Universal: Worth the bus trip from DLR?

[sugarmagnolia]

We were thinking of heading to Universal Studios for one day during our DLR trip, but then we found out that it's about an hour away. We would be taking the bus.

Is it worth the trip or is it too far to go to by bus & enjoy a full day out of it?

Thanks!

 

[fairycat]

If you take a tour bus designed to take you straight to Universal I would say sure! If you try to take standard public transport I say skip it!

Universal is a cute little park. But it has one feature that Florida doesn't, a tram ride through a real working studio lot. They have other old tricks back there too. I love seeing the old Psycho house and the streets made famous in lots of shows and movies. I have not been in years and I have to say I am very curious to see what some of the area looks like back there since they had the huge fire last year. Sadly they lost one attraction (King Kong) and many sets including the famous Back to the Future courtyard (that got tweaked to become the set for Ghost Whisperer). I think you can have a lot of fun there.

Also check out Citywalk they have some fun shops and restaurants. It is also were Disney got the idea for DTD.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I agree! We did Universal with a GrayLine Tour, and our driver, Juan, was wonderful. Very funny. And Universal Studios is a blast!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I love seeing the old Psycho house...

You can actually see the house from the parking garage.

If you do make it over to Universal Studios, def take a second to look at the exterior of the Hot Topic store, which has giant gargoyles out front.

 

[sugarmagnolia]

Thanks-I think you've convinced me! Now, how much does the bus cost & what is the company?

We will be staying at the HoJo's.

 

[goofycathy]

If you are going to go to Universal Studios, go there before you go to Disneyland....friendly suggestion!!
You'll thank me after you get back....lol

 

[blackjackdelta]

If you are going to go to Universal Studios, go there before you go to Disneyland....friendly suggestion!!
You'll thank me after you get back....lol

We always do USH in the middle of our Disney stay. We do not compare either against each other, essentially not the same expectations. I and family are huge film buffs. We got the opportunity to go up to the psycho house during the tour and inside one of the sound stages where they were shooting "Grays Anatomy." If we get there this year, it will be one day at UHS.

Jack

 

[Casken]

If you are going to go to Universal Studios, go there before you go to Disneyland....friendly suggestion!!
You'll thank me after you get back....lol

Why is that? Just wondering as we are planning on going for one day too.

 

[Carter'sMommy]

If you are going to go to Universal Studios, go there before you go to Disneyland....friendly suggestion!!
You'll thank me after you get back....lol

I have never been to Universal but have given the same suggestion to someone else with LegoLand!

 

[jewell]

I love Universal!!!! The Mummy and Spiderman are the two best rides around. A lot of people compare Disney to Universal- I don't. Disney is a lot larger of course, but Universal is a great park too. Our last trip was a five night stay in Disney and we had a blast, this year is a five night stay in Universal (staying on site with the FOTL privledges!!! ), I can't wait! Trying to compare Disney to Universal is like comparing apples to oranges, both are great! Have a great time!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I love Universal!!!! The Mummy and Spiderman are the two best rides around. A lot of people compare Disney to Universal- I don't. Disney is a lot larger of course, but Universal is a great park too. Our last trip was a five night stay in Disney and we had a blast, this year is a five night stay in Universal (staying on site with the FOTL privledges!!! ), I can't wait! Trying to compare Disney to Universal is like comparing apples to oranges, both are great! Have a great time!

Both together on the same trip make our vacation for us. Just not all Disney and the girls love CityWalk.

Jack

 

[sugarmagnolia]

Just an FYI: I won't go on rollercoasters. Will that make our trip to Universal pointless or is there plenty of other stuff to do?

Also, is the Simpsons ride there (like the FL one)??

 

[perlster]

I love Universal!!!! The Mummy and Spiderman are the two best rides around.

There's no Spiderman ride at USH

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just an FYI: I won't go on rollercoasters. Will that make our trip to Universal pointless or is there plenty of other stuff to do?

Also, is the Simpsons ride there (like the FL one)??

