[E&B's Mom]

DH and I went to US Hollywood 2 years ago and are taking DD10 and DS7 to US Orlando this August. We are wondering how the similar rides at each park compare. Has anyone who has been to both parks and can you give me some feedback on the following?

Horror Makeup Show
Twister v. Backdraft
Shrek 4-D
Back to the Future
Jaws, Earthquake etc v. Backlot Tour in Hollywood

[ddoll]

We did US Hollywood a few years ago, and we've always been big fans of USF.

Our biggest impression was that the Backlot Tour in Hollywood pretty much covered a lot of the rides at USF: Jaws, King Kong, Earthquake and now the Mummy. It was fabulous! But of course, those were all just tastes of the rides that are much longer at USF.

We thoroughly enjoyed US Hollywood and originally thought it was better, but now that there are two parks in Orlando, I think it's better here than Hollywood.

As for the similar rides, I don't know of any signifigant differences.

[E&B's Mom]

Thanks ddoll! I really appreciate it. DD and DS are kind of chicken when it comes to rides and now I know what to compare them to. Wow - you're countdown is just a few days closer than mine. Where are you staying and for how long?

[ddoll]

We're splitting our trip half Disney, half Uni. We're staying at the Swan and then the Hard Rock Hotel. The Uni part of our trip is from 8/5-8/8.

And I see you'll be at the RPR. I just switched us from there to the HRH to give it a try. Wanted to try something a little different this time, ya know? You'll really like the Royal Pacific, BTW. It's a lovely hotel and you can't beat that FOL perc! Be sure to check out Emeril's Tchoup Choup at the RPR!!

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by ddoll

We're splitting our trip half Disney, half Uni. We're staying at the Swan and then the Hard Rock Hotel. The Uni part of our trip is from 8/5-8/8.

And I see you'll be at the RPR. I just switched us from there to the HRH to give it a try. Wanted to try something a little different this time, ya know? You'll really like the Royal Pacific, BTW. It's a lovely hotel and you can't beat that FOL perc! Be sure to check out Emeril's Tchoup Choup at the RPR!!

I agree that you will enjoy the RPR. We stayed there just after it opened and loved it! The water taxi is nice as well, but you can also walk if you like.

We really enjoyed Universal in Florida because of the two parks. I think the only thing I miss in Florida is tram tour. We really enjoyed Islands of Adventure, though some of the rides may be to instense for your kids. Loved, loved Dudley Dorights ride! Dueling dragons and Spiderman too.

Have fun and don't miss Emeril's! There are two of them there:)

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by ddoll

We're splitting our trip half Disney, half Uni. We're staying at the Swan and then the Hard Rock Hotel. The Uni part of our trip is from 8/5-8/8.

And I see you'll be at the RPR. I just switched us from there to the HRH to give it a try. Wanted to try something a little different this time, ya know? You'll really like the Royal Pacific, BTW. It's a lovely hotel and you can't beat that FOL perc! Be sure to check out Emeril's Tchoup Choup at the RPR!!

We'll be at RPR from 8/5 to 8/9. We have reservations for Tchoup Chop for 8/5 to celebrate DDs 10th birthday.

[ddoll]

Here's the menu for Tchoup Choup: http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/menutchoupd.html

I hope your kids are good eaters!!

[JTLLAL]

My DH and I have went to both US. I personally like US Hollywood better because it is a working production lot. We got to see Desperative Housewifes filming (James Denton - Mike the Plumber and Terri Hatcher - Susan). My DH likes Orlando better because of the Islands of Adventure. At any rate I am sure you will enjoy it!

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by E&B's Mom

DH and I went to US Hollywood 2 years ago and are taking DD10 and DS7 to US Orlando this August. We are wondering how the similar rides at each park compare. Has anyone who has been to both parks and can you give me some feedback on the following?

Horror Makeup Show
Twister v. Backdraft
Shrek 4-D
Back to the Future
Jaws, Earthquake etc v. Backlot Tour in Hollywood

Doesn't Hollywood have the Jaws and Earthquake rides anymore? They did when I was a kid...

Anyway, the major difference is that Universal Studios Hollywood is an actual operating movie and television studio. Orlando was built as a theme park. On the Hollywood backlot tour, you are likely to see a production in action and might even get a glimpse of a star. You can also get tickets to see a taping. We saw Roseanne being taped at Universal Studios many years ago. (Kids under 16 aren't allowed at television tapings, however, except for childrens' shows)

Only a small portion of Universal Studios Hollywood is actually theme-parkish. Most of it is actual Hollywood in action and not open to the public except for the backlot tour. (But ironically, nowhere near the city of Hollywood)

I guess it will depend on what you want to get out of the visit!

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

Doesn't Hollywood have the Jaws and Earthquake rides anymore? They did when I was a kid...

Anyway, the major difference is that Universal Studios Hollywood is an actual operating movie and television studio. Orlando was built as a theme park. On the Hollywood backlot tour, you are likely to see a production in action and might even get a glimpse of a star. You can also get tickets to see a taping. . .

They have a little bit of Earthquake and Jaws, but it's part of the backlot tour. We had bad timing the day we went. No taping that worked into our plans, and no stars. We still loved it though.

[ddoll]

We didn't see any shows or stars when we were there in Hollywood either. But the CM hosting our backlot tour told the story of when they were filming The Grinch, the tour was going through the backlots when they spotted someone dressed as "Mother" from Psycho, running around yelling at the tourists, brandishing a "knife" as they went by the Bates Motel.

Turned out it was Jim Carrey!

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by E&B's Mom

They have a little bit of Earthquake and Jaws, but it's part of the backlot tour. We had bad timing the day we went. No taping that worked into our plans, and no stars. We still loved it though.

You've usually got to get the show taping tickets months in advance (which are free), and they aren't part of a normal Universal visit. The day we went, we had enough people (my entire school staff plus spouses) that the Roseanne production sent a chartered bus down to pick us up, fed us dinner on the drive up, and gave us early entry into the studio and first and second row seating, and an open question and answer session with the cast. Roseanne herself answered one of my questions, as I was sitting just feet from where she was parked eating brownies. It was a little over a year after her son was born, and I asked her what his newest word was. She told me it was "bubbles." After they stopped filming, shortly before midnight, they drove us back to Anaheim.

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by ddoll

We didn't see any shows or stars when we were there in Hollywood either. But the CM hosting our backlot tour told the story of when they were filming The Grinch, the tour was going through the backlots when they spotted someone dressed as "Mother" from Psycho, running around yelling at the tourists, brandishing a "knife" as they went by the Bates Motel.

Turned out it was Jim Carrey!

From what I've heard, very often the actors working on the backlot like to mess with the tourists a lot!