Alas, the special animated effects, such as an exploding diesel truck, falling electrical wires and crashing BART subway train, aren't very realistic. A new stop shows how the studio recreates rain storms, snow and fog. In sum, the guided tram tour through the back lot is fun at times, but it isn't nearly as momentous as the Universal hype would lead you to believe. Fortunately, the best things at Universal Studios Hollywood are not on the tram ride. They include the Old West, Cape Cod, Baker Street, a New York row of brownstones and a Parisian courtyard.
Riders hop aboard a flying bicycle and sail up and away.
Without a doubt, the next best thing that this theme park has going for it are its live shows, presented up in the Entertainment Center section of the park. There are ten shows in all, and just trying to see all of them can keep you running all day. As you might expect, most of the shows are based on popular motion pictures. Try to sit right in front of the artificial lagoon. It's an exciting show, filled warriors battling in speed boats and racing aboard jet skis, fireworks, lots of gunplay, and numerous fiery explosions, all backed by dramatic musical score and climaxed by a full-size plane which crashes into the water during each and every show.