FAST AND FURIOUS: SUPERCHARGED
Got to do the full experience recently (before I only got to do the ride during HHN, this time I got to do both pre-shows and the ride). I still don’t hate it, but I definitely don’t love it (let’s say I’m lukewarm). I feel so bad for the team members stuck doing the pre-shows as they really have nothing to work off of or with. That said, they both really made the two pre-shows a lot of fun. You could tell they both really tried. I got a guy playing Pat and a girl playing Jaime. Pat said Pat is short for Party All the Time, made a joke about how he wished this was happening during HHN, called out my Jurassic Park shirt (“Wait, you actually went to that park? How did you survive?!” When I told him it was luck, he said “You heard that folks, luck”.). He moon-walked across his stage/platform, did a mean “The Rock” impression, and complained about how the characters on the screen kept ignoring him. Jaime had some great jokes about how Taj and the others on the screen went from calling us family to civilians (She basically called them liars), and commented how they were basically delivering us into the open arms of the FBI and how we were all going to federal prison. The ride itself is still not great, but feels close to a perfect encapsulation of the films: Big, stupid, dumb, toothless, few thrills, but oddly fun. I still LOVE the party busses with no liquor. In a way, I’d compare this attraction to riding a stupid, dumb, silly B movie. For myself, I’d say it’s worth one ride-thru each trip so long as the wait isn’t long.
2 STARS
THE BOURNE STUNTACULAR
FINALLY got to experience this for myself. Very cool, very thrilling, very loud and immersive. Best way to sum up my thoughts: “I would stand in line for this”.
5 STARS
RACE THROUGH NEW YORK STARRING JIMMY FALLON
I finally got to experience Race Through NYC recently, and I don’t think it gets enough love. The queue is one of the absolute best at both IOA and Universal. The ride itself is one of the smoothest simulators I’ve ever been on (I’d go so far as to call it “comfy”), and the 3-D is fantastic. I know many find Jimmy to be incredibly annoying, but I think his persona works very well for the host of the ride. I’d actually consider this to be one of my favorite attractions at the park.
5 STARS
VILLAIN-CON: MINION BLAST
Went on Villain-Con for the first time. Very underwhelming. Very little theming and little to no immersion. Plus, there’s no real way to know if you qualify to join the villains at the end (I guess maybe the leaderboard in the gift shop?). I dig the moving walkway ride platform, the blasters you wield, and the interior queue. A decent enough attraction if you’ve got nothing else to do, but not particularly memorable or exciting.
2 STARS
MEN IN BLACK: ALIEN ATTACK
I'm still upset they killed the first two pre-shows. That said, I was surprised at well this ride holds up 24 years later. When I rode, the AAs still looked cool, and worked well. It doesn't feel or look like a ride that is 24 years old now. Still easily the best family competitive shooter in Florida, easily blows all the others out of the water.
5 STARS
SKULL ISLAND: REIGN OF KONG
I rode w/o the 3D on 5/13. The last time I had ridden it prior was in 2017 when every single effect was working, so this was a disappointing experience. I don't think new guests would notice any thing is off but to those in the know...the current state of the attraction is a real let-down. First off: THEY KILLED THE WORM IN THE QUEUE???!!!! WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS???!!!! (From what I’ve heard it was just taking a nap when I passed by). I don't have any real issue with the scareactors being removed, but it was still a cool touch when it was there. The outdoor scene definitely needs to return as it adds a real sense of anticipation and kinetic movement for those waiting outside and starts the attraction off with a true WOW moment. As for the attraction itself, it still works, but the 3D is desperately needed to sell some of the neat effects throughout (I also noticed the shadow effect on top was non-functional). The bat room works fine w/o the 3-D, but the bug room and the 360 scene just aren't effective without 3-D. I guess all we can do is continue to complain as loudly as we can until Universal gives in. I didn't hate my experience with the ride, but in the current state, I don't know if I'd be eager to jump back in line any time soon (whereas before it was always a must-do. At least the kick-a$$ Witch pre-show still works and the ride jeep is still impressive as hell).
2.5 STARS
JURASSIC PARK RIVER ADVENTURE
I was more impressed than I was expecting to be with my recent ride-thru. Most of the AAs still need a good deal of TLC, but the ride was a lot of fun and very thrilling. Plus: Tiff was working perfectly and was very impressive (Missed visiting the ol' girl). It really is the full embodiment of everything JP is and should be.
4 STARS
HAGRID’S MAGICAL CREATURE MOTORBIKE ADVENTURE
I only got to do this once, but quite enjoyed my one ride-thru. I didn’t realize that Hagrid is there with you every step of the way via constant voice-over narration. There’s just something satisfying knowing that Hagrid is always there, it kind makes you feel safer despite some dangerous moments (your bike stalling out, the Devil’s Snare scene).
I love how your bikes essentially have a mind of their own and the entire ride takes place in the forbidden forest (the show scene with the Devil’s Snare is dark, atmospheric, and cool). The multiple moments of sudden acceleration were quite thrilling and fun too.
Unfortunately, some of the animatronics were non-functional during my journey (the Hagrid AA and Fluffy were completely motionless, while the Unicorns at the very end had incredibly limited movement). Overall, a fun ride with some intense moments, but not so intense so that little ones can still ride and enjoy it. Very well themed too. That said, I don’t think I’d give it another ride until all the animatronics are fully functional again.
4 STARS
DUDLEY DO-RIGHT’S RIPSAW FALLS
This has always been one of “my” rides. Surprised that it hurt a lot more getting into and out of the logs than it used to (maybe because I was in the back row?). The beginning mist effect was non-functional (as it often is). The Nell and Snidely uphill AAs were non-functional. The Snidely boulder AA (which is a reference to the defunct Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride at WDW) was non-functional. The tied-up Nell AA was missing/removed. So, yeah… this ride needs some TLC. That said, I still left beaming from ear-to-ear. God dammit, I love you Dudley! I always have and I always will! It remains my personal favorite log flume.
3.5 STARS (Once all the issues are fixed, it will be at least 4 Stars).
VELOCICOASTER
Got to do my first Raptor hunt recently, and I gotta say this sucker blew me right out of the water. Such an intense but smooth coaster. The second acceleration point, the top-hat (the air-time zero-G moment at the top), and the flip over the IOA lagoon were insane. The rare coaster that starts out at an intense level and finds a way to maintain if not up the intensity throughout. It literally does not let up for a second until you pull into the unload station. The queue was pretty cool too, Gotta love Mr. DNA doing the locker instructions and safety spiel. All the pre-show vids were great, the AR launch tunnel was cool, and the AA Raptor you walk past is incredibly realistic. The main pre-show vid is PERFECTION (wish I had more time to stop and watch it, and I love how Owen is still going-off when you enter the launch tunnel. He’s definitely not happy about all this). The icing on the cake is this coaster (an intense roller-coaster through the Raptor paddock created because park-goers wanted more teeth) absolutely feels like something the maniacs at Jurassic World would come up with. Overall, an A+ coaster that certainly isn’t for everyone. It’s as vicious as a Raptor and it packs one hell of a bite. I can’t wait for many more rides through the Raptor paddock in the future.
5 STARS
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