Universal Studios began offering tours in 1964. Today, Universal Studios still offers tours, and they still make movies – but it has also become one of the largest amusement parks in the world. In fact, Universal Studios has mixed movie making with shows and a theme park full of rides to become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
The Studio tour is a one hour guided tour. Those on the tour ride around the studio’s 420 acres on a tram, and see many stars dressing rooms, production offices, and often famous Hollywood stars. Where else can you see a western town and a New York City street all in the same hour? The tour includes sets from Back to the Future, Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb, Jurassic Park III, and The Grinch. This is more than just your boring tour with a boring monotone tour guide! As the tour progresses, tourists encounter many disasters!
Once you’ve finished your tour of the studios, you can move on to the theme park. All of the rides have a movie oriented theme, such as Revenge of the Mummy, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and Shrek. There is also entertainment. Waterworld is a theater presentation which features many stunts and special effects. Other shows that include terrific stage effects are Backdraft, Animal Planet Live, and Spider Man Rocks.
If all of this wasn’t enough, you can also visit the TV Audience Ticket Booth. Here you will get free tickets that will allow you to be part of the audience for television shows that are being taped during your visit. This is almost like being on TV! When you visit Universal Studios, you will have several days of fun, and you probably still won’t see everything that is offered.
Outside of Universal Studios you will find the Universal City Walk. This is Universal Studios very own Downtown. This is three blocks of stores, clubs, and restaurants for you to enjoy. There are no cars or motorized traffic allowed in this area, but there are hundreds, and sometimes thousands of pedestrians milling about enjoying all of the sights and sounds.
Universal Studio Tours is a great place to spend your vacation – or it is perfect as an add on to a Disneyland Vacation. Even if you don’t have time for the theme park, the Universal Studios Tour itself is not to be missed!