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 Introduction:
Universal Studio Tours - Movies and Fun

Universal Studios began offering tours in 1964. Today, Universal Studios still
offers tours, and they still make movies – but it has also become one of the
largest amusement parks in the world. In fact, Universal Studios has mixed
movie making with shows and a theme park full of rides to become one of the
most popular tourist attractions in the world.

The Studio tour is a one hour guided tour. Those on the tour ride around the
studio’s 420 acres on a tram, and see many stars dressing rooms, production
offices, and often famous Hollywood stars. W here else can you see a western
town and a New York City street all in the same hour? The tour includes sets
from Back to the Future, Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb, Jurassic Park III, and The
Grinch. This is more than just your boring tour with a boring monotone tour guide!
As the tour progresses, tourists encounter many disasters!

Once you’ve finished your tour of the studios, you can move on to the theme
park. All of the rides have a movie oriented theme, such as Revenge of the
Mummy, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and Shrek. There is
also entertainment. W aterworld is a theater presentation which features many
stunts and special effects. Other shows that include terrific stage effects are
Backdraft, Animal Planet Live, and Spider Man Rocks.

If all of this wasn’t enough, you can also visit the TV Audience Ticket Booth. Here
you will get free tickets that will allow you to be part of the audience for television
shows that are being taped during your visit. This is almost like being on TV!
W hen you visit Universal Studios, you will have several days of fun, and you
probably still won’t see everything that is offered.

Page -2-
Outside of Universal Studios you will find the Universal City W alk. This is
Universal Studios very own Downtown. This is three blocks of stores, clubs, and
restaurants for you to enjoy. There are no cars or motorized traffic allowed in this
area, but there are hundreds, and sometimes thousands of pedestrians milling
about enjoying all of the sights and sounds.

Universal Studio Tours is a great place to spend your vacation – or it is perfect as

an add on to a Disneyland Vacation. Even if you don’t have time for the theme
park, the Universal Studios Tour itself is not to be missed!

Page -3-
Table of Contents
Make the Most of Your Universal Studios Tour Page 6 & 7
How To Get the Most Out Of Your Universal Studios
Tour Experience Page 8
2 More Steps to Maximizing Your Fun at Universal
Studios Hollywood Page 9 & 10
A Little Planning Can Save a Lot of W alking Page 11
Don’t Bring Enough Supplies for the Calvary Page 12
Universal Studios Makes an Offer you May Not W ant
to Refuse Page 13
Allowing Everyone to Have a Special Event Makes
Everyone a Special Contributor Page 14 & 15
Promoting Harmony Among Siblings at Universal Page 16
Park Information Page 17 & 18
The Best Time To Visit Page 19
Blackout Dates Page 20
Hotels Page 21 & 22
Annual Passes Page 23 & 24
Discount Tickets for Universal Studios Tours Page 25
Military Discounts for Universal Studios Tours Page 26 & 27
Appoint Yourself a VIP for the Day Page 28
Security at Universal Studios Tours Page 29
Special Services Page 30, 31, &32
Height Requirements Page 33
Line Time is a Premium You Shouldn’t Have to Pay at
Universal Hollywood Page 34
Universal Studios Tours Hollywood Ticket Outlet Page 35
Behind The Scenes Page 36 & 37
Attractions to See Page 38
Incredible Rides Page 39 & 40

Page -4-
Table of Contents Continued
Jurassic Park the Ride is W hat a Visit to Universal is
All About, Jurassic Sized Thrills Page 41
Mummy the Ride Delivers on all the Promised Thrills Page 42
Nickelodeon Blast Zone Page 43 & 44
Now You Really can Dress like the Stars Page 45
Sometimes the Surprise Attractions Offer the Most
Entertainment Page 46
The Special Effects Stages are Absolute Musts for Your
Universal Studios Tour Page 47
Universal Studios City W alk is a Can’t be Missed Stop
on Your Universal Tour Page 48
Universal Studios Back Lot Tram Tour is a Universal Must Page 49
Hollywood Animal Actors Steal the Show at Universal
Hollywood Page 50
Universal Studios Tours and Jay Leno Page 51
Universal Studios Tours and Television Audiences Page 52
Fear Factors Greatly at Universal Page 53
Backdraft is Not for Everyone; But Offers Real Excitement
for the Action Addict Page 54
Van Helsing Fails to Pack the Powerful Punch that
Universal can Deliver Page 55
W ater W orld at Universal is a True Example of
Hollywood’s Ability Revive the Dead Page 56
Nickelodeon Blast Zone is a Blast of Refreshing
Coolness in the Southern California Sun Page 57
Terminator 2:3D Is a Thrill-packed Adventure W orthy
of Universal Page 58
If you’re Looking for a Happy Ending for your
Universal Studios Tour, - Try Shrek 4-D Page 59

Page -5-
Make the Most of Your Universal Studios Tour

If you will be visiting Universal Studios, you need to be prepared. Arriving at the
park unprepared can literally ruin your vacation! Follow these tips to help you get
the most out of your Universal Studios Tour adventure.

It will be very hot. Make sure that you dress in cotton clothing that is cool. You
should strongly consider bringing a change of clothing, so you can change into
dry clothes after the rides that soak you, or if your clothes get too sweaty. If you
will be there during the evening hours, bring warmer clothes to change into. Do
not wear new shoes! There is a lot of walking involved, and you won’t last one
hour in brand new shoes. W ear an old pair that are well broken in. Bring an extra
pair of shoes to change into if yours get wet.

Make sure that you bring earplugs. There is a lot of noise at Universal Studios,
and some of the attractions are deafening. Also bring sunscreen, sunglasses,
and hats to help protect you from the sun. Use a backpack or a fanny pack to
carry your belongings in – there are also lockers available through guest services
if you need a safe dry place to store your things.

Make sure that you take the Universal Studio Tour early in the day. The park will
remain open several hours after the tour has closed for the day. Designate a
meeting place with everyone in your party, in case you get separated. Make sure
that everyone in your party has a map, and that they know how to read it!

Leave small babies and toddlers with a sitter. They will not enjoy Universal
Studios, and they will make sure that you don’t enjoy it either if you bring them.
Consider purchasing VIP passes which will allow you to move to the front of the
lines for the attractions. This is a huge time saver, and will keep you from wasting
valuable time and getting bored.

Page -6-
Avoid eating inside the park if you can. It is very expensive, and the food is much
cheaper right outside the gates in City W alk. Also save your shopping for the end
of the day, so you don’t have to carry packages around with you. Universal
Studios Tours does have a package delivery service, which will allow you to pick
up your purchases at the end of the day near the exit, in case you find a souvenir
that simply won’t wait until closing time.

Most importantly, see and do as much as possible, and have fun! Universal
Studios has been entertaining us for years, and entertainment is what Universal
Studios Tours is all about!

Page -7-
How To Get the Most Out Of Your Universal Studios Tour Experience

Universal Studios is a huge place, with lots to see and do. If you want to
experience as much as possible in one day, it is important to plan your day. By
planning your day, you will be able to get more in than you would if you went in
without a viable plan.

Start the day with the Universal Studios T our. It takes one hour, and you need to
be there before the gates open. It is important to be on that very first tour, so you
can avoid some of the long lines at the theme park.

Universal Studios is divided into two lots – the upper lot and the lower lot. W hen
you are ready for the theme park attractions, start on one lot or the other, and
visit all of the attractions on that lot before moving to the other one. This will cut
down a lot of walking time. The upper lot usually opens before the lower lot, so
start at the top if possible.

