We are going to be vactioning at the Disneyland resort in June for over a week. We have always driven down, parked the car and not left the property until time to go home. This time I am thinking about venturing out a bit... maybe Universal Studies.

The last time I went was way, way back in the 1970s and I realize a lot may have changed. I have absolutely no idea what to expect, what to tell my husband and children to expect. This is what I remember: A tram ride, rushing water down a road, foam "rocks", tours of a sound stage, dressing room and an outside performance with stunt men.

I would so appreciate some expert insight, information and suggestions. My other thought, so as to avoid driving during LA's dreaded commute, is to use a shuttle service. Any recommendations?

:) Thank you so very much in advance,
DisneyMeiMei
(I am not being a traitor to my favorite place, I just have an extra day! ;) )

Here is the low down on USH right now. A LOT has changed since you last visited the park it sounds. Since you havent been there in a while, it is worth the trip and you should have a good time. Heres a quick overview and info for you to use.

TICKETS
First off, the park hours are very limited. Universals hours are from 9-9 in the summer but I believe those start in July. The rest of the time they are in the 10-6 range. Not 100% positive on that, check the web for updates. Right now park admission is same as Disney, $49 for a one day pass. They do offer other types of tickets, a "GATE A" pass is $79 dollars and what that does is get you front of the line privelages at all rides and shows and also behind the scenes at the shows. Note though, in the peak season, Universal doesnt offer the behind the scenes at the shows because of the quick turnaround on showtimes. So advice is during peak, the Gate A Pass is not worth it. The front of the line part works like a fastpass only you can use it anytime, not marked for certain boardign times. Sometimes in the peak season, they will limit how many times you can use the Gate A pass. EX: maybe only twice per ride. But they do that on rare occasions. Lines usually arent that bad. but they wont be walk on. So basically youd be paying more to just get shortler lines, up to you. depends on if you like waiting. They also offer a VIP Tour Package. This is costly, close to $130 a person. (I believe kids are cheaper) This is all the perks of the GATE A and some. WHat you get, a VIP Tour guide for the whole day. Basically, you walk directly on every ride, no waiting in line, you also get reserved seating at the shows, AND you get a VIP backlot tour. It is similar to the backlot tour in the park, only on this one, you actually get off the tram at one point and visit a working set. Note the backlot tour in the park does NOT offer this part.

ATTRACTIONS / SHOWS
They have added a lot of new rides and shows since your last visit. RIght now, these are the shows offered in the park. WATERWORLD, is a live action stunt show based off the box office flop movie of the same name. However, the show is one of a kind and not to be missed. During peak they run up to 9 shows a day sometimes, check it out during the day to get "cooled" off from the heat, Make sure you go back at night to see it. The night sky provides a better show for the fireworks and explosions in the show. ANIMAL PLANET LIVE is exactly what it sounds like. Geared more towards kids but adults will love it too. Trained animal actors and trainers put on a show of how animals are trained for tv and movies. SPIDERMAN ROCKS is a musical stunt show, more music than stunts, a lot of pyrotechnics, and dancing. Good music if youre into that, though not a edge of your seat thriller, a good show in all though. BACKDRAFT and SPECIAL EFFECT STAGES are indoor attracions where you observe special effects being performed from various movies. Good to cool off inside, except Backdraft, a very cool attraction, yet very hot inside! ;) BLUES BROTHERS, just a music show with songs from the movies, another relaxer show.

As far as rides, SHREK 4-D is a 3D motion ride where you watch a 3D movie while your seat moves and effects happen around you. Lots of fun. TERMINATOR 2-3D. pretty much exact same thing as Shrek, only live actors interact with the 3D movie, very exciting as well. BACK TO THE FUTURE, motion simulator ride, similar to Star Tours at DL, only larger scale. VAN HELSING haunted maze, this opens in May and will be based on the new movie. basically a haunted house, the last one was from the mummy and was fun. REVENGE OF THE MUMMY, is an indoor rollercoaster/dark ride, supposed to open June 25, should have soft opens prior but not sure. This is Universals biggest attraction yet and is supposed to draw large large crowds during opening week. If you go on opening week, dont be surprised if you see lines in 3+ hour range. JURASSIC PARK THE RIDE is a water ride set in Jurassic Park. you WILL get soaked, great for a hot day. Finally, the BACKLOT TRAM TOUR. a must for any guest. this is where you want to start your day. its an hour long tour of the backlot sets. There are TONS of photo opportunities. You will see sets from Back to teh Future, Bruce Almighty, The Grinch, Jurassic Park and many others. Also on the tour you encounter Jaws, King Kong, Earthquake and other special attractions.

