Universal City Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Universal City is a community in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, most of which is given over to the world's largest motion picture studio and its associated visitor attraction, the popular Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular theme park without a lot of attractions. This means that during the busier periods of the year like Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and especially summertime, the park can be crowded with more than an hour wait for most rides. Visiting outside these times may mean lower crowds but keep in mind that park hours will be shorter and some rides may be under refurbishment. Weather-wise, like most of central Los Angeles it is dry and hot from May to September and pleasant for the rest of the year (except in January/February when it may be a little chilly or rainy sometimes). It consists of 3 separate areas:

• Universal Studios Hollywood is the main draw of Universal City and one of 6 Universal theme parks around the world. It was the first one opening in 1964 with just a tram tour around a working film studio giving the guests a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing and legacy productions (more than 9,000 movies and countless tv-shows have been filmed here). Over the decades more attractions have been added and now it is the 14th most visited theme park in the world with 9.7 million visitors in 2023.
• Universal CityWalk is an entertainment district adjacent to Universal Studios. It features restaurants, bars, shops and live entertainment with street performers and concerts. Visitors can enjoy everything from gourmet or character dining to partying.
• Universal City has a working movie studio on property. Some of the studio is accessible by the Studio Tram Tour ride, or other special events but most areas are off-limits to the public.

Tickets have varied prices throughout the year. They start from $109 for a 1-day admission and $159 for a 2-day admission but they are more expensive during Halloween, summer, Christmas and other busy periods. For example a one-day ticket in July can sometimes cost $150.

Guests can also purchase Express Pass a paid skip-the-line option that enables its users to receive priority access for rides and shows. The passes are purchased as an add-on with an extra cost of about $100 and can be used only once per ride. Aside from very busy days the Express Pass is not necessary to experience the park.

Universal City is 4 mi (6.4 km) south of Burbank's Bob Hope Airport (BUR ^IATA) and about a 45-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport. Both airports have rental car centers and public transit connections; see the individual guides for airport transportation information.

Universal City has its own exit from the 101 Freeway traveling northbound from Downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood. The 134 freeway can also take you to the Universal City area by exiting Cahuenga or Lankershim Blvd and turning southbound. General parking at the theme park is a minimum $32 before 5PM and $10 after 5PM, progressively getting more expensive the closer you are to the park entrance.

Metro offers bus and rail service to Universal City. Of particular use to visitors is the Metro Rail Red Line subway, which stops at the 34.1395-118.36251 Universal City/Studio City Station on Lankershim Blvd on its way between Downtown L.A./Hollywood and North Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood provides a free shuttle between the subway station and the theme park. The shuttle stop at the bottom of the hill is accessible via a pedestrian overpass. Instead of the shuttle, you can walk up the hill to Universal in 10-15 min. Across the street from the subway station is a bus hub that serves Metro routes #150/240, #155, #224, and the (weekday only) Metro Rapid #750, which connect Universal City directly to various communities throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Getting around Universal City is not a serious matter, given that it's small enough to easily walk around. The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park is the primary attraction, while the adjacent CityWalk offers dozens of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Each of the two nearby hotels (Hilton Universal City and Sheraton Universal) are also within walking distance.

Universal Studios Hollywood opened in 1964 and is the main draw of Universal City. It is separated into two major areas: the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot. Each has their own mini-areas themed after movies like Harry Potter and Despicable Me or video games like Super Mario Bros. The Lots are connected via an outdoor walkway/escalator and the commute between them takes 10-15 minutes. The park's entrance is on the Upper Lot.

Before diving in, here is some important information to know before visiting:

1. Child Switch is a system for the supervision of children that do not meet the height requirements for some rides. Both parents can enter the queue and when they reach the ride one goes in while the other sits with the child in a designated area. Then when first one returns the other parent can go directly on to the ride without having to queue again.
2. Single Rider is an option on some rides where you can fill seats on rides left vacant from people in the regular queue. It is great way to save time when queueing but your party will be separated.

The Upper Lot is the first of the two ''Lots'' visitors encounter when they enter the park. And is home to 3 different mini-lands inspired by Harry Potter, the Simpsons and Despicable Me whilst also being the home of the much-famed Studio Tour.