After a day at the theme park, be sure to visit Universal City W alk right outside
the gates of the park. T he City W alk is three blocks of shops, restaurants, bars,
and entertainment. T his is a great way to end a perfect day at Universal Studios
Tours.

Page -8-
2 More Steps to Maximizing Your Fun at Universal Studios Hollywood

So, how do you make the most of your Universal Studios Tour? W e all work very
hard for our vacation time and we want so desperately to fully enjoy that time.
Unfortunately for most of us, that means cramming in so much ‘fun’ in a limited
amount of time that our ‘fun’ becomes more like a mission than a relaxing
vacation day. It’s not something we can really help. W e live our lives fitting as
many activities as possible into a very finite amount of time. There are only so
many hours in any given day and some of those must be devoted to sleep (yes,
even on vacation, we need sleep).

W ith that in mind, if you approach your Universal Studios Tour as the break from
reality that it is (it’s a movie studio for crying out loud, no reality there) there is
probably hope for your maximized enjoyment of your vacation. At the very least,
enjoy your time at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you follow these two steps you
can avoid the nasty schedule beast from rearing its ugly head during your day at
Universal.

First of all, relax. Remind yourself throughout the day that you are in fact on
vacation and that you are determined to enjoy that time as much as humanly
possible. You will not allow your parade to be rained on even if it begins to rain
(fortunately rain is rare in southern California). W hen you are at one attraction
whether it is a ride or a show, do not look at your watch for any reason
whatsoever. Looking at your watch indicates a schedule, which reminds you of
work. Don’t sweat the small stuff, the worst thing that can happen is you miss a
show. Missing a show will not be the end of the world, however by stopping and
looking at your watch, you are missing the show that is happening in front of you.

Page -9-
Second, don’t allow anger or frustration to rob you of your enjoyment. If you are
so frustrated over standing in line that you don’t enjoy the ride once you get to
experience it, then you have been robbed of your enjoyment. If the frustration will
effect your enjoyment, remove yourself from the line and move on to the next
show (or purchase a “Front of Line” pass which will allow you to spend less time
in line—this is my answer to my hatred of standing in line).

If you remember to enjoy the hear and now and not worry about what comes next
and either make peace with the idea of standing in long lines or purchase a
“Front of Line” pass you should have much fonder memories of your time at
Universal Studios Hollywood.

Page -10-
A Little Planning Can Save a Lot of Walking

Many of us dream for most of our lives about that one family vacation of a
lifetime. W e can’t wait to take our children to this awesome place where movie
magic is made each and every day. W e look forward to sharing with them things
that held us so spellbound as children, you know, back in the day when special
effects were new and awesome. Then the day arrives and we find that we spend
most of our time walking back and forth and waiting in long lines with cranky
children who are bored, hot, and tired of standing in line after long line.

One thing you can do to avoid some of the tired crankiness as well as
maximizing your time effectiveness (I understand most people only have one day
in which to cram as many attractions as possible and we all want it all), is to have
a plan of action before you enter the gates. Don’t get me wrong; you don’t want
to over plan to the point that there is no room for impromptu sightseeing or potty
breaks but if you have a general plan of action it helps avoid wasting hours of
time going from one area of the park to another and missing several attractions in
between that you will be once again heading in search of later on. W hat you will
need to do is get a schedule of events for the day and a map of the park. Chose
the attractions that are in one area of the park and plan those for the same
general time period, plan morning activities for the lower lot and try to go in order
of the next closest attraction that operates within the time line and plan afternoon
activities for the upper lot.

If you do a little planning ahead, you will find that you have much more time in
which to enjoy the wonderful attractions that Universal Studios has to offer. I
hope you enjoy your trip to Universal Studios and your tour of the studio. Keep in
mind during all the hours of waiting in line that you are building lifelong memories
with your family and have fun!

Page -11-
Don’t Bring Enough Supplies for the Calvary

If you’ve ever traveled with family, you understand what I mean when I say;
you’re going to an amusement park, not to Mars. I am a mother of three; believe
me I know the need we feel to be prepared for every possible contingency. My
every day purse is a beach bag and it’s got emergency food, juice boxes, Band-
Aids, Benedryl, Advil, water bottles, crackers, and a myriad of other supplies that
seem utterly ridiculous to carry around all the time. W e feel like we should be
prepared should the big earthquake hit and run to save the world with our water
bottles and Band-Aids. These things, while nice to have in emergencies, are
simply more items that must be carried when you are at an amusement park.

This translates to, mom gets to hold the bag for $60 and watch everyone else
have fun, while reminding baby brother to apply more sunscreen after every ride
and making sure big sister is drinking enough water, and little sister hasn’t
wandered off in search of any number of miscellaneous items that captures her
imagination. Not really sounding too fun for mom is it? I know we moms like to
watch our families have fun, but I also know we like to participate occasionally
too. So, don’t pack for an army. Bring only the necessities and try to make sure
that whatever you bring can fit in your pockets. Big changes for mom I know but
you will understand after a very long day of walking around and being burdened
with every child’s new find, price, or purchase why it was a good idea not to have
a huge bag of your own.

Page -12-
Universal Studios Makes an Offer you May Not Want to Refuse

One important thing that people often to fail to consider planning for during
vacations and time at tour parks is food. W e get so excited and caught up in the
thrill of what is going on and all that there is to see and do that we absolutely fail
to plan to eat. W ith children, that simply will not work, for so many reasons, but
once they get overly hungry they don’t tend to be easily appeased with anything
other than food; and you don’t want to risk them overeating and becoming sick
on the attractions planned for after eating.

One thing that Universal Studios in Hollywood is offering to help combat this is an
all you can eat pass. This pass is available at least through December 31 of 2006
and it is quite ingenious. You are allowed one entrée, one side dish, and one
dessert at Mel’s Diner, Louie’s Pizza and Pasta, and Jurassic Café. The cost for
this is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children who are less than 48 inches. For
that price you are getting quite a bargain in light of most theme park food
expenses. You can also purchase and All You Can Drink pass that provides
unlimited fountain drinks for $4.95. These are both a wonderful way to help
families economize their trips in addition to reminding us parents to anticipate
and plan for meal times, try to have attractions near the restaurant you chose for
before and after (give the kids something to look forward) and remember that it’s
sometimes good to sit down on solid ground and just be still.

Also remember that it is very important to remain hydrated throughout the day so
drink plenty of water. The California sun can be brutal, especially if you aren’t
accustomed to it. Also bring plenty of sunscreen and apply it to everyone every
time you think about it to avoid uncomfortable sunburns or worse, sun sickness.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your trip!

Page -13-
Allowing Everyone to Have a Special Event Makes Everyone a Special
Contributor

If you are considering Universal Studios for your next vacation there are several
things you can do to make your time here more enjoyable for you and your entire
family. If you are taking your family, each and every member probably has a
specific imagine in mind of how the day is going to turn out for them. I want to
begin by saying that Universal Hollywood might not be the wisest course of
action for very small children as it has less in the way of entertainment for them
as places such as Disney would. This is not to say that they could not really
enjoy themselves, just a word of caution that you may wish to take this trip with
your children when they are at least school aged.

