Skip to main content

Review: Orlando Universal Studios & Island of Adventure

Universal Orlando Globe--directly in front of park

Two Parks for Everyone!

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

To celebrate my 60th birthday, my husband and I decided to visit the Orlando Universal Studios.  I was a bit concerned about our choice since we are not "roller coaster" people anymore and that seemed to be the focus of the park.  However, I wanted—more like needed—to see and do everything Harry Potter.  Universal Orlando delivered on that essential and more.  Surprisingly, we both loved every single moment of our four-day visit. 

Note: Follow CDC and Universal’s guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   



It’s not all about the rides!

Also surprisingly, this theme park is not all rides.  It is full of real movie sets.  Each is like a unique world where the guest can immerse him or herself deeply into the experience.  For example, guests can meet and mingle with “Spider-Man “and many other superheroes on the Island of Adventure.

Shows and more shows!

Most are live theater as if the action was happening at that very moment and we, the guests, are part of the action.  The actors are skilled, believable, and entertaining.  Plenty of music as well. 

Speaking of music (and dance), the wizarding world's most popular performers Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees treat guests several times each day inside Diagon Alley.   Alternately, the wizarding world may have Celestina and the Bandshees, but The Blues Brothers rock an entire block in "New York".  People of all ages danced and sang to the songs delivered perfectly by these talented performers.  (video)

 But what about the rides?

There are rides for everyone in this park.  Some rides are a bit too violent for small children and older guests like me.  However, we found many that we could experience.  Since Universal is a studio, not just a theme park, most of the rides included a “story “which we found enchanting.  For example, inside the “Transformers” 3-D ride, we joined Optimus Prime and the Autobots fight Megatron and the Decepticons.  

How about those with disabilities?

Guest Assistance Pass for those with disabilities 

The Universal park designers appeared to have everyone in mind when planning this park.  There are ramps and elevators everywhere for those in wheelchairs.  Those with “invisible” disabilities like me—I have MS

—found assistance as well.  Universal offers a “Guest Assistance” pass.  This pass allows people like me to skip the mainline if the wait is more than 30 minutes.  Often, I was allowed to skip the line anyway.  No one wanted me to stand in line.

Note: please do not abuse this generous gift if able-bodied.  It’s not fair or polite to Universal or to those who tire easily.

Final Notes

The parks are squeaky clean and beautiful.  Employees are helpful, polite, and approachable.  Everyone appeared to want to make our visit amazing—and it was. 
This is a park for everyone—old, young, with or without children.  There is something for everyone inside the gates.  Will we return?  Absolutely! 

Please Read

Venue Review: Sapphire Falls Resort

Dining on the Cheap in Universal Orlando

Review: Entertainment at Universal Orlando 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Look Closer at the Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki

  Why We Might Not Return: Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki My dear polite travelers, Imagine waiting three years to revisit a pleasant memory.  You’d probably be thrilled to be on that journey.  Right?  Well, I am, and ...well, I’m lukewarm to some aspects of it, especially our room: #1537.  But the Ocean is Right There! In our room, #1537, we have the ocean view and the fresh breezes associated with it.  Still, due to the central, otherwise excellent location, it’s noisy—very noisy.  Thus, those breezes remain outside all night.  Darn.  The pleasant sweet-ocean-air-in-our-room-memory I dream of often eluded us on this trip.  Now, it’s just sad. The Good & the Weird Beyond the noise, it is a comfortable room—especially the shower—but there’s not enough counter space.  Instead of a long counter or desk, the hotel designer thought a long built-in seat would be a clever idea??  Hint.  It’s not.  We can only ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kauai Vacation: Room Review

The Room Over The Power Plant Revised 4/2021 The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offers guests beautiful rooms, which include kitchens or kitchenettes, outdoor grills, and a number of pools.  Most often, it includes an excellent restaurant, poolside bar, and small store.  A large grocery store is within walking distance as well.  Thus, the theory is that guests will not have to leave the property once they cross the big pond to reach it. Great theory, but that’s not necessarily true when the only on-site restaurant is closed.  Add to that the incredibly loud room...well, let’s just say I needed a break from the property at times.   Note : Follow Hawaii and CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public. May we just see the room we should have had? After an exceptionally long journey that included a broken plane and a rushed connection—not to mention airport security—we were surprised to find that our ...
5 comments
Read more

Sonoma, California: DoubleTree Sonoma

Updated 4/2021 Our Stay in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in California As over-worked small business owners, we decided to play hooky traveling through Sonoma County for a couple of days.  Since we recently experience excellent service on our last stay in a DoubleTree, we booked a room at their Sonoma Wine Country property in Rohnert Park. Our Journey Through Sonoma County Our drive from our home in Davis pleasant with light traffic.  We chose a slightly longer route through Sonoma so we could take in the beauty of the Glen Ellen area vineyards.  The vineyards here are quite beautiful with green rolling hills as a backdrop.  Arriving at the DoubleTree As we arrived, I mentioned to my husband that since this trip would focus on cheese tasting, it would be perfect if we were given a free upgrade to a room with a refrigerator.  The hotel appeared fully booked, so I assumed that was impossible.   As...
8 comments
Read more