We almost didn’t ride ET and left it for the last day. After multiple days of coasters and immersion experiences my teens loved riding ET. They told me that while the Harry Potter rides were great, there were too many screens and they enjoyed the simplicity of the ET ride. Don’t skip it when you go to UOR.
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I really enjoy the queue and first part of E.T. It is USF’s equivalent to PPF. But…the second half? Really not my favorite. But still nice to do.
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True. But for teens that live on their screens, I think it was great they appreciated and really enjoyed something different.
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ET is the oldest ride in the parks.
It’s probably a suprise to nobody that I LOVE it. Pure nostalgia!
My kids enjoy the ride too even though they have never seen the movie.
I’ve only mildly encouraged them to watch the movie because my DS is a sensitive soul, and I remember absolutely howling with sadness when I saw it in the cinema as a kid. I don’t want DS traumatised like I was 
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We too loved the ET ride. Even the queue was cute.
As trip preparation, we watched a lot of the Universal movies including ET. I was shocked at how well the movie held up. The hairstyles, clothes and cars were dated of course. But, I guess since they used an actual puppet and not crude special effects, the movie was fine to watch.
For us it was Cat in The Hat. We skipped it out first trip and only tried it on the second because there was no line and we wanted AC.
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We rode yesterday and I expected my teens to find it lame. They actually enjoyed it even having not seen ET. All the color was fun and who doesn’t love cute alien babies!
ET’s name calling out isn’t so great tho. No one in our group could understand him
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I read the ET books as a kid, where he goes back to save his planet, and the second half of the ride is my favorite. 
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Hubby & I LOVE ET 
! A must do for us.
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I’m really glad you liked it. The first time I took my daughter to UOR (2013) she was 13. At the end she looked baffled and asked, “Dad…is this what taking drugs looks like??”
At my house when I walk in after work my wife will call out, “Welcome Home! You’ve Arrived!”
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I read them, too, as a kid and hated the part where he went back home. So I guess that meshes with my feelings of the second and part of the ride.
I remember the emotional connection I had with the movie, and the moment of flying on the bike, etc. Very climactic from an emotional standpoint, and then Elliot saying goodbye. But the second half just diminishes all that. There is just no emotional connection for me at that point.
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That is hysterical! I don’t know if I will ever be able to ride it again without that thought crossing my mind!
Who knew that the second half of the ride was a metaphor. Taking a “trip” to another planet. I wonder how “Puff the magic dragon” fits into this. Is ET’s “planet” called Honalee?
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I was going to say that the second half is like being on shrooms. (not that I would know)
But I do enjoy the ride and find it nostalgic. I would enjoy it more if they stuck to the story in the movie. Oh well.
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The preshow still boggles me… Is ET “real”?? Is he friends with Spielberg? Did someone have to pay ET royalties?? 
The only change needed, IMHO, is to remove ET from the preshow. Have Spielberg say, “We’re putting you in the starring role of my film. However, you get to beyond the movie by taking ET home yourselves and seeing the Green Planet in person!”
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I always thought that was odd as well!
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ET is a must do for me. It always seems so cool in there among the 
And, it’s a movie from our childhood, so; nostalgia 
DH rolls his eyes a bit but he wouldn’t miss it either. We always laugh at the home planet part and love to say "Welcome Home, you’ve arrived " in that sing-songy voice. I saw a door mat with that on it and may get it for our front porch lol. This seems like I’m obsessed but it’s just fun and a bit silly.
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OMG! I’ve never thought of this! I need to put it on a wishlist!
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I think it was on Etsy?
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