universal studios tour ride

Ultimate Guide: Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is in my opinion one of the best attractions at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is a one-hour tour around the backlot at Universal. This is a real working movie studio, as such you’ll see sets from your favourite shows and movies as well as some of Hollywood’s most legendary filming locations.

This tour is suitable for the whole family (I recently did it with my wife and our 14-month-old little boy) and features two cinematic ride experiences; Fast & The Furious: Supercharged & King Kong 3D.

What Is The Universal Studio Tour?

The World-Famous Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes of a real film studio which has been the home to a number of movie and television shows since its inception over 50 years ago.

The tour is hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon alongside a live guide who provides commentary throughout the duration of the tour.

Highlights Of The Studio Tour

During the tour, you will travel through different past various sound stages, and through movie sets. Throughout this time you’ll experience a variety of attractions including;

Bates Motel

This is perhaps the scariest part of the tour.

Here you’ll pull up to the Bates Motel from the epic thriller film Psycho just as Norman Bates himself is carrying a body from a room to place in the back of his truck.

As he does so, he spots you, a witness.

In an aim to cover his tracks, Norman will come towards you with a fake knife. Thankfully, the driver will begin to pull away just in time.

Norman gets closest to the back two carriages of the tram. As such I highly recommend sitting in the carriages closest to the front if you’re travelling with young children.

Plane Crash Wreckage

After escaping Norman Bates, you’ll enter the plane crash wreckage area of the tour. This features a commercial 747 aircraft which was purchased by the production company behind the hit 2005 film War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg.

The plane was chopped into pieces and transported to Universal where the full set has been left fully dressed as it was during filming.

Obviously, given how realistic this all is, it can be scary for younger guests.

Jupiter’s Claim

This new area of the backlot tour opened on July 22, 2022 (timed to open the same day as Jordan Peele’s movie Nope).

This is a drive-through area which has been rebuilt at Falls Lake (previously occupied by the Log Cabin) and features select theme park sets used in the sci-fi horror film.

Flash Flood Simulator

As you drive through the Mexcian Village, you’ll experience one of two flooding simulators that feature within the Universal Studios backlot tour.

This is one of the oldest parts of the backlot tour (in operation since 1968) and has appeared in countless films including Big Fat Liar and Fletch Lives.

In my opinion, this isn’t as scary as the other flash flood simulator which takes place as part of Earthquake: The Big One!

Earthquake: The Big One!

Earthquake: The Big One is the only split-level sound stage in the world, and has been in operation at Universal since 1969.

As the tram pulls into the subway area, an 8.4 Richter-level earthquake hits, causing a subway train to come off the tracks as it pulls into the station and flooding from the streets above to pour down into the underground.

Various scenes have been shot here including; Beverly Hills Cop III and Season 5, Episode 15 of the TV show Bones.

The Jaws portion of the Studio Tour dates back to 1967 and subsequently is one of the most nostalgic parts for long-time visitors.

As the tram approaches the water, the tension builds as the tour guide narrates the scene. Suddenly the giant animatronic shark jumps out of the water, jaws wide open.

King Kong 360 3-D

King Kong 360 3-D is one of two simulator-based rides on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.

This simulator was created by Peter Jackson himself and is the world’s largest 3-D experience.

The film lasts just a couple of minutes and see’s you caught in the middle of a terrifying struggle between a 35-foot T-Rex and the 8th wonder of the world – King Kong.

Fast & The Furious Supercharged

This is another simulator-based ride situated on the back lot tour.

Once again you’ll put on your 3D glasses and experience a high-speed chase alongside Dom and the gang. This is far from my favourite part of the tour, but sadly it’s not optional. Thankfully, it only lasts a couple of minutes.

Where Is The Universal Studios Tour Located?

The World Famous Studio Tour is located in a dedicated lower lot area of Universal Studios Hollywood which can be accessed from Springfield, home of The Simpsons via a number of escalators.

This dedicated lower lot area is not to be confused with the lower lot escalators down to Jurassic World & Super Nintendo World.

If you’re unsure as to where to go for the Studio Tour be sure to ask one of the Universal Studios team members situated around the park, or the Universal Studios mobile app which features a map with GPS.

How Long Is The Universal Studio Tour?

The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood lasts between 40 minutes and one hour. During the ride, there are no stops and no toilet breaks.

While the ride itself is between 40 minutes and an hour, the standby wait line for the ride can be another hour (give or take) depending on how busy the park is during your visit.

This ride is eligible for the Universal Express Pass so, if you are upgrading to the Universal Express Pass then you will be able to skip the line here. We did this during our most recent visit and we walked straight on (the standby line at the time was around 20 mins – February 2022).

How Much Does The Universal Studio Tour Cost?

The Universal Studios Tour is free.

However, to go on the tour you will need a Universal Studios Hollywood park ticket.

Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are sold using a dynamic pricing model based on estimated demand.

As such quieter days or times of year often have lower ticket prices, while more popular days and seasons (Christmas, Halloween, Spring Break, Summer etc.) have higher ticket prices.

This dynamic pricing model also applies to Universal Express Pass tickets and tickets for the VIP Experience.

Do You Have To Book The Universal Studio Tour?

Sadly, you can not book your tour of the Universal Studios backlot in advance. Instead, spaces on each tram are on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tram roughly holds between 100 and 150 people split across 6 or so carriages.

How Long Is The Wait For The Universal Studios Tour?

The wait time for the World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood can vary depending on factors such as the time of day, day of the week, and season.

During quieter times at the park, you can wait as little as 10 or 20 minutes to board the tram. However, during peak periods such as holidays or weekends, wait times can be in excess of one hour.

Can You Use A Universal Express Ticket For The Universal Studio Tour?

A Universal Express ticket at Universal Studios Hollywood can be used for the Studio Tour, as well as for many of the other popular attractions and rides in the park.

The Universal Express ticket gives guests priority access to select attractions, allowing them to bypass the regular standby line and experience the attraction with a shorter wait time.

Best Time To Go On The Universal Studios Tour?

Generally, speaking the best time to go on the tour is in the morning when the park first opens.

During this time the crowds are typically smaller and the lines are shorter, allowing visitors to enjoy the tour with minimal wait times.

On the flip side, the worst time to go on the tour is usually in the early afternoon, just after lunchtime as most people get to this area of the park at this time of day.

Is The Universal Studios Tour Scary?

Certain areas and attractions within the World-Famous Universal Studio Tour may be scary to younger children. However, none of them last long (maximum of four minutes).

If you’re looking for thrill rides then this tour isn’t it!

Is The Universal Studios Tour Suitable For Babies & Toddlers?

The Universal Studios Tour is suitable for babies and toddlers.

However, you will be on the tram ride for up to an hour so be sure to bring any supplies you may need for that duration of time with you.

It’s also worth noting that children must remain seated throughout the duration of the tour for health and safety reasons. So if you have a restless little one consider bringing a book, toy or iPad.

There is an extensive stroller parking lot available in the Lower Lot area from where the tour departs, this is covered so if it does start raining while you’re out on the tour then your stroller should be protected.

Are There Any Height Or Weight Restrictions For The Studio Tour?

Unlike other rides at Universal Studios Hollywood there are no weight or height restrictions on the World-Famous Studio Tour.

