008: Japan 2016 day 08 | RE:BOOOOOOOORN at Universal Studios Japan

2016年 12月 20日 (火)

🎵 “We are yooouung~, we are ooooone~” 🎵 - the day's theme song

Turning the corner from Universal City station, we were met with a fantastical Universal Citywalk (Osaka). A short strip home to great shops, tasty restaurants and fancy hotels. However, none of that mattered as I made a beeline straight for the park entrance.

01 Universal Studios Japan park gate.jpg

At the gates, lines were surprisingly not that long with a wait time of ~10 min. Wait- we had our entry tickets, so why the line up? Welcoming our newest addition to the gang, the "Express Pass". At first, I was sceptical about the idea and wasn’t really on-board but that was incredibly dumb of me. Though it didn’t save money (¥9700 😭), it saved a lot of time.

With an emptier wallet, we walked through to be transported to a whole new wooorld wait...that's Disney. I was just in awe of how incredible the set designs were, easily making it my favourite part of USJ. I loved the immaculate details that went into each world and the immersion that it brought. My words simply don’t do them justice and neither do my non-existent pictures (busy having fun). However... my coverage of The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM, on the other hand...

02A pretend Harry Potter flying car crashed into tree.jpg
02B attempting to open flying car door.jpg
03 hanging Hogsmeade sign.jpg

Passing the looming arch invited us into the magical world of Hogwarts, where I became felt like a wizard. With a candy shop just to our left, we started the tour around Hogsmeade.

04A Hogwarts express train docked.jpg
04B Hogwarts express train letting off some steam.jpg
05 large clock tower decked with fake snow.jpg
06 Honey Dukes sweets shop.jpg
07 shelves full of novelty items.jpg
09A sweets display of ice-cream candy cones.jpg
09B jars full of sweet treats.jpg
10 candy filled jars.jpg
11A jellybean dispensing machine.jpg
11B stairwell with candy jars on each step.jpg

It was here that I made one sole purchase within the entirety of USJ grounds. I lost ¥1200 for a chocolate frog that didn't jump out of my grasp what a gip. What’s more, I got this dud of a holo card. what. a. gip. As for the chocolate, it was ave and a struggle to finish.

12A Harry Potter chocolate frog box.jpg
12B Harry Potter chocolate frog.jpg
13 crappy Helga Hufflepuff holo card.png

As I grieved, I was offered some butterbeer in both hot and cold renditions. It wasn't anything spectacular, just nice. Though the cold version didn't wow me with its basic soda composition. The hot version did, with its sweet richness of butterscotch and warmth helping me bear the brunt of the cold.

14 big barrel of butterbeer and its long queue.jpg
15A heart warming cup of hot butterbeer.jpg
15B fizzy cup of cold soda butterbeer.jpg

The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM was just full of life with its establishments, one and a half rides, theatrical show, mini event interactions and Hogwarts Castle.

16A Zonko's tricks and jokes shop.jpg
16B McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear.jpg
17 bar with various alcohol on tap.jpg
18 walking down the main strip of Hogsmeade in Harry Potter World.jpg
19A Ollivander's wand shop.jpg
19B Dogweed and Deathcap.jpg
20A Ollivander's wand shop interior left side.jpg
20B Ollivander's wand shop interior right side.jpg
21A shelves filled to brim with replica wands.jpg
21B replica wands packed in shelving.jpg
22 Wiseacres's wizarding equipment.jpg
23 dangling magnifying glasses.jpg
24 Harry Potter apparel for sale on shelving.jpg
25A quidditch chest with balls.jpg
25B Dervish and Banges.jpg
28A various Harry Potter goods for sale.jpg
28B legendary broomsticks on display.jpg
29 display  barrel of butterbeer.jpg
30 thatrical play of Harry Potter.jpg
31A strip of road down Hogsmeade.jpg
31B main road of Hogsmeade.jpg
32 dapper gentleman posing with majestic owl.jpg
33 incredibly detailed ceiling of building with fake owl and fake poo.jpg
34 clock strikes the hour and owl presents itself.jpg
35 Hogwarts Castle up close.jpg
36 Hogwarts Castle from afar.jpg

The main attraction (to me) at Hogwarts Castle was the 4D Forbidden JourneyTM ride but it also held a self-guided tour, sneakily adjacent to the 4D ride. Inside the dimly lit hallways were few key visuals seen in the films. Though short, it was still fascinating to see how much was implemented into the narrow spaces.

37A majestic statue of man.jpg
37B statue of hippogriff.jpg
38 hallway with walls covered in portraits.jpg
39A many portraits adorning castle walls.jpg
39B walls with many hung portraits.jpg
40 entry and exit for 4D Forbidden Journey Ride.jpg

As for the ride itself, that was a fantastic experience. Leaving our belongings in lockers half the size of what it should’ve been, we waited to be seated in the “Great Hall”. Once strapped in, I was instantly captivated. It was such an enjoyable ride; the interactions, the immersion and the thrills, it was just amazing.

