Tag: amusement park

Universal Studios: Behind the Scenes

Post author By No Place Like Gone
Post date April 14, 2023
3 Comments on Universal Studios: Behind the Scenes

Estimated time to read:

11–16 minutes

For my 27th birthday, we planned a nostalgic throwback adventure. The Super Mario Bros movie released April 5th, and the new Super Mario World at Universal Studios Hollywood just recently opened its doors to the castle in February of this year. The stars could not have aligned any more perfectly for a super weekend at Universal! Read below for a behind the scenes look at our newest EPIC adventure.

Table of Contents:

The Super Mario Bros Movie

Birthday cake milkshake – fitting for the occasion of a 27th birthday!

Bree & I grabbed a late-night showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie during opening week. We timed it so that we got to enjoy the movie and kick-off the nostalgia the day before going to Super Mario World at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you have an AMC dine-in theatre near you, the milkshakes alone make it worth the price of a ticket. The very next day we woke up at 5am to head into the park with our early access pass at 7am.

We’re happy you’re here! It would help out a bunch if you followed us on social media – it’s FREE and well worth the cost of admission. We post our adventures, tips & tricks, planning guides, and travel inspiration daily.

Drop your email here to join the [gone] community and receive updates about the blog:

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Maps + Getting Around the Park

Before you start your day, make sure to download the Universal Studios Hollywood app.You can look at maps, wait times, dining options, show times, and so much more. Plus, the app is integrated with the new Super Mario World power up bands!

Download the app from the App Store here.

Download the app from the Google Play Store here.

Universal Studios – Hollywood Map

Here’s a few maps for reference, but the interactive maps within the app are much better. Make sure to download that today with the links above to get around the theme park while you’re there!

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Super Mario World Map

Again, make sure to download the Universal Studios Hollywood app when you go because there are completely interactive maps to help guide you around the park in there! You’ll also be able to check line waiting times, make reservations for dinner, and much, much more!

64-Bit Nostalgia at Super Nintendo World

Wow, where do we start? This place was designed beautifully in partnership with Nintendo and we loved every single moment we had in the park. We paid a bit extra for the early admission pass and it was well worth every penny. From the sprawling world of 64-bit graphic-looking sets, hidden easter eggs, and the interactivity and character meetups – this place has something for everyone (even adults).

I grew up with Nintendo, and have been a serious gamer myself my entire life. I remember playing Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, & Super Mario 64 religiously. I will always hold a place in my heart for this franchise, and many of Nintendo’s other franchises too, forever. I’m sure that I’m not alone with this sentiment, either.

Power Up Band & the App

Super Nintendo World has a section within the Universal Studios Hollywood app

Make sure to download the Universal Studios Hollywood app – scroll to the top of this blog for the links I left that will take you straight to the App Store or Google Play Store. Within the Universal Studios Hollywood app, you can click into Super Nintendo World and it will greet you with a lovely sound bite and colorful interface (pictured left). Go down the warp pipe and be immersed in Super Mario World. Together the power up bands (more on those below) and Universal app track your progress in the world including coins, stamps, keys, and a real time player ranking system. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure style experience with something to do around every corner – even while waiting in line! Collect three of the four keys to challenge Bowser Jr. for the star to save Princess Peach. Nintendo really spent the time here to make an in-real-time leveling up system; these work wonderful for kids and adults (big kids) alike.

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Power Up Bands

Here’s the team Yoshi band I got – by the way, team Yoshi CRUSHED it the day we went and got first place in the park rankings. These Power Up Bands are $40 each (I know – pricey). The bands are used interactively with many of the blocks, mini-games, stamps, coin collections, etc. to track your progress in Super Mario World. The band also allows you to create a player profile and come back in the future to keep playing. and leveling up.

There’s six bands in total – Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi.

Want to plan out your trip to Super Mario World? Click here.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Super Mario World is the newest themed area in the park and this is the newest ride in the park – expect long lines. Jump into a guided AR (augmented-reality) experience fit for folks of all ages. You get to steer and control your kart’s direction using the mini steering wheel – be sure to steer as a team to increase bonuses. By looking around with your head you can throw your power ups at the enemy racers just like in real Mario Kart fashion.

