Thursday, August 05, 2004
Universal Studios Hollywood
My first park in California was Universal Studios. They offer several different ticket options that we considered. They have a ticket that includes a front of the line pass for all the attractions all day. The cost of that is $100 (a regular ticket is $50) and we almost bought it because we didn't know how busy it would be and we wanted to do everything. We did go on a Monday and it turned out the park was not busy at all, so we picked the regular ticket. We managed to do everything (and some things twice) and still leave the park early for dinner. If you do go and find that you want a front of the line pass added to your ticket, you can get that done inside the park at Guest Relations.
The other option is the VIP tour, which costs about $150. I don't know much about it, but I did see the tour down on the backlot. They have their own personal bus and are allowed to walk around the backlot to take pictures and hear more about the area. The VIP tour also gives front of the line access to every ride, but you go as a group so it is not unlimited.
The first thing we did was the Studio Tour and something that should be done every time. It really is much better during the weekdays because that is when all the shooting is being done. We were able to see into a few soundstages but we didn't see anyone famous.
Next was their newest ride (and first coaster): Revenge of the Mummy. The first time we waited about 30 minutes in line and the wait stayed that long for the whole day. The ride is very interesting (and I wont spoil it here) but very short. If the wait time is very long, I suggest using the single rider line (which we used the second time). I have heard that the one in Orlando is much longer and much more fun. I hope to ride it soon.
I rode the Jurassic Park ride for the first time as well (in Hollywood, I had done the one in Orlando before). It was fun, but you don't get very wet at all. Don't bother buying/wearing any kind of protective gear. The only difference between it and the Orlando version is one cool "falling car" effect. For that, this ride is better.
Shrek 4D was also new since the last time I had been at a Universal park. It is really a great movie with a great preshow but not a great queue line. I recommend it to anyone.
The Van Helsing maze/haunted house was a little disappointing. I don't often get freighted by haunted houses but there was really NOTHING in this one at all. I think I scared an actor more by catching them coming back from a break then any of them did to me. I wonder how long this will last now that the movie is a flop?
The Spiderman Rocks show is one to skip. Universal has the rights to the comic but not the movie, so if you are not really a Spiderman fan beyond the movies you won't find much here. Not to mention that it is just a bad musical.
T2:3D, Back to the Future, and Animal Planet Live were the same as always and worth a visit.
When we had finished everything we decided to go on the Studio Tour again (last ride is at 6:15) and from all the differences between the two experiences I have to say that doing this more then once is a must. The second time we learned a lot more about some of the movies shot in the backlot and we got to see a few other things.
Finally, I must comment on Universal City Walk. It is a really nice place and superior to Downtown Disney in California. Plenty of restaurants, music, shops, and movie theaters. The Japanese restaurant had great sushi and dinners. The Mexican restaurant had great fajitas (and a cool fountain). We bought some Popcorn at Popcornopolis and I was not disappointed. Try some next time you are there.
