The Ultimate Universal Studios Guide
Are you going to Universal Studios? A trip to LA that doesn’t involve theme parks is not a trip at all. Well, that’s how some people feel.
Whether you’ve travelling with the whole family, you’re a movie buff, or you’re just after a few thrills, Universal Studios Hollywood is a few fun-filled hours you won’t regret.
Here’s our guide to getting the most out of a trip to Universal Studios
Fast Track and VIP
A Front of Line Pass is definitely the way to go if you want to minimise wait time. Lines for rides, especially newer attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, can stretch up to an hour, and with children in tow, that can be tiresome. Front of Line passes allow you to go straight to a shorter queue but cost around $70 more and only provide priority once on each ride. The VIP experience will set you back $200 more than a normal ticket and includes lunch, a private guide, Fast Pass benefits and more time with special access in the Backlot.
When to visit
If you don’t want to spend extra to get a priority ticket don’t worry, there are still a few things you can do to get the most out of your day.
Try to visit the park at a quiet time – weekdays are still busy but there might be fewer kids than on weekends. Universal Studios is open from 9am seven days a week. It is open later in Summer and on weekends. September is the peak period for Expedia’s Aussie travellers and if you want just a few hours in the park, visiting towards the end of the day means you’ll avoid the heat and some of the crowds.
Pre-pay your ticket online so you don’t need to line up to purchase one on the day. There may also be buy one day, get the second day free promotions running.
Timing
Start your day with a visit to the Warner Brothers Backlot Studio Tour. The lines here can get hectic so it’s best to get the wait out of the way – if you go earlier you might beat the crowds too. You’ll get glimpses of the world’s movie studio in open-air vehicles hosted by very energetic guides and a TV presentation by funny man Jimmy Fallon.
From special effects like a raging flood and a battle with King Kong to disaster scenes straight from the War of the Worlds, this fun tour is just a taste of the elaborate sets behind some of the greatest movies to grace the big screen.
Once you’ve visited the backlot, try to make a beeline for the newest ride – this year it’s Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. The newer rides usually have the longest wait time.
Along with rides and the backlot, Universal Studios has plenty of shows, including the Special Effects Stage, Animal Actor displays and WaterWorld. If you’re keen to see these, allow time to line up. If you’re not, take note of the times as the other rides and attractions may be quieter while the shows are on.
Rides
Single or couple groups often get the chance to fill empty seats. If you can split up into smaller groups, you might get to skip ahead.
Universal Studios is split into two levels, with long sets of stairs and escalators separating the two. Try to do everything on one level before heading to the next, that way you won’t miss anything or waste time travelling up and down between the levels.
Where to stay
If you really want to maximise your time in the park, try staying in a hotel nearby. You won’t waste time in traffic or in the parking lot. The Hilton Universal City and the Sheraton Universal Hotel are both onsite and have free shuttles to the park.
Lisa was the guest of Universal Studios Hollywood.
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