Universal Studios Hollywood (USHH) is an exciting place, but it can quickly become crowded and expensive if you are not prepared.
Many guests waste valuable time, money, and energy by making simple errors before and during their visit. This guide breaks down the biggest mistakes to avoid, giving you key tips and tricks to help you save big and maximize your fun.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning, these insider secrets will make your day stress-free and unforgettable.
Money-Saving and Time-Saving Planning Tips
A successful day at Universal Studios Hollywood starts before you even arrive at the front gate. Smart planning helps you save money and avoid long lines right away.
Always Buy Your Tickets and Express Passes Ahead of Time
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is waiting to buy tickets at the park entrance. You will stand in line for up to 30 minutes just to get inside. Worse, you will spend much more money.
For example, a one-day ticket bought at the gate today might cost $159. If you buy the same ticket using the app or online ahead of time, it could be as low as $124. For a family of four, buying at the gate means spending over $120 extra. You could use that money for food or souvenirs inside the park instead.
This rule also applies to the Universal Express Pass.
- We always recommend getting Express Pass if you visit during peak times, holidays, or weekends.
- If you wait to upgrade inside the park, you will stand in another line.
- During peak times, there is an upcharge of nearly $100 if you wait to buy the Express Pass once you are already inside the park.
Get all your tickets and passes sorted out online before you arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Download the Universal Studios App Early
Before you get anywhere near the park property, download the official Universal Studios app. You can do this from home, your hotel, or anywhere with good internet service.
Cell phone reception near the top of the hill at the park entrance can be very spotty. You do not want to be the person standing at the entrance struggling to download the app with little or no cell service. Download it while you have a reliable connection.
The app is essential for:
- Linking your tickets or Annual Passes.
- Checking ride wait times.
- Using Mobile Ordering for food (a massive time saver).
- Checking showtimes and character meet-and-greet schedules.
If you are an Annual Passholder, link your ticket to the app beforehand, or bring the physical ticket. Do not waste 15 minutes waiting in line just to sort out your forgotten pass.
Maximizing Your Park Day
Universal Studios Hollywood has limited hours; sometimes the park closes as early as 6:00 PM. Every minute counts, so you must get there early and move with a plan.
Do Not Sleep In
Do not be a “bum” and sleep in. This is a huge mistake. Our biggest tip is to get here early.
The park is usually the emptiest right in the morning. This is the best time to tackle popular attractions before the major crowds arrive.
Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before the park officially opens. Park staff often open the gates a little early, allowing you to walk into the upper lot and be ready to go.
Parking Secrets: Jurassic Parking is Your Friend
When you arrive, you will have two main parking options, but one is much better than the other.
- Avoid the ET Parking Lot: You get to this lot by entering on Ventura and Universal Drive.
- Choose Jurassic Parking: Enter on Lankershim and drive up to the Jurassic Parking structure.
Pro Tip: Jurassic Parking is about a half mile closer to the main entrance of the park than the ET lot. If you want to save your feet from extra walking before your day even begins, park at Jurassic Parking.
Choose the Best Days to Visit
While any day at Universal Studios Hollywood is fun, some days are better than others. You want to avoid the worst crowds if possible.
The lowest wait times happen during the fall, winter, and spring, but be careful to avoid Spring Break. Generally, you should avoid visiting when children are out of school, such as:
- President’s Day weekend
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
Visiting during the middle of the week is much better than visiting on weekends. The best days to visit with the least amount of crowds and traffic are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Packing Your Park Essentials
Once you have prepared your tickets and chosen your day, the next mistake to avoid is showing up without the items you need. Planning ahead means packing a smart park bag.
