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I recently made a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. If you haven't been before (or it's been years since you've been) let me give you a few tips.  First of all, this is NOT the park for you if you have young children or children who don't enjoy thrill rides.  Although the shows are fun, there are only a handful of children friendly rides and it's definitely not worth the price of admission for those families.  BUT if you have older children and you love movies, this is the place for you! 

 The new Simpson's ride is fun, but the "holding" area is the best.  In fact, it is one of the best pre-show areas I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot).  TV screens are located on 2 walls.  All of the various Simpson characters (both major and minor) talk to the audience and interact with each other.  It's not interactive with the audience waiting, but very entertaining none the less.

The ride itself is okay.  If you rode Back to the Future, the only difference is the movie.  In fact, you get in the same vehicle as you did in Back to the Future...only it's been updated.  The special effects are pretty good and overall it's a fun ride.

For those of you that have never been, the park is fun, but relatively small.  They have 3 major rides: Simpsons, Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy; two 3-D movies: Terminator and Shrek; 3 movie making adventures: Studio Tour,  Backdraft and the Universal Experience and several shows.  Additionally they have a walk through Haunted House style area and a wet and wild water feature area for the kids to play in.

Unless you go during the craziness of summer, the park is a one day experience.  BUT if you want a real Hollywood style adventure the VIP Experience is second to none.  Although this is a pricey option, I feel it's worth every penny. 

Your day starts out in the VIP Lounge area (located just inside the Universal Studios gate).  This is where you can get coffee and water and meet up with your tour guide.  You are then escorted to your private trolley for a 1/2 day backlot tour.  If you've taken the standard Studio Tour you haven't seen anything.  On the VIP backlot tour you'll go on to a live soundstage (this soundstage changes and I've seen several different ones including Crossing Jordan), see filming from a distance (if they happen to be filming that day) and get out of the trolley at various locations to get "up close and personal" with the area.

Once your backlot tour is over, you'll go to the very front of the line (better than the Front of the Line pass they offer) for every ride.  The tour guide will explain the concept of the ride, how it was made and any other obscure question you may have prior to getting on the ride.  Want a rain poncho before getting on Jurassic Park, it's provided for you.  Want to get your picture from one of the rides, your tour guide will take you to the front of the line so you don't have to wait.

You'll be seating in the best seats in the house for all of the shows and even meet some of the actors that participate in the shows.  Have your picture taken or just ask questions on how they got started in the industry.

For a first class, never-to-be-forgotten day, check out the VIP experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.

By the way, I'll be telling you all about the VIP experience at Universal Studios Florida in an upcoming blog....it's a completely different experience!