Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Universal Studios is both a theme park and a working studio.The attractions in the park are based on movies that were produced by the studio. My complaint was that many of the movies that are tied into the themeing of the park are older and not that significant. Universal is designed for those who are a lover of their movies or a serious film buff looking to get a sneak peak on what goes on behind the scenes on a set.
Tickets to enter are a person, but So. Cal residents can usually get their special annual pass where you buy a day and get the year free. There is another pass for . This allows you to cut lines, and get behind the scenes guided tour of the studios where you can see the production facilities and shows that are currently being filmed. If you are hoping to see a particular show make sure that they are in production before you by the ticket. Even though this is a working studio they aren't always filming. I also wouldn't recommend the pass if you are looking to just cut lines. Universal is a park for tourists, unlike Disney which makes its money off of locals, Universal has problems attracting the LA crowd. Lines will be long during the summer and other peak, tourist seasons. Other then that the pass isn't worth it. i was there on New Year's eve and breezed through the lines in under 7 minutes.

Quick Tips:

My biggest tip for touring the park is to pre-plan the day in the park. The majority of the attractions are shows with specific show times (these can be viewed online). Figure out which shows you want to see and schedule it into your day. Otherwise you may miss a show.
I also wouldn't recommend eating in the park. Most of the restaurants aren't that appealing; it's overpriced fast food. Try eating at the City Walk. There is more of a variety to choose from and is a great way to sit down and relax from the park for an hour.
If you don't want to get wet on the Jurassic Park ride I suggest sitting in the back and avoid the sides. Each time I went on it I came off dry as a bone, but my friend was soaked

Best Way To Get Around:

Getting to Universal is easy. Take the 101 out of LA towards Hollywood and exit onto Lankershim. Plan ahead when leaving because during rush hour the 101 backs up pretty quickly especially if you are talking the 5 to the 101. Parking costs an arm and a leg. Preferred parking (this area is closer to the actual park) costs . The rest of the parking costs and takes you to a lot that is near the City Walk. It's really not that far away.
My other suggestion is to take the subway. The red line runs all the way to Hollywood. Get off at the second to last stop for Universal/Studio City. The subway station is at the bottom of the hill to the park. The studio offers free tram rides to the top. I suggest waiting the 10 minutes for the tram. The walk to the top of the hill is murderous and even better when the water sprinklers are on. Honestly the ride to the top watching others walk up and seeing them get wet is better then any of the attractions in the park itself.

The Hard Rock Café is a hard sight to miss at the end of the City Walk. Outside is a giant Fender guitar with a jumbo screen on the opposite side of the walk showing music videos ranging from No Doubt to ABBA. Stepping inside there is a large saxophone chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the Hard Rock logo on the floor. Inside the actual restaurant there is a giant Cadillac spinning around on the top of the bar. They know how to set up a photo opt.

We arrived on a Monday at 4pm and we were sat quickly. The options are limited, pasta, burgers, wings, etc. I ordered a Storm Blue Burger for $11 and my friend got the Blackened Chicken Pasta for $14. While we waited for out food we were told to have a look around, but we chose to do that after we ate. It took about 30 minutes for our food to arrive and it wasn’t that warm. I was a bit disappointed. Usually at places like this you get enough food for two, but there were a few fries and a decent size burger. The top of the bun was toasted but the bottom was almost soggy; however, they did put a lot of blue cheese on it and it came with a side of horseradish. I know that it doesn’t sound right, but hey, when in Rome. Lightly spread on the burger it has a nice, surprisingly good taste to it I do have to mention our waiter. He was very good and tired to entertain us. It wasn’t the best service, but he was really good.

