Universal Hollywood - for Free!

[innerSpaceman]

Did anyone else get free tickets in the mail for Universal Studios Hollywood? I think that's about the right price for that place. Oh, I find it enjoyable - - about once per decade. And really, last time I was there (only a year ago!), we had a blast.

I wasn't planning on going back for another 9 years ... but I can surely be tempted by free admission.


So, if they are mass mailing these ... and anyone here gets one -- well, maybe we should plan a Universal Studios outting!

[Kevy Baby]

I hope I get some - I would like to go (it's been well over a decade for me - not counting the gigs I've played there).

[€uroMeinke]

I got something in the mail like that - but when I read the fine print it was a "free" AP with the price of admission, which was last year's deal I believe.

[cirquelover]

We just came back from there and the deal was buy one day and receive the rest of this year and next year for free.
I hadn't been to Universal since I was a kid but the boy has begged us the last three Disney trips to go, so we went. There wasn't much that he really liked.

[cstephens]

My husband got a flyer earlier this year for a free AP - not a free AP for a day's ticket, but a free AP, the lowest level AP. It was addressed directly to him, and since he's never had an AP here, we couldn't figure out where they were getting his name and address from. People on other discussion boards have reported getting the same thing recently. We went late this summer, and I ended up buying the same AP only because it was the exact same price as the day ticket, so getting the AP was a no-brainer. It was the first time I'd been there in about 8 years, and it had been even longer than that since my husband's last visit. I was decidedly unimpressed and really disappointed. A few of the rides were ok, but overall, I was not happy with the visit at all. Most of the "being in the park" involved announcements being made over the loudspeaker often and/or loud music being played. I really missed the many parts of Disneyland where there is just quiet ambient music or just the sounds of the people.

About the only thing I liked was the T2 show. Mummy was the dumbest ride - nowhere near the hype - nothing much happens and it's a very short ride. It wasn't worth the time I had to wait in line, which was only about 10 minutes and that was because they were having technical difficulties. When we were ready to leave the lower lot, I noticed the line was out the door, so probably at least a 30 minute wait. I'd have been really irritated if I had to wait 30 minutes for that lame-o ride. I'd rather ride the Pooh ride at Disneyland over and over again.

Jurassic Park has been so tamed down that you barely get wet at all. We actually got more wet doing other things in the park than on the WATER RIDE. How weird is that?

My biggest problem with the layout of Universal is the upper lot/lower lot thing. It takes a REALLY LONG TIME on the escalators from hell to get from one to the other, so once you're in the lower lot, you're basically stuck trying to do everything there all in one shot since it would waste a ton of time to go back and forth between the upper lot and lower lot.

You don't have anywhere near the same problem getting from one part of Disneyland to another.

One of the things I was really disappointed in at Universal were the food choices. Everything is pretty much fast food. No table service, no scramble service. And they have two chain food establishments in the park - El Pollo Loco and Panda Inn. I love El Pollo Loco but I can get that any time - why would I want that at a theme park? Most of the other choices seemed to be hamburgers and the like. We ate at the Italian place, and the spaghetti was so-so - nothing like the pasta you get at Pizza Port or Plaza Inn. The best bet for food is one of the many good restaurants at CityWalk, but the downside is that you have to leave the park and walk a ways to get to them.

We may go once again during the year to to T2 again, but otherwise, I can't imagine wanting to go again for another 5 to 10 years.

[€uroMeinke]

I retrieved my flyer and see in fact that among the coupons is a free ticket. I might just have to take the red line there sometime.

I believe the last time I went was in 1976 - Jaws had opened. Boss Radio was with me and he got lost in the Land of the Giants.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I'd go for free. I'll keep my eyes open.

[lizziebith]

If anyone is going, let me know! We live right at the bottom of the hill Universal is on and go all the time (the kids love it -- and it's cheap). Mind you, we don't worship the place, but when it's right in your backyard...

[CoasterMatt]

Um... if any of you ever wander up there, you might say hi to me :)

[€uroMeinke]

Um... if any of you ever wander up there, you might say hi to me :)

Yes, I know I'm long over due though NA managed to make the trip somewhat recently

[alphabassettgrrl]

Yep, I got that flyer. Coupon for free admission, coupon for free AP, and there was another thing for "buy a day get a year free". Might take them up on the free day. I enjoy it, but not enough to deal with the AP bit.

I really really like the backlot tram. T2 is good, too. I saw a Spider Man stunt show at one point- is that still there? I know there were rumors of something but I never paid enough attention to what's actually there to have a clue.

Set up a date in December? LoT day at Universal!

[Not Afraid]

I had a great time at Uni, but I was with HTH Bell Captain and one of my "kids" so it was a blast. I'll never go on Mummy again though. It royally fu<ked up my neck.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, let's keep this in mind for after the holidays and see who gets the Golden, er, Free Tickets. I agree that Universal is a somewhat pathetic place - - but I found it really enjoyable last time I went (ok, that was on the CoasterMatt VIP Tour, but still).


(And, yeah, these are dealies where the ticket comes preprinted with YOUR NAME ... no frelling idea how they get this info!)

[Gn2Dlnd]

maybe we should plan a Universal Studios outting!

Universal Studios is teh ghey!