Theme Park Insider

Get News by E-mail

Universal Studios Hollywood

Los Angeles, California

About Universal Studios Hollywood

Location: Universal Studios Hollywood is located just north of downtown Los Angeles, at Cahuenga Pass on U.S. 101. You can get driving directions by clicking the Universal Studios Hollywood link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Universal has hosted spectators at its studios since the 1920s, and began tram tours in the 1960s. In the late '80s, it opened its lower lot, expanding Universal Studios Hollywood to a full-fledged theme park.

The King Kong attraction burned in a backlot fire in 2008 and is no longer part of the tour. An unannounced replacement is reportedly being planned. The Creature From The Black Lagoon: The Musical opens in the Castle Theater (recently home to the Fear Factor show) in July 2009.

Hours: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com. Universal is open every day.

Tickets: Buy and print online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park.

Strategy: Try Theme Park Insider's Four Hour Tour of Universal Studios Hollywood.
-- Last edited by Joseph Staconis

[Update this description | Read previous versions]

Photos from Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Photo

Readers' Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

[133 + / 17 -] When the park opens go to the Simpsons Ride first and by the time you're out, the lower lot should be open and you can ride Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy with little to no wait.

[42 + / 5 -] Pre-school kids won't find much to do here (unlike at the Florida version). Wait until your children at at least 7 or 8 years old before visiting.

[25 + / 6 -] Hit the lower lot early in the morning to avoid the long line at the thrill rides

Universal Studios Hollywood Hotels

Readers' Opinions

Attractions

Lower Lot(Rating)(Height)
Jurassic Park - The Ride846
Revenge of the Mummy848
Special Effects Stages7
Backdraft6
The Universal Experience6
Transformers
Upper Lot(Rating)(Height)
Terminator 2: 3D9
Waterworld8
The Simpsons Ride840
Studio Tour8
Shrek 4-D7
Universal's Animal Actors7
Universal's House of Horrors7
The Adventures Of Curious George6
Creature From The Black Lagoon4

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining

Lower Lot(Rating)
Jurassic Cove Cafe6
Panda Express5
Upper Lot(Rating)
Mel's Diner8
Hollywood Grill8
Louie's Pizza and Pasta7
Doc Brown's Fancy Chicken7
Flintstone's Drive-In6
Dodger Dogs5
Cantina5

[Add a missing restaurant]

Events and Features

Safety

Search Theme Park Insider

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States/Canada Top 20 *

Other U.S. parks

International parks

Water parks

Theme Park Insider on Twitter

@ThemePark

New HD video of Cedar Point's Millennium Force: http://bit.ly/5u8iiI That'll fire up your Friday!
2009-11-20 18:02 Link

By the way, @HolidayWorld. We're demanding cranberry sauce on the turkey next time! :-) http://bit.ly/6zDSup
2009-11-20 17:34 Link

Our vote of the week: Holiday traditions and cranberry sauce: http://bit.ly/6zDSup
2009-11-20 17:32 Link

Five Disney legends recall Walt's management style: http://bit.ly/uhv5B #IAAPA2009
2009-11-20 00:00 Link

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive