Universal Studios Hollywood for Beginners

Universal Studios Hollywood is the first studio theme park and is still the only place you can ride and see the movies being made. This article is a handy guide first first-timers to the park to help you decide if the Universal Studios Hollywood is worth a visit.

What is Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk?

Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) is a working movie studio with a full-day theme park component added on. USH is the original movie studio theme park, offering behind-the-scenes looks into the movies at iconic locations around the backlot on the Studio Tour. Then explore the movies in fully immersive attractions and lands like Jurassic World the Ride, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, and Super Nintendo World. CityWalk is an entertainment and dining district located steps from the park.

Where is Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is located north of Hollywood, CA, in the same mountains that house the famous HOLLYWOOD sign at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. Disneyland is approximately 35 miles away on I-5 and the 101, a half-hour to 2-hour drive depending on traffic (it’s LA!). Public transit is available by taking the train to LA Union Station, then the public subway on the red line to Universal City.

How Much is Admission to the Park?

Admission starts at $109 per adult plus tax, per day (child admission is available starting at $104 per child plus tax). Admission prices vary throughout the year based on expected attendance. Check online for your prices during your visit.

What About Express Pass?

USH offers a skip-the-line option called Express Pass. Two Express Passes are offered: a once-per-attraction pass and an unlimited pass. Prices start at $189 per person plus tax for the standard Express Pass and $229 per person plus tax for the Unlimited Express Pass. A VIP tour is offered for the park that includes admission, breakfast and lunch, a private tour of the studio, a walking tour of the park, an unlimited express pass, and more starting at $350 per person plus tax.

I’ve Visited Universal Orlando. Should I Go to USH?

The star attraction of the park is the Studio Tour, an hour-long tram tour of the working movie and television production studios. You’ll see behind the scenes of famous sets, in production filming, iconic Studio Tour stops like Amity Island and JAWS, and maybe even see and celebrity of two. The Studio Tour is worth the price of admission in our opinion and is not to be missed.

The following attractions are unique or different enough from their Orlando cousins to warrant a visit:

• Studio Tour
• WaterWorld – Live action stunt show, not to be missed
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash – family dark ride with AAs and a cute storyline
• Super Silly Funland – child water play area
• KungFu Panda Adventure – 4D movie
• Jurassic World The Ride – splash flume ride
• Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift (opens 2026) – rollercoaster with launches and controlled “drifting” cars

Does Universal Hollywood Have Seasonal Events?

Universal Studios Hollywood has several seasonal events throughout the year, with the big three of Fan Fest, Halloween Horror Nights, and the Holidays at Universal. Fan Fest is a separate admission evening event where fan favorite properties come to life throughout the park. Walk through a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, adventure with the Straw Hat Pirates of One Piece, meet a colorful collection of Yoshis, and much more. Halloween Horror Nights brings pop culture nightmares to USH with themed haunted houses and scare zones. Holidays at Universal Hollywood is the time of the year to have a warm Butterbeer as you watch a Christmas projection show on Hogwarts Castle, or you just want to cause some mischief with the Grinch.

How Do I Get to CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood?

USH is accessed off the 101 at exit 11B going north from downtown LA and Anaheim, and exit 12A going south on the 101 from Santa Clarita and Burbank. Parking is available in a set of parking garages for time-dependent rates:

🚙 General Parking Before 5:00 pm: $40

🚙 General Parking After 5:00 pm: $10

🚙 Preferred Parking Before 5:00 pm: Starting from $60

🚙 Preferred Parking After 5:00 pm: Starting from $20

🚙 Front Gate Parking: Starting from $75, closer to the front entrance of the park.

🚗 Valet Parking Standard Rates

• $25 for First 2 Hours
• $60 after 2 Hours

Check and consider if public transportation is a good option for you. A train from Anaheim to LA Union Station, then a ride on the Metro B-Line, is two hours, compared to an hour to 90 minutes in I-5 traffic. If you are staying in downtown LA, look into the Metro B-Line; it is roughly a 45-minute commute from the Walt Disney Theater to the park.

Ride share drop off is located immediately outside the park entrance on Hotel Drive.

Where Can I Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood?

There are two hotels located near and within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood. First, Sheraton Universal Hotel (4-star hotel) is a Marriott property with hip, modern accommodations with a full resort of dining and amenities. Dining options include a grab-and-go, full-service restaurant, and several bars. The other hotel is the Hilton Los Angeles Universal City (4-star hotel), which has a grand atrium that houses its restaurants and bars. The pool space has a pool bar and grille, too. Both hotels receive similar ratings and charge similar rates; both are good choices.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

⭐️ Got a Nintendo fan? Purchase the Super Nintendo World Early Access to enter the land and ride Mario Kart Bowser Challenge before the general admission guests. Prices range from $20 to $30 per person, plus tax, in addition to theme park admission.

⭐️ Arrive at the gates at least half an hour before the advertised park opening; bump that up to 45 minutes to an hour on weekends, in the summer, and during holidays.

⭐️ Driving to USH? Factor in a 15-minute walk from the parking garages, through CityWalk, to the theme park entrance.

⭐️ The Studio Tour is the star attraction of the park. Visit within the first hour the park is open or half an hour before the park closes.

⭐️ WaterWorld is a must-see stunt show; see the first performance of the day.