What makes amusement parks truly appealing? A Japan Universal Studios expert recommends

Reporter: You Rt / Feature Report

What is it that truly draws people to amusement parks? Is it the feeling of instantly falling into a dream, or the sense of stepping out of the real world and into a fantastical movie-like scene? Pat, who works in the tourism industry and has visited Japan Universal Studios more than 10 times, says that what made her truly fall in love with Universal Studios Osaka was the moment she first stepped into the park and saw the Sesame Street characters appear before her eyes — an instant rush of surprise.


▲ Universal Studios Japan. (Photo / Provided by Pat Huang)

“I fell in love at first sight. I felt that seeing them in real life was even cuter than on TV.” Pat shared the reason she fell in love with Universal Studios — and it wasn’t because of thrilling rides or amazing movie scenes, but simply a pure and simple cartoon character. Indeed, who says an amusement park has to be all about non-stop thrills to be lovable? Truly great parks and beautiful travel destinations are alike — sometimes, all it takes is one unforgettable image to make you love a place.

However, for a theme park, creating “one memorable image” isn’t enough. Offering different seasonal merchandise and decorations is also a key reason for giving visitors a fresh experience each time. Universal Studios Japan introduces different food and merchandise designs for various holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas, aiming to offer visitors a brand-new experience every season.

“Universal Studios Japan,” built around various movie scenes,Pat suggests avoiding peak seasons if possible, as the majority of visitors to Universal Studios Japan are domestic travelers, and summer vacation in Japan runs from July 20 to the end of August — when the park gets extremely crowded. “Going to Universal Studios Japan is different from Disney; Fast Passes here are paid.” If you visit during peak season, you might opt for a Fast Pass to save time, but at Universal Studios Japan, these passes come at a cost, with prices varying slightly depending on the date and time.


▲ Spider-Man. (Photo / Provided by Pat Huang)

“The joyful atmosphere created by Universal Studios Japan can even bring out the childlike wonder in adults.”Pat recommends “Spider-Man: The Ride” as the most worthwhile attraction in the park. Using 4K HD imaging technology, it brings “The NEW Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D” to life. Visitors don’t just watch the movie — they’re fully immersed, feeling heat, water sprays, and other surprises.

Additionally, there’s “Hollywood Dream — The Ride,” where roller coaster seats are equipped with speakers playing pop music. Over the three-minute ride, you enjoy a thrill-packed musical experience. Most uniquely, riders can’t predict whether the ride will go forward or backward before boarding — which adds to the excitement. “Because there’s only one track, you really can’t anticipate it.” As for shows, both WaterWorld and Jaws are highly recommended.


▲ Hollywood Dream — The Ride. (Photo / Provided by Pat Huang)

Pat also notes that families with children need not worry about a lack of suitable attractions. The inner park “Universal Cool Japan,” which opened last year (2013), features 28 rides that are even suitable for toddlers under three years old — perfect for family fun. There’s even a child-friendly roller coaster, and the atmosphere with various character interactions is adorable. For evening entertainment, Pat also recommends staying for the night parade — a totally different experience from the daytime.

Lastly, visitors should note that in anticipation of the new “Harry Potter” area opening this year (2014) at Universal Studios Japan during the summer, JR West Japan has added two extra trains and implemented crowd control measures. Taiwanese visitors have three options for entering the park.The first is to purchase guaranteed entry tickets (entry + Harry Potter reservation voucher) promoted by selected Taiwan travel agencies (only Lion Travel and Klook are agents); the second is to buy a Fast Pass in addition to the general park ticket; the third is to get a free Harry Potter reservation voucher handed out at the park entrance before opening (limited quantity, and all Japanese visitors will also be competing for these, so you must queue early — around 30 minutes to 1 hour or even earlier). These are options for those planning to visit during the summer.

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Survey period: 2014-06-16 to 2014-06-22