Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
272
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS AT UNIVERSAL
STUDIOS FLORIDA
Rides and attractions combine technology and special effects to produce excellent enter-
tainment. While waiting in line, you'll be entertained by excellent preshows—far better
than those at the Disney parks (some are as entertaining as the attractions themselves).
Universal, as a whole, takes itself less seriously than the Mouse, and the atmosphere is
peppered by subtle reminders that in the competitive theme-park industry, it's really not
such a small world after all.
Animal Actors on Location!
Frommer's Rating:
B+ for young kids and parents
Recommended Ages:
All ages
Get an up-close look at the Hollywood's hottest animal actors as they entertain audience
members in a 20-minute multimedia show that combines video clips and lots of live
action.
Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue
Frommer's Rating:
C+ for classic rock fans, C for others
Recommended Ages:
10-adult
This rock musical stars Dracula, Wolfman, the Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein and
his bride, and Beetlejuice. The fun includes pyrotechnic special effects, some adult jokes,
and MTV-style choreography. It's loud and lively enough to scare some small children
and frazzle some older adults. It carries Universal's PG-13 rating, meaning it may not be
suitable for preteens.
A Day in the Park with Barney
Frommer's Rating:
A+ for tiny tots and parents, D for almost everyone else
Recommended Ages:
2-6
7
Frommer's Rates the Rides
As I do for the Disney parks in chapter 6, “Exploring Walt Disney World,” I'm
using a grading system to score the Universal Orlando and SeaWorld rides in
this chapter. (I'll return to the star-rating system toward the end of the chap-
ter, when I explore some of Orlando's smaller attractions.) Most of the grades
below are
A's, B's,
and
C's.
That's because the major parks' designers have done
a pretty good job on the attractions. But you'll also find a few
D's
for Duds.
Here's what the Frommer's ratings mean:
A+
=
Your trip wouldn't be complete without it.
A
=
Put it at the top of your “to-do” list.
B+
=
Make a real effort to see or do it.
B
=
It's fun but not a “must see.”
C+
=
A nice diversion; see it if you have time.
C
=
Go if it appeals to you but not if there's a wait.
D
=
Don't waste your time.