Can You Take Photographs & Videos During The Studio Tour?

Visitors are permitted to take photographs and videos during The World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

However, flash photography is not permitted during the tours 3D cinema experiences (King Kong 360 & Fast and Furious: Supercharged).

Is The Studio Tour At Universal Studios Hollywood Worth It?

While going on the Studio Tour takes up a significant portion of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood park. I believe it’s a worthwhile time investment.

This tour provides a unique insight into how scenes from your favourite movies and TV shows are made while the expert tour guide provides some incredible Hollywood secrets.

Can You See Celebrities On The Universal Studios Hollywood Tour?

There is always the possibility of seeing celebrities on the World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, as the tour takes visitors through active movie and television sets where productions are often being filmed.

However, there is no guarantee.

I’ve been on this tour more than ten times over the past couple of years, and the only person I’ve seen is Mario Lopez who was filming at the entrance of the theme park.

Does Universal Studios Orlando Have A Backlot Tour?

Sadly, Universal Studios in Orlando does not have a backlot tour since it is a dedicated theme park, rather than a film studio.

The Universal Orlando Resort does, however, have a VIP Experience (which is also available at Universal Studios Hollywood).

The VIP Experience is a full-day tour of the Universal Studios park with a dedicated Universal guide. The ratio of guests to guide is roughly 8:1 so it’s a very personal experience in which you’ll skip the line on every ride in the park, go behind the scenes and learn park secrets.

Similar Posts

30 best places to eat at universal studios hollywood.

The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and connecting entertainment district CityWalk is home to an extensive range of delicious restaurants for all budgets and taste buds to enjoy. Having been Universal Studios Hollywood annual passholders for a number of years now, we’ve had the pleasure of eating at all of these restaurants (many on more…

Can You Wear Costumes To Universal Studios?

Dressing up in costumes and cosplay is a fun way to add some extra excitement to your visit to Universal Studios. ‘Light’ costumes or cosplay is permitted at Universal Studios. However, there are some restrictions you’ll want to keep in mind in order to gain entry into the park. These include; Alongside the restrictions provided…

13 Best Rides For Kids At Universal Studios Hollywood

As Universal Studios Hollywood annual pass holders we’ve had the pleasure of visiting the theme park in various capacities over the years. However, our first trip with kids was overwhelming, to say the least, as for the first time ever we had to consider the height restrictions and fear factor of the rides as to…

Can You Wear Heelys To Universal?

Heelys are a popular type of shoe that has a small wheel in the heel, allowing the wearer to roll around. They have become popular among kids and teenagers and are a fun way to get around. While Heelys are permitted at Universal, you will be unable to use the wheel element of the shoe…

Is Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Scary?

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is one of the most popular and commonly used rides at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and can be found at; The ride is the same at every theme park, so whether you’re thinking about going on this ride in Orlando, Florida or in Osaka, Japan…

How To Skip Lines At Universal Studios Hollywood

There are a whole host of amazing rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood, many of which can often have long wait times. Thankfully, there are a number of ways in which you can avoid lines at Universal Studios Hollywood. This includes; We recommend using one, or a number of these methods to save yourself…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates 60 years with this new Studio Tour experience

Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as the world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years. (Photo credit: Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

LOS ANGELES - Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the Studio Tour's 60th anniversary this season with a new, "experiential" addition to their popular Los Angeles back lot tours. 

While guests are normally confined to keeping their arms and legs inside their vehicle during the tour, beginning April 26, Universal Studios Hollywood is flipping the script. The park invites guests to get off the tram to pose for photo opportunities in front of some legendary movie scenes, like Universal's "King Kong" and "Jaws" sets.

For a photo opportunity like never before, the anniversary event will also feature the first-ever original replica of the Hollywood Sign situated along the iconic back lot for guests to get up close to the iconic landmark.

Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years. (Photo credit Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

Other notable attractions include the renovated debut of Universal's "Earthquake – The Big One," which features a realistic 8.3-magnitude quake, and a large Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display. The 60th-anniversary elements offer guests new ways to immerse themselves in Hollywood's most iconic scenes – and take the photos to prove it.

SUGGESTED: 

• Disneyland's Star Wars-themed 'Season of the Force' experiences revealed
• Knott's Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival returns
• Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival 2024: What you need to know

"The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests," said Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Strobl. "We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way."

As part of the Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration, Universal Studios Hollywood offers a selection of specially created, highly themed food and beverages, available from April 26-August 11, 2024. (Photo credit Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

The anniversary celebration also includes new eatery options, including BBQ brisket sandwiches and BBQ chicken sandwiches from Hollywood & Dine, burgers and chili dogs from Mel's Diner, ice cream from Studio Scoops and cookie sandwiches from City Snack Shop.

Universal Studios Hollywood's 60th anniversary event runs from April 26 through August 11, 2024. Click here for more information and for tickets .

How the Universal Studios tram tour defined the modern theme park

(Thomas Bryson-King / For The Times)

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

The Universal Studios tram tour — officially designated as the World-Famous Studio Tour — is today a polished theme park ride, a large-scale attraction bundled with a host of mini attractions within it. From a shark attack referencing Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” to a jaunt through the fake rural amusement park of Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” the tour serves as a crash course in the last 50 years of Universal blockbusters, all while jostling park guests through a simulated earthquake and a 3-D encounter with King Kong.

It wasn’t always so burnished — or even a sure bet. “It was a pain in the ass, to be honest,” says Jay Stein, the now retired Universal Studios executive credited with turning the Studio Tour into the theme park force that it is today. Stein was asked to recall the reputation of the attraction when, a couple of years after it opened in the summer of 1964, he was tasked to lead it. “My recollection is that this is something that can’t really succeed.”

In 1964 the themed entertainment business was still in its infancy. While Disneyland had opened nine years earlier, other studios weren’t yet trying to replicate its success, and Stein, who had started in the mailroom, was seeking to work his way up the corporate film ladder. He had zero interest, in other words, in the amusement industry. Before being assigned the Studio Tour, Stein spent a good portion of his job trying to keep the tour out of the way of television productions. As historian Sam Gennawey writes in the Stein biography “JayBangs,” Stein had to quickly stop thinking of the tour as a nuisance and instead become its biggest champion.

“It started out as two trams and a Quonset hut on Lankershim Boulevard,” says Stein, 86, today speaking from his home in Bend, Ore. “Quite frankly, the tram was considered something that interfered with television production and could not successfully coexist. I worked for the production office and was given the task of trying to coordinate how close we could come on the backlot without interfering. Everyone I worked for said it was an annoyance and disruptive and will not ever be welcomed.”

Within months, however, Stein began a makeover of the tram tour, one that would shift it from its behind-the-scenes, borderline educational focus to one that instead would be centered around light thrills and mechanical, movie magic tricks. By the mid-’70s, the Studio Tour would begin to reshape the modern theme park industry, not only ushering Universal into the field but recentering the entire medium as one that would be based around film and television franchises — intellectual property, or “IP,” in industry speak. The modern theme park would become a place to “ride the movies,” as Spielberg, who has long had a close relationship with Universal and its theme parks, branded them.

