24.08. Universal Studios Hollywood

We leave early to be at the entrance of Universal Studios just after the park opens at 9am. There is the obligatory security check like at the airport and off you go. We go to the "Super Nintendo World" first, since Samuel in particular is drawn there. You really feel like you're in Super Mario, spinning coins, mushrooms and eating flowers everywhere. We're queuing for Super Mario Cart: Bowser Challenge, which is obviously the newest main attraction in the park, at least that's what the posted waiting time says: 120 minutes. (No express pass or similar is accepted there). All right, we have time. Queuing is made more enjoyable through entertainment, via screens, animated characters, etc. Sammy enjoys this and thinks the queuing is the real draw. In fact, we only wait about an hour and we're already sitting in the Mario Kart. You get VR glasses and a Mario cap and have to steer the kart through the virtual course. Funny, but already over after 3 minutes.

We spend almost 10 hours in the park and don't miss any attraction (and the many shops). There are: Transformers, Jurassic World, Simpsons, Hogwarts (!), Revenge of the Mummy, etc. The studio tour through the film locations is also impressive, lasting over an hour and accompanied by numerous special effects.

Tired as a dog after an entertaining day, we come to the hotel room where we still have to pack up for the return flight. Unfortunately, we have to repack several times as some purchases result in a weight problem. A maximum of 23kg is allowed per piece of luggage, the surcharge is expensive. We don't get to bed early until around 1am.