Universal Studios?

[jane02]

My daughter(18) is busting to go to Universal Studios. We will probably be jetlagged but needing to stay up and keep going to adjust to the time difference.

Ther seems to be all sorts of different ticketing. Can someone help me out on what would be the best option that is not going to take all day. Is the VIP pass the best choice to see a little bit of what Universal Studios is about? We only have two days in LA and have booked Sunseeker tours for the following day to see the sights.

Thanks

Kellie;)

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Hey Jane02...

 

I just want to jump in here for a second, because I'm a bit concerned about your plans. Please pay attention to how I'm trying to help you.

 

You have a plan for Universal Studios, then a plan for Sunseekers.

Sunseekers is an okay tour company, but they are based and starting and stopping down in Long Beach/San Pedro.

 

Check out my hand drawn to scale map of Los Angeles...

 

If you are planning on staying in San Pedro or Long Beach, then please look at the map as I explain this...

 

You're going to drive up to Universal Studios, spend all day, then back to San Pedro/Long Beach, then get on a tour with Sunseekers from San Pedro/Long Beach to drive all the way back up to spend the day around Universal Studios/Hollywood area where you just were?

Then drive back again down to San Pedro/Long Beach?

 

You're wasting, time, and frustration, and traffic, and exhaustion if you are doing it that way.

 

For your plans you will be infinitely better staying in a hotel near Universal/Hollywood for two days.

As much as Sunseekers is okay, I only recommend it for people who are only staying in San Pedro/Long Beach and doing nothing else.

They are the only company that picks up from there.

 

If you are going to be in Hollywood, there are infinitely better and more knowledgeable tours than Sunseekers.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

If Universal is SUCH an important thing for your daughter, why not make it work out in the best way for both of you!?!?

 

A great option for you is to book at The Sportsmen's Lodge.

 

Check out all of my info and pictures here...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=680211

 

It's a great hotel. It's right near Universal and Hollywood.

They also have a free shuttle that will drive you to and from Universal.

Check out their website:

http://www.slhotel.com

Note the hotel/Universal deal they have going right now.

 

If you get tired and need a nap, they'll just pick you up and you can go back later.

 

Then I highly recommend Red Line Tours for anything Hollywood.

http://www.redlinetours.com

 

Check out all of their Hollywood and Los Angeles tours and packages available. And they will pick you up at the Sportsmen's Lodge.

So you can do that all the next day.

 

You are all covered with everything you want to do, in a nice hotel with a good value. You don't have to rush and race through exhaustion either day.

You can even shuttle back to Universal on the second evening to so shopping and eat a nice restaurant at Universal City Walk.

http://www.citywalkhollywood.com

 

Then just drive or take a SuperShuttle down to the pier on the morning of your cruise.

Then you only have a one way driving trip, instead of the one up, one back,one up, one back that you would have if you stay in San Pedro/Long Beach.

 

Hopefully this helps and makes sense to you.

Let me know if you have any more questions, or if you need any more help or suggestions.

 

 

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Also, what days of the week are you planning to be in LA?

 

It makes a huge difference on the best plans for your trip.

 

Traffic patterns and times vary widely, on each day and direction.

 

[jane02]

Wow - thanks for all that info.

We are currently booked into the Sofitel which is near the big hospital in LA.

We arrive at 6am on Tuesday and leave to fly to Florida on Thursday so as you can see we have limited time. We were planning on freshening up on arrival and going out for the day, possible to Universal Studio then seeing things with Sunseeker on Wednesday.

Am I being too ambitious?

I am grateful for your help.

Kellie;)

[ell52]

If it's your first time to Universal Studios and/or your daughter is a movie buff, you should allow yourself at least a half day (and likely more) to enjoy it. When my sons were in their teens, we went almost yearly and never spent less than the better part of a day there, but we had general admission tickets which meant standing in line for all attractions and shows.

 

In your case, since you are thinking of the VIP pass (so presumably you're willing to pay the price) I'd suggest the Front of the Line ticket instead. Firstly, you get the benefit of not having to wait in line (i.e. priority admission to the attractions). Secondly, it is on your own timetable and schedule so you can see what you want in the order that you want and stop to rest whenever; whereas with the VIP pass, nice as it is to have a personal escort, it will be on their timetable and agenda. I'd prefer the flexibility of my own schedule. Of course, you could get general admission tickets, but it would mean waiting in lines for attractions and shows which could (depending on how busy the park is) cut into your time considerably.

 

.

[notentirelynormal]

In your case, since you are thinking of the VIP pass (so presumably you're willing to pay the price) I'd suggest the Front of the Line ticket instead. Firstly, you get the benefit of not having to wait in line (i.e. priority admission to the attractions). Secondly, it is on your own timetable and schedule so you can see what you want in the order that you want and stop to rest whenever; whereas with the VIP pass, nice as it is to have a personal escort, it will be on their timetable and agenda. I'd prefer the flexibility of my own schedule. Of course, you could get general admission tickets, but it would mean waiting in lines for attractions and shows which could (depending on how busy the park is) cut into your time considerably.

 

.

 

I completely agree. Its not that much more for the Front of the Line tickets and the time saver will be worth its weight in gold. You will see all you want to see and enjoy yourself a whole lot more. For someone that's never been, Universal is the coolest thing.

[jane02]

Thanks everyone. Front of the line it is!!;)