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Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour – tickets, prices, discounts

The World-Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is a 60-minute tram ride to explore a real working movie studio behind the scenes.

It is also known as the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour or the studio tour.

During this tour, you will visit 13 city blocks of the studio (also known as the backlot), built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg.

It is one of the most important experiences at the Los Angeles tourist attraction and is included with every  Universal Studios Hollywood ticket . 

This article covers everything you must know about the World-Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

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# VIP Tour ticket # General Admission ticket # Express Ticket

Table of contents

King kong 360 3-d, fast & furious – supercharged, earthquake – the big one, flash flood, boeing 747 from war of the worlds, amity island’s jaws, bates hotel & mansion, celebrity guides of the studio tour, studio tour’s timings, how long does the studio tour last, best time to take the studio tour, vip backlot access, what to expect on the studio tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit for movie buffs, and the studio tour is the closest visitors get to movie-making. 

It takes you behind the scenes where movies are made and where Hollywood’s biggest stars work daily. 

During the world-famous studio tour, you will learn about Hollywood’s filmmaking secrets and see the world’s most extensive street movie set.

Buy tickets in advance The  General Admission ticket  helps you skip the ticket counter lines and save money. Select the Express Ticket  on the booking page if you want to skip both the ticket counter lines and the ride queues. Follow the link to find out more about Universal Hollywood Express Pass . If you are on a budget holiday, there are many ways to score discount tickets at Universal Hollywood .

Here are some of the highlights of the backlot tour –

The award-winning King Kong 360-3D created by Peter Jackson is the world’s most enormous 3-D experience and is included with every  Universal Studios ticket . 

During this experience, you will get caught in a terrifying struggle between a 35-foot T-Rex and King Kong.

During the Universal Studios Hollywood’s King Kong ride, your heart will pound, and you will be scared, but you will ask for more when it is over!

Join Universal Studios Hollywood for the 60th Studio Tour Anniversary ! Experience magical movie moments, iconic scenes, thrilling rides, and exclusive attractions.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged At Universal Studios Hollywood is a 3-D immersive attraction that takes you into all the movie action.

You will ride along with the all-star cast from the hit movies on an exhilarating high-speed chase that exceeds 195 km (120 miles) per hour and catapult you into the world of fast cars and international crime cartels.

The length of the attraction is 247 meters (809 feet) — longer than two football fields – and uses cutting-edge, hyper-realistic special effects on the world’s most expansive 360-degree canvas.

The Fast and Furious ride, which you will experience during the World-Famous Studio Tour, is not a roller coaster.

Recommended Reading: Minimum height requirements at Universal rides

Universal Studio’s Earthquake experience is designed to look like an 8.3 Ritcher scale earthquake in a San Francisco subway station.

When the tram tour reaches Stage 50, the earthquake starts. 

The whole station starts shaking, a burning gasoline truck collapses through the roof; a subway train derails, and a flood of water rushes in. 

Even as there is chaos everywhere, your tram starts shaking. 

The attraction resets itself within just 15 seconds and gets ready to welcome the next studio tour tram.

Before booking your tickets, find out everything about the  different kinds of tickets at Universal Studios Hollywood .

Visual Story : 13 must-know tips before visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

The Flash Flood effect at Universal Studios happens on a winding street running through a Mexican village. 

Even as you are enjoying the ‘rain effect’ and ‘thunderstorm effect’ from your tram seat, the guide announces that there has been a flash flood and water is rushing down from the hill.

A wall of water (10,000 gallons!) rushes down the hill, scares the guests, and drains off. 

The massive Boeing 747 set used by Steven Spielberg for his movie  War of the Worlds  is next to the Psycho house (remember Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho?).

The outdoor set was erected at an exorbitant cost – US$60,000 for a decommissioned plane and US$200,000 to cut it into pieces and transport it to Universal Studios Hollywood.

It was used for three days of shooting in 2005 and is still available for guests to walk around and explore. 

Recommended Reading: Universal Hollywood to Disneyland Park

The Amity island set, used in  the Jaws  movie, was included in the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Tour a year after Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film.

Guests see a moving shark animatronic from the film, which usually scares them.

The Jaws attraction is a recreation of a few buildings seen on Martha’s Vineyard, where the entire film was shot on location.

During the studio tour, you will see both the Psycho House and the Bates Motel.

Since Alfred Hitchcock wound Psycho’s shooting in 1960, the sets have been moved around the backlot a bit. 

You will also see Norman Bates hanging around the motel if you are lucky. 

Occasionally he is moving around a dead body, and if he sees you seeing him, he chases your tram with a knife!

Is the Studio Tour scary? Some of the  rides at Universal Hollywood , such as Jurassic Park, Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey , and Revenge of the Mummy, can be terrifying for some. However, putting a scare quotient on the Studio Tour is difficult. During the studios’ backlot tour, you will be seated in a tram and exposed to loud sounds, intense shaking, extreme water, fire effects, etc., which can scare some kids and adults. 

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Comedian Jimmy Fallon, the star host of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” shares entertaining clips during your tour. 

He augments the live Studio Tour guide’s narration, and you can see him on the HD monitors in the trams.

Visitors love his jokes and laugh their hearts out during the tour. 

Occasionally, the tour has special guests who hop on and serve as a guide. 

Studio Tours are available in Spanish on special days. On the day of your visit, look for digital boards throughout the Park for tour times.

Backlot Tour at Night During the peak season, guests can go on a night tour of the studio’s backlot. If you visit during the peak summer, we recommend doing both the regular Studio and Nighttime tours. The  General Admission ticket  can also get you access to the nighttime tour.

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The Universal Studios Hollywood opens some days at 8 am; on some days, it begins at 10 am, and its closing time varies seasonally, from 6 pm in winter to 11 pm during peak summer. 

Check the daily hours in advance of your visit.

The World-Famous Studio Tour trams start an hour after the park opens and end an hour before the theme park shuts down for the day. 

The Universal Studios Hollywood tour lasts about 60 minutes, and you get a peek into the world of movies. 

The tram travels through the Front Lot, Backlot, and various attractions, passing sets and props from numerous movies.

Some tourists have claimed that their tours lasted only 45 to 50 minutes, which is possible during crowded days.

The best time to take the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour is late morning, afternoon, or early evening because the temperature increases and waiting times for the Universal rides are high .

It is better to go on the Studio Tour mid-way through your visit when you are tired and would prefer to sit down and enjoy the 60 minutes of the tram ride.

The World Famous Studio Tour trams stop before Universal Studios Hollywood closes, so don’t wait till the last tram departure.

Opt for  Universal Studios Hollywood’s VIP Tour , which includes exclusive access to the Universal Studios Backlot, if you want to get a closer look behind the scenes. 

You can access areas not available to regular ticket holders with the  VIP Tour ticket . 

You will tour the movie industry’s busiest sets in a special trolley and disembark to explore famous outdoor locations.

The VIP ticket also gets valet parking, light snacks, refreshments in the private VIP lounge, unlimited priority access to all rides and shows, and a gourmet meal in the private VIP dining room. 

Sources # Universalstudioshollywood.com # Wikipedia.org # Blog.discoveruniversal.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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Jamshed V Rajan

He is a two-faced traveler, who enjoys both the hustle-bustle of an urban holiday and the serenity of a break from the rest of the World. During some of his vacations, he is a resort hopper, and on others, he barely spends time in his hotel. He loves to try mouth-watering local cuisines, especially non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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Universal Studios Hollywood

Get Ready for the Ultimate Hollywood Movie Experience!

Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: thrilling Theme Park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.

Parking and Directions to Universal Studios Hollywood

Review our most updated information before your visit.

The World-Famous Studio Tour

Explore the largest and busiest motion picture and TV studio in the world. More movies and television shows have filmed on this lot than any other lot in the world.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts™ castle, and experience pulse-pounding rides and attractions that transport you into a world of magic and excitement.

Jurassic World – The Ride

Climb aboard an unforgettable journey with imposing prehistoric creatures that first roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago in our epic adventure.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Join Gru, his daughters and the mischievous Minions on a heartwarming and thrilling ride.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

Join Max, Duke, Gidget, Snowball and all your favorite Pets characters for a thrilling ride through the streets of New York City.

Experience a tidal wave of explosive action at WaterWorld – Universal Studios’ #1 rated show.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™

Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

King Kong 360 3-D

Come face to face with King Kong 360 3-D created by Peter Jackson. It’s the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience.

Fast & Furious - Supercharged!

Hold on tight for the grand finale of the Studio Tour, Fast & Furious – Supercharged!

Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride

If you dare, face heart-pounding special effects and unexpected twists at every turn as you escape the Mummy’s revenge in life-like horror.

TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D

TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride 3D is an immersive, next generation thrill ride that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

Springfield, U.S.A.

Enter the world of The Simpsons™ like never before and visit downtown Springfield, U.S.A.

Foreign Language Studio Tours

We offer Studio Tours in Spanish on select days. Please check digital boards located throughout the Park for tour times during your visit.

Explore where fun is always unexpected to experience movies like Hollywood directors, dining for every taste, shopping & entertainment that will surprise and delight.

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, from the best rides and restaurants to seasonal events and more.

Did you know that in the heart of Los Angeles you can sip on Butterbeer , come face to face with terrifying dinosaurs, and have an epic journey with adorable Minions? No acting experience required.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park like no other, connected to a working movie and television production lot that's been around since the early 20 th century. The film studio first got into attractions with a tram tour in 1964 but has since evolved and grown into a bonafide theme park with thrilling rides, live entertainment, immersive lands, and thematically pleasing (and delicious) foods.

The theme park may be compact compared to its East Coast sibling, but it makes up for its smaller stature with top-notch attractions. Unlike other parks, it offers a welcomed level of flexibility requiring minimal pre-planning for visitors, appealing to both solo travelers and families alike. The park can be accomplished in one day for those short on time but looking to get a taste of what Tinseltown's only theme park has to offer.

Related : 20 Best Amusement Parks in the World

Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Types and Prices

The ultimate Hollywood experience is surprisingly more affordable than you may have imagined. One-day general admission begins at $109, with two-day general admission beginning at $149. Using a dynamic ticket pricing system, the cost depends on the date of your visit, with weekends and holidays tiered higher. Front gate purchases will cost significantly more, and advanced online purchases are suggested.

Universal Express offers expedited access to almost every attraction and show with ticket packages beginning at $189. Guided VIP experiences begin at $349 and offer small group expedited access to rides and complimentary refreshments.

Luckily, when you inevitably fall in love with the park, it won't require a mortgage payment to visit again. Universal Studios Hollywood has one of the most affordable annual pass programs in the country, with the value of your park ticket able to be used towards the upgrade. Perks include free parking and discounts on food and merchandise, with the pass program starting at $159 for California residents and $199 for general guests.

Universal Studios Hollywood Layout

Comprised of two different levels, the upper lot and the lower lot, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the easiest parks to navigate for first-time visitors. Guests enter on the upper lot and a series of escalators, known as the Starway, travel a quarter mile down to the lower lot.

The upper lot is the largest, comprised of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons -inspired Springfield U.S.A., the World-Famous Studio Tour, live shows, and more. The lower lot is home to Revenge of The Mummy — The Ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D, Jurassic World —The Ride, and several eateries and shops.

Universal Studios Hollywood Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has a little something for everyone, from thrill junkies to young children, with attractions featuring your favorite characters, movies, and television series.

The park has experienced a period of growth over the last decade, including the milestone addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While the land is smaller than its counterpart in Florida, it brings along its greatest hits, including e-ticket attraction, Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey, and the popular wand-choosing experience, Ollivanders.

The newest attraction, Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash! (exclusive to the Hollywood park), opened in 2021 and is a marvel of a dark ride seamlessly mixing industry-leading screen-based technology with animatronics. Located on the upper lot's Manhattan-inspired streets, the colorful area immerses guests in the loved movie franchise through playful character interactions.

On the lower lot, Jurassic World — The Ride is a water-based attraction that shines as one of the biggest thrills offered with pioneering feats in audio-animatronics since its refurbishment in 2021.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is a unique 60-minute journey that includes behind-the-scenes access to working sets while intermixing themed attraction experiences , all while sitting aboard a tram. With ever-changing production schedules, no two rides on this iconic attraction are ever the same. Through the theme park's commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly, the trams are being given an upgrade and will soon utilize all electric vehicles.

Other rides include a family-friendly Minions attraction, a Harry Potter -themed coaster for all ages, and interactive playscapes.

The first Super Nintendo World in the United States is slated to open in 2023, bringing new attractions.

Where to Eat at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood's dining options are quick-service, but that doesn't mean you'll sacrifice taste thanks to multitudes of globally inspired bites served in highly themed locations.

The popular eatery, Three Broomsticks, transports guests to the fantastical world of Harry Potter inside a dining hall straight out of the blockbuster franchise. British delicacies are the menu's focus, with traditional dishes like fish and chips and a standout English breakfast. No meal is complete without fan-favorite Butterbeer ice cream.

The whimsically themed Super Silly Fun Land houses a Minions-themed cafe with approachable eats, like a homestyle grilled cheese and tomato soup. In Springfield, beloved eateries from The Simpsons come to life, including Krusty Burger and Lard Lad (serving up giant pink donuts). On the lower lot, Jurassic Café offers unique bites, like slow-roasted mojo pork, and it is steps away from Isla Nu-Bar, a tiki outpost pouring tropical cocktails.

For those looking to imbibe during their park visit, there's no shortage of highly themed bars, including Moe's Tavern, Hog's Head in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Mulligan's Irish Pub.

Those seeking a caffeine fix should avoid Starbucks and head straight to the French Street Bistro, a charming hidden gem with coffee drinks, breakfast, and snacks served throughout the day.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

The property's dining and entertainment district, CityWalk, is adjacent to the theme park, where you can find the destination's table-service dining options. NBC Sports Bar & Grill is your go-to spot for sporting events and offers surprisingly excellent pub food, while Antojitos Cocina Mexicano has a wonderful patio and sprawling bar with Mexican eats and handcrafted cocktails. For casual options, the recently opened Chick Chick Chicken dishes out authentic Nashville-style hot chicken while the legendary Pink's Hot Dogs has an easy-to-access outpost of their iconic eatery.

No park ticket is required to visit CityWalk.

When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood

Given its location in sunny Southern California, visitors can enjoy pleasant weather almost year-round. Weekdays between holiday seasons are the best time to visit for shorter lines at attractions and restaurants.

