Day 334, 3 June 2013, Universal Studios - Hollywood! A combination of aversion to cost, massive summer queues and the enormous drive (4-5 hours) from Miami to Disney in Orlando has so far kept us away from theme parks. But in Hollywood we're a 5 minute walk, 10 minute subway ride and 5 minute free shuttle away from Universal Studios - and it's incredible backlot studio tour. We even coughed up the readies for the "front of line" pass - straight to the front of each and every queue and reserved seating at the shows. And worth every single penny. Even on a Monday, even in early Summer, even with slightly overcast weather in the morning - 30 and 40 minute queues for the attractions were common. Had a huge day out - loved the studio tour. We don't watch the show Desperate Housewives (in fact we've watched TV maybe twice in 11 months), but it was a kick driving through the neighbourhood of Wisteria Lane - real houses, real trees and believe it or not a real rabbit running through a yard. The massive soundstages where favourite movies were filmed are super interesting and some of the sets that remain behind from famous movies too. For instance - the Bates Motel & house from Psycho. Also a wrecked plane and the havoc of the community it crashed into from Tom Cruises's version of War of the Worlds. The scenery from Jurassic Park was there and we watched a "flash flood" special effect through Old Mexico town. One of the highlights is where you are driving through the setting and think... no way... never seen that in a movie - then they play part of a movie it's featured in and Voila! The magic of Hollywood. We have both been amazed by the high tech 3D wizardry used at this theme park - from the King Kong experience, to the Mummy Ride, the Jurassic Park experience, the special effects stage and even Shrek 4D were all great. And surprisingly enough there is a lot of spitting throughout the day.... Spitting dinosaurs, spitting cartoon characters in Shrek, lots and lots of getting wet. The biggest feature of the day is the Water World set (Kevin Costner movie). There is a plane. There are flames. Any more than that would be to give up the story. Today's picture? Us leaving our sticky paw prints all over the Blues Brothers car... had just watched a very credible show with very believable Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi actors and still jivin' on the inside about Live, Thrive & Survive! Need to get that movie out again. So glad we went - early, hard and with a front of line pass. Only way to do this particular theme park, that's for sure. Home to pack. Yay. Travel Day tomorrow (can you hear the excitement in my voice...?) Didn't think so.