Universal Studios - Have any questions...

[Tink33]

I might have the answers. We spent the day at US on Saturday and had the best day. I will post a review later, but wanted to answer questions while my memory is still fresh.

 

[simba_one]

Did they take you down Colonial St. on the studio tour?! I only got to go down there once (and that was only because they were filming 'War of the Worlds' in one of the other "main" areas of the backlot) last summer 'coz they were filming 'Desperate Housewives' all summer. I'm worried that it'll be closed off during my three weeks next year too. And I'm a HUUU-UGE DH fan so I desperately wanna see it again. If we don't go down there on the first studio tour we do then I'll ask one of the tour guides what days it'll be open so we can go on a day it is. Just wondering whether you got to go down Wisteria Lane on Saturday?!

And not really a question you can answer having just visited on Saturday but you might know... anything new being planned for the Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula attraction?! The sooner it goes the better. It's shameful that it is part of the world's biggest movie studios. Don't want to rant 'coz I could go on FOREVER but if they were to simply let you in in groups then it'd run smoother. Tacky attraction always fun to go through nonetheless though.

 

[Tink33]

Yes, we went down Wisteria Lane. I read on the production board that they were also filming Desperate Housewives on Saturday on 3 sound stages.

Van Helsing is still there. I did not hear of any plans to change that yet.

 

[albianne]

We are planning to go to Universal but have not bought tickets yet, should we buy tickets ahead of time or just get them at the gate. Are there any deals on right now and is it a fairly easy drive to navigate from DL and how long should it take us on a Saturday morning? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Tink33]

I drove from San Diego on Saturday morning. We passed by Anaheim just after 8:15 am and arrived at the parking structure at 9:07 am. There was some traffic but nothing terrible until we hit the offramp before Universal Studios.

My neighbor gave me tickets that they could not use, but I noticed there were only a few people in line at the ticket booths. I will look around for specials for you.

The drive home was BAD. We left Universal at 5:15 pm and it took more than 1.5 hours to get to Anaheim. It was stop and go on the freeway for 30+ miles.

 

[simba_one]

Thanks so much for the info. and pics Tink33!! I'm dying to go on the tour now!! RIGHT NOW!!!

And shame about Van Helsing. If they ran it better it could be a good attraction. Reasonable as it is. And it's always busy - because it's the first thing you get to as you enter.

 

[Albertan mom]

Is the Nickolodeon Splash zone still there? Is it open seasonally, or open now too?

Did you eat the ice-cream dots? Those are yummy!!!!

 

[Tink33]

Yes, the Splash Zone was open.
No, we did not eat the ice cream dots. We can get those at McDonalds and the local mall, so the girls opted for blue cotton candy instead.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Loved US when we were there in August. Did FOTL passes, they saved us a fair amount of time. The Mummy was 110 minute wait time at 1500. The place was packed. Did the first tour, they were shooting DH but still went by the lane and down thru the WOTW set. GREAT TIME. Waterworld is still a kick along with all the other attractions. We will not miss a day at US when we are in SoCal.

 

[Tink33]

Here is a tip for riding the Mummy with minimal wait. We went straight to the escalators that head to the lower lot. They open the lower lot at 9:30 am. Once we rode down, we hit the lockers (free for the first hour) and walked on the Mummy with no wait. They have a promotion where you can "Double Your Mummy" and ride a second time. After riding the Mummy twice, we hit Jurassic Park with no wait. Then back to the lockers to pick up our stuff.

 

[albianne]

Hi Tink33, can you tell me why you need the lockers before riding the mummy, can't you carry a purse or small backpack on the ride? Are the lockers like at a swiming pool where you just choose one and put in 25 cents and get a key? Thanks for any advice, also wondering if I should buy my tickets online before we leave (I'm a little bit worried about doing this in case we enjoy DL so much we don't feel like doing the drive to Universal) right now we have plans of hitting US on the Saturday after spending all week at DL.

 

[Tink33]

You can not take anything onto the Mummy. There are lockers available outside the entrance (the first hour is free). You go up to a rental station and place your index finger on a scanner. The computer reads your fingerprint and a locker is assigned to you. When you come to get your things, just go back to the rental station, place your finger on the scanner, type in your locker number and VOILA...the locker opens.

If you are not sure you will make it to Universal Studios, I would wait on tickets.