Universal Orlando Resort: Thanksgiving Week 2024 - Part 1 at USF

My family and I traveled to Orlando during Thanksgiving week to experience Universal Orlando for the first time. I’ll split it up in a few sections, otherwise I’ll never get through it! We landed the Saturday before Thanksgiving around 10:45am and checked into the Hard Rock. Much to our surprise, our room was ready. WOW! WE Grabbed lunch, checked the line for Hagrids and… 120 minute wait.

We decided to postpone that plan for the next day at rope drop and went straight to USF instead. We spread our time over 1.5 days in this park, maybe a little more if you include Diagon Alley. First off, and this is true to a lesser extent at IOA, but I’ve read many comments about rides relying on too many screens, and holy smokes that cannot be understated.

We did all the things (except MIB, closed for refurb), but here are the standout experiences...

Rip Ride Rockit
So that was… actually fun? Yeah, lots of block sections but we all enjoyed it. Perhaps my expectations were so low that I got off pleasantly surprised. A little jerky but not nearly as rough as many people make it out to be.

Revenge of the Mummy
Great effects on this, and again, a fun ride. But wow was it short. I realize it’s part dark ride part coaster, but I guess I was expecting the coaster portions to be longer? I dunno… it just felt like it ended all too quickly.

Simpsons
None of us had any problems with any ride, not even Forbidden Journey at IOA. But something is off about this simulator. Is the screen not quite synched up properly? I was ok getting off of it, but during the ride… I could see how this could ruin someone’s day.

Bourne Stuntacular
I know, I know… I just criticized the heavy use of screens, but this show was fantastic. The way they mixed that giant screen with the physical sets was really well done.

Diagon Alley/Escape from Gringots
Look, I’m not much of a Harry Potter fan. But I am a big fan of immersive environments, and this area is simply spectacular. The spaces, the shops, the interactive wand elements… it’s all done so, so well. As for Gringots… again, the theming here is just incredible, from the moment you enter the queue. The ride itself was great fun, and now I can add a tilt coaster to my track record!

We ended the day with pastries and their nighttime show, Cinesational. All I can say is, make time for this show. It’s primarily a water/projection/drone show, with a few small pyrotechnic elements mixed in. Great fun, and I’m glad they brought it back for the holidays for people to enjoy.

Up next… part two at IOA!

Danimales:

Bourne Stuntacular
I know, I know… I just criticized the heavy use of screens, but this show was fantastic. The way they mixed that giant screen with the physical sets was really well done.

I’ll second this. Great show! I wasn’t expecting much when I walked in, but came away very impressed

I'm rewatching the movies with my kid, and I have to say that I see the park in the movies. That's how right they got it.