must-visit in Los AngelesTheme Park

Universal Studios Hollywood

📍 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 91608

1 photos

4.3/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, Los Angeles
Category: Theme Park
Duration: 1 day
Opening Hours: Daily 18:00-22:00 · Open daily (Mon-Sun) 18:00-22:00; hours vary by season and events, and CityWalk stays open after close. See the official site for the day's Park Hours.
Ticket Price: Adult: USD 109-154/adult (by date) · Child: USD 99-148 (ages 3-9) · Express from 189.95; Unlimited from 239.95; parking from 40
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 91608
Coordinates: 34.1381, -118.3534

Introduction

The world’s first movie-themed Universal park, nestled at the foot of the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. It opens with the Studio Tour — a tram ride through the still-working Universal backlot with Jaws, earthquake and flood effects — while the upper lot packs immersive lands like Harry Potter, Minion Land, Transformers and Jurassic World. Equal parts theme park and real movie studio.

✨ Highlights

Studio Tour

The park's signature attraction: a tram through a working soundstage lot, about 90 minutes, with the Jaws, earthquake, flood and fire effects at its core.

Super Nintendo World

The headline ride is Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, plus interactive Bowser's Castle fun. Timed entry applies on busy days.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade, with the Forbidden Journey motion ride, butterbeer and wand selection.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift

The park's first outdoor high-speed coaster, opened 16 September 2026 and the fastest in the Universal portfolio: 72 MPH, 4,100 feet of track and vehicles that drift a full 360 degrees in four selectable cars.

Minion Mayhem & TRANSFORMERS 3D

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and TRANSFORMERS 3D ride are the two crowd magnets for families and film fans alike.

Jurassic World: The Ride

A high-speed river journey through Jurassic rainforest ending face-to-face with a T. rex; Revenge of the Mummy coaster sits next door.

WaterWorld

A live stunt show based on the film, widely counted among the best live performances at any theme park.

🛈 Practical Info

→Universal Express：Express (one-time skip-the-line per attraction) from USD 189.95; Express Unlimited from USD 239.95; VIP guided tour from USD 359.95. Excludes Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift and similar singles.

→Suggested Duration：One day is enough. Core attractions (Studio Tour, Mario Kart, Forbidden Journey, WaterWorld) are about 15 minutes apart; arrive at opening and hit the headliners first. Add Express on peak days.

→Getting Around：The Upper and Lower Lots are linked by the StarWay escalators and the Harry Potter area; walking plus queues still takes time. The free official app shows wait and show times.

→Transportation：Metro B (Red) Line to Universal City/Studio City, with a free shuttle from the station to the gates. Self-parking runs $30-40 a day and the garage is a walk from the entrance.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday	18:00-22:00
Tuesday	18:00-22:00
Wednesday	18:00-22:00
Thursday	18:00-22:00
Friday	18:00-22:00
Saturday	18:00-22:00
Sunday	18:00-22:00

Open daily (Mon-Sun) 18:00-22:00; hours vary by season and events, and CityWalk stays open after close. See the official site for the day's Park Hours.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	USD 109-154/adult (by date)
Child	USD 99-148 (ages 3-9)
Free Admission	Free under 3

Express from 189.95; Unlimited from 239.95; parking from 40

💡 Tips

• Arrive at opening and queue first for Mario Kart and the Wizarding World - it easily saves an hour or two.

• Off-peak weekdays are cheaper and far less crowded than weekends and summer; mid-January to early March and mid-September to mid-November are the calmest windows.

• The Studio Tour also queues heavily - book it first thing in the morning; allow the full 90 minutes.

• Express does not cover Mario Kart or wand selection, so either queue early or buy those separately.

• Universal CityWalk is free after the park closes - plan dinner and shopping there to save on in-park prices.

• Parking runs $30-40 and is a walk from the gates; weigh that before driving, since the Metro B Line shuttle is free.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Universal Studios Hollywood?

Monday: 18:00-22:00; Tuesday: 18:00-22:00; Wednesday: 18:00-22:00; Thursday: 18:00-22:00; Friday: 18:00-22:00; Saturday: 18:00-22:00; Sunday: 18:00-22:00; Open daily (Mon-Sun) 18:00-22:00; hours vary by season and events, and CityWalk stays open after close. See the official site for the day's Park Hours.

How much is the admission for Universal Studios Hollywood?

Adult: USD 109-154/adult (by date); Child: USD 99-148 (ages 3-9); Free Admission: Free under 3; Express from 189.95; Unlimited from 239.95; parking from 40

Any practical tips for visiting Universal Studios Hollywood?

Arrive at opening and queue first for Mario Kart and the Wizarding World - it easily saves an hour or two. Off-peak weekdays are cheaper and far less crowded than weekends and summer; mid-January to early March and mid-September to mid-November are the calmest windows.

How long should I spend at Universal Studios Hollywood?

A typical visit takes 1 day.

Universal Studios Hollywood uses date-based dynamic pricing; prices, hours and attraction availability change - check universalstudioshollywood.com before buying or travelling.