Day 5: Universal Studios

Just in case we hadn't had enough of the train, we hopped on it again to take almost the exact same route as we took yesterday (one stop further this time).
Over an hour later we finally arrived at Universal City Metro stop (although the time was long this was due to the distance, rather than the train service - which actually works!).
Before us was the huge Universal City office, dominating the skyline, along with hills in the distance (strange compared to the flat of Pasadena).
Luckily we did not need to walk up the incredibly steep hill that took you towards Universal Studios, as thankfully there was a shuttle-bus from the station to the park itself (LA's tourist offices don't miss anything.
The front entrance was grand and out the front was the instantly recognisable Universal Globe. Navigating our way through the short yet relatively time consuming lines at the entrance, we bought our tickets and entered the park.
We immediately made a bee-line for the Backlot Tour in the park, which as the name suggests takes you through the famous Backlot of Universal Studios, consisting of Sound stages and movie sets.
Within this tour alone we experienced a flash-flood, dancing special effects cars, an earthquake sending a petrol tanker towards us, and saw prop cars, working sets (like a real crashed 747 from War of the Worlds) and various fronts of buildings used in Blockbuster movies).
After this great 45 minute tour we had another huge American Lunch and then made our way to the new Simpsons ride. This consisted of a fast motion master, trying desperately not to be killed by Sideshow Bob...(as happens sometimes in the Simpsons). The next big attraction was to be the Jurassic Park ride, which to access we had to travel down the huge escalators to the lower lot, passing spectacular views of L.A.. When we reached the ride we were sent in amphibious vehicles through a grove of animatronic dinosaurs before dropping almost vertically down a 40 foot drop. Needles to say we almost lost our stomachs and got hilariously wet at the bottom.
Fore the next couple of hours we killed time until the next showing of the stage show: Waterworld. When eventually we entered this attraction we were greeted with the news that we were likely to get incredibly wet, especially if we sat inside the designated soak-zone (so we did!). This show did not disappoint, with live action stunts (including a crashing sea plane coming through the wall) and we got very wet.

Soon after this we hopped back onto the train, to arrive back at the hotel at our usual time of a quarter to 6, whereupon we swam in the pool before we went and found dinner (Indian).
After another busy day we finally got to bed.