Universal Studios Japan...worth going?

[bready1]

Hi - I'll be in Osaka next week for work and might get a free day. Is USJ worth going to? Ironically I overlook Universal Hollywood and although I'm a 5 minute drive away, I haven't been there in 15 years! So would it be better to just go to USH instead?

[Freakazoid112]

Here's the thing: USJ has Spiderman, JAWS, Back to the Future (Yes, it's still there), Backdraft (Still there too), Space Fantasy the Ride, T2:3D, and the Jurassic Park ride.

USH only has Jurassic Park, Simpsons, the Studio Tour, King Kong 360 3D, T2:3D, and the Earthquake ride. USJ has other cool attractions that USH doesn't have and attractions that were there, but now extinct but Japan has (BttF and Backdraft). So I would pick the one in Japan. That Space Fantasy ride looked pretty cool.

Also, I'm curious about the Animation Celebration show. What on earth is it about? Is it a 3D show or something?

[JerrodDRagon]

I would go to Japan over Hollywood anyway until we get Transformers and Harry Potterland

[bready1]

Thanks for the advice. The last time I went to USH, they still had Backdraft! If my meetings end early I'll definitely go check out USJ. I also just discovered that Osaka has the only Instant Ramen Noodle Museum!! May have to go see that, too!

[k_peek_2000]

If you have the opportunity to to USJ, then why not? However, over the next decade with the massive expansion coming to USH, I would hold off from going for a while now. Expect for when Transformers opens.

[bready1]

Went to USJ today. Bought the Express Pass booklet…best money ever spent! Wish every theme park would do that. When I arrived I got bummed out because the main reason for going was for Spiderman because I’ve never been to the Orlando park and it was closed for maintenance. It was also freezing today, about 42 degrees (born & raised in Los Angeles so that is freezing to me!)

Had a good time, though. Went on Jurassic Park and was in the last row in the middle and didn’t expect to get wet. Got drenched on final drop from the chest up. I was the one that failed to duck. Very funny…but not so much fun on a cold day! The Japanese people asked if I was ok which was very nice but I was totally laughing about it.

The Hollywood Dream roller coaster was much better than expected. After it finished the girl next to me asked if I was ok and if I was crying. Not sure why she asked but I laughed and gave a thumbs up and she & her friends all cheered. It was one of those great & odd foreign country moments!

The park was very clean, as is all Japan and the themeing (that’s not even a word but you know what I mean) was well done. It was no Disney Seas, though. But, I never expected it to be. Nothing is Disney Seas except Disney Seas. So overall I’d say if you’re in Osaka, LOVE theme parks, have money & time to burn go check it out…and make sure it’s a warm day!

[isny]

Went to USJ today. Bought the Express Pass booklet…best money ever spent! Wish every theme park would do that. When I arrived I got bummed out because the main reason for going was for Spiderman because I’ve never been to the Orlando park and it was closed for maintenance. It was also freezing today, about 42 degrees (born & raised in Los Angeles so that is freezing to me!)

Had a good time, though. Went on Jurassic Park and was in the last row in the middle and didn’t expect to get wet. Got drenched on final drop from the chest up. I was the one that failed to duck. Very funny…but not so much fun on a cold day! The Japanese people asked if I was ok which was very nice but I was totally laughing about it.

The Hollywood Dream roller coaster was much better than expected. After it finished the girl next to me asked if I was ok and if I was crying. Not sure why she asked but I laughed and gave a thumbs up and she & her friends all cheered. It was one of those great & odd foreign country moments!

The park was very clean, as is all Japan and the themeing (that’s not even a word but you know what I mean) was well done. It was no Disney Seas, though. But, I never expected it to be. Nothing is Disney Seas except Disney Seas. So overall I’d say if you’re in Osaka, LOVE theme parks, have money & time to burn go check it out…and make sure it’s a warm day!

I hope you rode BTTF a couple of dozen times =D