When you visit Universal Studios Hollywood, you want to maximize your time for the best experience. The rides, shows, and attractions are plenty, and you might want to have a little bit of each. Unfortunately, the large crowds and the time limits may hinder you from achieving this goal.
With some Universal Studios Hollywood tips, you’ll beat the lines and make every event on your list. Take control of the situation in your hands by doing the following and make your day at this beautiful theme park memorable.
Universal Studios Hollywood Tips for the First Time Visitors
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Ticket Tips
One of the hands-down tips to beating the long queues at the entrance is to buy your tickets in advance. Buy your tickets online in advance and have the advantage of booking at considerably lower prices.
If you’re unsure of the specific day you’ll visit the park, online flexibility allows you to purchase an “anytime admission” ticket.
Consider getting a Universal Express Pass. This is a ticket that gives you quick front-of-the-line access to every attraction and show. It’ll reduce your wait time by more than half. It comes in handy during the peak seasons when the park is at full capacity.
Children below two years enter the park free of charge. However, find out the height requirements for some rides in advance as they may not be allowed.
Avoid buying tickets from third-party resellers. You have no way of verifying that they’re valid and authentic.
Consider getting a Universal Studios VIP Experience package that offers valet parking and a personal-guide tour. You also get unlimited priority to access rides, shows, and have breakfast in the VIP lounge.
Get the two-day pass that allows you to see everything there is to see without a rush. It’ll allow you to explore every area more keenly and have more character meets, so you leave the park happy and satisfied. Prices for this ticket are lower for the second day.
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Getting There
You may think of renting a car to get to the park if you don’t stay in the hotels within the area. Avoid this if you can as it’ll cost you more and eat into your time looking for a parking spot. Parking your car at the parks will cost you $25, which you’d rather spend on something else.
Use the Metro as it’s the cheapest means to get to the park. The station is less than a mile from the park’s entrance. Alternatively, you can use the free bus if this distance is too long.
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At the Park
Another tip that’ll help you avoid the long lines is to get to the park early enough. The earlier you get there, the better your chances of enjoying all the rides with the shortest wait times.
Breakfast Options
Getting there early also means you can make breakfast reservations to meet your favorite character. What would be more impressive than having your breakfast while being entertained in reality?
If you don’t want to eat at the park, eat your breakfast early before arriving here. A buffet at Universal Hilton, for example, will cost you less than $200 with overnight accommodation. Other places to dine at Universal City Walk are Starbucks, Subway, Jonny Rockets, and Voodoo Doughnut.
Upper and Lower Lots
It’s advisable to get a map of the park to familiarize yourself with the setup. The park has an Upper and a Lower Lot. The Lower Lot is less busy yet has some of the most exciting rides.
Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, and Jurassic World are the top rides you shouldn’t miss. A walk from the Upper to the Lower lot may take you 10-15 minutes. Therefore, it’s better to head straight to the Lower Lot upon entrance.
Finishing off with activities in one lot before heading to the next helps you avoid the tiring back and forth. You also save on valuable time to maximize your experience.
Bring Some Drinking Water
All the excitement and motion at the park will leave you dehydrated. Bring your own bottle of water, and once empty, you can refill it from the numerous fountains around the park. This way, you don’t have to buy water.
Must-Have Rides and Shows
The fastest way to get on a ride is through the Single Riders Line. Some of the trips you can’t afford to miss are Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. They have the single rider option, and so you can quickly hop from one to the other.
The others are Revenge of the Mummy and the Transformers: The Ride 3D. With the single rider pass, you can enjoy all these in the morning and attend the shows in the afternoon.
Save the Studio Tour for the Afternoon
The Studio Tour is what makes Universal Studios Hollywood the attractive place it is. It wouldn’t be fair for you to go to the park and miss the famous movie-making backdrops. It’s your chance to see Wisteria Lane from “Desperate Housewives,” and Town Square from “Back to the Future” among others.
Your ride will be more exciting if you make it in time for the live filming. The Studio Tour closes before the closing of Universal Studios. Ensure you hence check the time for the last tram in advance to avoid missing out.
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Best Time to Visit
A trick you can use to get the most out of Universal Studios Hollywood experience is to visit when there are fewer visitors. Avoid the times when children are out of school, especially on the weekends, school breaks, and public holidays. Summer is the busiest period followed by spring, while fall and winter have the least crowds.
If you want to meet celebrities, you can check the Universal Studios Hollywood calendar to see when they’re around. You may also be able to spot them during the famous tram ride.
Final Thoughts
Universal Studios Hollywood is a beehive of exciting activities. If you want to get the most of the park, you should arm yourself with some Universal Studios Hollywood tips. They’ll guide you on what to expect, what to do, and what to avoid.
One trick to make your visit more enjoyable is to arrive early and know where to head. Avoid spending time in line by purchasing express passes and using the single rider options. Check out the layout of the park in advance to make it easier to find your way around.
