Universal Studios Orlando is widely known as the edgier alternative to Walt Disney World. While you’ll find many of your favorite characters and films highlighted here, this theme park is a far cry from the squeaky clean image at Disney. For older children who scoff at the slow-moving boat rides and hours-long lines to meet and greet princesses, Universal offers an exhilarating change. If you’re looking for something edgier to shake up your vacation, Universal certainly has it. These attractions feature story lines and effects that are far too gritty for anything at Disney.
1. Horror Makeup Show, Universal Studios Florida
The Horror Makeup Show offers a behind the scenes look at how classic horror films are made. The closest comparison to this type of show at Disney is The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney takes you behind the scenes by having a Disney artist converse with an animation of Mushu from Mulan. The Horror Makeup Show features a character known as the artist as well, but he couldn’t be more different.
In the Horror Makeup Show, the artist shows off effects such as cutting into a guest’s arm and spraying faux blood. The movie clips you see feature intense scenes from horror movies like American Werewolf in London, The Frighteners, Dracula, and The Wolfman. The show even pokes fun at its rival theme park when the artist scoffs that he doesn’t have to be nice to kids because this isn’t the Magic Kingdom.
2. The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Florida
The Simpsons Ride is a simulator based off the characters in the wildly popular television show. The closest comparison at Disney is probably Star Tours, particularly when you think of the original version without 3D glasses. Though Star Tours has the threat of the dark side, the theming of The Simpsons Ride takes on a much edgier tone.
In The Simpsons Ride, you’re with the Simpson family running from the murderous Sideshow Bob. The attraction features parodies of several Disney attractions including it’s a small world and Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride also pokes fun at the theme park industry in general with lines like “They won’t kill you at an amusement park as long as you’ve got a dime in your pocket.” The script naturally features the same style of humor you find on The Simpsons show. While it’s not unexpected here, a character plummeting toward earth crying “My bussoms are slapping my face!” isn’t something you would find at Disney.
3. The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Image: Universal
It’s no secret that Disney leans toward the tamer end of the spectrum when it comes to roller coasters. The closest comparison to The Incredible Hulk Coaster is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are several features of this roller coaster that are unlikely to make it into a Disney theme park. The sheer intensity of it is beyond what Disney parks usually offer with seven inversions and a drop of 105 feet. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, meanwhile, has only 3 inversions and no major drops. The Hulk lasts for 2 minutes, 15 seconds while Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is nearly a minute shorter at 1 minute, 22 seconds.
The Incredible Hulk features a launched lift hill, taking guests from 0 to 40 in two seconds and reaches a top speed of 64 miles per hour. While Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster does shoot guests off, and even achieves a slightly faster speed hitting 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds, Disney uses a more conventional flat launch track. That initial speed of 57 mph is also as fast as you’ll go.
It’s not just the intensity of the track that sets the Hulk apart, though. This metal coaster literally roars to life with each ride, making so much noise that it’s nearly impossible to hold a conservation anywhere near it. Disney’s tamer atmosphere would never stand up to this kind of noise and disruption from an outdoor attraction.
4. Transformers: The Ride, Universal Studios Florida
Transformers: The Ride features the same ride system used in Spiderman at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The 3D screens and intense motion of the cars compares poorly to anything at Walt Disney World, though Dinosaur: The Ride is close.
The story line behind the attraction distinguishes it instantly from any type of Disney attraction. You’re fighting for your life as bullets whiz past and murderous robots aim to kill you. Though the violence in the film is robot on robot, it’s intense none-the-less. Disney may have you fleeing from dinosaurs and Yetis, but these predatory beasts lack the malice and forethought that’s clearly present in the attractions at Universal.
5. Terminator 2: 3D Battle Across Time, Universal Studios Florida
Terminator 2: 3D combines a 3D movie with live action in an intense experience that can easily overwhelm small children. Like It’s Tough to Be a Bug at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this attraction has no height limit but is something you should exercise extreme caution with. If you think children can get scared at the creepy crawlies in Disney’s show, you’ll find it’s tame compared to Terminator.
Terminator creates a more realistic experience by using live actors with a real motorcycle and real guns. Though they’re loaded with blanks, the gunfire is still extremely loud and potentially frightening for children. The Great Movie Ride offers a much tamer comparison with its gangsters and cowboys, but the gunfire in the Great Movie Ride is much less intense. You’ll also experience a battle with five live actors in Terminator while there are only two live characters in Great Movie Ride, and the Tour Guide always takes off promptly without much of a fight.
From towering armed robots to live stunts from the Terminator, Universal’s 3D show is easily edgier than any experience at Disney.
If you’re looking for something that has the potential to rattle skeptical teens or get the adrenaline flowing even for seasoned adults, Universal’s attractions go well beyond the tamer antics available at Disney.
