Looking for the BEST group outing in LA? Universal Studios Hollywood won’t just entertain with rides and attractions – it’ll transport you into the magical worlds of Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, and Jurassic World. Immerse yourself in the wizarding world of Hogwarts one minute and find yourself face-to-face with ferocious velociraptors the next! Whether your group is big or small, rent a bus in Los Angeles with PartyBus.com to experience all of Universal Hollywood’s adrenaline-pumping adventures. Call 877-563-2133 today to learn more.
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The History of Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood first opened its gates in 1964 as a humble studio tour, giving visitors a glimpse behind the scenes of real working movie sets. But over the decades, it grew into a full-fledged theme park, becoming one of the anchors of Universal Parks & Resorts. Today, it’s the company’s oldest park and the second most popular, just behind Universal Orlando.
While other theme parks rely on fantasy and imagination, Universal Hollywood distinguishes itself by bringing the magic of the movies to life. Many of its rides and attractions are based on iconic films and TV shows from the Universal library as well as other major studios. From vengeful mummies to man-eating dinosaurs to a certain boy wizard, your favorite on-screen characters await you around every turn.
Admission & Passes Information
Universal Hollywood offers a variety of admission passes and front-of-the-line options to suit every visitor’s needs and budget. Single-day general admission provides access to all shows, rides, and the World-Famous Studio Tour, with adult tickets typically ranging from $109 to $129 depending on the time of year. Two-day tickets are also available but don’t offer much of a discount over two single-day admissions.
Where Universal’s passes really set themselves apart is in their Express options. An Express ticket allows guests to skip the regular lines for each ride, attraction, and seated show one time during their visit. This perk alone is worth its weight in gold during peak seasons when wait times can stretch for multiple hours. Express tickets have a flat rate for adults and children, costing between $189 and $299 depending on dates.
Park Hours & Addresses
Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 – just 10 short miles northwest from Downtown Los Angeles off the 101 Freeway. Park operating hours vary throughout the year but generally fall within these ranges:
Monday – Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
The nearby Universal CityWalk entertainment promenade has its own operating hours separate from the theme park:
Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM to 10 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11 AM to 11 PM
During peak travel seasons like summer and major holidays, both the theme park and CityWalk extend their hours to accommodate larger crowds. Special events like Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas can also bring longer operating schedules. Check Universal’s website or call their hotline at 800-864-8377 before your visit to confirm the day’s hours.
How to Get There
Getting to Universal Studios Hollywood is pretty straightforward when traveling with a personal bus driver thanks to the park’s location just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Individual cars and ride-shares exiting onto Lankershim Boulevard can end up stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic around Universal City, but charter buses have their own dedicated lanes to keep moving at a steady pace. Direct your driver to take you directly to the Bus/Vehicular Entrance at Universal Studios Blvd before letting everyone off at the designated unloading zone for large groups next to the main entrance.
You’ll save major headaches and time by not needing to find parking yourself. Universal charges $30 for general parking up to $50 for premium lots closer to the park entrances. These fees can soar even higher during peak seasons and holidays. Charter bus parking will incur some additional costs as well, but splitting this fee amongst your group makes this transportation method much more cost-efficient.
The Best Way To Get There & Park
By far, the easiest way for groups to get to Universal Studios Hollywood is by bus rental through PartyBus.com. We’ll pair you with the perfect bus model for your group size, whether it’s an 18-passenger minibus or a full-sized 56-passenger motorcoach or a party bus! All of our rentals receive a seamless transportation experience that keeps everyone together while avoiding pricey parking costs and sluggish LA traffic around the theme park.
When you book with PartyBus.com, your driver will take your group through Universal City directly to the designated bus loading zone adjacent to the park’s main entrance. From there, your group can easily access the iconic art-deco front gates while the driver handles parking the bus. Oversized vehicles like charter buses have their own private parking lots surrounding Universal CityWalk, just a short stroll away from where you’ll be dropped off.
In the likely situation that you’ll have personal vehicles or rideshares dropping off additional guests, be sure to share the pick-up/drop-off instructions provided by Universal Studios Hollywood. Personal vehicle parking is an expensive hassle better avoided during any group outing.
Best Attractions for Groups with Children
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Little thrill-seekers and young Potterheads alike will be utterly enchanted with the wizarding wonders awaiting them in Universal’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This fully immersive land replicates the village of Hogsmeade from the beloved book and film series with incredible detail. Send your kids on a magical journey with a visit to Honeydukes sweet shop, Ollivanders Wand Shop for an interactive wand-picking ceremony, and a flight aboard the family-friendly Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey dark ride.
For young ones not yet acquainted with the Boy Who Lived, the park’s whimsical Super Silly Fun Land should delight with its series of wacky Despicable Me-themed rides and attractions. Cool off from the LA sun with a spin on the Silly Swirly Fun Ride or a splash aboard the Simpsons-inspired Mt. Splashmore water playground. An adjacent dry ride based on the Despicable Me animated films, Minion Mayhem, uses innovative 3D animation to let kids join in on a wacky adventure with Gru and his loyal Minions.
