Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[Nrthwnd]

As mentioned before, I'm guessing there will be some kind of Kong/dinosaur ripping the 'driver' out of the vehicle in a far more dramatic way than TGMR...

 

That - would be - awesome! And totally scaring the children/gp, too!

 

Damn! If that indeed is what's happening, I am actually interested in

how they "re-install" a new "driver" in the vehicle, before it picks up

another bunch of poor, unsuspecting souls?

 

Manually (what a boring job that would be), or electronically?

[Wily J]

As mentioned before, I'm guessing there will be some kind of Kong/dinosaur ripping the 'driver' out of the vehicle in a far more dramatic way than TGMR...

 

That - would be - awesome! And totally scaring the children/gp, too!

 

Damn! If that indeed is what's happening, I am actually interested in

how they "re-install" a new "driver" in the vehicle, before it picks up

another bunch of poor, unsuspecting souls?

 

Manually (what a boring job that would be), or electronically?

 

Hey Bill! I mostly lurk and always enjoy your posts.

 

Antway, it would be cool. . . here's the original rumor from 'Screamscape' I saw a year and a half ago:

 

"Speaking of Kong's arms... one of the oddest and oldest rumors I ever heard about this attraction involved Kong's arms. I have no idea if this rumor is still true or not, as I can see how easily this would be nixed from the attraction simply for safety concerns, but try to envision a finale like this. Your off-road safari truck (likely a topless truck for the best viewing) would feature a female driver who, like the old Jaws and Kongfrontation attractions, would also serve as the narrator for your journey. The tech involved here would have to be flawless to make this work, but the ancient rumor pitched the concept of having the finale Kong figure being able to reach out and GRAB your driver from the truck and run off and turn to run off with her. Your truck would then roll slowly to a stop in the next room, where crew members would meet up and evacuate you out of the temple, and then send the empty truck on to the loading room for the next group of guests.

I'm just not quite sure how this would work, but it certainly would be an amazing finale unlike any other if Universal was able to pull this off. Anyway... with 2015 now under way, the latest whispers suggest that they may finally be ready to make the big announcement about what this attraction really is over the next month or two, so stay tuned!"

 

Seeing the ride may not have 'real' drivers made me recall this. . . we'll see.

[Nrthwnd]

...Your truck would then roll slowly to a stop in the next room, where crew members would meet up and evacuate you out of the temple, and then send the empty truck on to the loading room for the next group of guests.

 

This is the only part I am wondering how they're going to re-install the "driver" etc?

From your description of a possible "E-Vac," the new driver could be put in,

after guests have exited, and then rolled around to the load station. Easy!

 

And THANKS for The Lurk, lol!

[Dom497]

Like the Lance said himself, the tech would have to be perfectly flawless....like 0% chance of something going wrong. I'm not saying its not possible but I have my doubts given that technology is NEVER 100% perfect no matter how much money you put into it; something is bound to go wrong somewhere at sometime. Because the driver cabin is so close to where people will be sitting, what if the truck stops a little in front of it's "target zone" for whatever reason. Is Kong going to attempt to take an actual passenger away??? (I know this is an extreme example ) I think there are too many scenarios where things can go wrong for them to implement something like that.

 

But if they do, then hey, I'm not complaining!

[djcoastermark]

oh nom nom nom. yummy and delicious too.

[Jew]

...Your truck would then roll slowly to a stop in the next room, where crew members would meet up and evacuate you out of the temple, and then send the empty truck on to the loading room for the next group of guests.

 

This is the only part I am wondering how they're going to re-install the "driver" etc?

From your description of a possible "E-Vac," the new driver could be put in,

after guests have exited, and then rolled around to the load station. Easy!

 

And THANKS for The Lurk, lol!

 

They could use the Shakiki effect. Driver AA moves out of view very quickly concealed by lighting and being distracted by Kong "carrying" her away. Anything is possible...

[jray21]

^ Exactly. Has no one see the special effects show!?

[Brassinthegrass]

I'm headed to the park for the first time Monday through Wednesday next week, can anyone give any advice on food locations? Other than the butter beer (Which is clearly happening) any other food items that need to absolutely be eaten?

 

We are staying at the Royal Pacific, so we are getting front of the line passes!

[Nrthwnd]

...They could use the Shakiki effect. Driver AA moves out of view very quickly concealed by lighting and being distracted by Kong "carrying" her away. Anything is possible...

 

I agree. I thought that's what they might pull off with this. The silhouette of the driver disappears just as Kong reaches to grab "her," etc. etc.

 

Eventually, we shall all learn.

[disney4me2001]

I'm headed to the park for the first time Monday through Wednesday next week, can anyone give any advice on food locations? Other than the butter beer (Which is clearly happening) any other food items that need to absolutely be eaten?

