Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood this summer? There’s a lot happening on the lot including the All New Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, the completed Jurassic World: The Ride and a great new option for grabbing a bite, The Minion’s Cafe. If you haven’t been to Universal Studios in awhile or this will be your first time visiting, I have some tips and a few suggestions that will help you get the most from your day.

First things first, download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app. This will give you information on all the attractions wait times, ride height requirements and level of thrill, park hours, dining locations with complete menus and if you don’t have a ticket you can buy them directly from there as well. Oh and the lot also offers free WiFi. As a returning annual passholder, we have a few tips and suggestions for making the most of your day below.

Arrive at least 30-40 minutes before the official opening. Upon entering the turnstiles head directly to the lower lot and hit the 3 attractions that are there, Jurassic World, The Mummy and Transformers. Since there are only 3 rides currently on the lower lot, they tend to get very busy as the day progresses.
Upon completing the lower lot, I recommend heading to the Studio Tram, this ride lasts from 45 minutes to 1 hour. You are welcome to grab a beverage or snack to enjoy during the ride.
Plan on having lunch after the Tram, our top picks within the park are Three Broomsticks and the new Minion Cafe.
After lunch, I would recommend taking in one of the shows: Waterworld or Animal Actors are currently the 2 running. Catching a show will allow some time between eating before hitting the remaining rides, for good reason. Most of the remaining attractions are ‘Screen” rides with heavy emphasis on movement and large projections. If you have a tendency to get motion sick, you may want to consider taking something. If you find they are a bother, I recommend just looking away while on the experience. Minions, The Simpsons, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey along with The Transformers rides are the ones that utilize large screens along with motion.
Check the app for wait times to decide if you should hit The Simpsons and Minions or head to Hogsmeade. If you enjoy Harry Potter plan to spend at least an hour or more browsing the shops and if you purchase an interactive wand, there are 13 spell stops throughout the area to interact with. Ollivanders also offers an interactive show wherein a guest is chosen to be fitted for a wand.

Few other things to know.

Lockers are free to use on select attractions like The Mummy and the Forbidden Journey.
Heading to the lower lot and have mobility issues, there is an elevator that will lead you to a transport van that will take you and your party to the lower lot.
Have questions regarding their disability accommodations (physical or invisible), I have a dedicated post for that HERE.
Express pass, is it worth it? If you only have 1 day to visit and want to get the most from it, I highly recommend adding the Express Pass to your ticket. This pass gives you priority boarding to all of the attractions with very little wait time. Only a limited number of Express passes are issued per day and you can easily upgrade outside the turnstiles or as you enter. Price varies per day.
Wondering where the best viewing on the Studio Tram and Waterworld is. For water world, center seating is best, and just know that if you are in the “green zone” you will get wet! Studio Tram, I find the 3rd car the best.

Characters! They sure do have a lot of them and it’s one of our favorite ways to enjoy the lot between attractions. Keep an eye out for them and if you are interested in seeing a particular one, just ask a crew member for times and locations. Recently most meet and greets were shelved due to the pandemic but most have now returned! Keep an eye out for Dracula, Frankenstein, Scooby Do, Donkey and Shrek, Trolls, The Minions, Marilyn Monroe, Hello Kitty, Beetlejuice, Doc, the French Mimes and thats just on the upper lot! On the lower lot you can see the Transformers, Blue and sometime you can even catch the Mummy!

Secrete Life of Pets: Off the Leash is a new take on the classic dark ride experience. Get Ready to Go Off the Leash as you discover the exciting world of Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets. Join Max, Duke, Gidget and Snowball on a journey through the streets of New York City as you get ready to be welcomed into your new home. If you love the franchise I recommend checking it out. Note: Each ride car accommodates 2 people so plan accordingly. be sure to check out the fun merchandise after your ride upon exiting!

Jurassic World: The Ride has seen some major changes, it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss during your visit. Just be prepared to get soaked! As you enter an immersive land you will come face-to-face with the new Indominus rex as she stalks you through the jungle. Get caught in the fray as she’s confronted by her archrival, the Tyrannosaurus rex, in an epic battle for the ages before you plunge 85’ to safety! My suggestion, bring a poncho or they have some available to purchase a Jurassic Outfitters just outside the ride. Is it suitable for little kids? You need to make the call on that one, the last scenes before the humungous drop are pretty in your face, I recommend checking out any POV videos you can find and decide for yourself. Must be at least 42” (107 cm). Children between 42” (107 cm) and 48” (122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion.

Visiting Citywalk for lunch or upon exiting Universal Studios? Check out the all new NBC Sports Grill & Brew HERE. High-definition screens inside and out immerse you in a stream of sports coverage, choose from menu classics and incredible new creations including burgers, ribs, steak, chicken and more. Plus you’ll find 20 draft beers on tap and another 20 bottled brews to choose from.

If you are looking for something inside the park, the Minions Cafe has a great selection of entrees, many like their Chicken Nachos, are totally sharable too! This new dining location has arrived with an eclectic selection of sandwiches and more. Feast your eye(s) on some of the despicably delicious items you can enjoy at Minion Cafe! Featuring:

Classic Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Meatball Parmesan Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese with Banana BBQ Sauce
Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac n Cheese
Nutella™ Banana Pudding
And More!

Loaded Nachos/W Chicken Minions Cafe Universal Studios Hollywood

Post Covid protocol. Currently masks are required while indoors at shops, restaurants while not actively eating and all indoor attractions. The Studio Tram also asks that you use your mask when entering the King Kong, Fast and Furious and Earthquake portions of the tour.

Visiting Universal as locals is a treat and if you live nearby it is totally worth getting an annual pass, you can even upgrade your daily ticket and apply it to a pass! Besides the attractions, shows and characters they also host an array of excellent seasonal events like Grinchmas, Lunar New Year and Halloween Horror Nights (separate ticketed event). I recommend a pass with parking like the Gold ($249 online) that also comes with a nice 15% discount on merchandise and food within the lot as well as at most Universal Citywalk retailers.