Universal Studios Hollywood guide - Discount admission, tips & more

It's a can’t-miss attraction for L.A. and Southern California visitors and a favorite of movie buffs and pop culture fans around the world.

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Universal LA

Ranking highly on many a list of top things to do in Los Angeles, you are guaranteed an excellent day out. Take a comprehensive tour of the back lot, then devote a few hours to their thrilling rides, exciting shows, and delightful attractions.

Don’t forget to leave time to explore Universal CityWalk, the shopping and dining destination adjacent to the park. Many people wonder how long you need at Universal Studios or how many days to spend there. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more.

How can you get Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets?

We’ve got you covered – Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are available with the All-Inclusive Pass on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day Los Angeles passes. The pass can be used on one day within the lifetime of your pass.

Marilyn

Top Tips for Visiting Universal Studios
 

  • Arrive early! You’ll need at least one entire day to visit Universal to make the most of your experience.
     
  • Consult Universal’s website and social media channels before visiting to see what’s new and happening at the park during your visit.
     
  • Studio tours are available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin for your convenience.
     
  • Parking is available for the entire day. Parking prices vary.
     
  • Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent if you need them.
     
  • Locker facilities of varying sizes are also available if you end up accumulating tons of souvenirs.
     
  • Plan on eating at the park for both lunch and dinner, as there are tons of quality dining options.
     
  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day Los Angeles All-Inclusive passes can include day tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood.

How long do you need at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Most people would say 6-7 hours is the average time needed to see the best of Universal Studios, essentially a full day. You could certainly spend multiple days here seeing all the theme park has to offer but 6-7 hours should cover the main sights and experiences.

When is the best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood?

To maximize your time at Universal Studios Hollywood, we recommend arriving as soon as the park opens.

What to bring for the day:
 

  • Comfortable shoes & clothes
     
  • A camera or phone
     
  • Sunscreen and/or a hat
     
  • Pre-packed snacks
     
  • Bottled water
     
  • A waterproof bag
     
  • Your phone charger
     
  • A light jacket
Women with map and camera

What is there to do at Universal Studios Hollywood? 

From rollercoasters to live shows, there is so much to do. Here are just a few of their popular rides and attractions:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

From magical spells to magical creatures, from dark villains to daring heroes, it’s all here at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts Castle, and experience pulse-pounding rides and attractions that transport you into a world of magical thrills and excitement. 

Fast and Furious: Supercharged

See the stars from the Fast & Furious series reunite in an epic grand finale to the world-famous Studio Tour. This exhibit centralizes on everyone's favorite super-speed franchise - the Fast & Furious films.

The special effects on this one are out of this world - you'll feel like you've been thrown into the films as you enjoy huge, state-of-the-art 3D screens. Join the all-star cast in a supercharged ride that mimics a high-speed chase of over 120mph.

Fast and Furious

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Fans of this hit movie franchise will love this 3D ride. Experience life in the day of a Minion as you begin an adventure that drags you into Gru’s latest scheme. Leave time for the fun and sweet Minion dance party, and afterward, be sure to visit Super Silly Fun Land, a recreation of the first film’s carnival. Try ringing the doorbells and see what happens!

TransformersTM: The Ride 3D

Another smash-hit movie franchise, this Transformers super ride is one crazy experience. In a ride that “blurs the line between fiction and reality,” anything can happen! A motion simulator with special effects, 3-D features, and Transformer animatronics, the ride is set in the ongoing battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. The ride features an original storyline as well as your favorite heroes and villains transforming into cars, planes, and who knows what else!

Be prepared to fight alongside Optimus Prime as he wages war against the evil forces of the Decepticons.

The Simpsons Ride™ & Springfield

Immersing visitors and fans in the world of “The Simpsons” like never before, this exhibit area is a pretty unique experience.

Enjoy a funny animation specially created just for this ride, then pay a visit to downtown Springfield and leave some time for a Krusty Burger run or a brew at Moe’s. You'll love exploring this replica of the famous town, including all your favorite hangouts from the show.

Jurassic Park®: The Ride

This one’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll come face to face with ginormous, realistic dinosaurs (including a 50-ft-tall T-Rex) before you drop a startling 84 feet down on a water-borne raft. Also, be sure to check out the hair-raising Raptor Encounter.

King Kong 360 3-D

Created by Peter Jackson (director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as 2005’s King Kong), the King Kong 3-D experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is arguably one of the park’s most popular attractions. On the ride, you’ll face a 30-foot-tall King Kong and a 35-foot-tall T-Rex in the middle of two massive 187ft wide by 40ft high screens – equivalent to 16 movie theater screens put together. The ride is one of the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experiences.