 

We are staying at the Royal Pacific, so we are getting front of the line passes!

 

I would recommend the Universal Classic Monsters Cafe in Universal Studios Florida. The atmosphere of the restaurant makes it worth it! While the food is decent, it's nothing over the top amazing in my opinion. But still, it's a very cool restaurant to see, especially if you're a horror fan! I ended up eating there twice while I was there just so I could enjoy the dining rooms! Also, it's quick service (as opposed to table service), so even if you choose not to actually eat there, you can still go in and walk around to check out the different rooms!

[jarmor]

I'm headed to the park for the first time Monday through Wednesday next week, can anyone give any advice on food locations? Other than the butter beer (Which is clearly happening) any other food items that need to absolutely be eaten?

 

We are staying at the Royal Pacific, so we are getting front of the line passes!

My personal favorites . . .

Cowfish

Reds brick oven pizza

Emeril tchoup chop

[rcrider4]

Two favorites in CityWalk for me have to be Cowfish for table service and Bread Box for quick service.

[chargersmichael]

I'm headed to the park for the first time Monday through Wednesday next week, can anyone give any advice on food locations? Other than the butter beer (Which is clearly happening) any other food items that need to absolutely be eaten?

 

We are staying at the Royal Pacific, so we are getting front of the line passes!

My personal favorites . . .

Cowfish

Reds brick oven pizza

Emeril tchoup chop

 

I'd like to add to that! The Simpsons area has a lot of neat food options to try! All delicious!

 

In CityWalk, I really like Antojitos as well!

 

I'll be there on Wednesday too!

[TrippinBillie]

Wife and I are thinking of doing the Universal "stuff" for our 1 year anniversary this October. How would crowds be on a Sunday (Oct 16th) through Wednesday (Oct 19th)? I know it's during Halloween stuff, but we really wanted to go in October. Otherwise, we can do September. She has never been to Uni and is a big Potter fan....and loves theme parks. Thanks for any help

[chargersmichael]

Wife and I are thinking of doing the Universal "stuff" for our 1 year anniversary this October. How would crowds be on a Sunday (Oct 16th) through Wednesday (Oct 19th)? I know it's during Halloween stuff, but we really wanted to go in October. Otherwise, we can do September. She has never been to Uni and is a big Potter fan....and loves theme parks. Thanks for any help

 

The theme parks are typically quiet and slow especially in the morning this time of year. Universal Studios will close early for Halloween Horror Nights but Islands of Adventure is open until 8pm and it is really quiet once HHN starts. I don't think crowds should be too much of an issue.

[BlahBlahson]

^^October is good, but late September is even better.

 

Practically Any date for HHN will be less crowded in September than October, plus all the parks in the area are dead during that month and all Halloween events are running. Universal day-time is good for either though, they are only packed during school holidays.

[DaveDowning]

From my experience the perfect time to visit UOR is the two weeks after HHN opening weekend. Usually that is the last week of September and / or the first week of October which means:

 

* Low crowds, max. 20 min. wait everywhere or a walk on with express

* Summer Thunderstorms have thinned out and great weather (usually)

* If you go to HHN on the second sunday it will be practically dead (in comparison to the rest of HHN)

 

We did this in 2014. Arrived 4th of october (Sat), went to HHN on sunday and the parks on monday and tuesday. With the express pass from staying at Royal Pacific that gave us 20+ rides on all of the main attractions plus all the mazes at HHN without express. I think we´ll do that again next year...

[TrippinBillie]

Thanks to all who responded, very helpful!

 

Consensus is that timeframe in October would be ok Sun-Wed?

 

Last, do they have a deal where if you buy a ticket/come after 2/3pm, the next day is free kinda thing? Or is it only 2 day park hopper valid on say, Monday and Tuesday and NOT Sunday after 3? If that makes sense....

[jarmor]

Universal is a big boy park lol, they dont have those type of deals. Now, I think they have a 3 days for the price of 2 special.

[TrippinBillie]

Universal is a big boy park lol, they dont have those type of deals. Now, I think they have a 3 days for the price of 2 special.

 

I've been there 4 times, but all while on the family's dime

 

I just couldn't recall, is all. Thanks for clearing that up; I figured that was the case. I'm just glad my wife gets into going places like I do!

[Rydel]

We went during the last week of September last year and the crowds were very light aside from Horror Nights (30-60 minute waits without Express). If you're going to be staying onsite and doing Horror Nights, it might be worth checking out Power Pass annual passes. You'll get a solid discount on the hotel, add-on Horror Nights tickets, dining, and Blue Man Group tickets if you want to see them while you're there.

