Photo TR: Universal Orlando (Including WWoHP) and Sea World 7/23/10-7/25/10

[Chris]

Okay... this will be my first attempt at a true Photo TR, so lets see how this goes...Photos will come soon after to ensure that nothing is lost!

The whole idea of this trip came about a month and a half earlier, where my work schedule ended up working out just right that I had 7 days off in a row without having to use annual leave! Yay! So my friend Tyler had been bugging me wanting to go visit the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When you have Annual Passes to a place such as Universal, anytime they build something new its worth a trip to go see it.

Against my better judgment to visit in Universal on a July weekend, I decided to go and wait out the lines to get to check out this new area.

My friends who would be accompanying me on this excursion met me at my job in Marietta when I got off work at 6pm. We all cruised down to my home in McDonough (conveniently 1hr closer to Florida!) before going to sleep...I got up around 3:30am (usual work awake time) and began the drive.

We arrived around 11am and noticed that all of the throngs of people were taking the left in Citywalk towards Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (henceforth in this TR referred to as WWoHP), so naturally we went right to Universal Studios. Upon entering, we went straight to Rockit and got our first ride on it.

After taking a spin on Rockit, we headed to Revenge of the Mummy. Singles line wasn't too long so we waited for it as opposed to the longer standby line. After 20 min or so, we reached the dock, only to have the ride shut down due to "one of the fellow sacrifices having indigestion" according to the very in-character grouper on the dock. After an additional 30 min or so of the ride shut down, we finally were on the ride, only to have the in-car audio not working during the coaster portion. Oh well...

We then walked around the park looking for food, only to see that just about every restaurant was PACKED! We then exited the park and went to the Hard Rock Cafe outside to grab some lunch. We got to sit in a relatively unused area for lunch that had a touch screen at our booth where we could pick the next song that played inside and outside the Hard Rock. I think we must have been the only ones sitting by one of these, since EVERY song we picked got played.

After lunch we decided to bear down and go into Islands of Adventure to see what the crowds were like. I had heard horror stories of huge lines just to get inside the Harry Potter section of the park. To our surprise, there was no wait to enter. We looked around before getting in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I was nervous about being able to fit on the ride, since I was apparently right at the threshold for weight that I had read for this ride. In fact I failed the outside test seat, but decided to join them anyway through the queue. I actually did not get picked out of the line to try the inner test seat on my first ride and walked right into the station. I had heard of discrepancies in the outer test seat compared to the actual ride, so I decided to give it a try. With the help of the attendant, I was able to get the three clicks necessary, and we were on our way!

Let me just say that this ride is great! The robocoaster arms do a great job of simulating flying, and the moving projection domes are very crisp! The transitions from physical scenes to projection domes were very well done. We would ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey a total of 5 times during our trip. The standby queue moves VERY fast, almost non stop. Our longest wait for the ride was only 1 hour. The wait wasn't that bad since you would only stop in place a few seconds before moving up further due to how many people this ride can go through. The "benches" move extremely fast in the station, and they do not play around getting you on this ride. To tell you how fast the station is, there is a moving sidewalk just to get on the real moving sidewalk its so fast.

We then went and checked out the changes to Dueling Dragons to transform it into Dragon Challenge. This is where the Wizarding World was a bit of a letdown. The queue now takes you past the Ford Angila from the movies, through the Champions tent from the 4th film (including the Goblet of Fire), followed by the Triwizard Cup. After this however, this queue has been stripped of almost all of its features that made it so unique. The entire catacombs are now gone, replaced by bare rock walls. The holes were still left where bones/skulls once sat, now leaving only places for guests to stuff their trash. Very sad. The ride itself was very good, as we rode on Fire Dragon (or Chinese Fireball if you want to go with the new name-this will always be Dueling Dragons to me).

