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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

 

 

 

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park spread out on vast amount of land against a hillside that is home to both its movie making business and theme park operations. VIsiting Universal Studios Hollywood is an all day event and encompasses a full studio tour, dozens of rides and roller coasters, shows that highlight stunts and the visual effects studios utilize to enhance movies, numerous dining and shopping opportunities and themed displays dedicated to various popular movies.

 

UNIVERSAL CITY WALK

Upon arriving at Universal Studios, visitors first enter the Universal City Walk. This area is free admission to the public and includes extensive shopping and dining areas. The City Walk is so involved with many activities in itself, it can easily turn into half the day roaming this area. There are fountains that spring up out of the ground, and IMAX theatre, and many themed restaurants serving everything from pizza and shrimp to burgers and burritos. Those interested in casual shopping with find kiosks selling a variety of merchandise on the perimeter and in the evening several live musical acts set up shop in various corners of the City Walk to perform covers of some of the biggest hit songs as well as original music they have written. After passing through the City Walk visitors then enter the main gates of the Universal Studios Theme Park.

 

STUDIO TOUR

The main attraction at Universal Studios is the back lot tour via the tram tour. The tram a 5-6 car motorized road tram takes visitors through the entire back lot exposing all the ins and outs of how movies, tv shows and commercials are made. The tram passes between narrow allies between sound stages and a tour guide points out the various tv shows and movies that have been or our currently in production in each one. Visitors are then taken into various spots in the hills surrounding the studio lot where they will feel like they have been transported to the middle of nowhere. It is here the tram goes on rickety bridges, explores old west towns and drives through white picket fence neighborhoods where the facades of homes used in some of the highest rated primetime shows stand today-including Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives. The tram also drives through a town center that has been used in numerous movies such as Back to the Future and of course the ever famous Jaws attack shark gives the visitors a thrill when the tram drives along the shores of a small man made lake. Other sights on the tram tour include an earthquake experience, a flood and the ruins of a plane crash.

 

RIDES

Universal Studios Hollywood has a variety of rides that are named after many of the movies the studio has produced over the years and are themed after the plots in the movies themselves. Many of the rides are thrill roller coasters that are a bit more exciting than those found at Disney but not as terrifying as those at a Six Flags Theme Park. There is the SImpson's ride which is a six minute long motion simulator of an animated roller coaster found in the show The Simpsons. Jurassic Park the ride takes guests on a water adventure as dozens of special effects, drops and tight turns keep visitors wondering what's coming next and enthralled with the amazing scenery. Billed as California's fastest indoor roller coaster, The Revenge of the Mummy Ride takes visitors through a variety of drops, turns and fast paced action with all the special effects from the Mummy movie franchise to scare and thrill at the same time.

 

SHOWS/EXHIBITS

For those not keen on the thrill rides, Universal offers a variety of shows and exhibits that entertain as well as educate on the intricacies of filmmaking.

 

There is a sound stage that displays how the movie Backdraft was made exposing guests to the thrill of hot flame. The special effects stages demonstrates how sound effects are made and come to life, how characters fly and how scenery is made to look as realistic as possible.

 

Waterworld is a live seaworld show highlighting the many stunts in person found from some of the biggest action movies of all time. Plane crashes, explosions and jaw dropping feats from the most talented stunt men and women.

 

Terminator 3D is the ultimate 3D movie experience as thrills and action leap out of the screen and into your seat.

 

The Universal Experience is a museum type exhibit that takes visitors on a tour of the props, wardrobes and scenery used to make some of the most popular movies ever made from the 1950s to present day. Some of the movies featured are Gladiator, E.T., Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, To Kill a Mockingbird and All Quiet on the Western Front to name a few.

 

GETTING TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS/PARKING

PARKING-Parking at Universal is easy as they have abundant room across several parking structures. Parking is $8.00

 

From Hollywood: Take the 101 North, exit Universal City/Lankershim Blvd.

From Beverly Hills-Take Sunset Blvd east to Laurel Canyon. Make left onto Laurel Canyon, take Laurel Canyon over hill, past Mulholland down to 101 freeway. Take 101 freeway south/east to Lankershim, exit Universal City.