Thats all as far as rides and shows. I know, not many, but theyre all fun in one way or another. There is also CITYWALK. an outdoor mall type atmosphere with unique shops, restaurants, and clubs. No admission to go to it. Its just right there. A great place to hang out after a long day in the park. Similar to Downtown Disney. Howl at the Moon is a GREAT bar to hang out at if youre into that. Check those out.

Well, theres a lot of info in there, just some of what there is to offer. Feel free to ask anything else. I was a former CM there so I know all the in's and out's. Id be happy to help make your visit worth while. LEt me know. Hope all works out and have a great time!

DisneyDustin,
Thank you for all the information and the time it took to write. This really sounds like a fun day. I have one more question, do you pay an admission price and then separate ride prices, or is it like Disneyland, all included? This will help with our decision. Thank you again, this is very appreciated.
DisneyMeiMei :)

It's all included. My biggest point to add, is arrive EARLY - if you get there for opening, ride the first few trams out, then head to the lower lot (where Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy reside), you can work your way from the back of the park to the front, and really steer clear of a lot of the crowds.

Good advice CoasterMatt, thank you.
DisneyMeiMei

yup, one price for the whole day. just like DL. One more tip I'd like to add, as far as food goes. Universal doesnt have the best retaurants inside. Like Disney has Blue Bayou and other well themed and good tasting restaurants. Universal serves mainly theme park foor. Pizza, Burgers, Etc. So if you want maximum enjoyment out of your day, I suggest grabbing a light snack in the park for lunch. Then I would head out to citywalk for dinner. They offer sit down restaurants with great food. Hard Rock Cafe is good, Camachos is a very good mexican restaurant, Bucca Di Beppo is an italian place with unbelievable food in large portions. THey also have Tony Romas and a great seafood place, Gladstones and some Sushi places.

Coastermatt is correct, you want to start on the tram like I said earlier, then head down to the lower lot. Do Jurassic Park and Mummy a few times. backdraft and special effects. The escalators down to the lower lot take roughy 7-10 min each way depending on crowds. You dont want to be going up and down all day, it wastes a lot of time. Also, the lower lot closes 1 hour prior to the rest of the park, it also opens 1 hour later than the rest of the park. Which is why I suggest Tram first then head right down there.

As far as wait times go. It is a lot like Disney, where you can hit some rides during show times and theyll be less crowded. For example, The Van Helsing Maze should be pretty crowded because of it being new, during Waterworld shows it should slow down because Waterworld is right next door. After waterworld lets out, it will get slammed, usually up to a 30-45 min wait. sometimes longer. at night, it should be down to a 5 min wait or lower. Also, Back to the Future gets hit hard in the morning because its one of the first things open, its also usually hit hard at night because its the only attraction in the park open until closing. All the shows are done before closing. "Sometimes" depending on attendance, they will add a spiderman show or waterworld show after the park closes. this is only done when the park is near capacity to accomodate guests if they missed a show during the day. but shrek, terminator, animal planet all hold their last shows usually a half hour before park closes. Lower lot closes an hour before park closes. So dont expect a DL type closing where at 11:59 you can run on Splash or Space and be in there til well after closing. Universal like to shut down everything before closing so basically the only thing to do at park closing is leave =) maybe a little shopping, but thats about it.

One last tip, a LOT of guests complain about this, if youre a "movie fan" or whatever and are coming with hopes to see some behind the scenes work, I do advise to come on a weekday, Not only will crowds be light, BUT, almost nothing works at the studio on weekends, especially during summer. no tv shows tape in summer, only movies. and they only work during the week. so if you come on a sunday and take the tram tour, youre basically driving through a ghost town. lots of people complain about not seeing anything but tehres no control over it. sometimes during the week you wont see anything either, all depends on whats working at the time. but during the week you will have a better chance.

Have fun!

yea, i agree with everything you said BUT,

the Front of the line IS worth it on peak days, thats when you would want it because its so full...

and also Shrek is always opened till park closing
cuzz its new so they try and get it to be the last thing runing, plus its close to the entrance

hey tony, what i meant was, say park closes at 9. you can still get in line to BTTF at 9 to ride it. with Shrek. theyll judge how many people are already qued to how much time is left for operating day. like if theres two shows worth of people in line, then they wont let anymore in at closing time. but yes you are correct in saying Shrek is open at closing as well. what i mean was like in DL, you can run onto a ride at 11:59 and if theres already a 30min wait, youll still get on. they dont close the ride 45min early if they know they have a 45 min wait. they dont mind paying the CM's overtime.