We then made our way around the park, stopping at Dr Dooms Fearfall for a quick ride before heading back to the studios. We watched Terminator 2: 3D before joining up with newest Orlando resident, GoliathGuy to experience Twister. We then all headed over to Men in Black to take over the ride. I love this ride, in fact it's probably one of my favorites in all of Florida. We all rode together for a ride before facing off 2 vs. 2. The bad thing about riding with my friends is that they are all good at this ride too, so getting very high scores is hard. My best score was around 770,000 on this trip if I remember correctly.

After this, we all walked back to Islands to hopefully ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with GoliathGuy, only to find 4 helicopters hovering over the ride. Turns out the ride had a standard breakdown that involved riders being evacuated on the ride. One guy pulls his cell phone out and calls 911. By the time the fire department gets there, the guy who called was already off the ride! So in typical overreact mode, every news station sent their helicopter to get footage of the roof of a building. I'm not sure what they expected to see. Nonetheless, the ride was down for the night, so we called it a night at the parks as well. After some late night Pizza Hut, we headed off to bed for the night...

Sea World and days 2 and 3 to come!

[Chris]

Day 2-Sea World and more Universal!

We got up the following morning and headed towards Sea World. Due to a promotion Sea World has with their passholders, i was able to get in for free. We entered the park only to find that Manta already had a 1 hour wait.

We decided to go ride Kraken first instead. Kraken is one of my favorite coasters. It has great elements and pacing. After riding in the last row once, we decided to check out the Penguins and Sea Lions. Unfortunately they are currently simulating Arctic Winter in the penguin habitat, so photos were near impossible. We then checked out the Sea Turtles and Dolphins before finally returning to Manta.

We decided to wait for the front row since this would be our only ride on it today. After waiting through the whole queue, the ride decided to break down while we were in the station. After waiting through the extensive breakdown, they finally dumped the line. Luckily we had a second pass, and were able to score another ticket to come back the following day to attempt Manta.

With Manta closed for the foreseeable future, we headed back to Universal and rode Rockit again. To all the larger riders out there, DO NOT RIDE ROCKIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. The lap bar sat under my ribs and rattled them the whole time. Not a pleasant experience. After making sure I was in one piece, we headed over to the Simpsons ride. I really enjoy this makeover. As much as I was sad to see Back to the Future go, the Simpsons was very well done and is a great example of how older technology can be refreshed into something very enjoyable again.

Another example of this was our next ride, Disaster. I simply love the redo of this ride. They take and make the lame movements of the subway car a part of the show. Instead of pretending it is a real earthquake, they now pretend like you are in the middle of a film shoot. Plus, the new preshows are hilarious! I have now been in the preshow twice, once in the runaway river scene, and once as the evil corporate henchmen. It's very fun and hilarious if you get the chance!

We stopped in at my favorite restaurant in the Studios, Finnegans, for a beer before heading back to Revenge of the Mummy. After a quick ride, we walked over to Islands and decided to give the Hulk a try. Last time i rode the Incredible Hulk it was one of the worst experiences on this ride. Short and sweet-it beat the crap out of me. Needless to say, I wasn't actually looking forward to this ride. Turns out the last ride must have been a fluke, as it was very smooth this time! I rode in the 3rd row, and was given quite the smooth, enjoyable ride.

After letting the Hulk redeem himself, we caught a quick ride of the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. There's been alot of talk about how Harry Potter blows Spiderman out of the water. I think that while Potter does offer a new, more technological ride, both rides still offer fantastic ride experiences. I'd say that they are about equal if you look at just the ride experience itself. Spiderman does need the new HD projectors though, as the 3d effects aren't quite working as they used to.

We made our rounds around the park, riding Jurassic Park: River Adventure, before heading back to the Wizarding World for dinner at the Three Broomsticks. The food is very good, and its good to see that the roasted corn that was so tasty from the Enchanted Oak has made a return to the Three Broomsticks. I enjoyed a Pumpkin Juice with my dinner (tasty!), before we went back to the Forbidden Journey to round out our rides for the evening. It was good to see that the AA dragon in the ride was actually working fully this day.

