Great Attractions at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California

According to Wikipedia, Universal Studios in Hollywood California first offered tours in 1964. These tours were a hit, and have been continued all the way into present days. Today, Universal Studios is one of the largest amusement parks in the United States. What makes this theme park such a hit, besides how unique it is, is the fact that it brings well known popular movies to life for its visitors. Visitors are excited as they enter as these movies are brought to life with movie based amusement rides. By offering an inside look into these Hollywood hits, they draw their visitors in. Do not worry though, they never disappoint.

A popular attraction today is known as the Studio Tour. This one hour tour takes guests on a ride around the four hundred and twenty acres on a small trolley. Guests can enjoy seeing man of the stars dressing rooms, some of the offices of production, and even famous Hollywood stars at times. This tour brings its riders through a western town and then onto a New York street all in the same hour. Where else can you experience something like that? Currently this tour includes the sets of the famous movies: Back to the Future, Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, Jurassic Park three, and the Grinch. There is no better, more exciting trolley ride to be taken. This trolley does not have one of those boring drivers who talk in a monotone voice. This trolley carries its riders on near perilous adventures.

After you have taken the tour, you absolutely have to see the theme park itself! Every ride in the park has a movie theme. Some of the movies include ET, Terminator Two, and Shrek. However, rides are not the only fun to be had at Universal Studios. Waterworld, also based on the movie, is a spectacular display of boats and special water effects, bringing to life a timeless classic in a way the whole family will enjoy. If boats are not your thing, you can go on over the Animal Planet Live show, where members of the audience are sometimes called on stage to meet famous movie animals like Lassie or Beethoven. These great shows prove to be wonderful ways for the whole family to enjoy the same attraction at the same time. It can also prove as a way to relax for a few minutes in the hot weather.

On top of all of the great shows and rides, there is still the TV Audience Ticket Booth. At this booth you can receive free tickets that will put you in the audience of some of your favorite TV shows as they are being taped. That is about as close to prime time television as many of us will ever get. There are so many fun times to be had; it is hard to imagine getting them all done in the average vacation time.

On the outskirts of the Studios, you will find what is known as the Universal City Walk. It is a downtown atmosphere right outside the park. This three block section of fun includes stores, clubs and famous restaurants. Everyone can find something they enjoy on the Universal City Walk. No vehicles or motorized traffic are permitted in this area of the park. This makes it a safer walking environment for all of the pedestrian traffic you will find there.

In my opinion, there is simply no better place to spend your vacation time then at Universal Studios. With Disney right down the street, who could resist booking a hotel near both of these great attractions? Some people claim they go just for the tour of the park, saying that the rides are just an added bonus.