Danauk's anniversary trip to Disneyland (and a few other places too!) Day 9 Universal

Danauk

<font color=green>I would be sitting on the patio
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
14,597
We got up early again and had breakfast in the hotel as part of our package. At 8:30am we left for Universal Studios. We could have gone by metro as it was on the same line as the stop by our hotel but we decided to drive as it was just easier for us. It was only a 10 minute drive away which was great. We had decided to do the VIP tour today so we left the car with the valet (it was included as part of the tour) and headed off to the park.

Hollywoodday2002.jpg


Our tour didn't start until 10am but we were able to collect our front of the line passes at 9am so we headed straight off to the new Simpsons ride.

Hollywoodday2275.jpg


The ride was really good, I loved the Kwik E Mart next door!

Hollywoodday2276.jpg


After the ride we went back to the tour room to have a snack and meet our guide and the rest of our group. There were 12 people in our group so our group wasn't full which was nice.

1st we did the Studio Tram tour. The great thing about the VIP bit of this tour was that we were allowed to get off the trolley at certain points and explore the sets and lots.

We got onto our VIP tour tram

Hollywoodday2113.jpg


and drove down to the lower lot past the area that caught fire a few months ago. They have demolished the sets there and are rebuilding the area.

Hollywoodday2033-1.jpg


Hollywoodday2034.jpg


1st we went to a sound stage where the set was for a new show called Life. We got to go onto the set which was fun.

Hollywoodday2024.jpg


Today they were filming a few shows, Desperate Housewives and CSI were filming on the sound stages too. Then we got back onto our tram and drove out to some of the sets where many famous movies had been filmed including where they had filmed some of Pirates of the Caribbean!

Hollywoodday2101-1.jpg


We then went to a props warehouse where they had every item imaginable! I loved some of the photos on display of families from movies.

Hollywoodday2081.jpg

I like the American Pie films so I had to take a picture of this one!

We then carried on and went on to the set of Desperate Housewives (I loved this bit!)
Hollywoodday2237-1.jpg


Hollywoodday2251.jpg


Hollywoodday2250.jpg


Did you know that behind Susans front door is really the female staff toilet!!

We then carried on and went past the Psycho house, the Bates Motel!

Hollywoodday2265.jpg


Then we got to explore the aeroplane crash set from War of the Worlds.

Hollywoodday2141.jpg


After the studio tour we went back into the park with our guide. We got front of the line access to the rides. We rode Jurassic Park (great in such warm weather), The Mummy and Terminator 2. By now it was lunch time so we went to have the food we had ordered at the start of the tour. We were taken to a restaurant used just for tour guests. After lunch we went to watch Shrek 4D, then through the House of Horrors (very scary espcially when the ghosts jumped out on you!), then on to the Simpsons ride again.

Next we went to see the Waterworld show which was also very good, kind of a water stunt show.

Hollywoodday2158.jpg


Hollywoodday2183.jpg


By now it was time for our guide to go but we still had our front of the line passes for the rest of the day so we went back on Jurassic Park and the Mummy. Then we went to watch the Animals live show followed by Backdraft. By now it was 8pm and the park was closing so we headed out to the City Walk and to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

Hollywoodday2280.jpg


We had a nice meal and listened to some live music outside, then we drove back to our hotel. We had to be up again early tomorrow as we had more studios to tour!!
 
Another deluxe tour--you'll be spoiled now for regular park going! I was especially curious about the fire damage and reassured by your description and photos that all is being set right. Thanks.
 
Another great day. :thumbsup2

I know exactly what you mean about the House of Horrors....:scared1: :scared1: :scared1: When I was there a few years back they had a Van Helsing walk through - I nearly passed out, I was hysterical and on the verge of hyper ventilating! I swear they have a way of communicating to the scarers in the next section telling them which person to go for as every single one went for me....never again!
 

Looks great, can't wait for Universal though I am still somewhat bitter about the Simpsons ride ;) :lmao:
 
OH, you lucky thing, the VIP tour sounds amazing. Love the pirates set and Wisteria Lane, oh and I could spend forever looking at all the props. This was my favourite day of your trippie so far.

PS... you know what I'm going to say !!!!!! FAB PHOTO'S:)
 
The Tour sounds like it was great fun. Lovely photos:goodvibes
 
Another fantastic day with lovely photos.
 
What a fantastic day. I'm not a huge fan of Orlando's Unviersal but I think I would enjoy this one more.
 
Another place I am very eager to visit, it looks amazing, great day:goodvibes
 
Great pictures of your tour :thumbsup2
I will have to look into the VIP tour & another thing to put on my to do list:goodvibes
 
Thanks for your amazing report and photos and to finish off your day with a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe, can't get any better than that


susan
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top