Seeking Information on a Trip to Universal Studios

What a fun Mom you are!
We haven't done Universal Studioes in a while, but when our boys turn 10 they take a special one-on-one trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain with Dad.

We find Six Flags to be very "boy friendly" with all the high adreneline roller coasters.

Six Flags also has great discount coupons (usually 2 for 1) at Burger King or Fry's.

You can always cut costs where ever you go by taking in a backpack of treats and water bottles. My guys left the park at lunch time and went to a nearby fast food resturant.

When booking a hotel always ask for a manager and ask if that is the best rate they can offer, more than once I have received an employee rate using this tactic.

Pack your food for the drive (so you are not dropping $20 at a burger joint) and this way you'll have snacks in the hotel room as well.

If possible bring a game system to plug into the hotel t.v. (so you aren't tempted to pay for the games they offer). Bring some new pool toys to make swimming in the hotel pool much more fun!

Have an awesome time wherever you go!

Knotts Berry Farm is a great little amusement park that often offers really inexpensive deals that include hotel, park entrance and some meals. I took my boys when they were pre teens and we had a blast. They also have a water park across the stree that is included in the deal. We paid under 1000.00 for 4 nights 5 days.

I was very dissapointed with Universal Studios. Most of the rides there are those simulated t.v. type rides where the seat moves around but you don't actully go anywhere. We had a terrible time with traffic because we stayed near at the Knott's Berry Farm resort because we went there also. It took us more than two hours to get back to our hotel that was not that far away, the traffic was at a dead stop. So if you plan to go, stay close by. We definitely preferred Knott's Berry Farm. We have also been to Magic Mountain and that was awesome. Great rollercoasters. We made fun of Universal and said it was a Fat Person theme park because they have a all you can eat food price. And they have escalators and the rides don't actually move. The only ride that we liked there was the Jurrasic park water ride. They had some good themed characters walking around to take pictures with. Whatever you decide you will still have fun because you will be with your son!

We just went to Universal in FLorida with my 11 yr. old son and my other kids and their friends. The best advice is to get the "VIP" front of the line pass. Its probably about the same price that you need to pay to get in but it is absolutely worth every penny. You purchase it after you get in, and it's only available for a while after the park opens and its limited to the amount they sell, so that everyone is not buying them or it would defeat it's purpose.
But you really do get in first to every attraction and if you didnt have this Front OF the Line Pass there would be no way you could do the parks in a day. All the kids agreed to this.
There is now 2 parks w/in a park (I'm not sure how many Ca. now has)
If you go during a school week on a Tue wed or thur. you wouldnt need the VIP pass.
I recommend taking the kids out of school and going in mid to late sept. and you will have the park to yourselves!
Also look up the hotel and see if they have complimentary transportation and have this planned before you go.
Have Fun