That being said, for the older children, teens, and big kids alike there is
something different that probably appeals to everyone that is taking the trip with
you. I know in our family my husband and I can be saying the same thing but
argue that we each offer a more valid point. I am not good at visualizing and he
says I use too many words (probably a result of my chosen profession I guess).
At any rate, it’s hard to imagine that everyone attending would expect or even
want the same identical experience. This is the true beauty of a theme park such
as Universal. However, in order to preserve peace among the family, I seriously
recommend allowing each person to choose at least one attraction that he or she
feels is a must see and then place all other attractions that are high on the list to
a vote and agreeing to fit others in as there is time and agreement. T his will save
twenty minutes of arguing in the park about what to do next. If you are going to
argue about anything, please have the good gumption to argue while standing in
line for an attraction rather than doing it after you’ve gotten off. This is where
most people/families waste the most time on a trip such as this—arguing (mom
wants to sit a few, kids want to defy gravity, and dad wants to be left alone in
peace—at least that’s the way it is for us).

Page -14-
At any rate, allowing everyone to get one attraction that they really wanted to
see, allows everyone a special memory for the day. Trying out other attractions
that you may have not personally chosen allows you to broaden your horizons for
the day, and having it all planned out ahead of time, allows you more attractions
for the time allotted. Priceless!

Page -15-
Promoting Harmony Among Siblings at Universal

O ne of the worst things we do for ourselves when we go on vacation is over

planning. It is always a good idea when going to places like Universal Studios to
have a plan of action but the best plan of action is two or three must see/must do
attractions followed by wandering aimlessly. This doesn’t work so well if you are
going with children, but you could allow each child to choose one special
attraction which effectively makes them part of the planning process and
therefore important. It’s amazing how little things have such a strong impact on a
child’s perception of events in the world around him.

I have three children, by allowing each child one special attraction and one
attraction for each of us big kids, we have five attractions for the day planned. If
we stand in line for each of those five attractions our day will probably be over
immediately after the last ride. I may be exaggerating a little bit, but not much. If
we instead elect to purchase a ‘Front of Line” pass, we cut our line standing time
by at least half allowing us to see five more attractions which allows everyone a
runner up—more fond memories, less hurt feelings, and much less complaining
while standing in line.

Isn’t it amazing how little changes in our approach and big changes in our budget
can bring such peace, harmony, and good will between siblings?

Page -16-
Park Information

If you are planning a trip to Universal Studios Tours, you need to know specific
information about the park before you arrive. If you have special needs, you may
need more information than usual, and you should contact Guest Services and
inform them of your special needs prior to your arrival.

You may purchase tickets in advance either online, or over the telephone.
Tickets can also be purchased at Ticket Master Outlets and through travel
agents. You may also purchase tickets at the gate. General one day admission
costs $55, and those under forty eight inches tall are charged $45. Children
under three are admitted free of charge. VIP Studio Passes are available on a
limited basis, and are not available for children under the age of five. The cost for
VIP Studio Passes is $149 per person. Annual tickets are also available, at a
discounted rate.

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Los Angeles, California, at 100

Universal City Plaza. This is easily found right off of Highway 101, which is often
called the Hollywood Freeway. The park is about ten minutes from the Los
Angeles downtown area.

Only paid parking is available. It costs $10 for cars and $11 for recreational
vehicles. You can also get preferred parking, which is closer to the entrance for
$17. Free parking is not available on the Universal Studio grounds.

Realistically, it takes a full day to see all of the attractions in the park. However, if
you don’t have a full day to spend at Universal Studios Tours, you should
purchase the VIP pass, which will allow you to move to the front of the line for all
rides and attractions. This cuts down wait times in lines significantly, and allows
you to see all of the attractions much faster.

Page -17-
Don’t allow the rain to ruin your parade! The park remains open even when it
rains, but if severe weather is an issue, many shows may be cancelled or
relocated. In the event that the park must close due to whether, a rain check will
be issued. A Universal Studio rain check will be issued if over 1/8 of an inch of
rain falls before 2pm, and it is good for thirty days.

Again, if you have special needs that may need special accommodations, please
contact Guest Services by telephone prior to your visit. Some accommodations
can take up to two weeks to arrange, so the sooner you contact Universal
Studios Tours with your special needs request, the better the staff will be able to
serve you.

Page -18-
The Best Time To Visit

As with all theme parks, there is a good time and a bad time to visit the Universal
Studios Tours theme park. You should strive to visit at a time when the park is
less crowded to get the most out of the tour and the park.

W eekends and school holidays should be avoided. Most of the visitors at these
times are local people who live in the area, and it becomes very crowded, with
very long lines. The park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so don’t plan
a visit during those times.

Visit the Universal Studios website to find out which movies are in production, or
which movies will be in production at the time of your visit. This may play in the
decision as to when to visit. If you visit during the time of a movie production, you
are likely to see the movie set, and you may even get the opportunity to see the
stars in action!

W hen you do visit, plan to arrive well before the gates open. You should arrive at
least thirty minutes in advance. You should buy your tickets in advance for added
convenience. This can be done through a travel agent, over the phone, or online.
Tickets can even be printed out using your printer.

Page -19-
Blackout Dates

If you are a regular annual pass holder for Universal Studios Tours, there are
certain blackout dates when you cannot visit the park unless you pay for a one
day full priced ticket for the blackout date. Not being aware of these dates may
cause you problems, so make sure you know when they are!

In 2006, there are no blackout dates during the months of January through June,
and no blackout dates in October. Every Saturday and Sunday are blacked out
for July and August. Additionally, July 3rd and 4th are blackout dates. September
2nd and 3rd, November 24th and 25th, and December 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th,
30th, and 31st are all blacked out.

Additionally, the park is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If you
are a regular annual pass holder, either upgrade to a premium or deluxe annual
pass, or avoid the Universal Studios Tours on these dates so that you will not
have to pay the full one day price – which costs almost as much as a regular
annual ticket!

Page -20-
Hotels

W hen planning your Universal Studios Tours vacation, you may wish to stay at a
hotel that is within walking distance of the park. There are only two hotels within
walking distance, and they are both world-class hotels that are highly
recommended.

The Universal Sheraton Hotel is located at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive. The
hotel has served visitors to Universal Studios since 1969, and it is known as the
Hotel of the Stars. The hotel literally sits on the back lot of the studio.

Featuring 436 guest rooms and suites, the hotel often has many famous guests.
There is no telling who you might run into! Although it is in walking distance of
Universal Studios, the hotel staff believe that everyone should be treated like a
star, and therefore, complimentary tram rides to the park are offered.

The guest rooms feature high speed Internet access, air conditioning, an alarm
clock, cable television, and a coffee maker. Hotel services include a valet
service, a business center and business services, a car rental service, a
concierge service, and room service. There are 21 meeting rooms on the
property, as well as a lobby lounge and the Baja Beach Club Poolside Lounge.

The Hotel of the Stars is the most popular hotel to stay at, but if there are no
rooms available, you should consider the Universal City Hilton Hotel. The
Universal City Hilton is located at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive. The Hilton
offers guests fine dining in several on site restaurants, and has several lounges
on the property as well. The hotel features a health and fitness center, a
business center, and deluxe room accommodations. Each guest room at the
Universal City Hilton features a view of the Hollywood Hills, including the San
Fernando Valley and Universal Studios.

Page -21-
These two hotels are highly recommended by Universal Studios due to their
close proximity and the high level of quality guest amenities and service.
Because of their popularity, you should book your trip well in advance, and make
sure that you make any special requests for additional amenities or services at
the time that you make your reservation.

Other hotels are available within driving distance of Universal Studios Tours, but
if possible, you should plan to stay at one of these fine hotels. Again, the
proximity to the park and level of quality service cannot be topped. You may also
be able to get a special rate on Universal Studios tickets at the Concierge’s desk
of either hotel.

Page -22-
Annual Passes

If you live near Universal Studios, or in the Los Angeles area, you should
consider purchasing annual passes for Universal Studios Tours. Annual passes
are reasonably priced, and will most likely save you money on admission
throughout the year. Several different levels of annual passes are available.

