Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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Tips on How to Collect Vintage Hollywood 2
Carole Lombard, one of the greatest stars before World War II, died tragically in an airplane crash. She was also part of the star system. So, you’ll see 5x7 head shots of her usually signed “Cordially, Carole Lombard” that are almost always secretarial. They were pumped out by the studios to keep fans watching her films.
On 8x10s and 11x14s, the photos she most likely signed, there are lengthy inscriptions. They’re gorgeous photographs and mostly on double-weight stock. There may be 100 to 200, 8x10 inscribed photographs of Lombard in existence and they generally sell in the $1,500 range.
The 11x14 photographs of Lombard are much rarer—there are maybe 20 or 30 of them in the world. The real long-term values for a collector are these oversize, signed photographs because they are the rarest. They usually bear personal inscriptions and they are the highest form of collecting Hollywood signed photographs. The price for an 11x14 can run from $2,000 to $15,000, depending on a number of factors, including pose, condition, what the inscription says and who it is inscribed to.
You must be extremely cautious when buying vintage Hollywood autographs. Boris Karloff-signed photographs of himself as Frankenstein’s Monster are exceedingly rare. There can’t be but a handful in the world. I’ve seen fewer than five. The ones that I’ve seen were always double-weight studio photographs. I had one once that Boris Karloff inscribed to Jack Pierce, the Frankenstein makeup artist. Bear in mind that these stars didn’t sign these character images for fans at the time, because it took years before these roles reached iconic stature in film history.
Authenticity Tip No. 2: InscriptionsAs you start to collect vintage Hollywood autographs, there’s a great deal of information you need to gather. Let’s say you’re looking at a photograph inscribed and signed by James Dean. Who was it inscribed to? Did this person really exist? Did this person know James Dean? When was it signed? Dean had a tragically short life—is it realistic that he personally inscribed this photo? What type of photograph is it? Is it some flimsy, single-stock photograph, or a high quality studio photograph, something Dean would have had access to? The secret to collecting the vintage, classic Hollywood autographs of Bogart, Gable, Errol Flynn and the other great stars is to ask and answer these questions.
Marilyn Monroe took tremendous pride in presenting her intimate circle of friends with signed photographs, but she didn’t sign them for the fans. To get one, you were somebody that was in her circle—her hairdresser, a close friend, a fellow celebrity. And, again, double-weight, high quality, beautiful studio photographs.
Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t tell me, “I have a Marilyn Monroe photograph signed in red ink. She loved red ink because it was the color of her lipstick.” That’s simply not true. There’s no such thing as a Marilyn Monroe photograph genuinely signed in red ink. That’s folklore.
No matter which celebrity or era of vintage Hollywood that you are interested in collecting, always remember that the vast majority of celebrity photographs signed in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s that are not personalized (a photograph with a signature only, a photograph signed “Cordially, Clarke Gable” or “Best wishes, Jean Harlow”) are secretarials—nine times out of 10. That’s just the way it worked back then. It’s the opposite for the inscribed 11x14s. Nine times out of 10, those are real—not secretarial. The 5x7s are almost always secretarial. The 8x10s are a mixed lot; I would say at least 30 percent are secretarial.
While most outright forgeries are just signed or generically inscribed, the forgers are always learning and sometimes write personalized inscriptions, so always be careful who you buy from.
Always look for the very best quality. It’s generally a better investment to buy one great piece than five or 10 average ones. Try to find signed photographs that are beautiful, that are studio produced, that are double-weight, that are really exceptional photographs, and start with that as your criteria. And, believe it or not, it’s better to have an inscription. There’s more handwriting to authenticate, the better the story—and you have a better shot of getting something genuine.
Authenticity Tip No. 3: PricesBeware of prices that seem too good to be true. An authentic Marilyn Monroe signed photograph is going to cost you $15,000 to $25,000. There’s no such thing as a $2,000 or $3,000 one. What you see on the market now are just gobs and gobs of single-weight, very poor quality scene stills, and later printed photographs that are secretarial or forgeries.
While a price in the appropriate value range is no guarantee of authenticity, a price that’s too low is a sure sign of forgery.
This article is mainly about signed photos, but I’ll cover a couple of other popular items, too.
A simple autograph album page that Marilyn Monroe would have had thrust into her hand when she was walking down the street or entering a restaurant will bring a few thousand dollars today. A signed check is worth $2,000 or $3,000. At one time, I knew of more than 1,000 of them, so they’re definitely out there.
To assess the value of an item, ask yourself: “What is the object I’m interested in buying?” Is it signed on an album page? Is the album page in nice condition? Is it signed in pencil or pen? Does it have something affixed to it that makes it less attractive? Visual appeal influences the price. Is the photograph creased? Is it solarized? Is it stained? Is the ink faded? Is it signed in an attractive place on the image? Is it signed in a dark area which makes it hard to see? Does the inscription obscure the person's face? All of these distinctions factor into determining what an autograph is worth.
Another key factor is when the item was signed. The price is higher if stars signed the item during their heyday. Photographs from the 1930s signed in the 1930s are worth one price. The same photographs signed years later, say the 1960s or ,70s, are worth a fraction of that price.
Pricing is completely subjective. I may say something’s worth $10,000, and somebody else might say $5,000, while somebody else may say $15,000. How do you take those wide swings in value and try to stipulate some type of standardization? Really and truly, it’s aesthetics. It’s what the item is signed on. It’s when the item was signed. It’s to whom it was signed.
For instance, I have this amazing William Randolph Hearst inscribed photograph. It’s oversized and inscribed to none other than Marion Davies, his mistress, on Valentine’s Day, where he writes, “To Marion, your Valentine’s present. Love, W.R.H.” And, then, he writes a poem, a love poem, on this photograph. I value this photograph at $25,000 because it’s the ultimate William Randolph Hearst piece you could ever possibly get. Yet a regular Hearst inscribed photo would only be valued at $1,000 or so.
The Smart CollectorLook for inscriptions. Look for quality photographs. Research the inscription. Don’t jump at the “to good to be true.” All these pointers will guide the collector of vintage Hollywood toward authenticity. And the single most important thing is to buy from well respected dealers or auction houses that offer a lifetime money back guarantee of authenticity. Happy collecting!
On 8x10s and 11x14s, the photos she most likely signed, there are lengthy inscriptions. They’re gorgeous photographs and mostly on double-weight stock. There may be 100 to 200, 8x10 inscribed photographs of Lombard in existence and they generally sell in the $1,500 range.
The 11x14 photographs of Lombard are much rarer—there are maybe 20 or 30 of them in the world. The real long-term values for a collector are these oversize, signed photographs because they are the rarest. They usually bear personal inscriptions and they are the highest form of collecting Hollywood signed photographs. The price for an 11x14 can run from $2,000 to $15,000, depending on a number of factors, including pose, condition, what the inscription says and who it is inscribed to.
You must be extremely cautious when buying vintage Hollywood autographs. Boris Karloff-signed photographs of himself as Frankenstein’s Monster are exceedingly rare. There can’t be but a handful in the world. I’ve seen fewer than five. The ones that I’ve seen were always double-weight studio photographs. I had one once that Boris Karloff inscribed to Jack Pierce, the Frankenstein makeup artist. Bear in mind that these stars didn’t sign these character images for fans at the time, because it took years before these roles reached iconic stature in film history.
Authenticity Tip No. 2: InscriptionsAs you start to collect vintage Hollywood autographs, there’s a great deal of information you need to gather. Let’s say you’re looking at a photograph inscribed and signed by James Dean. Who was it inscribed to? Did this person really exist? Did this person know James Dean? When was it signed? Dean had a tragically short life—is it realistic that he personally inscribed this photo? What type of photograph is it? Is it some flimsy, single-stock photograph, or a high quality studio photograph, something Dean would have had access to? The secret to collecting the vintage, classic Hollywood autographs of Bogart, Gable, Errol Flynn and the other great stars is to ask and answer these questions.
Marilyn Monroe took tremendous pride in presenting her intimate circle of friends with signed photographs, but she didn’t sign them for the fans. To get one, you were somebody that was in her circle—her hairdresser, a close friend, a fellow celebrity. And, again, double-weight, high quality, beautiful studio photographs.
Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t tell me, “I have a Marilyn Monroe photograph signed in red ink. She loved red ink because it was the color of her lipstick.” That’s simply not true. There’s no such thing as a Marilyn Monroe photograph genuinely signed in red ink. That’s folklore.
No matter which celebrity or era of vintage Hollywood that you are interested in collecting, always remember that the vast majority of celebrity photographs signed in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s that are not personalized (a photograph with a signature only, a photograph signed “Cordially, Clarke Gable” or “Best wishes, Jean Harlow”) are secretarials—nine times out of 10. That’s just the way it worked back then. It’s the opposite for the inscribed 11x14s. Nine times out of 10, those are real—not secretarial. The 5x7s are almost always secretarial. The 8x10s are a mixed lot; I would say at least 30 percent are secretarial.
While most outright forgeries are just signed or generically inscribed, the forgers are always learning and sometimes write personalized inscriptions, so always be careful who you buy from.
Always look for the very best quality. It’s generally a better investment to buy one great piece than five or 10 average ones. Try to find signed photographs that are beautiful, that are studio produced, that are double-weight, that are really exceptional photographs, and start with that as your criteria. And, believe it or not, it’s better to have an inscription. There’s more handwriting to authenticate, the better the story—and you have a better shot of getting something genuine.
Authenticity Tip No. 3: PricesBeware of prices that seem too good to be true. An authentic Marilyn Monroe signed photograph is going to cost you $15,000 to $25,000. There’s no such thing as a $2,000 or $3,000 one. What you see on the market now are just gobs and gobs of single-weight, very poor quality scene stills, and later printed photographs that are secretarial or forgeries.
While a price in the appropriate value range is no guarantee of authenticity, a price that’s too low is a sure sign of forgery.
This article is mainly about signed photos, but I’ll cover a couple of other popular items, too.
A simple autograph album page that Marilyn Monroe would have had thrust into her hand when she was walking down the street or entering a restaurant will bring a few thousand dollars today. A signed check is worth $2,000 or $3,000. At one time, I knew of more than 1,000 of them, so they’re definitely out there.
To assess the value of an item, ask yourself: “What is the object I’m interested in buying?” Is it signed on an album page? Is the album page in nice condition? Is it signed in pencil or pen? Does it have something affixed to it that makes it less attractive? Visual appeal influences the price. Is the photograph creased? Is it solarized? Is it stained? Is the ink faded? Is it signed in an attractive place on the image? Is it signed in a dark area which makes it hard to see? Does the inscription obscure the person's face? All of these distinctions factor into determining what an autograph is worth.
Another key factor is when the item was signed. The price is higher if stars signed the item during their heyday. Photographs from the 1930s signed in the 1930s are worth one price. The same photographs signed years later, say the 1960s or ,70s, are worth a fraction of that price.
Pricing is completely subjective. I may say something’s worth $10,000, and somebody else might say $5,000, while somebody else may say $15,000. How do you take those wide swings in value and try to stipulate some type of standardization? Really and truly, it’s aesthetics. It’s what the item is signed on. It’s when the item was signed. It’s to whom it was signed.
For instance, I have this amazing William Randolph Hearst inscribed photograph. It’s oversized and inscribed to none other than Marion Davies, his mistress, on Valentine’s Day, where he writes, “To Marion, your Valentine’s present. Love, W.R.H.” And, then, he writes a poem, a love poem, on this photograph. I value this photograph at $25,000 because it’s the ultimate William Randolph Hearst piece you could ever possibly get. Yet a regular Hearst inscribed photo would only be valued at $1,000 or so.
