So today was going to be a bit of an adventure. We were doing the following:
- Taxi from hotel to ARTIC train station
- Train from Anaheim to Union Station, LA
- Metro from Union Station to Universal City
- Bus from Universal City Metro to Universal Studios (it's provided by the theme park and just gets you up a steep hill)
So it was quite an adventure. It's interesting, because the locals thought we were mad, I think. Both the concierge and and the taxi driver thought we were going to the station for San Diego, and when we said we were going to Universal they asked why we weren't getting the bus. Well there is a bus that picks up from the hotels and drops you at the Studios front door but it takes ages going through the LA traffic and it doesn't get to the studios until late in the morning. Plus you then have to wait for that bus to take you home - at whatever time of day that is. You might be finished earlier or want to stay later...
Anyway, we got to the train station, got our tickets from the machine and where on board the 7:49 train to Union Station. In England, a train at that time of the morning heading to a large city would be packed with standing room only if you're lucky. This was a double-decker train and had loads of seats free. The journey took about 45 minutes and was most pleasant.
We then weaved our way through Union Station, found a Starbucks for breakfast on the go, then headed off to the Metro. The 'Tap' tickets (similar to our Oyster cards in London) were easy to get from the machine and we waited about 5 minutes for our Metro. It seemed clean and easy to ride and about 25 minutes later we were waiting for the bus to take us up the hill to the park.
We arrived not long after 10 and were immediately inside and heading for the Studio Tour - one of two reasons we wanted to visit. It didn't disappoint. We got straight on to a tour bus and off round the studios we went. There are a couple of 'experiences' en-route - 3D simulations if you will - that Universal are famous for on a lot of their rides. The King Kong was very good and we got a good explanation of how it all worked. The Fast and Furious was a bit - well - meh... Not that impressed. Which was a shame as I love that franchise. Still, the tour behind the lot made up for it. It was a pity on International Back To The Future Day we couldn't see that set - but it was closed ofr a private party.
It was a pity Universal missed a trick and didn't make more of the October 21st 2015 date to do more. I was expecting the DeLorean to be out at least, but it was hidden away in the back lot - barely visible. No Marty's or Docs wandering round for photo ops. Not clock. Nothing. Pity. There were lots of fans in the park wearing outfits and T-Shirts. There was only a tiny amount of merchandise as well.
Universal - you cocked that one right up!
Anyway, after the studio lot we walked around the park and stopped for something to eat. Master B had a hot dog from Springfield, and I got a sandwich from a bakery - which was pretty good. We then went to ride on Despicable Me to kill some time whilst waiting for the second reason we wanted to visit... I should explain a lot of the rides are the same as in Florida so were of limited interest.
We wandered down the escalators to the lower lot to walk around and had our photo taken with a raptor!
It was then time for the Waterworld show - which was an amazing show filled with stunts and action! Well worth watching. Lots of explosions and soaking of the front rows of the audience!
We then headed to Johnny Rockets for a meal before heading back home. Before going back to Anaheim, we stopped off to see the Chinese Theatre, El Capitain and take a picture of the famous Hollywood sign. Also, there was a cool Toyota display outside the Metro station where they'd recreated Marty's famous pick up truck from the movie. Toyota had made an effort! Shame on you Universal!
Once back in Anaheim, we decided to take the ART bus back to Garden Grove and had a beer in the Irish bar there.
A good day all in all - the transport was easy and I'd recommend it to anyone staying in Anaheim and wanting to visit Universal!
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