A regular annual pass for Universal Studios costs $65. W ith this pass, you will be
granted twelve full months of admission to the park, 15% savings on general
admission for up to six of your guests, 10% off of all merchandise, and 10% off
the price of all food and beverages purchased inside the park.

You will also be given exclusive offers and invitations to special events that are
held throughout the year. Some black-out dates do apply to regular annual pass
holders. You can upgrade to a deluxe annual pass for $75. This pass will entitle
you to all of the things that a regular pass does, with one exception. No black-out
dates will apply to you.

The best value is the premium annual pass, which costs $99. This pass will
entitle you to twelve months of admission to the park, invitations to special events
held throughout the year, exclusive offers, and 15% savings on general
admission prices for six of your guests, 10% off the price of merchandise, 10%
off the price of food and beverages purchased inside the park, and no black-out
dates. Additionally, you will be entitled to free parking during box office hours,
and front of the line access at Studio Tour.

Page -23-
If you plan to visit Universal Studios twice in one year, an annual pass is the
most logical choice. General admission for Universal Studios Tours for just one
day costs $55. If you visit twice in one year that is a total of $110! You can get a
premium annual pass for just $99! W hat this essentially means is that if you
purchase an annual pass, you are really only paying for two days at the park, and
any additional days are the park are actually free!

As an annual pass ticket holder, you may not be entitled to other admission
discounts that are available. However, you may be entitled to special discounts
on the annual pass in certain situations. For instance, if you are a member of the
Military, you may be eligible for special prices on annual passes. Contact
Universal Studios Tours for more information about any special prices or
discounts that you may be eligible for.

Page -24-
Discount Tickets for Universal Studios Tours

W hen you plan a vacation, your vacation budget is probably in the very front of
your mind. Vacations can be quite expensive, and it is important to cut costs
wherever you can, without sacrificing your families fun. You can save quite a bit
of money with discounted tickets for Universal Studios Tours.

There are many ways to obtain discounted tickets for Universal Studios Tours.
Coca-Cola has specially marked cans that will save $10 on admission for a
certain number of people. You can also save money by asking your travel agent
for special deals. Many businesses also have coupons for discounted tickets.
You will save additional money by purchasing your tickets online, and printing out
your tickets on your home printer.

Look for discounts for students and senior citizens, as well as for children under
a certain age. Many groups are eligible for group discounts. In many cases, you
won’t know about the Universal Studios Tours discounts unless you ask. If you
attend college, ask about discount tickets in the Registrars office or in the
Student’s Services office at your school.

Page -25-
Military Discounts for Universal Studios Tours

Universal Studios Tours is proud of the men and women who serve the United
States of America, and to reward them for the great service that they provide,
specially priced tickets are offered. These tickets are available for all active duty
military personnel, retirees, DOD personnel, members of the National Guard,
Reserves, all other military personnel, and all dependants.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for these special military prices, you should
contact your Commander, Universal Studios, or Commander, Navy Region,
Southwest at 619-767-6000.

In order to benefit from the special military prices, your tickets must be purchased
in advance. These specially priced tickets are not available at the gate, online, or
over the telephone. Instead, these tickets can only be purchased from MW R
ITT/ITR offices located throughout the United States. You must present a military
or US Government Identification card when purchasing these specially priced
tickets.

If for any reason your local base does not have tickets available for purchase,
they will order them for you. This typically takes about five days, so take this into
consideration when planning your trip – get your tickets as early as possible.
Don’t wait too late, or your tickets will not arrive in time for your scheduled leave,
and you will have to pay the full price for admission into the park. No exceptions
will be made.

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The only way you can order your tickets by telephone, and still receive the
special military prices is by contacting the Commander, Navy Region, Southwest
at 619-767-6000. Your tickets will be mailed to you, and should arrive within
seven business days. Overnight service may be available, but there will be an
additional fee. Do not call the regular phone number for Universal Studio tickets
or you will be charged the regular price. You will be charged the regular full price
if you order your tickets online, purchase them through a Ticket Masters Outlet,
or order them through a travel agent as well.

T he special military rates do not apply to tickets that are sold through the
Universal Studios Hollywood Box Office. Again, for more information on these
specially prices military tickets for Universal Studios Tours, contact your local
base MW R ticket office or Commander, Navy Region, Southwest at
619-767-6000.

Universal Studios welcomes military personnel. If you have served your country,
make sure that you take advantage of these very special military prices – they
were hard earned, and are well deserved!

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Appoint Yourself a VIP for the Day

If you want to know the absolute best way to make the most of your Universal
Studios T our, sign up for the VIP Experience. For the added price, I think it’s a
great value for your money. I’m a time Nazi by nature. I hate wasting time more
than anything in the world. It drives me absolutely mad to think that I could be
doing something else with the time I’m spending standing in line. Obviously, I am
not the greatest candidate for theme park rides and attractions. However, with
the VIP Experience you get a 6-hour tour of the movie studio, tours of areas that
general admission guests aren’t allowed to view, and “Front of Line” access to all
shows and attractions, and VIP seating at all shows. The “Front of Line” access
would have been enough, but one of my favorite television shows is the set in
which they are allowing access to, so that’s an added benefit for me at the
moment.

You must reserve tickets for the VIP Experience in advance and they do not
allow children under the age of 5 on these tours. There are other benefits that go
along with this specific tour, especially if you’re a big shopper. You get a 25
percent discount on most food and merchandise in the park (for some of us, that
could make up for the cost of the ticket), you get backstage meet and greets with
the stunt actors. If you have young boys, they will think they have the coolest
parents in the world for at least the next 30 minutes for this part alone, and you
get access to the VIP Lounge.

This may or may not be your thing but for me it’s awesome. I don’t mind in the
least being pampered and treated special on vacation, I certainly don’t get that at
home. Treat yourself to the royal treatment that Universal has to offer and enjoy
the perks of their VIP Experience.

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Security at Universal Studios Tours

If you are concerned about your safety while visiting Universal Studios, you
should not be. There are security officers on the grounds, and security offices are
located in the upper lot by Nick Stuff and in the lower lot inside the Jurassic Park
Visitors Center.

After the 9/11 terrorists attacks, Universal Studios put a heightened security
program in place. Today, security precautions are constantly taken for the safety
of all visitors and guests. The park stays up-to-date on all security briefings that
are issued by local and federal law enforcement agencies, and always takes
appropriate measures to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.

To date, there have been no major security issues at Universal Studios. The park
has never been threatened by terrorists or nationals. In the event that the park is
threatened, again, measures are in place to ensure the safety of everyone. W ith
this in mind, enjoy yourself and all that Universal Studios Tours has to offer –
leave the worrying to the people who are already equipped and prepared to deal
with such an emergency, should it ever arise.

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Special Services

Universal Studios strives to ensure that everyone who visits Universal Studio
Tours has an enjoyable experience. W hile guest services are available for
everyone, there are special guest services available for guests with more
specialized needs.

There is a ‘W ill Call’ service located right outside the gates. Here, you can have
tickets that were purchased online reprinted if necessary, get ticket reservations,
or put your pet in a kennel. Also located outside the gate is the Group Sales
W indow. Here, you can renew your annual passes, or replace lost annual
passes. The Annual Pass Center is also located here.

The Guest Relations booth is where you will find visitor information concerning
hotels, campsites, and other interesting things to do in the area. You can also get
assistance and guides for guests with disabilities and audio assist units. Travel
assistance, lost and found, and the lost children’s center are also located in and
near the Guest Relations booth.

