California

All posts tagged California

Hollywood – Entertainment Capital of Los Angeles

Published June 5, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

 
Hollywood is known for a lot of things, like the set tours of different movies, thrill rides themed with timeless movies like Jurassic Park and Saw, and of course, the overall experience that you get an insider look at how movies are made, Universal Studios Style. I’ve been lucky enough to get to visit the Universal Studio Theme park in California several times in my life. Each time I’ve gone had been an amazing, fun experience that always leaves me looking forward to my next visit.

 

The new ride on my last visit was The Simpsons Ride, . The Ride was converted from the old Back To The Future ride; it’s a simulator ride that’s intense. It’s theme is adorable. Even though you’re technically not going anywhere, you are moving around in your ride car, and there’s even a part that simulates a rollercoaster ride, When you get to universal this is one of the first thing you should go because for sure you’ll want to ride it twice before the lines goes long!


 

Enjoy the ride then get straight back on and take a look around, you get a birds eye view of Springfield and its really detailed and impressive. Springfield is the fictional city in which the American animated television series The Simpsons is set.

It’s a simulator you sit it this car and watch this huge screen it has lots of effects so that it really doesn’t feel like a simulator with lots of thrills and the unexpected but everyone gets back to earth safely with a few laughs along the way. Water gets sprayed at you too and does it quite well. Very fun! It feels like a rollercoaster with out going upside down of course but still camera is not allowed inside the car. The surprise at the end is funny too. Dont forget to smile.

 

House of Horror – Universal Studios Hollywood turns into one big real-life horror flick. Using inspiration from popular Horror films. It’s better not to show your fear. Even if you are scared, don’t show it. If you run away screaming, Either Zombies, Freddy, Jason, Chuckie, Dracula or Frankenstein may follow you especially in the scare zone, because they have a lot of room and there are blinking lights in all the mazes which makes it harder to walk or run!


 

 

Lastly, hit a water ride! You will absolutely get wet on the Jurassic Park River Adventure water ride. Riders take a boat through waters where man-eating dinosaurs roam and be prepared for the long drop at the end.

A multi-level outdoor escalator, which give you some breathtaking views of the city. If you’re afraid of heights, If you’re afraid of heights or escalators, there are stairs (also outdoors) which run parallel to the escalator (good luck) — there are plenty of people who use them, God bless them! It will be a major journey!

Aside from the main Universal Studio Hollywood theme, there’s also the CityWalk entertainment strip, which does not have any entrance fee. At hopping City Walk there’s plenty of places to eat, including the Hard Rock Cafe. There’s also night clubs, bars, and a movie theater to see the latest movies. It’s really a more grown up experience in comparison with Disneyland. 

  

 

 

***See The Rest of The Pictures***             

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

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Hollywood Truly Comes Alive with it’s STUDIO TOUR!

Published June 4, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Universal Studios Hollywood is the only movie and television-based theme park to offer guests the authenticity of a working movie studio. It will really make you feel like you’re part of the movies.

We Were actually in Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane…

           * A scene from Desperate Housewives…

The tour of the park was really interesting. Trams go down to the Universal back lot, where they’ve filmed thousands of movies. You have to stay on the tram. But at night, you get off the tram and at literally five feet away from Bates Motel (from the movie Psycho) and the War of the Worlds set and JAWS (yup, the shark actually comes out to attack!).

 

Passing through one of the film’s most highly recognizable scene from a set left completely intact from Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, “War of the Worlds,” guests aboard the Studio Tour will observe a small town devastated by an elaborately 747 jetliner crash. Maintaining scenic authenticity, a series of special effects dramatically enhance the surrounding ruins with still-smoking wreckage and shattered debris.

          *747 Aircraft from the scene “War of The Worlds“

    * The Fast & The Furious

         *The Fast & The Furious – Tokyo Drift Cars

Courthouse Square – A large town square named after the imposing Courthouse building most famously seen in the Back To the Future trilogy. The square has been seen in hundreds of Universal films (and those of other studios).It’s currently appearing in the CBS TV drama Ghost Whisperer.