After eating we walked around looking at the collection that they have. They do have a decent collection of Rock memorabilia, but if you have been to one Hard Rock you have been to them all. They had the usual collection of Chili Peppers, Elvis, No Doubt, and Guns N Roses items. Don’t get me wrong, I love No Doubt and it was the Tony Kanal jumpsuit that pulled me in to this particular Hard Rock, but it’s always the same bands. Even at the Hard Rock in Thailand they have the same No Doubt photo as the one in Orlando

Karl Strauss Brewery is not a place I would normally eat. I don't like beer so why would I want to go to a brewery? Wondering around the City Walk my friend and I were trying hard to find a good place to eat. Everything was either to expensive, wasn't appealing, or didn't look clean. I gave up and let her choose. My only criteria that was a short wait time and nothing to neon. After all it was New Year's Eve and I didn't wan to bring in the New Year with a burger in my mouth.
The restaruant seemed to be preparing for a party inside so we opted the outside seating. Since it was on the second floor we were able to overlook the City Walk without being caught up in the crowd. Also the California weather was in our favor and the heat lamps were out so all was good. The patio was small with only seating for about 15 tables. This made me happy since I don't like huge, open dining areas.
The menu was appealing. They offered starters like portobello fries ($4.95), spinach artichoke dip ($9.95), fish tacos ($9.95), and calamari ($10.25). The diner menu is endless. There is pastas, jambalaya, shrimp, steak, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. We couldn't decide so we came up with the best solution to the problem; split it. We ordered the cheeseburger ($8.95) and a chicken sandwich ($9.95). Both came with fires. We didn't wait long before the food came. The fires weren't that good. They were the really skinny type that I hate, but the sandwiches made up for it. The burger was tender and juciey, but the chicken was to die for. It was cooked perfectly chicken breast on a toasted bun, and although i was craving a burger all night the chicken sandwich hit the spot.
Although it is techincally a brewery there were a lot of families dining here, and all seemed happy with what they had. When I saw the amount of children I have to admit I had my concerns, but they weren't loud or out of control. The wait staff keep a close eye on everyone and when they saw a child squaring they were at the table right away to defuse the situation. It was great.
The hours for Karl Strauss change depending on the the local events. However they are generally open from noon to 9 pm and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. I would suggest calling ahead for reservations during the holidays and peak season just to avoid any possible wait times.

Where else in the world could someone see a tribute to their city in there own city? Welcome to Hollywierd. For the low, low price of $60, step into the world of Hollywood and the movie industry. Something that couldn't be seen in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, or Hollywood. Okay, I'm being harsh; it's different from the real Hollywood. It's what Hollywood would be like if it was a rollercoster.
Universal is seperated into two areas; the upper and lower levels. The upper level is where the shows take place. My honest opinion was that this area was very hokey. The streets were a mish-mosh of streets from around the world that had no transition between them. One street was a throw back to the old west. At night there were actors hanging out of the windows, dressed from different eras, joking with people on the streets...it wasn't funny. On the upper level the attractions include Terminator 2: 3-D, Universal's Animal Actor's Show, The Blues Brothers, House of Horrors, the Nickelodeon Blast Zone, Shrek 4-D, the Studio Tour, and Waterworld. I didn't spend much time on the top level because there was little the intrested me. My friend, however tricked me into going to the Haunted House. First and foremost I HATE haunted houses. I really do. Once inside the sets were really elaborate and feature some of Universal's classic monsters like Frankenstein's monster, the Werewolf, and Dracula, and parts of actual sets from various movies. The haunted house is a walk through attraction, where actors jump out to scare you...I hate when people jump out at me. I'm a chicken and I'm not afraid to admit it. I attached myself to my friend, shut my eyes at the parts I knew I would scream at and made here lead me through several areas. One tip: the actors will jump out at the people they know are scared. Lucky for me I had a group of screaming girls infront of me, so they took most of the torture while I ran by.
The second level is where the best rides in my opinion are. However to get to the lower level in the most mind numbingly long escalator in the history of man kind. Wait let me rephrase that it's a series of escalators that make up what Universal calls the Starway. This is the single area that makes me never want to go back again. However, there is a small platform between one escalator and the next where you can get a beautiful view of the Hollywood hills and Studio City. The other exciting part is that from here I got to see into the actual backlot of Warner Brother Studios. Ha, ha, take that Universal.
The attractions on the lower level are superior. The Jurassic Park ride was great. The ride is set up like the movie. Tourists are taken into the park when something goes wrong. Oh no! The Dinosaurs are loose! Once the boat goes into one of the buildings is when the real action starts. The T-Rex comes out of the ceiling just as the boat makes and 84 foot to safety. The park claims that everyone will get soaked, but it wasn't the case each time I was on it. The boat sits six people across and i was in the back each time; however my friend who was next to the side got wet each time, but that's what she gets for making me go into the haunted house.
The Revenge of the Mummy ride was pretty fun as well. The actual ride itself isn't glamourous, but it starts out like any rollercoaster, but then a curse is put on you and the rollercoaster shoots off backwards. It comes to a halt at a wall, when smoke fills the room and suddenly everyone is back where they started. This ride gets an A for creativity.
My overall disapointment was the lack of updated movies. Most of the shows/movies that were incorporated throughout the park were older movies that were good, but not good enough to base a ride on (ex, Waterworld or the Mummy). Throughout the park there were a lot of referances in the scripts of the actors and in the videos that were shown that refrenced movies from the early 90's. Every so often one of the newer movies were thrown in, but it really gave an overall feel that the park executives didn't care about the quality of the park, and half assed attempts to update it. Overall Universal isn't a bad theme park, but it's not something I would recommed, especially if you are visiting LA for less then a week. Spend your money else where. If it's the magic of Hollywood you want then go to Hollywood. Any given day you can get tickets, for free to show tapings, or go to downtown LA on the weekend. They are always filming commercials, movies, or TV shows. Just hang out on Fig Street or Flower St near the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

