Universal Studios

[DISNEYNY]

I am planning a trip to DL next year. I'm trying to decide if we should go over to USH. I have been to USO 2x. Is there only one park there?...not 2 like in FL. I have read some posts that say the park could use some updating and I'm wondering if I should just spend the money on something else. If we do go do I need to get a front of the line pass to get the most out of the rides? I saw that it is $139 and I can get a 2day pass for $74. Are the lines that crazy with out the FOTLP? TIA

 

[ILuv2travel2]

USH is only one park but it can feel like two. Its divided into a upper half and a lower half that are connected by a series of escelators. Ive never need a front of the line pass and I go quite often. Just like DL the summer months are busier than the off season. If you go during the off season you can easily do all of USH in one day possibly even half a day. The park is in need of some loving care but its nothing to keep me away from it. Its always clean and I always feel safe when Im there.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We usually go every year we come to CA but skipped this last summer. Off season it is easy to do the park, summer is a bit different and Halloween it is just crazy.

Jack

 

[DISNEYNY]

Thanks...Of course I will be going in July, so it will be busy. I will probably have a car. I'm a little nervous about the drive from DL to USH. How crazy is it?...and about how long will it take me to get there?

 

[StageTek]

Thanks...Of course I will be going in July, so it will be busy. I will probably have a car. I'm a little nervous about the drive from DL to USH. How crazy is it?...and about how long will it take me to get there?

The drive isn't that crazy - a fairly straight shot.
Traffic in the area is pretty heavy - not crazy, just
heavy. depending on the time of day the trip can
be 35/40 minutes or up to 70/80 minutes.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm not real familiar with USH, but after the fire they rebuilt a lot. I also know that a couple attractions are being redone. So it may be looking even more different.

It has nothing like IOA does, USH is more stricly a "movie" park like USO.

 

[DISNEYNY]

The drive isn't that crazy - a fairly straight shot.
Traffic in the area is pretty heavy - not crazy, just
heavy. depending on the time of day the trip can
be 35/40 minutes or up to 70/80 minutes.

Ok thanks. I'm used to driving to work everyday in traffic, but we only have two & 3 lanes at the most. Is this going to be the 6 lane LA traffic that I have heard so much about??

 

[blackjackdelta]

Ok thanks. I'm used to driving to work everyday in traffic, but we only have two & 3 lanes at the most. Is this going to be the 6 lane LA traffic that I have heard so much about??

There are a few freeway interchanges that you will go through that are not sometimes well marked but you take your time things will be OK. You can not miss the signage to USH the exit will be on your right.

Jack

 

[DISNEYNY]

There are a few freeway interchanges that you will go through that are not sometimes well marked but you take your time things will be OK. You can not miss the signage to USH the exit will be on your right.

Jack

Oh good, I'm glad it will be on the right. I have heard sometimes they are on the left & they come up fast. Hopefully I can handle it...LOL. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[dreamerliz]

I have always loved Universal. I was there in early March 09. Very small lineups. The Simpson ride is the best ride I've ever been on. The Shrek 4D is sooo much fun. The tram ride is great too.

Go for it!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We usually go every year we are in SoCal but we skipped this last August and even with all the Disney stuff we did, we felt like we were missing something.

Jack

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm thinking about taking my kids next spring/summer when we visit. I haven't looked much at the "official" stuff, but would Universal Studios be good for a 6 and 9 year old? I have two older kids I know could handle anything (height, scary, etc.) but I haven't been since the early 1990s to know what's age appropriate.

PHXscuba

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

I am very torn about going to Universal. We go to California every year, in either May or October. The traffic from Anaheim has always been aweful. It has always taken us over an hour to get there in the morning and sometimes two hours to get back in the evening.

In my opinion, the park is just ok. It is not as good as UO. The studio tour is really neat and is the best ride there. The other rides are not as good at UH as UO. The Mummy is very watered down and there is just less to do.

My husband insists on going each year to see what is new on the Studio Tour. I would not miss it, and would rather spend a day at the beach.

