Universal Hollywood Update

[newfamilyman]

First, a request to the moderators: If the number of threads are any
indication, there seems to be sufficient interest in a new forum devoted to
non-Disney, SoCal area parks. Others can sound off, but I think it would be
appreciated by many of us.

My family have APs to Universal (yes, it started because they sent a free AP
to my wife along with a coupon for discounted passes for the rest of the
family) as well as DL, and I thought I would report on some interesting
improvements and changes we noticed when we visited last Sunday.

Of most interest to families, Universal has learned a valuable lesson from
Disney about characters, and there were more characters around last Sunday
than I have ever seen before. The newest additions were Alex and two
penguins from "Madagascar," and these costumes rivaled and even, in
comparison to Mary Poppins' penguins, surpassed what you would see at DL. In
fact, when we asked our daughter what her favorite part of the day was,
meeting Alex won top prize.

I was also surprised at the improvement to the family waiting area at
Jurassic Park. They put in two, large plastic dinosaurs for children to play
on and replaced the two televisions playing "Land Before Time" vidoes with
newer, flat-screen models. Unfortunately, the Arrowhead water dispenser is
still missing from the Mummy's family waiting room, but nothing beats
dropping off your family and going right on that ride with no line at all.
That would never happen at Disneyland!

Finally, the studio tour remains in flux while they make their improvements.
The entire part of the tour that takes you to the nursery and past the
Jurassic Park vehicles, Dante's Peak miniature, etc., has been closed off
while they work on the Fast and Furious attraction. Meanwhile, the "King
Kong" addition near the parting of the seas underwhelmed our tram. I'm not
sure what they can do to make it more impressive, but it actually drew
laughs and not on purpose. We had additional bad luck because even on
Sunday, Wisteria Lane was closed off for filming, and there was also a
commercial filming in the NY backlot area, so both those parts of the tour
were eliminated as well.

I'll be glad to answer any questions.

 

[caimakale]

What are height and age requirements for the rides there? I haven't been to USH since the day before they opened Jurassic Park.

I have an 8, 5, & 2 year old that I would like to bring, but I am not sure if they are too little to enjoy USH.

I also agree, it would be great to see a "California" section of the forums that includes this disney forum as well as the trip reports, but also sea world san diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and maybe a Misc. forum for other questions that may pertain to Six flags or knottsberry farm.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hmmm - I haven't been there since summer of '04. I have some 1/2 priced passes, so should go again.

caimakale - I don't know if your 5 & 2 would enjoy it as much, though your 8 year old should. At least, when my dd was small, she was terrified of the Backdraft show (too intense & both kids worried for weeks that our house was going to burn down, or that my work would burn down & I would be caught in it, etc). The tram ride also has a New York effect & King Kong effect (unless they changed that) that are really intense for the little ones.

-->> Your suggestions have been noted - this is something us mods have talked about before and probably need to discuss again.

 

[newfamilyman]

We did have to leave Backdraft before the final showpiece because DD4 was too afraid of the fire. However, Universal does offer plenty for little kids. DS2 loves the playground area and the characters. DD4 loves the tram tour so much that she acts it out the backyard, asking one of us to be Jaws, and another to be King Kong, etc. She also loves Shrek and the carnival attractions.

 

[darph nader]

What are height and age requirements for the rides there? I haven't been to USH since the day before they opened Jurassic Park.

I have an 8, 5, & 2 year old that I would like to bring, but I am not sure if they are too little to enjoy USH.

I also agree, it would be great to see a "California" section of the forums that includes this disney forum as well as the trip reports, but also sea world san diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and maybe a Misc. forum for other questions that may pertain to Six flags or knottsberry farm.

I'm with caimakale ,BUT this is DIS board. Don't get me wrong,I've been to Seaworld (multi times) and KBF (once). I'm sure that there must be boards for these 'fine' places.

 

[newfamilyman]

I'm with caimakale ,BUT this is DIS board. Don't get me wrong,I've been to Seaworld (multi times) and KBF (once). I'm sure that there must be boards for these 'fine' places.

There are separate boards on these DIS boards for Sea World, Universal, etc., Orlando. Why not for CA-based theme parks? There are certainly enough of them, and enough interest in them on these boards. Besides, I think people interested in Disneyland are also interested in other parks, and vice versa. Why else would there but not one but two HUGE billboards advertising DL's new Monsters ride as you leave Universal?

 

[caimakale]

I'm with caimakale ,BUT this is DIS board. Don't get me wrong,I've been to Seaworld (multi times) and KBF (once). I'm sure that there must be boards for these 'fine' places.

I will go out on a ledge here and say that most of the people who come here come to plan a vacation with Disneyland as the centerpiece. I would say most of the regulars here visit Disneyland regularly, but only make up a small percentage of the actual users here. Other attractions are obviously things users like to talk about, they have the same forums we are requesting for Orlando/Disneyworld visitors.

