Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary (+Tips from my visit)

It is absolutely possible to cover most of Universal Studios Hollywood attractions in one day with some planning.

Universal Studios Hollywood, located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, is a world-renowned theme park with rides and attractions based on famous Hollywood movies.

As a California local, I have visited Universal Studios Hollywood several times with my family. Some years, when there is a new attraction, we get the annual pass and visit twice a year!

Earlier, the Harry Potter attraction drew us to the park, and now it’s the new Super Nintendo World attraction!

My Universal Studios Hollywood itinerary will make sure you are able to do all the must-do attractions in a day.

Universal Studios is much smaller than Disneyland in size and number of rides and can be easily done in a day with my tips and strategies!

Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary

To make the most of your one day at Universal Studios Hollywood, try to be there at least 30 minutes before park opening time.

The first hour in the park has the lowest wait times, and you can finish a couple of rides with minimal wait.

Allow yourself time to park and go through the bag check. You can do all this before the park officially opens.

You can also take Instagram-worthy pictures near the Universal Studios globe and on the red carpet in front of the Universal Studios entrance gate.

Note: If you have the Universal Express ticket, you will have access to the Express line for each ride once, so you can be more relaxed with your day! You can still follow the order of attractions in this itinerary.

Morning: Do the most popular rides

In the morning, go on the most popular and must-do rides in Universal Studios – Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the Studio Tour.

The first two hours in the park (before 10 AM) have the lowest wait times and the best time to finish the most popular rides.

Virtual Line reservation for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Once you enter the park, the first thing you should do is book a virtual line reservation for entry into the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD if a reservation time is required on the day of your visit.

Reservations are not always required to enter the Nintendo Land, so make sure to check beforehand if you need reservations for your day of visit.

If you are able to snag a morning reservation or have purchased early access to Nintendo World, you should plan to ride the new Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge ride first thing.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (Lower Lot)

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the newest and currently the most popular ride at Universal Studios Hollywood and is based on the Mario Kart game experience.

This 4D ride offers an immersive experience, allowing you to step into the world of Mario Kart and race against your friends and family.

You will board colorful karts and compete in a thrilling race filled with obstacles, power-ups, and favorite characters from the iconic Mario Kart franchise.

My favorite part of this ride was the Rainbow Road at the end! So cool!

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Upper Lot)

Next, I recommend experiencing the second most popular attraction in Universal Studios, which is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

If you did not get early access to Mario Land and your Virtual Line reservation is later in the day, then start your morning with the Harry Potter ride.

This ride is in the Upper lot, so you will have to use the escalators to come back up.

During the day, the wait times for this ride can go up to 2 hours, so it’s better to finish it early in the morning.

Based on the popular Harry Potter series, this ride takes you on an immersive journey through Hogwarts Castle, soaring through iconic locations from the books and films.

Encounter magical creatures, engage in intense Quidditch matches, and even come face-to-face with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. My kids love this ride, and I love it too!

Studio Tour (Upper Lot)

The Studio Tour attraction is in the Studio Tour Plaza in the upper lot. I recommend finishing this ride in the morning, as the wait times can get really long during the day.

The Studio Tour is an iconic attraction that offers a unique opportunity to get an insider’s look at the world of Hollywood filmmaking.

In this 60-minute ride, you board a tram with a group of people and embark on a behind-the-scenes journey through a real working movie studio.

Jimmy Fallon is your video tour guide and provides informative and entertaining commentary throughout the tour, sharing fascinating facts about the movie industry and the various productions that have taken place on the Universal Studios lot.

You will encounter several immersive experiences on the Studio Tour. Most noteworthy are:

Afternoon: Lower Lot Rides

In the afternoon, go to the lower lot and finish the other three rides: Jurrasic World, TRANSFORMERS, and Revenge of the Mummy. You can do these in any order, depending on the wait times.

The Universal Escalators between the upper and lower lot are really long as the theme park is built on a hill, and it takes around 10-15 minutes to switch between the two lots.

