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| | California | Los Angeles | |||
| Universal City | |||
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Universal Studios Hollywood claims to be "the world's largest movie studio and theme park” and that’s exactly what it is - a real, functioning movie studio with a big theme park attached. Rides and shows all have movie and TV themes: explore the world of "Jurassic Park," hang out with Shrek, discover "Animal Actors" and embark on a hilarious "The Simpsons Ride.” More than most parks there’s a big emphasis on using multi-media to make the rides come alive and the shows more exciting. | |
| Universal Studios is lots of fun, but geared to kids over 5. Rides have height restrictions and some attractions are just too scary or violent for little ones. |
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Standing in line for hours in the summer heat is enough to make anyone cranky, especially the kids. Order your tickets online one week or more before you visit, and you can bypass the long ticket lines, and head right in to Universal Studios: |
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Universal Studios Hollywood tickets | ||
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Before you go |
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What to wear – Even in summer when the weather is warm, it can cool down in the evening, so bring a light jacket or sweater. If you're planning to go to the water play areas or on the Jurassic Park ride, these attractions can really leave you soaked. Bring extra clothes and rubber flip-flops or sandals for the wet areas. (Think about sticking your purse in a daypack that's water resistant too.) | |
While you're there |
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At the Entrance – |
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 Guest
Relations – This is the Lost Children waiting area and Lost and
Found. This is also the place to pick up Studio Guide maps in French,
Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Check for times for the Studio
Tour in Spanish, three times a day. |
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| Lockers – Coin-operated lockers (small, medium and large) are available. Stash those extra clothes you brought in the locker. Tip: Bring plastic bags for wet clothes. |
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| Strollers – Next to the lockers, you can rent strollers and wheelchairs. |
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Studio Tour – The best attraction is the hour-long Studio Tour, a taste of Universal’s movie studio side. Take a seat on the tram for a tour of the “back lot,” for an insider look at sets for TV shows and movies. "Jaws" tries to take a bite out of your tram, beware of Jurassic Park dinosaurs, shake rattle and roll when an “earthquake” hits and then, before you can recover, veer into a head-on collision with a big-rig truck that “explodes” in fire when…you get hit by a tidal wave. Trams come often, but in summer, later in the day, the lines can get long. Get to the Studio Tour early in the day. | ||
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Rides – |
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Jurassic
Park – Step into a tour boat for a river trip through Jurassic
Park. When you pass the electric fences, you're in a world of dinosaurs,
baby Stegosaurus', spitting raptors and a 5 story high Tyrannosaurus Rex,
looming over your boat, his toothy mouth opened wide for a people snack.
At the end of the ride, your boat plummets down a water cascade, sending
up a huge splash of water. Plan to get wet on this ride. |
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| Tip: If you didn't bring a change of clothes and are
worried about getting wet, buy a plastic poncho at the vending machines before you get in line. |
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| Revenge of the Mummy – Older kids and teens will enjoy a jolting roller coaster ride into the mummy's tomb, action packed and lots of scary mummies. |
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Shrek 4-D – More adventures of Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey, the story continues when ghostly Lord Farquad kidnaps Fiona. In a 4-D theater experience, with 3-D glasses the characters seem to pop into your lap, accompanied by the smell dragon's breath and bug splat. |
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The Adventures of Curious George – This area is good for kids of all ages (adults may want to take a turn at one of the water blasters too). It's a great way to stay cool on a hot day in Los Angeles. | ||
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Splash
Zone – Prepare to get wet in this
water play area. Aim your giant water guns at the big orange space ship,
or, if you feel lucky, pull the rope to tip the big bucket, and you'll be
completely drenched! On a hot day, it feels great. |
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| Tip: You can't go barefoot in the wet areas. If you don't want to get your shoes wet, buy rubber flip-flops (and big towels) at the store next to the Splash Zone. | |||
| Ball play area where you can throw with thousands of squishy multi-colored
foam balls at your friends. |
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Photos with cartoon characters – Get your picture taken with your favorite cartoon characters, like Shrek and Donkey, SpongeBob, Curious George, Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo. Just watch for characters strolling through the park, as well as photo opportunities posted at the park when you go in. |
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| Tips for enjoying Universal Studios | |||
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Lines – Go to popular attractions early. You can wait at least an hour for newest and most popular attractions. Check the Studio Directory near the entrance and electronic boards near each ride for wait-times as the day progresses. |
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Rides – Make sure your child meets the height requirements, before you get in line. Any restrictions are posted at the entrance to the ride. Park attendants do spot checks to verify that your kid is tall enough. (It wouldn't be fun to wait in line, only to get bumped out.) |
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The Simpsons Ride – Kids must be 40" tall. |
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| Jurassic
Park – Kids must be 46" tall. If they don't meet the
height requirement, there is waiting area with seating. |
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| Revenge of the Mummy – Kids must be 48" tall. |
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Strollers – To go from the Upper Lot to the Lower Lot, you take four long, steep escalators. Strollers are not advisable on the escalators; instead, take the elevator at the entrance to the first escalator. | ||
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Infants – If you have an infant along for the ride, there are changing tables in all the restrooms. |
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Fun food – |
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CityWalk is Universal Studios' pedestrian walkway with shops, theaters and restaurants designed to give you a taste of "Hollywood." |
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Tip: The food in CityWalk is generally better and cheaper than inside the park, think about planning your day so lunchtime finds you near the gate (you can go out and come back in with your day ticket). |
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