on the lagoon. The show has a few highlights. A fun little nod to the event at the end of the night. Over in the Music Plaza there was a DJ playing the Cha Cha Slide for those who wished to dance along. Now it's time to say goodbye... After about a 35 minute wait, I hit it one more time with a final "Hasta!" in the front row. I'll give them credit... This shirt plays to my local nostalgia. This UOAP Nights was quite possibly the best passholder event I've attended at Universal to date. The unique pre-party, the extra meet and greets, the short wait times and the event showing of Cinesational really made for a great evening in the park... Not realizing the significance of the date, I got this souvenir to close out my saga with Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. While I didn’t plan it this way, it was kind of fitting that my last ride on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was exactly 16 years to the date from my first, during its first day of soft opening guest previews. I watched the track arrive in the staging land that now is Volcano Bay as I took the bus to high school every day. And at least once a week I’d visit Universal to document the construction progress, including the installation (and in some cases, removal and reinstallation) of each section of track. It wasn’t a particularly great coaster but it also wasn’t the worst. Some unique elements, and in the right seats, great airtime, all with the added benefit of a solid selection of default songs and a plentiful set list of hidden songs to Rockit through. The ride had a troubled start and a rocky lifespan but it was memorable enough. My favorite songs to listen to onboard were: Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk Float On by Modest Mouse Moving Right Along by The Muppets Crocodile Rock by Elton John Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger was the first song I ever experienced while riding and Float On closed out my final ride at the UOAP Nights event. Something bigger, better, more reliable is coming in to replace Rockit and I’m fine to see it go. I’m thankful for the memories (rocky at times as they may have been) and ready for something new to take a spin in its place…

^ You are correct Amy!