The famed Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tram tour took a step back in time Friday as the attraction marks its 60th anniversary, and for a limited time it will include a chance for people to step off the tram and wander onto a movie set and snap photos with some iconic props.
“The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and celebrating its 60-year milestone pays homage to its indelible impact,” Scott Strobl, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a statement earlier this month announcing plans for the anniversary tribute.
“The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests. We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way.”
The celebration began Friday and will continue through Aug. 11, marking the anniversary of an attraction that began in 1964 and has been experienced by an estimated 200 million people over the years.
The park will harken back to its original “Glamor Trams,” which were colored red and white and featured ruffled awnings as they carried visitors through the backlot. Visitors on the anniversary tours will get the chance to disembark from the tram and step onto “a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram awaits,” according to the park.
The disembarkment area also includes a King Kong backdrop and the park’s original hanging “Jaws” shark.
Also included on the tour is a revamped version of its “Earthquake — The Big One” attraction, which officials said has “undergone a top-to- bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.”
The tour also passes by the Courthouse Square — best known for its appearances in the “Back to the Future” films. An original time machine picture car will be on display in the area for photos, along with a Doc Brown character.
Also back on display will be a Tyrannosaurus Rex display originally used in promotion of the film “Jurassic World.”
In partnership with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the park will also have on display a scaled-model replica of the Hollywood Sign nestled on a hillside for photos.
More information on the anniversary attractions — and accompanying food and merchandise offerings — is available online at www.universalstudioshollywood.com.
–City News Service