The Simpsons is there, but it is a simulator rollercoaster ride. To answer another there is lots to do other than the coaster stuff, but the coaster stuff is fun but pretty non-scary.

Jack

 

[mystic_path]

I love Universal Studios!!! Its so much fun. I highly recommend taking the Southern California Gray Line tour. Check out the Gray Line website. They have 2 different universal tour packages. One is just for Universal, and for like $15 more you get Universal PLUS... Hollywood experience where it takes you all around Hollywood stopping at like Chinese theatre so you can walk around the hand and foot prints of the stars, walk the walk of fame, do some shopping etc. Then the bus takes you to other places like Disney Concert Hall, The theatre they have the emmy's at, the farmers market where loads of stars shop etc.

The best part about these tours is that the Gray Line bus picks you up right at your hotel in Anaheim and drops you off there at the end of the day.

I too could suggest going to DL before you go to Universal studios... But I also have to say that Disneyland and Universal studios have 2 completely different atmospheres. They run very similar but the effects and the drama and the excitement are very different entities. Universal is also not as clean as Disneyland but its a minor detail you can easily overlook. Also the rides at Universal are more for adults, not really highly recommended for kids. Although there are shows and such kids would like and the City walk if FANTASTIC!

 

[kristindavis]

Its definitely worth it. City walk is so much fun as is the park. The studio tour is a must!

 

[jewell]

There's no Spiderman ride at USH

Forgive me, Spiderman is in IOA! If I were you, I parkhop and do both parks, you've just GOT to do Spiderman!!!
I don't do rollercoasters either, but I still can do The mummy, it's another not to miss ride!

 

[goofycathy]

I'm not saying in any way that US isnt great in its own way....but there are some differences (for example....the park isnt as clean, alot of the employees we came across had this "I dont care" attitude, etc...) Im not saying that I didnt enjoy US...I guess I just got used to the attitude and friendly-ness of DL that when I got to US I just expected it to continue....that is why I suggested going there first, then DL aftrwards. I will say that I had a great time there....the bus tour thing was great and we got a ton of cool pics. The kids really enjoyed the rides....and the city walk was really neat if you want to do some cool shopping. I didnt mean to come across like I was comparing the two parks, more like just pointing out my observations....

 

[WDWfantasy]

Forgive me, Spiderman is in IOA! If I were you, I parkhop and do both parks, you've just GOT to do Spiderman!!!
I don't do rollercoasters either, but I still can do The mummy, it's another not to miss ride!

I think you are missing the point..............this thread is talking about Universal Studios in Hollywood, California. Not, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. It is completely different. The OP is visiting Disneyland in California and wants information about Universal Studios in Hollywood.

 

[mystic_path]

I'm not saying in any way that US isnt great in its own way....but there are some differences (for example....the park isnt as clean, alot of the employees we came across had this "I dont care" attitude, etc...) Im not saying that I didnt enjoy US...I guess I just got used to the attitude and friendly-ness of DL that when I got to US I just expected it to continue....that is why I suggested going there first, then DL aftrwards. I will say that I had a great time there....the bus tour thing was great and we got a ton of cool pics. The kids really enjoyed the rides....and the city walk was really neat if you want to do some cool shopping. I didnt mean to come across like I was comparing the two parks, more like just pointing out my observations....

I whole heartedly agree with you. But I think its healthy to compare and point out observations. New travellers appreciate any feed back. Universal and Disney are 2 major theme parks that travellers can visit in one trip. I think travellers just want to know if there are enough things that will entertain the entire family. Universal is expensive like Disneyland and people are more concerned about wasting time and money on a park they wont like. The parks are about 2 totally different things. Policies and priorities might be different which is why Universal Staff might be not as helpful etc.

The only thing I found similar are the hand stamping and brochure maps at the front entrance, as well as a City walk where Disneyland has DTD.

Bottom line is... we just need to ask ourselves "Is there enough for the whole family to enjoy, and what would we recommend".