Post by Jen on Mar 18, 2014 7:32:58 GMT
My work took a holiday trip to Universal Studios in early December '13. I wanted to give the experience a review here so that folks looking for other ways to spend time in SoCal might know whether Universal was something they wanted to do.
Now, its fair to preface this with knowing that I am a Disney Fan through and through, so it was hard to go through this experience and not constantly compare everything I saw to how it would be "better" at Disney. Saying that, I think Universal is worth a stop if you're already in the area and want a change of pace.
Universal boasts several "E-ticket" style rides, including Jurassic Park (water ride complete with a longer & steeper drop than Splash Mountain), Revenge of the Mummy (think Space Mountain meets Indiana Jones) and Transformers (a 3-D roller coaster like experience). They also have The Simpsons Ride, which is more like a simulator (most comparable to Star Tours, I'd say, but not exactly) and a House of Horrors walk through that is truly terrifying. Or so I heard. I would not go. I'm a chicken.
In addition to rides, there are several shows. Shrek is featured in a 3-D theatre-style show. Visitors are thrilled with explosions and exciting water stunts in "Waterworld". For the animal lover, there is an "Animal Actors" show, as well as several rotating special effects shows where the hosts demonstrate how many styles of special effects are accomplished on film.
Universal's signature attraction is, without a doubt, the back lot tour. Trams take visitors on an approximately 45 minute tour through the working back lot of Universal Studios. From Amity Island (Jaws) to Cabot Cove (Murder, She Wrote), a typical urban city street to a shootout at the Old West, New York subway to the jungles of King Kong, the tram will show you where popular films were shot and how similar set pieces were transformed from one film to another. Did you know that The Bates Motel overlooked the plane crash site from War of the Worlds? You would if you took the tram ride!
Food wise, there is a good selection of eats within the park, from BBQ to Italian to fried chicken and burgers. Counter service and sit down venues are both available. If nothing in the park tempts you, City Walk is right outside the gates. Shopping can be a bit dull as most of the shops tend to carry the same merchandise, with a few exceptions, so if you've seen one shop, you've probably seen most of what they have to offer.
Since we were there for the holiday season, The Grinch and the Who's of WhoVille were out in full force. We also saw Fiona and Shrek, Curious George, Frankenstein, Lucille Ball, Dracula, BeetleJuice, Minions and Curious George.
Outside Universal is "City Walk", a nod to Downtown Disney. Featuring
several headliner restaurants (Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co,
Tony Romas just to name a few), a movie theater, bars and night clubs,
City Walk definitely has a more "grown up" feel than Downtown Disney.
There are numerous shops featuring Universal, Disney and general
SoCal/Hollywood themed souvenirs. Again, geared towards the older crowd
for sure but worth a visit after Universal has closed for the evening.
Overall, I'd say Universal is worth a visit if you're in the area anyway. It's really only worth budgeting one day, and you won't have any trouble fitting it all in. The target audience is also significantly older than Disney, with very little to appeal to toddlers and pre-schoolers. Even elementary kids might find it a stretch to relate to the theme of the park, unless they are particularly fanatic about whichever movie Universal is currently promoting. I'd say pre-teens and above, if for no other reason than the rides require riders be 40-48" tall, depending on the ride (Transformers & Simpsons: 40"; Jurassic Park 42"; Mummy: 48").
Now, its fair to preface this with knowing that I am a Disney Fan through and through, so it was hard to go through this experience and not constantly compare everything I saw to how it would be "better" at Disney. Saying that, I think Universal is worth a stop if you're already in the area and want a change of pace.
Universal boasts several "E-ticket" style rides, including Jurassic Park (water ride complete with a longer & steeper drop than Splash Mountain), Revenge of the Mummy (think Space Mountain meets Indiana Jones) and Transformers (a 3-D roller coaster like experience). They also have The Simpsons Ride, which is more like a simulator (most comparable to Star Tours, I'd say, but not exactly) and a House of Horrors walk through that is truly terrifying. Or so I heard. I would not go. I'm a chicken.
In addition to rides, there are several shows. Shrek is featured in a 3-D theatre-style show. Visitors are thrilled with explosions and exciting water stunts in "Waterworld". For the animal lover, there is an "Animal Actors" show, as well as several rotating special effects shows where the hosts demonstrate how many styles of special effects are accomplished on film.
Universal's signature attraction is, without a doubt, the back lot tour. Trams take visitors on an approximately 45 minute tour through the working back lot of Universal Studios. From Amity Island (Jaws) to Cabot Cove (Murder, She Wrote), a typical urban city street to a shootout at the Old West, New York subway to the jungles of King Kong, the tram will show you where popular films were shot and how similar set pieces were transformed from one film to another. Did you know that The Bates Motel overlooked the plane crash site from War of the Worlds? You would if you took the tram ride!
Food wise, there is a good selection of eats within the park, from BBQ to Italian to fried chicken and burgers. Counter service and sit down venues are both available. If nothing in the park tempts you, City Walk is right outside the gates. Shopping can be a bit dull as most of the shops tend to carry the same merchandise, with a few exceptions, so if you've seen one shop, you've probably seen most of what they have to offer.
Since we were there for the holiday season, The Grinch and the Who's of WhoVille were out in full force. We also saw Fiona and Shrek, Curious George, Frankenstein, Lucille Ball, Dracula, BeetleJuice, Minions and Curious George.
Outside Universal is "City Walk", a nod to Downtown Disney. Featuring
several headliner restaurants (Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co,
Tony Romas just to name a few), a movie theater, bars and night clubs,
City Walk definitely has a more "grown up" feel than Downtown Disney.
There are numerous shops featuring Universal, Disney and general
SoCal/Hollywood themed souvenirs. Again, geared towards the older crowd
for sure but worth a visit after Universal has closed for the evening.
Overall, I'd say Universal is worth a visit if you're in the area anyway. It's really only worth budgeting one day, and you won't have any trouble fitting it all in. The target audience is also significantly older than Disney, with very little to appeal to toddlers and pre-schoolers. Even elementary kids might find it a stretch to relate to the theme of the park, unless they are particularly fanatic about whichever movie Universal is currently promoting. I'd say pre-teens and above, if for no other reason than the rides require riders be 40-48" tall, depending on the ride (Transformers & Simpsons: 40"; Jurassic Park 42"; Mummy: 48").
