Part 4 & 5 IOA/USF

[PKIVortex]

Thursday, February 15th 2007

Today's Weather, started out sunny but turned out to be cloudy and cool, temps only in the low 50's all day.

So today we went back to Universal, I wanted to go to IOA again to hit up things that I missed on Monday, and of course getting some re-rides on stuff that I really liked. So I rode Hulk, Spider man etc again.

I really wanted to give Ripsaw Falls a try but with the weather being cool, I decided I better not, my throat was already starting to hurt anyway. I also didn't get to ride Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, which is a water ride similar to White Water Canyon, I didn't want to get soaked, and with it being cool and not too much sun out, it would have taken awhile to dry.

Okay on to the Flying Unicorn.

This is a family coaster by Vekoma, layout is the same as Reptar just Flying Unicorn isn't inverted. Pretty

cool ride for the young people, but your typical Vekoma it kinda shuffles around the track. It was also nice to see they had 2 trains going on this. It kinda makes you wonder why KI never purchased 2 trains for Reptar, it sure would make the line go faster.

This was about the only attraction I haven't talked about yet, so lets move on to USF.

As we entered the gate at USF we didn't have a whole lot of time before the park closed for the day. We went to Shrek 4-D first. This is a movie/moving seats ride. This was really well done, I really enjoyed the effects that we got to enjoy while watching the movie.

Shrek 4-D was cool, because they used effects such as moving seats, water spraying, and air blowing on you. Really made it feel 4-d.

After Shrek we went back to Earthquake. Earthquake had several pre-shows rooms before we got to board our subway car. The second pre-show room didn't relate to anything about the ride, they just showed how they make certain effects, by using the blue screen. We finally got to board, I didn't know what to except. They did a real nice job simulating you were in a actual subway car. Then we stopped at the next stop, and that's where the fun begins. It simulates an earthquake, they use water, and fire and your tram moves as you watch the show around you. Pretty well done, even if it is old school. I felt though I missed some of the effects as so much is happening around you. But still cool.

After Earthquake I decided to go to Mummy. I was nervous about being able to fit on this ride, as I heard and read things on the Internet that the lap bar has to go down so much to be able to ride. I tired the test seat and I was fine to ride. I totally forgot about single rider line, so I entered Thur the regular entrance. About half way Thur the line I had a group of 10 cut in front of me, that made me mad. When I got up to the station I was afraid they were going to place me with them, I told the op I didn't want to ride with them, as they cut in front of me in line. They put me on the other train. I really liked Mummy it was a totally different experience. Dark Ride/Coaster, the fire effects really blew me away. I felt the breaks though were a little rough on the back when they slowed or stopped you. I was going to by my On-Ride photo but they wanted $26.00 for one photo, I told the lady No Thanks. Does Kings Island On-Rides photo's cost this much. They use the same company at Universal Amazing Photos that KI does.

Okay after riding the Mummy the park was closing for the day, so we decided that the next day, that we would spend all day at USF, as they were still lots of stuff we had yet to do.

Friday, February 16th 2007

Weather today Sunny, windy and still cool, temps in the high 50's.

Okay today we started our day with the ET ride. This was different, I loved how the ride car looked like bikes. The ride track was above the car, similar to a suspended coaster. This ride was pretty neat, lots of stuff to look at through out the ride.

Next up was Terminator 2:3D. Terminator 2:3D used movie and life action to bring it to life. It was pretty well done, the 3D effects were very cool.

After that we looked around in Lucy A Tribute. It was a little museum about Lucy. They had props costomes and were showing old clips from the show. My Mom really enjoyed this as she used to watch Lucy when the shows was being made.

After this it was time to go watch Fear Factor Live. I learned this was the first reality show to ever put done in front of a life audience at a theme park. They did 3 stunts in this shows to find out who fear wasn't a factor of. They even picked a family out of the audience to do a stunt, drink one of Fear Factor's famous milkshakes. This show was pretty cool, but it could have been longer, the show only lasted about 20 minutes or so.

Now it was time for Men In Black. Men in Black was great, you ride in a car and shoot aliens and it keeps track of your score, your car also spins out of control. This was very well done, I liked how the car had stadium seating in it, so you could see everything if you were sitting in the back. They also do not let you carry any loose articles on this ride, but provide free lockers for up to 45 minutes to store your loose articles. Pretty neat lockers, they use your finger print to identify who you are. So it takes your prints 2 times when you rent the locker, then the locker lights up so you know which one you have, and then you put your stuff in and shut them. When you come back you following the directions on the screen, put your finger print back down, and the locker reopens. Now what I was wondering what would have happened if you went over the 45 minutes? Your locker wouldn't have just unlocked would it?

Now on to Jaws. Jaws was cool, again good effects too. You do however get wet on this ride, they were saying you may even get drenched but we didn't. This ride may be PG13 to the younger crowed, but very well done.

We wanted to do Earthquake again, but it was closed. We did however take on 2 more shows. Universal Horror Make-Up Show and Animal Actors On Location! The Horror make up show was interesting but also PG13 I couldn't believe some of the stuff they were saying in this show. The Animal Actor show was cute though. I actually enjoying watching live shows, it just adds to the whole Park experience.

I did Mummy again, and this time I took advantage of the single rider line. I got to ride 2 times within 10 minutes how cool is that. The normal line was around 30 to 35 minutes at this point.

After my 2 rides on Mummy again, we did Twister again, and it was time for the park to close for the day. I did some more shopping and heading out the gate to City Walk.

Since this was our last day at Universal we decided to take part of the Meal and Movie Deal. It was $21.95 per person, which includes you tax and tip. So we headed over to the Hard Rock Cafe. The wait time was only around 30 minutes, so while we waited I shopped in the gift shop.

Time to eat, I got a cheeseburger and fries and a dew. Pretty good Burger. This Hard Rock was the biggest one ever built, and it was very nice inside. My Mom really enjoyed it because this was her first time eating at a Hard Rock.

We also purchased our photo they took of us before going to our table.

Time to go the movies, we went and saw "Because I said So". I totally forgot this was a Universal film, kinda funny how they happened. We really enjoyed the movie, and now it was time to head back to the hotel by taxi.

Thanks for reading, this was a longer report then the rest. I can't believe how fast this week went by though, it flew. I'm ready to go back. LOL

[Tuskin]

very cool .. I personally love universal!