Sunday we woke up, packed, then headed back to Sea World to get our ride on Manta. Manta is quite the enjoyable ride, and definitely blows Superman: Ultimate Flight out of the water. The pretzel loop even surprised me with how forceful it is, and the flying corkscrew element is right at home on this type of ride. We caught the Clyde and Seamore show (one of my favorites!) before going back to Universal to hit our favorite rides one last time and say goodbye to GoliathGuy at Rockit before hitting the road...

All in all, a great quick trip down to Orlando! I definitely recommend heading down to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when you get the chance. The area is very well done. The rides, shows, shops (if you don't mind waiting to enter a shop), are all very well done! Now I can look forward to my next trip down there in only 10 weeks for my favorite event: Halloween Horror Nights!

[Brad]

To all the larger riders out there, DO NOT RIDE ROCKIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. The lap bar sat under my ribs and rattled them the whole time. Not a pleasant experience.

I think this applies to everyone... and not just the front seat.  Rockit is very strange in that each train can offer two completely different rides.  My first ride was very enjoyable, mostly smooth and with some great airtime (the 'loop' is a very cool element).  But the second time I rode, still in the back seat, the ride hurt like crap and I was looking forward to getting as far away as possible. 

I'll be heading down to Universal Orlando in 8 weeks (I'm having to go to HHN on the 'preview weekend', but still think it will be a blast).  I'm also looking forward to the WWoHP. 

[Chris]

Pictures are still forthcoming...Photobucket is being slllooowww on upload.

Brad-preview weekend should be good. Make sure to catch the "opening scareamonies"...they should be good this year since its year 20 and all.

[Chris]

Photos! (in no particular order)


The adventure begins.


Hogwarts Castle in the distance.


The wall to wall people all throughout the Wizarding World!


A snowman? In Florida? C'mon Universal


The AA Sorting hat in the queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.


Hogwarts Castle looms over the queue for the ride.


Mandrakes in the queue for the ride.


A statue in the queue. I believe this is supposed to be the founder of Howarts. Any Potter fans out there that can clarify?


Harry, Ron, and Hermoine in the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom. Great use of the musion effect in here.


Defense against the Dark Arts textbook on the table.


One of the many storefronts in the Wizarding World (and the huge line for Ollivanders)


More storefronts.


Sirius Black wanted poster.


Three Broomsticks restaurant.


404 error. Potter Not Found.


This area of the Three Broomsticks should look familiar if you've seen the Half Blood Prince. They actually modeled the movie Three Broomsticks in the Half Blood Prince after the plans for the one at Universal.


"Upstairs" at the Three Broomsticks


Hogwarts Express


Hogsmeade. Love the forced perspective of Hogwarts looming over the village.


Zonko's Joke Shop


Honeydukes Sweet Shop


Jurassic Hogwarts? As my friend Kevin put it, "Gotta look out for those raptors on brooms, they can be stealthy."


2nd batch of photos coming soon as soon as they upload!

[MR6]

Very nice Chris,

I now see what you mean about photo trip reports.

Still reading through, but wanted to comment on The Rockit coaster.
We waited 2 1/2 hours for this one last Halloween. Road the front seat too.

I'm large too, took my daughter and 2 attendants to push the restraint. Then popped open and they had to repeat. UGHH!

While it's a cool ride, it sucked the air right out of me. Not the ride's fault, but being overweight, I was out of breath by the end of ride. I've lost a few pounds since. Which is good because I could not fit on Batman last year. Now good to go.

I hope to being able to fit on the Potter ride. Nice report again, now back to reading...

[Chris]

Part 2 of Photos!


Hogwarts across the lagoon.


Train Arrival/Departure Board


Hogwarts Castle with annoying Brazilian tour group in foreground. These groups were everywhere! In fact, the entire bottom floor of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center was just them sleeping!


Hogwarts Castle again.


The monster book of monsters.


The monster book of monsters.


Hogwarts Express


Hogwarts Express


Dragon Challenge Entrance


Hogsmeade at Dusk.


Hogwarts at Dusk.


Frog Choir


Portrait Gallery in the queue.


Rockit's vertical lift hill.


Rockit's first drop and non-inverting loop.


