You are trying to have a great family day out at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It’s a boiling hot day and the kids are winging because of the heat. Sound familiar? What can you do to cool down that doesn’t involve queueing for too long?
Pop-eye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges obviously!
This brilliant ride is a firm favourite of my kids and has been for years! So much so that once they are on it I really struggle to stop them going round again…and again!
A word of warning – you will get wet! If its hot you probably won’t mind but not only is the ride wet and has the capacity to tip gallons of water on your head if you sit in the wrong seat, but also people can shoot you with water from above(more on that later!). One great tip, other than the obvious rain coats or ponchos is if you are bothered about your hair then take a shower cap! I take one to all parks in Florida and pop it on for every water ride or show! I might look odd but I like to think people must think I’m really clever and wish they thought of it too!
To get on the ride you have to walk onto a revolving platform and get into the moving raft. It’s not hard because the platform and the raft move at the same speed.
There are seat belts and helpful covered compartments in the middle to minimise belongings getting wet.
The ride is fast enough to be fun and gentle enough to be enjoyed by all. You twist and turn and drop through rapids, getting splashed often! There are ample opportunities to get wet and the most exciting part is watching a family member be the one to go down a slope backwards and get soaked!
The story behind the ride is that Bluto had stolen Popeye’s girlfriend Olive Oyl. Popeye has to try to get her back, facing the rapids and a giant octopus. You are surrounded by cartoon scenery and humor. Its great wet fun!!
As you come out the exit to the ride (if you can get the kids off!) if you turn left you will see a giant boat! This is the attraction Me Ship the Olive and is definitely worth a visit. It is a giant play area with different levels of cartoon fun to explore. There are slides from one floor to another, passages, climbing nets and activities such as a giant piano!
The best part of Me Ship The Olive for us though is something I mentioned earlier! If you go to the top you can use the free water cannons to shoot lots of water at people on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges! My kids love doing this!
Me Ship The Olive also has some of the best views of Universal’s Islands of Adventure!
Taking a child with an ASD on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges and Me Ship The Olive?
Universal do a disability access pass which you can get from guest services. For Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges you won’t have to queue. Just take the pass to the fastpass entrance and you will walk on the ride! Remember to keep the pass dry as it is made of paper!
It is necessary to get on the ride promptly as it carries on moving.
There are seat belts which must be worn.
You will get wet.
Unless your party is large you will need to share a raft with other people.
There are drying machines you can pay for opposite the ride and toilets very close by if you need to change.
Me Ship The Olive is hardly ever busy at the beginning of the day and is fun to play on.
The slides go from one floor to another so it’s possible to lose track of your child if they don’t stay close.
The slide is fast unless you are wet.
These two attractions are a good way to cool down and have a break at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Between the two attractions, near the toilets, are some tables and benches if you need a food break.
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges and Me Ship The Olive are attractions at Universal’s Islands Of Adventure park in Orlando, Florida. You can find them by walking to the left as you enter the park and walking through Marvel land into Toon Land.
Thank you for the virtual tour of the place. It looks like an amazing place to explore when in Universal Florida. I will have to take note of this and most likely plan a trip to Universal next summer. I would not mind getting doused with water. That would be so fun!!
Lovely fun place I feel so, with good facilities and ample fun options, it shall rock with the kids and have a gala family time. Lovely pics.
Oh wow what a fantastic place to go! I would so love to take my family here, the kids would love it!
I’ve been on this right and think it is sooo much fun! One of my favorites as well! Your shower cap tip is amazing. I will certainly remember to bring one in next time I go/
I remember when my kids were little and water parks were some of our favorite places to go! Nothing beats the rides and great food on a day when the weather is hot. Plus, they always came home exhausted, which was a beautiful thing! x
This looks so amazing there in Florida for Universal. I know my daughter and I would love it. We plan on going and will have to check this out when we go.
OMG this looks like so much fun. My son would love it and so would I (big kid in adult body here ha ha). Love that shot with the ‘burgers’. Adding this to my FL bucketlist.
Well this certainly looks to be a blast! What I think makes this great is that it would be suitable for all members of the family (provided everyone is OK with getting wet). The tour of Popeye’s boat afterward and the opportunity for kids to fire water at others going on the ride would no doubt be a big hit with the kids.
Great review! I actually tend to skip Bilge Rat Barges, because I don’t like to be all wet the rest of the day, so it’s great you could provide a review that gives people an expectation of what to watch out for.
Wonderful photos, it looks like you had a great time! I have always loved water parks so this looks like a fun day!
I’ve never been to Universal and this looks like so much fun! Obviously these particular attractions would be ideal for hot summer days, because the water would be so refreshing. I guess just as you would expect to get wet at a water park, you would need to anticipate it and be OK with it here!
Not only would my little one absolutely love this place as water is his element, but I think I would have a great time here also!
Oh my goodness it’s been years since I went to a water park but this just looks like the most amazing fun! I feel like I need to go to a theme park now!
Universal Studios looks absolutely brilliant, not just for the little kids but us big ones too.
Just looking those pictures makes me smile also, family friendly yet looks adventurous. A must visit for family who loves to do something different
OMG! That place is great. My kids, siblings and cousins would love to go for a new pack of adventure.
oh wow! I love Popeye and I didn’t know there is such rise in Universal Islands of Adventure. I need to visit this
It’s such a fun place. I like water parks very much. Apart from the kids, I am sure you also had a great time in the splashing water. 🙂