Visits during the theme park's two annual events, Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas, tend to be the most crowded. Halloween Horror Nights, a separately ticketed event, is the country's leading haunt event where Universal's soundstages are transformed into frightening walk-through experiences themed to the biggest horror franchises. Grinchmas, included with general theme park admission, sees gleeful holiday-inspired upgrades. Universal Express proves to be invaluable during these times.

How to Get There and Where To Stay Near Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in the heart of Los Angeles, approximately 20 minutes from nearby Hollywood Burbank Airport and 40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport.

Daily parking rates for theme park visitors begin at $30 if entering the lot before 5 p.m. For those visiting a full-service restaurant at CityWalk, valet parking is available for up to 2.5 hours for $10.

Unlike Orlando's version, they do not have on-site, Universal-operated hotels, but hotel partners. Hilton Universal City & Sheraton Universal Hotel are located within walking distance of the park, with guests receiving perks like complimentary shuttles and discounted ticket packages.

Entertainment at the Theme Park

It's of no surprise that entertainment is a cornerstone of the theme park, including some of the most impressive displays of free-roaming characters that interact with guests, like Beetlejuice, Dracula, and Lucille Ball.

The theme park's live shows also shine, like "Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular." Inspired by the cult-favorite film, the stunt show is celebrating over 25 years and uses actual pieces from the movie's sets along with large-scale pyrotechnics and captivating live actors. Other shows include the hilarious Universal's Animal Actors featuring real-life, Hollywood-trained pets.

Their nighttime offerings may be more scaled back than other parks, but the Harry Potter -themed evening spectacular is worth staying for. "Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle" combines music, lights, and projections all set to the stunning backdrop of the towering school of wizardry.

Universal Studios Hollywood Planning Tips

Download the official app, where you can quickly access the most up-to-date wait times, showtimes, maps, and more.

Many guests enter and begin their day at the upper lot's attractions. Instead, work backward by beginning at the lower lot to possibly relieve wait times.

The World-Famous Studio Tour typically embarks on its last ride of the day over an hour before park closing, so it is best to plan ahead for this experience.

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What's New on Universal Studios Hollywood's 60th Anniversary Studio Tour in 2024?

NBC Insider took the summer glow-up Studio Tour for its Diamond Anniversary and we've got tips to share!

It's a big year for the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour . In operation since 1964, the tours have evolved massively across six decades, originating with their iconic red and white Glamor Trams to today's multi-car shuttles which wind around the sprawling Universal backlot. 

To celebrate their Diamond Anniversary of the Studio Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood is giving guests lots of new experiences from now through August 11 to get a taste of what the tour was like back in the day mixed with all of its innovations today. 

NBC Insider recently jumped on a tram car to get a first hand perspective on the tour and we've got some tips on how to plan your day at the theme park with the Studio Tour for efficiency.

When should you plan to take the Studio Tour?

The entrance to the Studio Tour is on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Make a right at The Simpsons  cross section and the dedicated escalators take guests down to the queue for the trams. If you want shorter lines, go earlier in the day. That's the best time to get on trams with less crowds. However, if you're looking for an escape from the sun, the Studio Tour queue is completed shaded and the tour itself keeps you covered even during the hottest times of summer days. 

Know that the Studio Tour is about one-hour long, but the special summer tour will add some extras that may extend your experience beyond an hour. Keep that in mind too if you have other places to be, are hungry or have timed shows to see.

What's different about the anniversary Universal Studio Tour in 2024?

Plenty! Going on a decade now, we're well-versed on all of the minute changes to the Studio Tour which are usually pretty subtle. But this special iteration has whole new routes, a lot of new video material with Master of Ceremonies Jimmy Fallon and Universal Pictures luminaries like Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, Jordan Peele and Jack Black, along with plenty of fresh movie history shared from the mouths of the tour guides.

Since the back lot is a working studio, not every attraction on the Studio Tour route will be available during the week. However, weekends give Studio Tour riders a better shot at seeing all stops because film and television shows are rarely in production on Saturdays and Sundays. That being said, the new route will oftentimes take riders through the city facades, past many of the massive sound stages and standing sets like Little Europe and the Western streets and the flooding street area used in many films and TV shows.

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The Courthouse Square is another area of note which features the clocktower from Back to the Future. This tour will feature a DeLorean and Doc Brown to greet you as you pass through. There's a temporary return of the 1976 Runaway Train which used to be part of the Studio Tour and featured warning bells and sirens to scare riders. There's also an amped up Jurassic World section which features a dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur and pens holding some cranky Dilophosaurus that screech and roar as you pass by in the tram.

As for attractions that are part of the Studio Tour, riders will still experience Peter Jackson's 3D Kong Island; a newly renovated Earthquake—The Big One attraction that reproduces the effects of a major quake; the Jaws lagoon attack; a ride through Jupiter's Claim from Nope and the 3D enhanced Fast & Furious - Supercharged finale. 

What's at the new step-off point in the middle of the Studio Tour?

Outside of the Halloween Horror Nights Terror Tram experience, this summer's updated Studio Tour is the rare time when riders can get out of the tram to walk amongst the Psycho motel and experience some unique photo opportunities. 

Midway through the tour, the tram will stop at a drop off point at the Bates Motel. There, you can walk amongst movie props, or take a picture next to Marion Crane's car, or an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram. There's also the best place to frame a photo op with the perfectly scaled replica of the Hollywood Sign setup just for this anniversary tour. 

Once you've had your fun in this area, around the corner is an even bigger area of photo ops where you can get yourself sitting pretty between two Fast and the Furious picture cars; cuddle up inside King Kong's fist or proudly reveal your humongous catch of the day, which is a more than life-sized reproduction of the shark in Jaws . 

Things to know as you plan your visit: on less crowded days, you can make the rounds of these photo ops quickly and then hitch a ride back on revolving trams that are ready to pick you up and continue the rest of the tour. On busier days, you will need extra time to queue for each photo op as there will be lines. Regardless, there will be a tram waiting for you to get back on when you are ready. And don't worry, there is cold bottled water available at this stop to purchase if you're feeling hot or thirsty. 

Are there collectibles to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Studios Tour?

Absolutely! Throughout the theme park and in the Universal Studios Store at the entrance, you'll find an array of fun shirts, mugs, magnets, and more emblazoned with vintage art that features the Glamour Tram. There's also a collectible popcorn bucket with Woody Woodpecker at the wheel of the Glam Tram that holds a lot of popcorn you can refill through the day, then take home to remember your trip. 

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If you're more of a foodie, there's a Dining Pass celebrating the 60 th  anniversary with special food offerings just for the summer event. Or you can individually purchase themed items at Hollywood & Dine or Mel’s Diner. And for snacks, check out Studio Scoops and City Snack Shop standalone outdoor food car on the Upper Lot.

Regardless of how you tackle the Studio Tour, remember that it's part of your Universal Studios Hollywood admission ticket so make space for it when you visit. You won't be disappointed. 

More information is available at  www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com

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The World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood – The Ultimate Guide

The World Famous Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s best attraction. This one-hour tram tour takes you around the backlot of one of the oldest active movie studios in the world .

This is a real, working movie studio. As such, you’ll see some of Hollywood’s most famous filming locations and sets from your favourite shows and movies. This also means you could see celebrities while on the Studio Tour .

However, to temper expectations, I’ve been on the Studio Tour several times and never seen a celebrity. However, I did see Mario Lopez at the theme park entrance once.

The Universal Studio Tour is suitable for the whole family . There are no height restrictions. In fact, I recently went on the tour with my 14-month-old son.

The tour is hosted by Jimmy Fallon and a live guide who provides commentary throughout. Y ou will remain on the tram for the duration of the tour , during which time you will see and experience:

• Fast & The Furious: Supercharged
• King Kong 3D
• Bates Motel
• War of the Worlds Plane
• Jupiter’s Claim
• Flash Flood Simulator
• Earthquake: The Big One!

Some of these experiences can be scary for young children. However, you can not opt out of any experience. Instead, you will remain on the tram throughout.

If you are travelling with small children or those with sensitivities, I recommend sitting on the left of the tram at the very front or the very back . Jaws and Norman Bates are the scariest experiences and they aim for the middle of the tram on the right.

Studio Tours at Universal Studios Hollywood are also available in Spanish . However, these tours are only at pre-set times.

On my most recent visit to Universal Studios Hollywood these times were: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, and 6:15pm. Meanwhile, Studio Tours in English are available non-stop throughout the day.

You are permitted to take photos and videos throughout the Studio Tour . However, flash photography is prohibited during 3-D experiences (King Kong and Fast & Furious).

Where Is the Studio Tour?

The Studio Tour is located in a dedicated lower lot area of Universal Studios Hollywood . To get to this part of the theme park, head straight from the entrance towards Springfield.

Once inside Springfield, continue heading straight until you get to The Simpsons Ride. You then want to turn right. At this point, you should see a sign overhead with ‘Studio Tour’ plus the wait time.

Be sure to turn right and not left at The Simpsons Ride. The dedicated Studio Tour, lower lot area, is separate from the general Lower Lot.

To get to the Studio Tour entrance, you’ll need to take an escalator. However, a lift is also available off to the right-hand side.

Wait times for the Studio Tour vary significantly depending on the time of year. In the off-season, I walked straight onto a tram. However, in peak season, I’ve waited for up to one hour.

Top Tips for the Universal Studio Tour

There are no toilet breaks during the Studio Tour . If you need the toilet, you’ll find them off to the right as you come down the escalators.

You can not take strollers on the Studio Tour , but there is a large stroller parking area located next to the attraction’s entrance.

You can use a Universal Express Pass on the Studio Tour . The line for Universal Express Pass ticket holders is at the ride entrance. I used a Universal Express Pass on a recent visit. Using the pass, I walked straight onto a tram while the standby line was at 20 minutes.

The Studio Tour is free with admission to Universal Studios Hollywood . However, you can purchase a Universal VIP Experience ticket for a more in-depth Studio Tour and other benefits.

You do not have to book a slot on the Studio Tour . Instead, each tour is done on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tram roughly holds 100 – 150 people, split across six carriages.

Generally speaking, the best time to go on the Studio Tour is in the morning when the theme park first opens . The lines are smaller during this time, so you should be able to go straight out onto the tour.

However, the Studio Tour is not the most popular ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it has a really large capacity. So, I suggest going to popular rides such as Mario Kart first.

That being said, I recommend avoiding the Studio Tour around lunchtime . This is when it’s most popular, and the wait time is often the longest.

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Planning a Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Introduction

It wasn't that long ago that you could find everything you needed know about Universal Studios Hollywood on just one web page. People who visited back then often think they've seen it all and don't need to go back again. They would be wrong.

Over the past few years, Universal has produced some of the most exciting theme park experiences in California. It takes several pages just to cover everything you can see and do there, and if you haven't visited lately, it's time to think about going back.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Right for You?

Universal wows its visitors with innovative, thrilling rides, but it's not for everyone. If you enjoy (and can tolerate) fast-paced thrill rides and don't mind if they're the motion simulator type, you'll probably love it.

If you have physical issues that prevent you from going on fast rides - or if you prefer your rides slow and steady, you may not find enough to do to justify the cost of a ticket. Small people (less than 40 inches tall) and big people (whose body shape may prevent safety restraints from fastening) may also discover that they can only go on a limited number of rides.

To find out more about what the park is like, and to see it all -without leaving your chair, check out the Universal Studios slideshow .

Universal Studios Hollywood Planner

These resources are everything you need to get started planning your Universal Studios experience. Allow a full day, and you can enjoy everything they have to offer.

• Universal Studios Complete Ride Guide : Detailed descriptions and tips for every ride and attraction, with height and size restrictions.
• How to Get Universal Studios Tickets : The box office is the worst way to go. Find out how to get them ahead of time, how to get a discount - and learn about a ticketing loophole that could save you money.
• What's New - and What's Coming - at Universal Studios Hollywood : Not only what's next, but what's been done in the past few years.
• Tips for a Perfect Day at Universal : You'll have more fun, stress less, and amaze your companions with how much you know if you follow even half of these tips.
• Hotels Near Universal Studios : You can do Universal in a day, but you might be too tired to drive home afterward - or you may want to visit other attractions in the area. This guide highlights some of the nicest places to stay nearby.

When to Go to Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal is crowded during summer and long school holidays like spring and winter break. They get even crazier around Christmas when you may encounter the longest lines of the year.

In the summer, it gets really hot at midday, but the hours are longer. You'll have few worries about getting rained out during California's rainy winter season because most of the fun rides are indoors.

Annual Events at Universal Studios Hollywood

Halloween Horror Nights : Every October, Universal puts on a special event, featuring some of their scariest slasher villains. Even the "chainsaw guys" who go around terrorizing people have to try out for their jobs. You'll have to buy a separate ticket or an all-day package to enjoy the park and this bloody scare-fest on the same day.

Harry Potter Christmas and Grinchmas :  The Grinch stole Christmas, but then he brought it back - and it's a good thing he did because the holiday celebration at Wizarding World is excellent. You don't need a separate ticket for these.

What's Nearby

Universal CityWalk , just outside the park entrance is a lively shopping and dining complex open to the public. It's a good place to eat dinner or to do a little shopping, or even go to a movie after a day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

If the Universal studio tour got you interested in how movies are made, Warner Bros Studios is just up the street, and they have a great public tour.

Getting To Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608 Universal Studios website

The Metro Red Line also stops near the park, and you can catch a shuttle bus from there to the entrance. The Metro system covers much of the LA area. Find out more information about the Metro Red Line here.

Universal offers a shuttle from lots of Los Angeles hotels with a one-day admission ticket. Get details on their website .

Some tour companies offer admission and transportation packages from San Diego. They can cost as much as $40 per person over full ticket price with no chance for discounts, and they limit your time at the park. Consider this option only if you have no others.

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Guide to The Best Seats on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

No trip to  Universal Studios Hollywood  is complete without experiencing our signature attraction,  The World-Famous Studio Tour . This legit journey through the actual sets of some of your favorite movies and television shows is mixed with exhilarating attractions and entertaining insights, making it an educational thrill ride unlike anything you can experience anywhere else. And while it’s safe to say there are no bad seats on the Studio Tour, there are definitely some  preferred  seats, depending on what you’re most excited to see. Let me break it down for you.

Flash Flood

The flash flood on our Old Mexico set was added to our backlot tour back in 1968. You may recognize it from films like “Big Fat Liar”   and  “ Fletch Lives”, but seeing it in person is truly something else. A rainstorm starts out of nowhere and before you know it, 10,000 gallons of water are rushing toward you, blasting through windows, knocking over signs, when suddenly… *WHOOSH* It stops just short of washing away the entire tram. How? Movie magic, of course.

Best Seats: Car 2, Left Side

King Kong 360 3-D

The first of its kind on the Studio Tour, this attraction was created under the direction of “King Kong”   director Peter Jackson. As you make your way through Skull Island, the tram is suddenly surrounded by hungry dinosaurs and giant insects.

Luckily, Kong is on your side. Actually, he’s on all sides, throwing punches (watch out for dinosaur saliva) and catching tram cars. Good thing the tram roof is built to support that kind of weight.

…it is, right?

 Best Seats: Car 2, Right Side — if you want to see Kong’s epic entrance Car 4, Left Side — if you want to see what happens to Car 5

War of the Worlds

One of the most well-known sets from the Studio Tour is the plane crash from Steven Spielberg’s, “War of the Worlds”. Now I won’t tell you all the fun facts about this set (that’s what the tour is for), but it is a real 747 airplane that was torn apart for the movie and it is truly something to behold up close. As the neighborhood appeared in the film, you can still see the smoking wreckage of the crash and the scattered debris. Don’t worry — the tram will stop for a moment so you can snap plenty of pictures.

Best Seats: Car 3, Left Side

Some may recognize the peaceful village around the water as Cabot Cove, from the classic show, “Murder, She Wrote”. However, this section is most commonly known as Jaws Lake, home of the unstoppable great white shark from the movie “Jaws”. After greeting one of the divers in the water, the tram will pause on the dock (for safety, I guess?), allowing the shark to cause some destruction by the gas pumps before attacking the tram. This is why they tell you to keep your arms inside the vehicle, folks.

Best Seats: Car 2, Right Side — to get a good look at the shark just as he emerges Car 3, Right Side — to get a good look at the shark and enjoy those fire effects (if it’s chilly outside)

Earthquake — The Big One

This part of the tour has been featured in movies like “Beverly Hills Cop III”   and the TV show “Bones”. Much like King Kong 360 3-D, this attraction delivers thrills and action on all sides, so there are no bad seats. The difference here is that all the effects are practical (no 3D glasses needed). Plus, if you missed the fire effects from Jaws Lake or the flood from Old Mexico, Earthquake features both — and they’re on opposite sides!

Best Seats: Car 3, Left Side — for those fire effects (just watch out for the gas truck) Car 3, Right Side — for that impressive flood

Courthouse Square

Your tour guide can rattle off dozens of different movies and TV shows that have been filmed on this beautiful block of the backlot (and likely a few current productions!), but none more well-known than “Back to the Future”. While some of the facades have changed, you’ll still be taken back to 1955 (or 1985, or 2015). There’s plenty of fun stuff to see on all sides, but the tram tends to pass by the iconic courthouse and clocktower just once.

Best Seats: Car 2 or 3, Left Side – for the best view of the courthouse

New York Street & Colonial Street & Six Points Texas

A good portion of the tour is spent traveling down streets designed to look like any city  but  Hollywood. This is where the history of filmmaking on the Universal backlot comes alive with facades everywhere. Because this is a working studio, the route can vary day-to-day!

Best Seats: Anywhere!

Fast & Furious — Supercharged

There’s a government spy on board the tram and the villainous Owen Shaw is on his way to take them out (and I don’t mean to dinner). Fortunately, the “Fast & Furious” crew is aware of the situation and are here to protect you and everyone else on board. After a failed attempt to hide out at Sullivan’s Garage, the tram finds itself in a high-speed chase through the streets of LA, with intense action happening all around it. This attraction uses similar technology to King Kong 360 3-D, meaning that once again there aren’t any bad seats. To take it a step further, the action throughout is pretty similar on either side, and one character is even carried along both sides of the tram by helicopter (before jumping back into their moving vehicle, of course).

Best Seats: Any Car, Left Side – for a good look at the souped-up vehicles right when you enter Sullivan’s Garage Any Car, Right Side – for a good look at the pre-show dance party and Shaw’s arrival

As you can see, no matter where you sit on the World-Famous Studio Tour, you’re bound to get an unforgettable experience. Just remember to stay seated while the tram is in motion, and don’t put those 3D glasses on just yet. Action!

Let us know in the comments below your favorite part of the Studio Tour and we’ll see you soon!

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Josh Levesque

HHN fanatic and honorary Springfield, USA resident. Firm believer that milkshakes go with every meal. Very excited to meet your dog.

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21 comments.

For Norman Bates: Car 4, right side, second to last row. The actors who play him are usually really cute and they’ll get right on your face.

Lol. It’s sad that I know this.

I’m at Universal Studios tour guide. The Normans will be happy to hear this. Starting today through Halloween horror nights Norman is up at the psycho house so your best view will be on the left side in car four. 👍🏻

Hi. Universal Studios tour guide here. For the earthquake section you have your sides flipped. Truck comes down on the left. Flood comes from the right. 👍🏻

MVP Tour Guide! Thanks for catching that, Luke. All fixed for future readers. 🙂

Does it still pass the Psycho house ? I am taking my daughter there for the first time next week. She is obsessed with that movie and it’s all she wants to see.

Hi Vanessa! Guests will see the legendary Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho during the Studio Tour.

hi,i wear glasses,so i wondering there have so many 3d thing,how about bad eyesignt people could enjoy this?

Hi there! If an attraction has 3-D glasses available, they can go over normal glasses just fine!

A partir de que estatura puede hacerse este ride?

Hola Nash! Esta atracción no tiene restricción de altura y todos los Visitantes pueden experimentarla.

[…] store to choose materials for their house renovation. This store sequence was filmed entirely on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood. This lot is made up of many stages and backlots and provides the production team with a completely […]

Hola quisiera saber que dias hay tours en español?

Hola Fernanda,

Le recomendamos comunicarse con nuestro equipo de experiencia VIP al 1-866-346-9350 para recibir asistencia con reservar un guía que hable Español para su recorrido. Se puede contactar con ellos los 7 días de la semana de 9 am a 7 pm. Para obtener más información, recomendamos consultar nuestra página de VIP Tour Experience en nuestro sitio web: https://bit.ly/3syPMhz Visitas guiadas. ¡Esperamos su bienvenida!

Can I purchase this tour without the general admission? I’ll be visiting with senior crew from abroad and they only care about the “movies tour”

Hi Cat! Guests wishing to experience The World-Famous Studio Tour will be required to purchase park tickets. We recommend viewing the Special Offers page on our website for the most up-to-date deals currently available: https://bit.ly/3wh6Hqn . We hope to see you soon!

Hola! dónde puedo ver los horarios del tour (idealmente en español)? Gracias!

¡Hola Carolina! Para informaciones actualizadas sobre los horarios del Studio Tour, recomendamos que utilice nuestra aplicación móvil de Universal Studios Hollywood. ¡Esperamos verte muy pronto!

Loved this guide! Just got back from the studio tour and the tips for getting the best seats were super helpful.

We’re so glad that you found them helpful! 😊

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Universal Studios Hollywood Tips and Suggested 1 and 2 Day Itinerary

last Updated: May 24, 2024 california Los Angeles

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Planning a trip to Southern California and love theme parks and movies? Same here! Lots of Universal Studios tips and tricks, coming right up! Plus, a suggested one and two day Universal Studios Hollywood itinerary, my favorite hotel just minutes from the park, and of course all the things I ate, haha!

Welcome to the magical world of Universal Studios Hollywood , where blockbuster movies come to life and adventures await around every corner! 

I just returned home from a super fun two days in the park, and of course now have all the Universal Studios tips to share! To be honest, I kinda forgot how much fun theme parks are (yes, even as an adult), and wanna start incorporating them more into my California adventures. I mean, SoCal is only a drive away from us anyways…  

We totally felt like kids again – wandering Hogsmeade while sipping on frozen butterbeers (my new favorite), screaming on thrill rides in the Lower Lot (don’t miss The Mummy ride!), seeing the backlot of The Good Place on the iconic Studio Tour, and of course taking photos with all our favorite characters (hi Shrek!). Oh – and collecting coins, eating themed foods at Toadstool Cafe, and riding Mario Kart at Super Mario World! Such a fun weekend down in Hollywood!

Here’s everything you need to know to have the best possible weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Important Info and Universal Studio Tips

Where is universal studios hollywood and how to get there .

Hollywood, baby! Yes, for real! Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Universal City in Southern California. It’s situated in the San Fernando Valley, just north of the city of Los Angeles (so thankfully you’ll miss most of that horrid LA traffic if you’re coming from up north, haha). 

The park is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, meaning tons of scenic views! You’ll see the surrounding mountains from plenty of places within the park, but we loved the views on the escalators between the Upper and Lower Lots the most (and of course took some cute pics). 

Flying : Since the park is oh so close to downtown Los Angeles, there’s plenty of nearby airports (LA is one of the most populous cities in the US after all!).

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Since LAX is a major international airport, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding non-stop flights from other large airports. It’s about 25 miles southeast of the park, so not terribly far (although LAX is definitely not my preferred airport of choice in SoCal – it’s HUGE and the traffic nearby is just awful!). But it has the most nonstop flights by far… so sometimes the most convenient depending where you’re coming from. 
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) : The closest airport to the park, at only 6 miles away! BUR is a smaller airport primarily only serving domestic flights, so if you’re coming from further away, you’ll most likely need to connect.
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) : Another of the smaller airports in SoCal, and about 35 miles south of Universal Studios Hollywood. 
• John Wayne Airport (SNA) : Yes, another option, although a bit further south around 45 miles away (but perfect if you wanna visit Disneyland and Orange County as well).

Driving to Universal: If you’re coming from elsewhere in California (like us!), you can totally drive! 

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, we tend to prefer driving to SoCal instead of flying. Although flights are relatively cheap (usually under $200 roundtrip), we find total travel time is roughly the same driving vs. flying (considering the time getting to the airport, waiting at the gate, actual flying time, getting out of LAX, etc).

• Local Tip : If you’re driving from Northern California and aren’t planning on making any stops, take the I-5; it’s way faster than the 101! Unless you’re doing a PCH road trip – that’s a different story!

Here’s some example driving distances from the other popular spots in California (and nearby) to give you a sense of the time required:

• From Los Angeles : 20 minutes, 10 miles
• From Orange County : 1 hour, 50 miles
• From Santa Barbara : 1 ½ hours, 90 miles
• From Palm Springs : 2 hours, 120 miles
• From San Diego : 2 hours, 130 miles
• From Las Vegas (Nevada): 4 ½ hours, 275 miles
• From Yosemite National Park : 4 ½ hours, 270 miles
• From Big Sur : 5 ½ hours, 340 miles
• From San Francisco : 6 hours, 375 miles
• From Sacramento: 6 hours, 375 miles
• From Phoenix (Arizona): 6 hours, 385 miles
• From Lake Tahoe : 7 ½ hours, 435 miles

If you’re not from around here, I HIGHLY recommend combining a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood with other spots in SoCal. My favorites are Palm Springs (perfect for a winter visit), San Clemente , and Santa Barbara – plus a weekend in San Diego never hurt anyone, haha. 

→ Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood on a much longer Pacific Coast Highway road trip?! Check out all my favorite PCH stops right here!

Parking at Universal Studios Hollywood: Just remember if you’re driving you’ll need to deal with (and pay for overpriced) parking. General parking is over $30 per day, and front gate parking is upwards of $70 – kinda wild (and that’s on top of ticket prices). Because of that, we left the car at our hotel ( The Garland ), and took the free hotel shuttle to the park. 

BUT there’s lots of parking at Universal if that works out better for you (maybe you’ve got lots of stuff and some wiggly kids). Note that there’s no free parking at Universal Studios Hollywood with a standard ticket. Only annual Gold pass ticket holders get free parking. 

If you wanna park for $3 (yes, THREE DOLLARS for all day parking), you can park at Universal City’s Park and Ride Lot and simply take the shuttle over.

Public Transportation to Universal

• Metro : The Metro Red Line has a stop right at Universal City Station, which is within walking distance to Universal Studios Hollywood. You’ll find the Red Line from a bunch of spots throughout LA, including downtown LA and Hollywood. An easy and cost effective option if you’re staying near a metro stop!
• Bus : There’s also a few bus routes operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) that service Universal City. 

Shuttle Services: Before booking any transportation, always check to see if your hotel offers shuttle services to Universal Studios (one of the best Universal Studios tips). Sometimes they’re even free… yes, all the way from downtown LA. 

And if not, if you aren’t interested in relying on public transit (I get it, especially after a long, tiring day in the park), there’s plenty of tourist shuttles (i.e. tour companies) that offer shuttle transportation to Universal Studios Hollywood. Some of these are part of package tours, but there’s also standalone transport services. We saw tons of these huge coach buses in the lot!

Rideshares : Of course there’s always Uber/Lyft to get you to/from the park! Universal has a dedicated rideshare pick up/drop off, inside the Frankenstein parking area, just FYI, which is a 2 minute walk to the park, so super, super easy and convenient! Don’t Uber from downtown LA though – it’s gonna be hella expensive! Our hotel was less than a 10 minute drive and only an $8 Uber in the early AM.

And if you’re staying at the Sheraton Universal or Hilton Universal City , you can easily walk to the park in less than 10 minutes!

When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood 

In terms of weather, there isn’t a horrible time to visit Universal. Winters are mild (and sometimes a bit wet), while summers are typically hot and dry. It’s the crowds you gotta worry about. 

For the least crowds, you’ll wanna avoid the weeks around Spring Break (typically mid-April), all of summer vacation, and Christmas holiday season at all costs. Of course the park will be way busier on weekends vs. weekdays, but I get weekends work best for most people (including us). 

For reference, we visited the first weekend of May and didn’t find the crowds to be horrible, although we don’t have much to compare it to, haha. I will say we had Early Access one morning and were able to ride every single ride in the park with wait times less than 30 minutes. We did spend 2 days at Universal Studios Hollywood so that definitely made a difference as well (since we didn’t feel stressed to pack everything in and could wait out long lines by getting a snack or taking pics with characters).

Where to Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood 

There’s TONS of hotels in Los Angeles – honestly so, so, so many. If you wanna get to the park for rope drop or have Early Access to Super Nintendo World, I recommend staying nearby in Universal City. 