 

For More Detailed Description Visit: http://media.universalstudioshollywood.com/attractions/about_the_attractions
 

See The Rest of The Studio Tour Picture: http://starvillanueva.multiply.com/photos/album/130/Hollywoods_Universal_Studio_Walk_of_Fame

Some Fond Memories in Disneyland California

Published April 5, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

“Where happily Ever After happens everyday!”

It’s been years since I’ve been to Disneyland, and I am perhaps more excited than kids are! Oh, the nostalgia! How I wish my archive photos are already digital way back early 90’s for me to post the pictures easily without scanning it! Disneyland Park in Anaheim consists of 2 theme parks namely, Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park. Approximately 5 times bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland. Each ride or attraction will take 40-120mins wait sobrang haba ng pila but worth it naman! but still tiring kasi galing pa ako Manila Flight then went there straight away!

After the long & tiring walk, we took the Disneyland railroad to tour the entire park. It has 4 stations. The Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown & Tomorrowland. You can get down at any station but we intentionally planned to reach New Orleans because square because that’s where you can find the rides/attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones.

  

 Above Photos are taken in Haunted Mansion, it’s really silly, it wasn’t scary but the special effects are awesome! For me it’s the one attraction that can’t be missed. Then the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster takes you through mine shafts, caves, and waterfalls! Exciting!

We had to wait more than 50 minutes in Pirates of the Caribbean – The ride is built underground and it is filled with water. We travel in small boats and see the exploits of the treacherous Captain Jack Sparrow who is going after the buried treasure. There’s also Indiana Jones, this ride made us wait 2hrs and really made us decide to call it a day! The ride puts you into an adventure, with illusions, sound effects, and Indiana Jones himself.

Although having said all that fun but tiring stuff, I totally gave myself over to the experience and really enjoyed the adventure because it reminds me of my childhood. So you think Disneyland is only for kids? Think again. With high-end roller coasters, fine dining, and a chance to reconnect with your inner child, Disneyland has a lot to offer the “older children.”

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Delta Airlines Experience MNL-NRT to LAX!

Published April 3, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”

 

Early Morning of March 26, My family and I drove off to NAIA to catch Delta Airlines Flight from Manila to Los Angeles with a stop over in Narita-Tokyo, Although they were using B747 that can accommodate 400+ passengers it was still full load! As a standby/chance passenger -I didn’t make it. Only my family went through because they paid full fare thus prioritized.

 

I was left alone in the airport with so much hope that I can still make it through the flight then I’ve just decided to “bother” a friend of mine who live just near the airport  then tried to search other possible transit connections in the internet. Irene’s family welcomes me so much that made me somehow forget the disappointments I’ve had that morning. They cooked for me and entertains me until I get well! =)

 

Next day, March 27, Delta Airlines is Full flight again! My vacation is really short kaya dapat sulitin! But then, I have no choice but to buy a full fare ticket! Shocks! My eyes are literally close while signing my credit card receipt! I can’t believe it cost $466 USD for a one-way-ticket to Narita! (Less than 4hrs away!)  Grrr!  

In Narita, there are 2 airlines that accept Zed Tickets (Airline staff discounted/reduced fare ticket), which is Korean Air & Delta. Korean Airlines is full and Delta is 2hrs-delayed departure but the passenger load is quite ok. It was 9 ½ hrs more before I reached LAX Airport, the Flight Attendants were friendly even managed to have pictures with them.

 

In Los Angeles, I immediately received a text message! That I should just take a shuttle bus to the hotel from where they are staying! I’ve been to L.A a lot of times but it’s my 1st time to land in that airport without anyone to pick me up!

 

Though once again alone and independent, I just think on the positive side that my family trusted me so much to let me search for them! Hahaha! But anyway, they are staying in Katella Ave. in Anaheim which can easily be found coz it’s just 5mins. walk from Disneyland.

 

After more than 14hrs of travel time, there I was asking around… and find a good deal in primetime shuttle, it was a door-to-door shuttle from the airport that cost $18 USD.

 

Guess what!? After the long waits, tiring delays, no sleep long haul flights, I still managed to walk around and enjoyed the rides in Disneyland! Like what I’ve said: My vacation is really short kaya dapat sulitin!