I know, you’re saying to yourself, isn’t every weekday for you a “day at Universal Studios”? Â Uh, yes, smart ass, it is. Â But in THIS context, jackass, it’s the theme park I’m talking about. Â Trent’s 16th birthday had 2 parts to it, and this visit to the theme park was the conclusion. Â An awesome aspect of this whole trip was that as an employee, I could buy 6 season passes for the park at $40 a pop. Â That’s INSANE.
Anyway, Stacie insisted we get there when the park opened, so that’s what we did. Â We magically ended up right behind them in the line to enter the parking lot, so that made everything just that much easier. Â After then cruising through CityWalk to the park itself, we activated our season passes and promptly made our way into the park. Â I hadn’t actually been a tourist to Universal Studios Theme Park since…hell….I don’t even really truly know. Â It was sometime when I was in elementary school, that’s for sure. Â So factoring that nonsensical realization in, it’s probably been 25 years or so. Â JESUS.
Let’s just say, the park has definitely expanded and changed. Â Obviously I knew it was all new, especially having walked on the park in the course of working there. Â But actually now taking the Studio Tram Tour – wow! Â So much has changed. Â Where there used to be things like a Battlestar Galactica part, there’s now the King Kong 360 experience. Â Holy shit, that thing was amazing. Â I can’t even explain it to you if you haven’t been through it – but damn, talk about the power of special effects and amazing cinema screens. Â There were some familiar sections though, like Jaws and the Mexican village (Flash Flood!) but then there’s now a whole Jimmy Fallon aspect along with constant video screen narration and interviews along with the tour guide’s commentary. Â No more Broken Bridge though – well, it’s there, you just can’t drive over it anymore. Â That was always a blast as that sudden lurch when the bridge ‘snaps’ is such a rush. Â Instead of the Ice Cave where the walls spin, now it’s a Mummy’s Revenge theme – the result is still the same though as it feels exactly like being drunk (thanks to George for pointing that out). Â From the 5k runs we’ve done, I’ve also had a chance to see the War of the Worlds wreckage and the WhoVille set but it’s still cool to see it via the official tour.
It was awesome to see the tour again, but there are now rides. Â I’d have discounted them before if you had asked me about them…but damn. Â Now that I’ve been on them, I can tell you that you’ll have a helluva time experiencing them. Â I think there’s only one that’s a true rollercoaster (The Mummy), which is a LIM-based coaster that surprises the hell out of you, especially when it starts going backwards. Â Super sweet. Â The Simpsons Ride is so freakin’ amazing. Â I had no idea what to expect from it but the domed visual virtual reality was so well done and so funny that I wanted to experience it again. Â The Transformer the Ride is a lot like the Simpsons, but even more immersive as your car is on a track. Â The graphical power on display with the special effects is jaw dropping. Â Shrek 4D was entertaining, but probably not as thrilling as the other three rides.
Anyway, I think Trent had a good birthday weekend – I know that both Larry & I had a great time at both events.
Here are some pics from Universal:
February 10, 2013 – Trent’s 16th at Universal Studios