Today the Studio Tour is on the verge of 60 and still growing; Peele’s set from the sci-fi film “Nope” was the most recent addition. If Disneyland staples such as Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World set the template for what an attraction could be — heavily detailed dioramas that expand on a theme rather than a plot — it was the Studio Tour that would forever wed them to the popular media narratives of the moment . The Studio Tour and its accompanying shows would react, relatively quickly, to what audiences were responding to, be it “Battlestar Galactica,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “The Incredible Hulk” or more recently the “Fast & Furious” films and “Nope.”

The Studio Tour is arguably the most important theme park attraction ever created. And remarkably, it earned that feat by being built in and around existing structures — and largely because Stein had two early revelations.

The first: A lack of control wasn’t going to cut it. “It was an industrial tour, and people always expected to see an actor or a production, and we couldn’t deliver on that,” Stein says. And even when they could, the latter two could be unpredictable. “When we park the tram 50 yards from a production, some of the shows that were taking place would say, ‘If we see a tram, we’re off the set. We’re gone.’” And as Gennawey notes, actor Shirley MacLaine is said to have once mooned a tram. “She kept her word,” Stein says today. “She said, ‘If I see another tram come by ... ‘“

The second: Studios are, well, kind of dull. A recent Studio Tour expressed as much, noting that the current labor strife in Hollywood has brought the studio’s backlot to a halt. “When a production was not there,” Stein says, “it looked dead, dusty and boring.”

The solution was clear: If the Studio Tour was going to be built to last, what started as a very real peek at how Hollywood worked would suddenly have to take after the industry it sought to glorify. That is, it would need to become a series of illusions.

Those who have studied the current Studio Tour like to point out that it’s not the first time Universal opened its gates to become a public showplace. Universal pictures founder Carl Laemmle welcomed fans in 1915 to watch how silent pictures were made. “He charged 25 cents, and they got a box lunch in the deal,” says John Murdy, known today as the architect of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Murdy, who started at Universal as a tram tour guide before graduating to theme park design, has become something of a Universal historian.

“They erected bleachers so they could watch these outdoor filming stages,” Murdy says. “And there was a zoo on the property at the time, so they could tour the zoo. That went on until the late 1920s and the early 1930s, until sound came in.”

But different eras bring different financial motivations. The modern Studio Tour is rooted in a more basic human desire: We need to eat.

In the early 1960s, according to Stephen M. Silverman’s book “The Amusement Park,” Universal began welcoming Gray Line Tours onto the studio lot for their Hollywood history jaunts. The primary goal was to boost the bottom line of the studio commissary, where Gray Line guests would stop for lunch. “When they saw the commissary was making a lot of money,” says Murdy, “that was the literal seed,” and mogul Lew Wasserman allowed his staff to investigate the feasibility of running its own tour.

Universal’s tour had its grand opening on July 15, 1964, with a media rep later downplaying to The Times its goals, stating that the tour was a “public relations gesture on the part of the studio” and the aim was to simply break even. But this paper had an immediate fan in gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, who noted that tourists finally had a glimpse of Hollywood that went beyond “looking at a bunch of footprints in concrete.” Within two years, Universal was reporting that 8,000 guests per day were riding the so-called GlamorTrams, which were accentuated with candy-striped accouterments designed by Disneyland planner and famed set designer Harper Goff.

Within a year, The Times noted that Universal was experimenting with stunt shows on the tour, and by 1966 the tour was offering guests makeup demonstrations, artificial snowstorms and miniature sea battles at an upper lot concourse. Albert A. Dorskind, president of parent company MCA, soon telegraphed the studio’s ambitions, telling The Times in 1968 that he envisioned Universal becoming a Tivoli Gardens-like concept centered around entertainment, referencing the famed Copenhagen park.

Stein was the man to realize that vision, and he began experimenting around that time with a flash flood on the tram tour, in which a rush of water leaps multiple feet into the air before quickly dissipating before the tram. The flash flood is still a part of the tour today.

“The geography was there,” Stein says. “What the hell could we do with this dead-ass street and involve the audience with something other than looking at an inactive, sterile set? That’s how I came up with the flash flood. ... The problem with it, which we had no idea at that time, is in a movie you do one or two takes and throw it away. We had to build something that could be done every two or three minutes. How do you involve a tram full of people in something where you create a thrill? It was really crude and simple, and if you did something like that today it’d be like old-time movies, but that stuff was done 55 years ago and is still working because it makes a dull set exciting.”

Other illusions would follow, including a parting of the Red Sea, a collapsing bridge, an ice tunnel, a rock slide and a submarine attack — “generic stuff,” says Stein, before the tour had rights to various film and television properties. The upper lot — the second half of the tour, in which guests were allowed to freely wander — also began to expand its show offerings, creating screen tests and animal shows in addition to stunt demonstrations.

Not all of the experiments of Stein and his team, however, made the history books.

“There was one that I never understood,” Murdy says, “and I have pictures of this so I know I didn’t make it up in my child mind. There was a section by the black lagoon where they filmed some Tarzan movie. And they had a gorilla, like Tarzan, on a rope, and we’d hear the Tarzan yell but it was a gorilla. It was not Tarzan. He would swing along the side of the tram, and he was holding a severed arm in his hand. I have no idea why, but I actually have a picture. I have a picture of this from way back in the ’70s. Those were mostly done in house by the special effects teams. There wasn’t an industry yet.”

Everything changed in 1976. That was one year after Spielberg’s “Jaws” opened and when the Studio Tour built a mini re-creation of an Eastern seaboard waterfront and put guests face-to-face with a 24-foot shark. It was expensive to build and maintain, as The Times noted in 1977 that the shark required $250,000 per year in maintenance. Stein says the company even sought the help of submarine builders General Dynamics to understand how to create things to last in water.

“Jaws” forever changed the tenor of the tour, and arguably theme parks. While Disneyland had roots in the company’s animated fairy tales, especially in Fantasyland, and early attractions took cues from the studio’s “True-Life Adventures” and films such as “Swiss Family Robinson,” nothing on the level of the cultural phenomenon that was “Jaws” had so quickly been replicated in a theme park before. It’s an industry-wide trend that hasn’t stopped.

“With the addition of a ‘Jaws’ experience, guests were brought face to face with an angry shark as well as fire and water explosions, and for the first time immersed in an experience based on a blockbuster movie property,” says Phil Hettema, who runs a namesake themed-entertainment firm in Pasadena and is a veteran of Universal Creative and the Studio Tour.

There’s gleeful pride in Stein’s voice when recollecting the “Jaws” scenes, especially in their grown-up weirdness. One moment, for instance, has the shark attacking a stationary diver and the lagoon filling with fake blood. “That’s the stuff that works,” Stein says. “The blood. By adding things that enhance the effect, that is what puts a ride over the top. No one expects when the shark is coming up that we’re going to drop the tram a foot toward the water. That scares the hell out of you. That’s what I lived for, to make this thing come alive.”

Stein and Universal were then emboldened to bring in nods to other properties, and by 1977 the tour was bringing in $25 million in revenue. “Battlestar Galactica,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “The Incredible Hulk” and more were soon added to the tour and its upper lot attractions. While the expansive theme park attraction E.T. Adventure, in which guests would simulate riding flying bikes through a darkened show building, wouldn’t come to Universal Studios Hollywood until 1991, Murdy says the beginnings of the theme park were well solidified.

