29 December 2006 - LA

Off to Universal Studios today. In hindsight, we didn't get there early enough, and it is a must-do in LA, even if it could be exxy (that short for expensive). Although there were queues for most rides / attractions, the length of which were displayed in minutes all around the park, the queues never actually took as long as these signs said they did. For instance, the line for the first 'ride' we went on (the Studios Tour) was approx 50 minutes when jumped in the queue; 35 mins later, we were on board. The tour took us through numerous sets in the Studios, including Desperate Housewives, Jaws, War of the Worlds, Jurassic Park. It was amazing how production crews could use the most basic sets and turn them into something that appears totally different on scene, whether it was adding numerous items to the scene, adding a background, making the setting appear a lot bigger. Wisteria Lane, in particular, is much bigger on screen than it is in real life.
Other rides of note include the Jurassic Park boat ride, which ends in a free fall, and the Mummy Returns rollercoaster. Both of these rides run through pitch-black buildings, so there's no warnings as to what comes up next. Fair to say, I needed a change of underpants after both.
Outside the park is a mini Las Vegas-esque strip, with bars, restaurants, shops, plenty of neon signs and a lot of people.
Back to the hotel for the last night of our stay.