Universal Studios Hollywood
Last reviewed June 2026 by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Overview
Everything you need to know about Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood bills itself as "The Entertainment Capital of LA," and it is the only major theme park built around a real, working movie studio. Set in Universal City just over the hill from Hollywood, the park splits across two levels: the Upper Lot, with its Old Hollywood streets and most of the themed lands, and the thrill-packed Lower Lot, reached by a long set of escalators called the Starway.
The signature experience is the world famous Studio Tour, a narrated tram ride through the Universal backlot that passes real film sets and bursts into the King Kong 360 3-D and Fast & Furious Supercharged finales. Around it sit immersive lands including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World with its Mario Kart ride, DreamWorks Land for younger families, and Springfield from The Simpsons.
Headline rides span Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers, and Jurassic World: The Ride, while WaterWorld delivers one of the best live stunt shows anywhere. Seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas draw huge crowds, and adjacent Universal CityWalk offers free-to-enter dining, shopping, and nightlife. Compact, intense, and movie-mad, it is an easy full day out and a strong pairing with a wider Los Angeles trip.
Beyond the parks
More to explore
Water parks, dining districts, and other places to enjoy across the resort.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
The largest themed land on the Upper Lot, opened in 2016, recreating Hogsmeade Village beneath a snow-capped replica of Hogwarts Castle. It is home to two rides, the Ollivanders wand experience, live shows on the Hogsmeade stage, and Three Broomsticks dining. Interactive wands let guests cast spells at marked spots around the village.
Rides and slides
Where to eat
Super Nintendo World
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Opened in 2023 on the Lower Lot, this colorful recreation of the Mushroom Kingdom is entered through a giant green Warp Pipe. Guests can buy interactive Power-Up Bands to play Key Challenges, collect coins, and meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad. Its centerpiece is the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge augmented-reality ride.
Rides and slides
Where to eat
DreamWorks Land
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
A family land opened in 2024 on the Upper Lot, themed mainly to Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. It focuses on play areas, water-play, character meets, and gentle experiences aimed at younger children. It replaced the former Super Silly Fun Land play space near Despicable Me.
Rides and slides
Springfield
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
A walkable recreation of the town from The Simpsons on the Upper Lot, built around The Simpsons Ride. It functions mostly as a dining district, with Krusty Burger, Cletus' Chicken Shack, Lard Lad Donuts, Moe's Tavern, and Duff Brewery. Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck and other gags line the streets.
Rides and slides
Where to eat
Studio Tour
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
The park's signature attraction and historic heart, a narrated tram ride through Universal's real working backlot. It passes famous film sets and includes the King Kong 360 3-D and Fast & Furious Supercharged action segments. The tour departs from the Upper Lot.
Rides and slides
Upper Lot
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
The main entrance level, styled with Old Hollywood architecture along Universal Plaza and Universal Boulevard. It holds the Studio Tour entrance, WaterWorld, the DreamWorks Theatre, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Secret Life of Pets, and the Harry Potter, Springfield, and DreamWorks lands.
Rides and slides
Lower Lot
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
The smaller lower level reached by the Starway escalators, packing in the park's most thrill-oriented rides. It is home to Jurassic World: The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers: The Ride 3D, and Super Nintendo World.
Rides and slides
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Walk, Universal City, CA 91608
A free-to-enter dining, shopping, and entertainment promenade between the parking structures and the park entrance. It features Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Voodoo Doughnut, Hard Rock Cafe, a multiplex cinema, an IMAX, and nightlife. It is open to the public without a park ticket.
Where to eat
Plan your stay
Plan your stay
Hotels, resort-wide dining, tips, practical info, and videos to help you plan the trip.
Hotels and resorts
Upscale
from $230 / night
from $220 / night
Boutique
from $200 / night
Tips and hacks
Do the Lower Lot first
Head straight down the Starway escalators at opening to ride Mario Kart, Jurassic World, Transformers, and Revenge of the Mummy before lines build. The single set of escalators makes the Lower Lot slow to reach later in the day.
Ride the Studio Tour early or late
The Studio Tour draws its longest waits at midday, so ride it first thing in the morning or shortly before close.
Arrive at opening for Super Nintendo World
It is the most capacity-constrained land. Get there at park opening or use a reservation or virtual queue if one is in effect.
Buy date-specific tickets online
Pricing is dynamic, so buying for a specific date in advance is cheaper than the front gate, and weekdays and off-peak dates cost markedly less.
Only add Express on busy days
Universal Express is worth it on summer days, weekends, and holidays, but on quieter weekdays standby waits are often short enough to skip it.
Use single-rider lines
Rides such as Mario Kart offer single-rider queues that can cut your wait significantly if you do not mind splitting your group.
Get Butterbeer in Hogsmeade
Try it frozen, cold, or hot, and reserve Toadstool Cafe or Toothsome through the app or website to avoid long food waits.
Decide on a Power-Up Band
Buy a Power-Up Band in Super Nintendo World only if you want to play the interactive Key Challenges, which kids especially enjoy.
Park after 6 pm to save
General parking is heavily discounted in the evening, useful if you are visiting for Halloween Horror Nights or another after-dark event.
Mind motion and water
King Kong, Fast & Furious, and several rides include darkness and motion, so skip them if prone to motion sickness, and bring a poncho for Jurassic World and the WaterWorld soak zones.
Take the Metro
The Metro B Line Universal City/Studio City station sits across the road, with a free shuttle tram up to the park entrance, avoiding parking fees and traffic.
Use the official app
The Universal Studios Hollywood app shows live wait times, the map, mobile food ordering, and Super Nintendo World scores, helping you plan your day.
Know before you go
Tickets and pricing
Universal Studios Hollywood uses date-based dynamic pricing. A 1-day general admission ticket starts around 109 dollars on the lowest-demand dates and rises to roughly 129 to 189 dollars or more on peak days. Buying online for a specific date is cheaper than the front gate. Prices are approximate, subject to change, and exclude tax.
Universal Express
An optional add-on giving one-time skip-the-line access to most rides and priority seating at shows. It is priced dynamically, roughly 109 to 239 dollars or more per person on top of admission depending on the date.
VIP Experience
A premium small-group guided tour with unlimited Express-style access, walking portions of the backlot, and meals, priced around 369 to 479 dollars or more per person depending on the date.
Parking
General self-parking runs roughly 35 to 40 dollars, preferred parking around 50 to 60 dollars, and front gate or premium parking around 60 to 70 dollars or more. General parking is heavily discounted after about 6 pm. Valet is also available.
Accessibility
The park offers wheelchair and ECV rental, accessible queues and vehicles on many attractions, and an Attraction Assistance Pass for guests who cannot wait in standard lines. Companion restrooms and assistive listening are available.
Lockers
Free short-term ride lockers are provided at attractions with loose-article restrictions, and larger paid lockers are available near the park entrance for all-day storage.
Official app
The free Universal Studios Hollywood app handles tickets, live wait times, the interactive map, mobile food ordering, and Super Nintendo World Power-Up Band scores.
Getting there
The park sits beside the 101 freeway and the Metro B Line Universal City/Studio City station, which has a free shuttle tram to the park entrance. Several Metro bus lines also serve the area.
Hours
Hours vary daily and seasonally, typically opening at 9 or 10 am and closing between 6 and 10 pm, with later hours in summer and on event nights. Check the app or website for the specific date.
Frequently asked questions
Universal Studios Hollywood Reviews
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