Gary Hall, Jr, 10-Time U.S. Olympic(R) Swimming Medalist and 2008 Olympic(R) Contender Helps 'Open' Summer at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

Gary Hall, Jr, 10-Time U.S. Olympic(R) Swimming Medalist and 2008 Olympic(R) Contender Helps 'Open' Summer at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

'FIRST DAY OF SUMMER' EVENT KICKS OFF SUMMER-LONG 'COOL FUN' AS UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD'S ULTIMATE WATER RIDE, 'JURASSIC PARK' BECOMES WETTER THAN EVER

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary Hall, Jr., 10-time U.S. Olympic(R) freestyle swimming medalist and Beijing 2008 Olympic(R) contender declared the "opening" of Summer, 2008 at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., by throwing a switch triggering 60' high water-blasting geysers, drenching special effects and water-gushing Dilophosaurus dinosaurs to make Jurassic Park -- The Ride wetter than ever just in time for Southern California's predicted record heat wave.

Teen swimmers from Citywide Aquatics, a division of the L.A. Department of Recreation & Parks were also on hand to take the plunge on the ride's signature 84-foot drop as a crescendo of confetti water canons erupted to help transform Jurassic Park into the ultimate water ride and celebrate Universal Studios Hollywood as the coolest place to be this summer.

A major enhancement will also transform "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride," America's top indoor roller coaster, which will accentuate the cool quotient by lowering the mercury to a bracing 60 degrees within the Mummy's tomb, then enveloping guests in a liquid nitrogen blanket that will drop thermometers to a frigid 45-degrees. The ride's new finale will also assail guests with an explosion of thousands of flashing strobes and special effects lighting, a shocking new finish that will contribute to a truly chilling new experience.

Other areas of the park are also being re-fitted for the warm weather. Newly added water-misters and shaded queue lines will add to guests' comfort. "Nickelodeon Blast Zone" will continue to keep kids of all ages cool. At ground level, the towering 30' tall Nickelodeon rocket will unleash more than 10,000 gallons of recycled water per hour from several water-blasting engines. A deluge of water, poured from two 500-gallon overhead water buckets, will shower bystanders with over 12,000 gallons of water per hour.

Guests can also beat the heat at the popular "WaterWorld: A Sea War Spectacular," where the quest for "dry land" is typically a water-logged experience. "Coke Soak" offers another water-logged experience and temperatures at "Terminator 2: 3D," and "Special Effects Stages" never rise above a comfortable 65-degrees.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour, the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal Cinemas and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. The theme park features such groundbreaking attractions as "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride," "Shrek 4-D," "Jurassic Park -- The Ride" and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds." CityWalk features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. Universal CityWalk Cinemas, offering the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles, features 19 screens including one of Southern California's largest IMAX venues and newly renovated stadium-style seating.

Universal Studios Hollywood (http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

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Source: Universal Studios Hollywood

CONTACT: Eliot Sekuler, +1-818-622-6896, cell, +1-818-535-9178,
eliot.sekuler@nbcuni.com, or Audrey Eig, +1-818-622-2962, cell,
+1-818-535-4859, audrey.eig@nbcuni.com, or international, Janel Moncada,
+1-818-622-5985, cell, +1-818-636-0739, janel.moncada@nbcuni.com, or online,
Debbie Park, +1-818-622-9504, cell, +1-818-618-6592, deborah.park@nbcuni.com,
all of Universal Studios Hollywood

Web site: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

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