 

[Armadillo4]

I think Universal stepped up their game recently. King Kong 360 3D opened this summer and really drove attendance up. It's also unique to USH vs. UO/IOA and makes the tram tour even that much more exciting. The Waterworld Stunt Show holds up very well after all these years and is definitely a must-see for first time visitors. Oh, and as the OP was planning a trip in 2011...sometime next year, The Transformers ride will open. I haven't heard of a specific date, but I'm sure it will be a great new attraction to the park.

If anyone does plan on visiting during the summer months, the same tip from Disney applies: try to get there at park opening or as early as possible in the morning.

One other observation: the employees at USH (I think they're called "team members") have been tremendous. I don't know if there was a specific change in training, but I was very impressed over the course of my three visits this past year. They are friendly, helpful and LOVE to take pictures of you and your family/friends with your camera. Sometimes at Disneyland, I feel like I'm imposing the Photopass photographers if I ask them to take pictures with my personal camera. At Universal, it's the opposite. I usually didn't have to ask! Someone would ask me if I'd like my picture taken while they were reaching out for my camera.

 

[dreamerliz]

I agree the employees are great and attentive! I hate to say this out loud but I did think, this is how the service used to be at Disneyland....

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have a good friend who is a guide for the VIP tours and he has a wealth of anything Universal. He said this last summer had been much busier than the two previos summers. You have to get there early, we also stay till it closes and we eat at least 1 meal at the CityWalk eateries. Right now I am sitting here watching a collection of Universal horror films to start my halloween weekend.

Jack

 

[DISNEYNY]

I think Universal stepped up their game recently. King Kong 360 3D opened this summer and really drove attendance up. It's also unique to USH vs. UO/IOA and makes the tram tour even that much more exciting. The Waterworld Stunt Show holds up very well after all these years and is definitely a must-see for first time visitors. Oh, and as the OP was planning a trip in 2011...sometime next year, The Transformers ride will open. I haven't heard of a specific date, but I'm sure it will be a great new attraction to the park.

If anyone does plan on visiting during the summer months, the same tip from Disney applies: try to get there at park opening or as early as possible in the morning.

One other observation: the employees at USH (I think they're called "team members") have been tremendous. I don't know if there was a specific change in training, but I was very impressed over the course of my three visits this past year. They are friendly, helpful and LOVE to take pictures of you and your family/friends with your camera. Sometimes at Disneyland, I feel like I'm imposing the Photopass photographers if I ask them to take pictures with my personal camera. At Universal, it's the opposite. I usually didn't have to ask! Someone would ask me if I'd like my picture taken while they were reaching out for my camera.

Are there good hotels to stay at that would be near US?...that way we wouldn't have to worry about driving up in the morning and back at night. I have never been to CA so I am totally clueless. We will stay at one of the good neighbor hotels when we go to DL. We could then just move to a place near US if it is a good idea. We are planning on going to San Diego too.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Are there good hotels to stay at that would be near US?...that way we wouldn't have to worry about driving up in the morning and back at night. I have never been to CA so I am totally clueless. We will stay at one of the good neighbor hotels when we go to DL. We could then just move to a place near US if it is a good idea. We are planning on going to San Diego too.

I would stay at a GNH and travel from there. Just have to be patient with LA traffic. We always use a GPS even though I have traveled those freeways a million times, just make driving a bit easier for old person like me.

Jack

 

[Armadillo4]

Are there good hotels to stay at that would be near US?...that way we wouldn't have to worry about driving up in the morning and back at night. I have never been to CA so I am totally clueless. We will stay at one of the good neighbor hotels when we go to DL. We could then just move to a place near US if it is a good idea. We are planning on going to San Diego too.

There are both a Hilton and Sheraton Hotels located at Universal that are the equivalent (distance-wise) to an on-property hotel at DLR. The issue, of course, is price since these are not budget hotels. I did stay at the Sheraton once via Hotwire for $102/night.

Universal Hilton
Sheraton Universal

And there are a few more options listed on this Universal hotels page. The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn is a short drive to the park and might be the best moderately priced hotel in the bunch.

 

[Tink91]

I went a few years ago twice, and again this year and It has improved ALOT! If you are going in July I would get a FOL pass, we went in August and had an amazing day - straight onto every ride - no waiting in the sun for anything. We were taken by bus and I am pretty sure we are the only ones who had a really great time, due to everyone else having normal day passes.

We went on every ride at least once and still had time to shop in the mall outside the park