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This ride is true to form and includes plenty of visual, wind, and smoke effects to keep you entranced for the duration of the ride. This is the “main attraction” for this new land. We saw line wait times of 2-3 hours almost the whole time we were here.

Join your favorites like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and more in saving the world against Bowser’s might.

Toadstool Cafe

Nintendo knocked it out of the theme park with this one (pun intended). Every meal on the menu is themed around your Mushroom Kingdom friends from the games.

The burgers come with mushrooms and a mini mustache – completely on theme. Peach has her very own cupcake dessert decorated in all pink with a matching crown. Even the spaghetti is an ode to Mario’s Italian background. The garlic bread is shaped like 1-UP mushrooms. There’s even truffle butter (more mushrooms!) on the fries.

For more about the Toadstool Cafe and menu, click here.

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My Thoughts for the Future of Nintendo Land (expansions to Super Nintendo World)

Expansion for Nintendo Land located within Universal Studios Hollywood is inevitable. I’d like to suggest that Hyrule from the Legend of Zelda is the perfect answer. You would be able to grab weapons from the actual games and use them in your battles through trials and dungeons. Doesn’t that sound epic? Of course it does! I’m completely down for this idea, and you’re welcome Nintendo – I want my royalties.

Another great idea would be Luigi’s Mansion (adjacent to Super Mario World, of course). Could you imagine walking through a scary plaza of haunted mansions that are all themed with boos (ghosts) and erie music? Just like the games, you could use some kind of vacuum cleaner to run around collecting the spirits at each of the interactive spots hidden throughout the mansion.

What do you think would be the next coolest addition to Nintendo Land at Universal Studios Hollywood? Do you live near Florida and wish they would add Super Mario World to Universal Orlando? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us an email at: noplacelikegone@gmail.com.

Photos of Super Mario World

If you’d like to see even more photos of this immersive new world check out our social media accounts here:

On to the rest of the park – Universal Studios Hollywood

Jurassic World (the ride)

This was freakin’ incredible and there’s no other way to say it. After waiting in one of the longest lines of the day, we were prepared to be terrified – and we were. Age-old dinosaurs are roaming the land, you’re getting sprayed by water in all directions, you’re riding through an exhilarating adventure in the dark until you splash down a waterfall surprise at the end. The plot is that the dinos (lead by Indominus Rex) have escaped and they’re on the run thrashing about. Your goal is to escape from danger before becoming their next meal – how fast can you run?

Stomp around the Earth with dinosaurs yourself here.

Revenge of the Mummy (the ride)

They took a horror movie classic and pulled out all of the stops for this ride. You’re literally riding on a rolling death-trap in a dark room – or at least that’s what it felt like to me. Its gut-wrenching turns will send you spiraling – oops, who left the brick wall there? There’s a surprise on the other side – but you’ll have to go on the ride to find out what it is!

Want to be terrified reading more about this ride?

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Transformers the Ride: 3D

Imagine walking through the streets of New York before the ride and hearing the hums of the Allspark. It’s right there next to you, and suddenly you’re joining the Autobots on a new mission to protect it. Once you’re loaded in, prepare for a jet-speed story where you’ll be sent racing through a city to escape from Megatron.

Join Optimus Prime and the rest of his crew saving the world over at AutoBot Command HQ.

Universal Studio Tour

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The back lot studio tour is included in the cost of your admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. This is one thing that Universal Studios Orlando does not have, exclusive only to here. When on this tour, you’ll get to see several real production sets that Universal Studios has actually used in their movies and shows. From picture cars like Back to the Future, sets from Desperate House Wives, a special effects demonstration, and also, live-action appearance by the killer from Psycho – Norman Bates. The Studio Tour is well worth doing while in the park and a can’t miss while your in Hollywood!

Experience the production magic behind many of Universal Studios’ greatest films

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an absolute immersive delight and for great reason. Want to step into Olivander’s and watch a wand select its master? How about drink a butter beer in the alley streets? Take a flight with a hippogriff? Play a game of quidditch? You can do all this (and more!) at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a family-friendly roller coaster. It’s a “baby coaster” but still packs a nice punch with its tight-turning, high-speed fun. You get to see a hippogriff, Hagrid’s hut and the pumpkin patch while riding overhead.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey starts you on a conveyer belt. Right after, you’ll enter what’s only to be described as a rocket ship simulator. The seats will fling and toss you in every direction while you somehow seamlessly transition from real props to virtual screens displaying an epic story. Oh and word of advice – make sure you dodge the Womping Willow.

