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America, Countries

Head is spinnin’ in Universal Hollywood

8th May 20248th May 2024 funtime65

So my head is spinnin’ in Universal Studios Hollywood.

No, not because of the rides… I learned my lesson from when The Hulk got angry with me years ago down in Orlando.

Although I held my breath and onto my breakfast then thanks to guide Natalie’s motion sickness tablets.

And fitted in a spin around Hogwarts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This year in Universal Hollywood I’m pacing myself.

Not least because my head is spinnin’ after a night that any of the Hollywood hell raisers would shrink away from.

I blame, er thank, the Minneapolis-St Paul, Travel South USA, Travel Texas and Washington DC Pride delegations for getting me this way.

Now while it is a schoolboy error to turn up like this on match night, haven’t we all been here?

The trick to making the most of your Universal Orlando evening is to follow the Murty Manual.

Water ride

Rehydrate: Don’t be a hero. Yes, the wine, cocktails and beer are flowing like the water rides but water is key.

You don’t have to be a monk, of course, and it would be rude not to order a Duff’s at Moe’s.

But soak it all up with a dirty Krusty Burger and fries.

It’ll bring some colour back to your face and make you more appealing when you meet up with Marilyn.

What a character

Meet the gang: The whole Universal gang is here, of course.

Doc from Back to the Future, Beetlejuice and our cast of animated heroes.

Shrek and Puss in Boots will pose for photos while Donkey will riff with you for your vid.

While I haven’t a scooby what the Mystery Machine mob made of this Bandanaman.

Tour de force

Get off your trolley: No, not like that, and I refer you to the Rehydrate section.

No, the studio tour is a joyous journey through 60 years of the behind-the-scenes world of Universal.

Now, they’ve ramped things up here since the last time I was here, as Universal Hollywood always do.

And Jimmy Fallon no less spins us through six decades of stories and sets in 45 minutes.

Joined by pals Stephen Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Jack Black and a host of Hollywood A-listers.

While you’ll also meet Jaws up close and personal who jumps out at you from the Hollywood lake.

While on your mid-tour break when you get out you can meet King Kong.

And something even scarier, Norman Bates fixing his eyes on you as he brings a wrapped-up body out of the motel bedroom.

Throw in a trip into a subway where you roll when an earthquake takes hold and everything breaks around you.

And it’s clear that Universal Hollywood’s story is a ripping yarn with you at the centre of it.

Oh brother

Pizza the action: We end the evening in Universal Hollywood’s in the resort’s newest attraction, Nintendo World.

Where we enter into a world of fun through the Green Tunnel and join Mario, Luigi and Princess Peaches.

And even get to go on a Mario Kart for a ride and a 3-D shoot-up for gold coins.

I’m back in credit (I scored 61 against a high score of 71).

I still got it. My head is spinnin’ in Universal Hollywood.

But I’m rich… in memories.

America, Caribbean, Culture, Deals

Thanks a reptilian

21st October 202321st October 2023 funtime65

Ever since that snake tempted Eve they’ve had the worst wrap but today is their day when we say thanks a reptilian.

And reflect that we seek out our slidey pals around the world.

How else do we explain our endless fascination with the biggest reptile of them all, the donosaur… and nothing slidey there.

Now for an extinct species Dino doesn’t half get around.

And he has adapted to our modern world, taking to the climes and surrounds of Florida and California.

Where he has been known to like petting at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando.

Dino saw it

While kids, and big kids alike, love to pore over their bones.

At any number of museums around the world where they are the centrepieces.

Now we all know about the Natural History Museum in New York.

With its own underground stop for those rainy days to entertain the kids and keep them dry.

Dino pals: At the Yale Peabody in New Haven

Dino, we all know looms large in the movie A Night At The Museum.

But did we know that Yale Peabody Museum inspired Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton and that New Haven in Connecticut is Dino central.

Now the big fella and his pals seem to have a habit of following us around.

Where it’s reassuring to know that you can mingle with dinosaurs at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

While brunching on barbecue and Margaritas.

And Dino’s pals

Now there are millions of reptiles between Big Dino, Terry and Tessie turtle in Barbados.

And Mother Turtle and Gordon the Gecko, my own wee pal from the Maldives.

And they all deserve our respect as they form a key part in the natural cycle and are friendlier than you’d think.

So thanks a reptilian to all of you on your day of appreciation.

From lizards, snakes and chameleons through alligators, crocodiles, tortoises and turtles.

America, Countries, Culture

Super Mario is Universal

4th June 20224th June 2022 funtime65

And get the tiny fiddle out, I should be in the Golden State now where the talk is that Super Mario is Universal.

The overalled one and his bro Luigi are on a mission with us invited along for the ride.

Universal promise (and they always deliver) to transport us into the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to be part of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Now for those of us who were there at the beginning there was pretty much only Super Mario and FIFA.

And there was no manual as to how get further than the end of your arm.

Thankfully Universal are here to help those of us who are stuck at the start.

Time Warp

Guests will access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the Warp Pipe to enter the land for the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride located within Bowser’s Castle.

And what’s more you’ll get your plumber’s vibe on with head-mounted augmented reality (AR) goggles.

From the depths of the dungeon within Bowser’s Castle, you’ll be sent on your way by Lakitu.

Promising that it suits all levels (even me) it’ll steer you through courses underwater and in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup.

While obvs collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win.

Coin it in

“Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

To build up the excitement for the early 2023 opening you’ll get to enjoy the Feature Presentation retail store.

And it is well stocked with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD merchandise such as Mario and Luigi themed apparel.

And iconic character hats and a selection of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser.

And reward yourself: At Pat O’Brien’s, CityWalk, Universal

This being Orlando and Universal then you’ll not be able to move for Mario and Luigi lookalikes… and that’s the way we like it.

Because Super Mario is Universal.