The Smart CollectorLook for inscriptions. Look for quality photographs. Research the inscription. Don’t jump at the “to good to be true.” All these pointers will guide the collector of vintage Hollywood toward authenticity. And the single most important thing is to buy from well respected dealers or auction houses that offer a lifetime money back guarantee of authenticity. Happy collecting!
Tips on How to Collect Vintage Hollywood
Tips on How to Collect Vintage Hollywood Signed Photos Safely
Vintage Hollywood is an incredibly rewarding area for an autograph collector. Scarcity and popularity keep values high. Classic films have endured and the stars have emerged as cultural icons. How many teens today can name authors or political figures from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s? But who doesn’t know the names James Dean, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe or Humphrey Bogart?
Values are further buoyed because the buyers with money—Baby Boomers and Generation Xers—grew up in the shadow of that silver screen era. It evokes nostalgia and a longing for a glamour that seems lost in this day of rapid-fire blockbuster action flicks. Prices for the most enduring names have been climbing for years, and recent auctions show that they are holding their value even in the face of the current recession.
The most compelling reward in collecting vintage Hollywood signed photographs is their sheer beauty and owning something autographed by timeless stars. The photos are objects of art with flawless lighting and composition.
Demand is high for genuine, high quality autographs and supply is scarce. That fact cannot be overstated. Thirty years ago when I first started collecting vintage Hollywood, there were very few pieces to be found. At that time, they were practically worthless. But as popularity has grown, so has the value. This has opened the door for an astronomical number of forgeries.
Whether you’re collecting vintage Hollywood for the passion for the era, or simply as an investment, you need to collect smart. There’s no substitute for working with an ethical, well respected dealer who specializes in the area to ensure that you are getting authentic items. But there’s a lot you can do to separate likely forgeries from the likely genuine items.
Let’s talk about the history of that time and the factors that created the scarcity, and then go over some pointers to help you authenticate and assess the value of vintage Hollywood photos.
Authenticity Tip No. 1: High Quality PhotosIn the 1920s and ’30s, the Hollywood studio system created a method of marketing and merchandising each studio’s star independently. If you were a rising star under contract, say at Paramount, the studio would actually employ a team of photographers and public relations people to decide what your look would be, how your hair would be cut, what restaurants you would be seen at and who you dated. They literally marketed you, as a person, to the world.
Just like today, there was no way that a film star could fulfill the demand for autographs. In order to keep up with the fan base, the studios would employ legions of secretaries to sign photographs and mail them out to people who requested them. Secretarial signatures are the norm for any fan request returned by mail. So, not through any devious intentions on anyone’s part, tens of thousands of secretarials were turned out by the studios to send to the fans who would write in for an autograph. Because of this, it’s very difficult to assess how many secretarial vintage Hollywood autographs exist.
The great stars had access to the best quality of photographs. For instance, when you see an oversize Carole Lombard, it’s on double-weight photo stock, and either Otto Dyer or Eugene Robert Richee is usually the photographer. They’re exceptional photographs and they are what Lombard would have had personal access to. So, if a friend, a colleague or a fellow star requested an autograph, she would generally take one of these photographs, inscribe it to the person and present it in person—much differently than something you would receive in the mail from the publicity department of the studio.
These facts give the first important clue in determining authenticity: high quality inscribed photographs are much more likely to be authentic than single-weight glossies, which are probably secretarial signatures or forgeries.
When a Marilyn Monroe signed photograph surfaces, nine times out of 10 it was a double-weight, high-quality photograph, not a flimsy, single-weight, glossy. Marilyn Monroe, in particular, did not sign fan mail. She would sign photographs to friends and intimates, and people who worked with her. There may be a few dozen or so authentically signed Marilyn Monroe photographs in the world. Keep that in mind as you visit websites and galleries that always seem to have Marilyn Monroe signed photos for sale.
Tips for Taking Toddlers
Tips for Taking Toddlers to Hollywood StudiosBest Attractions for Preschoolers and Small Children at Disney World© Christy Swift
Jan 30, 2009
Here is an insider look at the best things for children under five years old to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.
