Universal Studios
There’s a lot of negative news in the world right now, so waking up this morning to hear that a Universal Studios theme park is being built in Bedford, United Kingdom, was the best news.
I might be almost 60 but have always been a bit of an adrenalin junkie, especially enjoying rollercoasters and rides - the bigger and faster the better. Not one to miss a chance to ride a rollercoaster, I’ve visited three Universal Studios theme parks - Orlando, USA; Osaka, Japan; and Singapore.
Guessing the name will have a bit more panache, possibly UniversalUK
Universal Studios UK
Knowing that a new Universal theme park is being built just a three-hour drive away from where I live in Devon is almost too exciting to cope with.
I can’t wait to hear more about the plans but I’m guessing there will be a mix of American and British films and characters. At present, the attractions are expected to feature Harry Potter, 007 James Bond, and Paddington Bear. Hopefully, experiences will showcase great British music such as David Bowie, The Beatles, Oasis, The Spice Girls and One Direction.
As it will be the first European park, might there be a European twist - surely a How to Train your Dragon ride as we’re so close to Norway? Might some big West End productions be showcased? Could there be a dash of pantomime, splash of the seaside, and a good dollop of British humour?
So many questions which will be answered over the next six years. The realisation that I’ll be a young at heart 65 year old, when it opens in 2031, is sobering, but I do like a challenge.
Universal Studios Orlando - April 2003
Universal Studios Orlando, Florida
It’s strange how our minds play tricks on us as I could have sworn I went to Universal Studios Orlando the first time I visited Florida in May 1990, but, checking photos and Google, it didn’t open until the following month, on 7 June.
Even though my brain thought differently, my first actual visit to the Florida-based park was in April 2003 when I took my two daughters, then aged six and eleven. Having two girls of substantially different heights meant trying out the kids’ rides. The ET and Back to the Future rides were great fun. Although I love huge and fast rollercoasters, put me in a spinning teacup and I’m likely to throw up in a couple of minutes! My sister-in-law kindly volunteered for those.
We did a few larger rides too: the Jaws water ride, and got the obligatory photo standing under the open-mouthed shark; the Earthquake subway ride, probably not the best idea for my youngest, as it was more realistic than I expected; photos with various characters such as Barney the Dinosaur, and Eliza Thornberry. The Incredible Hulk rollercoaster was incredible (for its time).
Universdal Studios Orlando - April 2024
It was exactly twenty-one years later that I returned to Universal Studios Orlando - this time with my eldest daughter and her husband, in April 2024. I’m forever grateful that my girls are always happy to share life experiences with me. No spinning teacups this time - just full-on adrenaline-pumping rides, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which I had been longing to see since it opened in 2010.
We purchased a ‘Universal Orlando 3 Park Explorer’ ticket via the ukstore.universalorlando.com. It gave us a lot of flexibility over our twelve day holiday, and access to the three parks: Universal Studios; Islands of Adventure; and Volcano Bay, the water park.
The parks have been updated during the intervening years, but the Islands of Adventure is still based around a lake, and now there is Diagon Alley, and Volcano Bay. Everything about the parks are excellent - the backdrops, the street entertainment, and the rides. The themed cafes and restaurants are fun but expensive.
My favourite rides involved speed and surprise, some with loud music that almost drowned out the screaming joyriders.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - an unexpected surprise may take your breath away.
Diagon Alley - the detail is mind-blowing, and the rides impressive. Wait for the dragon to breathe real fire.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - at the entrance of the park. Choose your tune - I recommend Darude’s Sandstorm - and brace yourself for a slow clunking 90° skyward facing climb to the top, before plunging down a not-so-smooth but fast ride, with music blaring in your ears. Thrilling! Be quick though as it’s closing in September.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges - two fantastic water rides. It sounds stupid to say it, but you will get wet - and I mean soaked! Perhaps time the ride towards the end of the afternoon when there’s still time to dry off in the sun. Not like I did, just before joining the 60-minute single riders airconditioned queue for The Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster - this is THE ONE for any thrill seeker! I’ve been on many rides around the world but, oh my, nothing prepared me for this one! When they say take off and lock away everything, do it. I took off my hat and locked away my bag, tightened my trainer laces, but forgot to take off my glasses, which I almost lost in the final seconds of the ride. It’s the smoothest and fastest ride I’ve ever been on, and the G Force is like nothing I’ve felt before.
We made the most of the Single Rider queues, and due to specific and proven medical issues, we were able to apply for an ‘Accessibility’ pass.
Universal Studios Orlando may not be cheap but it shouldn’t be missed. Once inside the parks, the ticket cost makes sense. The effort and maintenance that goes into every piece of every experience is faultless.
Epic Universe Park
This new park opens next month with loads of new experiences.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic;
How to Train your Dragon - Isle of Berk;
Dark Universe;
Celstial Park;
and Super Nintendo World.
I look forward to reading the reviews.
Universal Studios Osaka - October 2024
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
Talking of Super Nintendo World, a few months later, I visited Japan, the home country of Nintendo.
Spending five nights in Osaka was a perfect reason to spend the last day at Universal Studios Japan.
American, Japanese, and British cultures and characters are brought together in one park. The park is smaller than the Orlando one, so a day visit may be sufficient, although there were a few areas we didn’t visit. A one-day park ticket without Super Nintendo World access costs JPY8600 (approx. £46 at today’s rate, which is excellent for British travellers).
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter didn’t disappoint, but sadly, the exhilarating Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure wasn’t here. However, the Jaws ride in Amity Village, no longer in Orlando, was a great throwback.
There are a couple of great rollercoasters located in the Hollywood area. Choose your music on the smooth forward-facing Hollywood Dream; then ride it backwards on the Hollywood Dream, The Ride: Backdrop. Located in the Jurassic Park area, and by far the most terrifying, is The Flying Dinosaur. The fear caused by the speed is intensified by the fact that, once seated and securely fastened in, the seat tips 90° forward, leaving riders facing the floor. The slow climb to the top of the ride is the most intense feeling I‘ve ever experienced on a rollercoaster. The screams were deafening.
Universal Studios Singapore - April 2018
Universal Studios Singapore
Back in April 2018 (I see a theme here), I was flying back from New Zealand and had a stopover in Singapore, so decided to make it a three-day city break.
I was delighted to discover there was a Universal Studios park on Sentosa Island. I spent 5.5 hours exploring the park and watching the street shows - The Trolls were big at the time. There were a few fun rides, and I made use of the single rider queues. I particularly enjoyed Revenge of the Mummy and the 3D Spider-Man motion simulator, which was the first time I had experienced a ride like it.
And now I have the new UK park to look forward to. Excitement doesn’t cover the way I feel about it.