Universal 101 - All the fun of the movies and more

When Universal Studios Florida opened its doors in June 1990, it started as 1or 2 day park but it has now developed into what has become a themed resort that attracts over 14 million visitors a year across the 2 parks and that figure will only increase as it's continues to build its fan base. 

It wasn't a surprise why they chose to build a park in Orlando when there were other attractions and theme parks already established, but they brought something new to the party. What they had achieved in Hollywood with a studio tour and stop-over attractions meant Orlando was destined to be a better theme park. I always loved the tag line on my first visit to the park "Where you ride the movies" to me that said it all and the movie themed attractions gave the park a new dimension.

Although they class the park as a fully working studio, it's clear that they conduct more post production than actual filming, but nevertheless, the authenticity of the props and scenery around the studios are still impressive.
As I've mentioned in a previous post how all of Disney's attractions and scenery have a story behind it, well for Universal the films are the story throughout the park.
But before you start to compare these two resorts, don't! They are both as entertaining as each other but in different ways and that discussion is for another post.
So in case you've been living under a rock for the last 20 years here is a "quick" summary of what all the fuss is about.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Orlando

In the usual park design there are themed sections with associated attractions.
You start in Production Central, with attractions that include Shrek 4D show, Despicable Me's Minion Mayhem 3D ride, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster and Transformers 3D ride. In New York you have the Twister experience and Revenge of the Mummy dark roller coaster. Then we have Hollywood with the Horror Make-Up show and Terminator 2 3D live show. Moving on to World Expo with the Men in Black shooting ride, the interactive show Fear Factor and the Simpsons Ride. Woody Woodpecker's KidsZone is the home to young children's play areas, a Woody Woodpecker ride and the ever popular ET ride. San Francisco the smallest section of the park is mostly eatery's and shows, but does include the walk through interactive attraction Disaster. Now up until last year this area was connected with Amity, which included the hugely popular scene attraction Jaws, but this has now been demolished to may way for the even more popular franchise and the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley opening in summer 2014. This immersive experience which includes all the shops and eatery's found in the books will have the attractions Escape from Gringots Bank that promises to use breakthrough technology in dark rides and The Hogwarts Express that will take you on a realistic journey to Hogsmead located in Universal's sister park Islands of Adventure. Now for me this is genius idea, creating 2 associated lands connecting 2 parks with an attraction.

ET the ride

This is still a 1-2 day park and is consistently been updated as the only remaining opening day ride is ET and even that has been given numerous refurbishments. Although this park has over 6 million visitors a year it has given way in popularity to its sister park...

Universal Islands of Adventure

With over 8 million visitors a year, this park attracts a wide spread of fans, from families to the thrill seekers and it's jam packed with attractions in the following seven "islands":
After the Port of Entry with its shops and bars, there's Seuss Landing for the younger visitor with walk through attractions, playgrounds and mild rides themed with the popular characters books like Cat in the Hat. Lost Continent has special effects and stunt shows, where Marvel Super Hero Island has the spectacular Spiderman 3D attraction and the huge white knuckle ride The Incredible Hulk. Then there's Toon Lagoon, with a family flume ride and Popeye themed playground, it's  another favorite with younger kids. Jurassic Park is a family-centric "island" that has playgrounds, discovery areas and the legendary Jurassic Park River Adventure. 

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 This leaves us with what has to be considered as their jewel in the crown, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmead. It adopted the side name Hogsmade after they announced the second phase expansion Diagon Alley. Outside of creating its own park, there really could only have been one resort to house this franchise. What kid doesn't know about the boy wizard and wouldn't want to be immersed in his world and the Forbidden Journey ride within Hogwarts castle has pushed the envelope in dark ride attractions. 
But it doesn't stop there, now a public area that doesn't require an entry ticket is...

City Walk

Blue Man Group

This, mainly evening entertainment area bridges the 2 main parks and it too is always evolving. It now boasts dozens of bars, restaurants and live entertainment venues with brand names such as NBA Sports, Hard Rock and Blue Man Group, it has something for everyone. But wait, we haven't finished, this is a resort and you can't have a resort without...

Hotels

Currently there are 3 hotels all within walking distance from any of the parks or each other. They are the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. All individually themed and classed as luxury hotels, with benefits such as Express Unlimited allow you as a resort guest to take the express lines on participating park attractions.

Hard Rock Hotel

 
The Cabana Bay Beach Hotel opening in 2014 is the 4th resort hotel and is a modest and affordable resort that will include it's own entertainment complex and night life.





So with all this at your door step and their partner water park Wet'n Wild just a few minutes away, there is no wonder that Orlando visitors are choosing to stay at Universal Resort as their vacation base. 

So will you make this as your vacation base on your next trip? Let me know if you do, but what ever you do, enjoy more.

Dale