Day Two: Universal Studios

Today started with a little scare.  In the process of trying to turn off the blaring alarm clock, I think either I or Joe hit a wrong button.  We managed to get it turned off, looked at the time and instead of the clock reading 07:00, it said 08:00...  eeek!  The bus was leaving at 08.30!!  Thankfully a quick check revealed it was only 7.... 

Up we got and ate our cereal.  I had chocolate chip cookie cereal...  most delicious!  Joe had Froot Loops and hated them.  Sofie had a choc chip cookie.  Not cereal, just a cookie.

Got on a Gray line tour bus and were taken to the Gray Line terminal when we piled off and got on the bus to Universal Studios.  Our coach driver was a legend and made plenty of jokes about how he'd been drinking too much and suffered narcolepsy.  Then half way there decided to remind us we were on the bus to San Diego Zoo.  Clown!  Arrived at Universal after a great commentary and about an  hour and a half after we left the hotel.  10am opening time.

Our King Kong bus

First thing, we grabbed some sunscreen.  It was stinking hot today with a temp around 26/27C and a blazing sun.  I got the most awesome sunscreen.  85 SPF and aerosol spray on.  Fantastic stuff and not a bit of sunburn!

Then we went on the Studio Tour.  Last time I was here they were building the sets for The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.  This time, we got to tour through Whoville!  It was awesome.  All the buildings were made out of polystyrene.  We also went for a drive down Wisteria Lane, but didn't see any desperate housewives.  Jaws was heaps better than last time.  King Kong, however, scared the crap out of Joe.  It was all 3D and the car rocked and rolled all over the place.  I thought it was fantastic, until I turned to check on Joe who was bawling.  Poor bugger was terrified!! He didn't seem at all terrified by Norman Bates carrying a dead body out of the Bates Motel wrapped in a shower curtain and then chasing us all wielding a knife!!

After that was a quick bite to eat.  Hot dogs and cokes.  Then off to The Simpsons ride.  Fantastic stuff.  Basically the same concept as the Back to the Future ride I went on 10 years ago, but I think heaps better.  You sit in a car in a room, which then lifts up into a theatre with a fully surround screen showing a film while the car moves so you feel like you're actually doing what is playing out on the screen.  Joe and Sofie both loved it.  I screamed myself silly which made Joe love it even more I think.

After that was the Special Effects show where they showed how different special effects are done in the movies - fantastic!  Showed how many tricks are done with green screen, fake blood and miniature models.  Again, both kids were wowed.

Then, the dreaded Jurassic Park ride.  I shat myself last time I did this and really didn't want to go again, but I ended up going....  I always compare this ride with pregnancy.  Nice and placid river cruise showing big robotic dinosaurs chewing on grass, and then a quick terrifying 90 degree drop straight down headfirst into a pile of water to get drenched.  Exactly like being pregnant - nothing much happens for 9 months and then you get the contractions.  Sadly, the second time, you know what's coming and just before the bad bit happens you want to stop and get off...

Anyway, the photo said it all really - identical to the one I had taken 10 years ago.  Me with my eyes shut screaming, the kids laughing...  The second photo, Sofie was clued up and decided to look all relaxed.  Joe on the other hand....  well, here's a photo of the photo...

Sofie went on The Mummy: Revenge of the Mummy ride.  Joe was too scared to go, and I couldn't leave him by himself now could I?  That was my excuse and I was sticking to it.  Sofie thought it was great.

In between all of that, we met The Simpsons, Spongebob, Donkey and Shrek, Frankenstein, Marilyn Monroe, Scooby Doo, Crash Bandicoot, Woody Woodpecker and many more.

Joe and SpongeBob

Joe and Donkey (there was a real person in there who talked to you!)

Sofie, Joe and SpongeBob

Joe, Bart & Lisa

By then it was the end of the day.  Universal Studios closed at 5pm and we headed back to our bus.  We didn't get back to the hotel until almost 8pm!

We were all knackered and went to Macca's for dinner.  Sadly I have to admit it was better than Australian Macca's.  The burgers were tastier, and the thickshakes have not been as thick, chocolatey, or as creamy in Australia for about 25 years.

Bad bits about today: my feet hurt!!!  and I haven't had a decent coffee since I left Wollongong...

Tomorrow, city tour and movie stars homes!

I'll try and post videos after I upload this.  It's 11pm and the kids are sleeping.  I'm scared to try adding video in case I lose all this! 
Edit:  Have discovered that sound and picture don't match on the videos for some reason.  Will look into it and figure out what's going wrong and post once that's done.