Any Universal Hollywood Experts out there?

[I_heart_Tigger]

I realize this is the Universal Orlando thread but I was hoping someone might be able to help with my visit to Universal Hollywood next week.

My plan is to get there at open and the only attractions I hope to do are the Studio Tour, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park and Transformers. I know the Mummy and Jurassic Park are likely the same as Orlando but my friend has never been to any Universal park and wants to see both of those.

My questions are:

1. Is there anything else that is a must do? I thought maybe Despicable Me but I haven't seen the movie so not sure I would appreciate it.
2. Do you think we can see these attractions and get back to Hollywood to meet a tour at Grauman's by 5:00pm? Would we need the front of line pass to do that or would we be ok with getting there at open.

We will be there next Tuesday (June 3rd) so I don't know if it will be busy at all. If we have to skip something to make our tour in Hollywood we both agreed we can do without either Jurassic Park or Transformers but the Studio Tour and the Mummy is a must.

I also had a tip (because I like taking photos) that the right side of the studio tour vehicle is best for pictures. Do you agree? Are they usually receptive to people asking to sit on that side or should I just hope for the best?

Thanks for the help and sorry mods for taking the post to the other coast but I didn't see anywhere else to ask.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yes, unfortunately, this site doesn't have an USH sub forum.

You'll have time to get to your Hollywood tour by 5. Another must do is the Water World show. If you get there at opening, you should be able to do the entire park before your tour. Grauman's is right down the street from USH, shouldn't take you ten minutes.

Whoever gave you that tip is absolutely correct. The right side is definitely the best for photos. Just make sure you're first, or in the the beginning in the individual line before boarding the tram.

 

[JT3000]

Hollywood's Mummy is actually very different from Orlando's, and most agree that it's inferior. It's also incredibly short. I don't know how you feel about Jurassic Park, but they have the better version of that. Mummy seems the more skippable ride.

Despicable Me isn't anything major, but it's enjoyable. I do recommend seeing the movie first though.

 

[croboy82]

I agree with raven24, if you have time do Water World show too as it may close at some point.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

Another must do is the Water World show.

I agree with raven24, if you have time do Water World show too as it may close at some point.

Hollywood's Mummy is actually very different from Orlando's, and most agree that it's inferior. It's also incredibly short. I don't know how you feel about Jurassic Park, but they have the better version of that. Mummy seems the more skippable ride.

Despicable Me isn't anything major, but it's enjoyable. I do recommend seeing the movie first though.

I was bragging up the Mummy ride from Orlando because I knew my friend would enjoy it - shame that it's not as good here. I will add Water World to the Must do list and save The Mummy to the end. I think we can do without Despicable Me given our other options

Whoever gave you that tip is absolutely correct. The right side is definitely the best for photos. Just make sure you're first, or in the the beginning in the individual line before boarding the tram.

It was actually my Mom She doesn't do anything too scary - like Splash Mountain where she swore my sister and I were trying to kill her by taking her on it. She's a "classic Disney" attraction fan (never skips IASW or POTC) but she loves some of the Universal rides. Spider-Man is her favourite.

If you get there at opening, you should be able to do the entire park before your tour. Grauman's is right down the street from USH, shouldn't take you ten minutes.

I'm so glad you posted this. I had to go back to my Google map which said it would take over an hour to get from Universal to Grauman's. I realized it was set for walking distance...ummm...no, I think I'll drive

Does anyone have an opinion of whether we would need the front of the line pass? I'm thinking that where we really only want to get 4 or 5 attractions done and will be there at opening on a Tuesday that we will be ok. We have a two week road trip through California - Vegas - Grand Canyon etc so saving some money here and there while still seeing everything we want to is a bit of a balancing act.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I was bragging up the Mummy ride from Orlando because I knew my friend would enjoy it - shame that it's not as good here. I will add Water World to the Must do list and save The Mummy to the end. I think we can do without Despicable Me given our other options



It was actually my Mom She doesn't do anything too scary - like Splash Mountain where she swore my sister and I were trying to kill her by taking her on it. She's a "classic Disney" attraction fan (never skips IASW or POTC) but she loves some of the Universal rides. Spider-Man is her favourite.



I'm so glad you posted this. I had to go back to my Google map which said it would take over an hour to get from Universal to Grauman's. I realized it was set for walking distance...ummm...no, I think I'll drive

Does anyone have an opinion of whether we would need the front of the line pass? I'm thinking that where we really only want to get 4 or 5 attractions done and will be there at opening on a Tuesday that we will be ok. We have a two week road trip through California - Vegas - Grand Canyon etc so saving some money here and there while still seeing everything we want to is a bit of a balancing act.

You don't have to get the front of the line pass. Save your money for something else.

Yeah, you definitely don't want to walk to the Theatre. That wouldn't be good haha.

 

[MichWolv]

I realize this is the Universal Orlando thread but I was hoping someone might be able to help with my visit to Universal Hollywood next week.

My plan is to get there at open and the only attractions I hope to do are the Studio Tour, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park and Transformers. I know the Mummy and Jurassic Park are likely the same as Orlando but my friend has never been to any Universal park and wants to see both of those.

My questions are:

1. Is there anything else that is a must do? I thought maybe Despicable Me but I haven't seen the movie so not sure I would appreciate it.
2. Do you think we can see these attractions and get back to Hollywood to meet a tour at Grauman's by 5:00pm? Would we need the front of line pass to do that or would we be ok with getting there at open.

We will be there next Tuesday (June 3rd) so I don't know if it will be busy at all. If we have to skip something to make our tour in Hollywood we both agreed we can do without either Jurassic Park or Transformers but the Studio Tour and the Mummy is a must.

I also had a tip (because I like taking photos) that the right side of the studio tour vehicle is best for pictures. Do you agree? Are they usually receptive to people asking to sit on that side or should I just hope for the best?

Thanks for the help and sorry mods for taking the post to the other coast but I didn't see anywhere else to ask.

I did two half-days at Uni Hollywood just after Transformers opened two years ago this week. Based on my experience on a weekday visit (Friday in my case), you can do a lot in your 6 hours or so.

Get there at opening, and head to Transformers (long walk). Ride Transformers, Mummy, and JP while on the lower lot in rapid successions. You should have to wait for any of 'em. By about 11:00 (assuming park opens at 10), you be back to the upper lot. Use the four hours you have left to hit the tram tour (takes an hour or so), WaterWorld (best show, and unique), and Minions (the ride is an absolute blast, and since they've doubled capacity in Hollywood compared to Orlando, should have fairly small wait) for sure. Most likely, you'll still have time beyond that. My next choice would be Simpsons because I love that ride, but you may prefer the Hollywood-only attractions that are left instead. In any event, 6 hours is enough, on a weekday, to see almost everything, particularly if you knock of Transformers, Mummy, and JP before there are any lines.

You won't need front of line.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

We stayed at the Hilton at Universal, we caught the tube from the bottom of the hill to get to the Chinese Theatre and to do the tourist trip thangs.

 

[jensenrick]

I've only been to L.A. once, so I'm no expert, but I can give my two cents. First, I'd say that the LA versions of Mummy and JP are different enough to make them worth it.

Second, I would hardly characterize Grahman's Chinese as "down the street" from USH, nor ten minutes away. It's over the mountains from each other. It's ten minutes of highway travel (if you don't have traffic) and then down Hollywood Blvd, then finding parking. I'd give myself at least a half hour lead time.