My top pick? The Garland : Only an 8-minute drive to Universal, you really can’t beat the location. This is where we stayed and I cannot say enough good things about it! From the quirky retro touches, poolside sunset movies, a street taco cart (which I can totally vouch for), and delicious brunch at The Front Yard, we absolutely loved it. 

Plus, there’s a FREE shuttle to Universal (and back) every single day on the hour starting at 8am (we did have to Uber one morning to get to the park earlier for Early Access, just FYI).

El Royale Hotel and The Tangerine are great options as well (and less than 10 minutes away), and there’s always the Sheraton Universal and Hilton Universal City which are both located within walking distance to the park.

Universal Studios Hollywood Tips and Tricks

Even after only a few days in the park, I came away with tons of Universal Studios tips and tricks. And sometimes just a few tweaks to your Universal itinerary can really make the trip just that much better. 

My biggest piece of advice – if you wanna see and do and eat everything, DON’T WING IT. Have a plan and *follow that plan*! 

Other (just as important) Universal tips here:

Download the app : The Universal Studios Hollywood App is honestly a HUGE help. There’s an interactive map right in the app that shows your exact location in the park, estimated wait times for all rides, park hours (they change all the time), restaurant menus, and even virtual line ques. 

I was super overwhelmed at first (the park seems huge if you’ve never been), but the app was invaluable. And it’s free, so there’s no reason not to download it! 

Get early access to Super Mario World : On that note, if Super Nintendo World is super important to you (and you don’t wanna wait on crazy long lines for Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge), early access is more than worth it. Early access gives you entry to Super Nintendo World a whole hour before the park even opens, meaning way fewer crowds and way less wait time. 

Do note that once they allow early access guests in, park staff walk all visitors straight to Super Nintendo World. You’re not allowed in other areas of the park (understandably so, and plus everything else is still closed). 

Also – don’t bother taking the stairs thinking you’ll bypass all the escalator people (you’ll see what I mean…) — park staff lead everyone and stay in front. Meaning you may as well take the escalators… it’s gonna be a long day — don’t wanna tire yourself out straight from the get go!

Arrive at the park for rope drop: If you’re not planning on getting early access, I highly recommend getting to the park early and even before actual opening hours. They’ll scan your ticket before park hours, then put everyone in a waiting hold, and then drop the rope and you’re free to go as you please! 

Make sure you prioritize heading to the popular rides first so you can get on before the huge lines start to form.

Make reservations for Toadstool Cafe: If you wanna eat at Toadstool Cafe (the themed restaurant inside Super Nintendo World), you’ll need to make a reservation. These often sell out early in the day (and can only be made the day of), so in order to get your desired time, make your reservation as soon as you visit Super Nintendo World in the AM upon park opening. 

The only way is to scan the QR code outside the restaurant – not even in the app. If you miss reservations, they sometimes do walk-ups, and make sure to check the QR code link throughout the day – sometimes reservations become available later on.

Don’t miss the studio tour: This is the bread and butter of Universal Studios Hollywood, and what really sets it apart from Universal Orlando! I mean, Universal Studios Hollywood remains a working studio (!!!) where movies, television shows, commercials, and music videos are still filmed. 

You can even catch glimpses of active production sets if you’re lucky. Plus, there’s some really cool “rides” on it too – like the King Kong 360 3-D, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, and of course you’ll get to see the Jaws replica!

Figure out your breakfast situation ahead of time: If you’re planning to rush to the rides (which you should if you don’t wanna wait on horrendous lines), you either need to eat breakfast before entering the park (or a quick one while waiting for rope drop), or wait it out until you’re satisfied with your morning. Looking back I’d bring some snacks for the AM since we didn’t end up eating until almost 1pm on our first day, whoops (not the smartest idea).

Take advantage of mobile food ordering: Perfect if the food lines are long and you’re getting hangry, haha. If you know what you want you can simply order on the app and essentially skip the line! 

Some rides offer free lockers for two hours : While most rides allow you to carry on backpacks and such, two rides (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy) provide free lockers to keep your stuff in. 

These lockers are good for up to two hours, so if the line’s short and you don’t feel like carrying around your stuff for a bit, well, you’ve got up to two hours for free (take advantage – nothing’s free at theme parks… ever)! One of my best Universal Studios tips by far.

Buy your tickets in advance: Not only will you save time (who wants to wait on yet another unnecessary line when you’ll be on lines all day, haha), but you actually save a few bucks buying on the website.

Stay hydrated: You’re in SoCal – it’ll probably be hot and sunny. There’s plenty of bathrooms located around the park, so no excuse not to drink lots of water and stay hydrated (and no, a Duff’s Beer doesn’t count, haha). 

While we’re on that note, don’t forget about the sunscreen!

Check showtimes: Since shows are only scheduled a few times each day, if you really wanna see a show (I highly recommend WaterWorld), plan it into your day. Rides run continuously during park opening hours, so you can hop on those anytime.

Take pics with characters when you see them: I was surprised that lines close to take pictures with the characters, but it makes sense since they need breaks from the costumes! Get on line early so you don’t miss out on the popular characters (namely Mario and Luigi and Shrek and Fiona). You’ll see some characters roaming around (we loved seeing Frankenstein out and about), but most are there to pose for photos. 

My favorites were the minions, Bart and Lisa, the train conductor in Hogsmeade Village (such a character), and the Jurassic Park dinosaurs – so, so epic! And OMG, you need to see Donkey – so interactive and fun! 

Other FAQs about Universal Studios Hollywood 

What is the closest airport to Universal Studios? Nope, it’s not LAX! The closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood is actually Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), also known as Bob Hope Airport. Being only ~6 miles northeast of the park, it’s easily the most convenient airport for visitors in terms of proximity to Universal.

Are Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Studios the same thing? I was super confused about this at first too, and I’m here to report they are very much NOT the same thing! 

Universal Studios is a film studio and theme park located in Universal City, California (what this entire blog post is about!), while Hollywood Studios (officially known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios) is a theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Hollywood Studios is operated by The Walt Disney Company and is inspired by Disney films and the entertainment industry.

Universal Studios Hollywood vs Universal Studios Orlando: Which one should you visit?! It’s hard to say – although they’re on opposite sides of the country so that may very well be the deciding factor, haha. 

Here’s a few key differences about them –

• Located in Universal City, California
• Features Super Nintendo World, the Studio Tour, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and plenty of movie-themed attractions
• Divided into two main areas: the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot
• The park is smaller in size compared to Universal Studios Orlando but offers unique experiences such as the Studio Tour and is very much doable in only one day
• Located in Orlando, Florida
• Comprises two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (with way more action and thrill rides)
• Offers a wider range of attractions, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both parks, The Simpsons Ride, and more.
• Universal Studios Orlando is larger and is hard to see in only one day 

So basically, if you’re in California, visit Universal Studios Hollywood, and if you’re on the East Coast, visit Universal Studios Orlando, haha. BUT remember, Super Nintendo World is ONLY at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Should I get the Universal Express Pass? That depends on a few different factors. It’s more expensive (obviously), but you get to skip the regular lines at most attractions within the park. Perfect if you’re visiting on a very crowded day and really wanna maximize your time. 

You definitely don’t need the Express Pass if you’re spending two days at Universal Studios as long as you have a well-planned out few days of course (my suggested Universal Studios itinerary below!). We got Early Access to Super Nintendo World and skipped on the Express Pass.

What’s the VIP Experience? An even more exclusive and personalized visit to Universal Studios Hollywood! It’s essentially a VIP guided tour of the park that provides behind-the-scenes access, priority access to attractions, and special perks like gourmet dining. 

Not necessary for the regular visitor, but perfect if you’re a huge movie buff and really wanna learn about and gain insider info about the studio’s history, famous productions, and the movie-making process.

Can I bring food and water into the park? Yes, you’re allowed snacks, sandwiches, fruits/veggies, and other non-perishable items (no glass containers understandably). Even small coolers and picnic baskets are allowed, although they must fit within the park’s size restrictions. 

Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at water fountains throughout the park (although it seems kinda annoying to hold all day if I’m being honest if you’re just carrying a belt bag like I did…). Note that outside alcohol (including drinks purchased in CityWalk) is not allowed in the park. 

What else to do near Universal Studios Hollywood? There’s TONS of things to do near the park – I mean LA is right there! Some popular spots are Hollywood Boulevard, the Griffith Observatory, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier, CityWalk (literally a walk away), and so much more. 

Most visitors combine their one or two days in Universal with other things in SoCal! Might as well hang around SoCal for a bit if you’re not from around there!

Should I spend 1 or 2 days in Universal Studios?

That’s entirely up to you of course! I will say that most people only spend one day at Universal, but we really enjoyed having two days at the park! 

We had tons of time to explore the park at a leisurely pace, got to ride popular rides multiple times (often with very little wait time – I see you Mario Kart, The Mummy, and Transformers), and were able to take lots of snack breaks without fear of missing attractions/shows/characters.

If you buy early access to Super Nintendo World, you can most likely see and do everything in one day. Just make sure to prioritize your must-do activities and plan your day strategically. The park isn’t huge by any means – it’s way smaller than Disneyland/California Adventure nearby and Universal Studios Florida/Islands of Adventure in Orlando. So very doable with just one day.

It really depends on how long you’ve got, and if you’re trying to hit up other Southern California hotspots on your trip. Coming from the SF Bay Area, we’ve been to SoCal dozens of times, so this trip was primarily about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood since we’d never been. 

Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood 

And now onto the good part – all the rides at Universal! I was kinda surprised that there weren’t more rides at the park (there’s only about a dozen or so), but that just meant we re-rode our favorites a bunch!

Universal Studios Hollywood is divided into two main areas: the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot. There’s a series of escalators between the two, although they take quite a while to get between (there’s four long escalators!), so I’d recommend checking off everything in one before heading to the other so you’re not bouncing between the two all day.

I’ll go over the rides in more detail, but here’s a general overview of the lots.

• The Upper Lot is where you’ll find the main entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood and where many of the family-friendly attractions are located (think Kung Fu Panda, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Simpsons Ride, and Secret Life of Pets). There’s also The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (my favorite!), the Studio Tour, and The Simpsons Springfield (don’t miss the giant pink donut) over here.
• The Lower Lot is where the more adventurous and thrilling rides are, including Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World, and Transformers. Plus Super Nintendo World (!!!) with the crazy-popular Mario Kart ride, themed dining at Toadstool Cafe, and shopping at 1-UP Factory.

Upper Lot 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

Welcome to the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter, full of frozen butterbeers, wand and owl shops in Hogsmeade Village, cobblestoned streets leading to Hogwarts Castle, and Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans. 

I think we wandered through half a dozen times, and I never got over just how detailed and authentic everything was! A must visit for witches, wizards, and Muggles alike. There’s two rides here, and a third attraction which is more like a mini-show:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: We LOVED this ride and went on it 5 times during our 2 days at Universal Studios, haha. Get ready to soar through iconic Harry Potter scenes, including the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch, and the Chamber of Secrets. Definitely one of the most popular rides in the park.
• Flight of the Hippogryph : This is the park’s only outdoor rollercoaster, and you fly around Hagrid’s hut and past Hagrid’s magical creatures. Honestly, it’s not worth waiting if the lines over 20 minutes long – the ride is literally a 20 second mini roller coaster and is over in a flash (womp, womp). It definitely has great potential but was very (very) meh to us and kinda a dud.
• Ollivanders Wand Shop : A magical experience where guests can watch a wand-choosing ceremony conducted by a wandkeeper. It’s more of a mini show than an actual ride, and was cute but not a must-do in my opinion unless you’re a huge fan of HP. The lines are never very long for this, so may as well check it out. Then you can purchase your very own wand afterwards to cast spells and make magical things happen in the park (yes, really!).

Springfield

So, so colorful, and so, so fun! Especially with a giant pink donut in hand! I was floored by how meticulously themed Springfield was. The whole area really recreates the look and feel of the fictional town from The Simpsons. From the colorful buildings to the humorous signage and themed props, it really captures the charm and humor from the long-lasting TV show (with over 30 seasons, wow!).

Don’t miss classic American burgers, fries, and milkshakes at Krusty Burger, a Flaming Moe from Moe’s Tavern, oversized, pink-frosted donuts from Lard Lad Donuts (just like Homer!), and some Duff Beer from the brewery!

• The Simpsons Ride: Get read for a hilarious adventure through Krustyland, an amusement park created by Krusty the Clown. Riders board a simulator vehicle shaped like a roller coaster car and experience 3D animation, motion simulation, and special effects along the way. We thought it was super fun!
• Studio Tour

One of the main attractions of Universal Studios Hollywood is the Studio Tour! So, naturally, one of my biggest tips for Universal Studios is to not miss it (especially since it’s not offered at the location in Orlando).

What is it exactly? A tram ride that takes guests behind the scenes of real working movie studios and offers a glimpse into the magic of filmmaking. One of the defining features of the park, actually!  

There’s movie sets, soundstages, and other things in the working backlot to see, where famous blockbuster movies and TV shows have been filmed over the years. Think Desperate Housewives, Jaws, Back to the Future, The Good Place (with the exact yogurt spot), Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”, and so many more.

Besides all the filmmaking fun, there’s also two main “rides”/special effect demonstrations on the Studio Tour – Fast & Furious – Supercharged and King Kong 360 3-D, both of which were utterly fascinating and really cool. The Studio Tour does get busy at times (staff told us wait times can be two hours!), so if you see a short wait time, go for it!

Other rides and attractions in the Upper Lot

• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! : Pretend you’re a pet navigating the wild streets of NYC – the ride was cute and all but once was enough, haha.
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem : We loved this 3D motion-simulator ride featuring Gru, his daughters, and the Minions. Real talk – I almost teared up at the end! Don’t miss the minion dance party afterwards. Safe to say we went on this multiple times.

• Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest: A 4D theater experience with 3D glasses and special effects! Clearly it wasn’t too memorable for me because I don’t remember riding it, although I know for a fact we did!
• Super Silly Fun Land : A cute play area for kids inspired by the Despicable Me movies. There’s the Silly Swirly Fun Ride (a spinning ride), Super Silly Space Killer (a water play area), and more. 
• WaterWorld: Also in the Upper Lot you’ll find the park’s only live-action stunt show. It’s based on the 1995 film “Waterworld”, and we loved the thrilling stunts, pyrotechnics (so much fire!), and even a seaplane crash. Crazy what special effects can be performed on the water – kinda wind! 

