This post provides details about visiting Universal Studios in Hollywood.
We also include information about the Universal Studios Tour, ticket prices, discounts, attractions to see, and more.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TICKETS
The price of a ticket varies based on what you want to see, how many days you plan to visit, and when you will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.
If you’re looking for a skip-the-line experience, you can purchase a Universal Express ticket which will make it much easier to see everything available.
For an even better experience including gourmet meals and valet parking, you can get VIP entry.
This option also includes exclusive backlot access, allowing you to get an even closer look behind the scenes.
The VIP tour is an entirely different experience from their main tour, including a special VIP trolley, so if you want to see as much as possible, check our attractions section for more details about this opportunity.
General admission can be purchased for either 1 or 2 days at a time, and the 2-day ticket option allows you to save at least $60-$70.
What is included in a Universal Studios Hollywood ticket?
The general 1 and 2-day tickets include admission to all the rides, shows, and attractions at the theme park, including the popular Universal Studios Tour.
Ticket Prices
- 1-Day Ticket: $109-$129
- 2-Day Ticket: $149-$169
- Universal Express Ticket: $189-$289
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
VIP Entry Prices
- VIP Experience Ticket: $369
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Please keep in mind that these prices reflect tickets purchased online. You can expect tickets to cost more at the gate.
It’s also worth noting that the studio tour is included with admission, so you don’t have to pay anything extra to get a behind-the-scenes look at Universal Studios.
TIP: You can save anywhere from 20% - 50% off one-day general admission Universal Studios Hollywood tickets with a Los Angeles tourist pass. Check our discounts section for more details.
NOTE: The studio tour offered by this studio is included with the price of admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. Read our tour section for additional information.
DISCOUNTS
This section covers all of the best discounts available on tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, including information about tourist passes, discount sites, and more.
Tourist Passes
If you’re planning to enjoy more than just Universal Studios while visiting Los Angeles, you may want to consider getting a tourist attraction discount pass to save money on a variety of activities, museums, tours, and even other theme parks.
The following passes include tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood:
These passes bundle dozens of popular tours and other fun services together at up to a 50% discount off of retail prices.
Aside from Universal Studios Hollywood, here are some of the best attraction options included with each of these tourist passes:
- SeaWorld |
$68 - Disneyland |
$129 - LEGOLAND |
$95 - Knott’s Berry Farm |
$64 - Six Flags Magic Mountain |
$93 - Warner Bros. Studio Tour |
$72 - Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour |
$50 - Madame Tussauds Hollywood |
$30 - Pacific Park Santa Monica |
$33 - TCL Chinese Theater Tour |
$18 - Dolby Theater Tour |
$25 - OUE Skyspace + Skyslide |
$33 - Aquarium of the Pacific |
$35 - Whale Watching Cruise |
$50 - And more!
Depending on which service you choose, you should be able to save at least 20% - 60% off general admission prices for a variety of fun activities in Los Angeles.
For more details, please read our full post covering Los Angeles tourist passes.
AAA Discount
Members of AAA are eligible for the following discounts at Universal Studios Hollywood:
- $20 off the VIP Experience when purchased online.
- $10 off Universal Express tickets at the gate.
- 10% off at select CityWalk locations.
All you have to do is present proof of valid AAA membership to take advantage of these deals.
Military Discount
Universal Studios Hollywood offers special rates for both active duty and retired military.
These rates are only available through participating military ticket offices and cannot be obtained either online or at the gate.
That said, even if you don’t have time to visit a military ticket office, you can still save $3 off general admission tickets at the gate.
Discount Sites
In addition to all the other opportunities to save money on tickets, you can also find admission to Universal Studios Hollywood on discount sites such as Groupon or Living Social.
On top of the deals they already offer (currently about 20% off), these sites typically provide additional coupon codes with anywhere from 10% - 50% off local activities.
Before making any purchase, please check both the top and bottom of each page for banners that may contain coupons you can use to save even more money!
