Family Days Out Blog

familyDaysOut May 25, 2019

Get ready for “Jurassic World—The Ride” opening this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood with the popular California Neighbor Pass, offering guests a premium opportunity to experience more than 175 days of up close and personal encounters with the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex and behemoth Mosasaurus for $149.

With over 175 day of limitless fun at the unbeatable price of $149, the California Neighbor Pass is the ultimate ticket to an epic adrenaline rush with every visit to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Based on the global blockbuster hit, “Jurassic World—The Ride” is a spectacular new adventure that will take guests on a breathtaking excursion through the theme park as depicted in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s film, JURASSIC WORLD.  It will soar to new heights with the addition of iconic dinosaurs from the movie, including the colossal Indominus rex and the magnificent aquatic Mosasaurus, which will mesmerize onlookers in her natural habitat.

And that’s just the beginning. From Saturday, June 22 through Sunday, August 11, “Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle” returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with a mesmerizing display of light, music and special effects that unleashes the dark creatures and villains within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

As darkness falls on Hogwarts castle, Dementors™, Death Eaters and other unspeakable creatures from Aragog and Mountain Trolls to Thestrals will cloak the castle with sinister images from the darker side of magic—even conjuring the visage of Lord Voldemort™ himself, until the Patronus spell—one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world—is cast.

This spectacular light projection experience is accompanied by an exclusive musical arrangement that emanates in a surround sound environment. It was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London, based on the original scores composed for the film series created by Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams.

And there’s more.  "Fast & Furious—Supercharged” takes guests on a wild ride that begins the moment they step aboard the world-famous Studio Tour. This high-octane, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride, featuring the stars of the hit movie, catapults guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars in a harrowing escapade—at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour—to save one of their own from an international crime cartel. 

Feeling happy? Guests are invited to join the Stuart, Tim and Tom on “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” for some outrageous entertainment that transforms guest recruits into beloved, gibberish-speaking Minions, before stepping into Super Silly Fun Land, the seaside carnival inspired from the original “Despicable Me” blockbuster film.

From “Transformers:  The Ride 3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride” to “King Kong 360 3D,” “The Walking Dead” attraction and “WaterWorld,” the action is non-stop and the California Neighbor Pass is the one-way ticket to fun.

The California Neighbor Pass enables guests to choose any day for their first visit and return to enjoy Universal Studios Hollywood for more than 175 days over nine months, including select weekends, for $149 when purchased online. Special discounts on general admission tickets for friends and family to the theme park along with the popular “Halloween Horror Nights” are included in this season pass program. Additionally, pass members can enjoy sweepstakes opportunities and discounts at participating CityWalk locations.

familyDaysOut Apr 09, 2019

During Family Days Out time in New Orleans, we visited the Historic Voodoo Museum and St Louis Cemetery No 1 with Island of Algiers Tours, and what an adventure it was.

When we first arrived in New Orleans, we knew that high on our list of places to visit were the Historic Voodoo Museum and St Louis Cemetery No 1, and luckily for us we found Island of Algiers Tours who cater for both.

There is so much history in this incredible city, that it is always an advantage to meet with someone who knows it inside out, and can offer a truly authentic experience. And we met "Nu Awleans" Nate!

Let's start with the Historic Voodoo Museum. This small but charming museum is probably the most authentic interaction with the "voodoo" history you could have in the Big Easy. 

Not really suited to the younger children (with human skulls and alligator heads adoring the exhibits), the Historic Voodoo Museum really packs in everything you could want to know about the history of voodoo, and even the connection with West Africa. Much of what we learnt might just surprise you!

Nu Awleans Nate gave us the deluxe tour, and was every bit of charismatic that you would want from a tour guide in the Deep South. He was witty, knowledgable, charming and just drew the attention of everyone who came into the museum.

The exhibits span the origins of voodoo, and what it means to the local culture and heritage, with a number of artifacts focusing on Marie Laveau - the Queen of Voodoo as she is known in the region.

There really are only two exhibit rooms in the museum, but we couldn't fit more in if we tried! There are information sheets next to most of the artifacts, and these really help with understanding it all.

Before you move on, make sure you spend time in the gift shop. From voodoo dolls, to tarot cards and spells, it's almost as interesting as the museum itself! (And you can get your tarot read if the psychic is in!)

Once we were finished in the museum, we began the trek to St Louis Cemetery No 1 on foot, with Nate leading the way, via some key points of interest.

Our first pit stop was the site where Marie Laveau's house once stood (you will find it by the plaque!), and here is a great spot to ask even more questions that you might have on the infamous Marie and her history.

Next stop was Congo Square, an open space that really was instrumental in the history of African American music. Nate explained to us that this was the place where both enslaved and free African Americans gathered during the 19th century, and the drumming and the singing formed the foundations of jazz as we know it today.