Aside from the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios California may just about be the most popular attraction in the whole of Tinseltown. Offering visitors the chance to get a sneak peak at how movies are made as well as an adrenaline boost from its rides, the theme park is highly sought out.
Universal film studios themselves are amongst the oldest in all of Hollywood. During the early days of the studio visitors would head over to Universal City, north of the Hollywood Hills, and be escorted around various soundstages, backlots and sets. Such tours were abandoned when film first adjusted to using sound, but were taken up again in the 1960s as a way for the studio to make money. Today the actual backlot tours are almost secondary to the rest of the hyperbole taking place within the grounds.
Having grown exponentially over the years, the park now features a number of exhilarating rides, shows and performers, as well as a whole host of eateries and merchandise shops, many of which are tied in with Universal’s productions. As well as expanding itself, the park has gone on to spawn a number of offshoot parks across America and even as far as PortAventura, Spain and Osaka, Japan.
Guests visiting Universal Studios California will find it located on two lots. The Upper Lot includes the park entrance, a number of rides, stores and shows. The Lower Lot features a number of different rides as well as access to the studio sets and tour. Across both lots a variety of famous characters will stop by to say ‘Hello.’ Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the likes of Beetlejuice, Homer Simpson and Scooby-Doo. It might be a good idea to keep your neck covered if you happen to cross Dracula’s path.
The studio tour is conducted by tram. Visitors hop aboard and the tram trolley makes its way around the vast studio sets. As well as an onboard tour guide, TV comedian Jimmy Fallon will throw in a few gems via the electronic screens.
As the trolley winds around the studio complex, visitors can expect to encounter some of the most famous landmarks in film and TV history as well as relive some of the most iconic scenes. Gaze at the Bates Mansion and hotel from Psycho; gasp as Jaws jumps out of the water; shiver as you pass the plane crash from War of the Worlds; or catch a real life view of Wysteria Lane, the famous address of Desperate Housewives.
The famous King Kong attraction was destroyed in a 2008 fire. In its place is a new King Kong 360 3D event, which sees Kong battle a dinosaur as the tram sits idly by.
Many of the theme park rides at Universal Studios California are based on some of the most famous movie and television properties out there. Guests can expect the likes of Jurassic Park, The Mummy, The Terminator, The Simpsons and Waterworld to have been given the Universal treatment.