On our last day in America we had planned to spend it at Universal Studios on a VIP Tour. Our tour was booked for 8.15am so it was an early start to the day. We had packed our bags the night before and when we were ready to go at 7am we packed them in the car and followed the GPS directions to the Studios. It didn't take long to get there as the traffic starts a little later in LA.
With the VIP tour we had valet parking and after finding the correct place to be we handed our car over the attended and knew our bags would be safe in the car for the day.
As it was so early there wasn't any crowds.
Through out our whole holiday we found ourselves often offering to take other peoples pictures and this time was no exception. This worked well for us though as the favour was returned and they took a family picture for us. I loved the first impressions for the park, it felt so star like from the spinning globe to the red carpet.
We found our way to the VIP Experience entrance and were very quickly checked in and given our passes. From there we were directed to the lounge where we had a light breakfast and were introduced to our Guide for the day Matthew.
Once our group was assembled on the balcony and all the instructions and introduction done we were on our way to a great day.
The park still had not opened by this time and it was refreshing to have access without the crowds. With no crowds we got some good photos of the rides and attractions that we would come back to enjoy after our studio tour.
From here you can see all of the Studios Universal, Warner Bros and Walt Disney. Very impressive view.
Love this back drop for photo opportunities. Even though we had been to the really thing the photos didn't come out this well.
On the trolley through to the back lot we soon had our first stop. Love how Hayley taking her own photos was in mine.
So excited to be in front of the town hall in the Back to the Future movies and to see the street were they shot the scene were the delorean took off.
Back on the trolley and headed to the props department just like stepping into the Logan recycle station, well almost just a little more impressive.
This sign is a copyright and every time is appears in a movie they have to pay royalties.
After all these years the Jaws set is still going strong but it is awesome.
Desperate Wives - Wisteria Lane
Set from the Tom Cruise movie Wars of the Worlds.
During of back lot tour we were also treated to some great simulated rides were the bus drove into the ride. These rides included a King Kong and a favourite of ours Fast and Furious - Supercharged. After the tour of the lot finished it was time for some rides.
Our first ride was on the Jurassic Park water ride, lucky for us we had been given rain ponchos at breakfast time. We still didn't get to wet. The ride was good very tame.
From there we went to the Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride which was awesome. An enclosed rollercoaster that goes as fast forward as back.
Then onto the Transformers - The Ride 3D which was very impressive considering it was our first 3D ride of the day.
Universal Studio is set on a hill with stairs and elevators to the different levels, I was very thankful to have a guide. We left the bottom level and headed back to the top of the park and there was time for one ride before lunch, The Walking Dead Attraction. We all entered the ride but Hayley was not impressed with the idea of the attraction and didn't want to go in so Hayley and I went back out. Emma and David went through and said it was just like a Haunted House ride with people jumping out at you.
Lunch was served at the Moulin Rouge, buffet style. The food was good and they fries were the chunkiest we had seen throughout our whole trip. When I asked the Chef to put some gravy on my fries his comment was "who does that" to which I replies "Australians".
With our bellies full Matthew our guide took us to see a show - Waterworld. Taken from the Kevin Costner movie from the 1995. It was absolutely awesome with plenty of audience participation prior to the show. If you were in the soak zone you were wet, but being VIP's we had special seats with a great view and no soaking, win win. The show is done by a roster of extra actors and they were good. The special effect were very special it was very captivating probably better then the movie itself.
After the show we were entitled to a meet and greet with 2 of the team. This was were they told us how some things were done, but not giving everything away.
Once that was over it was time to explore the mysteries of Hogwarts Castle at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Land. Some of our group were diehard HP Fans, even to the point of dressing up in cloaks for the day. We are not HP Fans but it was still impressive and the rides were great. First we went on the "Flight of the Hippogriff" which is a rollercoaster, the ride was good. The best part was just walking up to the front gate and jumping on. Right next door is "Harry Potter and the forbidden Journey" which is a 3D simulated ride that takes you on a journey through the classroom and corridors of Hogwarts. Then you soar above the castle grounds. This ride was awesome and the best part of Harry Potter Land.
We loss some of our group here as they wanted to stay longer. The rest the group went on the Special Effects Show were real Hollywood stuntman perform and you how special effects are put together for the movies.
Next up the Simpsons Ride! This ride takes you alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa & Maggie on an adventure through Krustyland all done by simulation. This too was a great ride, you go to amazing heights without leaving your chair.
Our last ride of the day was the "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" it was very entertaining, but by this stage I think I was stimulated out.
Next stop the Universal Animal Actors show. We got to see how they train the animals and the thing that they can do is amazing. Not just dogs, but cats, birds and racoons. This was very entertaining and it left you wondering who was in charge, the humans or the animals.
The park was closing early today for Halloween Fright Night, but that was ok with us as we had had a great day and also a plane to catch. After doing some last minute souvenir shopping we made our way out to the park.
The valet collected our car and we embarked on our journey home. It took quite along time to reach Hertz rental, where we had to drop our rental car, due to the Friday afternoon traffic. Thankful once again to the GPS that guided us very successfully into the city.
You know that you are close when you catch a plane on its decent in the sunset. I was so impressed with the Hertz at LAX they were so organised and efficient and everything was done on an ipad, great. We collected our bags and within a few steps we were on a bus heading to the airport
We had had a great holiday but we were all looking forward to going home. We arrived at the LAX much earlier than we needed to be so we had a big wait. We filled in the time with some dinner and before long we were seated in our Qantas plane waiting for take off. Unfortunately our plane was delayed but not for too long and 13 hours later we landed in Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment