Destination: Osaka, Japan
Season: One beautiful April Spring day
Ground Transportation: Nozomi bullet train from Nagoya to Osaka
Hotel: Toyoko Inn Osaka JR Noda Ekimae. For more on Toyoko Inn, click here. Park ticket: I got a 1day Studio Pass. This includes admission to all attractions for a day. There’s a 2-day Studio Pass and a 1.5-day Twilight and Day Pass. The rates for a Studio Pass at that time were 5,800 yen for adults (aged 12 or older) and 3,900 yen for children (aged 4-11). Go here for current info http://www.usj.co.jp/e/
I also got a Universal Express Pass for priority admission to attractions. I didn’t have to wait too long in queues. If you wish to leave the park and return on the same day, remember to get a hand stamp prior to leaving the park. Your Studio Pass/ ticket and handstamp are required for re-entry .
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You might want to explore the many shops or eat in one of the
restaurants at Universal City Walk just outside the park gates. |
In the park you will find these areas: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld, Amity Village, Snoopy Studios, Lord of Oz and Lagoon.
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Peter Pan’s Neverland show at the Lagoon |
Highlights:
* Meet & Greet: I always enjoy having photos taken with characters I’ve known since childhood. Be quick to spot a character and ask park staff, one or two will always accompany a character, WHERE you are meant to queue for a photo op. It'll save you some queueing time, well, that's if other park-goers didn't ask and get there first.
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With, Popeye the Sailor Man! I hear the theme song in my head :)
"... I'm strong to the finich, cause I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the sailor man!" |
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| Betty Boop & I in Hollywood |
Sometimes you chance upon a park character about to take a designated spot for photo ops (a long queue already in place!) or about to take a break and on the move. Rather than wait for their next appearance, I just click away.
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| Woody Woodpecker & his girlfriend Winnie |
Never mind that the photos are blurry or one looks like a crazy fan chasing after some helpless mascot! :P When I see photos taken in this manner, I always get a good laugh! Besides, mascots almost always have nice smiles on their faces so the "chase" doesn't look too bad in photos :)...
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| Shrek! Fiona! Wait for us! |
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| Jurassic Park The Ride |
* Jurassic Park The Ride: I am game for the Jurassic Park ride but roller coasters, like the Hollywood Dream ride, are not my cup of tea.
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I won't be fooled by the tame
facade! :) |
