Wait times at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular attraction in L.A. and worldwide, attracting millions of visitors annually. 

It is also one of the parks that is open daily, leading to increasing crowd levels. 

Therefore, understanding wait times at the park is crucial for making the most of your visit. 

Knowing the peak times and planning accordingly can help you enjoy the rides, shows, and entertainment the studio offers.

Here are a few tips that will help you avoid the long wait times at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood attracts more than 9 million visitors annually, so booking tickets in advance makes sense. A general admission ticket is the cheapest and most popular way to experience the park. Express Pass allows you to skip all lines, while VIP Pass offers the ultimate premium experience.

Average wait times at Universal Studios Hollywood

Here’s a list of wait times for each ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Best times to visit for shorter waits

The ideal time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is right when the park opens at 9 am or 10 am.

Arriving early at the park gives you plenty of time to explore and enjoy popular rides before the crowds arrive.

Try visiting on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, for a more relaxed visit.

To avoid longer wait times, plan your visit during school months such as February, May, August, and September.

Try to arrive 15 minutes before the park opens. This way, you’ll beat the queues and secure a prime spot on the busiest rides.

Related reading:
# Height restrictions
# Accessibility at the park
# Rider safety
# First-aid stations

Factors affecting wait times

Below are some factors that affect the wait times at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Seasonal variations

• The summer months, from June to August, are the busiest at the park, with schools on vacation and families and tourists gathering to experience the park’s movie and television-themed adventures
• The park is also crowded during holidays and weekends

Day of the week

• Weekdays, especially Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, generally have shorter wait times than weekends

Time of day

• It takes one whole day to explore the park fully, so it is advisable to reach the park when it opens at 9 am or stay until closing, which can help you avoid peak wait times
• Expect longer lines during midday when the park is at its busiest

Weather conditions

• The weather has a huge impact on visiting Universal Studios. Good weather attracts more visitors, increasing wait times
• Check the weather forecast before planning your trip to L.A. Rainy or cooler days might have shorter lines

Special events and holidays

• Special events like Halloween Horror Nights, Christmas Day, and New Year draw larger crowds, leading to longer wait times

Ride popularity

• Recently opened rides or those based on popular franchises tend to have longer lines. Currently, Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge is the most popular ride
• On the other hand, all-time favorite rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Jurassic World – The Ride often have consistently long wait times

Park hours 

• During peak seasons, the park extends its hours, which can help distribute crowds more evenly throughout the day

That is your hint about buying a Universal Express Pass or VIP Pass to skip long queues.

If you’re in L.A. for a few days or a week, consider the L.A. All-Inclusive Pass.

Dining during lunch hours is another activity that can take up a lot of time at the park. The crowds rush to the nearby cafes and restaurants, resulting in long waits. To tackle this situation, you can either discuss in advance what and where you want to eat or use the Universal Studios mobile app to order your lunch and save time. The mobile app is available for both iPhone and Android.

Get ready for the ultimate scare fest at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights.

How to reduce wait times

Follow these tips and tricks while strategically planning your day at the park to make it smooth and engaging.

Buy your ticket in advance

Purchase your tickets online to bypass the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Choose your ticket wisely: If you are okay with spending money on buying costlier tickets, go for the VIP Pass. 

An Express Pass also gets you one-time express access to each attraction. 

Or buy the General Admission ticket, which is the cheapest and the most popular option.

Upgrade to Early-Access ticket

Arrive at the park an hour early to upgrade to an Early Access ticket. 

This upgrade lets you enter Super Nintendo World and other Lower Lot favorites ahead of the crowds. 

Plus, you’ll get express access to the Studio Tour until 11 am.

Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app

Considering the number of visitors heading to Universal Studios, they have implemented an application that allows you to monitor ride wait times. 

The app also allows you to find upcoming shows, reserve show times, check wait times, and identify restaurants and shops within the park. 

It is available for both iPhone and Android.

The Universal Studios Hollywood app makes finding and joining Virtual Lines easy. 

You can also use the app to locate attractions offering Virtual Lines. 

Select a ride time for your group, and get notified when it’s your turn. 

You can head to the ride entrance anytime within your reserved window.

Single rider lines 

Do you know that Universal Studios Hollywood has a single-rider line option? 

It’s one of the easiest ways to bypass long lines at the park, especially if you don’t have an express pass. 

This option is perfect for visitors who don’t mind separating from their group or are visiting alone. 

Attractions with single-rider lines are Jurassic World – The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

Recommended reading:
# Transfer from Anaheim
# Private transfer from San Diego
# Private transfer from Burbank

FAQs on Universal Studios Hollywood wait times

Here are some of the frequently asked questions on the wait times at the park.