“Battlestar Galactica was kind of the first big theme park-style attraction that was incorporated into the tour,” he says. “You pulled into a show venue and with live actors and animatronics the scene played out. And lasers. It was impressive. They were really shooting laser beams.”

Not everything needed to be so intense. The Hulk experience, for instance, was relatively simple, with the muscled green man simply appearing at unexpected moments — crashing, The Times reported, a makeup show, or careening through a fake stone wall at other points on the tour. “That’s a show that I think we spent $50,000 on the whole thing,” Stein says. “It’s a muscle man painted green. We got a huge bump in attendance because ‘The Incredible Hulk’ was seen by millions of people. It was no more than a guy busting through a wall. I never came up with something that was so inexpensive that was so effective.”

So much so that Universal — and those who visited its parks — began dreaming big.

When “Nope” filmmaker Jordan Peele first made it to a Universal Studios park in Florida, it fueled, he says, a lifelong obsession.

“It was something very aspirational and magical,” Peele says. “I was told we didn’t have enough money to go to Disneyland or Universal, and at some point we got an opportunity because my mother’s job was doing something in Florida. I remember going to both places, and Universal Studios in Orlando, I remember it creating more magic for me than the other park.

“I went to very few amusement parks growing up, so when I got to Universal at 11 or 12 years old, it was formative in reinforcing my love of film,” Peele says. “It had a ‘Willy Wonka’ aspect of a world that had been opened to me that now I could sort of see behind the wall of it. Even though a lot of it is illusion, the illusion of getting to be in the presence of what it means to make movies was an addiction I never got over.”

The ’80s was a period of growth for the Hollywood Studio Tour, never more so than via the additions of a 30-foot tall King Kong animatronic that was added in 1986 (and destroyed in a 2008 fire) and an earthquake simulation in 1989, the latter of which pushed attendance to more than 30,000 people a day.

“Starting with ‘King Kong,’ guests found themselves on the tram in the midst of a completely immersive environment with a larger-than-life animated ape,” Hettema says. “Not only was the environment impressive, but, significantly, the tram vehicle itself rocked from side to side and slid across the roadway — physically engaging the guests.

“It was a hit with guests that continued with ‘Earthquake,’ where the total immersion of guests on the tram was taken to new heights — putting the guests in an illusion of danger and thrill that was visceral by physically shaking, sliding and dropping the tram. The tram could be considered the first motion base vehicle, now a key component of the most popular immersive attractions throughout the industry.”

The decade, however, was also a period of great stress for Stein. Buoyed by the success of the increased theme parkification of the Studio Tour, Universal began to look at expansion into Florida, resulting in the park that would eventually catch Peele’s heart. But when Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, it did so after nearly a decade-long battle with the Walt Disney Co.

It’s a well-documented, often-told tale, and one that’s too large for this story to encompass, but Universal wasn’t shy in alleging that Disney stole its Florida plans for the park that would today be known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The latter opened in 1989 with, for instance, a tram tour that was very much in the Universal model. While Disney has long denied the contentions of Universal and its then-parent, MCA, Stein didn’t hold back, telling The Times in 1989 that “Disney took what we had, and we had to fish or cut bait,” explaining that Universal shifted from a tram-focused park to one based instead on stand-alone attractions.

Today, the subject still gets Stein worked up, and his colorful descriptions of Disney are not fit for print. “They did the same thing, and we had to up our game,” Stein says today. “If anything pissed me off more in life than that, I don’t know what it is. We knew what they were going to do. They were going to do what we wanted to do, so we upped our game in every show, every set, every stage, every element.”

The Florida project benefited the original Studio Tour and park. The earthquake attraction was duplicated, albeit in different formats, on each coast, and remains one of the most elaborate — and frightening — attractions on the West Coast. Additionally, the park’s relationship with Spielberg would tighten. Although an E.T. attraction no longer exists in Hollywood, it’s still alive in Florida, and Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” franchise is not only a part of the Studio Tour but received a stand-alone, water-based attraction.

When it came to competing with Disney, Stein says, Spielberg brought a level of respectability to the Universal parks. “The opportunity to get Spielberg as a creative consultant gave us a credibility,” Stein says. “Nobody had heard of Jay Stein, but that was as much a contributory factory to our success as anything. He delivered the goods.”

“Movies bring us together from all walks of life to hear good stories,” Spielberg wrote via email. “Many of these stories are themed and can make deep and lasting impressions. Theme parks, like Universal’s, bring the memories of these stories into three dimensional life. In 1989 when I coined the term ‘ride the movies,’ it still stands as one of the main reasons people descend on our theme parks to be part of those stories in a real world way.”

The Studio Tour remains the backbone of the Universal theme parks, the impetus for its expansion and the home to relatively constant renovations.

Last year, the Studio Tour took in the set of the fictional Gold Rush-themed amusement park of Jupiter’s Claim from “Nope.” It was Peele who reached out to the theme park and asked if it might be interested in the set. “That’s right,” Peele says. “If you can’t tell from my personality or my films, I’m very into memorabilia and objects and cars and sets from films. It’s very hard when a film is done to take something [down] that I believe is something that people will want to experience in the future.”

That it’s part of the Studio Tour, Peele says, has helped cure some of his impostor syndrome. “Steven Spielberg and Alfred Hitchcock, these were figures that helped inspire me to not compromise in the commitment to the bigness of the audience’s experience,” Peele says. “So for a piece of [‘Nope’] to end up among ‘Jaws’ and ‘Psycho’ on this tram tour, you can see how a kid who felt like he was an impostor for even stepping into the gates, it’s a full circle sense of accomplishment. ... Believe me, I have some humility, but the character of making that film was not humble. It was meant to be a film that people would want to be on the set. Let’s presume ourselves next to ‘Jaws.’”

Productions once tried to hide from the Studio Tour; today, they ask to be a part of it. The Studio Tour, in execution and in reputation, is a long way removed from attempting to scare guests with the rubber boulders of a fake rock-slide, all in an effort to increase lunch sales.

“There was enough pressure that could have been brought to kill this thing,” Stein says of the tour’s mid-’60s beginnings. “Because who needs this interruption on a daily basis so you can have a small profit at the end of the year? The commissary was losing money, so the tourists would be allowed to eat at 3 p.m. in the commissary. It was small potatoes and not anything that would have shown at that time any indication that it was going to have the growth potential that I ultimately saw. It reinvigorated me.

“This little thing,” Stein continues, “had the potential to be very special.”

Entertainment & Arts

Meow Wolf is ready for Texas. Is Texas ready for Meow Wolf?

A first look at Meow Wolf’s latest wonderland in Texas, which plants the company’s progressive flag in a red state with a message that art can break barriers.

July 6, 2023

Does this new robot-staffed chocolate emporium signal a themed restaurant comeback?

Dinner with a robot assist? Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Studios’ CityWalk is a popular weekend reservation. Will it revive themed restaurants?

March 2, 2023

Universal’s Super Nintendo World is the play-focused theme park land for our times

‘Super Mario Bros.’ creator Shigeru Miyamoto on the importance of play: A visit with the game design mastermind at Universal Studios’ Super Nintendo World.

