If you’re planning to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, this guide is for you. I’m sharing everything we did at the park, along with a quick comparison between the LA park and the Florida one to help set your expectations.
We were on a 3-day trip to Los Angeles, and on our final day, we headed to the most awaited destination of our trip: Universal Studios Hollywood. Why the most awaited, you ask? Because both of us are huge Potterheads and had been eagerly waiting to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Skip-the-line Ticket for Weekends at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal Studios Hollywood Regular Ticket for Weekdays (Mon-Thu)
This is one of the key attractions at both the LA and Florida Universal parks. However, the Florida version is spread across three separate parks, with an actual Hogwarts Express connecting two of them. On the other hand, the Hollywood park is more compact, which we honestly preferred. But if you’re looking for a grander experience, I’d recommend visiting the Florida one, or both.
Reaching Universal Studios Hollywood
We were staying in Hollywood, very close to the Chinese Theatre, and it was just a 10-minute cab ride from our hotel. We made a quick breakfast stop at Jersey Mike’s in Hollywood to avoid overpriced food, and then took a cab to Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City.
About Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood opened in 1964, initially offering tours of real Universal Studios sets. Over time, it evolved into a full-fledged theme park featuring immersive attractions inspired by blockbuster movies and TV shows.
The park is massive and spans multiple levels, so we planned our day strategically to make the most of our visit while avoiding crowds. We started with the farthest attractions, then tackled the most popular ones, and saved those closer to the exit for the end.
Our Day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Our game plan was to hit all the popular attractions with the longest lines first, and then explore the rest. Jurassic World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Transformers were among the most popular when we visited in 2022. Since then, newer themed areas like Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift and Super Nintendo World have been added, and they tend to stay busy throughout the day.
Our first stop was Jurassic World, where we took on the thrilling ride. It transported us into an immersive prehistoric world, bringing us face-to-face with the Indominus rex as she stalked us through the jungle. The grand finale was easily the most thrilling part, you could tell from our screams.
Next, we headed to the Studio Tour, which had a 40-minute wait time but was completely worth it. The tour gave us an exciting behind-the-scenes look at real movie sets and soundstages, offering deeper insight into Hollywood film production.
Finally, we made our way to the much-anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where we spent the rest of our time exploring. It felt surreal to be transported into that world, like stepping straight onto the movie sets. We experienced Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, an incredible combination of 4D effects and motion simulation that left us completely spellbound.
Shows & Ride Recommendations
We watched several shows and enjoyed multiple rides as we explored the park. Here are some I highly recommend:
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D (Lower Lot) – A fun 4D motion simulation ride that immerses you in the Transformers universe. It’s great for all age groups.
- Kung Fu Panda Adventure (Upper Lot, DreamWorks Theatre)– A lighthearted 3D simulation ride that takes you into the world of Kung Fu Panda. Perfect for all ages.
- Flight of the Hippogriff™ (Upper Lot) – We couldn’t experience this due to long wait times, but it’s definitely worth trying if you get the chance.
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride (Lower Lot) – If you’re a fan of thrilling roller coasters, this one is a must. I tried it at Universal Studios Singapore, and it remains one of the best coaster experiences I’ve had. If you’re not into fast rides, you might want to skip it.
- Raptor Encounter (Lower Lot, Jurassic World) – Located in Jurassic World, this is a fun experience where you can come face-to-face with Blue, the Velociraptor, and take photos.
- Triwizard Spirit Rally (Upper Lot, Hogsmeade) – An entertaining musical performance featuring Hogwarts, Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbatons Academy.
- WaterWorld Show (Upper Lot) – The most popular show at Universal Studios Hollywood. From jet-ski stunts to massive explosions and even a dramatic plane crash, it’s an absolute adrenaline rush.
NEW! Must-Try Rides to Add (2025–2026)
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (Lower Lot, Super Nintendo World) – The ticket ride in Super Nintendo World! Put on special goggles and battle Team Bowser alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. You’ll steer through underwater courses and cloud courses, collecting coins and throwing shells to win the Golden Cup. This groundbreaking ride uses cutting-eye technology and rewards repeat rides with multiple outcomes and higher scores.
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash (Upper Lot, Minion Land) – Universal’s latest dark ride is exceptional, featuring adorable animatronics and screen-based animation. It’s a better dark ride than Disney has made stateside in a very long time.
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (Upper Lot) – Coming in 2026, this will be the first-ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood, rocketing guests up to 72 MPH with groundbreaking 360-degree vehicle rotation along 4,100 feet of track.
What We Skipped at Universal Studios Hollywood
There were a few areas that were extremely crowded, so we ended up skipping some attractions. In the upper lot, we skipped The Secret Life of Pets in Minion Land and Krustyland, including The Simpsons area and the King Kong experience.
Super Nintendo World in the lower lot was still under construction when we visited in 2022, so we couldn’t experience attractions like Mario Kart, which later won the “Best New Family Attraction” award at the Golden Ticket Awards.
Planning Your Visit to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Timing: The park typically opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM, but it’s always best to check the official website for updated hours before your visit.
- Food: There are numerous food stalls throughout the park, as well as options near the entrance. We had lunch at Three Broomsticks™ and tried Butterbeer at Hog’s Head™. If you’re a Potterhead, dining here really enhances the experience.
- Seasonal Events: The park hosts annual events like Halloween Horror Nights, featuring themed haunted houses and live entertainment. Be sure to check event schedules in advance, as timings may vary.
- Peak Season Tips: The park can get very crowded during peak times, leading to long wait times. Visiting on a weekday is ideal, we went on a Tuesday and had just 15–30 minute waits per ride or show.
- Park Shuttle: If you’re using public transport, you can take the free shuttle tram from Universal City/Studio City Station (Metro B Line) to the park entrance.
- Park tickets: Skip-the-line Ticket for Weekends and Regular General Admission Ticket for Weekdays (Mon-Thu).
Universal Studios Hollywood vs Orlando
I’m basing this comparison on my friend’s recent visit to Universal Studios Orlando while we were at Disney World, so this is partly second-hand information. That said, they shared detailed experiences, which naturally made me compare the two.
Orlando is massive, with multiple parks, and you’ll need at least two full days to cover two parks. However, it can get exhausting since everything is spread out, and walking between attractions can take 10–15 minutes, plus wait times that can go up to 180 minutes.
In comparison, Universal Studios Hollywood feels like a more consolidated version. Navigating a single park is much more relaxed than rushing across multiple parks. Personally, I’d choose Hollywood for that reason, but my friends absolutely loved Orlando and said they’d happily go back to explore more.
Overall Thoughts
This was my second visit to a Universal Studios park, and I had a great time. I had previously visited Universal Studios Singapore in 2019 and loved it, so I convinced my husband to visit this one too. There were so many new things to do, especially the Hollywood Studio Tour.
If this is your first time, I’d definitely recommend starting with Universal Studios Hollywood. Orlando can feel overwhelming, and you might leave with a bit of FOMO. I also have a YouTube video where you can see all the rides we did at Universal Studios Hollywood.
