This was the main event of this trip – a day at Universal Studios. It went well. Very hot with an afternoon shower, but many of the attractions are indoors so the shower didn’t really affect us.
First let me say that a day at Universal is not cheap. The tickets – even with the “Florida resident” discount, were $145 per person. Then they get you for parking, too – $26. At those prices you damn well better have a great time.
The only pleasant surprise, financially, was the food. The prices at the snack kiosks and restaurants in the park were suprisingly reasonable. We had lunch at an Irish pub.
Our goal was to get to as many of the adult “rides” as possible. There were about 10 in all, if you include “E.T.” (which is listed as a kiddie ride but is enjoyable for adults too).
Tony and Lili went on the “Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket” roller coaster, which they both liked (Lili rated it as the best ride at Universal) while I went on the “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon”, a 3D virtual ride which nearly made me vomit (I had to close my eyes). I would rate that as the worst ride at Universal. Tony and Lili later went on the “Fast and Furious – Supercharged” ride, another 3D virtual experience (ok, but nothing special) while I endured a 70-minute wait to get on the “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts” ride, a combo roller coaster and 3D ride that I thought was spectacular. I also loved Diagon Alley with the fire-breathing dragon atop the Gringott’s Bank.
We all went on the “E.T.” ride (fun and gentle), the “Despicable Me Minion Maybem” ride (the best virtual ride in the park) and the “Men in Black Alien Attack” ride, a combo ride and arcade shooting gallery (we didn’t shoot very well). We didn’t make it to “Transformers The Ride 3D” or “Revenge of the Mummy”, both of which are supposed to be quite good but the lines were very long. We walked through Krustyland but didn’t go on “The Simpson’s Ride.”
We were pretty tired by the time we left at 6pm. A fun day.