Happy Saturday All! We totally tried to be a “little” tricky and make it seem like Tahoe or Vegas, but, how many of you guessed…..HOLLYWOOD?!?!
The Husband totally thinks we look “smart” in our 3D Glasses ~ LOL!
Ok, more specifically, Universal Studios ~ Ellen & Laura ~ you both are smart cookies for identifying CityWalk!
I am actually totally “The Planner” and he is Mr. Spontaneous! We just randomly decided earlier this week that we would just get in the car and drive ~ no plans, no agenda.
As we drove we decided on Universal Studios since we never went when we were in Florida.
When we got up this morning, all I really wanted was a BIG coffee and a banana.
Since we stayed so close to Universal at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, we decided to spend the entire day on foot! We walked over to Universal Studios and started out day with probably one of the best “rides”
The Behind the Scene’s Studio Tour!
I think the commentary is what makes the tour so cool ~ well, that and seeing all the sets that they use for movies and TV series. You also get the chance to see a few re-enactments too.
Sometimes the buildings are just painted like this…..
And other times they just give the appearance that they are real buildings…..
When really they are only real walls with nothing on the other side.
All the grass, trees, and lampposts are just placed on top of the concrete so they can pick them up to move them at any point in time.
The Husband decided he totally NEEDS one of these cars!
The first thing you experience is King Kong 3D. It feels like you are in the middle of the jungle getting attacked…..the tour trolley moves all around, you feel the fire ~ it’s just so cool!
As you continue touring and they explain all the different stages, sets, etc., we stopped to watch a Flash Flood ~ Hollywood style.
It starts with the rain…..
Then, the water comes rushing in…..
Floods everything, buildings collapse and such….then, it just gets drained and recycled for the next round, just like that.
After the flood experience, you head to the underground subway to experience a 3D Earth Quake…..that looks and feels so incredibly REAL ~ complete with this truck that comes crashing in and catches on fire!
Next up ~ Jaws!!! You get to see how the shark attacks the scuba diver and turns the water red.
Then, swim around crashing into the dock…..
Before jumping out of the water at us…..
Some of you might recognize this next set which gets filmed Monday – Friday.
Recognize it?
Wisteria Lane….
The Desperate House Wives set is so small…..it’s like all the houses are mini sized.
They used 2 million pounds of Styrofoam to build the set for the Grinch That Stole Christmas.
All the little cars drive because they are decked out golf carts!
And it totally looked funny to see the Whoville set in the back of the Bate Motel.
The last scene we stopped at was the movie set for a plane crash (I totally cannot remember the movie name right now)
They actually used a real plane to make this set look real.
After that ride, we shared some cashews (2 point+)
As we walked around being tourists snapping all kinds of random pictures.
The Husband and Jaws!
Don’t worry Scooter we won’t trade you in for Mr. Beans car 
The BIGGEST NERDS you will ever see….
It’s pretty safe to say everything in this store is BIG!
It’s so fun just to walk around and see all the buildings.
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We eventually ended up at the House of Horrors with Chucky!
It’s pretty freaky and I am pretty sure we both screamed like little girls a few times….especially when Chucky came out of nowhere with a knife!
We stopped for lunch at Flintstone’s BBQ
When The Husband said he wanted a burger THIS BIG!
Not quite what he had in mind……but….
HIs homemade BBQ chips totally made up for it!
I ordered the BBQ Chicken Special and ate about 1/3 of the chicken, 1/2 the muffin and all the slaw. I never ate the potato. (10 points+)
After lunch, we headed over to Water World ~ probably one of the coolest shows they have in the park.
RAINBOW!
We watched every show in the park and both felt it was totally worth the $. We finished the day by heading over to City Walk.
We ended up at Jillian’s for dinner.
I started with a salad with ranch on the side ~ obviously our waitress missed the whole on the side part….(4 points+)
Then, I special ordered my meal ~ Grilled Shrimp over plain fettuccine (no sauce). It totally hit the spot and I was hungry enough that I ate it all. (14 points+)
Tomorrow we are off to another location….Maybe Hollywood, Maybe Santa Monica, Maybe…..
To be continued!
Night all….
All your vacations make me aware of all the places I need to go!!! It looks like you two are having an awesome time. Love all the photos! I went to Universal Studios once about a zillion years ago. They added a ton of cool stuff to that tour! I must go see!!
So much fun! I love that you and your husband take mini vacations 🙂 Everyone needs a break and a reminder to enjoy life!
Those chips look so seasoned and so good!
I couldn’t help but to laugh when I saw the Chucky doll. I have three older brothers and my childhood was spent watching Chucky movies, playing with Ninja Turtles.. all those boy things!
OMG your trip looks amazing and your husband is just adorable! I am so living vicariously through you…you have inspired me to make plans for several short trips in the next few months 🙂 Have fun and can’t wait to see the next update!
Your HERE!! Yay!! what are you guys doing today? 🙂
Emailing you now!!!! 🙂
B and I love to just throw everything into our laundry basket (random!) and get in the car and see where the road takes us. Sometimes the best plans are no plans at all! Where oh where will you guys end up next ?? ;0)
We haven’t gone anywhere for so long since my husband has been sick – jealous of your trips!
Your pasta dish looks insanely delicious!!
Trip looks really nice… Danica check the Strawberry Mini Muffins, in the ingredients it lists the greek yogurt, in the directions it says to add milk…. I added the 1/4 cup yogurt and they came out delish!!!!!! I love your recipes!!!!!
You’re in my neck of the woods! I live in West Hollywood! 🙂 I love Universal, especially the trolly ride! YES! Hmm… where do I think you should go… DOWN TOWN! The shopping rocks, because… IT’S SO CHEAP!! WOO WOO!
You should have stopped by to say “Hi”. (I live less than 3 miles from Universal Studios), and often run up to City Walk for a bite to eat or to catch a movie.
Ahhhhh, too bad I missed seeing you June. Next time we will make sure to stop by!
Danica
Tnx for all the pix of your visit there. I had been about 10 years ago & your pix brought all those wonderful memories back. I appreciate all your sharing.
Too funny, Universal Studios there is so much like the one in Florida, except for the studio lots. In Florida they have the Golden Girls set! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Looks like a ton of fun Danica. I went to Universal Studios YEARS ago….and there was the flash flood and jaws on the tour then, but wow….things have really expanded since. (no surprise there). Enjoy your Monday.
Okay, this looked like a blast – all but the Chucky attraction! I wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere NEAR it! I watched it when I was around 5 or 6 and have been TERRIFIED of him since – and I’m 26! LOL
I go to citywalk sometimes, but have never ventured to Universal. Its so expensive!! The wolfgang puck bistro at citywalk is really good.
I love looking at your vacation pics….looks like you two really had fun. I really enjoyed Universal Studios and the City Walk when we went a couple of years ago. BTW the plane crash movie was War of the Worlds (Tom Cruz), at least that’s what they told us!
Thanks for a great blog!
Thanks for sharing your great pictures. I will be there in a few weeks (flying in from PA). I haven’t been able to find the answer to this question about parking. (I know you walked, but perhaps you know). Can you walk from Universal Studios to City Walk or is the distance far enough that you have to drive (or catch a tram or something). In other words, am I going to have to pay twice to park. Thanks for your help!
Hi Kim,
You can easily walk from Universal to city walk as they are right next to each other. We stayed at the Hilton and Sheraton and both hotels are an easy 7-10 minute walk to Universal.
Have un!
Danica