Labor Day = 3 day weekend! We went to Universal Studios on Saturday. My company had an employee picnic there, and gave everyone free passes! We haven't gone for years, and there were several new attractions that I was excited to get to see.
We arrived shortly after 9, and immediately headed for the Studio Tram Tour. We only had to wait about 20 minutes before boarding. Most of it was pretty much how I remembered it. I'd only seen the King Kong 360 3D part once (King Kong battles a T-rex, and it takes place right next to/on top of the tram) as it had just been added the last time I went. They now have a grande finale in 3D featuring the cast of The Fast & The Furious in this kind of weird holographic scene, and then you go on a car chase through LA. It was kind of cool, but also kind of like being in a video game.
A lot of the tour is seeing various backlot sets, like this one:
This one was once the clock tower from Back to the Future, but they had to change it to be able to use it in subsequent movies, as it was too iconic and noticeable.
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And of course, the Jaws scene. I was on the other side of the tram, so I could only see it from behind. Shark still looks fake...
Universal is currently building a Harry Potter land featuring Diagon Alley! I didn't think they would have so much of it done, and that I'd actually be able to see it! It was really exciting! UGH I can't wait until it's open next year!!!
From there, we went to the "lower lot", where most of the rides are located. First, however, we took a picture with a raptor!! It was ridiculously amazing how real that thing looked and moved! It was actually kind of scary...
Then we had lunch at Jurassic Cafe!
After we art, we decided to go on the Transformers 3D ride first. At the front, they said it was no wait in the Single Rider line. Otherwise, it was a 35 minute wait. So we did that, and were still able to sit in the same car together! Then we decided to try the Single Rider line out again for the Jurassic Park ride, and once again basically walked right on the ride, and sat in front of each other, bypassing another 45 minute wait!! We weren't originally planning on going on the Mummy ride, remembering it as pretty fast and lame, but with the single rider thing, we gave it a shot. We once again walked right on, and as a bonus, the ride was a lot better than we remembered!
Another new addition to the park is the Simpsons' Springfield themed area! It's really really well done. The storefronts are mostly restaurant, plus the Kwik-E-Mart which is a gift shop. Moe's really serves Flaming Moe's, except they're not boozy, so what's the point.
Every single giftshop was 80% Minions stuff. It was insane. I did appreciate the fluffy unicorns, though. I got one through one of those test-your-strength carnival games!
Not nearly enough Back to the Future stuff, except for these modestly priced Mr. Fusion and Flux Capacitor.
After we were done at Universal Studios, we went home for a few hours, and then went back out to Hollywood to see Back to the Future on the roof of the Montalban Theater as part of the Rooftop Film Club. They had a great set-up, with beach chairs all set up in rows, and stands for concessions and alcohol. The chairs were a little uncomfortable, but better than sitting on the floor.
We had a mostly restful Sunday after our eventful Saturday! In the evening, we went back to Hollywood to a few comic shops to drop off postcards advertising my boyfriend's He-Man screening event and mini-con on September 18 & 19! Then we had dinner at El Coyote before going to see The Maltese Falcon at the New Bev. I've never seen it before, but it's been on my list since it's such a classic.
For my bonus weekend day, Monday, I mostly spent the day hanging around, and doing some cleaning up. Mondays are so much better when you don't have to spend them at work, amiright?!
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