• 34.13872-118.352731 Studio Tour — The heart and soul of the park is still the tram tour of the backlot that lasts about an hour and winds through many famous movie sets and past working sound stages. The video host of the tour is Jimmy Fallon entertaining guests from the screens of the tram. Among the highlights are actual sets from Back to the Future, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, and Stephen Spielberg's War of the Worlds, and simulated attractions based on the films Earthquake, Jaws (includes a close-up with a shark!) King Kong (King Kong 360 3D), and the Fast & Furious franchise (Fast & Furious Supercharged 3D). International language tours are available in Spanish a few times a day. The start of the Studio Tour is not directly in the upper lot but the queue entrance is between the Simpsons ride and Harry Potter.

34.138423-118.3551471 Production Plaza — Production Plaza is the first area that guests will step into when entering the park. The boulevard is inspired by old Hollywood whilst the surrounding areas are fake movie sets recreating places in New York and Paris.

• 34.136907-118.3541832 Waterworld — An elaborate stunt show based on the film Waterworld. While the film has a reputation for being underwhelming, the show is much more highly regarded, with lots of stunt actors, pyrotechnics, and water effects, as well as an explosive plane crash. The arena seating is split up so that seats closest to the stage get soaked while those further away stay dry.
• 34.138132-118.3544373 Kung Fu Panda Adventure — A 3D-motion show where you will be accompanying Po, Mr.Ping, and Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda to deliver the ''Liquid of Ultimate Power'' to the Emperor. It is taking place in the Dreamworks Theater in Universal Plaza.

34.138267-118.3539582 Wizarding World of Harry Potter — One of the most popular lands in the park, you can now enter the magical world of Harry Potter in the recreations of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The land is a must for everyone and especially Harry Potter fans as its landmarks are built as closely as possible to how they appear in the movies and have a lot of easter eggs and little things to explore (e.g. the men's section of the land's restrooms is ''haunted'' by the voice of the Moaning Myrtle).

• 34.138067-118.3531614 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — One of the most recognizable universal attractions, this motion simulator dark ride (a mix of physical sets and huge 3D screens) lets you go on a thrilling journey with Harry, Ron and Hermione around the Wizarding World encountering many creatures like dragons and spiders along the way. The queue is set within Hogwarts and has several sets from the movies like the greenhouses, Dumbledore's office and the Dark Arts class. The ride is very popular can get very crowded in the middle part of the day. The screens may cause motion sickness on some people so if you get dizzy easily, ask a staff member for advice.
• 34.137779-118.3537835 Flight of the Hippogriff — A small, family-friendly rollercoaster where you are on top of a hippogriff on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Next to the coaster is Hagrid's hut and an animatronic Hippogriff. Popular with young children.
• 34.138637-118.3542146 Hogsmeade — The village of Hogsmeade is the land's entrance and is packed with things to see and do. You can let a wand choose you at the famed Ollivanders store (you can use it in designated areas), drink the traditional butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks tavern or shop for hogwarts robes, quidditch gear and other stuff in the many small shops.
• Shows — Live entertainement is plentiful. You can catch the Frog Choir (made of 4 members, one from every Hogwarts house) singing every hour and the Triwizard Spirit Rally where Hogwarts students introduce students from the other wizarding schools. The performances occur multiple times randomly throughout the day. There is also Hogwarts Always a nighttime show with fireworks and projections on the castle.

34.138543-118.3562083 Minion Land — On the left side of the central plaza sits Minion Land, a kid-friendly area featuring attractions based on Despicable Me (and the minions!) and the Secret Life of Pets.

• 34.138219-118.3561937 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem — A 3D-motion simulator based on the Despicable Me movie franchise where guests are shrunk turned into minions and go with Gru, his daughters and other minions in his laboratory. You can see Gru's house and lab before boarding. Very popular ride especially with families be prepared for long waits on busy days.
• 34.138099-118.3558778 Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash — A family friendly, ''disney-like'' dark ride where you take the role of a stray puppy in a cardboard box and join Max, Duke and other characaters from the Secret Life of Pets on a trip around New York as you prepare to be adopted. The ride has a huge number of animatronics animals and the queue is very detailed. Also very popular.
• 34.138654-118.356589 Super Silly Fun Land — An elaborate children's play area based on the carnival from Despicable Me with water play features, a playground, carnival games and a spinning ride called Silly Swirly.

34.139359-118.3541264 Springfield — Situated before the walkway to the Lower Lot is a recreation of Springfield, the home of the Simpsons. The land has a lot of famous locations from the series like the Kwik-E-Mart and Moe's Tavern.

