Tips for a One-Day Visit to Universal Hollywood

Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood in just one day can feel like a challenge, but with the right strategy, you can experience all the top attractions without feeling overwhelmed. After our own visit as a family of three – two adults and a 12-year-old, we learned some valuable lessons on how to navigate the park efficiently.

 

Here’s how to make the most of your day!

 

Tips for a One-Day Visit to Universal Hollywood

 

We had a great day. Its such a good park. We did have Express Passes and early entry to the park. This did make our day flow much easier and also meant that we were able to ride the popular attractions more than once. With the exception of Mario Land! With an Express Pass at Universal Studios Hollywood, I would recommend prioritising the most popular rides in the Lower Lot (Jurassic World, The Mummy, Transformers) and Super Nintendo World, then tackle the Upper Lot attractions like the Studio Tour and Harry Potter rides, all while maximising your time with early access. Then start to use your express passes for round two.

 

Express tickets can be a huge expense for families, but we feel the benefits are well worth it, especially if you are taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip or like us only spending one day in the park. You have access to a Studio Tour before 11am which I would highly recommend as the wait times are always high, it’s a must see in this park, one of a kind and the original theming for the park. This is what I love about the Hollywood park, its original theming. And a new addition to the Express pass since we visited is it now includes Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

 

 

Tips for a One-Day Visit to Universal Hollywood

 

1. Arrive Early – Super Nintendo World fills up fast! If you can, book Early Access.
2. Use the Universal App – Checking ride wait times and mobile ordering food saved us a lot of time.
3. Single Rider Lines – We used this for a few rides to save time. Worth it if you don’t mind splitting up!
4. Pack Light – Some rides require lockers, so carrying less is easier as the cost can mount up.
5. Take Breaks & Stay Hydrated – It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but we made sure to rest and recharge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To help you out a little more I’ve added some context to the above. I’m certain you’ll find other tips from more regular visitors of Universal Hollywood, however you must remember that if you are used to visiting Universal Orlando, this park is very different so don’t expect it to be the same and do your research on the upper and lower lots.

 

 

1. Arrive Early and Consider Early Access

The park officially opens at different times depending on the season, but crowds start forming well before the gates open. We aim to arrive 45 minutes before opening, this gives you a head start on the busiest attractions as well as the queue. We also grab a coffee and breakfast on the way in from CityWalk.

Super Nintendo World fills up fast – if this is a must-see for you, Early Access tickets allow entry before the general crowd, which can be a game-changer.

 

2. Use the Universal Studios App

Downloading the Universal Studios Hollywood app before your visit is essential. It provides real-time updates on: Ride wait times, Show schedules, Mobile food ordering (huge time-saver!), Character meet-and-greet locations and Interactive maps to help navigate the park. You can also set reminders for wait times which is really handy.

 

 

3. Take Advantage of Single Rider Lines

With only one day, you won’t be able to do everything, so make a list of your top 5 must-do rides or experiences and build your day around them. If you don’t mind splitting up for a ride, Single Rider lines can significantly cut down wait times. The best rides for this are: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers: The Ride 3D and Jurassic World – The Ride.

 

 

4. Plan for Food (and Try to Eat at Off-Peak Times)

Theme park food lines can be a nightmare, so a little planning goes a long way. I would recommend eating early or late – try to avoid peak lunch hours (12-2 PM) by eating around 11 AM or after 2:30 PM. This generally works for us as we enter the park so early. I would also say utilising mobile order is a must. You save so much time and often time it perfectly from coming off a ride.

 

 

5. Pack Light to Avoid Locker Hassles

Some rides require you to use lockers (like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy), so carrying minimal bags will save you time and stress. The lockers vary in size and cost so do research before you arrive. Essentials I always pack are a small backpack, portable phone charger, reusable water bottle (free refills at hydration stations!) and a poncho (if you plan to ride Jurassic World).

 

Tips for a One-Day Visit to Universal Hollywood

 

Our one-day visit to Universal Studios Hollywood was packed with fun, and by planning ahead, we managed to experience all our top attractions without feeling too rushed. A little strategy goes a long way in making sure your day is magical and memorable. It has a great vibe and with the addition of the studio tour is a brilliant park but I did find the layout and elevators more intense. Happy park day!