|
At Universal Studios Orlando a real working film and TV studio, an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and attractions put guests right in their favorite scenes from their favorite movies.
Rocket from the future to the past on the Back to the Future-The Ride, become an agent on the Men in Black Alien Attack, survive an earth-shattering quake on Earthquake-The Big One, or test your nerves on any of the many other thrill rides. Other attractions feature the sharing of movie making magic as well as live shows located throughout the park and attractions geared just for the little ones featuring favorite lovable characters and rides.
Don't forget the souvenirs! Find a variety of shops and boutiques offering everything from surfboards and sportswear to toys and novelties to fine jewelry and gifts. When hunger hits, there are over 17 restaurants and eateries to choose from, something for every taste!
The Rides
 Back to the Future...The Ride
Blast through the space-time continuum in one of 24 flight simulators built to look like the movie's famous DeLorean. Along the way, you'll dive into blazing volcanic tunnels, collide with Ice Age glaciers, thunder through caves and canyons, and briefly get swallowed by a dinosaur in an eye-crossing multi-sensory adventure. You twist, you turn, you dip, you dive -- all the while feeling like you're really flying.
 E.T. Adventure
You'll soar with E.T. on a mission to save his ailing planet, through the forest and into space aboard a bicycle. You'll also meet some characters created by Steven Spielberg for the ride, including Botanicus, Tickli Moot Moot, Horn Flowers, and Tympani Tremblies. This family favorite is definitely a charmer.
 Earthquake--The Big One
You climb on a BART train in San Francisco for a peaceful subway ride, but just as you pull into the Embarcadero Station, there's an earthquake -- a big one, 8.3 on the Richter scale! As you sit helplessly trapped, slabs of concrete collapse around you, a propane truck bursts into flames, a runaway train hurtles your way, and the station floods (65,000 gallons of water cascade down the steps).
 Jaws
As your boat heads into the 7-acre, 5-million-gallon lagoon, a dorsal fin appears on the surface. Then, what goes with the fin -- a 3-ton, 32-foot, mechanical great white shark -- tries to sink its urethane teeth into your hide (or at least your boat's). A 30-foot wall of flame that surrounds the vessel truly causes you to feel the heat in this $45 million attraction. We won't tell you exactly how it ends, but in spite of a captain who can't hit the broad side of a dock with his grenade launcher, some lucky Orlando restaurant will be serving blackened shark tonight. ( Tip: The effects of this ride are far more spectacular after dark.)
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
 Buckle up and climb aboard Jimmy's Rocket Pod, which hurtles you through hyperspace thanks to a motion simulator, sophisticated computer graphics, state-of-the-art ride technology, animation, and programmable motion-based seats. Your task: Defeat the evil Yokians -- egg-shaped aliens bent on taking over our world if you lose. The attraction also features Jimmy's robot dog, Goddard, his nemesis, Cindy Vortex, and popular characters from several other cartoons, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, Wild Thornberrys, and Fairly Odd Parents.
Men in Black Alien Attack
 |
Armageddon may be upon us unless you and your mates fly to the rescue and destroy the alien menace. Once on board your six-passenger cruiser, you'll buzz the streets of New York, using your "zapper" to splatter bug-eyed targets. You have to contend with return fire and distractions such as light, noise, and clouds of liquid nitrogen, any of which can spin you out of control. Your laser tag-style gun fires infrared bullets. Earn a bonus by hitting Frank the Pug. The 4-minute ride relies on 360-degree spins rather than speed for its thrill factor. At the conclusion, you're swallowed by a giant roach that explodes, dousing you with bug guts as you blast your way to safety and into the pest-control hall of fame -- maybe. When you exit, Will Smith rates you anywhere from galaxy defender to bug bait. Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to climb aboard this $70 million ride.
|
Shrek 4-D
A 20-minute show that can be seen, heard, felt, and smelled thanks to film, motion simulators, OgreVision glasses, and other special effects, such as water spritzers. The attraction picks up where the movie left off -- allowing you to join Shrek and Princess Fiona on their honeymoon. Once settled in specially designed seats in the main auditorium, you're transported to the fairy-tale realm of Duloc, as the screen comes alive. The theater's seats are pneumatic air propulsion nodules that are capable of turning and tilting. The pre-ride features the ghostly return of the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad.
Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time
 |
This is billed as "the quintessential sight and sound experience for the 21st century!" The same director who made the movie, Jim Cameron, supervised this $60 million production. After a slow start, it builds into an impressive experience featuring the Big Man (on film), along with other original cast members. It combines 70mm 3-D film (utilizing three 23-*-50-foot screens) with thrilling technical effects and live stage action that includes a custom-built Harley Davidson "Fat Boy" and six 8-foot-tall cyberbots. Note: The crisp 3-D effects are among the best in any Orlando park, but Universal has given this show a PG-13 rating, meaning the violence and loud noise may be too intense for preteens. That may be a little too cautious, but some kids under 10 may be frightened.
|
Twister . . . Ride It Out
 Visitors from the twister-prone Midwest may find this re-creation a little too close to the real thing. An ominous funnel cloud, 5 stories tall, is created by swirling 2 million cubic feet of air per minute (that's enough to fill four full-size blimps), and the sound of a freight train fills the theater at rock-concert level as cars, trucks, and a cow fly about while the audience stands just 20 feet away. It's the windy version of Earthquake and packs quite a wallop. Crowds have been known to applaud when it's over. Note: This show, too, comes with a PG-13 rating. Its loudness and intensity certainly can be too much for children under 8.
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
This is the top attraction in Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, an 8-acre concession Universal Studios made a few years ago after being criticized for having too little for young visitors. This ride is a kiddie coaster that will thrill some moms and dads, too. While only 30 feet at its peak, it offers quick, spiraling turns while you sit in a miniature steam train. The ride lasts only 55 seconds and waits can be 30 minutes or more, but few kids will want to miss it.It has a minimum height of 36 inches.
The Entertainment and features
Animal Planet Live!
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Animal Planet television network through a multimedia show that combines video with live actors. The stars can include Meesha the fox, Sniffles the raccoon, and Spooner the Australian shepherd.
Beetlejuice's Rock 'n Roll Graveyard Revue
Universal, in 2002, added some new steps and tunes to this rock musical that stars Dracula, Wolfman, the Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein and his bride, and Beetlejuice. The fun includes pyrotechnic special effects, some adult jokes, and MTV-style choreography. It's loud and lively enough to scare some small children and frazzle some older adults. It carries Universal's PG-13 rating, meaning it may not be suitable for preteens.
Nickelodeon Studios
You'll tour the sound stages where Nick shows are produced, view concept pilots, visit the kitchen where Gak and green slime are made, and try new Sega video games. This 45-minute behind-the-scenes walking tour is a fun escape from the hustle of the midway and there's lots of audience participation. A child volunteer gets slimed, but it's only dessert-food slime, so even if yours is the lucky victim and swallows, green applesauce is as bad as it gets.
A Day in the Park with Barney
 Set in a park-like theater-in-the-round, this 25-minute musical stars the Purple One, Baby Bop, and BJ. It uses song, dance, and interactive play to deliver an environmental message. This could be the highlight of the day for preschoolers (parents can console themselves with their kids' happiness). The playground adjacent to the theater has chimes to ring, tree houses to explore, and lots to intrigue wee ones.
Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show
Stunt people demonstrate falls from 3-story balconies, gun and bullwhip fights, dynamite explosions, and other Wild West staples in this 18-minute show held at least three times a day. It's well performed, funny, and a big hit among foreign visitors who have celluloid visions of the American West. Warning: Heed the splash zone, or you will get very wet.
|
