Summertime is synonymous with many wonderful things, swimming, corn on the cob, BBQs -
but best of all! Road Trips! Partaking in one of my favorite Boswell traditions we packed our
bags and hit the road out to fantastic California.
Disclaimer: On this particular road trip I took more than 235 photos. That being said,
I've decided to break it up into installments. Please enjoy Part I.
This trip was not without it's snags *cough* the car *cough* but the good absolutely outweighed the bad, and that's what this post will reflect. Mostly good, so we'll start there.
I've decided to break it up into installments. Please enjoy Part I.
This trip was not without it's snags *cough* the car *cough* but the good absolutely outweighed the bad, and that's what this post will reflect. Mostly good, so we'll start there.
"The Entertainment Capitol of LA" which is their legit slogan, I can't figure out if they're trying to be funny, or if some other place really beat them out for the title of "The World" but I digress.
This place is absolutely, 100%, without a doubt: a @#%$&*! blast!
We decided to purchase our tickets online in advance. We also decided to spring for the "Front of Line Passes." (Which is really cute, how they treat you like some kind of VIP except, there are also real "VIP" people who paid way more than you do with your Front of Line Pass - but that FOLP is your golden ticket!)
Thanks to this decision, we were able to hit up every ride, almost every attraction, and still goof off - all with zero waiting in line. It's crazy because the whole time you're at the park they have these digital info booths telling you what the wait time is at every ride, some as low as 45 minutes (yes, that's low) some as much as 110 minutes. Insane! The moment we went through the gates and got to skip right to the front of THAT line we were reassured it was a worthy expenditure.
Now, onto the photographs!!
Now, onto the photographs!!
Our first stop was the Waterworld show
This is the extent of the photos I have from this show, because I was engrossed in all of it's jaw dropping action including when they fly a plane into the pool, which slides to a halt right in front of the VIP audience area just when you swear to yourself "something has gone horribly wrong! All of those people are in grave danger!" - but then they're fine.
I think our next stop was the House of Horrors, where I didn't snap any photos -
so here's one from a press release:
IT WAS GREAT!!!!
Scary, duh, but just the jumpy kind, they give you just enough of a reprieve afterward, and they lull you into moments of false security where they can then make you jump right out of your skin. I loved it, loved it! Probably because it wasn't zombie season... but hey! Mummies, Chuckies, vampires, ghosts and half dead pirates can jump out at me any time I'm seeking a screamy-thrill. I'm usually a giant wuss when it comes to stuff like this, but I'm recommending it. They do it so well! It's not lame or too scary. It's perfect! They know what they're doing over there at the Entertainment Capitol of LA.
The park itself is a fun-land, there are minions everywhere!
To me, the minions alone make it paradise! But that's not all, eating is entertaining!
Take for example the Flintstones BBQ:
I asked for one of those rack of ribs that would knock the car over, but it's not a regular menu item.
There's little mini shows happening, like Stomp
Characters are all out on parade
Photo ops
Oh right - the Simpson's character heads, I should probably explain that.
See, anytime I snapped a pic with bystanders who are very clearly visible - I added these faces
from the Simpsons to camouflage their identity. You'll see where they came from shortly!
But there's still rides to go on! Like, Minion Mayhem!!
How do I explain these rides? I'll go with: Movie Magic. See, they set you up in your seat (whatever the layout is, some are static, some are on rails) and they give you 3D glasses. Then the screen and your seat act together to put you on a roller coaster, feeling the wind in your hair, bumping into minions, falling from great heights - all of it. If there's a splash, you get wet. If there's an explosion, you feel heat. Not just for Minon Mayhem, but for all of the rides at the park! It is mind boggling and incredibly fun.
Outside of Minion Mayhem is a bunch of references from the movies to enjoy
Plus, of course, more minions!!
I loved that little damsel in distress minion, so I zoomed in
The minion-utopia is only one of the vast and lovely wonderlands this park has to offer.
Like Krustyland!
Surrounded by a great and many Simpson's icons
Including Moe's
Here's Dylan standing outside of Moe's
Going into the ride is fun, there's this waiting room of sorts where they keep you entertained. It's a different part of the overall waiting process, but with our Front of Line Passes we went straight into this area. I loved it! One of them talks at a time, so when the characters were not talking, they stood around acting bored. Stretching, drinking from their sodas, cleaning their glasses. Plus they had all these awesome simpsons-style advertisements happening on screens inside the waiting room. It was great!
The ride was phenomenal, I could try to explain it, but I won't do it justice. Just know it was great.
Ever onward! HOLLYWOOD MAGIC!! You get a great view of Universal Studios as a whole
And then! You get a great view of WB Studios from Universal Studios!
Check out the water tower where The Animaniacs lived ;)
Moving forward with the movie magic: The Universal Studios Studio Tour.
ITS AMAZING!
I took hundreds of pictures on this studio tour, I swear. But I'm going to try and only share the highlights:
Like the Three Amigos set! Where they instantly made it rain
Then they instantly made it flood!!
There's this part where they take you into a subway station, and an earthquake happens!
AAAHHHH EARTHQUAKE THAT TRUCK IS GOING TO EXPLODE!
(AND IT DOES EXPLODE!)
Just when you think you're safe, having survived the earthquake, they bring you over to the set of Jaws.
This would have been the worlds most perfect photograph of all time ever if it wasn't for that dang bar on our car! (Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating but look!! Jaws!!!)
There he is going back down into the water.
Whoville!!
THE BATES MOTEL!!!
I love this photo, because first you're all excited that you see the house and the motel and everything - but then you realize. Whoville is right behind Bates Motel. *snort* I LOVE IT!
The War of the Worlds set - life sized destruction!
Towards the end of the night, we gave Barney a "Cheers!" with our newly purchased can of Duff. (It's an energy drink, but it's still a can of Duff!)
What I've shared with you via photo isn't even the half of it!
Jurassic Park Ride: Uberfun. So amazing in fact I'm going to steal other people's photos from the internet.
This REALLY HAPPENS. Scared the crap out of Dylan, just when you're about to be eaten is when you drop down splash mountain style then get DRENCHED.
Here is someone's shakey first hand video, if you'd like the get a feel for it: Jurassic Park Ride
(Really, hit google for videos and you can see the whole park, but, hey, you didn't hear that from me!)
Transformers 3D: Radical. Hands down my favorite ride, you really felt like you were being hurled through buildings by giant robots. Things come flying at you, and you duck, it's magic. Seriously.
The Mummy Ride: A real, indoor roller coaster that goes as fast a 45mph then - then - repeats, at the same horrifying speeds GOING BACKWARDS. And I rode it! Sure, I didn't look up once, but I rode it!
Shrek 4D: Cute, and safe for kids of all ages
Everything was a blast. Just shopping at the Kwik-E-Mart is a blast, I am so glad we went! Can you believe that all of that was only Thursday?! We still have an entire vacation to get through!
Which is exactly why I am breaking this vacation recap into parts. Next up: THE BEACH! See you then!
