A Complete Guide To Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

Heading to Los Angeles this year? If so, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. Packed full of amazing rides for theme park fans, the destination is also a production lot, making it an excellent spot for film and TV lovers. Even if you only spend a day here, you're unlikely to walk away feeling disappointed.

Of course, as with a lot of the best theme parks in the US, Universal Studios Hollywood is no small space. Seeing and doing everything this park has to offer can be tough, especially if you're restricted on time. Luckily for you, we have a complete guide to visiting Universal Studios Hollywood that should help you to make the most of your trip.

Prices for visiting Universal Studios Hollywood differ according to several factors

The first thing you'll probably want to know about Universal Studios Hollywood is the price. If you're visiting for the day, tickets reportedly begin at $109, while two-day admission starts at $149. Factors that might increase the price include whether you're visiting on a weekend or a holiday, with parts of the year more affordable than others. Other ticket options include the Universal Express, through which you have access to almost all shows and attractions, and the Guided VIP experience. The minimum prices for these are $189 and $349, respectively. Should you plan on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood regularly, there are also annual and season passes available for differing prices.

When is the best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood?

So, with this in mind, when is the best time to visit? Well, as the park is in California, you don't need to worry about trying to time your visit with sunshine and warm weather. To save on price, you're probably best off visiting in the middle of the week when tickets will be cheaper, and crowds will likely be smaller. Of course, you may want to time your trip with special events, like Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas. Scheduled in the later months, these events showcase the park in a new light and offer experiences unavailable at other times of the year.

Universal Studios Hollywood is split into two sections that are easy to navigate

Theme parks can be quite tough to navigate on a first visit because they're so expansive. Luckily, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the easier places to find your way around. The park is split into the upper lot and the lower lot, with guests entering via the former. It's here that you'll find things like Springfield USA, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the World-Famous Studio Tour. Down on the lower lot, you'll encounter notable rides like The Mummy, Jurassic World, and Transformers. There are also various shops and places to eat in this section of the park too. 

There are attractions for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood

We mean it when we say that Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park for everyone. Whatever your age, there's plenty to keep you entertained. Rides like the Harry Potter-themed coaster, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, and the Simpsons Ride are all suitable for families with younger kids. Meanwhile, those seeking thrills during their visit might prefer Jurassic World - The Ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Revenge of the Mummy. Plus, the World-Famous Studio Tour is there for anyone eager for a behind-the-scenes look at the movies and TV shows filmed here.

Universal Studios Hollywood has no shortage of great places to eat and drink

If you're at Universal Studios Hollywood for an entire day, you'll want to eat at some point. Luckily, this place isn't short of delicious treats. Over at the Three Broomsticks, you can enjoy British cuisine as you dine on the likes of an English breakfast or fish and chips. Krusty Burger and Lard Lad Donuts are absolute musts for fans of the animated series 'The Simpsons,' especially as the latter sells giant donuts. Other notable places to eat include the Minions-themed cafe at Super Silly Fun Land and Jurassic Cafe. There are also plenty of bars like the Hog's Head and Moe's Tavern that are worth stopping in for a drink.

What else is there to do at Universal Studios Hollywood?

While the rides and attractions are certainly the big events at Universal Studios Hollywood, there are other things at the park to look out for. For instance, the live shows. One of the standouts here is Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, which has been going on for over 25 years. Offering captivating performances and incredible pyrotechnics, it's definitely worth your attention. There's also Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle later on in the day, which makes the majestic Hogwarts school even more of a wonder with lights, projections, and music.

Now that you know what to look out for at Universal Studios Hollywood, you'll hopefully feel less overwhelmed when you visit. Don't fret if you don't have time to see and do everything, though - it just means you have an excuse to visit again in the future.