Universal Studios Orlando
Orlando Attractions > Universal Studios - More in this Category > Disney World Orlando Florida > Orlando Science Center > Sea World Orlando FloridaUniversal Studios Orlando is Disney Florida's biggest competitor and has more full-on action, loud special effects and pyrotechnics making it a more exciting day out for older children, teens and adults than its more famous neighbour.
A 'Ride the Movies' concept links all the attractions at Universal Studios and makes it an ideal place to get a behind the scenes look at your favourite movie characters while attempting to hold your lunch down as you lurch about on the awesome rides.
Attractions and Tickets at Universal Florida
The first area you encounter after entering Universal Studios Orlando is Production Central, home to Universal's working movie studios and a gentle introduction to the theme park. You can take a studio tour, sign up to be an audience member for a live TV show and take a look at famous vehicles from the movies. The 4-D Shrek show is a whirlwind of special effects and surprises, while the Universal Horror Make-Up Show will scare the kids who might think they see mommy's arm cut off or eye fall out.
Attractions are divided up between different, and very realistic, reproductions of downtown New York, Hollywood and San Francisco. New York has special performances from the Blues Brothers and the Ghostbuster team and you can experience the eye of the storm in Twister, a recreation of a tornado complete with high speed winds and flying cows.
By comparison, San Francisco has 'Earthquake - The Big One', a recreation of an earthquake in a subway station, and Hollywood has the 3-D Terminator 2 show with its dazzling special effects and incredible technology.
Other major attractions include the Back to the Future ride, an attempt to qualify for the elite Men in Black law enforcement agency, and Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone - a brilliant escape for younger children where they can meet their favourite characters such as Barney and Babe the pig, help rescue ET and try out a child-size roller coaster.
Islands of Adventure
Said to be the best theme park in Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure offers some of the best rides in town with the Incredible Hulk coaster, Storm Force Acceleration, and the Duelling Dragons coasters ready to thrill and terrify. In addition to the thrills and spills of the big rides Islands of Adventure has a host of stunt shows, a Jurassic Park section and plenty of family fun.
Tickets
There are lots of ticket options on offer for Universal Studios Orlando. You can buy a one-day ticket for one park for $60 ($48 for a child), or a two-day two-park ticket for $105. Universal often do special offer two-day tickets where you get a third day's entrance free so it's worth keeping in mind when booking tickets. Alternatively, a Four Park Flex ticket allows unlimited access to Universal Studios, Sea World, Islands of Adventure and the Wet 'n' Wild waterpark for 14 consecutive days for $185 for an adult and $151 for a child. You also get special benefits such as early entry if you stay at one of Universal's hotels.
The Universal Express system is similar to Disney's FastPass and as is a great line-jumping idea. You can clock in for a ride and arrive back later when your allotted time slot is about to come up, reducing waiting times to 15 minutes rather than more than an hour for some for the most popular attractions. Universal's hotel guests have Express priority all day but there are limits on how many times you can book in for a single ride. As with the other theme parks, arrive early and make your way to the most popular rides first to reduce your waiting times. If you've got a multi-day pass another good option is to come late in the evening when most of the crowd has dispersed.
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