Guests in wheelchairs should have no problem accessing everything in the park,

however, occasionally, some assistance may be required. If this occurs, staff
members will be only too happy to assist. If special assistance is needed, please
visit the Guest Relations desk, which is near the front entrance of the park. You
can also contact Guest Relations in advance of your visit. Accessibility points for
wheelchairs are marked with the International signs.

You should also take advantage of the Package Deliver Service at Universal
Studios Tours. This service will allow you to buy merchandise, and then pick it up
near the exit before you leave. T he package pickup is located near Universal
Film Company

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If you require a sign language interpreting service, one will be made available to
you at Universal Studios Tours free of charge, with two weeks notice.
Arrangements can also be made for closed captioning, assistive listening
devices, and telecommunication devices for the deaf. TTY telephones are
located at the Guest Services booth as well, and all pay phones throughout the
park have the amplified feature.

Service animals are always welcome at Universal Studios, and will be allowed in
the restaurants, gift shops, and the attraction queues. For the safety and
well-being of the animal, service animals will not be allowed on some of the rides
or inside some of the attractions. Special arrangements can be made for the
service animal while it’s owner enjoys the attractions, however. Non-service
animals must be placed in the complimentary kennel, located right outside the
park gates.

Pregnant women should avoid The Studio Tour, Back to the Future, and Jurassic
Park. These are not suitable for expectant mothers, and may cause
complications in the pregnancy, including early labor. Furthermore, pregnant
women will be given special stationary seating for the Shrek 4-D attraction and
the Terminator 2: 3D attraction. Speak with a cast member for assistance. You
should speak with your doctor before planning a trip to Universal Studios Tours –
he or she may advise against such a trip.

Spanish language tours are available every day that the park is open, and tours
for other languages can be arranged with advance notice. Again, Universal
Studios Tours wants everyone to have a pleasant experience at the park, and
they will do everything possible to ensure this. If you have a special need, please
call and speak with a cast member at the Guest Services Center, or visit the
center upon your arrival to the park.

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First Aid is located in the upper lot near Animal Planet Live. There is another first
aid station inside the Jurassic Park Visitors Center, which is situated in the lower
lot. There are eight designated smoking areas, which are indicated on the park
map. Smoking will not be permitted in any other areas of the park..

Again, all of these services are designed to make your visit to Universal Studios
Tours more enjoyable. If you have any problems at the park, including problems
are situations that are not discussed here you should find a staff member and
request assistance. They will do everything within their power to help you rectify
your problem, and continue with your Universal Studios Tour.

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Height Requirements

Universal Studios is a great deal of fun – for most people. However there are
some who simply will not enjoy a day at Universal Studios Tours – young children
specifically. If you are planning a vacation to Universal Studios, you should take
the height requirements into consideration – or you could end up having a
miserable time.

First, you must be forty-eight inches tall to ride Revenge of the Mummy. You
must be forty six inches tall to ride Jurassic Park, and you must be at least forty
inches tall to ride Back to the Future. If you or your child do not meet these height
requirements, you will not be allowed on the ride. There is a measuring stick that
is used in the queue for each of these attractions.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can get by if you are just a half inch
below the requirements – you can’t. These height requirements are in place to
ensure your safety, and park staff members are trained to adhere strictly to these
rules. Just a tip – high heel shoes won’t get you in either. At Universal Studios,
they’ve seen it all!

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Line Time is a Premium You Shouldn’t Have to Pay at Universal
Hollywood

W ant to know another way you can maximize your time on you Universal Studios
Tour? Buy your tickets online and print them at home. This will save valuable
time standing in line. Plus, by printing them yourself, you save money on
shipping and handling fees. In addition to saving time, I really enjoy saving
money too, especially when on vacation so the fact that they throw in $100 worth
of coupons just for ordering and printing your own tickets is incentive enough
without avoiding the lines later on, and yet, I really hate standing in line.

It seems that so much of our lives are spent waiting in line for one thing or
another: the bank, the library, the pharmacy, the grocery store, parent pick
up— the lines never seem to end. W ho on earth wants to spend their entire
vacation standing in line as well? That is why I think you should check out the
discount that is being offered to online ticket buyers for the “Front of Line Pass”
these passes are restricted by blackout dates but if you’re planning your vacation
at a time other than this, it is well worth checking into. For me the convenience is
worth the expense. I know not everyone will feel the same way and I used to be
like most of you, but time is a luxury that can’t be regained (you can earn more
money but you can’t reclaim lost time) and that is a message that becomes
painfully obvious, as I get older.

Anyway, my advice to you is this. Spend a little time now, while you aren’t on
vacation, in order to make the most of your vacation when it comes around.
You’ll want that time you saved to watch your child’s eyes glow and their jaws
drop as the bottom falls out of their world and the sky ignites with fire! Or
something like that. Have fun!

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Universal Studios Tours Hollywood Ticket Outlet

W hile visiting Universal Studios Tours, you should pay a visit to the Hollywood
Ticket Outlet booth. You can do more than purchase tickets to great shows; you
can also request free tickets for many of the shows that are currently being
filmed. Note that the shows are limited to the ones that allow studio audiences.

There are other services available at the Hollywood Ticket Outlet booth as well.
T hese include upgraded park tickets, visitor information, and foreign currency
exchange. T he Hollywood Ticket Outlet is located by the Blues Brothers stage
inside the park, and it is open during the same days and hours that the park is
open.

Depending on when you visit Universal Studios, and what is going on at that
time, you may be pleasantly surprised to find some really great deals – or to find
yourself sitting in the audience of your favorite television show! Talk about sneak
previews! Even if you don’t plan to purchase any tickets, make sure that you stop
by the Universal Studios Tours Hollywood Outlet booth to see what is being
offered that day.

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Behind The Scenes

If you are really interested in the world of movie making, don’t miss the Universal
Studios T our. The tour takes about one hour, and you will visit the sets of many
famous movies and television shows. This will not only provide you with a day
filled with fun and excitement but you will also get a behind the scenes look at
what it really takes to produce the Movies that we all wait anxiously to see. You
will see the stars dressing rooms, and you may even run into a star or two along
the way, or get to see an outdoors filming session in progress.

The Special Effects Stage, located inside the park, is another attraction you won’t
want to miss. Here, you will learn how Hollywood creatures are made, how sound
effects are produced, and how visual affects are designed and implemented. This
is an interactive attraction, and it only takes about thirty minutes to go all the way
through it. Even though it doesn’t last long, there is a lot of information to be
learned here – quickly! The interaction with the visitors makes this one of the
most popular attractions at the park.

For the most exclusive and personalized look behind the scenes, you should
definitely consider purchasing a VIP Studios Pass. This pass costs under $150
for one person, and it is worth every penny! This will entitle you to a private tour
of Universal Studios, and you will be allowed in areas that standard tour visitors
won’t see. You will also have the right to move right to the front of the line for all
rides and attractions with the VIP pass. VIP passes can be purchased online, by
telephone, or at the park – but they are limited to a certain number of VIP passes
that are issued per day, so get yours as soon as possible.

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Universal Studios is more than an amusement park, it is an interesting and
amazing learning experience that you will never forget – no matter what age you
are. The next time you watch an action movie, you won’t think ‘how did they do
that?’ You will already have some idea as to how those special effects were
created! You may even get so much out of your Universal Studios Tour
experience that you think of ways that you could have done it better!

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Attractions to See

W hen you are planning a trip to Universal Studios, there are many attractions to
keep you occupied, including the Universal Studios Tour, which takes about one
hour. However, there are some attractions that absolutely must not be missed!