The NBC Universal Experience

This exhibit features objects and artifacts from over 100 years of movie magic at Universal Studios. See props and costumes from award-winning and fan-favorite films like Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, and the Fast & Furious franchise. Television fans will enjoy similar artifacts from hit shows like Warehouse 13, Covert Affairs, and Parks and Recreation.

What are the best things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood?

One of the best and most popular things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood is the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. This legendary tour brings you behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most popular and productive movie studios. Roam 13 city blocks spread across four acres of studio lot as you listen to a narration recorded by Tonight Show host and SNL alum Jimmy Fallon.

Universal Studios

What is there to do near Universal Studios Hollywood?

Some of our favorites include...

Universal CityWalk

This diverse dining and shopping destination is adjacent to the park (though you won't need an admission ticket to get in). You can explore your favorite retail shops or catch a movie at the cinema.

LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Not too far from Universal City, you can find the LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Visit lowland gorillas, seals, chimpanzees, Komodo dragons, exotic birds, tigers, snow leopards, and plenty more. From birds to mammals to reptiles, you'll see endless types of animals.

The Hollywood Museum

Hollywood Museum

The perfect place to discover all things Tinseltown. The Hollywood Museum is full of artifacts, props, and costumes from your favorite films. Swoon over Marilyn Monroe's red dress, see Cary Grant's Rolls Royce, and explore make-up rooms, film sets, and more.

The Hollywood Museum

The perfect place to discover all things Tinseltown. The Hollywood Museum is full of artifacts, props, and costumes from your favorite films. Swoon over Marilyn Monroe's red dress, see Cary Grant's Rolls Royce, and explore make-up rooms, film sets, and more.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Get up close and personal with your favorite celebrities in wax-figure form. Over 100 figures live within the walls of Madame Tussauds Hollywood, each impressive and life-like in ways you could never imagine. Explore exhibits made up of Movie Stars, Hollywood Icons, Movie Characters, Pop Stars, Sports Stars, and more.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood
The images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds.

Where is there to eat near Universal Studios Hollywood?

If you’re spending the day at Universal Studios, it makes the most sense to enjoy all of your meals at the park. You have tons of dining options to choose from, and two basic destinations for your restaurants: Universal CityWalk and next to various attractions at Universal itself.  Dine before 12:30 or after 2:00 to avoid lines. Here are some of the dining highlights at Universal:

  • Krusty Burger, Moe’s Tavern, and Luigi’s Pizza are all located inside the Springfield exhibit at the Simpsons™ Ride. You’ll find burgers, soda, pizza, and even Duff beer at these locations.
     
  • Gru’s Lab Café and Despicable Delights: Located within the Despicable Me exhibit. Expect everything from nachos and grilled cheese to pulled pork and smoothies.
     
  • Palace Theatre Café: A more upscale option, featuring gourmet sandwiches, salads, and other delicious grab-n-go options.
     
  • Hollywood Grill: Serves food all day including breakfast. Some menu items to check out include homemade pizza and breadsticks, mouth-watering funnel cake, and fresh salads.
     
  • Mel’s Diner: A blast from the past, features burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes, and all the classic diner foods.

Here are a few of your many options at Universal CityWalk:

  • Bubba Gump Shrimp Co:  Home of all things seafood, especially shrimp!
     
  • Buca di Beppo: A family-favorite Italian restaurant.
     
  • Jillian’s: A unique “dine n’ game” establishment that kids will love. In addition to great food, you’ll also find a state-of-the-art arcade.
Food court

