Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[Invertalon]

Transformers was open from about 6:30 or 7 through close today. Got on quickly and was fun. Had been on USH's so nothing really new but better than I remember. Rode Spiderman right after to compare and the edge goes to Transformers I think. Glad we caught it open though!

[HTF]

I took these tonight. The ride soft opened around 6:45 and commanded a 90 min wait within mins. It later dropped to 45 and 30 at closing time but easily had the longest queue for the evening. Attractions on the northern side were all walk ons. I've had the pleasure of taking a spin on both Hollywoods and now Orlando's and I am so happy it's in our backyards in Orlando. It's easily the best ride in the Studios for now and Universal has a true dark ride triple threat.

We have arrived Orlando!

Optimus dominates the entrance

His details are amazing

At night it looks even better

New hotness!

Did I mention Hollywood is jealous?

Freaking Sweet

Even the box looks awesome at night

[chaos]

I got to ride Transformers today as well. I don't know if it was just on my ride, but the first scene wasn't working properly. The video jumped and then froze, while the ride vehicle kept doing its thing.

 

I'll have to admit I was a little disappointed at first to see how closely it resembled Spiderman (the ride cars were EXACTLY the same), but the screens seemed much more clear and the characters/action felt closer. So everything worked together pretty spectacularly and I really enjoyed myself.

[Wes]

Have to admit that big Optimus statue is kinda badass...wish there was space for something like that out in Hollywood.

[deathbydinn]

The new Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard restaurants are open to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full report from Attractions Magazine

[Mrlittle]

^sweet , the area looks great. There is actually a lot more theming going on then I thought they would have. I can't wait to grab me a Krusty Burger with a Flaming Moe. Looks like Moe's Bar is already pretty busy.

[necoastergp]

Looks great, what an improvement over food & film.

[televisedconfession]

Drinking Duff Beer now. Not bad. Pretty typical beer but still has flavor! The Flaming Moe is non alcoholic but comes with a cool cup!

 

It's very bud light, but not bad... It's what I expected it to be!

Excuse the exhaustion look.. But this is a Flaming Moe.

[Wes]

Weird they don't have an alcoholic version of the Flaming Moe to go along with the regular one.

[AndrewRnR]

FWIW I was told that a alcoholic version of the Flaming Moe is coming. Granted that was just from a hourly I chatted up while in line so take it with a grain of salt.

 

The area looks great - Moe's is a self contained area of the larger quick-service place and the theme all around is fun. However I had the chicken and waffles and it was just plain bad (ever by theme park food standards) the waffles seemed to be frozen that when heated up were bone-dry with no taste and the chicken was ok. For an average park guest the food does it job with the theme and atmosphere but it isn't the fun certainly isn't anything to seek out by itself.

 

Overall it is a win - anytime a park updates a boring area with a fun new theme is a win in my book.

[Aaronupsidasium]

"^I'd say you're reading too far into things. Probably just a matter of the rightsholders (J.K Rowling & Gracie Films) not wanting alcoholic versions of those drinks so they can have more appeal

 

I still think this is an operational issue. Liquor licenses require the establishment to monitor the patron's drinking and Universal has to abide by the state law. USF has been reported handing out one year to lifetime bans for things such as sharing a drink with a minor to letting a child hold an alcoholic beverage (which I was told is technically against the law in my state).

 

So it seems nearly impossible to sell both non and alcoholic versions of the Flaming Moe. It looks like another chance to sell a cold sugary drink like Butter Beer. The smoke coming from the top looks pretty cool though.

[necoastergp]

The smoke coming off the flaming moe is a nice touch, can't wait to try!

[Jew]

^^Put it in a different glass. No different than someone ordering a coke vs. a rum & coke. Highly doubt they're so concerned about their liquor license they'd turn down the opportunity to make more money off an alcoholic version.

[Aaronupsidasium]

I think we're just gonna have to wait this one out to see who's right. From what I've seen of Universal's food and beverage management, they'd be too anal retentive on their standards to have two Flamming Moes.