[chargersmichael]

Left the park today and noticed Green and Blue water slide pieces in place! I don't have any pictures (as I was driving ) but it is exciting! From a first quick glance, the slide complex looks to be tube slides with the blue one the type of slide with the big sharp turns.

[SFOGdude25]

Ok I wasn't sure where to post this, but I've been watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, and they have a whole bit done at Universal Orlando at the end of season 2, and the theme park/coaster nerd jokes are hysterical. Seriously recommend checking it out for those who haven't watched the show. It's awesome!

[TheCoasterKid211]

Ok I wasn't sure where to post this, but I've been watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, and they have a whole bit done at Universal Orlando at the end of season 2, and the theme park/coaster nerd jokes are hysterical. Seriously recommend checking it out for those who haven't watched the show. It's awesome!

I only just finished Season 1, hilarious show! Titus is my bae

[robbalvey]

Last Friday we were invited out to a Universal Orlando "Instameet" which is a group of Instagramers chosen by @Igers_Orlando on Instagram. Please take a moment to go follow these accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/igers_orlando/

https://www.instagram.com/universalorlando/

 

And also be sure to search hashtag: #uoinstameet

 

Anyway... what was super cool about this meet up is that is all took place after the parks closed so we were able to get these super-cool and rare shots of locations in the park with NOBODY in them! And usually after a park does their sweep of guests, the service vehicles and other after-hours team members will come out to do their work, but for this event, almost all service units were held until after we were done!

 

Now I will say that I am not your traditional "photographer" by any means. I took all of the photos below with my iPhone SE and being that they are for social media, they really are meant to be viewed on a phone. I don't have the photo editing skills as someone like Jack Crouse has, but I think for being taken on a mobile device (no SLR or anything used here) and then run through some basic adjustments in Photoshop, some of them turned out quite good!

 

I guess you can say I'm sort of an Instagram "purist" in the sense that I always felt that Instagram, like SnapChat was more of a platform for people to feature pictures they've taken with their phone on the go. So that's exactly what I did! Enjoy the pics!

 

Here we are at Universal Studios Florida ready to take some pics!

 

Our adventure begins at Islands of Adventure!

 

So great to see Hulk back together again!

 

It rained for about 30 minutes, which actually did some AMAZING things for us!

 

Not only was it super cool to get a photo of the bridge with NOBODY on it, but the rain gave us an awesome reflection as well!

 

I'm sure many of you know what this place is!

 

How about an angle of Hogwart's you normally can't get?

 

Still love this coaster, even if it doesn't duel anymore.

 

So awesome being the ONLY ones in the park!!!

 

Hogwart's with NOBODY else around is not a shot you can get very easily!

 

The rooftops of Hogsmeade!

 

A lonely Butterbeer cart.

 

Just in case you forgot what ride you were at!

 

Was cool being allowed to walk around and find interesting and different shots to get.

 

NOTED!

 

Trying to get some "detail" shots!

 

More rooftops...

 

I love this creepy guy who appears to be up to no good!

 

More details.

 

Alone in the park!

 

"Can we please get a ride to Diagon?"

 

"Please respect the spell limits."

 

Checking out what's left of Lost Continent.

 

Who can tell me what this kiosk was when the park first opened?

(Hint: it was NOT an ATM!)

 

Across the lagoon trying to make some colors pop!

 

Welcome...

 

Never quite noticed how colorful Dudley Do-Right's is at night!

 

Of course the rest of Toon Lagoon looks great!

 

Gang of Instagramers taking over their turf at Universal Orlando!

 

Purple towers...for Prince?

 

Done with IOA, let's head over to Universal Studios.

 

Some details in the NYC streets area.

 

More signage.

 

Anyplace with a Starbucks logo is instantly one of my favorite spots!

 

A very quiet Kings Cross.

 

Somewhere in this picture is the entrance to someplace cool.

 

I wonder what could be through there?

 

Diagon Alley!

 

Details of Diagon!

 

Another look at that bad-ass dragon!

 

Inside the queue for Gringott's.

 

I love my "vertical pan" shot of the inside of the bank!

 

The stuff nightmares are made of!

 

This creepy guy absolutely makes me want some ice cream! lol

 

It is not possible to have "too many" pics of the dragon!

 

London sleeps for the night...

 

Men in Black is still one of my all-time favorite dark rides!

 

Let's play "Spot the Difference" between these two photos!

Do you see it? It's kind of subtle.

 

Krustyland from across the bay!

 

Surly is my favorite of the "7 Duffs!" lol

 

And we'll end this update with an appropriate photo of "The Darkroom!"

 

Hope you enjoyed this update! Please go follow us on Instagram along with the Igers_Orlando and the Universal Orlando account! Thanks everyone!

In case you get lost wandering through the gardens, just look for one of these signs!

Edited April 25, 2016 by robbalvey