Joyously leaving the castle, we were keen for the next ride – Flight of the HippogriffTM. Don’t do it. Waiting in our seats lasted longer than the ride itself (barely a minute). As for the thrills and spills not to be had, it probably wouldn’t be enough to spill a teacup.

41 crappy Hippogriff ride.jpg

If The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM taking up half of this post’s picture count didn’t give it away, I liked this world… a lot. Having brought a world that I could only dream about visiting to reality was nothing short of amazing. Walking down the street with the familiar establishments made me giddy with joy.

Having moved on from The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM, we now had a large time gap until our next ride. This gave us time to visit the other spectacular worlds USJ had to offer. And as we travelled throughout the day, there would often be times where we got separated and were lost in the vast sea of park-goers. But like a lighthouse guiding the boats at bay, my sheep hat herded the gang together.

42A beginning of Jurassic ride splash.jpg
42B middle of Jurassic ride splash.jpg
43 aftermath of Jurassic ride splash.jpg
44A carnivore ripping turkey leg to shreds.jpg
44B neanderthal tearing into turkey leg.jpg
45 model dinosaur caged up.jpg
46 Jurassic park gift shop.jpg
47 snoopy styled merry-go-round.jpg
48 handsome boy tries on cute fluffy pink hat.jpg
49 park-goers crossign the road.jpg
50 cookie monster waiting in the open.jpg
51 handsome boy wearing backpack backwards.jpg

⏩ and we’re hitting up all our rides. Being too absorbed in the moment and safety regulations existing, I didn’t capture much so expect walls of text.

The Amazing Adventures of Spide-Man: The Ride 4K3D was a fun but short experience. Harry Potter's experience ride was more thrilling and engaging.

Next were back-to-back (quite literally) rollercoaster rides on Hollywood Dream – The Ride and its reverse Backdrop variant to which we started with.

Us cool bois 😎 were lucky enough to be seated at the very front (the back), providing us with unadulterated views of the whole park at sunset. Magnificent 👌. Now strapped in, we were ever so slowly reeling back, taking in the gorgeous sights. With the rising of the roller coaster, the butt-clenching sinking feeling was rising parallel to it; all the while blasting the ever so appropriate theme song. Having been on the steep incline for a while now, I knew the drop was comi- WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~ WAAaaAAAAAAaAAA~ It was so exhilarating being at the mercy of the ride, getting lifted and smacked back down in the seat over the many ups and downs. Then unknowingly veering into the sudden lateral turns... Absolute blast.

So what was the normal Hollywood Dream – The Ride like? It was fun. Having just come off the Backdrop, going forwards felt quite tame and lacked the thrill that the Backdrop had coursing through my veins. It was still enjoyable, especially with the USJ theme booming.

Before entering the lines for The Flying Dinosaur, there was a signboard with an estimate of how long you should expect to wait. When we entered, it said 150+ mins... in the non-express line. Yeah yeah... express pass is good. This was going to be my Sushidai pt. II (Waited 7hrs for some soosh). Having carried the heavy burden that was my backpack all day, it wrecked me in the long wait. Remembering that my only meal so far had been a single chocolate frog, albeit a large one. That didn't help. Luckily, ma boi Alex saved my decrepit self with his stashed stacks of snacks. Back again with the hard carry.

Past the maze of a line on the ground floor, we finally reached the staircase taking us up to the ride where more lines awaited. Past that, we were finally awaiting our turn; it only took 1.5hrs so that’s a minor plus. With the wait over, I was now full of life, full of vigour.

It was only when the people prior to us boarding did I notice the ride’s special characteristic. Strapped in their seats, they awaited the greenlight. But as they were about to set off, they were lifted in a way that they were now suspended on the rail and facing down at the floor.

😃

OhhOh0hoOoOOhOhO~ this was going to be good. Off they jetted with shrieks and screams, paving the way for us to board. Strapped and secured, I awaited to get lifted.

Rocking forward, the ride set off zooming into the night, barrelling through the skies, looping through loops and feeling like a flying dinosaur. It was just a crazy good time. And crazily enough, throughout the ride, I didn’t feel that butt-clenching sink. It truly was fun through and through.

Hands down, this was my favourite ride of the day and that excruciatingly long wait was all worth it. Even writing this out has my heart going again.

High on adrenaline, we rushed to Jurassic Park – The Ride® and JAWS® respectively. Late as it was, lines were as short as my patience and packed crowds reduced to not-so-packed crowds.

Starting with Jurassic Park – The Ride®, I found it to be a nice time. Nothing super-duper exhilarating but that was fine, since it’s more of a ride through kind of experience. Unfortunately, the dinosaurs weren't real but that didn’t detract from how amazing they were. The set pieces were just a marvel to look at.

52 ending snap of Jurassic Park the Ride.jpg

Bolting over to JAWS®, we kicked back to enjoy the ride. It was more of a romantic boat cruise than the typical thrill ride. An infatuated shark (again, not real) following you around? Doesn't get more romantic 💘. At the front of the boat was our host with a performance deserving of an Oscar. Whether we were the last few groups or well into the night, it didn’t matter; she was committed and gave it her all. Her endearing enthusiasm made the ride so much more enjoyable.

53 cute girl with glasses smiling for camera.jpg
54 American diner with neon lights glowing.jpg
55 a delightfully pink cafe with neon lights.jpg
56 hanging neon lights in American styled streets.jpg
57 neon sign of bar & grill.jpg
58 wide view of American styled street.jpg
59 large christmas tree filled with lights.jpg
60A USJ christmas tree with extravagant lighting.jpg
60B USJ christmas tree with extravagant decorations.jpg
61A large building with projection of chapel art.jpg
61B large building with projection of art.jpg

Wondering what to do next, Wilson insisted on Backdraft as it looked “reeeaaally cool”. Starting off well with a small crowd, we were ushered in quite quickly to the waiting area. Where we waited for at least 20mins... ummm what could be taking so long? The more we waited the more digs we made at Wilson. This better be worth it.

Doors opened and we proceeded to this viewing gallery type of stage. Okay... lights dimmed and a doco is projected onto the walls. “ロン ハワード です”.

😐

It was Ron Howard, the director behind the film on which this experience is based on. The dubbed video played for a couple of minutes and we trudged into the next room where a small set piece embodied the stage. Another video played but the content didn't matter as we’re too busy snickering at what we got ourselves into. What Wilson got us into.

Entering the third stage, we were far gone from expecting anything so Vivian packed away her camera and I jested that she’d regret doing that. I mean, how could you ignore all this action?! Who knew that I was actually onto something.

In the last stage, things started to heat up, literally. Once the video finished, fire bursted out from barrels. Flames engulfed the stage props and everything was just igniting. Realising that this was the climax, Vivian pulled out her camera ready to roll, but of course it finished as soon as it started. With the fire show over, I thought that was the end of it. Nooo no no. It went above and beyond that (again, quite literally). Hearing a creak overhead, the catwalk “collapsed” on us as the platform beneath us shook.

63A stage set with fire seeping through grill.jpg
63B factory setting engulfed in flames.jpg
64 carpet of flames engulfing the stage.jpg

I was wrong. The Flying Dinosaur wasn't the best. This was. Those few seconds of exhilaration cemented my thoughts on the experience. Best. Ride. Ever.

Backdraft is by no means something you would want to experience but we did enjoy the absurdity of it all. And of course, ridiculing Wilson.

Leaving with high spirits, we stumbled into the final moments of the Xmas show. The visuals and music were just gorgeous, even with my obstructed view.

65 angels ascending to the sky.jpg
66A fireworks shooting into the sky.jpg
66B fireworks scatter into sparkles.jpg
67 barrage of fireworks scatter into night sky.jpg
68 astral projection of stars onto building.jpg

With the park closing up soon, we had time for one last ride - Shrek’s 4-D AdventureTM. Just like Backdraft, the wait in line wasn’t long, but the wait to get in was. The experience was okay. Hearing the Japanese cast of Shrek was amusing. At this point, I was quite exhausted and nodded off many times throughout the film. Regardless, it was never going to top Backdraft.

Upon exiting USJ, we returned to the Universal Citywalk to wolf down a much-needed meal. The night's menu was found at one of my favourite fast food joints, MOS Burger. A native Japanese burger chain rival to the likes of Freshness Burger, Lotteria and Maccas.

69 girl with glasses peers on.jpg
70 cute couple pose in front of Universal Studios globe.jpg
71 gate seen upon leaving Universal Studios Japan at night.jpg
72 Universal Citywalk Osaka at night.jpg
73A regular delicious burger at MOS Burger.jpg
73B rice bun burger at MOS Burger.jpg

With our hunger satiated and exhausted out of our minds, we plonked ourselves on the train, eager to return home. USJ was undeniably one of my best highlights of the trip. It’s incredibly fun and just a beautiful place to visit. I cannot wait for the day I revisit and relive it. Thanks for reading and join me next time as Carolyn and I travel to Himeji.

Words aren't depicting that vivid picture? How about letting Vivian's viiiiideeeo fill in the gaps. Perhaps you'd like to see the day through the eyes of Carolyn's. Check out her post here.