Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
269
Moments
Universal Has a Few 'Toons, Too
While the options pale in comparison to Disney, Universal has character meet-
and-greets on a rotating basis. At
Universal Studios Florida,
you may run into
Woody Woodpecker, SpongeBob SquarePants, Shrek, and Jimmy Neutron,
among others. At
Islands of Adventure,
the cast may include Spider-Man, Pop-
eye and Olive Oyl, Beetle Bailey, the Cat in the Hat, Betty Boop, or Boris and
Natasha.
parents to switch off on rides without having to stand in line twice) is available at the
rides as well.
PETS
You can board your small animals at the shelter located inside the parking
garages for $10 a day (no overnight stays), but you have to return to feed and walk Fido.
Ask the attendant when you pay for parking to direct you to the kennel.
Best Time of Year to Visit
As at Walt Disney World, there's really no off season for Universal, but the week after
Labor Day until mid-December (excluding Thanksgiving week) and January to mid-May
(excluding spring break) are known for smaller crowds, cooler weather, and less humid
air. And you won't have to worry about the daily thunderstorms that often plague
Orlando during the warmer months. The summer months, when the masses throng to
the parks, are the worst time for crowds and feature hot, sticky, humid days.
The Best Days to Visit
Go near the end of the week, on a Thursday or Friday. The pace is somewhat fast Mon-
day through Wednesday, with the heaviest crowds on weekends and during summers and
holidays. If you do end up visiting during peak seasons or on holidays (when the parks
are open late), consider waiting until late afternoon and staying until closing time—after
the dinner hour the parks are generally much less crowded.
Note:
Universal Studios Florida is probably the best of all the major theme parks to
visit when the weather is bleak simply because the majority of its rides and attractions are
indoors (there's still a ton of walking outdoors, but at least you don't have to worry about
many of the attractions closing because of lightning or heavy rain). A shower or two is
almost inevitable in Central Florida on a summer afternoon, but if the forecast for the
day calls for a sustained downpour, then USF is a great bet.
7
Create an Itinerary
Pick three or four things that you must see or do and plan your day along a rough geo-
graphical guide. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are both relatively
small, so walking from one end of the park to the other isn't as daunting as it is at some
of the Disney parks.
Choose Age-Appropriate Rides/Shows
Here, as in Walt Disney World, height and age restrictions aren't bent to accommodate
a screaming child. Even where restrictions don't exist, some shows have loud music and
pyrotechnics that can scare young kids. Check the attraction descriptions that follow to
make sure your child won't be unduly disappointed or frightened.
