DATE: Tuesday 4 July, 1995
PLACE: Los Angeles
WEATHER: Hot
REMARKS: Slept until almost 10:30 -just caught the Coach
to Universal Studios at 11:00 -what a panic!
Transfer to another coach and back to the Freeway. Good
commentary from the driver about what is visible. The Studios
are in the hills - marked contrast with the flat Disneyland
site at Anaheim. Crowded, but less intense/dense than Disneyland.
Started with the Tram Tour of the 'backlot'. Very Good, with
non-stop commentary of viewing sites.
Earthquake and King Kong were a bit much for Jayne; Flash-flood,
Jaws, and collapsing bridge entertaining; Avalanche very disorienting
and disconcerting.
Again the problem: What first? In what order? Today we are
'experienced' and not so overcome by the vast crowds and scale:
so - down to the Studio Centre.
ET ride is good fun; Charlotte especially thrilled to have
ET say good-bye to her 'personally'. Cinemagic interesting.
Desiree & Jayne avoided Backdraft which was preachy but
then intense; Charlotte especially worried by the heat and
proximity of the effects; Sarah too probably but not willing
to let on!
Back up 4 escalators! To the Entertainment Centre. Lunch:
late and kids again picky and wasteful. This is going to become
expensive!
Jayne enjoyed a stint in PlayLand & could run about
a bit - some activity of her own!
Flintstones Show a hoot. I got caught and invited to 'audition'
live; played up to it & got a few laughs! What would Father
have thought: 'To be or not to be, ...'?
Looked at Apollo 13 & Casper static displays - amazing
detail, but out of place in this context? Missed both Animal
Actors and Wild West Shows - a shame!
Filling in time for the bus back we wandered into Universal
City Shopping Mall - Sarah & Desiree had read about it
recently. Unfortunately no time to dwell but worth a return
visit.
During the return trip we spend time 'fireworks spotting'.
From the hotel room we can see the Knotts' Berry Farm display
- absolutely brilliant, although at that distance without
the percussive intimacy of the Disneyland display (which had
been right overhead).
Arrangements made for a 6:00 am wakeup call. Disneyland
calls!!
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