New Universal Touring Plan

[Califlove]

I know this is the disneyland board but I'm not sure where else to ask this and technically it's a day 6 thing right?
Has anyone been to USH lately since Despicable Me opened and as far as touring plans go, would you hit that first or the studio tour first?
Thanks All

 

[sweethannah]

We went this past Saturday and for us we wanted to get Transformers, the Mummy and Jurassic Park out of the way first so we booked it down to the lower lot first thing, approx 1 hr after park opening. We were able to do Transformers twice, the mummy twice and since Transformers broke down towards the end of our second run through we were able to do it a 3rd time again thanks to a password FP and were given a proper FP for any ride or attraction other than Despicable Me. We stopped for a snack and used the fp for Jurassic which already had a 45minute wait. We got soaked BTW.

Thanks to a miscommunication on my part as to how the FP worked the very nice guy at JP gave as a pass for up to 5 ppl good for any ride or attraction so we saved that for Despicable Me and waited in line for the Tour since the wait time showed only 30minutes.... It was the longest 30minutes ever and I was tempted to give up 1/2 way thru but I have never done it so we struggled thru. Thank god for misters but DD9 was flushed from the heat by that point.

Waterworld did not have a long wait for the late afternoon show and it was great. If you don't mind getting wet dead center in the green splash zone was awesome. The spray park area by Despicable was a fun way for DD to cool down.

By mid to late afternoon I would say the wait times for the most popular rides were all about 45-60 and I would say the tour was about a 40 minute wait at least. It really depends on how old the ppl are in your party. The studio tour was OK but done once I wouldn't do it again since it was such a time suck based on what we like to do.

 

[Califlove]

Thanks

 

[rtfelt]

I wish there was more information on touring and lines at USH. Maybe someone will make one when Harry Potter comes.

 

[sheetz]

I haven't been recently but I would think you'd want to hit Despicable Me first. The Tram Tour takes almost an hour but is a huge people eater and shouldn't be too busy after you get off DM.

 

[Califlove]

Thanks Sheetz!

 

[krispin41]

My husband and I did the VIP tour at USH in 2012 and thought it was worth the money. We were on a special studio tour with about 12 other people, the van was air conditioned and we got to get off the tour van and walk around certain lots as well as visit a set (We saw the set for Parenthood) and the prop warehouse. We had a guide and it included priority seating at shows, as well as front of the line access to rides. This was the year Transformers opened. We had a catered gourmet lunch (amazing buffet!), continental breakfast, as well as bottled water and ponchos provided for Jurassic Park. Our guide also held all our stuff when we rode things. We were able to use the front of the line passes after the tour was over. It was expensive but worth it for us.

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/tickets/vip-experience/reservation-information/

 

[Califlove]

Omg I would love to see the Parenthood set. That would be awesome. I will look into the VIP tour info. Thanks!

 

[conniehar90]

Thanks for starting this thread. I was wondering the same things and wasn't sure where to go to ask! Is the DM ride the same as the one in Orlando? To be honest, we weren't that impressed with it and opted to skip the long line on our second trip there.

 

[Califlove]

I believe it is supposed to be the same ride. I'm looking at upgrading our passes to front of the line or VIP. It's way hotter at USH than DL in our experience in July so I don't want to have to wait in those lines if I don't have to : )

 

[krispin41]

When we took the VIP tour I posted about earlier, it was in July, so VERY HOT. So even though we had the ponchos the guide gave us for Jurassic Park, my DH and I opted not to use them (as the guide was holding all of our things).

Also, the front of the line passes were unlimited, vs. the one time use for each ride for the regular front of the line pass. You also got a discount for items purchased in the park.

The only downside for us, is because we took the Grey Line bus out, we were a limited on time spent in the park, if you are renting a car this won't be a problem (and the the pass includes free valet parking).

Again, we thought it was really worth it. It was very cool to walk down Wisteria Ln. and take pictures. Or the town square seen in Back to the Future.

 

[mum2fourkids]

Hi!

We went to Universal today (23rd) and we were surprised how empty it was before lunch, but the crowds had thickened by late afternoon. It was our first time so not sure if that's the norm. We had done EVERY 'ride' before 12:30! We then watched all the shows and the studio tour after lunch.

We arrived at 10 as we caught the gray line shuttle from Anaheim. Minion Ride was 15mins and didn't go past 25 mins all day. All rides were posted as under 25 mins most of the day. Transformers went down around lunch time and didn't start back until approx. 4ish, then had a 80 min wait posted.

I picked today to go because of the 24hr event at DL, hoping that the crowds would be lower.

 

[Jairy]

We went on a weekend in March and it was very busy. I would definitely do rides first. We went right down and rode everything quickly. The lady who worked at Transformer told me the line regularly gets past 2 hours. We then stood in line for the studio tour which was about half an hour. It was funny though because these two were right in front of us (and apparently I was the only one who knew who they were! Lol)

[/URL][/IMG] The longest wait was close to two hours on Despicable Me. It was a test weekend and it was breaking down. Awful and it made the ride so not worth it when we finally got on.

 

[alvernon90]

It was funny though because these two were right in front of us (and apparently I was the only one who knew who they were! Lol)

OK, so who are they?

 

[Califlove]

Well I bit the bullet and booked the VIP Experience. Thanks krispin41 for the idea. I would never have considered it without your post so Thanks! I'm looking forward to it. My 14yo is not so sure about this day of our trip b/c motion simulator rides make him nauseous. I think I'll give him a long acting Gravol and we'll hope for the best!
Has anyone found the new minions ride to be extra-nauseating or similar to the Simpsons?

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I want to hit USH next fall if our DLR trip can come together. I for one am thrilled that HP won't be there yet as that is one franchise that I personally won't be entertained by. It's one reason in 3 trips to Orlando in 14 months that I haven't gone there, because the rates are as high Disney and I feel like I have to skip a bunch. On the other hand, I won't have to feel that way next fall because I hear HP wont be open yet. Sounds perfect to me! Hollywood DLR and USH will have all the rides I like (will being missing MIB tho), and NOT the two things that I don't: FP+ and HP!

 

[Jairy]

OK, so who are they?

I can't get pictures to work!

[/URL][/IMG]
Cody and a sister wife! Lol