Today we took the long drive to Universal Studios Hollywood. LA traffic is definitely something else, it took nearly 2 hours to get there and it was only just over 30 miles.
After parking we walked through Citywalk to the park. Beans has to stop in the Super Nintendo World shop on route to get the band needed for the interaction in the park.
Then it was a walk past the Universal globe, through security and through the Universal Studios arch.
Once inside the park we met Hello Kitty, walked past Shaggy and Thelma, Shrek and Princess Fiona and Gabby Gabby. We got shouted at by the citizens from their windows above the shops, they seemed very friendly.
I then decided we needed a quick stop so I could have a churro because who can resist a churro. Following the churro we walked past Donkey then met Poppy from Trolls.
We walked past the Fast and Furious ride which is currently being build, this looks like it’s going to an absolutely epic coaster, then a quick walk past the entrance to Hogsmeade towards the escalators down to the Lower lot, to get there you take a quick trip through Springfield.
On the way down the multiple escalators we saw the Warner Bros studios in the distance, which was a very cool thing to see.
Once in the Lower Lot we headed to Super Nintendo World. We completely ignored Jurassic World, Transformers and The Mummy as we (well Beans) only had the one destination on his radar.
Having entered Super Nintendo World Beans was in his element, interacting with the interacting games and gathering keys.
We rode Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge which is an AR interactive ride. You have to throw shells and collect coins. I don’t think we did too bad at it, the steering took a while to get used to. You end up in the shop, where we were very good and didn’t purchase anything, there were lots of cool things we could have got.
Back outside Beans did more of the interactive challenges to get his keys. They definitely give you a workout getting the keys, I was happy to just watch.
While we were in the main hub we saw Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi and Toad.
We then together went into the final challenge which I was allowed to help in, and managed to win the Golden Mushroom and a special thank you message from Princess Peach.
Then it was back to the Upper Lot, through Springfield where we saw Homer Simpson, saw some ginormous doughnuts, looked in the Kwik-ee Mart, then headed to the Studio Tour.
On embarking our tram we took a ride through the stages, some of which were apparently in use for filming, we got to see a bit of King Kong in action which was terrifying, we got to see lots of set staging, enjoy special effects in catastrophe canyon, where you actually think you may die, before nearly being attacked by Jaws. So glad we were in a tram and not a boat, otherwise we definitely would have needed a bigger boat!
The tram took us past vintage ride vehicles and the Bates Motel and scenes of a plane crash, which felt very real. The tour really explained different ways of theming and creating effects.
Having exited the Studio Tour we then took a walk through Hogsmeade where we saw the full range of shops, the Hogwarts Express and some Butterbeer sellers. We didn’t spend much time in Hogsmeade as it was very busy.
Heading towards the park exit I met Scooby Doo and Shaggy who were both friendly, sadly I didn’t have any Scooby snacks on me.
Beans then met Doc from Back to the future which was definitely a highlight for him being a massive BTTF fan.
The obligatory visit to the Universal Shop had to be done, I got a Universal Studios tee, Beans managed to snag two really nice tees in the sale, then it was back to the ET lot and the car.
Driving back towards Anaheim, which again was nearly 2 hours, we saw the Hollywood sign.
LA driving is something I’m definitely glad I don’t have to do.
Back at the hotel we were both ready to crash, with the driving it had been a long day.
TTFN, Titch