So, mom and dad have already taken the little ones to Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios is next on the list. In a January 2009 interview, certified Gifted and Special Education teacher and 7-year Disney season passholder, Amy Moreland, shares her must-see rides and shows for toddlers and preschoolers as well as practical advice and things parents might want to avoid at this exciting theme park.
Shows for Toddlers at Hollywood StudiosThere are more shows than rides for this age group at Hollywood Studios.
The Jedi Training Academy is one of Moreland’s personal favorite attractions at Hollywood Studios. The show takes place on a little stage outside of the Star Tours ride. A Jedi chooses 12 kids, dresses them in Jedi robes and gives them light sabers. Thus commences the Jedi training session where he teaches the kids a sequence of moves which they each get to use later against Darth Vader himself!
“If anyone’s too scared they don’t have to do it and they get a certificate,” says Moreland. “It’s fun to watch even if your kid doesn’t get picked. Yoda comes on, too.”
During the Playhouse Disney stage show, kids go in and sit on the floor. Players enact snippets from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins and other shows complete with oversized puppets, bubbles, music and confetti. Says Moreland, “The Little Mermaid show is right there, too. If you go to Little Mermaid first, you can sneak over and get right into the Playhouse Disney show. They seem to be timed that way. You won’t get front row seats, though.”
She recommends the Beauty and the Beast show, too. “We like to get a little ice cream and go in and see that show.” For little boys who like cars, the Lights, Motors, Action extreme stunt show is a hit, but Moreland recommends getting there early since latecomers often have to sit high up in the steep bleachers.
Rides for Toddlers at Hollywood StudiosThe Great Movie Ride. This is one of the bigger attractions at the park, but it’s slow moving and can be lots of fun for little ones. There are potential scary moments like when the vehicle is hijacked and when the Alien from the Sigourney Weaver movie comes down from the ceiling to attack. “We had to do some serious distracting,” laughs Moreland as she recalls taking her young daughter on the ride for the first time.Toy Story Mania. This brand-new ride is so popular that the Fastpasses for the entire day are gone within a few hours of the park opening. Riders sit in twos in little cars and wear 3-D glasses. Similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom, there are guns attached to the cars and riders shoot at targets in a midway scene.Studio Backlot Tour. Not a ride in itself, the 25-minute guided backstage tour may seem daunting for little kids, but Moreland says not to worry. Her kids do great.Bigger rides like Star Tours and the Tower of Terror have a 40-inch height limit. Even with the creepy scenery and stomach-wrenching free falls, the Tower of Terror is four-year-old Wendy Moreland’s favorite ride.
The park’s big roller coaster, the Aerosmith Rockin’ Roller Coaster has a 48-inch height requirement, so it’s unlikely a preschooler could ride. Parents, however, can take turns riding using the babysitter Fastpass option. They just need to let the Fastpass attendant know they’ll be taking turns riding so that one person can stay with the kids, and the attendant will hand them a Fastpass without the need to swipe their tickets.
Hollywood Studios Character Meet and GreetsFor an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse, Moreland recommends heading to Animation courtyard. There is an animation tour that finishes with a visit to the mouse, but Moreland has insider information. “You don’t have to do the whole tour; you can go in through the art gallery and see Mickey Mouse. When the tour goes through, they dump them out there, but if you time it right you can walk right up to Mickey.”
It’s in the Animation courtyard where kids can see the Incredibles characters, too. Under the sorcerer’s hat is another place where characters tend to appear. “There’s also a big Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground,” adds Moreland. “They can see ‘Mater and Lightning McQueen there.”
Tips for Bringing Babies to Hollywood StudiosA baby center complete with private nursing rooms, rocking chairs, a diaper changing area and kitchen is located at the front of the park near Guest Services. Moreland also lets parents know that the parking lot at Hollywood Studios is pretty small, “and when you have all that gear sometimes it’s easier to just walk rather than folding everything up to take the tram, especially if the kids are asleep.”