Feb. 23, 2023

‘Rogers: The Musical’ brings a charming, Broadway-style show back to Disney California Adventure

‘Rogers: The Musical,’ Disney’s new Captain America-inspired musical, started as a joke in a Disney+ series and now is part of the resort’s big summer offerings.

June 30, 2023

Watch L.A. Times Today at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News 1 on Channel 1 or live stream on the Spectrum News App. Palos Verdes Peninsula and Orange County viewers can watch on Cox Systems on channel 99.

More to Read

The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

April 9, 2024

Editorial: Disneyland’s gas-fueled Autopia cars showcase the worst of Todayland. EVs are a good start

April 5, 2024

Dine at a table that moves you from room to room? A look at the future of theme parks

March 20, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Travel & Experiences

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Tia Mowry

April 12, 2024

Live DJ sets! Freebies! Exclusive drops! 12 L.A. shops going big for Record Store Day

Review: An August Wilson master class in acting at Pasadena’s A Noise Within

April 11, 2024

Review: ‘Fat Ham’ at the Geffen Playhouse slathers barbecue sauce on ‘Hamlet” for delicious comedy

April 8, 2024

• All Articles
• Itineraries
• Guides and Tips
• Attractions
• Behind-the-Scenes
• Guest Stories
• Guides & Tips
• Universal Orlando Resort Deals
• Universal Studios Hollywood Deals

Guide to the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

What’s better than being a guest at Universal Studios Hollywood ? Being a VIP guest at Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t get us wrong , every day at Universal feels like magic. But the VIP Tour feels like…well, extra cushy magic.

So what, exactly, does it mean to be an A-lister at Universal Studios Hollywood? In the VIP Experience , you’ll explore the theme park with a super knowledgeable tour guide, in a maximum 13-person group. The tours last a minimum of five hours and include one (truly delicious) meal, an extended Studio Tour , unlimited Express Pass access, and — well, let’s just get into it, shall we? Here’s everything you need to know about the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.

THE PRE-TOUR PERKS

When you hear the words “VIP,” it’s fair to assume you’re about to be peppered with sweet, sweet perks. The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is no exception to the rule. And, lucky for you, those fun little bonuses begin the second you arrive at Universal. Here’s what you can expect before you even start the tour:

• Valet parking. This is a huge perk! Just roll up to the main entrance to the Jurassic Parking garage, hand your keys over to a Team Member, and they’ll take it from there. No fretting over losing your keys or forgetting where you parked — you’re a VIP now. 
• Complimentary refreshments. Enter the VIP lounge (just look for the red carpet to the right of the entry gates after security) for a comfortable, air-conditioned waiting area before your tour. There, you can enjoy a complimentary spread including bagels, coffee, and other light bites.
• Sun protectants. You’re about to spend a full day in a theme park — there’s no such thing as enough sunscreen! Guests have access to complimentary sunscreen ,lip balm, and ice water in the VIP Experience Center.

Once your group is assembled, fed and sunscreened up, it’s time to explore Universal Studios Hollywood — VIP style!

The tour guides are what make the VIP Experience truly one-of-a-kind. First, they’re perhaps the most knowledgeable folks you’ll ever meet about all things Universal. As your tour guide leads your small group through the theme park, they’ll hit you with factoid after factoid. It’s an inundation of anecdotes to use at your next cocktail party.

Do you know which other major studios you can see from the escalator on the way to the Studio Tour? Or what iconic 80s film the facade of Saul & Sons in the New York section of the theme park is based on? Or who dubbed Universal “the strangest city in the world”? Your VIP tour guide does.

Beyond a sky-high Universal IQ, the tour guides are there to help make your experience exactly what you want it to be. Each VIP Tour is different. Your Guide is given an allotted time to take your group to three things: the Studio Tour, the WaterWorld show, and lunch. Other than that, they have room to improvise. That means there’s lots of time for rides via Express Lanes. While you can’t completely tailor the experience to every little thing that you, personally, would like to do — you are on a group tour, after all — the guides are able to take your input into consideration.

THE STUDIO TOUR

The Studio Tour is your chance to see the ins and outs of how movies get made. But on the VIP Experience, the Studio Tour brings you just shy of straight-up making the movies yourself. While General Admission guests stay on the tram, VIP guests get to hop off and walk the sets. The exclusive access of movie and TV sets — plus certain luxe amenities — make this unlike any other Studio Tour you’ve experienced. In addition to all standard Studio Tour experience, VIP guests have access to:

• The VIP Trolley. Forget the tram, you’re a trolley rider now! Part of being very important means riding on a special trolley, complete with complementary ice water.
• Soundstage stop. Learn how movie magic comes to life inside one of Universal’s massive soundstages. You might walk through rooms that look totally real — until you learn all the walls are removable for lighting and camera access.
• Edith Head Costume and Prop department. Named for the legendary 20th century costume designer, this building homes hundreds of props used in iconic films throughout time. Just one rule: you break it, you buy it. So I’d keep my hands to myself. 
• Walk on a real set. VIP guests get to hop off and explore iconic movie sets on foot. It could be New York City, or Courthouse Square, or Colonial Street, but each tour is slightly different.

NOTE: These are all real, working sets! Therefore, all VIP Experience tours are subject to availability based on production schedules and other factors. Each tour is a little bit different.

VIPs? Wait in long lines? What a ridiculous concept! With your Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience comes an Unlimited Express Pass, meaning you get to use the Express Lanes on every ride in the theme park. That means less time waiting, and more time riding. We made it onto seven rides during my VIP Experience.

And the best part? The VIP Experience is the only way to bypass the general queue for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge . The regular Express Pass doesn’t come with that perk.

But the VIP Experience isn’t just about skipping lines, it’s about the little things. It’s all about removing friction from your day. Here are a couple examples of little luxuries on the rides:

• No Ride Locker Necessary. VIP guests can just hand their bag to their tour guide as they hop on a ride, who hands it back when you get off. Easy peasy. 
• WaterWorld Seats. Snagging seats for this crowd-pleaser is no sweat when you’ve got VIP seats waiting for you. 

PRO TIP: Your VIP lanyard functions as an Express Pass for the remainder of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood! If you’re a real thrill-seeker, snag a spot on an early tour — then hit the rides via Express Lane until the theme park closes. 

You’ve done everything at Universal Studios Hollywood, you claim? Bet you haven’t eaten at VIP Dining. If you haven’t already done the VIP Tour, you definitely haven’t. I mean, I hadn’t, and Iwork here.

VIP Dining, tucked in the Parisian (so you know it’s fancy) portion of the Upper Lot, is the VIP-only dining room. During your VIP Tour, you’ll enjoy a one-hour, all-you-can-eat experience here. And I do mean enjoy. VIP Dining has (arguably) the tastiest food available at the theme park and CityWalk. The whole buffet is delicious, but I especially recommend the mushroom risotto, the melon and prosciutto, the caprese salad, the asian cucumber salad — I could go on. And, you know what? I will: Don’t forget to save room for gelato, cheesecake and cookies.

The elevated menu, plus free phone charging stations and visits from Universal characters, makes VIP Dining the perfect oasis at which to refuel during a jam-packed day at the theme park.

