New York
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
The Despicable Me movies are among the most successful animated films of all time, which is mainly due to the hilarious Minions. In Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, we become Minions ourselves and are sent on a crazy journey to test our suitability as Minions. At the same time, the three children lose their gift to Gru and now it’s time to get it back. The ride in the simulators and the film shown are extremely entertaining, which is why I can highly recommend a visit to the Minions.
Shrek 4D
It’s interesting how long certain attractions can last in a large corporate theme park. The Shrek franchise is already 20 years old and has produced five films to date, with the last film having been released 10 years ago. Outside of the Universal theme parks, the film could be seen at Movie Park Germany and Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast in Australia, but in both cases the attraction was discontinued around 10 years ago.
Shrek 4D takes place after the events of the first film. The film is very well produced and extremely entertaining, but ultimately showed its age. This is one reason why the attraction will soon be closed and another Minion attraction called Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will move into the park instead.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the big roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida. It was the first roller coaster with a non-inverted loop. As with Hollywood Dream The Ride at Universal Studios Japan, you can also choose your favourite music for the ride.
The ride begins immediately with a vertical lift, but instead of going straight into an equally vertical, if not steeper, descent, we ride comfortably down a steep ramp. With enough speed, we then shoot up the non-inverted loop. After enjoying the view from the top of the loop, we immediately jump back into the action. Shortly afterwards, we take on a longer ascent, after which we enter the first block brake. We then leave this with a slight turn to the right. At the bottom of the valley, we then enter a helix, which narrows towards the end and shoots up steeply before dropping just as quickly. After a further ascent, the second block brake follows just below the first. The following part leads us in numerous dynamic turns past the non-inverted loop and the station to the other side of the ride, where another block brake awaits us. After the subsequent drop, a series of S-curves awaits us, which then merge into a steep turn – similar to that of a Jet Star 2. This is the most powerful section of the run. A further braking section awaits us immediately after this element. Last but not least, a small drop with a final curve awaits us before we reach the final braking section and soon enter the station at reduced speed.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit makes good use of the narrow strip of land available to it. The ride itself offers some great elements and sections; unfortunately, that’s about it, because the ride is anything but pleasant. The music creates an extremely coherent and atmospheric ride, but I personally don’t need to experience it that often.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is an interesting attraction. The waiting area here is more like a lobby where you can sit down in comfort or take a look at the numerous exhibits from the NBC television station. The ride itself begins in the Tonight Show studio, where Jimmy Fallon sets off on a journey through New York. Here we first go through the studio offices, then across Times Square, down into the subway and finally we fly through the air and onto the moon. Basically, the ride is more recommended for anyone who is familiar with all the references to The Tonight Show. The ride itself is wacky and quite entertaining overall.
Revenge of the Mummy
The indoor roller coaster Revenge of the Mummy replaced the large Kongfrontation dark ride in 2004. The ride is based on the Mummy films with Brendan Frasier, who also plays a small role towards the end of the ride.
The ride begins with an extremely impressive dark ride section, which we exit backwards after the scene with the scarabs and hurtle down a small drop. Shortly afterwards, we are rotated 180° again, whereupon the actual rollercoaster section begins. We then shoot up a long ramp quite quickly. We then race over the crest with a bang and immediately plummet down a steep curve. We then hit a very tight helix with great intensity before plunging towards the hall floor. Next, we race through a bend close to the ground, which features some really strong banking. After a short speed bump, we climb a steep curve and end up at the supposed exit station, where Imhotep surprises us with a fiery finale. After another fall and several turns close to the ground, we reach the actual final brake, where Brendan Frasier asks for a coffee and succumbs to the curse of the mummy.
Revenge of the Mummy is an amazingly intense indoor rollercoaster. I personally really enjoyed the ride, which is why I rode it several times in a row during my visit. The great scenes at the beginning of the ride, as well as the thrilling rollercoaster ride afterwards, simply leave you wanting more.
The Blues Brothers Show
When the Blues Brothers arrive, a good show is not far away. One song after another is offered here, with the wit of the two brothers being brought to the stage very well. There are usually a few guest musicians, which is why no two shows are the same.
Transformers The Ride 3D
Like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Transformers: The Ride 3D scores particularly well with the ride system used. The ride offers a successful mix of film sequences and very well staged backdrops that take the action-packed ride to a higher level. As in the Transformers films, there is hardly a quiet second during the ride. There’s shooting, fighting and cool jokes thrown around wherever possible. Every few seconds, the next scene begins, whereby the transitions are absolutely smooth, leaving an extremely coherent overall impression at the end – in other words, Transformers: The Ride 3D is an absolutely awesome package.
