The best Universal Studios Hollywood tips come down to three things: arrive before opening, ride the Studio Tour and the most popular attractions early, and plan your day around the park's two levels, the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot. Below are the tips and tricks we share with guests at the Inn, which sits just 4.9 miles from the park in Valley Village.
Know the layout before you go
Universal Studios Hollywood is built into a hillside, and the single most useful thing to understand is that it is split into two areas connected by a long series of escalators known as the Starway.
- The Upper Lot is where you enter. It is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons area, the shows and the boarding area for the famous Studio Tour.
- The Lower Lot sits at the bottom of the hill. It is home to Super Nintendo World and several of the bigger rides, including Jurassic World, Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers.
Going down and back up the Starway takes real time, especially with children or anyone who tires easily. The best trick is to do each lot in one block rather than bouncing between them. Many visitors head down to the Lower Lot first, while most of the crowd lingers near the entrance, then spend the afternoon on the Upper Lot.
Timing tips that save hours
- Arrive before the gates open. The first hour of the day is the quietest on almost every ride. Being at security early makes a bigger difference than any other tip on this list.
- Go midweek if you can. Weekdays outside school holidays are usually calmer than weekends and holiday periods.
- Use the official app. The Universal Studios Hollywood app shows live wait times, show schedules and park maps. Check it often and move to whatever looks short.
- Ride the headliners early or late. Waits tend to peak from late morning through the afternoon. Save shows and indoor attractions for the middle of the day.
- Check the day's hours and any return-time systems on the morning of your visit. On busy days, entry to some popular areas can be managed with return times through the app, so look before you plan your route.
Do not skip the Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood is a working film and television studio, and the Studio Tour is what makes it different from almost every other theme park. A tram takes you through the backlot, past real sets and soundstages, with plenty of surprises along the way.
- Ride it early or late. Queues for the tram often build during the middle of the day.
- Sit where you can see. Guests on the outer side of the tram get the clearest views of the sets; ask the attendant if you have a preference.
- Remember it is a working lot. What you see changes depending on what is filming, so every visit is a little different.
Film fans should know that the area is full of studio history. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is 7.4 miles from our door, and it pairs well with a Universal day on a separate trip.
Ride tricks: single rider lines, lockers and Express
- Use single rider lines. Several rides offer a single rider queue. If your group does not mind splitting up, this is often the fastest way on.
- Know the locker rules. Some rides require loose items to be stored in lockers before you board. Pack light so you spend less time at locker banks.
- Consider Universal Express. Express passes let you use a shorter line on many attractions. They are worth considering on busy days if your time is limited; compare the options on the official site, since what is included can vary.
- Check height requirements in advance. If you are visiting with children, look up each ride's height limit before you go so no one is disappointed in the queue.
- Use rider swap. Families with a child who is too small for a ride can usually ask about rider swap, so adults take turns without queueing twice.
Food, comfort and money-saving tips
- Eat at off-peak times. Have lunch early or late to avoid the midday rush at the restaurants.
- Bring a refillable water bottle. Southern California days can be hot and dry, and the Starway and hills add up.
- Wear proper walking shoes and sunscreen. You will be outdoors and on your feet for most of the day.
- Charge your phone. You will rely on the app for wait times and maps, so a portable battery is worth packing.
- Explore CityWalk. The shopping and dining street just outside the gates is a good place for a meal before or after the park.
- Eat a proper breakfast first. If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, a good breakfast before you go means one less expensive meal inside the park.
Getting there and getting home
Universal sits on the Valley side of the Hollywood Hills, beside the 101 freeway. You can drive and use the park's parking structures, take a ride-share, or use the Metro B Line to Universal City/Studio City station, which is a short trip from the park entrance. Wherever you stay, think about the end of the day too: the post-park rush out of the parking structures and onto the 101 can be slow, so a base nearby makes the last leg much easier.
That is where staying in the Valley helps. Our home at 5235 Goodland Avenue in Valley Village is 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, on a quiet cul-de-sac minutes from the 101 and the 405, and easy from Burbank and LAX airports. There is parking on the cul-de-sac and open street parking, so you can drive to the park in the morning and come home when you have had enough.
The ultimate tip: a calm place to come home to
Theme park days are long. The trick we have seen work best for our guests is splitting the day: go early, ride the big attractions, then come back for a swim and a quiet evening before heading out again if you want to.
The Inn at The Enchanted Manor is a private vacation rental with a large living room with a fireplace and two down couches, a queen Murphy bed, and a full kitchen with coffee and tea provided. The octagonal breakfast room has French windows on every side and two skylights, looking out over the pool and the outdoor fireplace. For families there is the Secret Room, a finished attic hidden behind a bookcase with four twin beds reached by a ladder, and the Great Room with its stone fireplace; with both opened the Inn sleeps up to six. There is a crib, high chair, toys and games for little ones.
Outside, the grounds cover more than 18,000 square feet: a saltwater grotto pool with three waterfalls, a raised Jacuzzi, nine colours of light for the pool and spa, a thatched gazebo bar with a barbecue, a lava-rock fire pit and fairy lights in the trees. As Malaya G. told us: “My kids didn't want to get out of the pool. They loved the secret room behind the book case.”
From the Inn, the rest of LA is close too: the Hollywood Sign is 7.2 miles away, the LA Zoo 8.3 miles, Griffith Park 11 miles and Santa Monica Beach 19 miles. For more ideas, see our guide to family friendly places to stay in Los Angeles, or our honest look at whether the Hollywood Sign hike is worth it.
Plan your Universal trip from the Inn
If Universal Studios Hollywood is on your list, make the Inn your base. Rates start at $575 a night Monday to Thursday and $595 Friday to Sunday, with a two-night minimum. See photos and details on our vacation rental page, or call or text Georgia at (213) 999-3050. And if you are celebrating something while you are in town, the manor hosts events of all kinds; see our events page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Arrive before the gates open. The first hour of the day has the shortest waits on most rides, and weekdays outside school holidays are usually calmer than weekends.
Should I do the Upper Lot or Lower Lot first?
Many visitors head down the Starway escalators to the Lower Lot first while crowds gather near the entrance, then spend the afternoon on the Upper Lot. The key is to finish one lot before moving to the other.
Where should I stay near Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Valley neighbourhoods just north of the park, such as Studio City and Valley Village, are close and quieter. The Inn at The Enchanted Manor in Valley Village is 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood.
Is the Studio Tour worth it?
Yes. Universal Studios Hollywood is a working film and TV studio, and the tram tour through the backlot is the attraction that makes the park unique. Ride it early or late in the day to avoid the longest queues.