Here is a list of must-have park essentials to keep your day comfortable and ready for anything:
| Essential Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Tide Stick | Quickly remove spills (like hot honey mustard) from your clothes. |
| Hand Sanitizer | In-park sanitizer is expensive ($15) and may not smell great. Bring your own favorite kind. |
| Floss | Nothing is worse than having popcorn or food stuck in your teeth while taking photos. |
| Lip Balm | Prevent dry, crusty lips, especially if you are filming or taking pictures. |
| Nail Glue | If you wear press-on nails, you need this for quick fixes if one pops off. |
| Visine | If you are tired, Visine helps you look more refreshed. |
| Earplugs | For those who are sensitive to noise, Universal is a very loud park. Use these on loud rides like the Jurassic World ride. |
| Portable Battery | You will use your phone constantly for the Universal app, mobile ordering, and taking pictures. Keep it charged. |
| Oil Absorbing Sheets | Use these to absorb oil and sweat, especially on hot days, to avoid looking shiny or “gross.” |
| Extra Hair Ties | Essential for putting your hair up quickly when you get hot and sweaty. |
| Hair Brush | You never know when you might need it for a quick touch-up. |
| Wallet and ID | Do not forget your ID, especially if you plan to buy an adult beverage. |
| Mini Light | Always useful for good lighting if you are taking photos or videos. |
| Sunglasses (Sunnies) | Protect your eyes from the Los Angeles sun. Do not buy expensive, novelty sunglasses from the gift shop you will never wear again. |
| Sunscreen | You must get sunscreen before you arrive, as buying it in the park can be extremely costly. Lather up before you get to the park. |
| Water Bottle/Hydro Flask | There are five water bottle refill stations around the park. Use a Hydro Flask (or similar insulated bottle) because it keeps your water cold all day. Plastic bottles will get warm and gross. |
The Power-Up Band Mistake
If you plan to visit Super Nintendo World, you will need a Power-Up Band to fully enjoy the interactive elements, games, and coin collecting. It costs about $39.
Super Nintendo World is the loudest area in the park. If you have noise sensitivities, ensure you wear your earplugs when you go to collect coins and play the games. The band links to your Universal app to track your scores and stats.
Strategy: Upper Lot vs. Lower Lot
A common mistake is arriving without a plan for tackling the park’s unique geography. Universal Studios Hollywood is split into two sections: the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot. They are divided by about 350 stairs, four escalators, and a long walkway. You need a strategy to save your feet and time.
Start on the Lower Lot
We highly recommend starting your day on the Lower Lot.
- It is our favorite area.
- The Lower Lot holds four of the best and most thrilling attractions in the entire resort (including the Mummy ride).
- This is where Super Nintendo World is located.
If you get to the park early, as advised, and immediately head down to the Lower Lot, you can knock out the most popular attractions and spend plenty of time in Super Nintendo World before the big crowds arrive.
Utilizing Free Lockers
When riding thrilling attractions like the Mummy ride, you cannot have any loose items or bags with you. You must use the lockers.
You can utilize the free lockers at the Mummy ride for up to two hours.
- Important: These are smaller lockers. If you have a very large bag, you may have to pay an additional upcharge for a bigger locker.
Do not be a knucklehead: Remember to keep your Park Ticket and your phone with you, even when putting your bag in the free locker. You need your ticket to open and close the locker. The rides provide a small pouch or baggie to hold these items.
Use the Single Rider Line
Another crucial mistake to avoid is waiting in the long regular lines if you are comfortable riding next to strangers.
You should utilize the Single Rider line whenever possible. There are five Single Rider attractions in the entire resort, and four of them are on the Lower Lot. This can save you huge amounts of time.
Beware of Getting Soaked on Jurassic World
If you ride Jurassic World the Ride, you will get wet. Do not get angry or upset when this happens; it is a water ride.
- If you want to get super soaked: Sit in the very front row.
- If you want to get slightly less wet: Sit in the very back row.
It is inevitable; every single seat gets wet. Embrace it, especially on a hot summer day. If it is hot, consider wearing sandals or quick-drying clothing.
Dining Mistakes: When and Where to Eat
Food lines and dining reservations are another major area where people waste time and money. You must have a dining strategy.
Avoid the Lunch Rush and Mobile Order
If you want to get your food quickly and easily, wait until after 2:00 PM for lunch. This avoids the massive midday rush.
If you must eat during the lunch rush, do not wait in line.
Mobile Order your food using the Universal Studios app. You can place your order, go ride rides or see shows while you virtually wait, and then pick up your meal when it is ready. You can mobile order from every restaurant in the theme park except Toadstool Cafe.
