Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use.
It was initially created to offer tours of the real Universal Studios soundstages and sets. It is the first of many full-fledged Universal Studios Theme Parks located across the world.
The park is divided into upper and lower lot both offers fun ride merchandise shops and diner.
THE UPPER LOT
Of the 4 rides located on the upper
lot which include: the Studio Tour,
the The Simpsons Ride, 'Despicable
Me: Minion Mayhem and the outdoor spinner "Silly
Swirly", only the studio tour we’ve been into.
The Studio Tour is a 40-60
minute ride on a tram to Universal's movie studio back-lot. Inaugurated July
15, 1964. Includes King Kong 360 attraction, JAWS, and Earthquake. The tour is
the signature ride at the theme park and the wait time varies by day and
seasons (took us an hour or so).The tour includes:King Kong: 360 3-D,
the world's largest 3-D experience.
The trams depart the station and
pass directly under the "Starway". After passing the starway, the
tram arrives at the lower lot and passes through the stages where film
productions take place. Unluckily no filming took place during our tour.
The tram then takes the guests to Courthouse Square section and then other buildings in the backlot.
Afterwards, the tram enters a tunnel leading to the attraction: King Kong 360
3D. After King Kong 360 3D, the tram travels through sets from Jurassic park
and encounter Dilophosauruses.
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| at the mouth of Kingkong 3D |
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| Photo op while waiting for the tram |
To augment the narration of the tour
guide a TV monitor is provided which airs entertaining clips from new to old
films introduced by Jimmy Fallon (“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”).
Some clips were edited showing him as one of the characters.
Following that, the tram travels to
the Flash Flood attraction (it is to be noted guests on the left side of the
tram usually get wet).
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| The area where the flood took place |
The tram continues to Earthquake: The Big One attraction, and Bates motel from Psycho. There are several themed retail outlets located near their
respective rides in the Upper lot. For the Simpsons
merchandise is offered at the Kwik-E-Mart.
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| The eerie plane crash from War of the Worlds. |
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| Wisteria Lane from ABC’s hit series Desperate Housewives |
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| Face to face with Norman Bates at the Legendary Bates Motel from Psycho |
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| From the movie JAW |
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| The Grinch |
THE LOWER LOT
The Lower lot is the smaller of the two lots. There are
three thrill rides at this section of the park. All three of the rides have
certain height and ride restrictions: The Mummy's Revenge indoor roller
coaster, Transformers 3D Ride (dark ride) & Jurassic Park (water ride).
is an immersive, next generation thrill ride blurring the line between fiction and reality. Fusing HD 3D media and flight simulation technology, this epic ride creates an experience unlike anything this planet has ever seen.
Based on the popular movie franchise, this mind-blowing Transformers adventure puts you in the middle of the ultimate war zone.
Fight alongside Optimus and try to survive as you protect the AllSpark from Decepticons over four stories tall. Remember, the future of the human race is counting on you. The drop was so intense though, good thing Optimus was there to save us when we were falling on a high speed.
The queue for the ride will surely test your patience (more than two hours waiting for a four and half minute.Includes moderate simulation movements of acceleration, climbs and drops. Started operation last 24 May 2012.
Jurassic Park
The only water
ride at the park started operation 21 June 1996.. We went there since the
waiting time is not long compared to Studio Tour and Transformer. Each boat
carries up to 25 guests. The water ride lasts for 5:30 minutes. Features
several types of dinosaurs. Ride ends with an 84 foot death-defying raft plunge
splashdown. Shouting for fear or fun I don’t know, but mind you it is
death-defying as described.
Facts and Figures:
- 1.5 million gallons of water are used in Jurassic Park – The Ride.
- When built, the ride’s 84-foot plunge was the largest theme park water descent ever constructed.
Revenge of
the Mummy
I consider this ride as the most intense. Our
service will pick us up at 1900h. My watch read 1730H. The three of us decided
to check this ride although we knew that there’s a chance we would be left by our service due to again overwhelming queue of tourists eager to taste the 2 minute indoor steel
roller with speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Features forward motion and
backwards motion. Most intense ride due to very aggressive drops, climbs, and
turns. (Guests of serious health
conditions are not recommended to ride.)
It started to cater
tourist June 25, 2004. This ride surely change its riders perspective of other
rides left therein. Special effects and unexpected twists every turn as we try
to escape the Mummy’s revenge in life-like horror magnifies the intensity of
thrill and fun.
Facts and Figures:
- The ride catapults guests at speeds up to 45 mph in virtual darkness
- Many of the Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls spell out real words and ancient warnings
Other scenes seen:
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| the city walk |
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| Escalator going to Lower Lot |
