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Universal Studios, Hollywood Facts & Worksheets

Universal Studios, Hollywood is a Los Angeles, California-based theme park and film studio.

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Universal Studios Hollywood is a Los Angeles, California-based theme park and film studio. The park includes many attractions on several floors, making it a popular vacation destination for families to have a good time. The Starway, which is a set of escalators, connects all levels. It is popularly known as the  “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.”

See the fact file below for more information on Universal Studios Hollywood, or you can download our 32-page Universal Studios Hollywood worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ABOUT THE PARK

  • Universal Studios, Hollywood is located in Universal City, California, Universal Studios Inc. and is owned privately by Seagram Co., which owns 84% of the corporation, and Matsushita, a Japanese electronics conglomerate, who owns the remaining 16%.
  • Universal Parks and Resorts operates it, and the park is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m, while the CityWalk is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • It started as a movie studio on April 30, 1912, and on March 15, 1915, it debuted as an L.A. studio lot. Later it was opened as a theme park on July 15, 1964. 
  • Its slogan is “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.”
  • Anheuser-Busch, Regal Cinemas, Sony, Time Warner, AMC Entertainment, LucasArts, MGM, News Corp., United Artists, Viacom, and Walt Disney are among Universal Studios’ significant competitors in the entertainment industry.

HISTORY

  • Carl Laemmle, a German-American immigrant, purchased the Taylor Ranch in the San Fernando Valley in 1914 and established Universal City as a massive studio with a zoo and more.
  • He paid $165,000 for a 230-acre ranch at the east end of the San Fernando Valley that would become the world’s first film studio dedicated solely to producing feature-length films.
  • It signified the development of Hollywood as America’s primary filmmaking center. It was also the start of an industry that would have a massive and far-reaching impact on the planet.
  • Early Universal pictures were silent and popularized mainly by the skill of one of Hollywood’s all-time great actors, Lon Chaney. The money Chaney brought in at the box office was crucial in getting Universal back on its feet. He was the most popular character of the Silent Era, well known for his role in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
  • On the Universal lot, they built a replica of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, as were sets depicting wild west settlements and street scenes that gave the impression of being anywhere in the world. Universal rarely shot films outside its 230-acre lot over the first 50 years. 
  • Universal partnered with International Pictures in November 1946 to form Universal-International, with Universal Pictures Company remaining the parent company.
  • In 1950, Decca Records paid $3.8 million for a 28% stake in Universal-International. Decca gained control of the film industry within two years.
  • MCA purchased Decca in 1961, giving it a 90% stake in Universal-International. Universal-International reverted to its original name, International, the following year under MCA. By this point, the studio’s back lot had grown to more than 400 acres. 
  • Universal also produced hit films such as Airport, Earthquake, Jaws, Animal House, and Coal Miner’s Daughter during this time.
  • By the mid-1970s, MCA had transformed the back lot into one of America’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 4 million people visit the hotel, restaurants, amphitheater, sets, and sound stages where they film movies each year.
  • Universal opened another Universal Studios in Florida, which opened in Orlando, in 1990. 
  • By 1994, Seagram’s venture into entertainment began with his 15% share purchase in Time Warner Inc.
  • In 1995, Bronfman persuaded his father and uncle, Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Charles Bronfman, to sell Seagram’s 25% investment in DuPont Co. for $8.8 billion. 
  • It was to finance Seagram’s acquisition of an 80% ownership in Universal (then known as MCA Inc.) from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. 
  • Since that $5.7 billion investment, Bronfman has been under pressure to convert Universal into the revenue engine he promised. 
  • However, despite generating $6.5 billion in revenue, Universal only made $242 million in operating profit in fiscal 1997. Furthermore, the value of DuPont shares has more than doubled.
  • Seagram American Depositary Shares (ADS) have increased by around 38%, while shares of DuPont have more than doubled in value, angering many investors. 

THEME PARK

  • Universal Studios Hollywood is not your ordinary theme park; it is a place where the magic of movies comes to life via its many rides and attractions. It is the world’s only operational movie studio and theme park.
  • You can visit actual movie sets through the rides, events, parades, and themed eateries and enter the worlds of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, King Kong, Transformers, and other popular favorites.
  • The experience is unrivaled, and the great thing is that you can take it with you through the souvenir shops.
  • Universal Studios Hollywood has two areas on separate floors that are joined by Starway escalators. These are known as the Upper and Lower Lots. 
  • The Upper Lot is home to many family-friendly activities. The Upper Lot’s theming includes a Mission Revival entryway known as Universal Boulevard, which incorporates the massive Universal Plaza, which opened in 2013. 
  • Universal Boulevard is the home of Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, and the DreamWorks Theatre, now serving as the main venue for Kung Fu Panda Adventure, an improvised version of Kung Fu Panda: Unstoppable Awesomeness from Motiongate Dubai.

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

  • The attractions and rides of Universal Studios Hollywood intend to bring you into the world of movies.

CHARACTER SIGHTINGS

  • Some characters include Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, The Minions, The Simpsons, Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona, Curious George, Scooby-Doo & Shaggy, Raptor Encounter (Seasonal), and more. You can contact park employees regarding characters they will feature on the day of your visit. 

