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Riding the Movies:
Universal Studios Hollywood Report
- UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD TRIP REPORT
© 2000 Darryl Musick
Let’s start off with the most important part. Universal Studios Hollywood is the most accessible theme park in Southern California. If I’m counting right, only two attractions require that you transfer out of your chair. The only bad part is that it is not as big and does not have as many rides as the other big three amusement parks in the area....Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Getting to the park is easy too. USH is the only theme park in Southern California served via subway. The completely accessible Metro Red Line has a Universal City stop across the street. A free tram will take you up to the top of the hill to the entrance (the tram driver will radio up to dispatch for an accessible vehicle for you). Red Line fare is currently $1.35 or $.45 for disabled and seniors.
The view from the Studio Tour entrance on a clear day. The Universal backlot is in the foreground and Warner Brothers Studios are in the background
Admission prices are scary because the park keeps them on par
with Disneyland (currently $43 for adults) but generous add-ons make it
easier to take. For example there are two current add-on specials.
Every full price admission through the end of this year (2000) includes
a three month unlimited pass. For an extra $9 you can upgrade your
one day admission to an annual pass that has 333 days of free admissions
after deducting the blackout dates. Discounts such as AAA and local
supermarkets are also readily available. Parking is currently $7.
- The Studio Tour is USH’s best know attraction.
Follow the wheelchair symbols for a special pre-boarding area where the
tram driver will tie your chair down on the tram. You will then embark
on a 90 minute tour of the actual studio backlot and see such film icons
as the Psycho house. Special demonstrations include an earthquake
in a subway station, encounters with King Kong & the Jaws shark, a
collapsing bridge, and surviving the Mummy’s tomb.
What Universal does better than anyone else is to entertain.
The shows here blow away anything else around. Waterworld is an explosive-laden
battle based on the Kevin Costner bomb with special effects that will really
leave you wondering how they can do that (especially the finale).
But, there is so much more....
- After the tour, next door is the Back
to the Future ride. Again, follow the signs for access (be sure to
get a guide for disabled guests at the front gate) which are way off to
the left of the main ride entrance. You must transfer out of your
chair into the ride vehicle for this one. This is a very good motion
simulation ride (better than Star Tours at Disney) where you chase Biff
from the Back to the Future movies across time. The theming is excellent
on this ride (as are all of USH’s rides & attractions) as you enter
Doc Brown’s labs.
Parents might want to take a little break here and head over
to Mulligan’s Irish Pub, a full bar where you can play darts of watch sports
on TV will having that cool soothing drink before tackling the next big
attraction across the way....
- Terminator 2 3D wins hands down my vote
for the best show or attraction here. Speak with the employees at
the entrance for access, you will be let up the ramp before anyone else.
Also the guides here will, upon request, supply you with complimentary
ear plugs. Why? Because this is the loudest attraction in the
park (consider yourself warned). I also would hesitate to take any
kids younger than 10 on this attraction.
The attraction is supposed to be a tour and demonstration of the technology of Cyberdine Systems, the nefarious corporation that built Sky-Net in the Terminator movies and unleashed those nasty terminators on us. A corporate shill leads us into the theater (the guide will show you to the wheelchair locations) and instructs us to put on our protective eye wear given to us at the beginning.
Six nasty looking security robots emerge and proceed to demonstrate their targeting accuracy. Of course, things quickly get out of hand as Sara and John Connor enter and bring that evil T-1000 terminator with them. This is an incredible show and no expense was spared in the effects that pretty much seamlessly blend in with the live actors in the show. Think of this as a much more elaborate and grown up version of Disney’s “Honey I Shrunk the Audience” show. I can’t wait to do this one again.
Watch out for sharks!
In this section of the park, you can also experience the Wild
West Stunt Show, the Animal Friends Show, the Rugrats Show, and stick your
head in a great white’s mouth.
If you need a lunch break before heading off to the second half of the park, I’d recommend you get your hand stamped and dine at the adjacent Citywalk. The food will be less expensive and probably taste better too.
Back in the park, if you cannot take the massive escalator down
to the Studio Center in the lower half of the park, take the elevators
that are just to the right of the escalator down one level. There,
a ramp equipped van will take you down.
- In the lower half of the lot you can experience
Jurassic Park, the Ride. Here you ride through the dinosaur zoo of
Jurassic Park before losing your way and plunging down a waterfall to escape
those nasty t-rexes.
On the way down in the van riders get an extra close view
of the sound stages that the general park goer misses and can sometimes
see working sets inside the massive doors. Many dressing rooms are
also in this area and is probably the best place to actually see recognizable
celebrities as opposed to the Studio Tour which avoids working sets.
- Next to Jurassic Park is E.T. the ride.
You can transfer into this ride but there is also a ride vehicle take can
hold your wheelchair. This is a great ride for all ages and has excellent
theming plus a strong story.
The Studio Center is also home to the Gamezone arcade and
the Cinemagic attraction which demonstrates how effects are added to movies.
The Lucille Ball museum and gift shop are also here.
- Backdraft is a walk-through attraction
based on the Ron Howard firefighting movie of the same name. Three
sets are recreated from the movie as the tour guide, Ron Howard (via video),
and Scott Glenn (also via video) explain how the actors and crew had to
work with the fire effects (the ashblaster seems particularly nasty and
Mr. Glenn relishes how he was able to destroy it personally at the end
of the shoot).
The third set is a recreation of the movie's final scenes in the burning warehouse. There are many explosions and much fire along with some added audience effects. Wheelchairs are escorted to various locations along the tour for better traffic flow and views.
After a trip back up the hill to the main lot of the park,
you might want to take in some seasonal shows and attractions such as the
Grinchmas or the Alvin & the Chipmunks show. To top of a day
at Universal, I can think of nothing better that to wander through Citywalk
(adjacent to the front gate) and peruse its many shops and restaurants.
You can take in a movie at the theater, go on a motion simulator ride,
have dinner at the Hard Rock Café, and see a show at the B.B King's
club or Wizardz magic club.
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