Universal's Islands of Adventure 11/23/02
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Jurassic Park, Dudley, Spiderman, and the Dragons are some of my favorite attractions in the World, but Disney has so much more and a variety of things to do (from the Enchanted Tiki Room to Jungle Cruise to Pirates to the Mountains alone at MK) that it's hard to even get tired of the place.
IOA has something going for it and many must-ride attractions, but don't worry your head off about Disney. 5 out of 6 of their parks are beating out IOA in attendance. But, they're both still huge successes, so I don't think either one has to watch it. Disney has theirs with kids and families and IOA has it with teens and young adults. I'm happy for both and will continue visiting both every visit if possible.
As a whole, MK, DCA, DL, and Disney Studios work for me better than IOA. Does it mean IOA is a bad park? Um, heck no! City Walk alone is enough to visit that area and just looking at the park and taking in the atmosphere gives me goosebumps. Cat in the Hat alone is worth admission, lol.
Did you make a TR for the Disney parks, because I would really like to hear more of your thoughts about them. I hope you got to do It's Tough to Be a Bug, the Safari, and Festival of the Lion King at AK and Fantasmic and Backstage Tours at MGM, so of my other favorites down there. Excellent TR, but where did you meet those hot chicks in your profile?! ;)
Danny
Those "hot chicks" are Rogue from the X-Men and my wife, Stephanie.
I will get around to posting a Disney TR, but haven't because I wasn't really blown away by anything at those parks (that I hadn't already seen) other than Tower of Terror. You answered your question for me... the stuff at Disney you call "variety" is what I call "stuff I liked when I was a kid." Sure, I got nostalgic at Magic Kingdom, but along with Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM, it all felt very much "been there, done that." The environments aren't as emersive, I need a "thrill" to keep me interested and above all I need to forget where I am.
The funny thing about Islands of Adventure is that I'm blown away just being there, even if I never step on a ride.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Climbing as we fall, we dare to hold on to our fate, and steal away our destiny to catch ourselves with quiet grace" - The Stairs, INXS
I agree with you on your last comment, but I include the Disney parks in there as well. I'm just in awe walking into IOA right from the start! Sorry you weren't blown away by anything much at Disney, but I hope you'll return in the future and visit Disneyland and DCA as well. DCA reminds me a lot of IOA, so I think with you'll enjoy that a lot more.
Of course, I still get excited about Vekoma Roller Skaters, so I guess I should get out of the "kids" stage before I make you any more recommendations on parks or rides, lol. ;)
Danny
*** This post was edited by Koaster King on 11/30/2002. ***
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Joey Ciborek, Florida Coaster Club, Member
"WE RIDE ALL YEAR!!!" www.FloridaCoasterClub.com , www.CoasterJoe.com
"It's like an addiction" Me, The Discovery Channel, Ultimate Guide: Roller Coasters 5/27/02
How long in the evening is IOA open this time of year? More specifically, does anyone know their hours of operation in January? Their website only shows data until the end of the year for operation hours, and for booking hotels. Quite annoying if you like to plan more than 3 weeks in advance.
I tried calling their guest services line (long distance, might I add) but just get put on hold for 20 (did I mention long distance) minutes every time I call while being reassured "how important my call is." (Yes, I called during normal park hours.)
I'd really like to book something, possibly stay on-site, and I'd really like to know if Dragons or Hulk are down mid-January for maintenance like I've heard. Last time I was at Universal was the year before IOA opened, so I definitely don't want to miss anything and would be willing to move my arrival or departure dates if I knew there was a conflict.
Anyone with any info or IOA "ins" out there? I'd appreciate your help. I've heard so much about this park, I just don't want to get there and have the moose outside tell me they're closed.
Thanks.
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If you could just see the beauty... these things I could never describe. Pleasures and wayward distraction; is this my wonderful prize? --Joy Division
Closing times are generally 6 or 7. That was more than adequate for us.
It's my understanding, and I'm not positive about this, that they rotate trains out on Dragons all winter, rebuilding them one or two at a time. Someone mentioned somewhere that they might paint the ride this winter, but who knows. Hulk ran three trains steadily, and some of the trains really need new springs in a big way. You might wanna post in the general forum to see if anyone has the inside scoop.
Don't they have a toll-free number?
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Climbing as we fall, we dare to hold on to our fate, and steal away our destiny to catch ourselves with quiet grace" - The Stairs, INXS
*** This post was edited by tservo on 12/2/2002. ***
kpjb - I just finished planning our IOA trip, so I may be able to answer a couple of your questions - and perhaps add to your frustration.
Yes, they don't post their park hours in January early enough for those who take such things into consideration for trip planning (I know I do). The hours probably won't be set until mid-December, which means you're gonna just have to plan ahead and hope for the best. However, as this will be the fourth straight January the wife and I have headed down there I think we have a pretty good feel for how they do things. Which is, open 9-6 during the week and (usually) 9-7 on the weekends. Only possible exceptions - MLK weekend (we were there one year at that time and the park was open later - to 8 or 9 I believe), and the first weekend of January - the weekend we're going - as their holiday stuff goes on until the 5th. Again, nothing confirmed, but someone I spoke to in park ops "surmised" IOA might be open 'till 8PM that weekend, and maybe 'till 7 on the weekdays immediately following New year's. Got that? And, oh yeah, they often close Universal Studios an hour before IOA, if that matters.
Ride closures - I also asked, and nothing is yet planned. Yes, DD is slated to be painted, and they have put it off a bit - I seem to recall they like to shut down big rides for rehab in the dregs of early February, but as they say, past behaviour does not guarantee future results ...
As for staying on-site - if you can afford it, it can't be beat. Great hotels, easy access, and of course no lines ... which means you can go on a weekend (when the parks may be open later) and never worry about crowds. You may want to look at reserving pretty soon, as there's a stretch in mid-January when they're booked pretty solid. And, they got a whack of toll-free numbers - that work from Canada anyway - that you may want to give a try. here's a couple: 1-888-837-2273; hotels - 1-800-232-7827.
Hope some of this helps ...
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
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If you could just see the beauty... these things I could never describe. Pleasures and wayward distraction; is this my wonderful prize? --Joy Division
Once an hour at a single ride... we hopped from ride to ride using ours, but if I wanted to, I couldn't get off of Hulk and get right back on.
Interesting side note about the Universal Express entrances is that they're all very much after thoughts and you can tell. Dr. Doom takes you behind scenery you weren't really meant to see, and Hulk goes right up under the standby brakes.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
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Question for Jeff, or anyone else who has visited the Royal Pacific.
I stayed at the Hard Rock hotel last March, and absolutely loved the experiece. I noted that it was more convenient than the Portifino Bay because you could actually walk to the parks by going through the pool gate. (I was under the impression that you had to take a boat from the Portifino.)
Anyway, I haven't seen a new map of the area - how close is the Royal Pacific to the park entrances?
(Both gates being about 2 minutes apart from each other...)
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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com
Royal Pacific does have a path that lets you out at the bridge to IOA, next to the Jimmy Buffet restaurant. It's actually faster than taking the boat in some cases, because the dock is near the center of City Walk causing you to back track. But you should still take the boat for the ambiance. :)
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
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Funny thing is, I thought I double checked it! I've been sick for three days, so it's like I'm seeing aliens right now.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
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FYI - the hours of operation for the new year have been posted on their web site:
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
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