Studio Tour reviews
Theme Park Insider readers offer their ratings and reviews for Studio Tour, a tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Written by Robert Niles The Studio Tour includes many "mini-attraction", such as Earthquake, Jaws and King Kong 360/3-D. The Studio Tour lasts about 45 minutes. Some effects on The Studio Tour may be too intense for young visitors. A fire on June 1, 2008 destroyed some sections of the Studio Tour, including King Kong and the Back to the Future Courthouse Square sets. A new 3D King Kong experience opened in 2010, and in 2011 the Studio Tour's on-board video presentation was re-written and re-filmed with new host Jimmy Fallon.
Readers' rating:
Addendum: I recently went there for the new King King 360 3-D attraction. As a thrill seeker, it was so-so. It was like seeing the movie with the seats shaking according to the action of the two screens on either side of the tram. As a movie fan, I liked the interaction of the tram as the movie places us in the tram in the middle of the action. Overall, I'd give King Kong 360 3-D a 5 out of ten rating based on my excitement factor. Universal still rates as one of the lowest ranked theme park in my book in terms of thrill ride theme park and excitement. I have been to the Studio Tour at least once in the past three decades (that means the 80's, 90's and 2000's). It is a good experience in seeing how movies are made and learning Universal's history. However, they often sacrifice older sets for newer ones while retaining those that they think people will want to see. I understand that space is always an issue in Southern California (as well as finances); however, it would be nice to see all, if not most of, the memorible Universal films during the tour. They should conduct a survey with the public to see what sets they would like on the tour. Personally, I would like to see the futuristic Hill Valley from Back To The Future or see E.T's escape to the forest. Neither the tour nor the upper or lower lots at USH have anything from Back to the Future or from E.T. E.T.'s presence is reduced to a plush doll they sell in the souvenir shop. They even took down the Isla Sorna Visitor Center from Jurassic Park The Lost World (where War of the Worlds set is currently located) and reduced JP's presence ont he tour to a small strip of road where the Compys spray water on you during the tour as you make your way to the little Mexican village area. I am sure there is a way to make the tour go through the Jurassic Park Visitor Center as a T-Rex starts fighting some Raptors in the background; that would be something to see on the tour and that idea was a free one. In the last 12 months, I have been on the Studio Tour four times and its been the same script with the same sets. If USH wants me to come more often as a visitor, they need to make more sets on the tour on a monthly basis not yearly. One new set a year would not justify me in coming back over and over again during a calendar year; Halloween Horror Nights would be the only exception. However, this is one person's opinion and I am sure that the out of town tourist make up the bulk of their revenue. Most Favorites: Earthquake, Psycho, Jaws Least Favorites: Whoville, Wisteria Lane, Parting of the Red Sea - D.S. Francisco Of course the alst visit I paid to Universal is for the highly anticipated King Kong 3D experience. Seeing all the ads put on for the revemp from the fire two years ago, I was excited to be on tour again. King Kong turned out to be one of first few sites on the route, but I have to say...I was a little disappointed. It wasn't thrilling at all. It was just 3D movie screens on both sides. From time to time you get a squirt of water on your face, I guess those are dinosaur blood, with your tram moving, and that's it. There are many ooh and ahh at the begining because the 3D glasses really echanced the depth and make you feel you're really in the middle of Skull Island forest, but the innovation stays there. The rest is just the old 3D movie with seat shaking. One thing worth mentioning though, is that there's a part where a T-Rex drags down the last part of the tram and it does really looks like the tram is being dragged down the cliff, and that's about it. I'll say if you live far away, don't make a long trip for this attraction, it's not worthy of the long distance. :) - Jeremy Hu Great and entertaining! King Kong was amazing. The effects are amazing, you know where to look at because there's so many things going on on both sides of the trams - Erik Avila I go to Universal Hollywood most time just to go on this tour again!! In my opinion this is the only ride (In California) where Universal has Disney beat!! You get to see the sets and props from your favourite movies and there are some cool surprises along the way! Can't wait till the KONG 4D part opens!!! - Thomas Furlong The studio tour continues to be the heart of USH. The attractions within the tour(Jaws, War of the Worlds, flash flood, the mummy, fast and the furious,and especially Earthquake) are classic and make the studio tour great. The guides are real knowledgeable of the sets and the history of the site. The bad thing about the studio tour is that some sites like the famous courthouse square from the greatest movie of all time(Back to the Future) are almost never accessible. Anyway the studio tour is a great attraction that is a must ride for any visitor to USH. Since each tram holds a large amount of people at the same time waiting times are never really that long. Avoid getting on the studios tour first thing in the morning as the wiser option would be to head down to the lower lot and experience the rides that do tend to develop longer lines throught the day. UPDATE- King Kong went away for a while but will be back in the Summer of 2010!! The original King Kong was one of the most detailed sets on the tour as well as a top highlight. I definitely miss the old one but the new Kong promises to be awesome. - Manny Barron More attraction and restaurant ratings:
|
Search Theme Park InsiderNews, Video and Live Updates
Reader Reviews, by Theme ParkUnited States Top 10 *
International parks
Readers' Top Themed Rides
Top Roller CoastersTop Live ShowsTop Movies/Animated Shows
Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice
Theme Park News Archive2012Jan. Feb.
2011Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2010Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2009Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2008Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2007Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2006Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005Dec.
2004-2005Staff column archive
|
©1999-2012 Robert Niles.
"Theme Park Insider" ® is a registered trademark of Robert Niles.
About Theme Park Insider - Rules for Writing and Rating - Privacy Policy - Contact the Editor