Minimize going back and forth between the lots multiple times to save time. Once you go to the lower lot, try to finish all the rides there. There are only four rides in the lower lot.

TRANSFORMERS 3D Ride (Lower Lot)

The Transformers Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is an action-packed 3D experience where you embark on a thrilling journey, battling alongside  Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and other Autobot heroes against the Decepticons.

With immersive 3D visuals, motion simulation, and practical effects, this ride brings the excitement and adventure of the Transformers film franchise to life.

My kids love this ride, and it is very fast-paced! I found it a little too jerky, but it was fun overall.

Revenge of the Mummy (Lower Lot)

The Revenge of the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is an intense indoor roller coaster experience that takes you on a high-speed journey through ancient Egyptian tombs to escape the wrath of the vengeful mummy.

The entire ride was almost entirely in the dark, and to be honest, I was screaming the whole time as there were a lot of sharp turns and drops in total darkness. I am definitely not sitting on this one again!

But roller coaster fans will love it, and my kids went twice!

Jurrasic World – The Ride

The Jurassic World ride at Universal Studios Hollywood has some impressive animatronics and water-based elements.

The ride starts with a relaxing cruise through Dinosaur Land, but things quickly go wrong, and you are in the middle of an epic battle between the Indominus rex and the T-rex.

The most thrilling part of the ride is the sudden, huge, almost vertical 85-foot drop in water at the end when the T-rex is coming at you!

You will get wet on this ride; we were soaked! The best time to do this is on a hot afternoon, as the water cools you down.

After the ride, try a refreshing tiki drink at Isla Nu-bar near Jurrasic World ride. The lower lot also has an ice cream parlor – Studio Scoop, and Starbucks for your afternoon snack.

Evening: Upper Lot Rides

In the early evening, make your way back to the upper lot to take the remaining rides, based on your interests and wait times.

With the Studio Tour and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey already crossed off your list in the morning, below are some other great thrill rides.

If you have the Universal Express pass, you might be able to do all the rides in the Upper lot. With General Admission tickets, pick and choose the ones that interest your group the most.

The Simpsons Ride

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is a popular attraction based on the long-running animated TV series “The Simpsons.”

It is a thrilling simulator ride that takes you on an exciting adventure through the fictional town of Springfield.

In this ride, you will board a motion-simulated vehicle and join the Simpson family on a chaotic, humorous journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

It is fast-paced, and the thrill level is medium. It was a great ride overall!

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

The Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is an exciting, family-friendly attraction. Both adults and kids will love it!

Based on the popular animated film franchise, “Despicable Me,” the ride invites you to join the mischievous Minions on a wild 3D adventure filled with laughter, chaos, and heartwarming moments.

This is a simulator-type ride and not a roller coaster. Appropriate for all ages that are allowed (Minimum Height 40 inch/101.6 cm).

WaterWorld Show

The WaterWorld show at Universal Studios Hollywood is a live performance with thrilling stunts and impressive special effects.

Based on the 1995 film “WaterWorld,” the show takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting where performers showcase their talents on water.

The action-packed show features daring high dives, breathtaking jet-ski stunts, and explosive pyrotechnics. It’s like watching a live movie.

Tip: If you want to get wet, find a seat near the stage; if not, sit a little further back. My husband got a whole bucket of water dumped on him in the pre-show! We didn’t know those were the wet zone seats!

Kung Fu Panda Theatre attraction

DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda is an exciting and interactive experience inspired by the animated film series Kung Fu Panda.

This motion simulator ride is in a large theatre-style seating. The ride is of mild thrill level and is appropriate for all ages.

The attraction combines 3D projection, motion simulation, and special effects to create an immersive adventure filled with martial arts and humor with Po, the lovable panda. Also, it’s a great place to sit for a while in an air-conditioned theatre and rest those tired feet!

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

The Secret Life of Pets is a sit-and-watch type of ride where you go through the movie theme sets and watch your favorite characters from the film franchise.

Fans of the movie series will love to see Max, Snowball, and their furry friends on an adventure through the streets of New York City.