UPPER LOT

  • The following attractions include the description and the height requirements for each attraction.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

  • Motion simulator
  • Guests are turned into minions and put through an obstacle course to train. Meanwhile, Gru’s daughters attempt to give Gru a gift to honor their adoption anniversary.
  • Children 40-48′′ (102-122 cm) accompanied by a supervisory partner (14 years or older)

Silly Swirly Fun Ride

  • Aerial carousel
  • A family-friendly carnival attraction rotates tourists around to offer them a 360-degree panorama of “Super Silly Fun Land.”
  • An adult must accompany children under 48″ (122 cm).

Super Silly Fun Land

  • Play area
  • An extensive outdoor wet and dry play area styled after the Despicable Me movies. In 2012, it took the place of the Coke Soak attraction.
  • No height requirement.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

  • Dark ride
  • Guests are altered into lost pups as they travel around the streets of New York City in search of a new home, inspired by the film The Secret Life of Pets.
  • A supervised companion must accompany children under 48′′ (122 cm).

Studio Tour

  • Tram ride 
  • The tour of the backstage lot of Universal Studios has backgrounds and sets utilized in many of their films and NBC series. Attractions such as King Kong: 360 3-D, Fast & Furious: Supercharged, Jaws Encounter, and Earthquake: The Big One is also available.
  • No height requirements.

DreamWorks Theatre

  • Film
  • Based on the theme of characters from DreamWorks Animation film. Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest is now on display.
  • No height requirement.

The Simpsons Ride

  • Motion simulator
  • The Simpsons head to Krustyland to ride the new roller coaster, but things go awry when Sideshow Bob attempts to ruin the ride.
  • At least 40″ (102 cm)

Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular

  • Stunt show
  • A lady comes with information about a “Dryland,” but competing “smokers” assault jet skis and boats until a Mariner arrives to fend them off. It features jet skis and boats, stunt fights, an aircraft crash, and fireworks.
  • No height requirement.

Universal’s Animal Actors

  • Live show
  • A 20-minute program displays the antics and tricks of various animals.
  • No height requirement.

Special Effects Stage

  • Live show
  • A demo shows the special effects used in filmmaking.
  • No height requirement.

Password Live

  • Game show taping
  • A Password reboot taping with Keke Palmer
  • No height requirement.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the Upper Lot’s most extensive themed section, containing the animatronic and screen-based thrill ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, situated in a replica of Hogwarts castle with authentic props from the movie in the queue. This area also has the family-friendly roller coaster Flight of the Hippogriff and the interactive Ollivander’s Wand Show, in which a wand selects a witch or a wizard. The outdoor stage hosts two live shows: Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally. Aside from the attractions, the themed area includes:
    • Several stores
    • A Hogwarts Express train photo opportunity.
    • The Three Broomsticks restaurant.
    • Several outdoor vending carts provide food and drink.

Flight of the Hippogriff

  • Roller Coaster
  • Before you ride a family-friendly coaster that spirals, dives through the pumpkin field, and swoops past Hagrid’s hut, you will learn how to approach a Hippogriff. 
  • Children between 39″ and 48″ (99-122 cm) with a supervised partner.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

  • Dark ride
  • Make your way through the Hogwarts classrooms. Soar above the castle grounds on a ground-breaking new attraction that takes you on an unforgettable, exhilarating experience with Harry Potter and his companions.
  • Minimum 48″ (122 cm).

Ollivander’s Wand Show

  • Interactive experience and gift shop
  • Step inside this little, dusty shop to choose from a selection of Ollivanders wands or to acquire reproductions of the wands used in the Harry Potter films, collectible wand sets, and more.
  • No height requirement.

Frog Choir

  • Live show
  • This outdoor live presentation involves Hogwarts students and their singing frogs.
  • No height requirement.

Triwizard Spirit Rally

  • Live show
  • This themed act shares the stage with the Frog Chorus and comprises characters executing martial arts maneuvers and acrobatics with sticks.
  • No height requirement.

LOWER LOT

  • The Lower Lot is the smallest of the two lots. This portion of the park has three thrill rides, each with a height limit. It is the location of Jurassic World: The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride 3D.

Jurassic World: The Ride

  • Shoot the Chute
  • A water ride that transports tourists through the events of Jurassic World.
  • Children must be 42″ (107 cm) tall and accompanied by a fantastic buddy.

Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

  • Enclosed roller coaster
  • An indoor steel roller coaster with a top speed of 45 miles per hour. It has both forward and backward motion.
  • A minimum of 48″ (122 cm)

Transformers: The Ride 3D

  • 3D dark ride
  • A dark journey in which the rider’s objective is to protect the AllSpark from Megatron and his cohorts while the automobile cruises through Chicago’s streets and skyscrapers.
  • A supervised companion must accompany children aged 40-48′′. (102-122 cm).

Raptor Encounter

  • Live performance and character photos
  • A velociraptor and a “raptor handler” perform a live show outside the Jurassic World attraction.
  • No height requirement.

DinoPlay

  • Play area
  • A play area with fossils, cargo nets, ladders, and slides that is interactive.
  • No height requirement.

Universal Studios, Hollywood Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Universal Studios, Hollywood across 32 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Universal Studios, Hollywood, which is a Los Angeles, California-based theme park and film studio.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Universal Studios, Hollywood Facts
  2. Fun Facts
  3. Universal Timeline
  4. The Upper Lot
  5. Let’s Play Bingo!
  6. Universal Studios
  7. Theme Parks
  8. Universal Films
  9. Park Tour
  10. Promotional Poster
  11. Universal Trip

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