THE DETAILS

Here are the nitty-gritty details you need to know:

• VIP Tours start at various times throughout the morning. The number of tours per day varies by season and day of the week.
• Tours are capped at 13 guests each.
• Tours run for a minimum of 5 hours.
• Children must be at least 5 years old to attend, and 17 years old to attend without an accompanying adult.
• Book your VIP Experience here.
• VIP Private Experience tours are also available. Call (818) 622-8477 to reserve yours.

THE SPOOKY VERSION

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the combination of two of the best parts of Universal Studios Hollywood: VIP + Halloween Horror Nights. It’s called the R.I.P. Tour. (Genius.)

The R.I.P. Tour differs slightly from the regular VIP Experience, but the bones (har-har) are the same. You’ll get a guided walking tour of the event, one-time express entry to each haunted house and available attractions, the Terror Tram backlot experience in a VIP trolley, and gourmet dining experience, and more. Check out the full details her e . But basically, it’s the VIP Experience, plus a whole lot of guts and gore and jump-scares. Hell really is a place on Earth.

THE VERDICT

So, should you splurge on the VIP Experience? The short answer: yes. But let’s break it down and see if it makes sense for you. The VIP Experience is awesome for…

• Universal superfans. If you want to soak up every last thing the theme park has to offer, the VIP Experience is an absolute must. As I mentioned, certain experiences, like VIP Dining and the up-close Studio Tour, are only available to VIP guests.
• Folks who want a cushier experience . Treat yourself! Theme park days can be long ones — make yours a truly relaxing visit with the VIP Experience.
• Entertainment buffs. Even the biggest film nerds can learn a thing or two from the brainiac VIP tour guides.
• Parents of young ones. Tired of planning every single little detail of the family vacation? Your VIP tour guide has got you covered. Parents will appreciate someone else taking the lead for a jam-packed day!

Overall? Going VIP totally elevates the Universal Studios Hollywood experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or have an Annual Pass, put this one on your bucket list.

What part of the VIP Experience are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.

Epic in your Inbox

Never miss a thrill. Subscribe now to get email updates from Universal Parks & Resorts.

Grace Perry

Senior Editor, Universal Studios Hollywood. Lisa sun, Smithers rising, Disco Stu moon.

You Might Also Like

Guide to the Studio Tour 60th Anniversary Celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Counter is Open at Universal Studios Hollywood

Guide to Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood

How to Make Universal Studios Hollywood the Perfect Date Spot

24 comments.

I am thinking about doing the Vip experience on my own on Jan 19, 2024. Well I still have fun?

We think you’ll have the best time! 🤩

Hello, I booked a VIP tour for January 30, since WaterWorld will be closed what will the tour substitute?

Hi Naomi! We recommend reaching out to our VIP Team at (818) 622-8477 with any questions you may have regarding your specific tour!

We did it one time..WAS AMAZING.

was amazing , you really feel like a VIP

We’re so glad that you had a great time!

I spy Greg! He was our tour guide for RIP last year and was amazing. Looking forward to going again this year with fingers crossed we get him as our guide again!

We’re so happy to hear you had a great time on your tour, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

We have a 5 year old. Would he enjoy the tour or be bored? I worry about the backlot portion?

Hi Sandra! For any questions or assistance with our VIP Experience, please feel free to reach out via phone at (818) 622-8477. We hope to see you soon!

Where and how we can get VIP experience..

Hi Rosita! To book a VIP Experience, we recommend contacting our team at 1-866-346-9350 as they would be more than happy to answer any questions and provide further assistance. We can’t wait to see you at our parks soon!

Goedemiddag,

We hebben vandaag ook deze tickets geboekt alvast voor komende zomervakantie in Augustus. Maar weet iemand ook of je met deze tickets voorrang krijgt om op de foto te gaan met de karakters die in het park staan/lopen?

Hi Marcel, we’re so excited to hear of your upcoming visit and VIP Experience! This tour does not include expedited access to our character meet and greets.

Does the unlimited express include the Bowser Mario Cart ride, or is it only once while on the actual tour?

Hi Michael, the only way to bypass the general queue for that attraction is the VIP Experience. Universal Express Unlimited does not include that attraction.

Is the Toadstool Cafe included with the VIP-Tour, or do I have to make a reservation?

Hi Moni! We recommend reaching out to our VIP Experience Team at 1 (800) 864-8377 for more information regarding your tour offerings!

Hi! Can we upgrade VIP tickets to platinum passes should we decide to become pass holders that day?

Hey Liz! If you had any questions regarding upgrading your ticket packages, we recommend reach out via phone at 800-864-8377. We hope to have you visit soon!

I see that during April-Aug, general admission tickets also can get off the tram and experience the movie sets. What am I paying extra for besides food and rides? This was a major draw for my family of 4 booking the vip tour and being able to leave the tram.

Hi Ramon, while Celebrating 60 Years of the Studio Tour, Guests will be able to step off the tram for about 10 minutes. During the VIP Experience, Guests get a much more in-depth look at some iconic movie sets on foot when stepping off the VIP trolley.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

8 Best Universal Studios Rides

From Hollywood to Orlando, here are the best rides at Universal's theme parks.

In the theme park world, Disney is still the king, but Universal Resorts and Destinations is one theme park company that should not be overlooked. Universal has some incredible theme park attractions that are worth making a point to check out, whichever coast you happen to be on. 

Whether you’re visiting Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood, there are some top-tier rides you won’t find anywhere else, and that need to be experienced if you’re even a little bit of a fan of either the types of rides or the movies they are based on. Here’s a look at some of the best rides you’ll find at Universal theme parks. 

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast - Universal Studios Florida 

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast has a name that’s a mouthful, but the attraction itself is not nearly as confusing. You get handed a blaster and step onto a moving walkway, where you fire away at various targets, racking up points. The fact that Minion Blast doesn’t even use a ride vehicle makes it one of the more accessible attractions in recent memory, and it’s fun for everybody. There’s enough variability to make every experience a little different, so it’s always fun.

MarioKart: Bowser’s Challenge - Universal Studios Hollywood 

The biggest new addition to the Universal Creative Portfolio since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been Nintendo. The first Super Nintendo World in the U.S. opened in 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood with its marquee attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. The ride combines a traditional dark ride style with special AR glasses, that let you blast turtle shells at targets just like in a game of MarioKart. An app lets you keep score as well as unlock special achievements, giving you even more reason to ride again and again.  

Jurassic World Velocicoaster - Universal Islands Of Adventure 

Roller coasters are a staple of any theme park, but Universal’s Islands of Adventure has some of the best. The Jurassic World Velocicoaster is the pinnacle of thrills at a U.S. Universal resort. It sends you flying through a raptor paddock at high speed, with plenty of loops and spins to get your blood pumping. It’s one of the most exciting new roller coasters in years and one that is not to be missed on your next trip.  