The ride moves slowly along the track and is not a roller coaster. Appropriate for all ages allowed (Minimum Height 34 inch/86.4 cm), although some parts might be a little scary for toddlers.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Studios Hollywood is a family-friendly roller coaster that takes riders on a magical journey inspired by the “Harry Potter” series.

This is the only outdoor theme park-style roller coaster in Universal Studios, and it is popular with kids. It is appropriate for all ages (Minimum Height 39 inches/99 cm).

Night: Explore Universal CityWalk

Once you have accomplished all of the Universal Studios attractions, you can explore Universal CityWalk at night, right outside the Universal Studios’ main entrance.

Universal Studios is open up to 10 PM most days, while CityWalk is open till 11 PM.

Universal CityWalk offers a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options and is a fun place to walk around.

The central square with all the huge ad screens reminds me of Times Square in New York (well, a miniature version of Times Square!).

From casual dining to table service restaurants, there are options to suit every taste and preference.

Some great restaurants at CityWalk:

• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for seafood
• Cocina Mexicana for Mexican food
• Buca di Beppo for Italian

The large food court at Universal CityWalk has all the classic fast food chain restaurants like Habit Burger, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and many more.

After dinner, head over to Universal Cinema to watch the latest movie and relax in the comfortable reclining lounger seats. You deserve it after a long day of walking and standing in wait lines for rides!

Universal Studios Hollywood with young kids

There is nothing much in Universal Studios for babies and infants. Families with young kids can still enjoy the Universal Studios thrill rides with the Child Switch feature. There are also some play areas for toddlers and babies, which are listed below.

Most rides at Universal Studios Hollywood have height restrictions; even The Secret Life of Pets ride, which is extremely mild and kid-friendly, has a minimum height of 34 inches. Toddlers who are above 34 inches might be able to sit on some of the rides.

Use Child Switch

If you are visiting Universal Studios with kids under 5, they might not be able to ride most of the thrill rides due to height restrictions.

That doesn’t mean that the grown-ups cant enjoy. Almost all of the thrill rides have a Child Switch waiting area for this purpose.

You enter the wait line with the kids. When you reach the end of the line, just before boarding the ride cars, there is a waiting room on the side where one parent can wait with the kids who do not meet the height requirements, whereas the other parent and older kids can enjoy the ride.

Once done with the ride, the family returns to the Child Switch area, and the other parent can do the ride (without waiting in line again!). The older kids can ride again with the other parent if they wish!

We used the Child Switch feature a lot when our kids were young, and it is really helpful!

Super Silly Fun Land (Upper Lot)

The Upper lot has Super Silly Fun Land near Minions-themed land, which is really great for families with young kids.

There is a kiddie ride here called Silly Swirly, which will be fun for young kids.

There is a regular play area and a water play area that will keep toddlers engaged for hours. The land also has some arcade games where you can win Minion-themed merchandise.

DinoPlay Land (Lower Lot)

The lower lot has DinoPlay land, a play area for young kids with dinosaur-themed play structures to climb and explore.

Character Sightings

You will be able to spot familiar characters for photo ops from your favorite movies like Minions, Transformers, Trolls, dinosaurs from Jurrasic World, and many more.

Universal Studios Hollywood rides for toddlers

The following rides allow all age groups of kids, although some might require an adult to sit with the kids:

• Silly Swirly at Super Silly Fun Land in Upper Lot
• The Studio Tour in the upper lot allows all ages, but the King Kong and Fast And Furious attractions in it might be scary for toddlers.
• The WaterWorld show in the upper lot allows all ages, but it might not make sense to young kids, and the stunts and fire elements might be scary to them.

There are many more rides and attractions in Disneyland that are toddler-friendly as compared to Universal Studios. Universal Studios is more appropriate for families with kids ages 5 and older.

Where to eat at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood has a variety of cuisine options and restaurants for meals, snacks, and beverages. Below are some of our favorites!

