Universal Studios Hollywood Tips & Tricks

February 11, 2022
Universal Hollywood Tips & Tricks - Waterworld Show

Universal Studios offers visitors rides through their favorite Universal Studios movies. With our favorite tips, you'll be navigating the park like a pro and enjoying the best of Universal Studios Hollywood. 

Six Top Universal Studios Hollywood Tips and Tricks 2022

Hogwarts Castle

It's true, Universal Studios Hollywood can get crowded, and lines start to form for everyone's favorite rides. Our tips will help you avoid and manage lines and make the most of your day at the park. 

1. Buy Tickets in Advance

You'll save time and money if you buy your tickets before arriving at the park. If you are worried about lines, consider upgrading to a Universal Express ticket, including Express access to rides, shows, and attractions. 

2. Arrive Early

Make sure you account for your area's traffic and plan on arriving as soon as Universal opens. To ensure you reach the gate as soon as the park opens, plan at least 30 extra minutes for traffic and 30 extra minutes to park and get through security. The park begins to get crowded one to two hours after opening time. 

3. Plan Around Crowds

People making line for entrance

Summer, weekends, and holidays are the busiest times to visit Universal Studios. If you can visit during spring, fall, or winter, you'll enjoy fewer crowds. Crowds also increase anytime that kids are out of school.

The Forbidden Journey, Secret Life of Pets, Despicable Me, and The Simpsons are the most popular rides. Their location near the front of the park means they'll get crowded quickly. Try and do as many of these rides as possible before the park gets crowded, or wait until the end of the day. 

The Lower Lot attractions are quiet before lunch. If Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, and Jurassic World are your priorities, go straight to the Lower Lot, and you won't have long wait times. 

Try The Three Broomsticks for an early lunch or an early dinner. The Three Broomsticks offers Universal's tastiest food in an iconic Harry Potter setting. 

4. Use Single Rider

If you're OK with riding separately from your party, the Single Rider option will save you a lot of time waiting in line. Single Rider is available in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers, and Jurassic World. 

5. Don't Miss the Studio Tour

Universal Studios bus

The Studio Tour is always the highlight of a Universal Studios visit and shouldn't be missed. The tour takes visitors to the Back Lot, where movie and TV show backdrops are stored. For example, you can see the town square from "Back to the Future" and the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock's famous thriller. The tour takes about an hour and is an ideal break from walking. It's best to do the tour in the afternoon when lines for other attractions are long. 

6. Take a Break

It might be too tiring to stay active from opening to closing if it's hot out or you have young kids. Stay at a Los Angeles hotel with parking, and drive back for a quick nap. 

If you want to stay in the park, Kung Fu Panda and the Special Effects Show both have air conditioning so you can cool off. The Wet Zone area in Super Silly Fun Land has 80 water play features for kids and shaded areas for parents. 

Enjoy the Magic in Hollywood

Universal Studios offers the perfect mix of excitement and surprises. After your day at the park, experience the top Hollywood photo spots and enjoy real-life Hollywood glamor.