Lower Lot 

Super Nintendo World

Walk through the life-sized green pipe (with rainbow sparkly lights of course) and you’ll find Bowser’s Castle, Princess Peach’s Castle, angry thwomps, and Mt. Beanpole. Even biting Piranha Plants, rotating coins, and ? blocks to punch. A truly immersive world and complete deja vu (that is, if you played the video games as a kid like I did!).

I could not believe just how much thought went into designing the space – we really felt like we were in Super Nintendo World! It was designed to resemble the vibrant and colorful world of Nintendo games after all – particularly the Mushroom Kingdom from the Super Mario series!

Besides the ridiculously popular ride (which sees wait times of an hour+ after 9:30am), there’s the themed Toadstool Cafe with fun desserts and lunch items, shopping at the 1 Up Shop, and of course the Power Up Band Key Challenges to collect virtual coins (you’ll wanna buy a Power-Up Band to compete in these). 

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: This ride was SO fun – and even better that we had early access and didn’t have to wait on a two hour line, haha (it was more like 5 minutes for us). As soon as we got off we quickly got back on line to ride again (definitely only possible with early access!). I won’t spoil it for ya, but just know you’ll be putting on a Mario visor and special VR goggles and will be steering through different levels and versions of the Mario Kart game! Technology is wild y’all! 

Other rides and attractions in the Lower Lot

• Jurassic World : Ohhh another one we loved! It kinda felt like going on a river adventure through prehistoric landscapes complete with MASSIVE state-of-the-art animatronic dinosaurs (and super realistic). It’s the only water ride in Universal… so you may very well get a bit wet! Some people wore ponchos, but that seemed like overkill to me, haha (especially on a hot day).

• The Mummy: Easily our favorite ride in the entire park – and probably the most thrilling (which is definitely why we loved it oh so much). At first it’s very deceiving, but then BAM – you’re off! It’s actually an indoor roller coaster totally inspired by The Mummy film franchise – expect mummies, scarab beetles, and other dangers.
• Transformers: The Ride 3D: Get ready to battle between the Autobots and Decepticons (think Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more)! This was another of our favorite rides in the park, and we went on multiple times during our two days at Universal! 

Food/snacks at Universal Studios Hollywood 

We were more-than pleasantly surprised with the snack situation at Universal Studios. After visiting Disneyland last year , I didn’t think Universal would be on par, but boy was I wrong. We ate SO good and there were SO many fun themed foods and drinks. That was another benefit of spending two days at Universal – we got to try almost everything we wanted (hence this very long list of foods, haha)!

• Frozen butterbeer : 10/10 (super iconic, super refreshing, and super delicious – and no, it’s not beer and is actually nonalcoholic)
• Minion cookie : 7/10 (not terrible, but not the best cookie I’ve had either)
• Minion Nutella banana pudding : 8/10 (that nutella at the bottom really kicks it up a notch)
• Classic salted pretzel : 8/10 (perfectly fluffy and salted and always theme park favorite of mine)
• ? Up box tiramisu : 7/10 (super cute decorations and tasted pretty good)
• Flaming Moe : 5/10 (get solely for the presentation – it’s just orange soda with dry ice)
• Giant pink donut : 10/10 (I’d go back to Universal just for this – thought it’d be just for show and a fun pic, but wow oh wow was that donut orgasmic)

• Cheesy mushroom garlic knots : 9/10 (SO CHEESY and yummy and great dipped in the marinara sauce, don’t miss these at Toadstool Cafe)
• Butterbeer soft ice cream : 5/10 (didn’t taste the butterbeer flavor too much, but the vanilla was yummy and the texture was perfect, haha)
• Mushroom calzone : 4/10 (photo op in my opinion)
• Krusty burger : 6/10 (fun and nostalgic space, but regular American food)
• Toadstool cafe : 🍄 6/10 – The food was more like a 8/10, but the entire place kinda lacks organization and we didn’t start eating until after 1:15pm when our reservation was at noon. Definitely dedicate at least an hour and a half for this regardless if you have a reservation.

Suggested 1 and 2 Day Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary 

1 day universal studios hollywood itinerary.

You can totally do Universal Studios Hollywood in just one day – the park isn’t all that big honestly! BUT it will be a very rushed and hectic day if you wanna go on all the rides, and definitely expect to wait in a few lines!

• Ride Mario Kart
• Make reservation for Toadstool Cafe for early lunch
• Games and challenges
• Character photos
• Transformers 
• Jurassic World 
• 11:15-12:45ish: Toadstool Cafe 
• 1-2:30pm: Studio Tour 
• 3pm onwards: Upper Lot rides (including Wizarding World of Harry Potter) and WaterWorld show

2 Days in Universal Studios Hollywood 

As noted earlier, we spent 2 days in Universal Studios. And because of that, we didn’t wait longer than 25 minutes for any ride since we had two mornings and were able to knock out all the busy rides in the AM. We had a super relaxing two days in the park, and loved being able to stop for photos with characters and indulge in all the themed snacks without feeling like we’d be missing out on rides.

AND were able to go on the super popular rides multiple times (including twice on Mario Kart, 5x on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – no, it didn’t get old, a whole bunch of times on both The Mummy and Transformers, and whatever other rides we wanted to do again).

Day 1 in Universal

• Early access to Mario World
• Other rides in Lower lot 
• Lunch at Toadstool Cafe

Afternoon 

• Spend the afternoon enjoying more attractions and shows, including The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!, Kung Fu Panda Adventure, and hanging out in Springfield with a few Duff beers!

Day 2 Universal Itinerary

• Arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood for park opening.
• Start your day with popular attractions in The Upper Lot with typically long wait times, such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (we went twice back to back on Day 2), Flight of the Hippograph, and The Simpsons Ride.

Afternoon and Night

• Wander around the park, taking pics with characters, going on your favorite rides AGAIN, sipping more frozen butterbeers, eating that gigantic pink donut, etc!

Hope all these Universal Studios tips and tricks help you plan the most perfect trip! Have a butterbeer (or two!) for me!

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June 1, 2024 at 9:00 am

Hi, enjoyed your post, planning an october trip with my neurodivergent son and this was very helpful. I wonder if you have or would make another post on your evaluation of citywalk, and of the other restaurants in the park. Also: great pix!

June 6, 2024 at 9:04 am

So glad the post was helpful — Universal is so fun! We honestly didn’t spend much time at CityWalk — we just walked around for an hour or so at night. There are lots of shops and some more restaurants over there. And I can’t touch upon the other restaurants because I didn’t eat at them — there are some very in depth Instagram accounts that are solely disney/theme parks that would probably be very helpful! Have fun!

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Universal Studios Hollywood Hours 2024 FAQ, Tips, & Expected Hours

Universal Studios Hollywood hours can fluctuate throughout the year but typically follow a similar pattern depending on the season. Universal Hollywood only releases their hours about a month in advance which can leave guests wondering when Universal will open and close for the day on their visit.

Keep reading for our full Universal Studios Hollywood hours analysis along with common frequently asked questions surrounding when Universal Studios Hollywood opens and closes. Plus, our full list of when Universal Studios Hollywood will likely open and close based on historical park hours. And how to access Super Nintendo World before park opening!

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How to Check Universal Studios Hollywood Park Hours

Universal Studios Hollywood only releases their hours about a month in advance on the Universal website . Because of this short time frame we have projections on hours based on historical data from previous years.

But usually, only the opening and closing times will be posted and the entertainment schedule will only be available on the Universal Studios Hollywood app.

Universal Studios Hollywood hours will change throughout the year depending on the season, anticipated crowd levels, and this also impacts what type of entertainment is offered and how often.

What Time Does Universal Studios Hollywood Open?

Universal Studios Hollywood opening schedule fluctuates throughout the year. During less crowded times of the year the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will open later in the morning with busier times of the year offering earlier opening times.

Here is a breakdown of the typical Universal Studios Hollywood opening hours you can expect:

• 8AM – peak travel days, weekends
• 9AM – most times of the year, weekends
• 10AM – slow times of the year, weekdays

During the majority of the year, you can expect to see Universal Studios Hollywood open at 9AM. Although some peak travel times will also see longer hours, more on this below!

This has been the pattern since Super Nintendo World has opened which is now offered for Early Entry.

Super Nintendo World Early Access

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is the number one draw in the entire park at the moment. This land has been increasingly popular since it opened and the demand is high for the experiences in the land. It's not uncommon to see Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (the main e-ticket attraction in the land) to reach wait times of over two hours, even three hours during peak times of the year.

Not only is the attraction a huge draw, the restaurant inside the land is also popular along with all the Super Nintendo immersive game experiences. This is all what makes early access for Super Nintendo World so appealing.

Universal Studios Hollywood is currently offering tickets (purchased separately before regular park admission) to enter Super Nintendo World an hour before the park officially opens.

This might be one of the best ways to access Super Nintendo World right now. Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket is an add-on option to your existing Universal Hollywood ticket. The ticket includes early access to Super Nintendo for one hour prior to the scheduled park opening time. So if Universal Studios Hollywood opens at 8AM, your early access ticket for Super Nintendo World will be from 7AM-8AM.

The ticket also includes one-time express line access to the Studio Tour until 11AM. The price for a ticket is around $20-30 per person.

See more on Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices here.

• Discount Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller,  Get Away Today, offers the best Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

Can You Enter Universal Studios Hollywood Before it Opens?

Technically, all guests will get the opportunity to enter Universal Studios Hollywood before the park opens. Universal will typically start scanning tickets and allowing guests to enter the gates about 30 minutes prior to park opening.

You won't be able to access the attractions until the park officially opens but this does give you a head start at positioning yourself near the areas you want to explore first. You can see our full guide to Universal Hollywood parking to look ahead at the options that are available if you are driving there.

The only other method to entering Universal Studios Hollywood before park opening is to purchase a Super Nintendo World early access ticket.

There is no early entry associated with hotels since Universal Studios Hollywood is much smaller in size than Universal Orlando and does not have its own official hotels on site.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close?

Universal Studios Hollywood follows a similar pattern with closing hours like it does for opening hours. The busier the park day, the later the parks will remain open. The earliest that Universal Studios Hollywood will close is 6PM and the latest it will stay open is 10PM with the exception of Halloween Horror Nights which are a late night ticketed event.

Here is a breakdown of the typical Universal Studios Hollywood closing hours you can expect:

• 6PM, 7PM – slow times of the year, weekdays
• 8PM, 9PM – most times of the year, weekends
• 10PM – busiest times of the year, weekends

This pattern of longer Universal Studios Hollywood hours happens most often during these times of the year:

• the first week of January
• Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend, January
• Presidents Day weekend, February
• June through mid-August

These times of the year reflect some of the busiest times at Universal Studios Hollywood including the Halloween and Christmas season, summer, and spring break. You will also see holidays extended during three-day weekends (think Presidents Day, Memorial Day, etc.) as Universal Studios Hollywood will anticipate more crowds during those times of the year.

Can You Stay at Universal Studios Hollywood After Park Closing?

When Universal Studios Hollywood officially closes for the night, the stores will remain open for an additional hour for guests to do their shopping. So you technically can stay inside the park for up to an hour after the official closing time. This is pretty typical of most theme parks as they want guests to spend their time in the stores before leaving the parks for the night.

As for attractions, as long as you are in line for a ride before the park closes then you will be able to experience the attraction. For example, if Harry Potter Forbidden Journey has a wait of 60 minutes and the park closes at 10PM you will need to get in line before that time. Even if you hop in line at 9:59PM you will be able to ride! This is why it's a good strategy to save those longer lines right before the park closes so that time spent in line is when the park is closed for the day anyways.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close During the Off-Season?

Universal Studios Hollywood can close as early as 6PM for the off-season which is often considered weekdays in less busier months like January and February.

Even during peak times of the year, Universal Studios Hollywood will always close earlier on weekdays than on weekends. So if you want to enjoy the parks late into the night, visiting on a weekend is your best bet.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close for Special Events?

Universal Studios Hollywood may close early on nights that Halloween Horror Nights are being held. This is easily one of the most popular events in the area for Halloween and draws large crowds.

Halloween Horror Nights often officially starts at 7PM and on those nights Universal Studios will usually close at 5PM as the park begins to transform into Halloween Horror Nights. If you do not have a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights you will have to leave the parks as it closes for the event.

Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close for Rain?

Universal Studios Hollywood does not close for the rain except for in extreme circumstances. Theme parks often continue to run in all weather conditions with the rare exceptions of extreme weather.

Some outdoor rides may close during periods of rain and will often reopen once the rain passes. Luckily, the majority of the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood are indoor so this won't impact too many attractions.

When is Universal Studios Hollywood Early Entry?

The only Universal Studios Hollywood early entry offered is the ticket access for Super Nintendo World. This usually takes place one hour before the park officially opens and allows access to only Super Nintendo World.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Closed on Thanksgiving?

No, Universal Studios Hollywood is open year round including Thanksgiving. You can expect large crowds for Universal on holidays even ones like Thanksgiving. This is an ideal time to plan on purchasing Express Pass .

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Closed on Christmas? 

No, Universal Studios Hollywood is always open for Christmas and Christmas Eve! This is one of the busiest days of the entire year to be at Universal Studios Hollywood! This is a must to purchase Express Pass to avoid all the long lines.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Open on New Year's Eve?

Yes! This is often known as being the busiest day of the year at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood will usually stay open late with a large celebration taking place until midnight with DJs, food, and drinks. This is a popular event among locals and you can expect large crowds to come out to celebrate.

Universal Studios Hollywood Hours FAQ 2024

Universal Studios Hollywood is also a working tv studio along with a theme park so this may have something to do with it. Universal also knows what the demand is for the parks. On the days that Universal Studios Hollywood closes early, these days also often coordinate with the least busy days of the year. On peak travel days, Universal Studios Hollywood is often open later to best serve more crowds.

No, Universal doesn't always close at 6. During the summer and holiday months Universal Studios Hollywood will stay open as late as 9PM.

Sometimes Universal Studios Hollywood would include early entry passes as part of vacation packages but now they mainly offer early entry as part of the special Super Nintendo World ticket.

Plan Your Southern Californian Vacation!

Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our  free deals newsletter  to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:

• Universal Studios Hollywood Guide
• Universal Orlando Guide
• Universal Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights
• Universal Hollywood Christmas Guide

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Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Best Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary (2024)

Want to make the most of your Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary? We’ve got you covered with all of our favorite foods, attractions, shows, and more!

If you’re short on time to read this whole post, here’s how to do Universal Studios Hollywood in one day.

The 3 attractions you need to experience on your visit here are the Universal Studio Tour, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the new SUPER NINTENDO WORLD!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is located in the Lower Lot and has a brand new ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, shops, and themed dining at Toadstool Cafe.

Click Here To Purchase Your Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Ticket Now!

If you’re visiting while the weather is warm, another must visit attraction is the newly re-imagined Jurassic World, also in the Lower Lot.

There are also some iconic shows and other attractions based off of the most popular NBC/Universal movies and tv shows of all time.

Planning A Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources Below!

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The Best Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary

You’re probably wondering, can you do Universal Studios Hollywood in one day?

The answer is absolutely, yes!

Now that you’ve made it into the park, here’s how to spend a day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood is split into an upper and lower lot because it’s built into the mountainside, so it’s best to tackle one at a time rather than going back and forth between the two too many times.

Universal Studios Hollywood has better dining options than most theme parks, so depending on the kind of food that interests you, I’ve shared some of the best options below.

We are the proud owners of Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Passes and we’re excited to share the best Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary based off of all that we’ve been able to experience in the park.

Check out our one day itinerary on Youtube .

Universal Studios Hollywood Entrance

There are so many great photo ops before you even enter the park for your Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary, so plan some time before or after your visit to get some photos around the entrance!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

If you’re a 90’s baby like me, you grew up on Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64.

Now you can live it in real life with the brand new ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

But that’s not all.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is an entire land of interactive areas, themed shopping, and themed dining at ToadStool Cafe.

What to Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

There’s more rides (and shows) than these, but if you’re visiting for one day and it’s busy, these are the must-do’s that you have to fit into your schedule.

✔️ Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

This ride has become one of the must-do attractions since it opened a few years ago.

It is as immersive as it could possibly get and the way it moves around actually feels really good on my back after waiting in line!

This line can easily be one of the top 3 longest lines in the park, so try to do it very first or very last if you want to minimize your wait time.

✔️ Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

This is THE #1 attraction in the park.

If you do nothing else at all, you absolutely have to do the Studio Tour.

This takes you through the real NBC studio lot where they are almost always actively filming tv shows and movies.

When we were there most recently they were filming the Saved by the Bell re-boot on a couple of the soundstages.

Every time you go on this it will be a different experience.

Sometimes filming diverts the tour to different areas so you might skip it on one tour, but be able to go through it the next day.

They also added in a few different special effects and experiences that you’ll get to see on every tour.

This one can also have long lines, but it moves pretty quickly.

Again, try to do it early so you don’t have to wait as long.

The last tour leaves at least an hour before the park closes, so keep that in mind if you’re going later in the day.

✔️ Jurassic World

This is still essentially a brand new ride.

It opened mid 2019, so it was open a little over 6 months before Universal shut down for the pandemic.

They re-modeled the old Jurassic Park ride to be updated with the franchise, as well as updated with new technology.

Because of this, this line can be 3 hours long, especially on warmer days.

So be prepared for that!

The three rides I have just mentioned are generally the 3 most popular and can have the longest wait times, so plan your day around these.

✔️ Revenge of The Mummy

This is a Universal Studios classic.

It’s been around for awhile and has always stayed popular.

It can get long lines, but I haven’t seen it at 3 hours like the other ones.

I would say it’s the most thrilling ride in the park (since it’s an actual roller coaster).

The inside queue is pretty immersive and so is the ride experience itself.

✔️ The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

Speaking of immersive queues… this new ride is a completely immersive experience.

It gets long lines, but they offer a free reservation system to keep the wait times down.

We did this ride on a more recent visit since it was the only attraction in the park we hadn’t done yet and loved it.

We’ve never even seen the movie!

Check out the full ride-through of the Secret Life of Pets on Youtube !

✔️ Waterworld

Not a ride, but a show.

It’s not my favorite type of show, but it’s a big thing at Universal.

They do a lot of stunts and special effects.

All the actors in the show are active stunt men and women in the industry.

Let’s get into some more rides and shows here at Universal Studios Hollywood.

All of the above I would say are the top priorities to build your day around doing.

You should have more time to accomplish a few other attractions if you’re spending the entire day at the park.

So let’s cover some more rides!

These will be especially useful if you’re traveling with kids because most of these are kid friendly.

✔️ Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

This ride is essentially like a 4D show.

You get turned into a minion and then enter a theater that feels almost like a virtual roller coaster.

Usually outside you can do a meet and greet with one of the minions.

We’ve never brought kids to Universal, but we still do this ride occasionally.

✔️ Kung Fu Panda at the DreamWorks Theatre

We’ve never seen Kung Fu Panda, but the show is set up enough where you don’t need to know the movie to know what’s happening.

This is also a 4D theater where the seats move and you get sprayed with water.

We stop in here every once in awhile since you get to sit down in the air conditioning for awhile and it’s one of the first attractions when you enter the park.

✔️ Flight of the Hippogriff (Harry Potter)

This is the other ride in the Harry Potter area.

It’s a small roller coaster that is kid friendly, though I wouldn’t really classify it as a kiddie coaster.

I think there’s a distinct difference.

It’s right across from the Forbidden Journey and usually doesn’t have a long line.

✔️ Super Silly Fun Land

This is the kiddie water play area.

It’s massive and has a ton of different water play elements to it.

To a kid, it’s a full on water park.

It’s right by the Minion’s Cafe, so it’s a great place to stop and have a bite to eat and let the kids wear themselves out.

✔️ The Simpsons Ride

This is a pretty immersive show/ride, just like the others.

It feels like you’re in a roller coaster vehicle, but it’s really a simulation ride.

It takes you through the world of the Simpsons and usually has a pretty long line.

I think that’s just because the capacity of the ride really can’t hold as many people as a lot of the others.

✔️ Transformers: The Ride 3D (Lower Lot)

I’ve also never seen Transformers, but you don’t have to know the movies to enjoy the ride.

It has an immersive queue where you really feel like you’re going into a secret underground government facility.

This ride is most similar to Disney’s Ratatouille ride or Rise of the Resistance ride as far as the vehicle and ride track.

The difference is that this ride is in 3D, so the screens you go by throughout the ride are more prominent.

✔️ Dino Play

This is another kids play area and it is located in the Lower Lot next to Jurassic World.

So there’s this one in the Lower Lot and the Upper Lot has the water play area at Super Silly Fun Land.

Universal Studios Hollywood Escalators

These are unofficially their own attraction.

To get between the Lower Lot and the Upper Lot you take a series of escalators up or down the mountainside that Universal Studios Hollywood is built on.

About halfway down the escalators is a landing that overlooks several studios in the area.

There is a map that shows you everything you’re looking at out in the distance.

For example, you can see the Walt Disney Studios Lot!

It’s a really nice photo op, especially on a clear day.

What to Eat at Universal Studios Hollywood

We haven’t tried everything in the park yet, but these are some of the most popular options, as well as some of the more novelty theme park foods available for your Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary.

Of course you won’t be able to try everything in one day, but if your group is large enough and you just share a couple items at each place, you might make a pretty dent!

✅ Three Broomsticks (Harry Potter)

I think I’ve eaten here every time I’ve visited the park so far.

They have so many great options that you don’t usually find in theme parks.

On our most recent visit we had Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and a Chocolate Trifle for dessert.

There were 3 of us to share it all, so the portion sizes were perfect.

We also had Frozen Butterbeer with our meals, which is a must try at Universal.

Another great dessert option is the Sticky Toffee Pudding.

I highly recommend it.

Also, don’t order the Gilly Water.

It’s just bottled water with a themed named.

Get the free cup of water instead.

✅ Hogs Head (Harry Potter)

This bar is in the back of Three Broomsticks and it’s where you can get Butterbeer (and even spike it), among other drinks.

On this particular visit I just had a glass of wine because they were out of a handful of things.

✅ Minion Cafe (Near Silly Swirly Fun Ride Water Play Area)

I’ll admit that the theme of the restaurant is not what drew me in, but I’m sure kids will be begging to eat here.

This place surprisingly has one of the best menus I’ve seen in a theme park.

We tried the Meatball Parmesan Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac N Cheese, and Classic Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup.

Then we tried the Nutella Banana Pudding for dessert.

My acid reflux did not love this meal, but I did and that’s what matters!

I am looking forward to going back on my next visit.

✅ Krusty Burger (Springfield – Simpsons Area)

This Simpsons themed diner is exactly what you would expect from theme park food.

They have the typical menu of Burgers and Hot Dogs.

On this visit we just stopped in for the Sideshow Bob Footlong (which comes with a side of fries) and 3 of us shared it as a mid-afternoon snack.

The inside is nicely themed in different sections.

✅ Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta (Springfield – Simpsons Area)

We stopped in here just for a quick snack.

We shared the Fettuchini Alfredo plate among 3 people and it was the perfect size to hold us over until dinner.

Their pizza looks pretty good too, but we haven’t tried it yet!

✅ Cletus’ Chicken Shack (Springfield – Simpsons Area)

If you’re looking for something simple, the chicken thumbs (aka chicken strips) at Cletus’ Chicken Shack are really good.

They come with two sides, but I don’t recommend the corn on the cob.

It’s oddly thick and chewy and just gets stuck all in your mouth.

The fries are good though!

✅ Jurassic Cafe (Lower Lot Near Jurassic World)

Here we tried the Isla Chicken Sandwich and the Slow Roasted Mojo Pork.

Nowhere on the menu does the Chicken Sandwich say there is any cilantro, but when we got our sandwich it was covered in it.

✅ Isla Nu-Bar (Lower Lot Near Jurassic World)

This is a newer establishment that came along with the re-design of Jurassic Park into Jurassic World.

This place solely serves tropical drinks in various tiki mugs.

The drinks are also specifically rum based – but there is a ton of variety!

They have Mai Tai’s, Rum Runners, Pina Coladas, Painkillers, Bahama Mamas, Tropical Margaritas and more!

✅ Mulligan’s Pub (Upper Lot Near Minion’s Cafe)

Another great place if you’re just looking for drinks is Mulligan’s Pub.

It’s a small Irish Pub with a limited offering, but they have my favorite drink which is an Irish Coffee.

You can also get water here, which is great on those hot Summer days.

✅ Vivo Italian Kitchen (City Walk)

This one is outside the park, but still on property.

We all love pasta and could eat it every day, so we decided to have a late dinner here.

When we walked in it immediately reminded us of the inside of the Noodles restaurant at the Bellagio in Las Vegas that we LOVE to visit on every single Vegas trip.

The bread service was amazing.

We shared House Made Meatballs with Marinara as our appetizer and Chicken Saltimbocca as our entree.

This consisted of spaghetti, fresh sage, prosciutto, and sharp provolone.

We were way too full for dessert, but when we go back we’ll definitely try the Tiramisu.

✅ Dongpo Kitchen (CityWalk)

We started with the Meizhou Pork Buns and Sichuan Dumplings (also pork).

For our entree we had the Beef Dan Dan Noodles.

I loved this whole meal and 100% would go back again for all of it.

5 Tips For Making The Most Of Your Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary

When you only have one day to explore the park you may feel panicked and rushed to fit it all in.

But with these tips, you’ll feel way less stressed and you’ll get to see and do more than the average visitor.

1. Start Your Day With The SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Early Access Ticket

This ticket gives you 1 hour early admission into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD before the park officially opens.

Additionally, this ticket includes a one-time express access to the Studio Tour attraction that you can use up until 11 am.

You must have valid theme park admission to purchase this ticket which starts at $20.

This ticket uses tiered pricing, so depending on the day you visit, this ticket will either cost you $20 or $25 per person.

2. Wait To Use Your One-Time Express Access To The Studio Tour Until Closer To 11 AM.

Don’t immediately go from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to the Studio Tour because there will be no line at park opening and you’ve essentially wasted your express access.

Instead, do another popular ride on the lower lot after SUPER NINTENDO WORLD like Transformers or The Mummy.

If it’s already hot in the morning, which is rare, then that is also the perfect time to go on Jurassic World.

Once it’s after 10 am, then go use your express access to the Studio Tour.

3. Eat Lunch And Dinner During Non-Peak Hours

To save more time for experiencing shows and attractions, make sure you’re not eating your meals during lunch or dinner rushes.

You should have an early lunch right as restaurants are opening for lunch, or wait until after 2 pm.

Additionally, for dinner times, you want to eat before 5 pm or after 6:30 pm.

4. Pay Attention To Show Times

Shows only happen at certain times during the day, so if there’s a particular show you have to see, make sure to schedule that into your day ahead of time.

Many shows are only operating during normal day time of 9 am – 5 pm, so the middle part of your day may be filled with more shows than attractions.

But then you can spend the beginning hours and the ending hours of your day on the attractions.

5. Download The Universal Studios Hollywood App

This will help you find your way around by having a map on you at all times.

You can also check the hours at the various shops, restaurants, and shows.

Wait times are also listed on the app, including down times for attractions, so you won’t have to go all the way down the escalators to find out the ride you wanted to do is temporarily closed.

The person in your party with the longest lasting phone battery or uses their phone the least should be the app user, unless you have mobile chargers, then it won’t matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most frequently asked questions about Universal Studios Hollywood.

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Universal Studios Hollywood For One Day?

As of Spring 2024, ticket costs vary by day and season.

But a 1 day general admission ticket starts at $109 .

When you purchase a 1 day Universal Studios Hollywood ticket online, you have to choose the date you want to visit and that will determine your ticket price.

These prices are determined by anticipated crowds and availability of tickets.

Currently, there are 7 tiered prices: $109, $119, $129, $139, $144, $149, and $154 for adults.

The children’s tickets are usually about $6 less on any given day.

Children’s tickets are available for ages 3-9 years old.

If your child is younger than 3 years old they get in for free!

If you’re visiting in the Summer, expect the weekends to be $149 or $154 and week days to be at least $129.

By late August and into September, daily ticket prices will drop back down to the lower end with several $109 days available starting in September.

What If I Am A California Resident?

Usually, California residents get slightly discounted tickets for one day admission, making the most of your Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary.

As of January 2024, single day discounted admission is not currently being offered .

When it is available, you still have to go through the same process as above by choosing the exact date you want to visit, but you also have to show proof of residency to take advantage of this offer.

