ORLANDO -- Am I a roller coaster-loving person? This is a question I've been grappling with over the past two days while riding coasters in the new Epic Universe and ones in Universal's other parks.
I'm being hosted at the resort as part of media previews for Epic, Universal's third theme park in Orlando. And up until this visit, I didn't think I liked high-intensity coasters.
It's all rooted in the ill effects of a morning turn on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios. At the tender age of 12, that attraction left me, shall we say, green around the gills. (The Aerosmith theme for this coaster will eventually give way to the Muppets.)
I've studiously avoided the most intense coasters since. Until, on a VIP tour for media on Tuesday, there arose the opportunity to skip the line and hop on VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure.
I'll skip the velociraptor chase and cut to the conclusion: I loved it. I also loved Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (also at Universal Islands of Adventure).
Celestial and mythological elements play into the design of Celestial Park. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The thrilling Stardust Racers
To my great surprise, I also loved Stardust Racers, a dual-launch coaster in Epic Universe's Celestial Park district.
I think I might be a coaster person -- although I haven't only been riding coasters. On Tuesday, I experienced three of the five worlds that comprise Epic Universe.
Celestial Park was designed to be a calming space for visitors to decompress, filled with gardens and water features, but it also offers one of Epic's biggest thrills. With a minimum height requirement of 48 inches, Stardust Racers is pretty intense. It goes as fast as 62 mph along its 5,000 feet of track. It reaches up to 133 feet.
I am a huge fan, especially of the airtime (the sensation of being out of your seat) and the delightful downward corkscrew. The coaster has two tracks, yellow and green. While the two sides normally race, the green side was down when I rode.
I heard Stardust Racers is best experienced at night, something I hope to do in the coming days.
The sun rises on the Isle of Berk. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Swooping on Hiccup's Wing Gliders
How to Train Your Dragon -- Isle of Berk is themed to its eponymous series, wherein the Viking boy Hiccup bucks centuries of tradition and trains the dragon Toothless. He convinces his people that dragons aren't enemies of the Vikings, and they can coexist peacefully and help each other thrive.
Multiple animatronic dragons populate Berk. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The world of Berk comes alive at Epic Universe. The attention to detail, and no shortage of animatronic dragons throughout, impresses from the get-go. It is home to three attractions and one show.
Hiccup's Wing Gliders is a delightful coaster. It whips riders around the Isle of Berk, offering great views of the scenery and some fun dragon appearances (sheep, too). It's not too intense and only carries a height requirement of 40 inches. For the adventurous kid, this would be a great first coaster. For everyone else, it's a good time without sparking the nerves of inversions or too-steep climbs and drops.
Drenched on Fyre Drill
A warning to the water-averse: You will probably get soaked on Fyre Drill. This slow-moving boat ride offers a fun game for riders (there is no height minimum). Everyone gets access to their own water cannon they can shoot at targets, other boats and even people waiting on line.
I was grateful for the poncho that Universal team members handed out at the entrance. Without it, I would have probably needed a wardrobe change. The ride is fun, especially when other boats get rowdy. Pack rain gear or do this last, right before you leave the park.
Flip or don't on Dragon Racer's Rally
Dragon Racer's Rally was designed to train Vikings in dragon flight. Its unique mechanics allow riders (minimum height of 48 inches) to take control of "dragon wings" to flip themselves over while in flight.
Riders go high, so the height-averse should avoid it, but otherwise it moves in relatively gentle circles. Inversions are totally up to the rider. I avoided flipping myself and enjoyed the views of Berk and beyond. A rider in front of me flipped so much it made my stomach want to do the same.
A can't-miss show in Isle of Berk
"The Untrainable Dragon" is the Isle of Berk's stage show, and it's not to be missed.
Hiccup and Toothless fly above the audience during "The Untrainable Dragon." Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Dazzling puppetry, costumes and animatronics accompany this tale of a dragon that seems untrainable -- that is, until Hiccup steps in.
The music is catchy, the sets well designed and the puppets and animatronics impeccable. It's a surprise-and-delight moment when Hiccup and Toothless first take flight over the audience.
Let's-a go to Super Mario World
Super Mario World has brought to life some of my favorite childhood video games. From entering via Princess Peach's castle to punching question mark boxes for coins, this land is a delight for anyone that has ever enjoyed the Mario universe.
It's best enjoyed with an interactive Power-Up Band, which lets players track their progress in collecting keys via games and coins throughout the world. They come at a cost of $45.
The world is bifurcated into two lands: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
The entrance to Mine-Cart Madness in Super Mario World. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Mine-Cart Madness, a coaster in Donkey Kong Country, gets major points for creativity. Universal has employed an innovative coaster design that makes it appear riders are jumping across gaps in the track. While the ride is fun from any seat, front-row riders have a better view of gap jumping.
There is at least one portion of the attraction where riders are jerked from side to side pretty intensely. I didn't love this effect but it wouldn't stop me from riding it again. Riders must be 40 inches tall or taller.
A Power-Up Band costs $45. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Yoshi's Adventure is a slow ride through Super Mario Land designed for small children. The minimum height requirement is 34 inches. Riders board their own Yoshi in search of glowing eggs. While not a must-do, Yoshi's Adventure offers wonderful views of Super Mario World.
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge was like walking into a dream because I grew up playing Mario Kart 64. Riders enter Bowser's Castle -- one of the most detailed queues I've seen -- and enter into a cart race. Yes, it includes the iconic Rainbow Road.
The augmented-reality goggles are fairly comfortable to don, but if riders don't pay attention in the pre-show video, they won't understand the mechanics of throwing Koopa shells (use your eyes to aim). The attraction has a minimum height of 40 inches. Let's-a go!