All of the rides have a movie theme, and if you’ve seen the movies, this makes
the rides more enjoyable. Start with Backdraft. This isn’t actually a ride, but it is a
fire show that features lots of stunts and interaction. Other shows that must not
be missed include Animal Planet Live, W aterW orld, and Fear Factor Live. W ith
Fear Factor Live, make sure that you know what you are getting into before you
agree to participate!

Terminator 2: 3D is the same as the movie T erminator 2 – but it is in 3D, which

you probably have not yet seen. The Mummy Returns: Chamber of Doom is like
a haunted house that you walk through, which is full of thrills. T he Studio Tour
will have you on the set of Jaws and Psycho, in a western town, on a New York
street, and experiencing an earthquake with King Kong.

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Incredible Rides

If you are looking for fun, thrills, and adventure, Universal Studios is the place to
go. T here are rides that will thrill you and rides that will scare you senseless.
From caves to the air, there is something to please all of the thrill seekers out
there.

Start your day with Revenge of the Mummy. This is a psychological thrill ride that
is unlike anything you have ever experienced. This is a roller coaster ride in total
darkness. Traveling at a very high speed, you will have many terrifying creatures
jumping out at you. If your heart is still beating and you think you can handle
more, your next stop should be Jurassic Park: The Ride.

Jurassic Park may seem a bit tame after Revenge of the Mummy, but it is still
great fun, and there are still many thrills. This ride entails you riding a raft which
is slowly being cranked up. Dinosaurs of various breeds appear out of nowhere
while you are going up. Suddenly, you and your raft are falling quickly downhill,
and the ride ends with a huge splash that leaves you soaked! Make sure you
bring a change of clothes, because you will want to move on to Back to the
Future.

Back to the Future will have you riding in a car like the one on the movie. The
scenes from the movie literally come to life, and many people experience motion
sickness…so if you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to skip this one.
Other attractions not to miss if you enjoy thrills include Nickelodeon Blast Zone,
Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula, the Special Effects Stages, and Shrek 4-D.

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If you get scared easily, you may want to avoid these thrill rides and attractions.
They are also not recommended for very young children, pregnant women, or
people with heart conditions. People with anxiety issues should avoid these
attractions as well. There are many tamer rides and attractions that can be
enjoyed in the park if the thrill seeking rides aren’t suitable for you.

The purpose of going to the park is to have fun. If the thrill rides and attractions
scare you to the point where it isn’t fun anymore, than they should be avoided.
Don’t allow others in your party to coerce you into visiting the attractions that
scare you too badly. Again, there are many attractions at Universal Studios Tours
that are suitable for those who aren’t comfortable with the thrill seeking rides – so
don’t think that you can’t have a good time without getting scared senseless!

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Jurassic Park the Ride is What a Visit to Universal is All About,
Jurassic Sized Thrills

Jurassic Park the Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is the epitome of the thrills
and suspense that bring us back for more. This is a ride that everyone in the
family will want to ride. Unfortunately there is a height restriction of 46 inches.

The ride follows along the path of the first movie in many ways. It’s an
amusement ride that is peaceful and allows the passengers to watch the
dinosaurs in their ‘natural’ habitat. Then things go wrong. From that point on, the
thrills take over the ride. This ride is quite an adrenaline rush and you should be
prepared to get wet.

One truly unique thing about this particular ride is that it allows you participate in
a program called ‘child switch’ in which one parent can wait with younger children
while the other enjoys the ride, then switch so that both parents/adults in your
party get to enjoy the ride.

If you like thrills, drops, and water, this is the ride for you. Be prepared for the
water though and be sure to have any belongings you may have with you
protected from the water. This is a ride that is meant to be a lot of fun, so sit
back, relax, and be prepared to have your pants scared off.

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Mummy the Ride Delivers on all the Promised Thrills

Of all the offerings at Universal Studios Hollywood, the one must see stop (if you
don’t have small children with you) is the newest attraction. Revenge of the
Mummy the Ride offers frights, chills, and thrills in the silence that is broken only
by the sounds of the undead creatures and your own screams.

Using sand-filled tracks that work to muffle the sounds of the coaster the
designers of this ride have managed to amplify the suspense and intensity that
this extremely thrilling ride offers. Your heart will race not only at the ride itself but
the creepy crawly creatures of the night that seem to literally come out of the
walls.

The creators claim to have made serious use of the ‘science of fear’ in the
making of this ride and they really deliver. Almost every conceivable phobia is
addressed during the course of this ride. This is one ride that I absolutely
recommend against bringing small children on. But if you are a true adrenaline
junkie then this ride should give you a healthy dose of it.

This is not a ride for the faint-hearted. This ride delivers on all the promises that
Universal made about it and is definitely on my list of must do’s for my time at
Universal. Check it out and if you don’t have a few chills on this ride, then you
might want to check your pulse afterwards.

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Nickelodeon Blast Zone

If you bring younger kids, aged twelve and under, to Universal Studios, they will
probably be most interested in the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. Featuring three
attractions in one, this is one of the few attractions that really appeal to the
younger crowd at Universal Studios Tours, so you can expect them to spend a
great deal of time there.

Shaped like a huge orange rocket, the Nickelodeon Blast Zone is a big hit. This is
a huge play area basically – and it is unlike any playground that your kids have
ever experienced. There are three sections of the playground: The W ild
Thornberry’s Adventure Temple, Nickelodeon Splash, and The Nick Jr. Backyard.

The Nick Jr. Backyard is the only place in Universal Studios that will be of any
interest to toddlers. In fact, it is the only safe place for toddlers. If you bring a
toddler with you to Universal Studios Tours, plan to spend the entire day here.

Nickelodeon Splash is a water area. Bring a change of dry clothes, because the
kids will get soaked here. T hey can fill buckets of water in a fun variety of ways,
create waterfalls, and stand under waterfalls. There are also many mounted
water guns to be used and enjoyed.

The W ild Thornberrys Adventure Temple is an extensive playground. W hile here,

you will have foam balls flying through the air all over the place – the kids are
able to shoot and throw them, and since they are made of soft foam, they are
safe.

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The kids can also meet many characters here, including the Rugrats and Blue’s
Clues Characters. T he attraction is located on the upper lot, and is open
everyday that the park is open. If you don’t want your child to get wet, avoid this
attraction altogether, because with all of the water flying around and being
dumped, there is really no way to avoid getting wet. If your child is too young to
enjoy the attraction by themselves, you will be getting wet as well.

Overall, this is the only attraction that younger kids will enjoy at Universal Studios
Tours. As a parent or guardian, you should expect to spend most of your time
here, and you should never leave your child unattended. T his is not a place to
drop your kids off for the day while you go enjoy other attractions. Instead, use
the buddy system with other responsible adults in your party – one should stay
with the kids, while the other adults go enjoy the attractions, and relieve each
other often so everyone has fun.

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Now You Really can Dress like the Stars

Ever wanted to dress like the stars? W ell, the W ardrobe Dept. at Universal
Studios Hollywood allows you the opportunity to literally wear what your favorite
star is wearing. The real beauty of the clothing offered at the W ardrobe Dept. is
the price tag that is attached to them. The prices are popular and the clothes are
available in a wide variety of styles. Not only for women, they have a good
selection of clothing for men as well and they come in a wide range of styles.
There is also the occasional one-of-a-kind item that was custom made for the
actor that wore it. And every article of clothing comes with a certificate of
authenticity that tells the television show on which it was worn.

