From thrilling roller coasters and mesmerising shows to exciting behind-the-scenes tours, there really is something for everyone at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. If you’re planning on heading there soon, our two-day itinerary will help you get the most out of your time in the park.
How many days should I spend at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Although you can get a lot of the theme park done in a one-day visit, we generally recommend that first-time visitors plan to spend two days at Universal Studios Hollywood. The extra day will mean you can take your time and see everything without any stress.
And did you know, if you book your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets with AttractionTickets.com, you’ll get a second day completely free!
We recommend booking your tickets in advance to save money and time. The tickets come as gate-ready e-tickets, so you can book right up until the last minute for direct entry into the park.
Day 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood
Our favourite saying when it comes to theme parks is, “the early bird catches the worm!” It’s always best to start your day early in the morning to get the most time in the park and not miss any highlights.
Morning | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Springfield
Universal Studios Tour |
Lunch | Snacks: Krusty Burger, Suds McDuff’s Hot Dog House, or the Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck Meals: The Three Broomsticks |
Afternoon | Meet the characters Minion Mayhem Ride The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash |
Evening | Universal CityWalk
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Morning: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
If you’re a Harry Potter fan (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you need to start your day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This part of Universal Studios is quite popular – it’s full of muggles! It’s best to get to the park early and head straight here.
One of the top rides is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This attraction is a real highlight for all visitors and should be on your must-do list. It’s perfect for adrenaline junkies as you’ll get to soar above Hogwarts with Harry and his pals.
If you’re visiting the park with little wizards or witches, try Flight of the Hippogriff, an enchanting mini-coaster that the whole family will enjoy. You’ll get views over the snow-topped roofs of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle as you take some whimsical turns.
After the excitement of the rides, it’s time to take the Insta-worthy pics. Head to Hogwarts Castle and grab a snap in front of it for what is sure to be your most magical holiday photo.
That’s a lot of thrills for one morning. Time to relax for a moment and grab a refreshing butterbeer. This non-alcoholic, sweet drink is a favourite of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. You can watch the Frog Choir show, which is usually performed for the first time at around 10.30am, or do a spot of souvenir shopping in Hogsmeade.
Budding witches and wizards should visit Ollivanders wand shop for a truly magical souvenir. The highlight here? You don’t choose the wand, the wand chooses you. It’s an unforgettable experience not to be missed.
Morning: Explore the home of The Simpsons, Springfield
Next, we suggest you head to Springfield. Here, you can check out The Simpsons Ride, which combines funny animations with the best digital technology to transport you to the world of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
Top tip: Always have your camera handy, as there are lots of surprises waiting for you here.
And what would a visit to Springfield be without a proper donut? You can find the tastiest ones at Lard Lad Donuts which has a menu based entirely on Homer’s favourite snack!
Morning: The Universal Studio Tour
Seeing as we are in Hollywood, let’s get into the movies! The unique thing about Universal Studios Hollywood is that as well as being an epic theme park, it also operates as an actual film studio.
Don’t miss the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an insight into everyday life on a film set with one of the best things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood: the Studio Tour. Everyone will love it, but film enthusiasts will really get a kick out of this backlot tour.
You’ll get to see real-life film sets from some classics like Back to the Future. You might also recognise Colonial Street, or as it’s now better-known, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives.
The tour includes King Kong 360 – 3D, an attraction that has won awards for its uniqueness and realism. It takes you into a fight between Kong and an 11-metre-tall T-rex. But that’s not all. At the end of the tour, there’s a Fast and the Furious grand finale.
We recommend taking the tour in the morning when the park is not too busy. The tour will last between 40 and 60 minutes and is perfect to fit in before a well-deserved lunch.
Want to get even closer to these iconic TV and film sets? With a Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience ticket, you’ll get an exclusive guided tour with the opportunity to get off the tram and see sets that regular park guests don’t visit.
You’ll also get Express Ride Passes, a gourmet lunch, and access to the VIP lounge included in your pass.
Lunch
You definitely won’t go hungry at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you just want to grab a quick snack on the go, then Springfield is the place to be. Your favourite Simpsons characters await you at Krusty Burger, Suds McDuff’s Hot Dog House, or the Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck.
If you fancy something more substantial, head back to The Three Broomsticks at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here, you can enjoy classic British meals such as shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and bangers and mash.
Afternoon: Character meetings and photo opportunities
Now that your tummies are full, it’s probably best to avoid extreme thrill rides! Instead, keep your eyes peeled for some iconic movie characters, and you might be lucky enough to grab a selfie with them or have a quick chat.
We recommend saving all photo sessions for the afternoon as the lines for the rides will be longest at this time.
Top tip: Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app before you visit so you know where everything is in the park. This will also help you keep track of where you’re most likely to find your must-see characters.
Afternoon: rides
After meeting the Minions from Despicable Me, hop on the Minion Mayhem Ride and immerse yourself in a 3D world where you can explore Gru’s laboratory. After this tour, join the Minions at the dance party.
When you’ve danced til you’ve dropped, hop into a cardboard box on The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash ride, where you’ll explore the streets of New York City with Max, Duke, Gidget, and Snowball. Watch as you transform into an adorable puppy and prepare for your own adoption day.
Evening: Universal CityWalk
If you’re not completely worn out by now, spend the evening at Universal CityWalk. There are all kinds of themed restaurants to choose from for dinner, like The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
There are plenty of shops to explore as well, from Abercrombie & Fitch and Billabong for some new threads to the Universal Studios store for your souvenir needs.
Day 2 at Universal Studios Hollywood
Morning | Super Nintendo World
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Lunch | Toadstool Café |
Afternoon | Thrill rides:
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Evening | The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle |
Morning: Super Nintendo World
Once the park opens, we recommend heading straight to the escalators, which take you to the lower lot section of Universal Studios Hollywood. This is where you’ll find the large green warp pipe entrance to Super Nintendo World!
Enter this green tunnel to journey into an alternate realm, the vibrant land of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and their friends.
As you enter through the tunnel of multi-coloured, dazzling lights, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Super Mario game. If you head straight to the back of this land, you’ll find the entrance of the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction. This ride is extremely popular, so get in the queue early to avoid waiting too long.
Once you’ve boarded the ride vehicle, put on the special VR goggles and battle team Bowser alongside your favourite characters, racing through multiple different courses and collecting coins to win the Golden Cup.
This immersive attraction provides new thrills each time you ride, as there are multiple possible outcomes.
Top tip: Purchase a Power-Up Band from the vending machines or the 1-UP Factory as soon as you enter Super Nintendo World to interact with all elements of this area and compete in the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.
After you’ve defeated Bowser in the high-speed go-kart race, explore the rest of the land at your own pace. Look through the AR binoculars and punch the coin boxes around the themed land to collect as many digital coins as possible. Don’t forget to take part in one of the four mini games.
No visit to Super Nintendo World is complete without meeting the characters. Usually, you can find Mario and Luigi by the warp pipe in the centre of Super Nintendo World, whereas Princess Peach stands under the gazebo next to her castle entrance. You might see Toad here too!
Top tip: Check the timings of these characters at the start of the day and arrive at the meet and greet spot early if you are determined to see them, as they are exceptionally popular. Sometimes, the line is cut off if demand is too high.
Lunch: Toadstool Café
You deserve a treat after rushing around Mario’s world and battling Bowser! Head to the Toadstool Café for lunch where Toad and his friends have been cooking up some delicious Italian cuisine.
Top tip: The Toadstool Café is always very busy, so be sure to book in advance. Reservations must be made on the day you visit when the park first opens. If you miss out, you can join the waitlist inside the park.
Afternoon: thrill rides
There’s no way you can leave Universal Studios Hollywood without trying out these rides, which are located on the lower lot right next to Super Nintendo World.
- Revenge of the Mummy: This ride really has it all, from special effects in the dark to unexpected twists and breakneck speeds.
- Jurassic World – The Ride: This water ride shoots you towards a 16-metre-tall T-rex until something else suddenly appears! One thing is for certain: you won’t stay dry!
- Transformers 3D Ride: You’ll fight with Optimus Prime to save all of humanity. This is your chance to leave the park as a hero!
Evening: The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
Your unforgettable day at Universal Studios Hollywood is coming to an end, and there’s only one way to finish a day like this – with a spectacular show! On select days, Universal Studios Hollywood enchants its visitors with The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.
Accompanied by live music, Hogwarts Castle shines in the colours of the four school houses, offering you the perfect end to a wonderful day.
There you have it, a plan for spending two perfect days at Universal Studios Hollywood with rides, character meetings, delicious dining, and spectacular shows.
