Everything you need to know about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood in California. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or excited to see Super Nintendo World I’m here to help you plan your day. I’ve visited Universal Studios multiple times since the opening of Super Nintendo World. I’ll share how to maximize your time each day with park strategies and tips. I’ve included touring plans for groups, families with littles and single rider options. Find the plan that works best for you and save time.
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How many days do you need at Universal Studios?
This is a question that comes up often. Can I do everything in one day at Universal Studios Hollywood? It really depends on how early you get to the park. If you plan to see Super Nintendo World and experience everything the park has to offer. I have three options I’d like to suggest.
1 – Purchase a two day discounted ticket from Get Away Today and save on your ticket (best value). The two day park ticket allows you plenty of time to do the whole park and repeat some of your favorites on day two.
2 – Purchase a one day discounted park ticket from Get Away Today with the added Express Pass option. Adding Express Pass to your Universal tickets enables you to basically skip the lines. There’s a separate line where you enter with the Express Pass. Express Pass includes one time express access on most attractions except for the new attraction Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. And preferred seating to the WaterWorld show. You’ll find a list of attractions included in Express Pass below.
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
- The World Famous Studio Tour
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
- Jurassic World – The Ride
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- Silly Swirly
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
- The Simpsons Ride
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Water World show preferred seating
3 – Book a VIP experience. Save on this option when you book here. Your VIP guide will escort you onto all of the attractions through exclusive entrances, get you the best seats for every show and includes a delicious lunch.
Based on the above options you decide what’s best for your group. I always purchase discounted theme park tickets through Get Away Today. Book with confidence, I 100% guarantee. And check here for hotel recommendations near Universal Studios.
What’s available at Universal Studios Hollywood
This theme park has so much to offer. Explore in the ever immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you can cast spells, sip on butterbeer and ride on attractions. Don’t miss the newest area Super Nintendo World. Make sure you arrive early to see this very popular land. Ride on Mario Kart, play interactive games, meet your favorite characters and dine at Toadstool Cafe. The World Famous Studio Tour takes you around on a tram to explore real film sets where Hollywood movies are made.
Attractions and height requirements for Universal Studious Hollywood
Let’s talk about the attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. I’ve included a list below and the height requirement for each one if there is a requirement. The park is kind of divided by the upper and lower lot attractions. You will take an escalator or elevator down to several rides including the following in the lower lot.
- Jurassic World – The Ride (must be 42” to ride)
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (must be 40” to ride)
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride (must be 48” to ride)
- Transformers: The Ride-3D (must be 40” to ride)
- DinoPlay play area for kids
Then here is a list of attractions in the upper lot.
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (must be 48” to ride)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (must be 39” to ride)
- The Simpsons Ride (must be 40” to ride)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (must be 40” to ride)
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash (must be 34” to ride)
- DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
- The World Famous Studio Tour
- Fast and Furious part of the Studio Tour
- King Kong part of the Studio Tour
- Silly Swirly
- Super Silly Fun Land play area for kids with added water play area.
The following rides offer a single rider line. This is a great way to get on a ride faster when lines are long. If you’re ok with your party being split try this option on these rides…
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Jurassic World – The Ride
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Characters and shows at Universal Studios Hollywood
There are plenty of characters around to meet throughout your day. You can find them in the Universal app under shows.
Here you will also see a list of shows offered on the day you’re there and times. I highly recommend watching the WaterWorld stunt show. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the show starts. The doors close once the venue reaches capacity. And if the seats say warning you could get wet, you WILL get drenched!
Touring plan for Universal Studios Hollywood
It’s important that you arrive early to maximize your day. The lines for attractions get long as the day goes on. Here are my recommendations. Arrive at 7:00 a.m. if the official park opening is 8:00 a.m.
They let you in the gates around 7:30 a.m. and hold you at the escalators to go down to the lower lot. If the Mario Kart attraction is on your must do list go there first. It’s the most popular ride in the park. The only way to skip the line is to do a VIP Tour. You can’t skip the line using the Express Pass. Or the other option is to purchase the Early Access Ticket into Super Nintendo World. This option allows you into the land one hour prior to the park opening. The Early Access Ticket is an add-on. It’s a separate purchase after you buy your general park ticket. Availability is limited. If you stay in a hotel near Universal Studios it’s easier to make those early morning arrival times.
In my experience even though the line is already an hour wait when the park officially opens, this is still the best time to wait for this ride. We went directly to the Mario Kart ride at 8:00 a.m. The attraction already had a 1 hour wait time posted and we ended up waiting just over an hour. And when we got off the ride the posted wait time was 3 hours. So make sure you arrive early and do Mario Kart first.
Once you’re done with the ride you can explore in Super Nintendo World but if you don’t have Express Pass you’ll want to keep moving as the lines start to get busy. Do all of the attractions you want to do in the lower lot before you head back upstairs. Next go on the World Famous Studio Tour for an exciting one hour tram ride and rest your feet. After the tram ride you’ve got The Simpsons Ride, two rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Despicable Me, Secret Life of Pets and Kung Fu Panda left.
Tips for Universal Studios Hollywood with kids
If you’re traveling with younger kids you’ll want to check the height requirements for your children. Most of the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood have a height requirement. If your child can’t go on certain rides they do have two play areas available for kids. The Super Silly Fun Land play area for kids is on the upper lot. And when it’s warmer there’s a fun water playground for them to enjoy! Then down on the lower lot is the DinoPlay area for kids. I also want to mention that the World Famous Studio Tour is amazing, but it has some pretty intense scenes for children.
Tips for visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not, this area is not to be missed. You’re so immersed into the story from the streets to the shops. There are two attractions here as well as Olivanders where you can see a wand choose a wizard! Don’t forget my personal favorite treat, Frozen Butter Beer.
And if you are a Harry Potter fan be sure to go inside the shops and explore. Look up and down and all around at the many details. They really did a fantastic job on the theming in this area.
Universal Studios Hollywood Ride tips
One of my favorite things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood is go on the World Famous Studio Tour. I have memories of riding the tram when I was a little girl and I love it! I recommend sitting on the left side of the tram for the most action during the ride. But there isn’t a bad seat on the tram. I just like the views from the left side better.
Download the Universal app before your trip. You can see wait times for attractions, see a map of the park and so much more!
At Universal Studios Hollywood there are several 3-D simulation rides. If simulation rides make you sick just don’t wear the glasses on the ride. It really helps with motion sickness.
There are two rides that you can’t take your backpack on the ride. They offer free lockers outside of the attraction to put your items in while you ride for up to 90 minutes. Rides that require a locker for your backpack are Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I personally don’t bring a backpack at all. I just have a fanny pack that I wear around and don’t have to remove it for any ride.
This detailed guide will help you make the most out of your Universal Studios Hollywood day. If you have any questions let me know in the comments. If you need help planning a trip to other theme parks find more articles on my website.
