Universal... Worth it?

[cutedisneygirly]

Hello,

My fiance and I are planning a 5 day vacation to DL in either the end of May or begining of June (Sunday-Friday). He keeps mentioning that he would like to go to Universal Studios as he has never been there, and the last time I went, I was 4 (which was 18 years ago).

So, is it worth the trip to Universal for a day?

What day of the week should we go? We will probably arrive in Anaheim around 3pm on Sunday and leave Friday morning. So that would give us 3 full days in DL and 1 day possibly for Universal.

If we do decide to go, any tips?

Thanks in advance!

 

[cutedisneygirly]

Anyone??? Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Well, we just got back (Dec 15) & didn't think it was worth it. Now, you have to take in consideration that it was me & my husband (both in our 30's), my parents (in their late 50's & late 60's) and my daughter (age 7).

When my husband & I went to Universal in Florida we spent 2 days there it seemed like so much to do (with no kids then). But other then the shows, it didn't really seem like alot of rides, etc.

The park was really spread out, there is (I think) 3 levels & you have to go down so many escalators to get to another level. We missed a few shows by thinking it only took 5 minutes to get there - wrong!

Its something I am glad I saw, but if I had a do-over trip, I would skip it.

There was the big rides like Mummy (which I wouldn't do) and Jurassic Park (that had an 84 foot drop was the only thrill). The backstage tour (took around 1 hour) was awesome to see....you got to see some of the sets from some movies like Jaws, a car from Back to the Future, how they "explode" cars (or make it seem like they do), and the entire set from Despirate House Wifes (completely guarded by security too). They had Terminator 3D - which by the way is the best 3D movie I have ever seen! They had a special effects show (show you how they do the special effects, etc.) and other shows & probably rides that I am not remembering.

If you have any other detailed questions, just PM & I would be happy to answer.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Not really. It's been a while since I've been there, and the only new ride to me is the Mummy. There aren't a lot of rides...and, really, not too much to do. Jurassic Park is a good ride--but the only 'thrill' comes near the end. And they got rid of the Back to the Future ride (I really loved that ride, too).


So I'm gonna have to say no. Knotts Berry Farm is great, though. Second only to Disneyland and DCA, IMO. Knotts has LOTS more to do than Universal. More, better rides, among other things. Hope I helped some!

 

[cutedisneygirly]

Hummmm... I am still not sure if we will go or not. I have to talk to my fiance again, but I did find out we can get tickets for $50 pp through his work. I personally would rather do Knotts or something, but every time we head to DL he mentions USH.

Since we will be arriving on a Sunday and leaving that Friday, which day (M-TH) would be better to go with that wonderful LA traffic & the crowds?

Thanks!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

I haven't been to Universal since 1997, but when dh & I went bk (before kids), dh really enjoyed himself. I thought the backlot tour was the best. And a the one where they show you how they did backdraft and some of the other behind the scenes type things. They had the Water World show back then and that was good as well.

I think it might be fun if you guys haven't been or haven't been in a long time. And I think Tuesday or Wednesday would be better days to go. Traffic is more than likely going to suck no matter when you go during the week especially during the rush hours, but it's just something you do. The crowds at the park itself should be bad at all.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Knotts, for my family, was very boring. We did Disneyland, Universal and Knotts in one trip.

I would choose Universal over Knotts in a heartbeat.

It can be done in one day, which makes it feel like you have not missed anything (unlike Disneyland, where you need a few days to do it all). There are some great shows, Terminator is great, not to be missed. Mummy is awesome. We love the Jurassic Park ride too.

Perhaps you could do Universal first and then Disneyland? That way you are not comparing it to Disney while you are there.

 

[beansf]

Wow, it is a tough call. We were there for our first time (other than my husband who had gone 20 yrs. prior) in October. Our group consisted of 2 teenage boys, and 3 adults in their 30s.

The only ride functioning was The Mummy. It was a cool ride. Jurassic Park was down and they had already killed Back to the Future.

We all enjoyed the tram ride. It was probably worth about $20.

There was really nothing else there to do besides the many 3-D movie things they have. I was so sick of those by the end of the day. Plus, they seem to enjoy squirting water in your face, sometimes without any provocation or warning. My camera even got wet on the tram tour. Plus, if you are arachnophobic at all (which I am) there seems to be an inordinate amount of spiders used there. Water & spiders, spiders & water!

Really the only thing this park has going for it is the actual working movie studio. I wouldn't go again. I would have rather had an extra day at DLR. I had a feeling it would be like that, but my husband wanted to go and I thought the kids might enjoy it, so we went.

Just one gal's opinion...

 

[Vacation Dad]

I think it is worth a trip for a day. We went with our 3 teenagers, and did everything we wanted to do: Jurassic Park 3 times, Mummy twice, along with all the shows and the tram ride. We were there from about 11am to 6pm when the park closed, and that was just right.

If the kids were much younger, or we only had a day or 2 to do everything, that I would choose more time at Disneyland. I would say though that if it was a fourth day at Disneyland or a trip to USH (which is how it was our last trip since we used a CityPass), my kids would vote for the trip to Universal Studios.

 

[cutedisneygirly]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I think we may go in the middle of the week to break up our DL trip a little. Since we will have 4 1/2 days to spend at DL, it would be nice (since we were just there in October) to go somewhere else for a change.

ORMom2Four... it would be compared to DL no matter what since we have been so many times!

Here is another question? USH will open at 10 and close at 6 when we are visiting Southern Cali. We don't care too much about being there right as it opens, but with that wonderful LA traffic, how long should we allow traveling to and from USH and DL?

 

[TexDisneyMom]

We are thinking of going to Universal on Saturday of our trip. That would then give us Sun, Mon and Tues for DL and DCA. From what I read crowds are bad at DL and DCA on the weekends. Does anyone have an opinion on this? It will be hard to make ourselves go on Saturday. We get in late Friday night and I know we will want to do "Disney", but I think maybe going to Universal on Saturday will be a better plan. Any words of experience would be appreciated!

 

[Hound 109]

Are either of the questioners flying in? & if so which airport?

I would say US is "something to see" & is worth half a day. BUT...I would HATE to spend 2 hours driving from & to DLR to US on a week day & if that was my option, i would skip.

To TX mom. Your plan might make sense....(US on a Sat.) especially if you want to see Hollywood or Santa Monica for a few hours (before or after US) & then drive to DLR late Sat.

Also, fwiw on Sunday evening things thin out at DLR.... also early Sunday morning is typically light. (so i like Sunday at DLR)

 

[cutedisneygirly]

We will be driving down (7 hour drive) on a Sunday and driving back on a Friday. So, both Sunday and Friday are out for us for USH.

 

[TexDisneyMom]

Thanks for your thoughts Hound 109.....

 

[Sally_fan]

We were there in May (DH, myself, DS~8 & DD~6) & we all really enjoyed it. We got 2 days for the price of 1 & were glad that we had both days. We still missed a show or 2. Granted we did not arrive right at opening either day nor stay right until closing. All of the rides were operating while we were there though. We will be going again (for 1 day only this time) in October. Enjoy your trip no matter what you decide!

 

[Hound 109]

We will be driving down (7 hour drive) on a Sunday and driving back on a Friday. So, both Sunday and Friday are out for us for USH.

I know it probably doesn't work....but if it was me....& i was driving down from NoCal....I'd do US either on the way in or on the way out. (Since you'll be driving near it.)

It's 1 1/2 hours (mid week) each way from DLR....why blow a whole day on a 4 hour park? Get up real early on Sunday (great time to drive btw) & do US on the way in. Spend the extra day (mid week) at DLR or at the beach.