Tips visiting Universal Studios -Hollywood-

While You're at Universal Studios Los Angeles

If you can't remember them all, print these tips and take them along with you.

• Before you head out in your car and pay to park, ask if your hotel has a shuttle.

• Your bags will be inspected at the park entrance, and outside food is not allowed, except water, fruit and baby food.

• Write down the name of the parking garage and level you're on, or take a picture with your digital camera or cell phone.

• If you need to buy tickets, are using a credit card and don't have coupons to redeem, byass the lines and go to the self-serve machines.

• The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien is filmed at Universal Studios, but is not part of the tour. Reserve ahead for free tickets or try for one of the 100 stand-by tickets handed out at 10:00 a.m. in the audience queue area at Gate 3 on Lankershim Blvd.

• If you've taken our advice about all the things you should bring and don't want to tote it all around, leave warm clothing in the car and go back for it, or rent a locker near the entrance. You can also rent strollers and wheelchairs in this area.

• Take the studio tour early. They stop running long before the park closes. Avoid the back row of the tram cars. The engine's under it, and your legs will get hot. You'll get an unobstructed view of more things if you position yourself last in a boarding line, ending up on the left side of the tram.

• Don't let posted shooting schedules fool you. They're interesting, but you can't watch. However, at the Audiences Unlimited booth (straight ahead from the entrance) you can make a reservation to view a live filming during your visit.

• Plan where to meet in case you split up or someone gets misplaced. The easiest place is the entrance, but wherever you choose, be sure everyone knows where it is. Give the kids your cell phone number in case they get lost, so they can ask someone to call you.

• Universal Studios Los Angeles is a great place for kids to learn how to navigate with a map. Let them find the way to the next attraction.

• Go shopping at the end of the day so you don't have to carry your purchases around, or ask the store to use the free package delivery service and pick them up as you leave.

• If your child is too small for a ride, you don't have to stand in a long line twice just so the adults can both go on it. At any ride marked "Child Switch," ask an attendant for a pass for the second adult, who can wait with the child and then go straight to the front of the line as soon as the first rider returns.

• You can't avoid getting wet on the Jurassic Park - The Ride. Very wet. Use ponchos when they're provided, and go early enough in the day that you can dry out before it cools off.

• Food is expensive, and all-you-can eat dining passes are too, unless you're a big eater. Take a break and go to CityWalk to eat, but avoid noon when restaurants are busy.

source: http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/losangeles/a/universal.htm