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Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

p. 624 - New Epic Universe details, including Isle of Berk!

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The only problem is that I won't be of legal drinking age the next time I go to Florida. Sob, I always wanted to know what Duff tasted like.

 

I had Duff beer in Italy...it's pretty good!

 

Regarding the Springfield rumor...I really like this idea. Only question I have is would Duff Gardens have a Tooth Chipper roller coaster & a dark boat ride like It's a Small World, but with water that made you hallucinate when you drink it?

 

Perhaps relocate Nights in White Satin from Failstyle Music Park and relocate any Chinese wild mouse knock-off and add two brakes going down the first drop?

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What is the Dementor effect? I may not have experienced it as I don't recall anything.

Actually, I believe it's the effect where your own face (and the faces of your other fellow riders) is projected in the fog between you and a Dementor. When it's not working (which would be most of the times that I've ridden) you see a projection of something resembling four skulls side by side instead.

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What is the Dementor effect? I may not have experienced it as I don't recall anything.

Actually, I believe it's the effect where your own face (and the faces of your other fellow riders) is projected in the fog between you and a Dementor. When it's not working (which would be most of the times that I've ridden) you see a projection of something resembling four skulls side by side instead.

I was surprised it worked for me. It was a very interesting and cool effect. However, I was making a very... interesting face that showed in the projection...

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^Good point. But then again the Jurassic River Adventure building is also quite boxy.

Atleast JPRA's building ties in with the story... It's the Water Containment Facility and is where all the bad dinosaurs are running wild. The Forbidden Journey's building is just awful looking from Jurassic Park.

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I'm considering spending 3 days at Universal in January, and get the hopper pass. How easy is it to walk between the 2 parks and then get over to city walk for the Blue Man Show once I've parked my car? I'm not going to be staying on the property.

 

I've never been and I figure the 3 days should allow me to take my time and enjoy the park.

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I'm considering spending 3 days at Universal in January, and get the hopper pass. How easy is it to walk between the 2 parks and then get over to city walk for the Blue Man Show once I've parked my car? I'm not going to be staying on the property.

 

I've never been and I figure the 3 days should allow me to take my time and enjoy the park.

 

When in January? Other than New Year's Day and MLK weekend, it should be pretty dead. You could conceivably do everything in both parks in one day! Just hope for nice weather and you'll have a great time with little to no crowds.

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^What he said. Last January, we got a two-day ticket, which was nice because we got to go for two days but honestly wasn't even necessary. The second day, we ended up hitting each park three times because we couldn't decide what we wanted to ride since we managed to do everything on day one!

 

Two days will certainly give you plenty of time to ride Hulk and Mummy, though.

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http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2012/11/universal-orlando-holiday-pass-works-through-end-of-january.html

 

Universal Orlando is now selling a ticket that allows Florida residents to visit both of its theme parks repeatedly through the end of January 2013.

 

The Holiday Pass, sold online, costs $119.99. (A normal one-park, one-day admission is $88.) It comes with a few blackout dates: It is not valid Dec. 26-Jan. 1. The deal requires a code from specially marked packages of Zephyrhills water.

 

Floridians with the Holiday Pass will be able to take in the parks’ festivities, such as the “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular” stage show at Islands of Adventure and the Macy’s Holiday Parade and Mannheim Steamroller concerts at Universal Studios on valid dates in December. Then, after the bulk of tourists go home, Holiday Pass holders can spend most of January in the parks and enjoy more elbow room.

 

The Holiday Pass must be purchased and activated by Jan. 11, 2013. There is a limit of six passes per purchase. Valid Florida photo ID and offer code are required.

 

More info: www.universalorlando.com.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Last week, Robb and I had the chance to revisit the Universal Orlando Resort for a sneak peek at this year's Macy's Holiday Parade and Grinchmas. Along the way we were able to see just how the balloon handlers work with the huge balloons along Universal Studios Florida's narrow streets, along with getting the chance to ride Trikealoons (see below), to see an actor become a Who and to interact with the Grinch himself!

 

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On our way into the park, we couldn't help but marvel at just how much progress has been made on Transformers; The Ride since our last visit for the ride's official announcement several weeks ago.

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But this is why we're really here!

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They've modified the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit lift hill to take on the form of the iconic Macy's Holiday Parade balloon!

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Meet the Trikealoon!

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Balloon holders have to be trained to move as a unit and work under military precision.

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John Piper, Vice President of Macy's Parade Studio was on hand to tell us about the history of the parade at Universal Studios Florida, now in its 11th year of performances.

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He was especially excited to show off this year's addition to the parade by driving one of the new Trikealoons!

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Santa wishes you a Happy Holiday Rip, Ride, Rockit!

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"It was mildly terrifying!"

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But we loved it!

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There we plenty of photo ops with the many themed characters from the show's team.

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Check out these costumes!

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But the Macy's Holiday Parade wasn't all that we were here for today...

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Moving into one of the soundstages, we were greeted by a rousing performance by The Outer Toons, a troupe of Who's performing the music of Manheim Steamroller as heard in the Universal retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

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But it was already a holiday for us thanks to a cool, refreshing Coca-Cola!

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Originally held outside in Suess Landing, the show's popularity called for a move indoors to allow for added seating, additional showings and a more weather-friendly show venue.

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Part of the day's Grinchmas presentation was to allow us to see just how a Human becomes a Whoman...

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First you apply the nose...

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The difference is instantly noticeable.

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We love finding out about effects makeup, so this was such a cool inside look for us!

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Soylent Who is noses!

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Next is the painting...

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And after some airbrushing and touch up paint, the Who is ready!

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Look who showed up for some mischief!

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If you ever get the chance to witness the Grinch, you'll quickly realize how much of a prankster he is.

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And he was a riot to watch!

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I don't know...

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3D!

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For the elephants.

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And so our preview came to a close...

 

Come check out the Macy's Holiday Parade and Grinchmas at the Universal Orlando Resort!

Edited by Hhappy
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^Where is the indoor theater located for the Grinch? That looks like a nice setup for the Grinch. Also I can't believe its already been 11 years of the parade at Universal.

 

You go backstage next to One Fish and then its in the big soundstage across from where the Dead End house was and behind Hard Rock.

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