Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, CA 91608
Phone: (800) 959-9688
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
Editorial Review for Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood – by David E. Brady
The Background
Since beginning in 1964, Universal Studios' backlot tour has offered star-struck visitors a close-up look at sets and secrets from the earliest days of cinema to the latest blockbusters and hit TV series.
The Experience
Once a multi-hour odyssey, the tram ride has been whittled down to about 45 minutes, but it still includes famous landmarks like the Hill Valley courthouse where Marty McFly went "Back to the Future," Beaver Cleaver's suburban home and the spooky Bates Motel and "Psycho" house. Sure, you'll see dusty, vintage sets like New York Street and Little Europe, but the real highlights are Earthquake, a state-of-the-art re-creation realistic enough to even scare Angelenos, King Kong, a face-to-face encounter with the classic movie monkey and the Mummy's Tomb, inspired by the 1999 flick. Even the dated, dorky shark "Bruce" from "Jaws" still startles. New highlight is the set from Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds."
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyUniversal Studios offers significant discounts and special packages, including a VIP tour and yearly passes. Before you go, check their website for details.
Know Before You GoTo ensure good photographs, sit near the tram's sides and stay alert--many of the best effects happen without warning. Also, note tram tours stop rolling at dusk.
User Reviews for Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood
11/24/2007 Posted by gychii
The Studio Tour is probably the only thing about Universal Studios that IS good. It takes only like 40 minutes, but you get some good peaks at the studios backlot, including the houses used over and over for various movies and tv shows. They'll even explain how some special effects are put together and show you some landmarks of the industry (like Hitchcock's office). I've been on the tour probably half a dozen times but never seen a movie shoot in action. Better chances on the streets of LA, it seems. But if you do go to Universal Studios, at least redeem the admission costs by taking the Studio Tour. Otherwise you might find you've wasted a lot of cash on a nearly worthless amusement park.
Pros: Worth the time
Cons: Bumpy ride
10/31/2007 Posted by netter1
If you are a movie lover, the Studio Tour at Universal is a must. No...you don't REALLY see how the movies are made...but it does give you a little insight into the "studio" life. If you have a tour guide who likes their job, you will laugh, groan, and probably shriek as you tram through parts of the back lot. The last time I did this tour, the old Parting Red Sea/Jaws portion of the tour was "under construction". I'm not sure what it is now, but we're considering going back this year just to see what they've put in it's place. More often than not I'm spending time at the City Walk...but that's a whole other review.
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Universal Studios Hollywood
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