Disneyland w/ Universal Studios

[SalBrocato]

My wife and I are planning on going to Disneyland in October and we were looking at going to Universal Studios 1 day. Is the Universal in California worth going to or should I spend another day in Disneyland?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

How many days do you have planned for Disneyland? Have you been to Universal Studios in Florida? Do you have any interest in Super Nintendo Land?

 

[BrianL]

I think Universal Hollywood is great - actually better than Orlando, and that's before Nintendo World. It is a smaller park and you can do it in a day, but I love that it's on the actual studio, with the Backlot Tour taking you to actual movie sets. The tour also combines several "experiences" that are full rides at USO, so take the time for it.

The only thing is that getting there from Anaheim isn't that easy. I would try to get up that way early to avoid traffic and come back after it has died down. There just isn't really a good way other than by car.

 

[SalBrocato]

How many days do you have planned for Disneyland? Have you been to Universal Studios in Florida? Do you have any interest in Super Nintendo Land?

We are planning 4 days in Disneyland. Yes, we absolutely love Studios in Florida but I heard it is not the same at all. I think we would enjoy Nintendo Land.

 

[ktlm]

Universal is great. It is definitely worth going, and since DLR is so crazy crowded during October, you might like a day somewhere else.

We have been to Universal on both coasts. We love the backlot tour in CA and the fact filming actually goes on there - although sadly we didn't get to see the Back to the Future clock tower/square the day we were there because they were using it for filming. That said-- you might want to consider spending a night near Universal as the drive between DLR and Universal can be awful depending on traffic. It is only 35 miles, but when we drove from DLR to Universal, NOT traveling during rush hour it took us 1 1/2 hours. We stayed a couple nights and came back also NOT during rush hour, and it wound up taking us almost 2 1/2 hours to get back.

 

[BrianL]

We are planning 4 days in Disneyland. Yes, we absolutely love Studios in Florida but I heard it is not the same at all. I think we would enjoy Nintendo Land.

I'll go over it real quick. Some thing are the same, and some are sort of deceptively the same.

Universal Hollywood has the following that are the same as USO:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Flight of the Hippogriff
The Simpson's Ride
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Transformers: The Ride 3D

The following are unique rides from USO:

Silly Swirly Fun Ride
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash (new and popular - may use virtual queue)
Dreamworks Theater - Kung Fu Panda: The Emporer's Quest (a re-theme of the Shrek 4-D show)
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (obviously super new and hot!)

The following are similar, but not the same:

Revenge of the Mummy - close, but not exactly the same - Note: There are rumors of this closing forever in 2023.
Jurassic World: The Ride - a retheme of the old Jurassic Park River Adventure, but with lots of new effects and scenes

Backlot Tour: Wile the Backlot Tour is unique, you will experience as part of it King Kong 360 3-D which is the main portion of the Skull Island: Reign of Kong (though the Orlando ride has more scenes) and Fast and the Furious: Supercharged, which is esentially the same as the Orlando ride minus the queue.

DO NOT MISS:

Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular. This is THE BEST theme park stunt show I have ever seen. It's better than the movie too, if that's your worry. Make time to see it - it's worth it!

I hope that is helpful.

 

[DLgal]

If you are going to do it, go on a weekend. The traffic going up there and back on a weekday is AWFUL.

 

[DLRExpert]

USH is worth it, if you are a movie fan. The backlot tour is the main reason here.
If you can afford it I would HIGHLY recommend the VIP Tour.
If into Halloween and horror events, you may also want to stay for the Horror Nights event.

 

[ballarinamom]

Universal is great. It is definitely worth going, and since DLR is so crazy crowded during October, you might like a day somewhere else.

We have been to Universal on both coasts. We love the backlot tour in CA and the fact filming actually goes on there - although sadly we didn't get to see the Back to the Future clock tower/square the day we were there because they were using it for filming. That said-- you might want to consider spending a night near Universal as the drive between DLR and Universal can be awful depending on traffic. It is only 35 miles, but when we drove from DLR to Universal, NOT traveling during rush hour it took us 1 1/2 hours. We stayed a couple nights and came back also NOT during rush hour, and it wound up taking us almost 2 1/2 hours to get back.

Agreed! We stayed at a Holiday Inn near Hollywood and Vine and took the Subway! Didnt even know that was a thing! It dropped us very close to the parking lot shuttle that took us right to the entrance gates! Traffic is horrible and the less driving we did, the better

 

[DesertScorpion]

USH is worth it, if you are a movie fan. The backlot tour is the main reason here.
If you can afford it I would HIGHLY recommend the VIP Tour.
If into Halloween and horror events, you may also want to stay for the Horror Nights event.

We’ve done the VIP tour at USH twice now and had a blast each time. Definitely worth it!

 

[BrianL]

We’ve done the VIP tour at USH twice now and had a blast each time. Definitely worth it!

If one is into movies, the WB lot also has a great tour. I haven't doen the VIP at Uni, but it always looked fun.

 

[DesertScorpion]

If one is into movies, the WB lot also has a great tour. I haven't doen the VIP at Uni, but it always looked fun.

We had a good time on the WB tour as well. Paramount also offers up a really good VIP lot tour too.