Universal Studios and CityWalk expected to open later today

By Ari Bloomekatz

Times Staff Writer

Universal Studios and CityWalk were expected to open later this afternoon, according to an electronic sign posted at the entrance to the main drive.

On a typical Sunday, 25,000 visitors converge on the world-renowned theme park that features movie-themed rides and live shows.

Hundreds of visitors – undeterred by the early morning plume of smoke, emergency vehicles and acrid air quality – lined up behind the gates.

Sherri Biggs, 52, of Tucson was one of the hopefuls outside the park’s main gates at about noon. She came to California with her 14-year-old daughter, Catherine, for a swim meet and planned to use today to see Universal Studios.

Biggs said that when she first heard about the fire, “I hoped there would be something left. It’s kind of a shame. We’re kind of bummed out, but what are you gonna do?”

Doug Spinuzza, 41, an actor, went to the theme park with his 8-year-old son this morning to try out the new Simpsons ride.

“It’s tragic,” Spinuzza said of the fire. “It’s a historical place in California.”

Spinuzza said he had been concerned how the smoke would affect his son. But it ended up not being so bad.

“We’ve been through so many fires, we’re used to it,” he said.

David Crean, 26, a Web developer who lives in Los Angeles, was in line for the MTV Movie Awards.

“I hit the 101 Freeway and said to myself, ‘Something’s on fire.’ ”

He said the fire did not seem too bad because park officials were going to let people back in.