Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, CA
~$120+ per person
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.6(175,332 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
Reviewers rate Super Nintendo World the highlight and say the early-entry hour before general opening is what makes a day work. The studio tour is the other must. Many rides are 3D motion simulators, rough going if anyone gets travel sick. Food is expensive and reviews on quality are mixed.
Major movie-themed amusement park built around the real Universal backlot — its Studio Tour has run since 1964, when guests first rode candy-striped trams past sets like the Psycho house. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opened in 2016, added Hogwarts Castle and the Flight of the Hippogriff family coaster.
Plan your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood
Researched from the venue and public sources, not a first-hand visit. How we write these
- How long to spend
- Plan on a full day. The Studio Tour alone runs close to an hour, and moving between the Upper Lot and Lower Lot on the Starway escalators adds time each way, so grouping rides by lot keeps the day manageable.
- Best time to go
- Tuesday through Thursday outside summer and holidays is typically lightest. Arrive before opening and head to the Lower Lot first, since Super Nintendo World and Jurassic World draw lines fast.
- Parking & getting there
- Several on-site parking structures serve the park, including the Jurassic and Frankenstein structures, with preferred and valet options closer to the gate. Without a car, take the Metro B Line to Universal City/Studio City station, cross the pedestrian bridge, and ride the free Universal shuttle up the hill to the entrance.
- Best ages
- There is something for most ages: the Studio Tour, Kung Fu Panda Adventure and Super Silly Fun Land have no height minimum, and The Secret Life of Pets starts at 34 inches. Flight of the Hippogriff needs 39 inches, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge 40 inches and Jurassic World: The Ride 42 inches, and Child Switch lets one adult wait with a non-rider while the rest of the group rides.
- Food
- Outside meals and large coolers are not allowed, but you can bring bottled water, small snacks, baby food and formula, and food for medical or dietary needs in a small soft-sided bag. Inside, Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World serves British comfort food like fish and chips and shepherd's pie, and CityWalk next door has dozens more restaurants.
- What to bring
- Bring a change of clothes and water shoes if kids will play in the Super Silly Fun Land splash zone, plus sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles. Leave glass containers and wheeled bags at home, and note that strollers are not allowed inside Super Nintendo World, so plan to park it outside.
- Rain or heat plan
- On hot afternoons, Super Silly Fun Land's water play cools kids off, and indoor rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Transformers: The Ride 3D offer air-conditioned breaks. Save outdoor queues for the morning and evening.
Common questions
Can you bring food into Universal Studios Hollywood?
Only bottled water, small snacks, baby food or formula, and food needed for medical or dietary reasons, carried in a small soft-sided bag. Full outside meals, glass, and large or hard-sided coolers are not allowed.
Is Universal Studios Hollywood good for toddlers?
Yes, with planning. The Studio Tour, Kung Fu Panda Adventure and the Super Silly Fun Land play area have no height minimum, and Child Switch lets parents take turns on bigger rides without waiting twice.
Can you bring a stroller to Super Nintendo World?
No. Strollers are not allowed inside Super Nintendo World, so park it nearby before entering the land.
How much time do you need at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Most families need a full day. The Studio Tour takes about an hour, and the Starway escalators between the Upper and Lower Lots add time each way.
Good for
- Ages 10+
Happening near here
- Bob's Big Boy Classic Car ShowBurbank · 1 mi · Fridays 4–10pmFree
- Peter and the Wolf Free Children's ConcertBurbank · 2 miFree
- Melrose Trading PostLos Angeles · 4 mi · Sun 9am–5pm
- Día de los Muertos at Hollywood ForeverLos Angeles · 4 mi
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- Mellia Nur Fauziyah★★★★★
Universal Studios Hollywood was such an amazing experience! 🎬✨ The rides were exciting, the movie-themed attractions were incredible, and the Studio Tour was definitely one of my favorite parts. I also loved exploring Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Everything was so detailed and immersive, making it feel like stepping into the movies. A must-visit place when you're in Los Angeles! Highly recommended for families, movie lovers, and anyone looking for a fun and unforgettable day. 🎢🍿✨
3 weeks ago
- Raffi Alexanian★★★★★
Universal Studios is a mixed bag that really depends on how much you enjoy movies and how much you can tolerate crowds. If you are a Harry Potter fan, it is almost a non-negotiable experience. Walking into Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley for the first time is genuinely impressive because the scale and the detail make you feel like you have actually stepped onto a film set. The rides themselves are high-tech but can be repetitive. Universal relies heavily on 3D screens and motion simulators. After the third or fourth ride where you are being shaken in front of a giant screen, it can start to feel a bit samey, and if you get motion sickness easily, you might have a rough afternoon. That said, the newer additions like the VelociCoaster in Orlando or the Mario Kart ride in Hollywood are massive steps up in terms of physical thrills and interactivity. One of the biggest frustrations is the cost of everything once you are inside. Between the ticket price, parking, and a twenty dollar burger, your wallet takes a hit before you even get to a ride. The Express Pass is almost a necessity on weekends if you actually want to see the whole park, but it often costs as much as a second ticket. If you are going to the Hollywood location, the Studio Tour is the clear standout. It is the one thing you cannot get at any other theme park and it gives you a real look at working backlots. In Orlando, the experience is much more spread out across different parks, which feels more like a full vacation destination but requires a lot more walking.
9 months ago
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