On the VIP Experience instead of a four-car tram, we traveled around the back lot in a special open-air trolley. Our group had 11 people so we shared a bus with Mary’s group that departed at the same time as us. Both Matthew and Mary were knowledgeable on the past, present and future of the back lot.There are 391 acres. Universal Studios originally opened in 1912 in New York and then moved to L.A. in 1915. They started offering tours in 1964. Over 8,000 features have been shot on the Universal lot. They use the same sets over and over but they change the lighting and angles so we do not notice it. There are 35 sound stages at Universal but they have higher numbers than just 35 since they never use the same number of one if it gets closed down.