We went to Universal Studios Hollywood last weekend. The last time that we had been there was eight years ago, before we moved to Southern California. Here's what's going on at Universal Studios this summer:
- E.T. was replaced by The Mummy ("scary" rollercoaster that goes forward and backwards in the dark) a few seasons ago. The ride still seemed popular with nearly hour-long waits throughout the day.
- Speaking of the recently departed, Beetlejuice no longer has his "graveyard revue" show, but can still be seen roaming the Park for photo ops. I believe that the former Beetlejuice show venue has been transformed into Fear Factor Live.
- The Wild West Stunt Show is closed. It doesn't look like they're working on its replacement yet.
- Jurassic Park is still a popular ride with lines in excess of an hour, especially after lunch. It's being marketed as "wetter than ever." Watch for camouflaged employees armed with squirt bottles near the queues and the exit.
- Back to the Future is the same...like going back in time when the technology was new.
- The Waterworld stunt show still proves more entertaining than the actual movie (and stars real Hollywood stunt people from Heroes and Lost).
- Shrek 4-D is a fun indoor 3-D show that was more entertaining than expected. If you liked the movies, you'll also enjoy this new show.
- The Universal Studios Backlot Tour is 45 minutes long and includes a tour of the normal backlot area with "Courthouse Square" as seen in Back to the Future, Gremlins, and To Kill a Mockingbird; as well as King Kong, Earthquake, and Jaws scenes. What used to be the parting of the red seas is now converted into a Skull Island scene for Peter Jackson's King Kong. There's also a brief interaction with two robotic hot rod cars from The Fast and the Furious - Tokyo Drift. You'll also see numerous props and movie cars (Back to the Future II, Animal House, The Mummy, and more).
The backlot area that used to be "Site B" from Jurassic Park - The Lost World was converted into a giant plane wreck in a suburban neighborhood when Steven Spielberg shot War of the Worlds. Universal left it intact for the backlot tour to drive through. Speaking of drive-thrus, as we drove around the backlot, live filming was going on for On the Lot, as well as the Wisteria Lane set for Desperate Housewives...proof that there's always something filming on Universal's backlot...even on the weekend.
Coming up in future posts: where to eat at Universal Studios, front-of-the-line and all-you-can-eat passes, MasterCard paypasses, and more!
