At the Universal’s Animal Actors show, we saw exotic birds, dogs, cats, pigs and other special animals that have been featured in some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.

As our tram passed by the infamous Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Norman Bates came out carrying one of his mom’s victims.

The Shrek 4-D attraction was a 15 minute movie where we sat in chairs that rock to simulate horse riding. During some of the scenes we had wind blowing on us, water being sprinkled on us, making us feel like we were right in the middle of the fairytale adventure.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a roller coaster ride over the Forbidden Forest and Hagrid’s Hut. During the minute ride, we were instructed to bow to the Hippogriff before the ride progresses up the lift hill. At the top of the lift, we had a full aerial view of The Wizarding World before making several dips and turns around Hogwarts Grounds. At the end of the ride Hagrid thanked us for riding.

The Starway escalator, built-in 1991, is not an attraction but plays an important part of the park. It joins the Upper Lot (Entertainment Center) with the Lower Lot (Studio Center). As we traveled up the escalator we looked out over the Universal backlot.