Like I said, this is a slight discount.

The prices are tiered just like regular tickets and they correspond to the same tiers as above, but the prices range from $104-$139 or so.

So when regular ticket prices are $109, they are $104 for California residents, and so on.

However, as a California Resident, you can get a 9 month “annual” pass called the California Neighbor Pass .

It’s $179 and when you purchase it you have to pick which day will be your first use date.

Then you can visit any time, except for blackout dates for the next 9 months.

What Is A Universal Express Ticket?

Universal Express is like a front of the line pass.

It allows you to use the express lane one time at each ride, attraction, and show.

With this pass, you can’t just keep doing the express lane at Jurassic World all day long.

You can do it once at each attraction.

This ticket add-on also has tiered pricing.

When you purchase it at the same time as your ticket, the one day admission with Universal Express ranges from $209 to $309 .

This is based off of expected crowds and availability of tickets as well.

The tiered pricing goes up in $10 increments on any given day.

Generally weekends will be more expensive and the Summer months will be more expensive.

Once you get to September, most days are the lower tiered pricing for a one day ticket.

Additionally, these ticket prices are the same for everyone 3 years of age and older.

There is no separate pricing for children ages 3-9.

If you’re a California resident, you can also get Universal Express with your one day admission.

It is again at a slight discount, usually $10 less on any given day than the regular Universal Express tickets.

With a Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary, you can almost guarantee you can see and do it all in one day with this pass.

How Do I Get To Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 .

For most GPS/Map systems, you should just be able to search Universal Studios Hollywood and it’ll send you right to the parking structure to start your Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary.

It is located right off of the 101 Freeway, so you can take that whether you’re coming from the North or the South.

If you’re taking public transportation, you can take the Metro to the corner of Lankershim and Universal Hollywood Drive.

You’ll take the Universal City Red Line to get here.

Then take the pedestrian bridge to the park.

I highly recommend using the Metro Trip Planner to get exact routes and times.

For more info about getting to Universal Studios Hollywood, check out these blog posts:

• How Far Is It From Disneyland To Universal Studios Hollywood?
• How Far Is It From LAX To Universal Studios Hollywood?
• What Is The Closest Airport To Universal Studios Hollywood?

How Do I Park At Universal Studios Hollywood?

If you’re going just for one day, the current parking rates as of Spring 2024 are as follows:

General Parking Before 5 PM – $32 per vehicle

General Parking After 5 PM – $10 per vehicle

Preferred Parking Before 5 PM – $50 per vehicle

Preferred Parking After 5 PM – $20 per vehicle

Front Gate Parking – $70 per vehicle

Some annual passes include parking with admission, like the Gold pass and above.

With these passes, general parking is included but you can also pay a surcharge to upgrade to preferred parking or front gate parking when available.

Generally with these passes the parking is only included if you visit before 5 PM.

After 5 PM you’ll have to pay the $10 for general parking or whichever parking you want to get.

Valet Parking

If you really want to splurge on your Universal Studios Hollywood one day itinerary, valet parking is also available for $25 for the first 2 hours and $50 after 2 hours.

You can also get parking validation from City Walk’s full service restaurants to reduce the cost of valet parking.

With validation, the first 2 1/2 hours will only be $10.

If you park for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, parking will be $15.

Anything longer than 3 1/2 hours will still be $50.

How To Get $5 Parking

When you purchase general parking and a movie ticket from Universal Cinema, you can get parking for $5.

Just present your general parking receipt when you get to the movie theater and they’ll reduce your parking to just $5.

It’s that easy!

What If I Have An Electric Vehicle?

You’re in luck! Universal Studios Hollywood offers several areas for electric vehicle charging stations.

Rates are currently $0.40/kWh as of Spring 2024, but could change at any time.

Here are the locations of the electric vehicle charging stations:

Frankenstein Garage: 4 ports (Level 2 and Level 7)

Jurassic Parking Garage: 8 ports (Level 1 and B1M)

ET Garage: 16 ports (Level B1)

Woody Woodpecker Lot: 1 port (near Front Gate Parking)

Curious George Garage: 2 ports (Level 1)

If you’re unsure, just ask the parking attendant and they can help direct you!

Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Passes

Annual Passes are ridiculously cheap!

If you’re going to visit for more than 2 days in an entire year, it is cheaper to buy an Annual Pass than to buy single day or multi day tickets.

Universal Studios Hollywood Silver Pass

I personally have used the Silver Pass in the past.

There are a handful of weekend blackouts and Christmas blackouts, plus a couple other peak weeks in the Summer and for Spring Break.

But it’s really not too restrictive for most people as you get over 275 available days .

The Silver Pass is now $224 .

Universal Studios Hollywood Gold Pass

JP has used the Gold Pass in the past because it includes PARKING!

Only one of us will ever be driving, so it wouldn’t make sense for us both to have the Gold Pass.

The Gold Pass also has a 15% discount on food, drinks, and merchandise.

We’ve found that the 15% in savings usually pays for the drink or a dessert each time we get a meal.

This pass also has 325 available days to use the pass.

The Gold Pass is now $309 , so only $85 more than the Silver Pass.

Universal Studios Hollywood Platinum Pass

Since we bought our tickets, Universal decided to release a Platinum Pass as well, which is now $579 or $270 more than the Gold Pass.

The added value of the Platinum Pass is that you get 1 free Halloween Horror Nights ticket (all passes at least get a discounted ticket), and 1 Universal Express access after 3 pm each day you visit (essentially 1 free front of the line pass for any attraction or show each time you visit).

For some I can definitely see that being worth $200 more over the course of the entire year, but I don’t think we’ll be upgrading just yet.

I think the Silver and Gold Passes are just what we need.

With the new Nintendo World opening, Annual Pass prices were just updated, so I don’t expect many changes any time soon, but you never know!

Where to Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a much smaller property overall than the Orlando location, so there is not an official hotel district.

However, there are a couple hotels that are in the perfect location just outside the front gate.

✅ Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

This Hilton property is the perfect vacation stay.

There are even rooms with views directly overlooking Universal Studios Hollywood.

Click Here To Book Your Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Stay Now!

✅ Sheraton Universal Hotel

We personally try to prioritize brand loyalty, when choosing hotels, so if you’re not a Hilton Honors member, consider this Sheraton!

It’s only a 2 minute walk from Universal Studios Hollywood.

Click Here To Book Your Sheraton Universal Hotel Stay Now!

More Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles

Interested in visiting other iconic theme parks in Southern California?

Check out our Knott’s Berry Farm One Day Itinerary , located less than an hour away in Buena Park.

Other popular activities around LA include Secret Spots In Los Angeles , Winery Day Trips , Hikes , and activities in South Bay .

You can also explore popular restaurants in Los Angeles including the Best Romantic Restaurants , Best Birthday Restaurants , and Best Rooftop Restaurants .

If you’re visiting in the Fall, check out all the Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles In September and October .

Our favorite yearly activities include Nights of the Jack , Carved at Descanso Gardens , LIGHTS OUT at Pomona Fairplex , and Oktoberfest at Pomona Fairplex .

Since the pandemic there are a few events that haven’t yet returned like Malibu Wine Safari and Pumpkin Nights , but there’s still plenty to do.

Lastly, if you’re visiting in the Winter, we highly recommend the LA Zoo Holiday Lights .

There are some Winter favorites that haven’t returned since the pandemic either like Malibu Lights: Winter Nights and Snow Day LA at Elysian Park , but again, there’s still plenty to do that time of year.

Just be sure to check the forecast for Snow In Los Angeles because we actually had some recently!

Conclusion: Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary

Can Universal Studios Hollywood be done in one day? It’s possible!

If everything is open, if showtimes are spread out enough, and you’re going for the entire day, it’s totally doable, even without the Express Lane passes.

Though if you’re visiting in the Summer or on holiday weekends, I would recommend the Express Lane if it’s important to be able to do everything in one day.

The best times to visit where it won’t be so crowded or expensive are now easier than ever to spot!

When you go to look at one day admission tickets online and the price is in one of the 2 lowest tiers, that means they are not expecting as many people to visit those days.

Generally these are going to be week days, excluding Summer and holidays.

Pin This For Later – Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary

Eva is the founder and writer behind Discovering Hidden Gems. She spent a decade working in and studying the hospitality and tourism industry with experience in theme parks, hotels, guided vacation sales, and special events. In addition to sharing her expertise about traveling in the US, she offers mini courses on saving money on travel and traveling more for less.

Privacy Overview

Universal Studios Hollywood is calling on the Ghostbusters this Halloween season

by: Iman Palm

Posted: Jun 27, 2024 / 10:44 AM PDT

Updated: Jun 27, 2024 / 10:46 AM PDT

Universal Studios Hollywood is “gonna call” the Ghostbusters this Halloween season as ghosts and creatures from the iconic film franchise haunt guests at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

The new haunted house, debuting at Universal Studios Hollywood on Sept. 5, will be based on the latest film “ Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. ”

Fans will be transported to New York City, where the Spengler family teams up with the original Ghostbusters. After discovering an old relic that has set free the vengeful spirit of Garraka, the Ghostbusters will combine forces to battle their common foe.

“As guests venture through the haunted houses, they will find themselves in the sinister world of the supernatural, from Ray’s Occult Books shop to the Ghostbuster’s new high-tech lab and containment facility to the dank New York City sewer system,” a news release said.

“Fans will embark on this petrifying journey alongside the Ghostbusters, encountering iconic ghosts who slime and nefarious villains who are out for revenge – all while trying to escape an army of ghastly creatures bent on cracking bones and turning their veins into rivers of ice.”

Like the movies, the new haunted house will be a blend of horror and humor.

The Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire haunted house is the second maze based on a popular Hollywood film franchise to join Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights lineup.

Earlier this month, Universal announced that a new haunted house based on Paramount Pictures’ “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place 2” will be coming to HHN this fall.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood will run on select nights from Sept. 5 to Nov. 3. Guests will encounter eight new haunted houses, sinister scare zones, and the iconic Terror Tram.

All ticketing options, including the premium R.I.P Tour and Frequent Fear and Ultimate Fear passes, are available for purchase on the theme park website . Prices range from $77 for general admission and up to $389 for premium tickets.

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” haunted house will also be available at Universal Studios Orlando for its HHN season, which begins on Aug. 30.

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23 First Timer Tips for Universal Studios Hollywood (2024 Complete Planning Guide)

Going to Universal Studios Hollywood is such a fun thing to do , whether you have one day, three days, or more at this theme park.

However, if you are going, you want to make sure that you have the best time possible and get to do everything you want to do.

If you are new to theme parks, or just new to this park, you don’t want to miss out on some awesome opportunities.

Through this article, you will find all the tips and tricks you need to know to get the most out of your day or days in Universal Studios Hollywood .

Ready? Let’s go!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

What to Expect at Universal Studios Hollywood

Before we get into the tips, let’s go over a few of the most common questions.

What time does Universal Studios Hollywood open?

Universal Studios Florida is  open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  in the regular season.

Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The  cost of admission starts at $109 , but I like discounts so I use  Groupon.com  to find cheap Universal Studios tickets that sometimes include Express Passes to skip the lines.

Get up to 21% off of your Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets with Groupon TODAY!

What should I do first at Universal Studios Hollywood?

One of the best Universal Studios tips that I can give you is to start in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first.

This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the three attractions ( Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and the Ollivanders wand experience ) extremely long.

How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days

How much does it cost to park at Universal Studios Hollywood?

If you’re wondering how much is parking at   Universal Studios Hollywood ,  general parking is the cheapest option at Universal Studios Hollywood but also means that these garages are further from the park entrance.

General Parking Cost at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Before 5 p.m.:  $32
• After 5 p.m.:  $10

How far is general parking at Universal Studios Hollywood?:

• General Parking is a 5 to 10 minute walk depending on the garage you park at

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

New Safety Measures in Place at Universal Studios Hollywood

• Face coverings are strongly recommended for all guests indoors
• Proof of vaccinations is NOT required
• Universal Studios Hollywood will remain focused on maintaining the highest cleanliness and sanitization standards

You can read Universal’s full policy here.

23 Easy Tips to Do Universal Studios Hollywood Like a Pro!

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s go through the best tips for you upcoming trip.

1. Buy Tickets in Advance

While it is always an option to show up the theme park day of and buy admissions right there, this is not your best bet for a couple of reasons.

First of all, you will end up spending more money on your actual ticket price.

Purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood ticket online you will allow you to find the top-notch deals to help you get your tickets at the best price possible.

If you wait to buy your ticket at the park gates , then it is very rare that you will not pay full price.

This is one of the Universal Studios Hollywood tips you’ll want completed before your trip.

Secondly, you will waste time. If you buy your tickets at the park, you are just giving yourself one more line to stand in instead of trying the food, watching shows, and riding rides.

Watch: My Full First Time Visit to Universal Studios Hollywood HERE!

2. Pick the Perfect Day(s) to Go

Just like any other amusement park, there are days when Universal Hollywood Studios is almost guaranteed to be completely packed with people.

There are a few different sites you can use to check out which days are the best.

Of course, it is understandable that there are times when you and your group can only go on certain days.

As a general rule, some of the busiest times are the first week of the year, MLK Jr Day, Spring break, 4th of July, pretty much all of the summer, and the week of Christmas.

Hipster Power Tip: If you want to see special holiday attractions, you can still see them, but maybe avoid going the week of the actual holiday.

3. The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Get to the park early (at least thirty minutes) and make sure you include time to park.

The earlier you get to the park, the closer to the front of the admissions line you will be and the quicker you will get in to start your day, ahead of the crowds.

Take advantage of the first couple hours after the park opens to ride some of the busier attractions.

Like I hinted before, this does not include parking, and you should save yourself additional time to find a parking spot and get to the entrance of the park.

Top 5 BEST Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood (For ALL Budgets)

4. Universal Express Passes

Getting a Universal Express Pass can save you lots of time and allow you to make the most out of your day.

It’s kind of like Disney’s Genie+ system. The regular Universal Express Pass lets you bypass the lines once for every attraction that participates.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

5. Bring What You Can

You cannot take anything you want into the park (obviously), but you should take advantage of what you can take in.

You are allowed to take in 2 liters or fewer water bottles, baby food (which sometimes can equate to grown people food), small snacks, and fruits and veggies (a staple when most of what you buy in the park is junk food.)

Taking in these items can help you save money and time because you do not have to buy as much food and can snack while you are waiting in line: multitasking!

What can I bring to Universal Studios Hollywood?

Acceptable items:  

• Bottled water (maximum 2 liters) 
• Small snacks 
• Any food required for special dietary needs 
• Food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements 
• Baby food/baby formula 
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

Prohibited items: 

• Glass containers
• Open containers
• Large coolers of food
• Hard-sided coolers Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
• Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels

What to Wear to Universal Studios Hollywood? Fun Outfit Ideas for You!

6. Single Riders Can Save Time

Sometimes part of the fun is riding a ride with the people you came with, but if you do not mind splitting up, some of the rides offer a Single Rider Line which is perfect for us solo travelers.

They will take people from this line for the one or two seats leftover that bigger groups do not want to take.

Often, the Single Rider Line goes pretty fast, so it can allow you to get in and out faster.

Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Jurassic World – The Ride
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
• Transformers: The Ride 3D
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Please Note: Single Rider Line options change frequently and may not be available during your visit.

7. Eat at Weird Times

If you are eating your meals in the park (whether it is all three or just one), consider eating at weird times. This can save you time in a couple of ways.

When you eat at a weird time, you will not have to stand in as long of lines to get your food.

Sometimes lunch rush lines at the most popular spots can be just as bad as the ride lines.

Additionally, you will get to spend the normal meal times riding rides, and the lines will be shorter.

Think about it, while everyone is getting food, they won’t be in line. You’ll thank me later for this Universal Studios Hollywood tip.

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8. Book The VIP Experience

If you really want to get the most out of your experience and have the money for it, consider buying the VIP experience.

You will get a personal tour guide to take you around the park (including areas that other people do not get to see), and they will take you to the front of lines and front seats at shows.

It’s one of THE best things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood! Trust me, it’s that good 🙂

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9. Take a Break and Get More Done

People who want to do a theme park in a day , or who just want to make the most out of a single day, usually want to get to the park before it opens and stay until it closes.

This is a great strategy, but believe it or not, you may want to consider taking a break in the middle of the day.

If you’re staying at a hotel nearby , return in the middle of the day when it is hottest and most grounded for a nap or just a short break period.

This will allow you to avoid the crowds and become refreshed again to get more done in the evening.

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10. Get the App, Use the App

Universal Hollywood Studios has an app that you can download and use all over their park (with their free Wi-Fi. )

With this app , you can do lots of different things.

A few of the most helpful is the ability to make plan out your own itinerary , stay up-to-date with the latest wait times, access to the park map and so much more.

No more carrying around pesky paper maps that take up space and get lost way too easily.

Get your Discounted Universal Studios Hollywood tickets TODAY!

11. If You Are Taking the Kids

If you are taking the kids, take advantage of the Child Switch Program that the park offers.

This program allows one parent or group of adults to wait with a child that is too short or cannot ride a ride for some other reason.

The other adults can then switch out and not have to wait in line again.

Of course, there are plenty of things you can do with your little ones, but sometimes there are rides you want to ride even if your kids can’t.

Hipster Power Tip: Don’t forget to check out the NEW Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash ride using the Virtual Line™   experience.

12. Complete Sections at a Time

There are two main sections of Universal Studios Hollywood, the Upper and Lower Lots.

It is best to do one lot at a time, in entirety, as the escalator ride from one to the other is about 7 to 10 minutes long.

It is generally recommended that you start with the lower lot before it gets too busy, but the main goal is to complete one before starting the other.

This is one of the TOP Universal Studios Hollywood tips you should do.

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13. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Creative has done a spectacular job of bringing the novels of J.K. Rowling to life.

As you approach the “Please Respect the Spells Limits” Hogsmeade sign, you’ll feel like you have officially made it home.

You do not want to miss out on all the amazing fun that is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this is one of the busiest parts of the park.

So, it is a good idea to do the rides in this section in the morning before it gets too busy.

Additionally, do not forget some of the other magical attractions like getting a wand or trying some butter bear (yes, your kids can have it too.)

You will be sure to have a mystical time!

What the best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade itinerary?

• Jump on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Stop by Ollivanders for your wand
• Ride Flight of the Hippogriff
• Enjoy breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
• Have a Butterbeer
• Explore the shops inside Hogsmeade Village
• Enjoy the Hogsmeade entertainment
• Come back later to watch the nighttime show over the castle

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14. More People, More Fun, Less Money

A solo trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is what we’re all about here on ThemeParkHipster, but going to Universal Hollywood Studios with all your friends or family can be so much fun.

It can actually save you money.

The park offers discounts for big parties (of ten or more people), and it is worth a call to the park if you are planning to buy that many people.

Take more people, have more fun, and actually spend less money (in comparison).

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15. Go on the World-Famous Studio Tour

Sometimes people skip out on the Studio Tour because it is time-consuming and may not sound that exciting, but you must do it!

Especially, on your first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The whole tour is packed with movie magic that will leave quite happy.

Plus, it’s a nice break to rest your feet just in case you don’t have hotel to go back to in the middle of the day to take your break since it lasts for about 60-minutes.

What to expect on the Studio Tour?

On this real Hollywood set, you’ll get to visit 13 city blocks on four acres of historic studio lot.

You’ll also get to come face-to-face with Norman Bates himself, the destruction left behind from War of the Worlds, the shark-inspired film set of Jaws, the monstrous King Kong, and more!

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16. Take a Snapshot of Where You Parked

This next tip is known by most theme park regulars but is very important , especially if you do not have a photographic memory. When you park, take a picture of the section sign.

It will help you can get back to your car after a long day of adventure and fun.

Plus, it’s not fun at all when you are leaving a theme park exhausted from a day of fun only to spend hours wandering around the parking lot looking for your car.

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips you must do!

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17. Save Shopping at the End of Your Visit

If you are getting souvenirs, buy them at the end of your trip.

This way, you do not have to carry them around with you and can save time by entering the shops as they empty out at the end of the day.

As you make your way back to the park entrance, stop into your favorite shops and buy all the things you’ve had your eyes on throughout the day.

This is one of the top Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

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18. Share Food to Try More

There is so much food to try at Universal Studios , and you will probably want to try it all.

So, get one or two of each thing (depending on how big your party is) on the menu, and all try it.

This way, you can try all the specialty foods you want.

Even if you could eat that entire donut from Springfield , you may not want to because then you cannot try all the other delicious foods.

Plus, it’s like you’re creating your own foodie tour around the park.

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19. Get Photos not Signatures

At Universal Hollywood Studios, the characters rarely sign autographs; they just take pictures. While this is a bummer, I think that photos are the better souvenirs.

Just remember to print them out from your phone once you get home.

Get Your FREE Universal Studios Hollywood Video Planning Guide TODAY!

20. Know How to Conquer Universal Studios Hollywood in One-Day

You may be asking if it is possible to do it in a day, and yes, it is, to an extent.

While you may not get to try all the foods, see all the shows, and ride all the rides, it is possible to experience the majority of Universal Studios in a day.

If you are trying to accomplish this, though, you want to follow most of the tips above and map out a plan of attack beforehand.

Remember to prioritize and do things by location!

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary for One-Day

• Arrive Early
• Enjoy the Attractions of the Lower Lot
• Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Go Back Up to the Upper Lot and Do the Attractions
• Have Lunch in Springfield
• Do the Studio Tour
• Watch the Shows
• Meet Characters
• Re-do Your Favorite Rides
• Do Some Shopping
• Have Dinner in CityWalk

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21. Experience the Must-Do Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has some of the top theme park attractions in the country. So, be sure to put these experiences on your must-do list!

Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Hollywood

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Upper Level)
• Jurassic World — The Ride: Must be 42″ (107 cm) tall. Children 42-48″ (107-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
• Revenge of the Mummy ℠ — The Ride: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Lower Level)
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash: Must be 34″ (102 cm) tall. Children 34-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Must be 40” (102 cm)
• The Simpsons Ride: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
• The World-Famous Studio Tour (Upper Lot)
• TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
• WaterWorld (Upper Level)

22. Go Solo!

Now you know that I had to drop this tip in just for you.

If you have never thought about going to a theme park alone , then Universal Studios Hollywood should be one of the parks you consider making that solo trek.

Why go solo?

Going solo allows you to do Universal your way! This is the MAIN PERK of going to Universal Studios alone.

Plus, you can take advantage of the Single Rider Line , making it one of my favorite Universal Studios Hollywood tips!

Read: 5 Amazing Benefits of Going to Theme Parks Alone (Solo Travel for Women)

23. Have Fun!

Your Universal Hollywood trip will be what you make it, so please try to enjoy yourself. Sometimes the unexpected or annoying points of your vacation make for the best stories.

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

Let’s Wrap this Up!

Now you are armed with all the tips and tricks you need to conquer Universal Hollywood Studios and have an amazing day or days.

Make sure to have fun with all the experiences you can have!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days

(Original Article Date: April 16, 2020/Updated on March 4, 2024)

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Universal Studios Hollywood Opening Hours

The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park typically opens from 9 am until 7 pm. 

Seasonal changes in Hollywood Universal Studios opening hours sometimes lead to longer hours during the summer and some winter holidays.

During peak times or weekends, it may open earlier at 8 am and slow seasons may see later openings around 10 am. 

Universal Studios Hollywood’s closing hours mirror its opening hours, with busier days leading to later closures. 

Closing times typically range from 6 pm to 10 pm. 

Expect earlier closures during slower times, extending to 10 pm during peak periods like holidays, summer, and spring break.

Special events like Halloween Horror Nights may run even later. 

Likewise, major holidays and three-day weekends offer extended hours to hold higher attendance.

After Universal Studios Hollywood closes, stores stay open for an extra hour for shopping. 

You can stay inside the park for shopping and if you’re in line for a ride before closing, you can still experience it, even if the park closes.

For a Hollywood-themed summer vacation, buy Universal Studios Hollywood tickets .

Universal Studios Hollywood Summer Hours

Universal Studios Hollywood hours during the summer are usually from 9 am until 10 pm on weekdays.

Since summer is the busiest tourist season, Universal Studios Hollywood extends its hours to accommodate as many visitors as possible.

Universal Studios Hollywood Back-to-school Season

Around the back-to-school season of August, Universal Studios Hollywood reduces its weekday hours. 

Many children return to school, and there aren’t as many tourists or residents in the area on weekdays.

On weeknights, Universal Studios Hollywood’s opening hours are 10 am to 7 pm; on weekends, they are 9 am to 10 pm.

Universal Studios Hollywood Fall Hours

The park is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm on fall weekdays, though there are some exceptions for school vacations. 

The typical weekend Universal Studios California hours extend from 9 am to 7 pm.

Additionally, these extra hours often apply to weekdays during Thanksgiving week.

Halloween Horror Nights, which require a separate ticket, are often held on Thursdays through Sundays in the fall. They typically start at 7 pm and continue until 2 am.

Universal Studios Hollywood Winter Holidays

Universal Studios Hollywood hosts several events that are well-liked by visitors and residents every Christmas season.

Watch for Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as the park is often open until quite late.

The park hosts a unique New Year’s Eve event that is open past midnight.

Universal Studios Hollywood Spring hours

The daylight hours increase with spring; therefore, the park is open from 10 am to 6 pm or 7 pm. 

The park may open on weekends at 9 am and close at 7 pm or 8 pm.

Even on weekdays, the park’s hours typically extend from 9 am to 9 pm during local spring break weeks.

A High flood risk may entirely cause Universal Studios Hollywood to shut down during the rainy season.

How to Visit Before Opening Hours?

You can enter Universal Studios Hollywood about 30 minutes before the official opening for procedures like scanning tickets. 

Although attractions remain closed, it allows you to choose your preferred areas.

There is no early entry for hotel guests at Universal Studios Hollywood, but Super Nintendo World’s attractions attract significant crowds with immersive gaming experiences.

An option to get entry to the park before opening hours is purchasing an early access ticket to Super Nintendo World. 

Early access tickets, available separately, grant entry one hour before the park opens, along with one-time express line access to the Studio Tour until 11 am, priced at $20-30 per person.

Best Time to Visit 

The best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in September, May, August, and February.

Additionally, we’d suggest you get here on weekdays, school days, and the off-season (mostly winter), especially if you want to avoid crowds.

If you want to beat the waiting queues and grab a prime spot on the busiest rides, arrive at the park 15 minutes before Universal Studios Hollywood opens. 

Do you plan to drive to the park? 

Then, arrive at least 30 minutes early to find a parking space and reach its entrance in time.

Although Universal Studios Hollywood has no reservation system, tickets are sold based on a specific date, limiting the number of visitors each day.

So, buying your tickets in advance is more crucial than ever to avoid settling for a date already sold out.

Arriving at Universal Studios Hollywood 15 minutes before the park opens is essential to beat the wait and secure a prime spot on the busiest rides.

How locals influence the best time to visit

Some Los Angeles locals also hold the Universal Studios Hollywood tickets annual pass and frequently visit Universal Studios Hollywood, making it one of the busiest tourist locations.

However, visitors who hold an annual pass aren’t allowed during the peak seasons – mainly Summer, Spring breaks, and the Holidays.

It’s better to plan your day around the show times because the rides are open all day, but the shows are not.

You can also find signs around the park with the official show timings and waiting periods.

Download the Universal Mobile App (Android) and the iOS app for convenience.

How long does it take to tour Universal Studios Hollywood?

Are you planning to cover everything on your Universal Studios Hollywood tour? 

Then, it’s best to arrive early and stay all day to have a fun-filled tour of Universal Studios Hollywood.

It would help if you timed yourself effectively, and you can even spend up to eight hours there when visiting Universal Studios.

Get the Universal Express ticket if you have little time on your hands so you can avoid the line on all the rides and finish early.

There are two parts to Universal Studios. 

The Lower Lot has adventure rides, while the larger Upper Lot is home to popular attractions like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , Springfield Hollywood, and more. 

Avoid switching between these two lots. 

Here’s how you should plan your tour—Finish one lot, then move on to the second one. 

Touring this way will help you save time and also cover everything.

The Lower Lot has smaller queues early on; therefore, it is preferable to reach there first. 

By late afternoon, the Lower Lot is at its busiest.

Tip: The 60-minute Studio Tour Universal Studios Hollywood takes you through real production movies and TV show sites.  Because the wait time for the journey varies depending on the day and season, board the tram during off-peak hours (late morning, afternoon, or early evening).

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