If you think about theme parks in Los Angeles, Disney and Six Flags probably come to mind first. However, Universal Studios Hollywood is probably the most worthy of a visit. It has real movie-making attractions and great shows. The rides are also based on top movie franchises. The only downside is patience, as some rides can reach a 30-minute wait time. Plus, tickets keep getting more and more expensive.
However, if you’ve never been to this park before, I really hope this guide helps you make the most out of your time.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Phone: (800) 864-8377
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Sunday and Monday: 09:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Parking Information
Parking is usually not a problem. However, The theme park could be a problem when it comes to your availability to park.
You could pay anywhere from $10 to $40 based on your parking location to the theme park. If you show up after 5:00 PM, you could pay more.
There are also other parking options like Preferred Parking and then Front Gate Parking (which is much closer to the park entrance).
Electric and Recreational vehicles will pay extra.
Tickets
There are many ticket categories, and the options can be confusing. Children 2 and under enter free.
One-Day Ticket, with date: $100; $94 for kids 3-9
Two-Day Ticket, with date: $119; $113 for kids 3-9
One-Day Ticket, no date: $115; $109 for kids 3-9
Front of Line: $199
VIP: $379. This includes a one-day ticket (w/ choice of date & time), valet parking, brunch in VIP lounge, a private guide, and early access.
Notes:
Prices vary by date selection. Later dates may cost less; see official date-by-date price calendar:
Season Pass = $119 (valid for 174 days in one year from 1st use)
Gold Annual Pass = $289 (valid for 337 days in one year)
Platinum Annual Pass = $589 (includes Black Friday admission, no wait for Studio Tour, and purchase discounts)
Tips:
Some holidays may block your package tickets, but you can pay the difference at the Customer Service Center to enter.
Discounted theme-park tickets are available on many sites including smartdestinations and undercovertourist. Some school media centers also sell tickets to students at a lower price.
⚠ Park Essentials
1. Keep discount ticket prints or confirmation handy for scanning at the entrance.
2. Arrive early to avoid the heavier afternoon crowds and longer wait times for attractions. If time is limited, you want to experience more, buy a two-day ticket or consider Front of Line.
3. Fingerprints and security checks are required for all guests at entrance.
4. Designated areas are set for smoking. Contact a member of your party for their location.
5. Rentals are available for wheelchairs and strollers. While you are on the rides, leave these items at the entrance of each attraction.
Prices for rentals:
Single stroller: $15
Double stroller: $25
Wheelchair: $15
Electric scooter (ECV): $50
A $25 deposit is required for the rental, which will be returned when the rental is returned.
6. The Studio Tour also provides services in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, in addition to English. Please refer to the schedule for exact departure times.
7. Only unopened water bottles, baby food, and fruits and vegetables may be brought into the park.
8. Food: Dining options in the Upper Lot are superior to those in the Lower Lot, as there is a greater selection. You may choose one item or one of the combo meals. The prices, as anticipated at a major attraction, are more expensive than those outside the park.
Now that you understand the essentials, you may enter. You will find a map and a schedule of shows and theaters. The maps are in English, Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages; both traditional and simplified characters are available for the Chinese versions.
Upon entering, you will easily see the stores on both sides. For now, ignore them and go straight to the main attractions.
Inside the park, you can find the following...\nThe schedule for upcoming attractions and a map are posted inside the park.
What is the best way to visit Universal Studios Hollywood? The best way is to not follow the map in a circle. The best way is to ride the most important attractions in order during the times when the lines are shortest, and to take your time to enjoy everything else afterward.
Studio Tour
The Studio Tour is the center attraction of the park. The backstage secrets of Hollywood film production are unveiled on this tour that features comedian Jimmy Fallon and show host Jimmy Fallon describing the filming locations of significant movies. The tram tour is 45 minutes long and departs on the hour. The trams are available in Mandarin on the 15th and 45th minutes (**#12). Some of the tour's highlights include Peter Jackson's King Kong 360 3-D, an exhilarating 3-D experience, as well as the classic filming sites. You can view prop vehicles from Fast & Furious and other production elements. From the War of the Worlds movie, there is a crash site of a Boeing 747 that simulates an air disaster. See Norman Bates at the famous Bates Motel from Psycho. You will need to be brave to embark on a quest to Jaws. During the earthquake sequence, take center stage as the subway train you are on is derailed and water floods the cabin. WaterWorld is a live stunt show featuring water that is well produced and combines high risk stunts with great pyrotechnics from the park. Although it is not subtle, it must be seen because it is extremely loud, well choreographed, and explosively timed. The performers can be mischievous, and blue seats indicate the splash zone. If you don't want to be drenched, sit several rows back. It is located in the Upper Lot. Special Effects Show Did you think the blood actors spit out in movies is real?