[AndrewRnR]

"^I'd say you're reading too far into things. Probably just a matter of the rightsholders (J.K Rowling & Gracie Films) not wanting alcoholic versions of those drinks so they can have more appeal

 

Not reading into anything. While waiting to be allowed in the ordering area the team member asked us what we thought and I asked if the Flaming Moe had alcohol. She said no but in the future there will be an alcohol option. As I mentioned she was a hourly team member so take it for what its worth.

 

As others have said if there is a will there is a way. This is the park that nearly transforms itself into one giant bar for their Halloween event - they seem to have a grasp on how to manage alcohol in their park.

[Woodie Warrior]

I am going the last weekend in July/first week in August

[necoastergp]

^ If you have an express pass for both parks then yes. If not it'll be tough I'd expect a lot of crowds that time of year. I always stay on site for this reason. It also depends if by doing both parks means riding and seeing every attraction possible.

[nesdude]

On July 12, 2010 (read: near opening of WWoHP) I managed to do everything in one long Monday with Express Pass. Start in Universal Studios, most people make a mad dash to IoA and most everything was a walk on. Managed to get out of there by about 11, giving me enough time to go into IoA, and even with the wait for WWoHP (that was in the days you had to wait an hour just to get into the area for it) I managed to knock out everything with enough time to spare to go back into USO for a few re-rides. If you get the single use Express Pass and there's walk ons in the morning, walk on and save your one ride from the pass for later. If you get the unlimited Express Pass, disregard that and use it anyway, even if there's no line.

 

It was a very long day and I was absolutely exhausted but it was completely worth it. It's also worth noting that I was a 20 year old and traveling by myself. This would have been considerably more difficult if I was traveling with people.

[Woodie Warrior]

On July 12, 2010 (read: near opening of WWoHP) I managed to do everything in one long Monday with Express Pass. Start in Universal Studios, most people make a mad dash to IoA and most everything was a walk on. Managed to get out of there by about 11, giving me enough time to go into IoA, and even with the wait for WWoHP (that was in the days you had to wait an hour just to get into the area for it) I managed to knock out everything with enough time to spare to go back into USO for a few re-rides. If you get the single use Express Pass and there's walk ons in the morning, walk on and save your one ride from the pass for later. If you get the unlimited Express Pass, disregard that and use it anyway, even if there's no line.

 

It was a very long day and I was absolutely exhausted but it was completely worth it. It's also worth noting that I was a 20 year old and traveling by myself. This would have been considerably more difficult if I was traveling with people.

The plan was to dash to Harry Potter in the morning because that is the only ride without Express. Then we would tour the must see rides at IoA and head over to the Studios for the afternoon and night but my sister and grandparents would leave so it would be just my dad and I at the Studios that night.

 

How do you get an Express Pass that can be used unlimitedly?

[Invertalon]

Just do Forbidden Journey via Single Rider line... I have never waited more than maybe five minutes that way. Unless you really want to see the entire queue.

 

Same goes for most of the rides at Uni/IOA... Single rider is key if you don't buy express. Just rush to the rides that don't have single rider lines right away (Despicable Me, for example).

[nesdude]

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx

 

The unlimited wasn't around when I went or I probably would have splurged the extra cash on it. Park was packed with tour groups that made waiting in line most unpleasant. I can handle a little rudeness but this went above and beyond. It's like people get to Orlando on vacation and completely lose their minds.

[Woodie Warrior]

So the only way to get unlimited Express is to get a two-day park hopper ticket?

[necoastergp]

So the only way to get unlimited Express is to get a two-day park hopper ticket?

 

Or stay at one of their hotels, comes with free unlimited express which is totally worth it.

 

edit: Its on their website, but you can do unlimited express for one day park to park for 179.99 a person. Its very pricey thats why their hotels are so worth the extra money. Free unlimited express for everybody in the room. My family has 6 people and we always stay at the Royal Pacific (the cheapest of the 3, but is still just as awesome) and book two rooms just for the express passes. So it's $364 a night with unlimited express first weekend in August for 4 people opposed to an extra 179.99 a person. Still need to buy park tickets but it's totally worth it.

[Woodie Warrior]

My dad and I got a free one day pass to IoA and are buying a one day pass to the Studios that we will use on the same day. We are going to also get a two-park one-day express pass. Is that allowed?

[necoastergp]

^ I don't see why not as long as you have admission to both parks on the same day.