If anything in Los Angeles reminded me of Vegas it would be Universal City Walk. Located just outside of Universal Studios, the city walk is a flashing neon mess that happens to be filled with shops, restaurants, and other various things. It's easy to get lost in the kaos that makes up this place. The overall theme, I'm guessing here, is Hollywood movie magic, maybe... Giant screens are set up across from the Hard Rock Cafe that play old music videos, a giant, blue King Kong hangs off the side of one of the buildings, giant postcards adorn one area, and a red carpet leads up to the ticket booths at Universal Studios. Throw on top of this some crazy murals from Wolf Gang Puck's Cafe, a cowboy and horse bursting out of the Saddle Ranch Chop House, and neon lights everywhere. It seems every place has it's own gimic. The only problem is that all of this is thrown into a very small area making it very clostrophobic.
I can't honestly say that the shopping isn't great and the the dining selection isn't the best. It's all very touristy. As far as dining is concerned they offer selections such as B.B. King's Blues Club and Restaurant, Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. Cade Tu Tu Tango, Tony Roma's, Wasabi, and Camacho's among others. There are also quick service areas that serve Dodger Dogs, a KFC express, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Panda Express. But fear not the LA staples Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Coffee Bean are also served up here; I'm not sure about you but that makes me, a complete LA girl, feel better. My suggestion is to look at the place before you go in. Each time I've been here I found restaurants that I wouldn't eat in because I didn't think that they were clean enough, and that's not the prissy LA side of me that's talking.
I can't honestly say that the shopping isn't great and the the dining selection isn't the best. It's all very touristy. As far as dining is concerned they offer selections such as B.B. King's Blues Club and Restaurant, Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. Cade Tu Tu Tango, Tony Roma's, Wasabi, and Camacho's among others. There are also quick service areas that serve Dodger Dogs, a KFC express, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Panda Express. But fear not the LA staples Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Coffee Bean are also served up here; I'm not sure about you but that makes me, a complete LA girl, feel better. My suggestion is to look at the place before you go in. Each time I've been here I found restaurants that I wouldn't eat in because I didn't think that they were clean enough, and that's not the prissy LA side of me that's talking.
Shipping isn't much better. There are the big name stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Skechers, Guess, Fossil, and Billabong, but that's it. The rest are really tacky, overpriced souivner shops. If that's what you are looking for I'm not going to knock it, but I do offer this advice. Only buy the stuff that you can't find anywhere else. This is going to be things like Universal merchandise, Hard Rock t-shirts, and Dodger paraphanelia. If the items that you are looking to buy are generic (ie, Oscar statues, Hollywood t-shirts, or anything that says Los Angeles) don't buy it here. All of this can be found for much better prices in Hollywood, more specifically on Hollywood Blvd between Vine and Highland.
Admission to the City Walk is free, but they get you get to pay $11 just to park your car. $20 if you would like perfered parking. The area is also open until 10 pm on Sunday thru Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.