Family Days Out Blog

familyDaysOut Jul 22, 2019

Kids....It Just Got Real

It's official. You are invited to immerse yourselves in the fascinating, scary, exciting and thrilling Jurassic World - and yes, it really is a front row seat!

Inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment's JURASSIC WORLD blockbuster films, the hotly anticipated Jurassic World - The Ride has finally opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, and official Family Days Out correspondents Audrey (9) and Arthur (11) went along to see what they thought of this spectacular new thrill ride!

Long time fans of Universal Studios Hollywood, Audrey and Arthur couldn't wait to see what this new ride had in store. Was there anything they were looking forward to the most?

Arthur: "The dinosaurs were super cool in the film, so I would LOVE to see him up close!"

Audrey: "Blue was my favorite in the film, I'd love to meet him"

Accompanied by their parents, John and Debbie, it was time to ROAR into their family day out, so let's hear all about it!

John: The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to go. Normally we are the first ones through the gates at theme parks, but we wanted to try a new tactic today as it was so hot. We thought "let's do 2pm - 10pm, beat the heat, and give the kids the chance to see the park come to life at night. Normally by 6pm they are shattered"

Debbie: It worked a treat, however what I will say is if you want to go to Waterworld towards the end of the day, don't sit in the soak area and then walk around wet as the sun is going down! (Or if you do, make sure you take a change of clothes!)

John: One of the things we love about Universal Studios Hollywood is how close everything is, with two kids the less time walking is more time with them having fun on the attractions and forgetting they are walking - and always hungry!

Audrey: I loved walking! You get to see all the cool characters and monsters and famous people from the movies. I really wanted to see the Minions!!

Debbie: Audrey absolutely LOVED Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and we literally had to pull her out of the gift shop

Audrey: Can we go back next week?

John: Let's tell them about the dinosaur ride!

Audrey: I'll tell them - so because we arrived after lunch, it was super dark by the time we went to see the dinosaurs, and that made it super creepy, but not in a scary way, in a really cool way

Arthur: You were scared a little bit!

Audrey: No I wasn't! 

Arthur: When you get to the ride, you all get in this really big boat, and they start to take you through this big glass container, where this HUGE dinosaur is swimming all around you, and starts to knock on the glass and it's like it's going to get out!

Audrey: Then, the boat takes you around all these other cool parts of Jurassic World, where these dinosaurs keep popping up and the noises are so cool!

Debbie: We don't want to give too much away in case people reading this haven't experienced it yet, because it really is like going into a blockbuster movie - you don't want the ending spoilt! But I will say this - hold on to your hats and your stomachs!

Arthur: Can I say about the bit where you go down and the....

Debbie: Let it be a surprise...but totally worth the wait

Audrey: Oh don't forget about that Raptor Encounter where I got to see Blue!

Arthur: That was really cool cos it was actually like the raptor was interacting with you

John: Overall, a totally brilliant day and evening at Universal Studios Hollywood - and I think one of the coolest parts is actually being there at night. It adds a whole new dimension to the park, and you could visit 100 times in the day, and still feel like it's a totally new experience at dusk and beyond.

In addition to the new Jurassic World - The Ride, don't miss the new "Dino Play" area for kids of all ages to explore and excavate giant dinosaur fossils for more dino fun, before re-charging in the Jurassic Cafe complete with an all-new tropical Isla Nu-bar.

Other attractions within the park include "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" featuring a bustling Hogsmeade village, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride, the award-winning "Simpsons Ride" and of course the world-renowned Studio Tour - the signature attraction of Universal Studios Hollywood!

The adjacent Universal CityWalk is also jam packed with entertainment, shopping and dining, as well as the redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema featuring deluxe recliner seating and state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

The magic of the movies is all around you!

Lights....camera.....action!

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.