Families can stay late and see the Fantasmic Show on the water, but it happens around the time the park closes. “You sit in this big theatre outside and the show happens on the water. It’s worth seeing, but the kids may fall asleep through it. You might need to stop for a nap earlier.”
For more tips on taking small children to Disney and must-see attractions at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, check out Amy Moreland’s other interviews with Suite.
The copyright of the article Tips for Taking Toddlers to Hollywood Studios in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Christy Swift. Permission to republish Tips for Taking Toddlers to Hollywood Studios in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Jan 30, 2009
Here is an insider look at the best things for children under five years old to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.
So, mom and dad have already taken the little ones to Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios is next on the list. In a January 2009 interview, certified Gifted and Special Education teacher and 7-year Disney season passholder, Amy Moreland, shares her must-see rides and shows for toddlers and preschoolers as well as practical advice and things parents might want to avoid at this exciting theme park.
Shows for Toddlers at Hollywood StudiosThere are more shows than rides for this age group at Hollywood Studios.
The Jedi Training Academy is one of Moreland’s personal favorite attractions at Hollywood Studios. The show takes place on a little stage outside of the Star Tours ride. A Jedi chooses 12 kids, dresses them in Jedi robes and gives them light sabers. Thus commences the Jedi training session where he teaches the kids a sequence of moves which they each get to use later against Darth Vader himself!
“If anyone’s too scared they don’t have to do it and they get a certificate,” says Moreland. “It’s fun to watch even if your kid doesn’t get picked. Yoda comes on, too.”
During the Playhouse Disney stage show, kids go in and sit on the floor. Players enact snippets from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins and other shows complete with oversized puppets, bubbles, music and confetti. Says Moreland, “The Little Mermaid show is right there, too. If you go to Little Mermaid first, you can sneak over and get right into the Playhouse Disney show. They seem to be timed that way. You won’t get front row seats, though.”
She recommends the Beauty and the Beast show, too. “We like to get a little ice cream and go in and see that show.” For little boys who like cars, the Lights, Motors, Action extreme stunt show is a hit, but Moreland recommends getting there early since latecomers often have to sit high up in the steep bleachers.
Rides for Toddlers at Hollywood StudiosThe Great Movie Ride. This is one of the bigger attractions at the park, but it’s slow moving and can be lots of fun for little ones. There are potential scary moments like when the vehicle is hijacked and when the Alien from the Sigourney Weaver movie comes down from the ceiling to attack. “We had to do some serious distracting,” laughs Moreland as she recalls taking her young daughter on the ride for the first time.Toy Story Mania. This brand-new ride is so popular that the Fastpasses for the entire day are gone within a few hours of the park opening. Riders sit in twos in little cars and wear 3-D glasses. Similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom, there are guns attached to the cars and riders shoot at targets in a midway scene.Studio Backlot Tour. Not a ride in itself, the 25-minute guided backstage tour may seem daunting for little kids, but Moreland says not to worry. Her kids do great.Bigger rides like Star Tours and the Tower of Terror have a 40-inch height limit. Even with the creepy scenery and stomach-wrenching free falls, the Tower of Terror is four-year-old Wendy Moreland’s favorite ride.
The park’s big roller coaster, the Aerosmith Rockin’ Roller Coaster has a 48-inch height requirement, so it’s unlikely a preschooler could ride. Parents, however, can take turns riding using the babysitter Fastpass option. They just need to let the Fastpass attendant know they’ll be taking turns riding so that one person can stay with the kids, and the attendant will hand them a Fastpass without the need to swipe their tickets.
Hollywood Studios Character Meet and GreetsFor an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse, Moreland recommends heading to Animation courtyard. There is an animation tour that finishes with a visit to the mouse, but Moreland has insider information. “You don’t have to do the whole tour; you can go in through the art gallery and see Mickey Mouse. When the tour goes through, they dump them out there, but if you time it right you can walk right up to Mickey.”