Toadstool Cafe (Super Nintendo World – Lower Lot)

This is Universal Studios’ newest quick-service restaurant. It offers burgers, pasta, starters, salads, and dessert options. The menu also includes kids’ meals and vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Three Broomsticks (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Upper Lot)

This place has the best ambiance, and Harry Potter fans will love the unique decor. The warm, hearty meals like Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, and platters are so different from the usual theme park food. Do not forget to try the famous Butterbeer beverage! Vegetarian options are available.

Jurrasic Cafe (Jurrasic World – Lower Lot)

A quick-service restaurant with Latin American-inspired dishes, such as meat and vegetarian skewers and burgers with sides and beverage options. Vegetarian options are available.

Luigi’s Pizza (Across from the Simpson’s Ride – Upper Lot)

This quick-service restaurant serves family favorites like pizza (by the slice and whole), pasta dishes, and salads. Vegetarian options are available.

Lard Lad Donuts (Upper Lot)

Famous donut shop selling giant donuts. We had to try the famous pink-iced donuts from here, and they were great for a filling snack while waiting in line!

Universal Studio Hollywood Tickets and Annual Passes

Universal Studios Hollywood offers several different ticket types – General Admission, Express tickets, and VIP experience tickets.

Please note that you need to select your theme park reservation date when buying your Universal Studios tickets. Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are specific to selected dates.

Your tickets will only be valid for the dates chosen during the booking process.

General Admission Tickets

You can buy one-day General Admission tickets, ranging from $109 to $159, depending on the day of the week. Tickets are more expensive on weekends and holidays.

Universal Studios also offers 2-day General Admission tickets. The second day must be used within seven days of your first visit.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Universal General Admission Tickets

Early Access for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

You can add an early access entry for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to your ticket, which allows you to enter the park one hour before the general opening time.

Early Access for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is around $20 per person and worth it for days when the park is expected to be crowded.

Universal Express Tickets

Universal Express Tickets are more expensive than General Admission tickets and range from $199 – $319 for a one-day express ticket, depending on the day of the week and the crowd levels expected.

Universal Express tickets give you one-time access to the express line for each attraction and show. It also allows you to enter into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD one time without reservations.

Universal Express Tickets are a great investment on super crowded days like during holidays and if you have limited time in the park.

If you buy a Universal Express ticket, you can finish all the rides and attractions in a single day.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Universal Express Tickets

VIP Experience Tickets

If you really want to have a super special time at Universal and feel like a million bucks, splurge for the VIP Experience, where you get a guided tour that includes the studio tour, a gourmet lunch, and snacks.

The VIP experience includes 1-day general admission and unlimited express access for all rides and shows. Valet parking is included.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Universal VIP Experience tickets

Annual Passes

Universal Studios Hollywood also offers several different annual passes – Silver, Gold, and Platinum, as well as a California Neighbor pass with varying costs, which is ideal for folks who live in Southern California and want to visit several times a year.

Where to stay for Universal Studios Hollywood

I highly recommend staying in a nearby hotel the night before so that you can start your day early and be there bright and early in the morning!

Hilton Universal City – walk to the park

We always stay at the Hilton Universal City, which is right across the street from Universal Studios Hollywood.

In the mornings, we just walk to the park and reach in less than 10 minutes. This saves us the hassle of taking our car and parking, and it also saves parking fees at Universal Studios.

The hotel has an excellent pool area with cabanas and a restaurant that serves breakfast in the morning (paid or free with a bed and breakfast rate).

We sometimes opt for a higher floor room with a view of Universal Studios!

➡️ Check rates and availability for Hilton Universal City

Sheraton Universal Hotel

Sheraton Universal Hotel is another option within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood and a 4-star hotel.

The hotel has a pool and restaurant with breakfast (for a fee) and several room and suite options.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Sheraton Universal Hotel

Tip: We always try to stay within walking distance of theme parks so that we can maximize our time at the park. When we visit Disneyland, we stay at hotels near Disneyland, which are within 5-10 minutes of walking distance.

Tips and Strategies to Maximize Your Day at Universal Studios Hollywood

The below tips will help you make the most of your one day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Tip #1: Get there at park opening time

If you are planning to buy the general admission ticket, you should plan to be at the bag check area 30 minutes before the park opening time so that you are at the entrance when the park opens.