More Rockit goodness.


Twister. One of my favorite attractions. Bill Paxton is the cheesiest actor in all of Hollywood, and for that he makes me laugh hysterically! I mean c'mon! His character is named Bill! It's like he couldn't even remember a false name!


Finnegan's Irish Pub. A full service Irish Pub right in the middle of Universal. Excellent!


Dr. Doom's Fearfall


Mythos across the lagoon.


Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges


Me waiting for a beer at the Watering Hole in Jurassic Park.


Hulk and the surrounding area.


Revenge of the Mummy's facade.


Pteranodon Flyers.


Poseidon at night. I had forgotten how beautiful this park is at night, since it hasn't been open this late in a long time (at least the times of year I go).

[Chris]

Sea World!:


Manta (w/ sign in foreground)


Ray in Manta's aquarium/queue


Group (or pod, whatever the classification is) of seahorses in Manta's aquarium.


More seahorse goodness.


Seadragon (leafy or weedy-not sure which)


Shrimp.


Ninja Shrimp!


The "big tank" in Manta's queue.


Manta's first drop.


More Manta. This pretzel loop was intense!


Flying corkscrew.


Clyde and Seamore show.


Sir Winston Walrus in the Clyde and Seamore show.


Journey to Atlantis. Didn't ride (didn't feel like walking around soaked).


Puffins.


Random Sea Lion.


Turtles at Turtle Point


Sea Turtles...Better view


Hawksbill Sea Turtle


Dolphins.


Underwater Walrus at Wild Arctic.


Belugas getting fed/trained.


Lazy polar bear.


More lazy polar bear. Apparently he destroyed a water cooler earlier in the day according to the staff.


FROG!

And thats it! Thanks to Tyler and Brent for use of their photos as well. Thanks for reading/viewing!

[Chris]

Very nice Chris,

I now see what you mean about photo trip reports.

Still reading through, but wanted to comment on The Rockit coaster.
We waited 2 1/2 hours for this one last Halloween. Road the front seat too.

I'm large too, took my daughter and 2 attendants to push the restraint. Then popped open and they had to repeat. UGHH!

While it's a cool ride, it sucked the air right out of me. Not the ride's fault, but being overweight, I was out of breath by the end of ride. I've lost a few pounds since. Which is good because I could not fit on Batman last year. Now good to go.

I hope to being able to fit on the Potter ride. Nice report again, now back to reading...

Next time, try row 3. Its the modified seat row. But yes, I've never seen a ride so different depending on where you sit/what train! Our last ride I rode in row 3 (the modified seats), and was fine from a lap bar mentality, but oh my god that train was shaking like crazy the whole ride. I wonder if they have a problem with wheels flatspotting, or if its a larger problem...

[Mark]

Cool TR! We hope to go to SW in OCT. Never been there. If you have ever been to SFMM, how does Manta compare to Tatsu. I loved Tatsu, it was so high in places that it kinda freaked me out.

[Dogbert]

Great report Chris... and yes.. that statue is the architect of Hogwarts.

[Chris]

Cool TR! We hope to go to SW in OCT. Never been there. If you have ever been to SFMM, how does Manta compare to Tatsu. I loved Tatsu, it was so high in places that it kinda freaked me out.

Havent been to SFMM, but the ride just "felt right" for a flyer, if that makes sense. While the pretzel is very intense, the rest of the elements are very graceful, and fit right in with a flyer. They do what Superman tried to do, only to end up just meandering instead. Manta, however has great pacing. Sit in the right side of the train (left if facing the train) and put your hand out during the "water splash". You will get wet! And it feels just like you're skimming the water!

[Mark]

Awesome!

[David H.]

Very well done TR, Chris.
Which brand/model camera did you use to shoot those photo's?

[Chris]

Most of the photos were taking using the 8.0 MP camera built into my Droid Incredible phone. The rest of the photos were a combination between my friends cameras, including a Sony camera smartphone, and a new Samsung 12.1 MP digital camera w/ built in wide angle lens.