It’s in the Animation courtyard where kids can see the Incredibles characters, too. Under the sorcerer’s hat is another place where characters tend to appear. “There’s also a big Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground,” adds Moreland. “They can see ‘Mater and Lightning McQueen there.”
Tips for Bringing Babies to Hollywood StudiosA baby center complete with private nursing rooms, rocking chairs, a diaper changing area and kitchen is located at the front of the park near Guest Services. Moreland also lets parents know that the parking lot at Hollywood Studios is pretty small, “and when you have all that gear sometimes it’s easier to just walk rather than folding everything up to take the tram, especially if the kids are asleep.”
Families can stay late and see the Fantasmic Show on the water, but it happens around the time the park closes. “You sit in this big theatre outside and the show happens on the water. It’s worth seeing, but the kids may fall asleep through it. You might need to stop for a nap earlier.”
For more tips on taking small children to Disney and must-see attractions at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, check out Amy Moreland’s other interviews with Suite.
The copyright of the article Tips for Taking Toddlers to Hollywood Studios in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Christy Swift. Permission to republish Tips for Taking Toddlers to Hollywood Studios in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Maximizing Your Visit
Upper Lot and Lower Lot
Universal Studios is divided into the Upper Lot, where you enter, which is the largest section of the park and a Lower Lot, where you'll find some of the more adventurous rides. To maximize your time, do your priority activities on one level before moving to the next level so you don't waste time going up and down.
Front of the Line
In an eight hour day, you can probably fit in everything there is to do at Universal Studios if you plan well and it's not too crowded. If it's a summer weekend or you have less time, you might consider investing in the Front of the Line Pass. It costs quite a bit more, but you can save an incredible amount of time when it's crowded.
Rides or Shows
In general, the rides operate continuously and the shows are on a set schedule. So if certain shows are high priority for you, plan around those show times and fill in with rides in between. Show schedules are on display at various locations around the park.If you're more interested in the rides, plan to get to the park early to avoid long lines. If you go straight to the Lower Lot while the other early birds are exploring the Upper Lot, it's less crowded.
Keeping Cool and Dry
Waiting areas are usually shaded, and when it's hot, there is a cool mist sprayed above the corrals where people wait in line. There are also cooling stations throughout the park where you can stand and let yourself be sprayed with a fine spray of water. If you are carrying a video or still camera, you might want to have a plastic bag or waterproof case handy so you can keep your gear dry. Lockers are available just inside the main gate and near The Mummy ride on the Lower Lot.
Child Switch
One parent can ride while the other parent waits with the child (run), then the other parent can ride without waiting again.
Universal Studios is divided into the Upper Lot, where you enter, which is the largest section of the park and a Lower Lot, where you'll find some of the more adventurous rides. To maximize your time, do your priority activities on one level before moving to the next level so you don't waste time going up and down.
Front of the Line
In an eight hour day, you can probably fit in everything there is to do at Universal Studios if you plan well and it's not too crowded. If it's a summer weekend or you have less time, you might consider investing in the Front of the Line Pass. It costs quite a bit more, but you can save an incredible amount of time when it's crowded.
Rides or Shows
In general, the rides operate continuously and the shows are on a set schedule. So if certain shows are high priority for you, plan around those show times and fill in with rides in between. Show schedules are on display at various locations around the park.If you're more interested in the rides, plan to get to the park early to avoid long lines. If you go straight to the Lower Lot while the other early birds are exploring the Upper Lot, it's less crowded.
Keeping Cool and Dry
Waiting areas are usually shaded, and when it's hot, there is a cool mist sprayed above the corrals where people wait in line. There are also cooling stations throughout the park where you can stand and let yourself be sprayed with a fine spray of water. If you are carrying a video or still camera, you might want to have a plastic bag or waterproof case handy so you can keep your gear dry. Lockers are available just inside the main gate and near The Mummy ride on the Lower Lot.
Child Switch
One parent can ride while the other parent waits with the child (run), then the other parent can ride without waiting again.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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