We visited Universal Studios Florida on September 6, one of the most visited theme parks in the world and part of the Universal Orlando Resort. The park is divided into 8 areas where the world of film and television is brought to life.
Our first ride of the day would be Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, located not far from the entrance in Production Central, the largest X-Coaster in the world with 3,800 feet of track running along one whole side of the theme park. There are several features that make this ride stand out, from the moving platform in the station and the vertical lift ramp, to the multi choice music selection to enjoy during the fast and intense circuit. We opted for our personal favorite Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk, which really adds to the whole experience.
Also in Production Central are two great family attractions, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Shrek 4-D. The former pulls in some of the longest lines in the park, so unless you have a Universal Express pass as we did, we recommend hitting it first. Both are 3D attractions with added effects, plus humorous pre-show sections before the main experiences.
Transformers: The Ride is a 3D motion simulation ride combining impressive sets, screens and extra effects that places you in the center of a battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. It's a brilliant ride that's full of action and looks every bit as visually arresting as the movies themselves.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is new in 2017 and was next on our list. The previous soundstage has been completely transformed to a replica of the NBC Studios in New York, step inside and it's like you are actually there!
In the lobby you are given a mock ticket to a taping of The Tonight Show and then head upstairs to the Studio 6B Club to enjoy a performance from the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet, yes - there really is a live band! After enjoying the entertainment you are called through to the Studio 6B Lobby where you given a short briefing before heading in to the studio.
The ride itself is a 3D motion simulator, where you join the host of the show Jimmy Fallon on a race through New York past iconic landmarks, first via the streets then up in the air, underwater and even into space. It's a completely wacky experience. It's also the first attraction at the park that operates a Virtual Line, replacing a traditional queue, but on our visit there was no wait at all.
Just down the New York street at the Museum of Antiquities is one of our favorite attractions in the park, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. This thrilling indoor dark ride combined with a launched roller coaster is far superior to the Hollywood version, with dramatic animatronic scenes, scorching hot fire, clouds of smoke and a wild track.
After passing through San Francisco (and spotting the little nod to now sadly departed Jaws ride) we arrived at the London waterfront, a stunning recreation of famous London buildings including Kings Cross railway station, Leicester Square underground station, Wyndham’s Theater and the fictional Grimmauld Place - it's an attraction in itself! Here you will find the iconic Knight Bus, a great photo opportunity.
We found the hidden entrance and entered The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley. It's genuinely breathtaking, as you emerge from behind a narrow passage and suddenly the sheer scale and detail becomes apparent. Here you will find a plethora of shops and eateries including the Leaky Caludron, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor and Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio.
Turn down Knockturn Alley into the darkness and you can browse Borgin and Burkes, then over to Horizont Alley which features the Magical Menagerie, Fountain of Fair Fortune, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment. Further stalls and entratment can be found in Carkitt Market. Everywhere you look there are muggles and wizards fully immersed in the magical world, interacting with storefronts and displays, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Once we had finished exploring we went into Gringotts to ride the headline attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. After passing through the spectacular lobby where animatronic goblins do their work you descend into the underground vaults via a lift before boarding a kart for the main adventure. It's an exciting 3D track-based motion ride (like the Transformers and Spider-Man rides) but with a few coaster-type elements.
We would now continue our time in The Wizarding World by taking the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade and from there into Hogwarts. The station itself is so convincing that it really does feel like you are in London, with realistic departure times boards and announcements, and the effect to enter Platform 9 3/4 is very clever.
The arrival of the train is dramatic enough, and then you are seated in an astonishingly realistic cabin in one of the carriages, within a few moments you are underway and on a wonderful journey filled with magical happenings and surprises before arriving at Hogsmeade in Universal's Islands of Adventure, the other theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort. There will be more about that in our next review.
Once we had made the return journey and were back in Universal Studios Florida it was time to enjoy some classic rides and attractions, starting in World Expo with Men in Black: Alien Attack. This interactive dark ride sees you compete against other riders on a mission to battle aliens from a spinning vehicle. It is packed full of animatronics, giant sets and special effects. So much fun!
Next door in Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, we laughed our way through The Simpsons Ride, a motion simulator in Krustyland that's packed with jokes, then went for a spin on Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl. Fast Food Boulevard includes Krusty Burger, Moe's Tavern, Bumblebee Man's Tacos, Duff Brewery and Lard Lad Donuts. It's not as big or detailed as in Hollywood but we couldn't resist stopping for quick Duff!
We were then ready to travel back to the 80s in E.T. Adventure, climbing on to one of those iconic bicycles for a flight over the city, into space and to the Green Planet.
Now in Hollywood, we were lucky enough to experience Terminator 2: 3-D one more time before its recent closing, a brilliant bringing together of live action, a 3D screen, animatronics and special effects within the Cyberdyne Systems headquarters.
By this time Universal's Superstar Parade was about to begin, so we found a spot to enjoy this colorful cavalcade as it passed us by, with floats and dancers.
We returned to Diagon Alley for the remainder of the afternoon (there really is so much to see!) and after sunset it is illuminated beautifully, as is the London waterfront. There was even time to return to some of our favorite attractions.
The finale to our day would be Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, a nighttime show on the park's lagoon featuring clips from iconic Universal movies accompanied by lights, lasers and fireworks.