• 34.13947-118.35378710 The Simpsons Ride — Another 3D-motion simulator attraction where you and the Simpsons visit "Krustyland," the Krusty the Clown-themed amusement park from the show. There are clips from the series playing in small TVs in the queue. Like the Forbidden Journey, the ride may cause motion sickness so if you get dizzy easily ask a staff member for advice.

The Lower Lot is accessible from the Springfield area via a walkway/escalator and it takes about 10-15 minutes to reach. It is home to 3 major attractions and the all-new Super Nintendo World!

(The area can get pretty packed as the day goes on, especially after the opening of Super Nintendo World, so if you want to avoid the crowds visit the Lower Lot first before the Upper Lot).

• 34.140205-118.35743811 Jurassic World - The Ride — A thrilling water attraction based on the Jurassic World franchise that opened in 2019. Visitors board boats to tour Isla Nublar coming face to face with a mosasaur, T-Rex and other dinosaurs while trying to escape the Indominus Rex. It being a water ride, you will get wet even before the huge drop in the end so keep that in mind.
• 34.140224-118.35651712 Raptor Encounter — An ''meet n' greet'' with animatronic dinosaurs, including the velociraptor Blue from the movies and a triceratops.
• 34.140514-118.35757613 DinoPlay — An interactive dinosaur-themed playground.
• 34.140732-118.35661414 Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride — A Universal classic and the park's only indoor rollercoaster takes place inside an Egyptian temple in 1926 that is the home of the tomb of the evil Mummy, Imhotep. The ride starts as Imhotep escapes and hunts you. It is considered one of the best attractions in the park. Bear in mind that it is fast on some parts and most of the ride takes place in complete darkness.
• 34.141342-118.35686415 Transformers: The Ride-3D — In this 3D-motion dark ride board your vehicle and join Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and the other Autobots in a quest to keep Megatron and the Decepticons away from the AllSpark. Optimus, Bumblebee and Megatron appear outside the ride for photos for a limited time during the day. Times are posted.

34.140954-118.357775 Super Nintendo World — The newest and most popular land in the park is an incredible world based on the Super Mario video games and movie called the Mushroom Kingdom. It has many of the iconic landmarks like Peach's Castle, Bowser's Castle and the mushroom houses as well as other recognizable objects like spinning coins, ? Blocks, the flowers and the angry ''thwomps''. There are many interactive elements within the land to discover.

• 34.141048-118.35809816 Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge — The land's main attraction and the first one in the world to be based on the Mario Kart games. It is an interactive dark ride where guests race through iconic tracks from the game in a combination of physical sets and augmented reality. Riders join Team Mario, steering through courses filled with familiar obstacles like thwomps with the goal being to defeat Bowser and his minions by hitting them with shells and collecting power-ups and coins. The ride's mechanics may seem complicated at first but they are explained by video in the queue.
• Interactive Games — The Power-Up Bands allow for a lot of interactive experiences around the land. Players can punch ? Blocks for coins and complete mini-games with the goal being to defeat Bowser Jr. in a final showdown. Power-Up Bands cost about $40 each.

Characters are found in various spots around Universal Studios Hollywood. The time of their appearence and how long they stay is random except if it's posted in their respective location. The most frequent characters to appear are:

• Mario, Luigi and Peach in Super Nintendo World.
• Megatron, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee outside the Transformers ride.
• Gru, the girls and the Minions next to Gru's house in Minion Land.
• One or two members of the Simpsons family in front of the Kwik-E-Mart in Springfield.
• Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and Puss n Boots in groups of two at Donkey's Waffle Cart near the Dreamworks Theater.

Universal Studios Hollywood is home to numerous special events throughout the year. Some take place during regular park hours and are included in the cost of admission, while others are separately ticketed and happen after the park closes. During some events thea park may close earlier.

The most popular and well-known is Halloween Horror Nights, occuring on select nights after park hours from early September until the end of the Halloween season and is a separately ticketed. There are haunted houses, scare zones, mazes and costumed scare actors roaming the park. Many villains from the movies also make an appearence during Halloween Horror Nights, like Freddy Kruger and the Deatheaters in the Wizarding World.

The christmas season also full of themed offerings. During Grinchmas you can meet Grinch, Max and other characters from the films and experience a Seussian tree lighting with snowfall. There are also many Christmas-themed experiences specific to every land like the Holiday Frog Choir in Harry Potter.

Other events include the Lunar New Year, that brings some special decor, food and beverage to the park along with appearences by Hello Kitty, the 4th of July firework show and the LA Pride Night. For up to date information on every special event visit the official park website.