That actors actually lose limbs, perish in flames, or film every scene on location? Well, not quite. This show explains the world of Hollywood stunts, practical effects, and filmmaking technology. While battle scenes, scary moments, outer space gravity scenes, and live-action animation might look realistic, it is all made possible by special effects and post-production.Battle scenes, scary moments, outer space gravity scenes, and live-action animation might look realistic, it is all made possible by special effects and post-production. Universal’s Animal Actors These animals might be more trained than their human co-stars. They are smart, funny and cute, and they get a lot of applause. The host encourages the audience to interact, so this is fun for people of all ages. If you want to sit near the front, get there early. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter This is the first year that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has opened. To get to experience the magic and excitement, feel free to visit Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. You may also want to try the butterbeer. The Walking Dead Attraction Of all the times that I have gone to Universal Studios, the haunted houses were the only thing that I had not done. This changed when I went to The Walking Dead attraction. It is based on The Walking Dead series, which is produced by AMC. In The Walking Dead series, there is a fictional world that has ended and is now filled with zombies instead of people. While going through the attraction, you have to fight for your life in a world full of zombies. There’s no escaping it. You will have to follow the plight of the human survivors as you fight your way through terrifying scenes. Transformers: The Ride 3D You will be given the privilege of participating in a unique mission where you will ascend and descend through the clouds to be part of a life-threatening battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime. When you ride, you will be face to face with enormous Transformers and will find yourself in the center of a battle between Megatron, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and EVAC. Keep your eyes open and try to catch all the action, especially since Optimus Prime is there to defend you. Because of the advanced flight simulator technology paired with 3D movie projection, this ride has earned its reputation. Location: Lower Lot Height Requirement: Guests must be at least 40 inches (102 cm). Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 to 122 cm) must ride with an adult. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem “Ba-ba-ba, Ba-banana. Ba-ba-ba, Ba-banana.” The Minions are here, and with them, bananas, in one of the new themed areas at Universal Studios. The main attraction is the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 3D motion simulator ride. The Minion themed Silly Swirly Fun Ride takes guests on a flying and spinning ride with 360-degree views of Super Silly Fun Land. Location: Upper Lot Height Requirement: Children under 48 inches (122 cm) must ride with a companion age 14 or older. The Simpsons Ride The Simpsons are as charming as the Minions. This attraction is one that will never grow old. LA Times Travel even described it as a “Visually stunning experience… It’s high-octane eye candy for the wired.” It is not a typical roller coaster. Instead, there is an 80-foot (24-meter) domed digital projection screen that gives the impression of being on one. Guests board the different groups into a pre-show room where they warm up for the ride by enjoying some hilarious Simpsons art.
Even though the ride has a cartoonish theme, the coaster experience is beyond thrilling.
Location: Upper Lot
Height requirement:
Guests must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) to ride. Kids who are 40 to 48 inches (102–122 cm) must have a 14 year or older supervising companion to ride.
Jurassic Park: The Ride
Our day at the theme park is guaranteed to get wet as we raft on this thrilling adventure that will definitely leave you soaked.
The ride is based on Jurassic Park, where we get to see some amazing dinosaurs in the jungle. Hold on as we disappear in to the mouth of a 50-foot T-Rex, and then we are going to plunge down an 84-foot drop.
Location: Lower Lot
Height requirement:
Guests must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) to ride. Kids who are 42 to 48 inches (107–122 cm) must have a 14 year or older supervising companion to ride.
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
This one can be seriously jumpy especially on the first. From the creepy line to the coaster's intensity, there is a lot that is designed to make your nerves fray. So be ready for the surprise of some of the ride going backward.
Imagine creepy crawly insects, air blasts at your feet, creepy audio, and darkness - that is a ride built for screams!Where: Lower Lot
Height requirement: All guests must be at least 48 inches (122 cm).
Shrek 4-D
This may be one of the gentler attractions, but even that is up for debate: for the 4-D film, not only do the seats shake, but also the people sitting in the rows in front of you get to to enjoy some water because they spray it up at you. Join Shrek and Donkey as they go on a fairy-tale adventure to save the princess.
First you will be standing in the lobby waiting to watch an animated pre-show, but do not worry; this is just the beginning. When the pre-show finally ends, you will go into the main theater for the full 4-D motion film experience.
Completing this circuit will leave you completely exhausted, but the harsh reality is that the longest part is not riding the rides, but waiting for them.
That is the high cost of going to one of the many great entertainment playgrounds that is Universal Studios Hollywood.
And somehow, we still love it ❤️