San Francisco
Fast & Furious Supercharged
Fast & Furious Supercharged is not a good attraction, which means that the waiting times here are always limited. The ride itself offers the same over-the-top film that is shown in a short segment during the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, but here as a stand-alone attraction. While this stands out neither positively nor negatively as part of the overarching Studio Tour and can at best be seen as an entertaining stopgap, the attraction in Orlando offers nothing that justifies a wait of more than five minutes. Previously, there was an attraction in the same location, Distaster!, which had significantly more narrative depth and dealt with the making of a disaster film with numerous special effects and, before the actual attraction began, offered a pre-show and some movie magic, where selected actors from the audience took part in the production of the film Mutha Nature.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogwarts Express
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme area spans both Universal theme parks in Florida. While you can visit Hogsmeade and Hogwarts in the Islands of Adventure, you can explore Diagon Alley in Universal Studios. Both themed areas are connected by the Doppelmayr Hogwarts Express funicular railway. However, a ticket valid for both parks is required for the journey. While a park hopping ticket makes little sense at Walt Disney World due to the distance between the parks, the walking distance between the two Universal theme parks is a big plus, as well as the opportunity to take a ride on the Hogwarts Express, which is a really great experience. It is also recommended to ride both routes once, as the film sequences shown are different.
Diagon Alley
Somewhat hidden behind the London facades of Universal Studios Florida is Diagon Alley. In addition to the famous Gringotts bank, which has a large dragon on its roof, there are numerous smaller shops and restaurants here.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
The main attraction in Diagon Alley is the multi-dimension coaster Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts from the manufacturer Intamin. This ride offers a successful mix of dark ride and roller coaster, but is quite dark in tone as it is based on the events of the later Harry Potter films. The ride itself is quite leisurely, but is really impressive with its switches, seesaws and rotating cars. Something is constantly happening and at the end we somehow manage to escape from Voldemort.
World Expo
Men in Black Alien Attack
The Men in Black Alien Attack interactive dark ride is one of the best themed rides in the world. Instead of shooting at small targets, you simply shoot at the various aliens, which can quickly rack up a large number of points. In between, the cars sometimes turn quite rapidly, creating a surprisingly dynamic ride. While other interactive dark rides quickly become outdated, this one – despite the fact that the IP is now quite old – is always fun to play.
Spingfield, USA – Home of the Simpsons
The Simpsons Ride
One of Universal Studios’ most iconic attractions was Back to the Future: The Ride, where you went on a hectic journey through time in replica DeLorians to bring Biff back to the future. The ride was replaced in 2008 both in Hollywood and at Universal Studios Florida by the Simpsons Ride – an IP that was still very relevant at the time. The ride is quite impressive due to the simulators used and the pre-shows are very entertaining. The film itself is hectic and overloaded. Furthermore, the 3D look doesn’t really do the familiar characters from the series any favours. All in all, however, the ride is definitely entertaining; now that the rights are with Disney, you should definitely take a ride while you still can.
Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone
The Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone area is very colourful and, apart from the Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, has no real connection to the well-known comic character. Instead, there is a Spongebob Shop, a rather wacky-looking inflatable boat slide centred around Feivel, a play area centred around Curious George, as well as the large E.T. Adventure dark ride.
Animal Actors on Location!
Animal Actors on Location! is one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s longest-running shows. The entertaining show offers a look at the training of the animals, which can then be used in the films, and of course everything goes a little haywire here.
E.T. Adventure
The E.T. Adventure dark ride is now the oldest themed ride in a Universal Studios park worldwide. The ride itself is well done and is particularly impressive with its large set designs, whereby I personally was really impressed by the indoor waiting area in the forest. The ride retells the events of the film before you arrive on the planet of E.T. and everything becomes a little more colourful. All in all, a great attraction that you are welcome to take with you.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is the standard model of a Vekoma Junior Coaster, which can also be experienced in the park next door as Flight of the Hippogriff. Accordingly, the ride begins with a short curve out of the station and the subsequent lift hill. You immediately complete a left-hand steep turn with a subsequent upward helix, cross a short valley and a wide right-hand turn near the station. Over a hill, you cross the route you have just travelled, whereupon you lose some height in another helix. This is followed by a left-hand bend, after which the braking section awaits. Here you wait a little until the train has been dispatched at the station and you can enter it.
Hollywood
The Bourne Stuntacular
In The Bourne Stuntacular, the action in the background merges seamlessly with the action on stage. At times I found it really difficult to distinguish film from drama and that alone is reason enough to see the show. But what is on offer beyond that is great entertainment; such as big action scenes with stage sets that move across the stage parallel to the events in the film and much more. Great fun and a must-see show for every theme park fan and show lover.
Horror Make-Up Show
One of the funniest shows at Universal Studios Florida is the Horror Makeup Show, which gives you an insight into horror films and the associated tricks. Of course, the actual horror is limited, although the show has many allusions and is definitely not suitable for children, but that’s what Disney is for.
Pictures Universal Studios Florida
Conclusion Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is one of my favourite theme parks in the world. I really liked what was on offer, even though many of the stages in the park are not currently being used. Together with the neighbouring theme park Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, the park forms a great overall package that you can enjoy for several days at a time without getting bored.
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