The CityWalk is an entertainment district located just outside Universal Studios Hollywood. It is full of restaurants, shops, and live entertainment, it offers everything from casual bites to fine dining, along with unique stores and themed merchandise and vibrant nightlife. It is home to Universal Cinema, a big and modern movie complex, the 5 Towers Stage a concert venue with over 5000 LED lights, the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe with Sanrio-themed desserts and drinks and many more. It is great place to wind down after visiting the park.

Universal Studios has an abundance of souvenir stores; just about every attraction has a gift shop attached selling merchandise particular to whatever franchise the ride is based on. CityWalk has a wider variety of retailers, selling a wide selection of apparel, sweets, collectibles, toys, and souvenirs. A complete list of CityWalk vendors is available here

• Shops
  • Wizarding World of Harry Potter
    • Honeydukes — Candy shop which is connected to Zonko's. Sells Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, large chocolate frogs, Butterbeer fudge, chocolate wands, sugar quills and many other Harry Potter themed candies.
    • Zonko's Joke Shop — A shop with novelty items/jokes/toys which is connected to Honeydukes.
    • Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods — A large general Harry Potter merchandise store at the exit of the Forbidden Journey ride. There are several props from the movie hidden about the store such as a Skele-Gro bottle and several Harry Potter glasses.
    • Ollivanders Wands — A wand store which is connected to Wiseacre's.
    • Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment — A clothing store with Platform 9¾ merchandise which is connected to Ollivanders.
    • Gladrags Wizardwear — Another clothing store with pins and other merchandise which is connected to Dervish and Banges as well as the Owl Post.
    • Dervish and Banges — A general Harry Potter merchandise store which is connected to Gladrags and the Owl Post. They have a caged monster book which will occasionally move and growl.
    • Owl Post — A stationery shop with stuffed owls for sale. You can get a real Owl Post cancellation stamp here. If you have postage, there is a mail drop box as well. They do not sell postcard stamps, only Harry Potter themed stamp books.
  • Kwik-E-Mart — A general Simpsons merchandise store within Springfield. They also sell Duff energy drink in cans. Outside of the Kwik-E-Mart there are 2 penny-smasher machines with 8 different Simpsons designs.
  • Super Silly Stuff — A Despicable Me themed gift shop at the end of the ride. They also have themed baked goods.
  • Feature Presentation — A large themed gift shop near the entrance to the park that has Harry Potter merchandise, some of which is only sold within this store.
  • Production Central — A general Universal Studios merchandise gift shop.
  • 1-Up Store — A nintendo-themed store.
  • Lower Lot
    • Transformers Supply Vault — Transformers themed gift shop near the ride. There's a penny smasher outside with 4 designs.
    • Character Shop — General character-themed merchandise from various Universal animated movies.
    • Jurassic Outfitters — Jurassic Park themed gift shop at the end of the ride. There's a penny smasher inside and another outside with 8 designs total.

The theme park has plenty of eateries, most of which serve typical theme park fast food at theme park prices. A wider variety of food is availabe in CityWalk, which has over 20 restaurants ranging from fast food to casual sit-down dining. A complete list of CityWalk eateries is available here; among the options are national chains Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Buca di Beppo, Hard Rock Cafe, Johnny Rockets, Tony Roma's, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Most of the fast food places are in a food court on the second level across from the movie theater.

Wizarding World

• Three Broomsticks — The only restaurant within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They serve English Breakfast first thing in the morning (a fanastic deal that includes a 12-oz drink for only $13) and then serve a typical British pub menu for the rest of the day including fish and chips and bangers and mash. They have additional/seasonal dishes as well. They also sell a family-sized Great Feast for $67 which serves 4 people. They have several desserts including the exclusive Butterbeer Potted Cream. It's attached to the Hogs Head Pub, but that side only serves drinks.

