Graeme was only 4 when we first went on holiday to Orlando. With only a fortnight's holiday at our disposal we wondered if we could survive the 5 day pass + Sea World + Kennedy + Universal Studios which we had planned.

Our brief perusal of the Universal Studios literature seemed to suggest a fairly adventurous theme park with wild rides which might not appeal to very young children. We wondered whether to omit Universal Studios but decided that since we had come this far we might as well try it and see - we made the correct decision.

On arriving at the park we headed straight to "The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera" which we reckoned Graeme would enjoy. Not wishing to upset him at the very beginning of the day we decided to seat ourselves on the static benches at the front of the ride - a type of immense simulator which jolts you around as you fly with Yogi Bear in pursuit of Dick Dastardly who has kidnapped Elroy Jetson. It quickly became apparent that Graeme considered the static benches to be a soft option and we had to rejoin the 20 minute queue to repeat the performance properly. From then on the tableau of a rampaging "King Kong" was merely viewed as a large troublesome monkey and the terrors of the San Francisco "Earthquake" while on board an underground train - no more fearsome than travelling on Glasgow's "Clockwork Orange" subway trains at rush hour. (Please note that "Kongfrontation" has been replaced by "Revenge of the Mummy" - so good we rode it three times!)

"Jaws" was not completed until our second trip in 1994 and still evokes gasps of amazement as the searing heat from the all too real explosions singe the hairs on your head. (TIP: The best of the action is viewed from the left hand side of the boats)

 [Jaws]
   
[Back to the Future - The Ride]

The "Back to the Future" pavilion is currently (2007) being modified to accommodate America's favourite family!!!

For the youngsters a 30 minute period in the cool of the late afternoon or evening spent playing in "Fievel's Playground" and/or Curious George Goes to Town is helpful in letting off some steam.

The "ET" ride has the best queuing area of all the attractions in Orlando since you slowly wind your way through the forest before boarding your bicycle to fly to ET's home planet. (NB. Listen carefully to ET at the end of your journey as he personally bids you, "Goodbye")

Don't miss Universal Studios' other theme park, "Islands of Adventure". A land of myths, legends and superheroes and features 5 islands - Lost Continent; Jurassic Park; Seuss Landing; Toon Lagoon & Marvel Super Hero Island.