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD TOUR
This world-famous tour is included with the price of admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, and it’s a combination of a behind-the-scenes tour and a theme park ride.
The studio tour is usually led by none other than Jimmy Fallon, but at times they’ll have special guests who hop on and serve as a guide. In the past, guests have included characters like the Grinch.
Considering that legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg provided creative consultation for the experience, you can expect to have a great time!
During the tour, you’ll visit 13 city blocks of the studio lot via tram ride and see several notable sets from throughout the history of Universal Studios, as well as areas that are usually off-limits to the general public.
Visitors can expect to see actual sets from Hollywood movies and television shows like War of the Worlds, Jaws, King Kong, Desperate Housewives, Psycho (including Bates Motel), and other notable titles brought to you by one of the most historic movie studios in the world.
Some sets like The Fast & The Furious have actually been designed as more of an amusement park ride, bringing you closer to the action of filmmaking with live special effects all from the comfort of your tram.
How long is the Universal Studios tour?
This tour runs for approximately 60 minutes and it’s offered several times each day.
Although this may seem short, it also means you’ll have more time to visit other locations in and around Universal Studios Hollywood!
Can you tour Universal Studios in one day?
Well, you can take the tour in just 60 minutes, so yes!
That said, if you want to see everything Universal Studios Hollywood has to offer, you'll probably need more than one day.
And Universal isn't the only studio tour in Los Angeles. There are many other studio tours to consider.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
This section will provide a few details about some of the other activities and attractions you can enjoy at Universal Studios Hollywood.
This studio is like an amusement park, so there are several great heart-pounding rides to enjoy that we will discuss below.
There are also quite a few shopping opportunities you may want to consider.
Backlot Access
If you want to get an even closer look behind the scenes, VIP entry tickets include exclusive access to the Universal Backlot, allowing you to check out actual sound stages and the prop department.
Many people report that while taking advantage of this opportunity, they have actually seen notable actors and celebrities!
This experience is best for movie buffs who legitimately want to learn more about the filmmaking process and see interesting locations related to their favorite films.
One of the nicest things about this option is that it includes a special VIP tram that is off-limits to the general public, and they also have a private VIP dining room for guests who purchase this experience.
How much is the private VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Currently, this tour is approximately $369 per person. You can purchase tickets here.
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Believe it or not, this attraction is actually located right outside Universal Studios Hollywood, and you don’t need to pay for admission to visit CityWalk.
With more than 30 places to eat, a 19-screen theater, and 30 stores to shop at, there’s plenty to see and do here.
Best of all, if you’re a AAA member, you can save 10% at certain CityWalk locations!
Amusement Rides
There are several themed amusement rides at Universal Studios, including some of the following popular examples:
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
- Harry Potter: Flight of the Hippogriff
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
- Springfield: The Simpsons Ride
- Jurassic World: The Ride
- Transformers: The Ride
- And more!
Some of these rides are located in themed locations within the park that are designed to replicate the world within the films and shows they reference.
Themed Locations
In addition to all the rides available in Universal Studios Hollywood, there are also several areas in the park that replicate the look and feel of your favorite movies in popular movies and television franchises.
Here are some of the most notable examples:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Hogwarts
- The Walking Dead Walkthrough
- Super Nintendo World
- The Simpsons World
- Jurassic World
- WaterWorld
- And more!
Each themed location typically includes at least a few rides, attractions, restaurants, and shops where you can find a lot of great memorabilia related to your favorite franchises.
Character Sightings
Much like a theme park, you can expect to see several notable characters walking around Universal Studios Hollywood, including some of the following examples:
- The Minions
- The Simpsons
- Scooby-Doo
- Optimus Prime
- Bumblebee
- Spongebob
- Curious George
- Shrek, Donkey & Princess Fiona
- And many more!
Aside from character sightings, you may also spot a few celebrities on the Universals Studio backlot while taking their studio tour!
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