Secret Life Of Pets: Off The Leash - Universal Studios Hollywood 

If there’s one thing that Universal theme parks don’t have a lot of, it’s simple, traditional, dark rides. Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is proof they should do more. Through some cool visual fun, the rider is dropped into the world of the Secret Life of Pets franchise as a pet in need of a home. The various characters of the movies are recreated as lovely animatronics, with additional screens used to enhance the story. It’s simple and fun for the whole family.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - Universal Islands Of Adventure

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a big part of Universal’s focus. Both Orlando theme parks have separate Harry Potter-themed lands, with the Hogwarts Express taking guests between them. Any fan is going to want to check out every ride, but the crown jewel has to be Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, one of the best roller coasters of the last few years. With its unique ride vehicle, made up of a motorcycle-style seat and a sidecar, the way it includes a surprise drop element, to its large and well-designed animatronics, this coaster simply has everything.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

Jurassic World The Ride - Universal Studios Hollywood 

A good log flume-style ride is a must have for any major theme park and Universal Studios Hollywood has a great one with Jurassic World : The Ride. An updated version of an old Jurassic Park- themed attraction, the ride uses a combination of animatronics and screens to make you feel like you’re floating down a river inside Jurassic Park before things go wild, and only going off a massive waterfall will save you. Hopefully, the Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure will see this upgrade someday. 

Revenge Of The Mummy - Universal Studios Florida 

The Mummy movie franchise starring Brendan Fraser has been over for decades, but it lives on in the form of the Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coaster. The coaster has a fantastic meta-story that sees Fraser getting ready to film a new Mummy movie when the curse of the mummy is accidentally awoken. The coaster, with a few legit scares, is excellent in itself, but the ride is also hilarious, as Fraser gets frustrated with assistants who can’t bring him his cup of coffee. We're glad rumors Revenge of the Mummy might have vanished , have so far turned out to be untrue.

The Universal Studio Tour - Universal Studios Hollywood 

Maybe not a “ride” in the traditional sense, but it does require you to get into a vehicle, and it’s one of the most iconic theme park attractions in the world. The Universal Studio Tour, which is converting to electric vehicles , takes you into the backlot and past the soundstages of Universal Studios itself. On the right day, you might see your favorite celebrities working on a TV show or a movie. 

There are two traditional “attractions” that are part of the tour, King Kong 360 which puts you on the Skull Island set in the middle of a battle between Kong and some dinosaurs, and Fast & Furious: Supercharged, which has your “party bus” racing alongside Dom and his family. Both of which were so popular they became stand-alone attractions in Orlando. 

Theme parks are always changing and evolving. Universal Resorts and Destinations is in the middle of building a new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, and what we know about Epic Universe so far indicates it will also have some killer attractions. Universal Kids Resort in Frisco Texas is also sure to have plenty of fun rides for families. And then there’s the Fast & Furious roller coaster under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

While these are the best Universal theme park attractions today, tomorrow it could all change.

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.

Universal Studios Hollywood Is Being Sued After Guests Got Stuck On A Harry Potter Ride, And It Sounds Like Hell

Planning A Trip To Disneyland? Why May Is Going To Be A Rougher Month To Visit Than Usual

I Just Saw Footage From A Quiet Place: Day One And I Can't Stop Thinking About One Moment

Most Popular

• 2 Grey’s Anatomy: Meredith Was Missing Derek After Son’s Medical Emergency, But Here’s Why I Think She And Nick Are Endgame
• 3 Law And Order: Organized Crime Star Breaks Down Doing A Fight Scene With The 'Legend' Ellen Burstyn: 'It Was Necessary'
• 4 The True Story Behind How Godzilla Came Into Being Back In 1954
• 5 Law And Order: SVU Finally Addressed An Inevitability For Olivia Benson's Personal Life, And Mariska Hargitay Nailed It

Universal Studios Hollywood Announces Studio Tour 60th Anniversary Dining Pass

U niversal Studios Hollywood announced a new Food & Beverage Dining Pass in honor of the 60th anniversary of the World-Famous Studio Tour .

60th Anniversary Dining Pass

The 60th anniversary dining pass includes guest choice of:

• Two eligible entrée items
• Four eligible dessert, snack, side, or beverage items

The card is striped red and white, like the Universal Studios Glamor Trams . The 60th anniversary logo is in the center.

The dining pass will be available for purchase at any participating food and beverage locations. It will be valid only on the date of purchase. Eligible menu items will be designated by a Studio Tour 60th Anniversary logo on menu boards. Universal Studios Hollywood hasn’t announced more details like the price yet.

The Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration will run from April 26 through August 11, 2024. It will include specialty food and beverage items, retro merchandise, and updates to ride’s scenes. Read more about the Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration .

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT .

The post Universal Studios Hollywood Announces Studio Tour 60th Anniversary Dining Pass appeared first on WDW News Today .

I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top 10 tips for first-timers.

I’ll never forget walking out of Universal Islands of Adventure in 2022, drenched from head to toe after riding Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge . 

It was my first trip back to Universal Orlando Resort in years, and I learned some things the hard way, which I gladly shared with fellow travelers, hoping that they’d avoid my mistakes .

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Florida resort several times a year. And while I stand by my earlier tips, I’ve learned a few others.

Here are my top tips for first-timers visiting Universal Orlando.

1.  Stay on property

From RV parks to vacation rentals, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Central Florida, but it can pay to stay on property when visiting Universal Orlando. Not only are prices comparable to off-property hotels with Endless Summer Surfside and Dockside starting at $99 a night, but all of Universal’s resort hotels offer 30 minutes of early entry to select parks, which vary depending on time of year. 

They also provide free resort transportation, so you can get back to your room fairly quickly after a long park day or for a midday break. That free transportation can be clutch in the mornings, particularly at pricier Loews Sapphire Falls , Loews Royal Pacific , Loews Portofino Bay , and Hard Rock Hotel , which offer water taxis that drop you off closer to the parks than you can get arriving by car or bus. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel guests can walk over to Sapphire Falls for water taxis, but the extra time and steps added may make it not worth skipping the resort shuttle bus.

Walking paths are also available to the parks from every resort hotel except the Endless Summer ones. Cabana Bay guests also have a dedicated walking path to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Guests staying at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock also get free Universal Express Passes , which dramatically cut waits for most rides and normally start at $79.99 per person. Free package delivery is also available to all resort hotels, if guests don’t want to lug park purchases around all day.

Epic Universe details revealed: What's coming to Universal Orlando next year

2. Buy a popcorn bucket

Snacking at the parks can get expensive. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, but there’s one crowd-pleaser that won’t break the bank. 

A plain popcorn bucket costs a little over $12, and you can keep getting refills throughout your trip. Refills cost around $2 each, making popcorn among the cheapest, most shareable snacks on property. On our last trip, my family and I got multiple refills for the price of one pretzel with cheese dip.

3.  Bring a light, refillable water bottle

Staying hydrated is always important, particularly on hot park days. 

You can fill water bottles with free ice-cold water at any of the many Coca-Cola Freestyle machines across the property. Cups of ice water are also available for free anywhere dispensed soft drinks are sold.

Leave big double-walled stainless steel tumblers at home. Not only will they feel heavy, carrying them around all the day, but if they aren’t leak-proof, they’ll make a mess when you tip them on their sides to fit in lockers for thrill rides.

4. Bring a medium-sized bag to carry your stuff

Numerous attractions, from Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Men in Black Alien Attack , require guests to store loose articles in lockers provided for the duration of the ride. 

I previously recommended keeping most of your things together to avoid having to empty every pocket each time. That’s still true, but I want to add a caveat on size. 

The free lockers aren’t very big. They can fit a Loungefly-style mini backpack or empty popcorn bucket, if you squish them down, but they’re not large enough for packed full-size backpacks. Keep that in mind unless you want to pay for larger lockers.

