Universal studios and the Walt Disney studios

[Tink1987]

Hi all,

Hoping for some help please on planning our California trip for Dec 2013/Jan 2014. We are planning on spending one whole day at Universal Studios. Will this be enough? Should we buy FOTL passes?

I'm also a little confused on the studio tour thing. What's the difference between the VIP tour and just the Studio tour that everyone advises that you get on first thing in the day?

I also understand that the Walt Disney studios is very near US. I know you can't visit it, but do you see anything at all or just the gates?

Thanks so much all

[danaesacto]

If you can afford FOTL passes, yes buy them! Well worth it IMO. The Studio Tour is the regular tram ride, the VIP tour takes you to the same basic places but you get out, walk around, see a bit more, here more stories etc. They also take you into a working sound stage I think- which tram tour does not.

You can see everything in 1 day with being their at opening and staying till closing. It is a bit hectic but do-able. With FOTL passes easily do-able. Doesn't VIP Experience include FOTL passes? If so that would be the best way to maximize one day there- but you pay for that privilege- I would say though you will feel like you get your money's worth- you are treated well, you see things regular guests don't see, you save time etc.

HTH!

[StageTek]

Originally Posted by Tink1987

I also understand that the Walt Disney studios is very near US. I know you can't visit it, but do you see anything at all or just the gates?

Just the gates. But the gates are pretty cool:

[Minuet888]

I personally don't think front of the line passes are necessary and you can still do everything in one day, thats just my personal opinion.
The VIP experience I've never done though it sounds cool its just that it is SO expensive
$289 per person!!! It does include front of the line passes and I think luinch too here is the link (they say they stop for lunch in a VIP area with a special chef preparing it but it is unclear if the price of lunch is included or extra)

http://www.universalstudioshollywood...ip-experience/

[Tink1987]

Thanks very much all, much appreciated. We were spending the night near US but decided to just go for the day, get to LA soon and then have the extra night in Disneyland. We thought 2 nights there just aren't going to be enough for first time visitors

Does anybody know how long the VIP tour takes? I don't mind paying for it, as overall it's a special trip for my DB's 30th birthday. However, I don't want to spend 6 hours on a tour like that and miss a lot of park time even with the FOTL passes!

[danaesacto]

Pretty sure the VIP experience takes up much of the day, but they escort you to every ride, show, and attraction- you will see all the shows as a VIP with preferred seating. You can ride the rides several times in a row- you get your own tour guide. I think you then have the rest of the day open- be it an hour or a couple of hours.... there are reviews on the Universal VIP page and everyone seems pleased with the experience.

[Tink1987]

Originally Posted by danaesacto

Pretty sure the VIP experience takes up much of the day, but they escort you to every ride, show, and attraction- you will see all the shows as a VIP with preferred seating. You can ride the rides several times in a row- you get your own tour guide. I think you then have the rest of the day open- be it an hour or a couple of hours.... there are reviews on the Universal VIP page and everyone seems pleased with the experience.

Brilliant, thanks very much. May pay for this then because we can only spare the one day. Doesn't mean we will never go back though.....

[danaesacto]

Originally Posted by Tink1987

Brilliant, thanks very much. May pay for this then because we can only spare the one day. Doesn't mean we will never go back though.....

If I could afford it I would do it- even if I couldn't pay for hubby and kids...JK! well kinda sorta kidding it really seems like you get a lot out of it and they treat you well...whatever you do, you will have fun! We have season passes and we always did 2 days back to back just so we aren't running around like like crazy...then you look over at the FOTL passes area and go...wow they have it good

[hsmamato2]

I don't think Universal is worth much more than a quick day IMHO....we drove up there one morning from DL,and we were back before dinner,even with the crummy traffic
no FOTL passes, just waited in line, the longest was for the tram ride,maybe 45 mins...we did the Simpsons 1st....it is not big,and there isnt that much to see or do...my kids rode the mummy like 10x in a row...no lines..... TO me it's barely a one day park....

[Princess Disney Mom]

Does Universal Hollywood have Harry Potter?

[hsmamato2]

No....look on the website, there are about 3 'big' rides here,plus assorted other activities....it's not like the FL park

[Princess Disney Mom]

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

No....look on the website, there are about 3 'big' rides here,plus assorted other activities....it's not like the FL park

Thanks

[cmwade77]

Originally Posted by Minuet888

I personally don't think front of the line passes are necessary and you can still do everything in one day, thats just my personal opinion.
The VIP experience I've never done though it sounds cool its just that it is SO expensive
$289 per person!!! It does include front of the line passes and I think luinch too here is the link (they say they stop for lunch in a VIP area with a special chef preparing it but it is unclear if the price of lunch is included or extra)

http://www.universalstudioshollywood...ip-experience/

It does sound like fun, I just wish they would offer a discount for Passholders, after all the VIP tour also includes admission, which obviously Passholders would not need.