Stay into the evening for special light shows on the Hogwarts Castle, showtimes available in the park app. You DO NOT want to miss seeing one of these.

Battle alongside your friends Harry, Ron, and Hermione as you survive a dementor attack on Hogwarts

Springfield: Home to The Simpsons Cast & The Krustyland Ride

Grab a seat with The Simpsons™ on a virtual reality roller coaster ride. As the journey begins, you find out that there’s trouble underway at Krustyland – Krusty the Clown’s low-budget theme park. You’ll smash and blast through the park with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie in an over-the-top non-stop adventure.

Smash through Krustyland on the Simpsons ride yourself

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Now Showing at The Dreamworks Theatre: Kung Fu Panda

Channel the power of Chi and join Po, Mr. Ping, and Master Shifu as they embark on a wild, perilous mission to deliver the Liquid of Ultimate Power to the Emperor. Experience roaring rapids, river pirates, and the villainous Kang Wolf on this multi-sensory journey of awesomeness. This short animation is a nice break from the California heat and also includes 4D features.

Want to be immersed in a Dreamworks production? Follow this link.

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

Aren’t the minions just the funniest little creatures? (And possibly some of the cutest too.) Hop on to the Minion Mayhem ride where Gru blasts you with the legendary Fart Blaster, followed by his minion-shrinking laser. Be prepared to run mad with an army of fellow yellow minions through multiple trippy, mind-defying scenes to save the world. There’s a special party waiting for you at the end.

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Become a minion yourself so that you too can cause mayhem with the Gru-army.

Super Silly Fun Land

This splash park showcases your favorite minion Dave, Gru, fluffy unicorns, and plenty of more familiar faces from the Despicable Me franchise. Super Silly Fun Land is a mini-waterpark where you can let the kids run wild for the day. From buckets of water splashing, sprayers in all directions, and water fountains cascading down – it’s impossible to stay dry. Plus, there’s picture spots all over to snap a selfie with your favorite character from the movies.

To find more information out about Super Silly Fun Land, click here.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

Discover the exciting world of Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets when you’ll meet your favorite characters. Join Max, Duke, Gidget and Snowball on a journey through the streets of New York City as you get ready to be welcomed into your new home.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to do this one because the virtual line queue was full. We had no idea that this would be such a busy ride! This attraction is still relatively new so you may want to hop in a virtual line for this ride on the park app to save your spot as soon as you get there!

Check out what the pets are doing over on the official page.

CityWalk Hollywood

See what you can discover along the boardwalk – from shopping, to movies, to mouth-watering food and drinks. Cap off a great day at the park, or just have a great night in Los Angeles at Universal Studios CityWalk.

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Want to plan your next shopping trip? – click here.

When are you planning your trip?

We’d love to know your Universal trip plans! Be sure to tag us (@noplacelike.gone) in all your LA adventures:

If you enjoyed the blog, please subscribe for more as we travel the United States. We’re currently in California, but you never know where we’ll end up next (we don’t either!)

Safe travels!

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Tags amusement park, attractions, fun park, theme park, travel

Adventure

My FIRST Roller Coaster?

Audio podcast version on Spotify.

Carowinds – Charlotte, NC

The front entrance to Carowinds – we can’t even do it justice! When you enter this park, you are greeted by the Fury 325 screaming through the park, EPIC music blaring on the speakers, and all kinds of beautiful colors.

Are we in North or South Carolina? The world may never know … as you travel through this thrilling amusement park, you’ll cross both state lines many times.

Another thing to mention is that the majority of the kids’ areas in Carowinds are themed after Peanuts and Snoopy, you’ll find plenty of these cuddly creatures in larger than life sizes! Perfect for the kids … or the adults that are still like kids! 😉

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Roller Coasters:

Listen, I tried guys. I really did. I was going to bring my GoPro with chest mount into the park to video all of the rides first hand so you could seem them! Or more accurately, document myself screaming like a little child on all of the rides. Unfortunately, I was told that they do not let cameras onto the rides. One, I’m sure that they have had problems with them flying off in the middle of the ride, and being lost. Or worse, knocking someone out in the face. Two, their rides are proprietary and they do not want them all over the internet. Fair play.