• Honeydukes - Strictly speaking it's a candy shop, but they exclusively sell Pumpkin Pasties and Butterbeer fudge.
• Springfield (The Simpsons)
  • Lard Lad Donuts — Giant donuts for $6 each. They always have The Big Pink (pink frosting with sprinkles) and then have several rotating flavors such as maple bacon. There's outdoor seating available next door at the Android's Dungeon.
  • Krustyburger — Sells burgers, Ribwich, Sideshow Bob Footlong (hot dog), the Clogger and a veggie burger. There's additional seating available upstairs.
  • Cletus' Chicken Shack — Sells chicken and waffle sandwich, chicken thumbs (tenders), deep fried chicken, and chicken caesar salad. There's more seating available upstairs.
  • Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck — An outdoor 'food truck' at the Duff Brewery with tacos and nachos. There's seating available next door at the Duff Brewery.
  • Suds McDuff's Hot Dogs — Sells hot dogs, popcorn, churros, and the twisted pretzel of Marge Simpson. There's seating available next door at the Duff Brewery.
  • Luigi's Pizza — Sells various pizzas, pasta, and salad. There's seating available next door at the Duff Brewery.
  • Phineas Q. Butterfat's Ice Cream — Sells varying ice creams and sundaes. There's seating available next door at the Duff Brewery or across the street at Android's Dungeon.
• Plaza Grill — A BBQ-themed restaurant at the plaza with outdoor seating.
• Universal Tower Snack Shop — Has outdoor seating.
• Despicable Delights — Sells desserts, snacks and drinks with outdoor seating.
• Gru's Lab Cafe — Sells El Macho's nachos, chicken, Vector's grilled cheese pulled pork sandwich, salads and minion-themed desserts with indoor seating.
• Palace Theater Cafe — Grab and go salads, sandwiches and snacks.
• Mel's Diner — Beef/chicken/veggie burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, turkey legs, milkshakes and desserts with indoor seating.
• Cinnabon — Outdoor seating only.
• French Street Bistro — French-themed sandwiches, salads, pastries with indoor seating.
• Hollywood and Dine — Closest restaurant to the entrance that sells pizza, salad and sandwiches with indoor seating. They are the only place in the park to get funnel cakes.
• Lower Lot
  • Jurassic Cafe — Burgers, pizza, chicken, salad, and turkey legs with indoor seating.
  • Panda Express — Indoor seating.
  • Studio Cafe — Grab and go salads, sandwiches, snacks, and turkey legs.
  • Studio Scoops — Ice cream and desserts with no seating.
  • Toadstool Cafe — Quick service restaurant and cafe themed to Toad.

• Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Three Broomsticks — Restaurant/pub connected to Hog's Head that sells several kinds of beer including 3 brewed exclusively for Universal's Wizarding World. They also sell other drinks including Butterbeer and souvenir steins.
  • Hog's Head Pub — A pub connected to Three Broomsticks that sells regular and frozen Butterbeer, the same 3 exclusive beers as Three Broomsticks, Fire Whisky, other spirits, wine and souvenir steins.
  • Butterbeer Carts — Outdoor carts that sell frozen Butterbeer and souvenir steins.
  • Magic Neep Cart — Outdoor cart that sells ice cream, Gilly Water, pumpkin juice, and beer.
• Springfield (The Simpsons)
  • Moe's Tavern — Sells Flaming Moe's (non-alcoholic), Duff beer (2-3 kinds), and other beers, wines, spirits and a souvenir plastic Moe's pilsner glass. Indoor seating.
  • Duff Brewery — Sells 2-3 kinds of Duff beer and a souvenir plastic Duff pilsner glass. Outdoor seating.
  • Kwik-E-Kart — Sells squishees, snacks, cotton candy and popcorn.
  • Kwik-E-Mart — Sells Duff energy drinks in cans and Buzz Cola.
• Mulligan's Pub — Tiny Irish-themed pub near Despicable Me with several beers, cider, wine, and spirits. There's only a few barstools, but more outdoor seating near by.
• Starbucks — Large with lots of indoor seating. They have another smaller location in the lower lot.

The second level of CityWalk surrounding the fountain court holds a few nightlife spots.

There are two hotels near the property:

• 34.136766-118.3583231 Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City[1]
• 34.137421-118.3597332 Sheraton Universal Hotel [2]

• Hollywood is just to the south and an easy trip by way of the Red Line or the 101, and has numerous attractions celebrating the history of cinema beyond just those films produced by Universal Pictures, including the Walk of Fame, Gruman's Chinese Theater, Paramount Pictures Studios, and plenty of museums and theaters.
• Adjacent Studio City and nearby Burbank are home to numerous film and television studios; plan carefully and you may be able to attend the taping of a show!
• Orange County is home to Los Angeles' other two beloved theme parks: Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. By public transit, take the Red Line to Union Station in Downtown L.A. and transfer to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line.

Routes through Universal City

Santa Barbara ← Studio City ←	N  S	→ Hollywood → Downtown L.A.
END ← North Hollywood ←	N  S	→ Hollywood → Downtown L.A.

• Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.
• Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
• Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa.
• Universal Studios Beijing in Beijing.