Universal Studios Hollywood
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Universal Studios Hollywood was opened in 1915 as a studio, zoo, and working farm. Admission was five cents, and visitors had the opportunity to buy fresh produce grown on the farm. More than 100 years later, Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular attraction that’s close to plenty of other famous locales in the Los Angeles area. Many people come here to visit the theme park part of the complex, but film and TV buffs come to tour one of Hollywood’s oldest working film studios. When you visit, you’ll understand why this park bills itself as "The Entertainment Capital of LA."
How to Get There
Fly into Hollywood Burbank Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Santa Monica Airport, Van Nuys Airport, or the San Gabriel Valley Airport. Transportation options include Universal Studios Shuttle Bus, GO RIDE Transportation, and LA Metro Transportation. Cities near Universal Studios include Hollywood, Burbank, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Santa Monica.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Universal Studios Hollywood
Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
When you arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood, you’ll have your pick of the park’s 10 themed lands to explore. The wonders of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Transformers Metrobase, Springfield, and more await you. Thrilling rides like Flight of the Hippogriff, Jurassic World – The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, and other attractions are popular here.
No trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is complete without taking The World-Famous Studio Tour. On this tour, you’ll get to see some of the sets where popular movies and shows were filmed. "Jaws," "King Kong," "War of the Worlds," "Fast & Furious," and other movie sets are featured here.
Ticket Information
If you buy your tickets online, general one-day admission starts at $109, while general two-day admission starts at $149. A one-day Universal Express ticket that gives you express access to various rides starts at 199, while a one-day VIP Experience pass starts at $369. Early access tickets to Super Nintendo World start at $20. If you live in California and want to get a season pass, you can buy a California Neighbor Pass for $179. A Silver Annual Pass costs $229; a Gold Annual Pass costs $319; and a Platinum Annual Pass costs $619.
Family-Friendly Options
One of the most popular parts of Universal Studios Hollywood for young and old alike is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Older kids will enjoy rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, while younger ones will enjoy sipping on Butterbeer. If you get hungry, you can sample authentic British cuisine at the Three Broomsticks.
If you’re looking for a place with more rides geared toward younger kids, then Minion Land should be on your itinerary. One popular place for kids to go is Super Silly Fun Land, which contains a water play zone that contains 80 water-play features. In the dry zone, kids can climb and slide on various features and ride on Silly Swirly, which is a gentle buggy ride that flies kids through the air in a circle.
You can also visit Super Nintendo World with children so that they can ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, play interactive games, and snack at Toadstool Cafe.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
The best way to ride Universal Studios Hollywood’s top attractions is to visit them really early or really late in the day. If you buy the Super Nintendo World early access ticket, you can enter this part of the park an hour before general admission begins. Some of the most popular rides at the park are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, and Jurassic World, so you need to be prepared to wait several hours in line to ride them. When you’re ready to eat, you should check out the Three Broomsticks in the Harry Potter area, the Minion Cafe in the Minions area, or the Krusty Burger in the Simpsons area.
One classic picture-taking location is the Universal Studios Hollywood Globe and Arch. This metal globe at the park entrance tells everyone who sees it where you are in an instant. Another highly recognizable part of the park is Hogwarts Castle, which appeals to Harry Potter fans of all ages. Other top photo-snapping destinations in the park include Krusty the Clown in the Simpsons section, the shark from "Jaws" you’ll see on the Studio Tour, and the bright lights of CityWalk.
Universal Studios Hollywood Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
If you like a little extra beauty in your surroundings, Hollywood RV Park may be a great pick for your trip. One of the best features is the beautiful art murals all around the park. Hollywood RV Park also caters to the entertainment industry.
With a convenient location just 30 minutes from Hollywood, Walnut RV Park lets you stay close to all the top entertainment attractions. You can check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood before coming back to relax in your own RV. The resort is also close to other popular attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Santa Monica Pier, and Magic Mountain.
Dockweiler RV Park is located in the town of Playa del Rey. This option for RV camping in Costa Mesa is situated directly on the beach, and it is close to numerous amenities. Los Angeles International Airport is nearby, and the beach stays warm all year-round.
Activities Near Universal Studios Hollywood
Things to Do
Griffith Park
Griffith Park is just seven minutes east of Universal Studios Hollywood, so it’s a great place to visit when you want to get out in nature. When you’re not exploring the park’s more than 50 miles of trails, you can check out top-notch attractions like the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is just six minutes south of Universal Studios Hollywood. Some of America’s biggest stars and celebrities have their names immortalized on this attraction’s famous black and coral sidewalks.
The TCL Chinese Theatre
If you’re visiting the Walk of Fame, you can easily stop by the TCL Chinese Theatre, which is just a couple of minutes away. This iconic theater is known for its distinctive façade and its preserved handprints and footprints of celebrities.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Los Angeles is known for its temperate weather, so your odds of experiencing a beautiful day at Universal Studios Hollywood are high. The hottest month is August, which typically has an average high of 75 degrees. The coldest average month is December, which has an average high of 58 degrees. February is the wettest month, but since this area often averages less than four inches of rain a year, rain is usually not a factor in park enjoyment. The park does stay open if falling rain is the only problem, so you’ll still be able to enjoy most of the rides even in the rain.
Safety & Accessibility
All bags and backpacks are X-rayed before park entry, and all weapons are prohibited. All visitors have to pass through metal detectors before entering the park. For safety purposes, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has a sub-station at the park.
If you have an IBCCES Accessibility Card, you can receive help with queue accommodation. Free assistive listening devices are available for the hearing-impaired; those with mobility issues can rent wheelchairs and ECVs inside the park.
Conclusion
Universal Studios Hollywood is an excellent place for people of all ages to visit. Rides, shows, restaurants, and attractions based on a variety of themes provide fun places for adults and children to experience the wonders of Hollywood. Outside of the park, you’ll have your pick of lovely natural and man-made attractions to explore.
FAQ
The outskirts of the Angeles National Forest are about half an hour north of Universal Studios Hollywood. Some campgrounds within an hour of the park are Bear Canyon Campground, Gould Mesa Trail Camp, and Millard Trail Camp.
You can park your RV at Universal Studios Hollywood during the day, but you can’t camp there overnight. Some RV parks within half an hour of the park include Hollywood RV Park, Walnut RV Park, and Rafael’s RV Park.
If you want to bundle visiting Universal Studios Hollywood with exploring Los Angeles, you may want to book Universal’s LA Vacation Package through the park’s website. In addition to receiving park admission, you’ll be able to book a room in a partnered hotel, explore LA’s iconic landmarks, visit the city’s top natural attractions, and go on a food tour.
Plenty of family-friendly areas and attractions await you at Universal Studios Hollywood. Children can explore the worlds of wizards, dinosaurs, minions, and more through rides, restaurants, play areas, and interactive exhibits.
You can’t bring your pet to Universal Studios Hollywood, but you can bring your service animal as long as you register it at Guest Relations. Multiple kennels are within five minutes of the park.