Matt, 26 years old, roller coasters = 0

Hi, I’m Matt and I’m 26. I have avoided roller coasters for the majority of my life. I have always had this intense, knee-shaking fear of heights since I was a kid. Roller coasters, heights – not my thing. Although recently my girlfriend and I sold my house, cars, possessions and took off on this grand road trip of America. I have promised myself that we would constantly be trying new things, and that I would be brave every step of the way. Here it is at 26 years old, Matt finally gets on a roller coaster – and spoiler alert – rides many of them, and actually has a blast by day 3 of being here!

Presenting: Carowinds of Charlotte, NC

After Burn

After Burn video – Ground POV

Carolina Cyclone

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Carolina Goldrusher

Copperhead Strike

Fury 325

Hurler

Kiddy Hawk

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And Here We Have It Folks

The moment we have all been waiting for …

Matt’s FIRST Rollercoaster, at 26 yrs old

Ricochet

Matt’s first – and last roller coaster. Just kidding, I rode almost every coaster in the park within three days, against my will of course. This one was intense … we thought it was a kiddy coaster, but it feels INSANE! It’s also pretty high up in the air, at least for someone who struggles with a fear of heights. Let me say I was in shock after this one. I’d rather die than get back on one of these death contraptions. And you are telling me that people like to do this for fun? Wow.

The Flying Cobras

Vortex

We Didn’t Get to Ride:

Intimidator

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Nighthawk (closed)

Nighthawk: Try laying on your back with a 115 foot hill climb, to then be flipped upside down so that you are facing the ground as you soar up to 51 mph and spiral through multiple inversions for 2 minutes. This one looks fun, and it goes over a nice pond. We wish that it had been open when we were there.

Other Kiddy Rides:

Wilderness Run

Woodstock Express

Honorable Mentions (these aren’t rollercoasters, but just rides):

Drop Tower: Ready to hurl up your lunch? We weren’t. Once you get 174 feet up in the air, prepare for a free fall of 100 feet in seconds – reaching speeds of up to 56 mph.

Electro-spin: I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like being spun viciously in circles, upside down and all around. This one will make you feel intoxicated, to say the least. I’d rather drink a beer personally.

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Ripcord: Basically like jumping out of a plane … you rip the cord and free fall up to 65 mph down towards the Earth, skimming it by mere feet as you continue to swing at the mercy of this cord. No thanks.

Scream Weaver (closed): Do you like ferris wheels? How about Ferris wheels that spin faster and faster until you tilt 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical orientation? Wow.

Slingshot: Do you see the little black speck in the picture? Yeh, that’s you if you choose to go on this ride. See you on the Moon, Buzz Lightyear.

WindSeeker: The second tallest ride at Carowinds, only behind the Fury 325. This 3 minute chair lift takes you up 301 feet high, and swings you around and around, allowing magnificent views of the Charlotte, NC area. I can see my house from up here! Just kidding, I sold it.

Water Park:

Barracuda Blasters

Blackbeard’s Revenge

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Boogie Board Racer

Seaside Splashworks

Tidal Wave Bay

We Didn’t Get to Ride:

Coastal Currents (closed)

Coastal Currents: You know what a lazy river is! We all enjoy this fun experience. Grab a tube and soak up the sun on this 1,000-foot long river of bliss.

Hurricane Falls (closed)

Hurricane Falls: Grab your best friends’ arms and slide down this HUGE water slide together on a raft! Everything is better with friends!

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Storm Surge (closed)

Storm Surge: The tallest water slides at Carowinds. Over 80 feet in the air, zip through winding tunnels of water sliding goodness. See you at the bottom!

Other Kiddy Rides:

Kiddy Hawk Cove: shallow pools of water with slides, spray jets, splash areas to entertain all of the kiddos!

Myrtle Turtle Beach: This is the name of our RV! Seriously, lol. Bring your tinies here to have a blast, while you can sit on the ground and help entertain them with various interactive water toys.

Pelican Plunge: This one here is a horizontal water slide with barely any slope. You must be a kid, or a parent accompanying a kid to ride this one! A GREAT introductory slide for your little ones.

