Universal Studios

Fresh and well-rested, we set off for Universal Studios. It’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the long lines. We took the subway from Hollywood Boulevard, which runs all the way out to the studios. For the last stretch, Universal Studios even had a trolley to shuttle people back and forth throughout the opening hours. We brought a discount coupon with us, so we got in for $30 instead of the usual $40. Once we passed through the entrance, we were greeted by large plazas filled with all sorts of shops and eateries. You instantly feel like you’ve stepped into a whole new world. Equipped with a map of the area, we started exploring. Our first stop was Back to the Future, where you get to take a ride in the famous time-traveling car. We were seated in a rotating vehicle, and the screen in front created 3D effects that felt incredibly real. We flew through space, over volcanoes, fire, and water. It was a blast! I think it was one of Mette's favorites. After that, we went inside to visit Terminator. We sat in a massive theater equipped with 3D glasses, looking like a couple of bugs. Below the screen, there was a stage where the action alternated between two locations. The actors would jump out from the screen and then back in again. I was really impressed by the grand performance and all the effects. You constantly feel like you’re right in the middle of the action thanks to the 3D effects. Several times, we caught ourselves waving our arms to keep the monsters at bay. I can only imagine how silly we must have looked, flailing around like a couple of spiders! Another show revealed all the special effects used in movies. They unveiled all the tricks of the trade. We saw how they film scenes where people fall from buildings and what effects are used to highlight blood in black-and-white films. Regular theater blood doesn’t show up vividly enough, so they use chocolate instead. They weren’t shy about exposing most of the tricks that go into making a film. All the shows at Universal Studios were spectacular. Water World was incredibly impressive... and incredibly wet. They recreated scenes from the movie, showcasing what their sets can do. Walls came crashing down, things exploded, and the actors delivered top-notch performances. You can also enjoy some great acting in The Wild West, where stuntmen and one brave woman leap around, fight, and fall from rooftops. At the beginning of The Wild West, as people are finding their seats, Charlie Chaplin makes an appearance and playfully teases the unsuspecting folks trying to settle in. Only those who have already found a seat can sit back and enjoy Chaplin's clever antics. Everyone else is at risk of being the target of his pranks! We visited Universal Studios on a weekday, which was super lucky because we avoided the hours-long lines at each attraction. However, the lines can never be more than a few kilometers long since each show can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. It’s definitely worth a visit to the studios. Where else can you get such an inside look at the films you see in theaters? Still feeling energized after a long and exciting day, we headed back into the city in search of Hollywood celebrities. There’s a better chance of spotting the rich and famous on a weekday when they can go out more peacefully. We almost struck gold, as LA's basketball team had just won the championship and was partying at one of the clubs on Hollywood Strip. Outside, huge limousines were parked, and TV crews were ready with their fingers on the play button, just waiting for someone to come out. The police had cordoned off the area and the road, so no one was allowed to get close or pass by. Unfortunately, no one came out while we were there.