Universal Studios Hollywood Attractions
Universal Studios Hollywood Attractions
 | Adventures of Curious George 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 The 30,000 square-foot Adventures of Curious George, opened in 2008, is the friendliest part of the park for the youngest set. Not only is the famous monkey often there to bestow hugs and kisses to his delighted fans, but his domain is a fantastic playland full of open space and devoid of anything potentially scary. The spacious indoor zone has a structure to explore and thousands of foam balls to toss. Outdoors, a five hundred gallon water dump is set up in a massive splash zone with a giant rocket ship. Bring swimsuits as well as a change of clothes, if you think you'll spend time here. Just outside the splash zone is a small, traditional playground for some quieter, dry time. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9) |
 | Jurassic Park -- The Ride 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 In the lower lot, Jurassic Park -- The Ride begins almost serenely, as you encounter dinosaurs big and small. It doesn't take long, of course, before things go amiss and you suddenly find yourself plunging, gulp, 84 feet. If you want to avoid getting too wet on this misty river ride, sit in the middle of the row. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Live Shows 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 Most of the shows are great for the whole family. In the short and sweet Universal's Animal Actors, trainers appear with animals from the likes of Garfield and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Universal Studios pass-holders get to stick around for a short segment post-show to meet some of the animal stars. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | NBC Universal Experience 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 The NBC Universal Experience, in the Lower Lot, is a small but interesting walk-through exhibit with historical and modern movie memorabilia. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Revenge of the Mummy 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 The Revenge of the Mummy roller-coaster, with sudden acceleration (to 45 mph), backwards motion, and a dark and creepy ambiance, is a ride for the brave, and thankfully, it's a short one. The height limit is 48", but even if one of the younger siblings is tall enough, reconsider this one if he or she gets spooked easily. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Shrek 4-D 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 A favorite with families, Shrek 4-D is a 3-D show and then some: Your seat moves and you feel story elements like wind and water. Participants zoom along with Shrek and Donkey as they work to rescue Fiona from the evil clutches of a ghostly Lord Farquaad. Youngsters who know the Shrek films will be delighted. But for the littler ones still frightened by more suspenseful sequences in animations, this experience, which begins with a slightly eerie spell in Lord Farquaad's "torture chamber," may be a smidgen intense. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12) |
 | Terminator 2 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 Terminator 2:3-D is not one for the really young ones, though 'tweens and teens who like a good run of high action with guns, motorcycles, explosions, and the works will enjoy it. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | The Simpsons Ride 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 For kids ready for roller-coasters, The Simpsons Ride, which opened in spring 2008, is one of the park's real highlights. You'll find yourselves alongside TV's favorite animated family as you and they take on Krusty the Clown's over-the-top theme park. Seated in a little motion-simulation car and face-to-face with an 80-foot IMAX screen, you embark on a rowdy virtual-reality ride that will make you giggle, squeal and scream. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Teens (13+) |
 | Universal CityWalk 1000 Universal Studios Blvd. Universal City, CA • 818-622-4445 Universal CityWalk is just outside the park's entrance, and it's an attraction unto itself, especially for nightlife. Its 30-plus eateries include Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Hard Rock Cafe, Buca di Beppo, Saddle Ranch Chop House and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Shops featuring everything from shoes to sports apparel to sugar (parents, beware: It'Sugar is a high-risk area). For hip bowlers of all ages, Jillian's Hi Life Lanes rolls to rock music in a cozy and sleek space amid neon lights. For laughs, head to Jon Lovitz Comedy Club or to piano bar Howl at the Moon. For more of a whole-body experience, indoor skydiving -- for ages 3 years and up -- can be had at iFly Hollywood. The Gibson Ampitheatre is one of California's largest indoor concert venues, and its roster includes world-class musicians of all genres and major awards shows. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Universal Studio Tour 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 For substance and variety, the tour de force feature of this park is the Studio Tour. The 50-minute, behind-the-scenes tram ride, which is narrated by lively guides (with help from, via screen, Whoopi Goldberg), takes in real soundstages and sets from decades of major cinema and TV. The Jaws set is dated but nostalgia-inducing, while the stop into King Kong 360, 3-D will practically knock you out of your seat with its bigness; designed by Peter Jackson, it is allegedly "the world's largest 3-D projection installation ever produced." You'll ride through Wisteria Lane of "Desperate Housewives" fame, the War of the Worlds plane crash site, and much more. Though the brochures recommend this tour as a first stop, I think it's a nice thing to do midday, when you can use a couple hours to relax after all the walking around. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Universal's House of Horrors 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 This age group will get a kick out of Universal's House of Horrors, a walk-through attraction that features all manner of spooks, skulls, and horrible creatures from decades of horror films. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | WaterWorld 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA • 800-864-8377 WaterWorld is a larger-than-life affair, with an entertaining story, water galore, pyrotechnics, and stunts. Don't even think you'll escape dry if you sit on the green bleachers marked "Soak Zone." Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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