They are the masters of illusion, but on Thursday, Universal Studios got a lesson in reality. Fact one: There are no second takes in life. When the rides don't work and the people start to yell, no director can shout "Cut!" When shops are empty or some sets are half-built, no fancy camera angles hide the flaws. And when it rains, there is no propman to turn on the sun, like they do in the movies. Instead, a horde of disgruntled people _ who paid $29.95-a-head for a slice of movie magic _ stand around and get wet. After almost a year of intense publicity touting the opening of its new movie studio and theme park in Orlando, Universal Studios hardly seemed ready for the thousands who stormed opening day. Jaws would not bite. The earth didn't quake very much in San Francisco. E.T.'s bike only occasionally made it to the moon. And King Kong roared only for a select few, and even then did not have his much-ballyhooed banana breath. There have been happier Hollywood premieres. Despite frantic, around-the-clock work and fervent hopes by backers who financed more than $630-million, park designers were still tacking down the carpet and trying out the computer equipment all day. Even Steven Spielberg, the man who created miracles in a world of movies and was a theme park consultant, could not help. He and studio officials asked patrons to give the fledgling studio time to work out the glitches. "Sir, it's only 20 minutes after 9 a.m.!" said studio general manager Tom Williams, when asked about the rides by a visitor. "This is opening day! Give us time." He offered to the man his money back. While that visitor did not take the offer, several visitors lined up at the end of the day for refunds. Sidney J. Sheinberg, president and chief operating officer of MCA Inc., said the studio's major attractions, such as Kongfrontation and Jaws, were extremely complex. While acknowledging the attractions still needed work, he said, "We hope people will see the glass as half-full," not half-empty. MCA is the parent company of Universal Studio and Pictures. For example, company officials pointed out that several other attractions were open. Operating regularly Thursday were: A stage show based on the hit movie Ghostbusters; an innovative tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's 53 movies; a graphic look at secrets of special effects for horror movies and a live-action cartoon show created by Hanna-Barbera, the team which conceived the Flintstones and Yogi Bear. An open-air theater featured animal performers such as Benji, Lassie and Mr. Ed. In addition, the major attractions opened briefly as they were repaired. The Earthquake ride took its first successful trip at 2:36 p.m., delighting a team of computer jockeys manning the booths more than the patrons. For the few lucky guests who saw it, the ride features a subway car rocked by tremors, rammed by debris and flooded by a broken water main. For some, appearances by more than two dozen celebrities were enough. Among those taking a stroll down a red carpet at an early morning parade were Jimmy Stewart, Michael J. Fox, Charlton Heston and Bill Cosby. "I got to see Moses!" yelled Bart Coy of Portland, Ore., who got a glimpse of Heston, famous for his biblical role. Teen-age fans of Fox, star of the current Back to the Future _ Part III, rocked his golf cart so violently he looked alarmed. Later, he ducked down a side street as fans screamed. Stewart, frail and wobbly, drew more respect from the crowd. Wherever he went, people applauded and cheered. But a phalanx of guards made it almost impossible to see him. "I drove all the way from Georgia to see him," said Kevin Kearns. "I drove 450 miles. They won't let me near him. I've never met ruder people in my life. And I've been to New York." Despite Kearns' anger, Universal tour guides were friendly and tried to be upbeat as they helped lost guests and soothed frazzled nerves. The blue-shirted Universal media guides became a favorite target of people seeking advice. As VIP guests, the celebrities got tours of the rides when they were working, leaving the patrons standing in the hot sun. Cosby, who drew one of the largest crowds, saw the King Kong attraction twice. Reporters, cameramen and photographers were also given preference to King Kong and Earthquake, when operational. "Hey, did they pay $30 bucks?" yelled one paying guest when a team of reporters was led into the Kongfrontation ride, which features a huge King Kong attacking New York City, complete with real flames. The ride faithfully recreates New York down to the graffiti and billboards (" Shop at Macy's"). The six-ton King Kong is so close you can see the plaque on his two-foot teeth and feel hot breath when he roars. The ride ends in a 30-foot drop as the cable car is snatched by the beast. The ride lasts about four minutes. "If they weren't ready, they shouldn't have opened," said Louis Janesek of Orlando, who bought an $85 annual pass to the new theme park and studio. And then, aiming at the heart of the new attraction, Janesek invoked the name of their arch-rival, just 15 minutes away. "I'll tell you they need to take some lessons from Disney." Rod Janesek said she was particularly upset because the morning's lengthy opening ceremony was closed to the public. During the 90-minute dedication and ribbon-cutting, several celebrities spoke of the task of turning _ in the words of MCA's Sheinberg _ "swampland into dreamland." Mrs. Janesek said she would have loved to hear the speeches. All she saw was a line of limousines pulling into the dedication area. "We're very disappointed," said Bill Elliott of Brazil, Ind., who was visiting with his family. "We wish the major attractions were open." The park closed early because of an opening-night party for private guests. "The only ride that was working was the shuttle bus to the hotel," joked a cameraman from WBAL-TV in Baltimore, who spent the day trying to take pictures of non-working rides and angry people. "That and Lassie."