Universal Studios Hollywood is a dream destination for both moviegoers and thrill-seekers.
Almost ten million people visit the park each year, and with that many people, wait times can be quite long.
Understanding the ebb and flow of crowds, as well as the best strategies for minimizing your wait time, can make a significant difference in your park experience.
This article will look at the factors that influence wait times, give you tips for avoiding long lines, and help you make the most of your visit.
Opening Hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Time Needed: Approximately 8 hours
Number of Rides: 17
Best Ride with Lowest Wait Time: DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
Key Factors Influencing Wait Times at Universal Studios Hollywood
Several factors can significantly affect wait times at Universal Studios Hollywood. Let us take a closer look at them.
Peak Season
The busiest and most popular season to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is June through August when lines are at their longest.
There will be a lot of people around, especially on holidays like Labor Day and Independence Day.
Spring Break, especially during Easter week, sees an increase in crowds as more families visit.
Time of Day
Try to schedule things for the morning, preferably before noon. This is the golden time with the least crowded rides.
Make the most of this opportunity to visit the most well-liked attractions, such as Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Lunchtime is the busiest time of day, so wait times increase dramatically.
As the day winds down and people head for dinner, wait times generally start to come down again.
This is a perfect time to revisit rides you enjoyed earlier or experience shows and attractions you might have skipped due to longer lines.
Days of the Week
On weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), expect to wait longer.
These are naturally the most crowded days, with families and tourists filling the park.
Weekdays (Mondays to Thursdays) are generally much less crowded, especially during the off-season (fall, winter, and spring, excluding spring break).
This is the sweet spot for shorter wait times and a more relaxed park experience.
Weather Conditions
During scorching summer days, visitors might gravitate more towards indoor rides or water rides like the Jurassic World River Adventure.
This could lead to slightly longer wait times for these attractions than rides exposed to the hot sun.
In rare instances of heavy rain, some park-goers might choose to stay indoors or reschedule their visit.
This could lead to shorter wait times for rides on those days.
Insider Tip! Snag a Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket to get one-time priority access to all rides, shows, and attractions without waiting in long lines.
Universal Studios Hollywood Rides with the Longest Wait Times
At Universal Studios Hollywood, some rides have longer wait times than others.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash typically has a wait time of 55 minutes, while Jurassic World—The Ride typically has a wait time of 45 minutes.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D and Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride both typically have hour-long waits.
If you are keen on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge or The Simpsons Ride, be prepared to wait around 1.5 hours.
It’s smart to plan ahead and check real-time updates on the park’s official app.
| Rides | Wait Times (Average) |
|---|---|
| Jurassic World — The Ride | 45 minutes |
| The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash | 55 minutes |
| TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D | 60 minutes |
| Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride | 60 minutes |
| Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | 1.5 hours |
| The Simpsons Ride | 1.5 hours |
Universal Studios Hollywood Rides with Moderate Wait Times
There are several rides with moderate wait times, making them more accessible for visitors.
Fast & Furious — Supercharged usually has about a 24-minute wait.
Similarly, Flight of the Hippogriff, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Ollivanders, and the Studio Tour all average around 25 minutes each.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem usually has a slightly longer wait time, averaging around 30 minutes.
| Rides | Wait Times (Average) |
|---|---|
| Fast & Furious — Supercharged | 25 minutes |
| Flight of the Hippogriff | 25 minutes |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 25 minutes |
| Ollivanders | 25 minutes |
| Studio Tour | 25 minutes |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 30 minutes |
Universal Studios Hollywood Rides with Shortest Wait Times
If you are short on time and not using a Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket, you can still enjoy some of the rides with the shortest wait times.
These include DinoPlay and Silly Swirly, both averaging about 5 minutes of wait time.
Super Silly Fun Land typically has a wait of around 10 minutes, while the DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda averages about 15 minutes.
These attractions offer quicker access for a more efficient visit.
| Rides | Wait Times (Average) |
|---|---|
| DinoPlay | 5 minutes |
| Silly Swirly | 5 minutes |
| Super Silly Fun Land | 10 minutes |
| DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda | 15 minutes |
Vacatis Tips to Minimize Wait Times at Universal Studios Hollywood
- While everyone else sleeps in, be the park’s early bird! Aim to arrive 30 minutes before opening to get a head start.
- Traveling solo, or do you have a group willing to split up for a bit? Utilize the single rider lines! This option fills empty seats on rides, often leading to significantly shorter wait times.
- Before going, download the official app. It’s a game-changer! You can carefully arrange your day because the app shows you the wait times in real-time for every ride.
- Avoid eating lunch or dinner between 12 pm to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, as these are peak meal times. This allows you to hit rides while others are grabbing food.
- Weekdays are a good time to visit because there are fewer people there than on weekends and holidays, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Skip the traditional Studio Tour entrance and instead head to the Lower Lot rides. After that, take the escalator to the beginning of the Studio Tour. This saves you a lot of time.
Contents
FAQs
1. When is the busiest time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood?
The busiest times are during summer (June to August), spring break, and major holidays like Labor Day and Independence Day. Weekends also tend to be more crowded than weekdays.
2. How can I avoid long waits for rides at Universal Studios Hollywood?
To minimize wait times, consider visiting on weekdays outside of peak seasons. Arriving early in the morning before the crowds and using the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket for priority access can also help.
3. What should I do if I have a Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket?
You can get priority access to all rides, shows, and attractions with a Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket and avoid standing in line. It is the ideal choice if you want to make the most of your time and have the most fun at the park.
4. What rides at Universal Studios Hollywood have the longest wait times?
The rides with the longest wait times are The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, Jurassic World — The Ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, Mario Kart, and The Simpsons Ride. These attractions are very popular, with wait times ranging from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours on average.
5. How long do you have to wait in line at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Wait times can vary greatly depending on the popularity of the ride, time of day, and season. During peak hours, the average wait time for a popular ride can vary from 20 minutes to more than an hour.
Suggested Articles:
Featured Image: Tripadvisor.ca