MAK家BLOG: Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 2

2024年10月4日星期五

Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 2 - Preparation with Kids

"We are ready to go to Universal Studios!"

Universal Studios Osaka may be a place that makes you feel grateful even though you have spent a lot of time for trying how to make the online payment.

(As a consumer, it may be a bit morbid to have this idea.)

"Try your best and God do the rest." Osaka's weather is not very stable during summer. If you encounter a typhoon or adverse weather, your schedule will definitely be affected. Thanks God, after the typhoon in mid-August, there were several sequential sunny days.

Based on the opinions from different experienced visitors, I have compiled a list of belongings as below:

1. 500ML Water
2. Portable electric fan
3. Floor Mat (you really need it when waiting at the gate, or you can bring UNO with you to kill some time.)

4. Mobile phone charger and Power Bank (In USJ, it is necessary to keep the USJ APPS on)

5. Admission Ticket and Express Passes Print Out (Just in case)
6. Raincoat (Optional) - "Jurassic Park - The Ride" has been closed so it is not necessary to bring raincoat.
7. Umbrella - it is lifesaver amid scorching sun or heavy rain

8. Money, a lot of money (just kidding)

9. Anti-Dizziness Medicine (I easily become dizziness when I experience riding attractions)

In addition, I borrowed a Nintendo bracelet and a Harry Potter wand from my friend. However, if you have two kids, one wand is fine for two. But it will be much better for each of your children to have their own bracelet.

(The queue for the magic games is not long. If the staff is limited to one wand per person, you can queue twice for 2 trials. But it will be too time consuming if you do the same for Nintendo attractions. )

For clothing, I personally recommend wearing pants with "zippered” pockets, because I had ann experience that my phone slipping out of my trouser pocket while experiencing "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem". There is also a but risk of phone dropping in the attraction "Forbidden Journey", but there is locker services provided for this attraction so you are not needed to worry.

By regulations you cannot bring any food, except water. The staff is very lenient with children's small portions of food. Moreover they won't check thoroughly during the crowded opening hours according to my own experience.

In my opinion, the food in USJ is fancy and delicious, and the price is much cheaper than that in Hong Kong. It is better to reduce the weight of your backpack and buy the food in the park.

It is also a good option to prepare your breakfast when you are waiting for park open, just like a picnic. But you have to ensure you have finished all before your entry.

(The food in Hong Kong theme parks is terrible, expensive. They set a high price and regard that the tourists have no other options for food. It is not really good experience to have food in the theme parks in Hong Kong.)

After that, I showed the panoramic view of USJ to the children. Let them locate the point by "clock face concept".

Main Entrance - 7 O'clock position

Super Nintendo World - 4 O'clock

Harry Potter - 5 O'clock

Minion - 12 O'clock

Then I have told them that it is nearly impossible to experience all the attractions within one day, so we have to well communicate first and ask them about their intentions.

Mak: We have express passes for 7 attractions and they will definitely be included in our itinerary, regardless of your interest.

Children: OK

Mak: You have watched the youtube movie about Hollywood Dream - The Ride and The Flying Dinosaur. Do you want to experience?

Children: No, it is so scary. (Thanks God! I am scared, too.)

Mak: All Shows in Japanese, interested?

Children: No.

Mak: First priority is Fun, second priority is having meal.

Children: Agree!

Mak: Parade?

Children: No

Mak: Morning Call at 5:00 AM - Leave Hotel at 6:15 AM, Estimated Arrival Time: 7:00 AM

Children: No problem (I will be glad if they have same response for going to school.)

Good! Everything is clear. Our target is to experience all 7 attractions with express passes and maximize our attractions' experience.

(we have to get up at 5:30 because my daughter had to dress up as Luigi... )

There was a very important question - from Shinsaibashi to USJ, what is the best routing?

I found 6 suggested routes via Google Map.

It is difficult to decide which is the most convenient way if you are not local Japanese.

"The fastest is to go by cap! Those Taiwanese asked me to help them call a cap and leave here at 4:30 am!", said by Judy, the staff in Flag Hotel. She is from Suzhou and could speak Cantonese fluently.

(Definitely it is not my expected answer....)

She recommended us to go by Metro from Shinsaibashi to Umeta Station and then walk to Osaka JR station according to the road signal, and take the train to Nishi-kujō eki.....There is a ring line to USJ so it is important to get on the train in right direction and that is.

We left our hotel in Shinsaibashi at 6:19 am, no need to go by taxi, just

(Above is the route proposed by Judy. However, when I check in google map during early morning, I found there were 5 other recommended routes... Luckily I capped a screen shot of Judy's route in advance.)