5. Bring ponchos

Ponchos don’t take a lot of space and can save you from getting soaked like me on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge, Dudley Do-Right’s Rip Saw Falls , and Jurassic Park River Adventure .

Even if you skip water rides, ponchos are good to keep on hand for rainy park days.

6. Use single-rider lines 

Many attractions have a single-rider lane. If you’re traveling alone or don’t mind your party being split up, you can save time using the single-rider lane, if it’s open. They’re not always offered.

It doesn’t guarantee a short wait, but it’s usually shorter. On our latest trip, my middle schooler still waited at least 45 minutes for The Incredible Hulk Coaster and an hour for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit . That was about as long as the regular standby wait for Hulk but shorter than the standby wait for Rip Ride Rockit.

The following attractions have single-rider lanes, though availability varies.

Universal Studios Florida

• E.T. Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

7. Use child swap 

If someone in your party doesn’t meet ride requirements for an attraction or simply wants to sit it out, you can ask for a child swap. It’s particularly helpful for families with young children because it allows parents and caregivers to take turns riding the ride and staying with whoever is sitting it out.

On our most recent trip, my youngest didn’t want to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , so we all waited in line together, but then she and I peeled off to a designated waiting room while my middle schooler and mother-in-law went on the ride. When they were done, my mother-in-law stayed with my youngest while I went on the ride. My middle schooler lucked out, getting to ride it twice.

Not all attractions have waiting rooms, but they all offer swaps. Just let team members know you need one.

8. Take breaks

Theme parks can be exhausting. Not only are you on your feet all day, but they can be loud, crowded and overstimulating. 

When possible, I like to plan for at least one sit-down meal in the day. This way, I can take my time and recuperate in air conditioning away from crowds. I’ll typically splurge on one table-service meal, but there are several medium-priced, quick-service restaurants across both theme parks where you can grab a lighter snack and relax.

Really, any cool spot where you can sit down works. Knockturn Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida is always refreshing, though dark. Jurassic Park Discovery Center in Islands of Adventure is a great place for kids to explore while adults unwind. 

9.  Watch the shows

Rides get a lot of the love, but Universal Orlando’s live entertainment is top tier. You can find showtimes on the free resort app or simply stop to watch performances you stumble across while roaming the parks.

The only year-round shows with dedicated seating are at Universal Studios Florida: Animal Actors On Location! , The Bourne Stuntacular , and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, which is more funny than scary.

10. Let little ones stretch their legs

There are several play areas across both theme parks for little ones to burn off energy.

This summer, a new DreamWorks Land will open at Universal Studios Florida with a “Kung Fu Panda”-themed play area.

At Islands of Adventure, kids can explore Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park, If I Ran a Zoo in Seuss Landing, and Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon. There are also splash pads and water features across Toon Lagoon; just make sure to either bring swimsuits or backup clothes for those.

Bonus: Don’t sleep on Volcano Bay

You’ll definitely want to pack swimsuits if you’re heading to Volcano Bay, which regularly ranks among the best water parks in the country and adds a completely different experience to vacations.

It’s themed like a tropical paradise, with plenty of trees and an iconic volcano that houses multiple water slides. The water park can get crowded, but you never spend too much time standing in line because every guest gets a Tapu Tapu wearable bracelet that lets them join one virtual queue at a time. 

Single-day tickets start at $80, which is considerably less than the $119 starting price for guests age 10 and up at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, but still not cheap. However, if you’re already planning to buy multi-day tickets for both theme parks, tacking on Volcano Bay is not much more.

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• EEO statement
• Download News App
• Newsletter Sign-up (Opens in new window)
• Back 2 School
• Current Conditions
• Stormtracker 2HD Radar
• 5 Day Forecast
• Hour by Hour
• Pollen Count
• School Closings
• Report Closings
• Free Weather App
• 24/7 Severe Weather Team 2
• WSB 24/7 News
• NeighborhoodTV
• The $pend $mart Stream
• Law & Crime
• Curiosity NOW
• 2 Investigates
• High School Football
• Athlete of the Week
• Scholar Athlete
• UGA Bulldogs
• Lottery Results
• Family 2 Family
• Local Programs
• Share Your Pics!
• Steals and Deals (Opens in new window)
• WSB-TV Contests
• Action News Staff
• What's On WSB-TV
• Advertise With Us
• Speakers Bureau
• Visitor Agreement
• Privacy Policy
• House 2 Home

Universal Orlando announces 2024 Halloween Horror Nights schedule

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 It's back! (Universal Orlando Resort)

ORLANDO — This year, the horror begins earlier than ever before as Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights returns on select nights from August 30 through November 3 – unleashing a new slate of frights and nightmare-inducing terror at every corner of Universal Studios Florida.

Event dates for 2024 include August 30-31; September 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29; October 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31 and November 1-3.

Experience 1 of country's largest Halloween attractions at Halloween Horror Nights

Guests can secure their spot for the screams now and purchase select tickets and offers to plan the ultimate fall getaway where they can experience the adrenaline-pumping thrills of Universal’s theme parks by day and the terrifying chills of Halloween Horror Nights at night.

Every fall, guests from all around the globe brave their worst nightmares coming to life at Halloween Horror Nights – consistently named the world’s premier Halloween event. This year, a chilling new collection of horrifying experiences awaits guests, including 10 all-new movie-quality haunted houses inspired by cinematic greats and eerie original stories created by the twisted minds of Universal’s Entertainment team, and five scare zones filled with hundreds of menacing creatures who will reign the streets of Universal Studios Florida. And in between the screams, guests can enjoy an energetic live show, fuel up for the next round of scares with sinfully delicious food and beverage inspired by the event’s haunts, shop the latest merchandise at the highly-themed Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, and enjoy some of Universal Studios Florida’s most exciting attractions.

Single-night event tickets and Express Passes for Halloween Horror Nights are available for purchase now. Guests can also stay, scream and save up to $200 (based on a seven-night stay) with a special vacation package that includes one-night admission to the event and accommodations at a Universal hotel located just minutes from the haunts. This package also includes admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks to enjoy some of the most innovative rides and attractions ever created during the day, before facing the chills of Halloween Horror Nights at night. Plus, hotel guests receive exclusive benefits including access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event, Early Park Admission to the theme parks during the day, complimentary resort transportation, and more.

Halloween Horror Nights upgrades are also available for purchase now, including the guided, nighttime R.I.P. Tour experience where guests receive priority V.I.P. access to the haunted houses; and the Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour that offers a glimpse into how the scares are brought to life via a daytime, lights-on journey through select haunted houses. For guests who can’t wait to peek at what’s in-store this year, there’s also a limited, three-house Behind The Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour available for purchase for select days starting Aug. 11.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks ]

Halloween Horror Nights opens at Universal Orlando Resort

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter ]

©2023 Cox Media Group

Store owner accused of illegally giving cash payouts on gambling machines to customers: APD

Man who disappeared while on his way to work found dead in his car in DeKalb County, sheriff says

Invasive species of lizards that threaten native wildlife found in Georgia

Ga. high school football player dies after car accident involving 5 of 6 siblings

Metro Muslim, Jewish leaders respond to Atlanta Police Department’s public safety alert

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.