I stumbled on this site planning a vacation last year and have become addicted to it. Although Disneyland was the main reason for our visit last year, we did go to Sea World. I couldn't find any info out there on Sea World like the members here provided. If you read through alot of the threads here there are many people asking for other things to do while at Disneyland and want to know about Sea World, Knottsberry Farm, and Six Flags (with Sea World probably be the most asked about). Although I did ask questions about Disneyland when I was planning, I found out alot of stuff just by reading. I know something similar to this would be helpful if it were in a forum for Sea World, etc...

I do frequent many other Disneyland sites, but up to this point think that this is the most helpful and friendly site. Many (and I mean many) people ask the exact same questions. Mods and Admins on other sites freak out and yell at people to search first so that "you don't have to ask the same question other people have asked". It is not like that here and everyone is given personal attention with each question which is one of the things that makes this site much better. On top of that, even though alot of people ask the same questions, answers are always different and helpful in many ways. It would be great to see that same kind of attention from people who know the "In's & Out's" of Sea World, KBF, USH, etc... I know it's more to moderate, but will help the site more than hurt it (I know first hand because I own/admin several bulletin board sites).

How about a poll to see what other users think?

 

[blackjackdelta]

There are a huge amount of boards dealing with Orlando, photo contests, etc. I agree that there should be a board dealing with USH, San Diego attractions, Knotts, Legoland, etc.

Jack

 

[MissKIA]

Count me in too! I'm sure most people who are going to SCA are going "for" Disneyland, but most are probably planning on visiting other places too. There is almost no where to find info on these places! I have tried to find things out but there's just no where to ask. I'm always afraid the mods are going to spank me if I ask a non-disney question here.

 

[Snow Brite]

I agree that another board would be great to deal with all those non-disney california things! Since Disneyland is a 3-4 day trip for most people, they like to add on other things to get up to a 1 week vacation. The SoCal Pass is a great example of that.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Actually I am partial to opening a Board about the greater "western" area and also hosting threads on visiting the National parks, Las Vegas,the pacific Northwest and maybe even Beautifull British Columbia!

 

[Snow Brite]

Wow! Like the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband song goes...When you dream...dream big! Well done Judy!

It would be great to have a board for other SoCal parks and attractions, in particular the ones on the City Pass and Legoland and Knotts.

One for hotels, good neighbor and the disneyland ones.

One for the rest of Cali...the drive to SFO, National Parks, even Las Vegas.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Miss Judy -- meet us in the bat cave.

 

[woody73]

We went to Universal Studios Hollywood last weekend. The last time I went was 20+ years ago. I received a free annual pass in the mail, so we only had to buy one.

(We are BIG Disney fans, having had annual passports to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris for many years. We are going to Disneyland tomorrow.)

As we planned our trip to USH, it would have been nice to find advice and tips about USH and things Disney-related on the DISboards. For example, after our morning at USH, we went to the Disney Soda Fountain and Disney Store next to the El Capitan theatre (which is not far from USH), and saw the new Winnie the Pooh star on the Hollywood walk of fame. This would be a great tip for Disney enthusiasts going to USH.

Woody

 

[happytraveller]

Hi, another one that would love USH info.My kids have been to orlando 6 times and are only bothered about US/IOA.It's a pity that i cannot find out that much info about USH.
Can someone give me more info about the fast and furious attraction please!

 

[newfamilyman]

Can someone give me more info about the fast and furious attraction please!

From the press release:

The new visually spectacular chase sequence inspired by the much anticipated The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift is sure to become a Studio Tour blockbuster. Utilizing advanced robotics and state-of-the-cinematic-art computer generated "previsualization" technology, the new tram feature will thrust guests into close-up range of the pulse-pounding, rubber-burning underground world of street racing. Robotic racers will dazzle guests with an awesome "in your face" display of explosive action via large scale motion control simulation, then surprise and enthrall with a dexterous "automotive dance demonstration" of intricate programming set to a hip-hop beat.

 

[happytraveller]

From the press release:

The new visually spectacular chase sequence inspired by the much anticipated The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift is sure to become a Studio Tour blockbuster. Utilizing advanced robotics and state-of-the-cinematic-art computer generated "previsualization" technology, the new tram feature will thrust guests into close-up range of the pulse-pounding, rubber-burning underground world of street racing. Robotic racers will dazzle guests with an awesome "in your face" display of explosive action via large scale motion control simulation, then surprise and enthrall with a dexterous "automotive dance demonstration" of intricate programming set to a hip-hop beat.

Thanks

 

[Ella1]

I would really appreciate info on USH and Knotts Berry Farm. We spend a lot of time in Disneyland when we come over there, but info on the other parks and also places like Vegas and Grand Canyon would be very welcome.
Love Ella

 

[jlmarr]

Here's a quick hit - this site maps the shooting locations for the movie "Back To The Future", including mentioning USH as the site of "Courthouse Square", which is used prominently in the film. You can see Courthouse Square on the USH tram tour.

http://www.seeing-stars.com/Locations/BTTF-Map.shtml

 

[AspiringCindy]

I would LOVE a Board on USH and other So Cali Parks! We are completely in the dark, yet venturing out to California for the 1st time this summer. While I have been to WDW MANY times and always use the boards for sugestions and advice, it would be nice to have the same for Anaheim, LA and San Diego!!