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

So pick whichever LA pass suits you best and get exploring!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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10+ Things to Do in Hollywood During Your Trip to Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a vibrant city, full of art, history, and nature. Of course, many people flock to L.A. for the movie and television culture that the area is most famous for. But Hollywood isn’t always easily approachable – there’s so much to see and do that it can often be overwhelming. Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a curated list of our favorite things in Tinsel Town. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood during your trip to Los Angeles, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including... Madame Tussauds Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum TCL Chinese Theatres Tour Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour And more! Save on Hollywood Attraction Admission Admission to many of these top Los Angeles attractions and activities and more are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Things to Do in HollywoodMadame Tussauds Hollywood Fans of Hollywood will love the chance to experience celebrity culture and “meet” their favorite actors, musicians, and historical figures at Madame Tussauds. This fascinating wax museum is an incredible experience, and visitors of all ages get a kick out of the figures and exhibits. Don't miss the new Marvel Superheroes 4D exhibit. Enjoy multi-sensory components alongside the wax figures, all set in themed areas. Then, check out the exhilarating 4D film experience. Superhero fans of all ages will love it! Getting In: Madame Tussauds Hollywood tickets are available with the Go Los Angeles® Card. TCL Chinese Theatres Guided Tour Take a tour of this world-famous movie theatre and see where celebrity culture is concentrated in Hollywood. You’ll hear fascinating stories about Hollywood premieres and celebrities. Plus, you can tour their Forecourt of the Stars, which features cement hand and food prints of big name stars. Plan to go on your tour later in the day, or stick around for dinner, so you can see Hollywood Lights: The Magic of Movies at the TCL Theatre. This nightly light show features 3D projection mapping that fully covers the facade of the theatre with iconic moments from big-screen movies and 90 years of TCL Theatre history. The 4-minute show plays every 20 minutes starting at 8:30 pm every night. Getting In: TCL Chinese Theatres Guided Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour by Red Line Tours This comprehensive walking tour is a delightful way to explore the secret and not-so-secret hotspots in Hollywood. See everything from big name icons like the TCL Chinese Theatre and Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre to smaller sites like filming locations and the best place to get a photo of the Hollywood sign. If you only do one walking tour in LA, this Hollywood Behind the Scenes tour should be it! Getting In: Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour by CitySightseeing Expand your horizons beyond the Hollywood neighborhood to explore other areas of the city on this handy hop-on hop-off city tour. Open-air double-decker buses will escort you throughout Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Downtown L.A. Get off at any stop that interests you for a fully customizable tour. Keep in mind that while these buses do explore the Hollywood region, they pick up at Santa Monica Pier. So, this tour may be best for those who only want to see a little bit of Hollywood. Getting In: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off City Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Starline Movie Stars’ Homes Tour A two-hour tour that roams throughout the Hollywood area, this highly-rated Movie Stars’ Homes Tour showcases the homes and hangouts of top celebrities. 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Griffith Observatory Located in the beautiful Griffith Park (another great place to explore around Los Angeles), the Griffith Observatory is filled with fascinating exhibits that focus on astronomy. You’ll see a Foucault pendulum and a Tesla Coil, among some other really cool technologies. You can also take in a planetarium show and look through their famous refracting telescope, located on the roof. Getting In: Admission to the Griffith Observatory is free. Things to do Near HollywoodThe Broad If you’re looking to infuse a little more culture into your life, a visit to the Broad is a must on your to-do list. The newest contemporary art museum in all of L.A., the Broad is filled with 2,000 fascinating, inspiring, and thought-provoking works of art. They also feature periodic special exhibits, so there’s plenty to see on repeat visits as well. Getting In: Admission to the Broad is free. La Brea Tar Pits Explore one of Los Angeles’ natural marvels – the amazing La Brea Tar Pits. An excavation site for fossils from eons long past, today it’s still an active paleontological site. There’s also an accompanying museum that offers special exhibits and excavation tours. Getting In: La Brea Tar Pits and Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card. California Science Center & IMAX This hands-on museum offers tons of exhibits showcasing science and technology in many forms. Permanent exhibits feature everything from aquariums filled with live specimens to a popular exhibit containing the space shuttle Endeavour. There’s even an IMAX theater and a number of rotating special exhibits (a small fee applies for these additional activities). Getting In: Admission to the California Science Center is free; and IMAX theater tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Hollywood Ripley’s has long been hailed as the home of all things weird and wild, and this installation is no exception. 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With long, golden beaches, stylish promenades and an average temperature that rarely dips below 60 degrees, Los Angeles is a dream vacation spot for anyone who loves chasing the sun or life in the chilled lane. And with nearby mountain ranges circling the city to the east, and the pacific ocean brimming with explorable islands to the west, the city of angels really is the ultimate outdoor destination. Whether you prefer island hopping, walking trails or snooping on the rich and famous, these things to do outside Los Angeles will give you plenty of reasons to be ga-ga about la-la-land: Santa Catalina Island Laguna Beach Whale and dolphin watching Ojai Valley Palm Springs Big Bear Lake San Diego ‘Fly’ over to Catalina Nestled in the California channel islands south of LA is the small Island of Catalina, where the adventurous can get their adrenalin going with scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing or even jet ski rental. If you’re more of an introvert, you can indulge in a spa day or explore the island’s numerous museums and galleries. Catalina is small enough to walk everywhere, and visitors with families can enjoy glass-bottomed boat rides, mini-golf and walking trails around the island. The best way to get there is on the Catalina Flyer, which docks in the historic port of Avalon. Let the sea breezes wake you up on the trip over in the morning, then relax on the open deck on the way back, sipping a cool beverage as you enjoy views of the glittering LA coastline. Lounge around on Laguna Beach About one hour from the city is Laguna Beach, making it one of the best day trips from Los Angeles if you feel the need for sand at your feet. Beach lovers will be in their element here, with seven miles of coves, caves, tide pools and bluffs to explore. 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Karleen Stevens

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