The first 2 hours have the lowest wait times for the rides, and you can knock off several rides from the list.

If you have the Universal Express ticket or the VIP experience ticket, then you can come later as you will have access to the express lanes.

Tip #2: Use the Official Universal Studios Hollywood App.

Download the official Universal Studios app on your phone the day before. It is a very handy app to check for ride wait times, park maps, and show times, and you can use the free Wi-fi in the park!

Tip #3. Get the rides done first and explore the lands later.

It is tempting in the morning to look at all the themed lands and stop for photos. But if you plan to get more rides done, utilize the early morning hours for rides.

Later in the day, you can explore the themed lands. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed land is really cool!

Tip #4. Start with the lower lot.

After finishing the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in the upper lot, go to the lower lot and finish the rides there first. The lower lot sees fewer crowds in the initial hour. The new Super Nintendo World is in the lower lot and is now bringing crowds to the lower lot due to the early access morning ticket.

Tip #5. Use Single Rider Line.

Many popular thrill rides, including the Harry Potter ride and the new Mario Kart ride, have Single Rider Lines, which are great to utilize when the wait times are really long, and you have limited time. You will be separated from your party, but at least you will not miss out on the attraction.

Tip #6. Utilize Child Switch if traveling with young kids.

Most thrill rides at Universal have height restrictions, and kids under 5 have very few ride options. Parents who have older kids, as well as babies and toddlers, can utilize the Child Switch area at each ride while they wait with the younger kids for their group.

Tip #7. Universal Express Pass

If possible, try to get the Universal Express pass which will give you access to the express wait lines for each ride once. This will ensure that you get to ride all attractions in a single day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Universal Express Tickets

FAQs about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

Check out my answers to some frequently asked questions about Universal Studios Hollywood, and prepare for your visit.

How to get to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the biggest airport in Los Angeles, and it services most destinations in the United States. The LAX airport is around 30 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood and takes around 50 minutes by car.

The Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is only 5 miles away and takes 15 minutes by car or shuttle.

➡️ Check rates and availability for Private Transfer service to / from Universal Studios Hollywood

How many days do you need at Universal Studios Hollywood?

At most, one or two days are enough to visit Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood is not that huge, and it is possible to finish all attractions in a single day. On crowded days, with a Universal Express ticket, you can finish all rides and attractions.

Is one day enough for Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is not too big, so it’s possible to enjoy all the attractions in just one day. If it’s crowded, you can still experience everything with a Universal Express ticket, which helps you skip the long wait lines and make the most of your time.

Are Universal tickets only good for one day?

General Admission 1-day tickets are only valid for the day selected during the purchase. General Admission 2-day tickets are good for two consecutive days.

Universal Studios Hollywood also offers annual passes that are good for a year, though there are blackout dates depending on the annual pass type.

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios Hollywood for one day?

Universal Studios Hollywood general admission 1-day tickets can range from $109-$159 depending on the day of the week. Tickets are more expensive on weekends and holidays.

What is the best day to go to Universal Studios?

Weekdays, especially Wednesdays, are the best days to go to Universal Studios as crowd levels are much lower. However, during summer and winter breaks, crowd levels are high on weekdays as well.

Which are the must-do rides in Universal Studios Hollywood?

Below are the must-do rides at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The Studio Tour

Wrap-up: How to spend a day at Universal Studios Hollywood

With its combination of thrilling rides, immersive attractions, and behind-the-scenes experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood guarantees an action-packed day.

Quick Summary of Universal Studios Hollywood itinerary:

• Morning: Do the most popular rides – Mario Kart, Harry Potter, Studio tour
• Afternoon: Lower Lot Rides – Jurrasic World, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy
• Evening: Upper Lot Rides – Simpsons, Minions, Kung Fu Panda, Secret Life of Pets, Waterworld Show.
• Night: Explore Universal CityWalk for dining and souvenir shops.