Best Attractions for Teens
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Older kids and teens wanting high-intensity thrills should make a beeline for the immensely popular Jurassic World – The Ride. Inspired by the blockbuster Jurassic World films, this flume ride puts guests aboard rafts traveling through earth-shaking encounters with life-sized velociraptors and a finale showdown with the imposing Indominus rex. The level of realism, from elaborately themed environments to advanced animatronics, makes this E-ticket attraction a must-do for any thrill junkies in your group.
Those thirsting for even more pulse-pounding excitement should investigate the Walking Dead Attraction, an authentically gruesome and haunting experience based on AMC’s zombie horror series of the same name. Intense moments of terror await around every turn as you follow in the footsteps of survivors battling off flesh-hungry walkers. As one of Universal Hollywood’s newest attractions, this haunted maze utilizes impressive special effects to deliver a nightmarish immersion into the terrifying post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead.
Best Attractions for Adults
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While Universal pulls no punches when it comes to offering adult-friendly thrills and chills, the theme park also keeps the nostalgia factor high with revered classic attractions centered around more timeless movie properties. One of the crown jewels of the lineup, Revenge of the Mummy remains a beloved dark ride 18 years after its debut. This indoor rollercoaster blends memorable moments from the Brendan Fraser-led Mummy film franchise with intense coaster thrills like sudden launches, dizzying inversions, and hair-raising encounters with ancient mummies.
No visit to Universal Hollywood would be complete without experiencing The World-Famous Studio Tour, which has faithfully operated since the park’s opening in 1964. This sublime mix of a theme park attraction and a behind-the-scenes look at real movie magic takes guests on a sprawling journey through Universal’s working backlot and soundstages. In addition to cameos by legendary props and settings like the infamous Bates Motel from Psycho, the Studio Tour incorporates memorable ride experiences like the earth-shaking King Kong 3D battle and the high-octane Fast & Furious – Supercharged grand finale.
Ride the Studio Tour
Originally, the World-Famous Studio Tour offered a simple tram ride around Universal Studios’ active backlot streets and filming locations. Over the decades, the tour has evolved into one of the most ambitious and innovative theme park attractions ever created. The highlight of any visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, the Studio Tour combines a behind-the-scenes look at real production facilities with cutting-edge special effects and dazzling stunts ripped straight from the silver screen.
Your tour guide will provide a fascinating historical perspective as your tram explores iconic outdoor sets like the Courthouse Square from Back to the Future and Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives. But the thrills really kick into high gear during the tour’s masterfully-produced ride sequences. First, you’ll brave an intense 3D battle with a rampaging great ape during the King Kong 360 3D segment. Then, the grand finale at the Fast & Furious – Supercharged allows you to experience the underground world of LA’s street racing scene in a revolutionary combination of hyper-realistic set pieces and visceral special effects.
Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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Universal Studios Hollywood brings J.K. Rowling’s enchanting Wizarding World to life in spectacular fashion, combining the beloved stories and characters of the Harry Potter universe with mind-blowing detailing and next-level immersion. Located just across from the iconic archway entrance into Universal’s village area, the precise recreation of Hogsmeade will have even muggle visitors swearing they’ve journeyed straight into the pages of the books and movies.
Stop for a magical refreshment at the Three Broomsticks tavern or Hog’s Head pub before sampling fizzing whizbees and acid pops confections at the Honeydukes sweet shop. Be sure to carve out some time to browse the endless shelves of fanciful wands, quills, and robes at Wand shops like Ollivanders and Dervish and Banges. Harry Potter fans young and old will be dazzled by the intricate Owlery and the majestic Hogwarts Castle towering over the land. While simply wandering through Hogsmeade is an attraction unto itself, the signature ride attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey utilizes cutting-edge technology to take you soaring over the castle grounds on an enchanted broomstick journey.
Pro Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood
- Download the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app before arriving. This handy app lets you view park maps, check ride wait times, and even purchase admission tickets.
- Consider adding the Universal Express option to skip the regular lines at all rides and shows once during your visit. Express passes are invaluable during peak seasons when crowds are at their heaviest.
- Arrive before opening and head straight for the big-ticket attractions first. Popular rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Jurassic World see their longest lines during the middle of the day.
- Pack food or snacks with you to save money on meals inside the park. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted for guest entry.
- Give yourself ample time for the World-Famous Studio Tour. Not only is this attraction epic in scale, but wait times can get long on busy days.
- Check the park calendar for any special events or extended hours during your visit. Halloween Horror Nights, grad nights and Grinchmas are especially popular seasonal events in the fall/winter.
- Take breaks often, especially in summer. Universal Hollywood has plenty of shaded areas and indoor shows for you to cool off during peak heat.
Let PartyBus.com Take You To The Park!
Treat your friends, family, or group to a blockbuster outing at Universal Studios Hollywood! With PartyBus.com, you’ll arrive at the park’s gates easily thanks to your private motorcoach. Our wide selection of bus rentals lets you choose the charter bus or minibus model best suited for keeping your party moving smoothly, whether your guest list has 10 or 500+. Call 877-563-2133, and our friendly reservation staff will walk you through the process of booking your group’s perfect transportation!