W hile I am far from a fashion connoisseur, even I have had moments watching
television when I thought, “oh, I wish I could find something like that.” As a matter
of fact that happens far more often than I care to admit. If you are a savvy
shopper and happen to live in the area, then perhaps you should consider the
“Buy a day get 2006 Free” promotion that is currently going on. Of course, this is
subject to black out dates and general restrictions but if you’re going primarily for
the shopping this is something worth considering. Or even better if you’re going
just to look and get ideas about combinations for clothing items and accessories
you can put together on your own by examining what the stars wear.

Anyway, here’s your chance to really look like a star and at a price that it not too
prohibitive. Even if you don’t come out of the store with a new wardrobe, you may
be able to get a few snapshots of yourself dressed as your favorite star, or at the
very least come out with some new wardrobe ideas.

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Sometimes the Surprise Attractions Offer the Most Entertainment

T wo of the lesser known attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood are T he

Blues Brothers ® and the tribute to “I Love Lucy.” These attractions didn’t make
the high thrills, big budget marquis lists of attractions at Universal Studios
Hollywood, but they should most definitely be at the very least considered for
your time here.

First of all, I Love Lucy is an almost iconic show for television culture in America.
It is a show that represents a time of innocence for our country in movies and
television that would be rather sad to forget. Lucille Ball is a very important
actress in American movies and her madcap character in this particular television
show is legendary. I am so happy that Universal chose to make a tribute to her in
this way.

And what can you really say about the Blues Brothers ®? They are as well
known in different ways. Lucy was known for her comedic madcap humor and
the Blues Brothers ® are known for their music. And they do deliver. However,
you must go against my normal advice attend on the weekend if you want to
catch this performance.

If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, these are two
attractions that will most definitely contribute to your overall enjoyment of your
Universal Studios Tour.

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The Special Effects Stages are Absolute Musts for Your Universal
Studios Tour

You can’t really go on a Universal Studios T our without visiting the Special
Effects Stages. It is here that you learn how movie magic is really made. It begins
with a display of camera techniques and continues on to show you several tricks
and tips for making the blockbuster movies that delight audiences around the
world.

The end of your tour of these stages may even call you called upon to create
special effects of your very own so pay close attention. This is probably one of
the most interesting attractions at Universal because you are actually learning
about the very thing that draws us to places such as Universal Studios in the first
place. I remember as a child watching Star W ars, the first of its kind, and then
later watching E.T. these movies captured my attention as well as my
imagination and have been an important component of my history.

My love of special effects was sealed with these movies that came out very early
in my childhood and yet somehow defined my generation and reshaped the
movie industry. Learning about special effects and finding out how they are done,
is making the most of your Universal Studios Tour.

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Universal Studios City Walk is a Can’t be Missed Stop on Your
Universal Tour

If you are planning a trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood, you need to make a
point of hitting the City W alk on your way out. You can find almost anything at the
City W alk and it has become an important part of the overall Universal
experience.

You can find everything from food, to great shopping, to bowling, to NASCAR
racing simulations. There’s also a Rumba Room (you can learn more about the
Rumba Room at www.rumbaroom.com). And if you’re in the mood for a
Mechanical Bull then you will definitely want to mosey on down to the Saddle
Ranch Chop House, while you’re there you can try out some of their sumptuous
steaks. They also have an outdoor dance floor and big screens for your favorite
sports. You can’t miss out on the Red W ings just because you’re on vacation
after all.

And if this isn’t enough for you, there’s food, wonderful foods of many flavors.
From fast food to W olfgang Puck and everywhere in between (don’t forget to stop
by The Crepe Café for some yummy crepes) Universal Studios City W alk has
much to offer those who are seeking respite from a long hot day in the sun. Just
don’t forget the shopping. Mom has been carrying babies, bags, and burgers all
day long, now is the time when you can let her have some fun!

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Universal Studios Back Lot Tram Tour is a Universal Must

You can’t really go to Universal Studios without actually going on a tour of

Universal Studios. The tram ride may appear to have long lines but the lines tend
to move quickly. My suggestion for this particular ride is that you make it your first
thing to do on your day at Universal. T his ride takes you around the complex and
gives you a good idea of things you may want to see and experience later in the
day. W hereas if you wait until the end of the day you may become bummed out
by the seeing several things you may have missed.

This ride, unlike other rides and attractions in the park, lasts about an hour and is
very thoughtfully and artfully done. Many people list this particular ride as the
highlight of their trip to Universal (yet another reason to make this ride your first
ride of the day, you won’t be worn out, hungry, or nearly as frustrated as you
would after the other lines you will be waiting in throughout the day) so it is very
well worth the wait.

Some recommend skipping this ride if you have small children. I say you know
your children best, if you think this ride will be too intense (and it can be quite
intense as it does engage all the senses) then this ride might be something that
should be skipped or you can opt to elect one family member to remain with the
smaller children while other family members ride. This is a ride that appeals to
people from all walks of life. It offers thrills, chills, and excitement. A must see, if
at all possible on your Universal Tour.

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Hollywood Animal Actors Steal the Show at Universal Hollywood

W hile most of the attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood are geared towards
adults and older children and teens, there are a few attractions that are family
friendly, while remaining exciting and fun even to the older kids and teens on
your trip.

Hollywood Animal Actors is one such attraction. Younger children and older
children, teens, and parents alike will enjoy the crazy antics of these wacky
animals. These shows thrive on audience participation and are always good for
laugh after you’ve spent a few hours in the baking in the hot southern California
sun while waiting for a five minute thrill ride. In fact, this show can help you find
your lost sense of humor; in fact your sense of humor could become the very
object of the show if you aren’t careful.

Smaller children love watching the animals and the interaction the older audience
members enjoy the participation and the madcap fun of this show. If you’re
looking for a calming break from the thrills and spills, this is the show for you.

Keep in mind that it is all in good, clean fun and a riot of laughs for everyone. The
purpose of a vacation is to have fun, and this show will help you let your hair
down and do just that.

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Universal Studios Tours and Jay Leno

If you will be visiting Universal Studios Tours, and you wish to see the Tonight
Show with Jay Leno, you may be in luck – if you get to the Hollywood Ticket
Outlet booth early enough. Getting to see Jay Leno in person and be a part of the
Tonight Show audience may be the perfect end to the perfect day!

Again, make sure that you get to the booth early. Exclusive seating is limited to a
first come, first serve basis. Only two priority tickets will be made available for
each person, and nobody under the age of sixteen may attend the show. These
tickets go fairly fast, and once they are gone, they are gone for good.

The Hollywood Ticket Outlet Booth is located inside the Universal Studios Tours
park, near the Blues Brothers stage. If you get there early enough, you could be
sitting in the studio audience enjoying Jay Leno’s monolog very shortly! Your
friends won’t believe you, so make sure that you get souvenirs before leaving
Universal Studios, and save your ticket stub!

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Universal Studios Tours and Television Audiences

Have you ever dreamed of sitting in the audience of your favorite television
shows? Now you can – at the Universal Studios T ours T V Audience Booth. This
could be the opportunity of a lifetime, but you need to move fast.

Make your way to the TV Audience Booth inside the park. Find out what shows
are filming on that particular day, or for other days when you will be at the park.
The tickets are free, but there is limited availability, and not all shows will be
filming everyday. You can often find out the filming schedule for shows by calling
ahead. W ith that schedule, you can plan your trip to coincide with the filming of
your favorite shows.

W hat better way to spend part of your Universal Studios T our vacation? You can
see what is going to happen on your favorite television shows well in advance.
You can even make a game of it! Don’t tell you friends that you were in the
audience, and place bets as to what is going to happen later in the series!

