Universal Studios is probably one of the most under-rated places ever.
It's not its fault Disney World is as attention hogging as its princesses, and people tend to forget about good old Universal Studios.
This past weekend I ventured to Orlando to visit Universal Studios and Disney World.
I never made it to Disney because I refused to be torn away from Universal and all it had to offer.
First of all, I highly recommend seeing the Blue Man Group. It's highly entertaining for kids and adults.
However, don't be tardy for the show or they will call you out with a spotlight and sirens signaling to the rest of the audience your rudeness.
Be afraid.
Secondly, Universal is lucky enough to house two awesome parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
I know Disney has more than a couple parks, but they are not conveniently located near each other while Universal's two parks are next-door neighbors.
The main reason Universal received an A++ in my book, is I could go there with my nieces and nephews and have a great time knowing they will as well.
As much as I love pink and glitter, Disney is just a little too juvenile for me and probably most adults.
Islands of Adventure has tons of roller coasters and 3D rides for everyone to enjoy, and if you buy the Express Pass (which I am so thankful we did) you can jump to the front of all of the lines.
The Incredible Hulk line said it was a 35-minute wait, I was in line for five minutes and had pick of what row I wanted to sit in--front, of course.
I'm no Harry Potter fan, but this entire section of the park they are dedicating to the new Harry Potter attractions looks amazing.
Hogwarts (I'm ashamed I know that, sorry wizard fans) is huge and almost complete.
Apparently it's supposed to be part 3D and part roller coaster.
It's scheduled to open in spring 2010, but I don't see how that will happen, but I know I'll have to go back and check it out.
The Universal Studios park was also a surprising blast.
The Mummy and Men in Black were two of my favorite attractions, especially because of all of The Mummy's special effects.
I tend to think of theme parks as filled with the people I usually avoid rubbing elbows with and all-around pretty dirty grounds, but I was pleasantly surprised.
All of the people were friendly, very family oriented and the parks seemed so clean, a huge change from the people at the theme park near my home, Kings Dominion in Virginia.
It was so nice to take a break from assignments, tests and quizzes and be able to be a kid again and hug Scooby and Curious George, while eating popcorn and cotton candy.
Well done, Universal Studios.
Well done.
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