Originally conceived as a move studio by entrepreneur Carl Laemmle, most of the earliest studio’s backlots and other production facilities were closed to the public. Seeing an opportunity to make a small profit, Laemmle offered tours of his studio and even allowed visitors to sit in on the filming of his productions during the silent film era. With the event of sound, this practice was discontinued. A small walking tour of dressing rooms and production facilities resumed in the early 1960’s, and by 1964, the “Glamortram” took guests through many of the sets on the studio lot.
The idea of including an actual theme park within the sprawling 400-acre Universal Studios Backlot was not thought of originally, but occurred over time as other attractions were gradually added; this organic growth was very similar to the way that Buena Park’s Knott’s Berry Farm grew and was in stark contrast to intended theme park environments from the onset (such as Disneyland). For over a decade, the tram tour was the only guests draw to Universal. By the late 1970’s, however, Universal opened a Screen Test Theatre attraction and an Animal Actor’s Stage to the offerings on what would later become known as “The Upper Lot.”
To that end, today’s Universal Studios Hollywood is essentially divided into three distinct portions. Guests gain admittance to The Upper Lot. Many of the shops and restaurants are located in the mid-section of this hill, while the perimeter of the hill houses many of the attractions of the land. Working your way clockwise from the Main Entrance, you’ll find along the perimeter: Universal’s House of Horrors, Terminator 2:3-D: Battle Across Time, The Blues Brothers R&B Revue, Universal’s Animal Actors, The Simpsons Ride, The Adventures of Curious George, Shrek 4-D, and Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular!
The famed Studio Tour – where you’ll cover the majority of Universal’s sprawling backlot and sets, is accessed via an escalator in the northeast quadrant of the park, between The Simpsons Ride and The Adventures of Curious George. At the northwest quadrant of the park is the Starway Escalator, a massive escalator system that takes you down the steep mountain to The Lower Lot, the guest-accessible area of the backlot.
At the Lower Lot, you’ll find Jurassic Park: The Ride to your immediate left and Revenge of the Mummy to your right. The Universal Experience, a collection of history from the motion picture company, is found amid other shops and restaurants just down the plaza from the Starway.
Before You Go – Project Watcher
Universal’s House of Horrors – Terminator 2:3-D: Battle Across Time – The Blues Brothers R&B Revue – Universal’s Animal Actors – The Simpsons Ride – The Adventures of Curious George – Shrek 4-D – Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular! – Jurassic Park: The Ride – Revenge of the Mummy – The Universal Experience – Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood Shopping Guide – Universal Studios Hollywood Dining Guide
