Unleash the Fun: Your All-In-One Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood

Come one, come all to the “Entertainment Capital of Los Angeles!” A trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is just what you need to indulge in fun, thrills, and a hint of nostalgia. Celebrate old-time classics, newer films, and television shows with various experiences and attractions inspired by these characters and stories. Pull out your camera for a photo at some of the replica sets, or ask for a selfie when you spot your favourite movie and TV character pass by. 

But first, did you know that Universal Studios Hollywood was the first Universal Studios theme park when it opened in 1964? It originally opened in 1915 as a touring attraction to go behind the scenes of the company’s film studios. Since then, the theme park has expanded, adding and reinventing rides and attractions throughout the years, to welcome even more guests—like you!

Universal Studios Hollywood has made its way onto every tourist’s itinerary for years, and its consistent guarantee of fun and excitement has only made it more popular with first-time visitors and returning guests. Thanks to this the ticket lines there never seem to end.

Skip the long ticket queues at Universal Studios Hollywood by pre-booking your tickets on Klook! Decide from regular admission tickets, express passes, or VIP experiences. There’s even a “Buy a Day, Get a 2nd Day Free” deal for general admission tickets, which gives you more time to try out all the attractions. 

Just in case you also need a little more information on booking plane tickets to the United States, we’ve got an essential guide on travelling from Australia to the US that you might want to check out.

While Universal Studios Hollywood is never short of things to do, there are some things you just can’t leave without doing: going on the immersive rides, attending a fantastic live show, participating in interactive experiences, and shopping for souvenirs! Whether you’re in the mood for thrills or want to have family-friendly fun, Universal Studios Hollywood has got something for everyone! So, if you want to add some of the park’s highlights to your to-do list, here are three things we highly recommend you check out: 

Speaking of rides, a must-try experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is the Studio Tour. This attraction is exclusive to this location because Universal Studios Hollywood tour is actually a real-life working set! 

This iconic tram ride will take you through actual film and television sets, including the clocktower from Back to the Future, the house from Hitchcock’s Psycho, and even the remains of an actual 747 airplane from Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds. 

Experience what it’s like to be in an action-packed movie with pyrotechnics, special effects, and a 3-D experience with King Kong! We won’t spoil any more of what’s on the Studio Tour, but take our word for it: it’s a quintessential Hollywood experience. 

Visit Ollivanders Wand Shop in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to turn your dreams of becoming a wizard into reality! Here you can get your own wand—rather, allow a wand to choose you. Look through the amazing replicas used by Hogwarts students, professors, and other wizards, such as Harry Potter’s, Dumbledore’s, and even Voldemort’s wands. 

They’ve also got interactive ones that will kickstart your wizard lessons. Roam about the Wizarding World and see what magic you can create with the simple spells the guides will teach you along the way. 

Based on the 1995 film Waterworld, this daring stunt show is set in the future after the film’s ending, where most of the Earth has been submerged underwater. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ll be completely immersed and amazed with mind-blowing stunts performed on land, water, and overhead! 

Brace yourself for completely life-like special effects, pyrotechnics, and a massive seaplane explosion. Hurry and make sure you have a front-row seat to Universal Studios Hollywood’s #1 rated show!

Walking around the massive park and screaming on rides takes a lot of energy. That’s why we’ve also listed three recommendations for where you can take a break and refuel, so you can explore even more of what the park has to offer. These themed restaurants will have you ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the detailed decor and delightful dishes:

Even wizards need to eat! The Three Broomsticks is the cosy tavern enjoyed by Harry Potter and his schoolmates. According to lore, the Three Broomsticks has welcomed numerous Hogwarts students, and now you can join the experience! You can’t miss out on the Great Feast Platter, which includes a juicy rotisserie chicken and flavourful ribs. And, since the Three Broomsticks is where Harry had his first taste of Butterbeer, you absolutely must have the sweet magical drink on the side.

Although there are many iconic restaurants from The Simpsons to try, you have to grab a bite at Krusty Burger. Run by Krusty the Clown, this fast food joint will give you the opportunity to finally taste the namesake, Krusty Burger, as well as Homer Simpson’s Clogger Burger from The Simpsons Movie! Not to fret, they also have a vegan burger on the menu! Springfield’s favourite drinks are also available, so we suggest trying a sip of Buzz Cola and Duff Beer—another popular pick by Homer.

Inspired by Mel’s Drive-In from the classic film American Graffiti, Mel’s Diner is a 50s-style American diner, complete with a jukebox inside and a vintage car out front. This retro hangout serves up timeless diner dishes, such as cheeseburgers and sandwiches, a chilli cheese dog, chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries, and of course, thick and creamy milkshakes. Hop into one of the vinyl booths inside, or take it outside to enjoy under the neon lights. 

Now that you’ve got an idea of what you can do at Universal Studios Hollywood, how do you actually get there? We recommend arriving at the park early, so you can enter much quicker and avoid the long queues, especially at the popular rides. Visit their website for up-to-date information on park hours and open days as they differ during peak season and the holidays. 

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

The park has parking available for those who prefer to drive themselves over. You can also hop on a Metro train or bus for a ride to Universal City Station. All the details and directions can be found on their site. We’ll see you there!