Back from our 1st trip to DL! UPDATED

[glenpreece]

So today was our final day in California!!! It was also our day for Universal and Hollywood!!!! We were so excited. We got up and ready for the shuttle to pick us up. I went over to Mc D's and grabbed us some breakfast and we ate out front of the Hojo. At about 8:30am a bus pulled up and Adam asked if it was our transfer and it was!! Hooray we were off to the Gray Line Terminal. After trading in our voucher for our tickets we were off to the bus. After being in the wrong line at first lol we got on the right bus. There was a whole 8 of us on the tour lol. Whcih was nice cause we got to spread out over the bus. So we were off!

Our driver told us the history of how Anaheim was founded etc. Knott's Berry Farm and LA as we approached each. He also explained the places we'd be visiting tonight on our night tour of Hollywood and LA. Soon we could see the Hollywood Sign and we knew we were here!!!!! It was just like seeing the WDW gates lol! So after we arrived at universal he explained how we we're going to be pciked up etc andwhat time.

We headed up to the gate and snapped some pics along the way.

Afteer we entered we saw Beetlejuice

Marilyn

After that we walked down the street in search of the Simpsons ride. This to me was the main reason for wanting to come to Universal, the other being Wisteria Lane.

After a quick meet and greet with Lisa and Bart

We got into the queue I loved the queue for this because the mixed clips of the episodes with new stuff so I was in non Disney Heaven! I have seen every episode of the Simpsons I grew up watching them everyday! Loved the ride, loved the waiting areas!!!! It was def worth the wait!!!

After that it was down to the lower lot to get things done down there. First up was Jurassic Park. Now after the 2 of them refusing to ride Splash Mtn all week the suddenly felt like getting wet on this ride and wanted to sit in the front row. I said no we are sitting in the back, we're only doing this to do it not to get wet! I hate Dinosaurs and this ride did nothing to discourage that. Although I will say it was really short I couldn't believe it was over when it was. Here's one of the dino's that tried to eat us

After that we looked around the shop after wards didn't see anything so it was off to Egypt for the Mummy ride where we saw this guy out front

Once again couldn't believe how short this ride was!!!! I think the one in Orlando was longer or it appears that way on youtube. It was fun and we did it 3 times in a row!!!

After that we headed over to see the Backdraft show which was HOT and fun although very dated!!! We saw Scooby Doo and Shaggy out front

After that we were done the lower lot so we headed back up as the crowds were coming down lol. It was time for larissa to eat so we went to the Kwik E Mart while Larissa got some Pizza. I got my lunch.

which was actually pretty good!!!

Then we hit Shrek 4D which was really fun!!!

TBC

 

[glenpreece]

After Shrek it was time for the Back Lot tour. Atleast the line for this moves quickly and you get misted and it's covered lol!!! The Backlot tour was good and the best part for us was Wisteria Lane!!!!

Then it was off to the Bates Motel

After the tour Adam had to give it to JAWS

Then we went back over to ride Simpsons again but the line was too long but luckily Marge and Homer were out

After we made our way out because we had done everything there was to do pretty much. I refused to do the House of Horrors so we decided it was time to go to Citywalk since Adam was "starving" On the way out I was asked to do a survey I said yes thinking it would take 2 secs like the one this morning did about if we had an annual passes or not. But no we had to go to a room etc and sit and answer a bunch of questions. We sent Adam on to Citywalk and I did the survey with Larissa. The funniest part was when she asked if I had visited DL too and which park I liked better. Larissa laughed and I said DISNEYLAND!!! Then she asked about DCA and said prob the same, just becuase they ahve Simpsons here and Wisteria Lane!!!

So after we were done we didn't even get anything!!! Ok whatever we're never cmoing back here anyways!! So we headed off to Citywalk. Which btw way INCREDIBLE. The amount of stores and places to eat here put DTD to shame. We found the food court and hit KFC. We found Adam earlier at some burger place and told him to ctach up with us later on. So we looked around and went to Hot Topic in search of Twilight stuff for my mom. Nothing I couldn't get at home. Adam found us and we headed back to the bus. He arrived at 6:15pm as he said he would. We left Universal and headed for Hollywood There was alot of traffic because all the fanilows were heading to the Hollywood Bowl to see Barry Manilow. lol Anyways we made it to Hollywood and I was so excited!!! We had just over an hour to look around. So we hightailed it along Hollywood Blvd looking at stars!!

Then we hit the Studio Store and Soda Fountain so I could buy some pins and $50 later I had a Jessica and Roger pIn, Maleficent, Hercules and Evbil Queen Pins!!! They are SS/SF exclusives, I figured wth I am only going to be here once!!! After that we headed across the street to look at the handprints and got this cool pic

We saw all kinds of "characters" out and about for photos, there was a Batman who was really hot!!! But we didn't stop for a pic since we were short on time. So after finding almost all the stars we wanted to see we headed back to the bus. I stopped and bought my mom and Edward Cullen I.D. for her to carry in her wallet!!
The driver took us along HW Blvd and showed us some interesting places and differnt hot spots. Then all the stores on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills. It would've been cool to actually walk along here during the day but oh well no rental car!!!

We headed off to downtown LA to see the Walt Disney Music hall and the fountain, here's Larissa in front of the fountain

That was our last stop, we dropped people off at their hotels and headed back to the Hojo to pack. We could hear the Ghost on Space Mountain while we were packing. I went and checked in for our flight and found out that the DL express doesn't run early enough to pick us up so I had to make other arrangements. We got picked up at 4:30am and headed to LAX for our long trip home. After our flights and a delay at the border we finally made it home just before midnight on Sunday night just in time for me to go to work at 7am that morning!!!

That's it our trip to DL!!!! We had fun and I am glad we did it, would I go back, no prob not but you never know!!! Thanks for reading everyone!!!

 

[hematite153]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

glad to hear you had a good time. I have not been to universal studios since I was a child, just have not had the urge to. Though I would love to go on the Simpson's ride, will have to check that out sometime.

 

[Tribilín]

Great TR and glad you enjoyed yourselves.

If I ever visit DL it will be during Halloween-Christmas time, I really want to see the HM transformed with the TNBC theme!

This picture is awesome:

After that we headed across the street to look at the handprints and got this cool pic