The Toadstool Cafe Reservation Mistake
If you want to dine at Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World, you absolutely must plan ahead. This restaurant is extremely popular.
You cannot just show up later in the day and expect them to give you a reservation. You need to get here early, right when the park opens. Look for the QR codes located all around Super Nintendo World to get your dining reservation. Make eating here a priority and do it first.
Research Your Food Choices
Do not waste up to 90 minutes walking back and forth between the Upper and Lower Lots trying to decide what to eat. This will annoy everyone in your party.
Research the food before you go to ensure you get the best value for your money and enjoy what you eat.
Our three favorite restaurants are:
- Three Broomsticks
- Toadstool Cafe
- Minion Cafe
Where to Find Seating
Finding a place to sit and eat can be challenging during peak times.
- Upper Lot Seating: Find tons of seating at the Carl Laemmle Plaza or in the upstairs VIP Crusty Room above Krusty Burger.
- Lower Lot Seating (Our Favorite): Head to Jurassic Cove, which is upstairs above the Jurassic Cafe Restaurant.
The Freestyle Cup Debate
The souvenir Freestyle cups offer a great value, especially if you drink a lot of soda.
- One cup costs $19.
- Two cups cost $17 each.
- Refills throughout the day cost $12.99.
- You can bring them back and reactivate them on any future park day, and they also work at Universal Orlando.
Do Not Skip the Classics and Character Meet-and-Greets
Universal Studios Hollywood offers more than just rides; the live entertainment and studio experience are key parts of the visit. Do not make the mistake of skipping these classics.
The World Famous Studio Tram Tour
The Studio Tram Tour is the oldest attraction in the park and is why the theme park exists today. It runs on a working studio lot, which makes the park truly unique. The backlot has over 100 years of movie-making history.
The tour is an hour long and often has delays, so go to the restroom before you get on the tram.
Ultimate Pro Tip for the Tram Tour: Ride in the fourth tram car on the very last row (Row 8). This spot ensures you have the best views, especially during the special effects like Jaws and the Psycho house scene (where you get “stabbed” by Norman Bates). You will not have an obstructed view when looking back at the sets as they reset.
The WaterWorld Stunt Show is Non-Negotiable
This is a non-negotiable part of your day. Skipping the WaterWorld stunt show is a major mistake. This stunt show has been running for 30 years and features incredible action, including people set on fire, jet skis, and amazing diving stunts.
Heed the Warning: They are serious about the blue seats. If you sit in the blue seats, you will get drenched. If you do not want to get soaked, sit toward the middle or the back.
Character Meet-and-Greets
Character meet-and-greets are one of the best parts of the park experience. Do not skip them.
You can find a huge variety of characters, including:
- Minions and Trolls from newer movies.
- Classic Universal Monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Bride.
Many characters roam the Upper Lot, especially around Sound Stage 52. Other popular characters, like those in Super Nintendo World, have scheduled, timed meet-and-greets.
The staff at the meet-and-greet locations are great at helping you get the perfect photo or video. The roaming characters, like Frankenstein, are known for being engaging and fun.
Final Must-Do Experiences
The Sensory Break
If the park is too hot, too crowded, or too loud, you need to take a sensory break. Do not ignore your need to relax.
There are a few good places for a break, but our favorite is at Jurassic Cove, which is the area above the Jurassic Cafe restaurant on the Lower Lot. It is usually quiet, empty, and offers good shade. It is a great place to step away and recharge for a moment.
Get Your Butterbeer
If you visit Universal Studios Hollywood and do not get a Butterbeer, you are missing out on a staple drink. It is like visiting Disneyland and skipping a churro.
You can get Butterbeer hot, cold, or frozen. We personally love the Frozen Butterbeer. Make sure this is part of your day.
Have Fun and Enjoy Your Day
If you have followed all these tips, you are ready for a great day. But if you were not able to follow every single strategy or tip in this video, that is perfectly fine. You will still have a good day.
The most important tip we can give you is to relax, take it all in, and have fun. You are here with family, friends, or a partner, and you deserve to have the best time ever. These strategies are meant to help you save time and money, but good vibes are the true secret to the perfect Universal Studios Hollywood visit.