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Fear Factors Greatly at Universal

For the ultimate audience participation experience at Universal Studios, you

absolutely must go to the Fear Factor Live attraction. In order to participate you
would have to sign up well ahead of time and meet certain physical requirements
and be willing to absolve the park of any liability. Even if you are not among the
brave participants, I am sure you will find the show to be very much like a train
wreck.

W hile certain aspects may frighten or disgust you, you find yourself helpless to
look away. For me this is a must skip, because I have such an insane fear of
snakes and they often use snakes for one of their challenges. But if confronting
fears, or more importantly, watching others confront their fears is something that
gets you excited, and we all know that to some degree that thrill is what brings us
to places like Universal Studios Hollywood, this may be a show that you will find
entertaining.

W hether this is a little too much for your taste or not, this particular attraction is
very much in keeping with parks underlying commitment to make people confront
and face their fears. In fact the creators of Universal would probably be the first
to agree that forcing people to face their fears is the very magic that makes
Universal work.

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Backdraft is Not for Everyone; But Offers Real Excitement for the
Action Addict

The Backdraft attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, probably one of the

most interesting to see, from the point of view of a lover of movie magic. The
show is divided into three parts. The first two parts are both educational and
entertaining. The purpose of the first two parts of the show is to educate you
about how the movie was actually made. They take the time to explain what
happens with the fire and how they made the show.

The final room is a recreation of a warehouse fire. W ith my nature as an

explosion junkie I am all about this particular attraction. I found it be exciting,
thrilling, exhilarating, you name it. This is a show that you could possibly take
your children to. You know your children best and can best judge how they will
react to the explosions and fire and I recommend caution if you feel they may be
overly frightened or become hysterical. Ironically younger children tend to fare
better in this particular attraction than the older children.

Ultimately it comes down to your personal tastes, likes, and dislikes. If you’re an
action junkie you will be far more likely to completely and utterly enjoy this
attraction. If you aren’t into action sequences, you will probably not like this one
at all. So only you can decide if this is a must see for you or one to put on your
long list of those that you will see if and only if you find the time.

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Van Helsing Fails to Pack the Powerful Punch that Universal can
Deliver

One would hope that if you are planning a trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood,
that you are at the very least a serious movie fan. I mean you are after all
planning a trip to movie magic central. T his isn’t a bad idea actually. If you’re
anything like me, there are some movies that you find more appealing than
others. Van Helsing was for me one of those movies that I simply adored from
the start. I know the story and appreciate the character, but I’m getting away from
the topic at hand, which is the Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula at Universal Studios
in Hollywood.

If you want to make the most of your trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, I
recommend skipping this attraction. Especially if you are a fan of the story or the
character, you will find yourself disappointed if you spend your time here. You
have no idea how much it really pains me to recommend against this attraction
because of my deep love of the story. At any rate, I feel your time would be better
spent on other attractions than standing in line for this particular one.

If this is something you absolutely want to see, I say go for it, but if it wasn’t on
your short list, you may consider it if you have seen all the attractions that made
your short list and have time left over, but I wouldn’t dare to say that your trip to
Universal would be lacking in anything if you skipped this attraction all together.

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Water World at Universal is a True Example of Hollywood’s Ability
Revive the Dead

In a true display of movie making magic, Universal Studios Hollywood has

created a hit from a flop. W ater W orld was rather disappointing as a movie, but
the W ater W orld attraction has made up for what the movie lacked in thrilling
effects. From outstanding explosions to suspenseful stunts this show delivers
where the movie failed.

There is a pre-show put on by the performers in which they encourage audience

participation; this is one of the better performances at Universal because of this
fact. Getting the audience involved drives the beginning of the story and the
interesting plot delivers it.

Everything that seems to be missing in the one is present in the Universal show.
This power packed performance keeps the audience thrilled throughout the
performance. This show, while more family friendly than many of the attractions
still may not be a good idea for smaller children who are frightened by loud
noises. If your children are anything like mine, they make noises much louder at
each other so it’s probably not a problem.

There’s nothing like a good sea battle to get the juices flowing on a piping hot
southern California afternoon. I think this attraction will greatly enhance your visit
to Universal if you have the time to check it out.

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Nickelodeon Blast Zone is a Blast of Refreshing Coolness in the
Southern California Sun

If family fun is the order of the day for your Universal Studios tour, then the
Nickelodeon Blast Zone should be a can’t miss attraction for you and your family.
Ideal for the younger children in your family, there is even lowbrow fun for older
kids, big kids (the grown up kind), and teens in this area.

The W ild Thornberry’s Adventure Temple and Nickelodeon Splash are the key
elements of Blast Zone. Just remember to either bring a change of clothes or
wear something that is splash friendly and hopefully will dry quickly. It’s called the
Blast Zone for a reason as the Nickelodeon Splash provides all around water fun
for everyone.

It’s a great place to cool off from the hot afternoon Southern California sunshine
and I recommend this for an afternoon activity rather than somewhere to go
earlier in the day for many reasons. 1) If you save it for the afternoon, it gives
something for the younger kids to look forward to all day (don’t make it the last
thing, just some time after lunch—they will only be patient so long). 2) T he
afternoon is when people are starting to get tired, cranky, and hot—it’s a good
time to cool down with a little splish splash fun. And 3) Even in summer the
Southern California mornings and evenings can get quite cool quite quickly, you
don’t want to be wet when the cool down begins.

Remember this trip is about fun quality time with your family. Your children will
have twice as much fun being silly, if you are being silly with them. Have fun and
be silly, that’s what it’s all about!

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Terminator 2:3D Is a Thrill-packed Adventure Worthy of Universal

Terminator 2:3D is making waves at all three Universal Studios. Arnold

Schwarzenegger is back in the role that made him famous, only this time he is
immortalized in 3-D film. Not only did Schwarzenegger return but Linda Hamilton
and Edward Furlong return also.

If you want an experience that will have you alternately ducking in your seat and
standing up to cheer, then this is the show for you. The combination of big
screen effects with live actors on stage make for quite an exciting show. The
combination of motion, sounds, and lights offer a stunningly convincing effect.
Audience members become unwitting participants in the show, which merges
fiction and reality like none I have seen before.

If you like thrills, spills, and chills then this is the show for you. I have to admit
that I am an action junky, I rate movies by the explosions involved. The bigger
and better the explosion the more likely I am to enjoy the movie. That being said,
it goes without saying that the T 2:3D experience was a favorite for me. This may
not be appropriate however, if you have small children with you as the action,
lights, motion, and sound effects can be quite intense and frightening to small
children.

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If you’re Looking for a Happy Ending for your Universal Studios Tour,
- Try Shrek 4-D

Shrek 4-D is quite possibly the most popular attraction at Universal Studios
Hollywood at the moment. It offers adventure, thrills, chills, and a happy ending
that will appeal to everyone in the family. Yes, even the skeptical teenagers will
find themselves enjoying this attraction, even if it’s completely against their will.

I think that is perhaps the best part of all about the entire Shrek enterprise. You
grow quite fond of someone who really pretends not to care. Much like many
teens I know and knew (though it seems so long ago), Shrek is all the more
loveable for his insecurities. And this show is probably the highlight of Universal
Studios Hollywood for anyone under the age of 12. If it didn’t make your short list
of must see attractions, then perhaps you should reconsider, especially if you are
bringing children with you on this trip.

For the kid in all of us, the Shrek 4D experience is a can’t miss attraction at
Universal Studios in Hollywood. If you love fairy tales, happy endings and just
desserts, then this is definitely going to be a highlight for your Universal
memories.

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