The 60-year-old theme park attraction that was the first of its kind – with exclusive behind-the-scenes access
WHEN Universal City Studios opened its doors to the public back in 1964, it was a spectacular first.
Nicknamed the Glamour Tram, it allowed ordinary people to finally get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Hollywood films were made in a real studio setting and even spot megastars.
It was the birth of Universal theme parks we know today.
A whopping 60 years on, the Studio Tram Tour is still thriving and, as I learnt on my recent trip to Los Angeles, the pure thrill you get from being on a Hollywood film set is tough to compete with.
The City Studios have since been renamed Universal Studios Hollywood and although things have changed a little over the past few decades, it still gives people a sneak peak of a working movie backlot and active soundstages.
And to mark its anniversary, guests have been granted more behind-the-scenes access than ever before.
I was able to pose in front of a giant King Kong backdrop, next to the motel from Psycho and under the sharp teeth of the original hanging Jaws shark.
Desperate Housewives fans will be in their element with a drive down Wisteria Lane.
There is also a new “Earthquake: The Big One” element, inspired by Mark Robson’s 1974 movie (thought to be a defining film of its time for special effects), which subjects guests to a realistic 8.3 magnitude quake.
And things ramped up a gear when I joined Fast & Furious’s Dom and Co for an exhilarating high-speed chase in its 3D-HD simulation, Supercharged.
I also visited Courthouse Square, where scenes from the Back To The Future movies were filmed and where an original time machine car sits on display.
Desperate Housewives fans will be in their element with a drive down Wisteria Lane.
Then there’s the chance to look at sets used for Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Truman Show and The Good Place or drive through Amity — the town featured in the movie Jaws — but be prepared for an unwelcome surprise visitor.
Although many youngsters may prefer to be entertained by augmented reality games at Super Nintendo World and muggle magic at the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, it was the Glamour Tram’s popularity that inspired the creation of Universal Studios Hollywood theme park we know today.
On the map
Opening as a self-contained tourist attraction with only a petting zoo and children’s playground in 1970, the first ride came in the form of ET Adventure.
When it launched at Universal Studios Hollywood in 1991, the friendly alien put the park fully on the map for holidaymakers in Los Angeles.
ET Adventure is now long gone, but there are ten themed lands, including Springfield: Home Of The Simpsons.
Even with all this action-packed fun, the Studio Tram Tour is still one of its biggest hits. After all, who doesn’t love a bit of Hollywood glamour?
GO: UNIVERSAL
GETTING THERE: BA offers return flights from London to LA from £375pp. See britishairways.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Hilton Universal City, a five-minute walk from Universal Studios Hollywood, cost from $250 per night on a room-only basis. See hilton.com.
A two-day ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood costs from £92pp with the Buy A Day, Get A 2nd Day Free offer. See attractiontickets.com.