How to beat the queues at Universal Studios Hollywood

The seven wonders within Universal Studios, Hollywood

A staple of the American theme park circuit, Universal Studios Hollywood catapults visitors into the colourful worlds of movie franchises on high-octane rides and immersive experiences. Here are some ways and means of avoiding crowds to make the most of your day.

Universal Studios’ iconic globe at the main entrance.Credit: Getty Images

Be strategic

Spread out over 168 hectares over two levels, Universal Studios is guaranteed to get your step count soaring. Maximise your time by buying tickets in advance – avoid weekends and holidays, and check on park hours as they vary throughout the year. Arrive before the gates open, allowing time for parking and security, and make a beeline for the Lower Lot, where the most popular rides are located (Jurassic World: the Ride and the new Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge). Spend the morning here, before heading up the series of four escalators for the Backlot Tour and well-earned time off your feet; then tackle the Upper Lot, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Minion Land in the afternoon.

Download the app

If it’s buying tickets online or ordering food, downloading the Universal Studios app will save time and sanity. You can check on ride wait lines, make reservations for restaurants and rides, and avoid food lines with the Mobile Order feature. There is free Wi-Fi at the park, and you can link your park tickets.

Ride single

A Universal Express pass is a fast-track ticket that will help you skip interminable ride wait times. But at an extra $US100 ($150), is it worth the indulgence? If you aren’t tethered to children, consider splitting up from your friends and riding Single. You’ll jump straight to the front of the queue and be back recounting the ride with your buddies in no time. The wait for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey rides during my recent visit, for instance, was 60 minutes; in the Single Rider queue, I was on board within five minutes.

Take advantage of child switch

No, this doesn’t mean you can swap your kid for one that’s cuter and better behaved. But if your children are too young to ride an attraction, one of the accompanying adults can wait with them in the Child Switch room while their partner rides. Once they are finished, switch places so whoever rode stays with the kids, while the adult who originally sat out can have fun without waiting in line again.

Unravel the Mario Kart puzzle

Go with the flow and enjoy the vibe at Super Nintendo World.

To anyone not a gamer, Super Nintendo World is an enigma, a confounding riot of colour and strange creatures. What the heck are Goombas and Piranha Plants? What’s the deal with the cute toadstools? I rode the chaotic, augmented reality Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge with no idea what I was doing; while other activities involve punching blocks and collecting keys and coins, assisted by the expensive addition ($US42/$63) of a Power-up Band (which tracks scores). For the adoring hordes of Mario fans, it’s clearly a blast – and for clueless oldies, either borrow some kid’s Nintendo Switch and get with the program, or simply go with the flow and enjoy the vibe.

Book the Toadstool Cafe

The sit-down Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World is the hottest meal ticket in the park and often booked out hours in advance. To reserve a time slot to join the queue (you still have to line up once you’re in!), scan the QR code at the entrance to Super Nintendo World as early as possible. It may seem like a palaver for fancy fast food, but it’s worth it – not only is the food palatable and super cute, with quirky nods to Mario characters on every dish, but some meals come with a souvenir bowl that makes an awesome memento of your visit.

Do the studio tour

The Studio Tour is what sets Hollywood’s Universal Studios apart from the others.

It may be cheesy – and a little tedious at times – but the Studio Tour is what sets Universal Studios Hollywood apart from every other US theme park. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Studio Tour has been revamped with vintage-inspired fun, including celebrity-filled commentary, candy-striped Glamor Trams, and refreshed classic experiences such as Earthquake: the Big One. Until August 2024, guests also have the opportunity to step off the tram for corny immersive photo opportunities with blockbuster icons – King Kong, the Psycho house and the Jaws shark.

See universalstudioshollywood.com

The writer travelled as a guest of Los Angeles Tourism, see discoverlosangeles.com