Pirate’s Landing: This is a much smaller version of Seaside Splashworks which we thoroughly enjoyed! Let the kiddos run around on this one – no adults really here except the ones watching their monkeys jumping on the bed!

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Time to Eat!

It’s worth mentioning quickly that Carowinds offers various Drink and Dining plans – whether as a season pass, or day pass. If you do not purchase one of these, you can pay for food individually (albeit expensive per meal). However, we recommend the Premium All Day Dining Pass for $39.99 (at the time we were there). This includes soda refills every 15 minutes and a meal or appetizer every 90 minutes. If you are going to be at the park the entire day, just grab the pass. Otherwise, you will spend close to $15-$20 per meal. The pass is worth it!

Restaurants

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Beach Bites: Huge hot dogs, hamburgers, fries.

Beer & Snacks: Good beer tap selections, popcorn.

Beer & Snacks: Matt’s favorite ride at Carowinds.

Boathouse Bites & Beer: Decent beer taps near the waterpark, popcorn.

Chickie’s & Pete’s Sports Grill: BEST food we had at Carowinds. Highly recommend.

Dippin Dots Ice Cream: Everyone likes ice cream, yum! And they were out of chocolate self-serve ice cream everywhere else. They also have an exclusive Fury flavor modeled after their premiere ride.

Granny’s Ice Cream Shop: OUT of chocolate ice cream… but I got popcorn.

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Harmony Hall Marketplace: Food hall, offers 4-5 different styles of food. American (hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders), Grilled Cheese (plain, with chicken, or pork), BBQ Restaurant (Ribs, pulled pork, turkey leg), Pizza Restaurant (cheese, pepperoni, breadsticks), Poke restaurant (health food bowls with veggies, fruits), they also have ice cream, snacks, and soda fountains.

Panda Express: Asian food! Chicken and rice is still undefeated. They were out of rice, which was disappointing. Noodles are a good backup.

Papa Luigi’s: Pizza! Cheese, pepperoni, bread sticks, salads. Absolutely banging food if you love pizza as much as we do.

Schooners: Beer selection, pretzels.

Sharky’s Grille: Pizza, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, by the water park!

Honorable Mentions:

We did not try: Blue Ridge Country Kitchen (rotisserie chicken and country sides), Burrito Cafe (Mexican snacks), Camp Cookout (American food burgers, hot dogs, fries), Carolina Candy Shoppe, Chic-fil-a (come on, these are everywhere), Cinnabon (chain), County Fair Funnel Cakes, Fair Fries, Juke Box Diner (American food), Rita’s Italian ice (chain), Shake Central (HUGE milkshakes, hardly open), Starbucks (really?), Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt (chain).

If you can’t tell by now, they have quite a lot of options to choose from. Getting the Premium Dining Pass allows you to eat at the majority of these places every 90 minutes in a day. Worth it!

Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

We camped on site at Camp Wilderness! You know we are loving that RV life, hotels aren’t for us.

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We pulled our beauty into Camp Wilderness Resort by Carowinds and enjoyed every minute. Here they have plenty of tightly touching campsites, although we were by ourselves without any neighbors the whole time! They have a camp store with all of your basic necessities on site, bath houses with showers, a laundry room, and a pool. There’s no playgrounds or dog parks here, but they also have a volleyball court and even cabins on site that you can rent as well. I’ll admit, the nightly rate is pretty high for what you get here … but it’s cheaper than a hotel and there’s shuttles that run all day back and forth from the campground to the amusement park!

Our beauty, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG – Class C motorhome.

Our Thoughts:

Overall, we had a blast at Carowinds. Matt got to experience his first roller coaster, along with many more afterwards. After having rode many of the coasters by day 3, Matt was definitely starting to enjoy them. It’s no longer a wonder why people enjoy these crazy metal contraptions. Breanna, being a veteran roller coaster lady from the glorious land of Florida, thought that the roller coaster selection at Carowinds was superb. Every ride seemed to have a different theme, or gimmick to it, as compared to other amusement parks. The food options were plenty, shopping was located all over, and we spent multiple days walking the park to find new things. We definitely recommend that you stay AT LEAST 3+ days, as we found that still was not fully enough time for the entire park. Well done Carowinds.

Tags amusement park, carowinds, fun, rides, rollercoaster, travel