Are you thinking about visiting Universal Studios on your next family vacation? Don’t miss these must-know tips for Universal Studios Hollywood with kids from a family who has visited multiple times.
This list of tips for Universal Studios Hollywood with kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Tackling Universal Studios Hollywood in a single day with kids sounds like a recipe for chaos. But after multiple visits with my crew, I’ve cracked the code. And honestly? It’s totally doable if you go in with a solid game plan.
My family has been to this theme park more times than I can count. We’ve done the VIP tour (fabulous, by the way), the Express Pass scramble, and the “let’s just wing it” disaster that I do NOT recommend.
Most recently, we hit the park during spring break specifically to ride Mario Kart at Super Nintendo World, and I’m happy to report that we survived with our sanity mostly intact.
So grab your coffee (you’re going to need it), and let me walk you through exactly how to tackle this iconic Southern California theme park without losing your mind.
Where Exactly Is Universal Studios Hollywood?
Before we jump into strategy, let’s get our bearings. Universal Studios is tucked into the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, about 10 miles north of downtown LA.
It’s roughly 5 miles west of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making it an awesome addition to any Southern California vacation.
The address is 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. Pop that into your phone’s GPS and you’re golden.
Best Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood
If you’re doing the smart thing and staying nearby, here are my top picks. Trust me, after a long day of theme parking, you’ll want to collapse somewhere close.
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
We’ve stayed here twice, and it’s clutch. You can literally walk to the park entrance, or hop on their free shuttle if your legs are shot. The rooms have stunning views of the Hollywood Hills, there’s a pool for the kids to burn off energy, and the location just can’t be beat.
Check rates and availability on Expedia
Sheraton Universal Hotel
Another solid choice right by the park. Modern rooms, outdoor pool, and yes, another free shuttle. We’re big fans of anything that eliminates extra walking when you’re already going to log 15,000 steps in the park.
Check rates and availability on Expedia
The Garland
This one’s about a mile away and has the coolest retro vibe. If you’re into that mid-century modern aesthetic, you’ll love it. Plus, free shuttle to the park. Are you sensing a theme here? Free shuttles are your friend.
Check rates and availability on Expedia
Budget-Friendly: Tilt Hotel Universal/Hollywood
If you’re trying to keep costs down (and who isn’t?), this place offers solid value. It’s about a mile from the park, includes complimentary breakfast, and has a free shuttle. The rooms aren’t fancy, but they’re clean and comfortable.
Check rates and availability on Expedia
The Ticket Situation (And How to Save Money)
Nobody wants to pay full price for theme park tickets. I get it. The good news is there are ways to save if you do a little homework.
Your best bet for discounted tickets is through Get Away Today. They offer deals on all types of tickets, including Express Passes and VIP tours.
Should You Splurge on Universal Express?
Here’s my honest take. We’ve done Universal Express the last two times we visited with kids, and it’s been a total game-changer. You get to skip the regular lines once per ride, which means you can actually see everything in one day instead of spending half your time standing around.
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it if you only have one day? Also yes. Think of it this way: you’re either spending money or spending time. Pick your poison.
The VIP Experience (For Your Bucket List)
My husband and I did the VIP tour on our first visit, and holy cow, it was spectacular. You get front-of-line access to everything, a sit-down lunch, and you walk through actual TV show sets.
It’s pricey, but if you’re celebrating something special or just want to be pampered for a day, it’s pretty amazing.
Parking at Universal Studios Hollywood (What You Need to Know)
Let me save you some stress right off the bat: parking at Universal is not cheap. General parking currently runs around $35 if you arrive before 5pm, or $10 if you show up after 5pm. Preferred parking (closer to the entrance) is around $55.
Here’s my advice: get there early, park in general parking, and just accept that you’ll do some walking. The exercise is good for you, or so I tell myself while huffing up the escalators.
Pro tip: Download a portable phone charger from Amazon before you go. With all the photos and the Universal app draining your battery, you’ll thank me later.
The Ultimate One-Day Strategy
Okay, here’s where the rubber meets the road. This is the game plan that’s worked for us every single time.
Step 1: Arrive EARLY (Like, Seriously Early)
I cannot stress this enough. Get there at least 30 minutes before the park officially opens. They usually start letting people through the gates 15-20 minutes early, and you can position yourself near the area you want to hit first.
If Super Nintendo World is on your must-do list (and it should be), aim to get there right when the gates open. The virtual queue fills up FAST on busy days.
Step 2: Rope Drop Super Nintendo World
This is the newest area and everyone wants to see it. If you have regular park tickets, you’ll need to snag a spot in the virtual queue as soon as you’re in the park. Pull out your phone, open the Universal app, and grab your time slot immediately.
If you splurged on Express Pass or early entry, you can just walk right in. Which, I’m not going to lie, feels pretty awesome.
Check out my full guide to Super Nintendo World for all the details on what to expect.
Step 3: Tackle the Lower Lot While You’re Down There
Since you’re already in the Lower Lot for Super Nintendo World, knock out the other rides while you’re there. Do NOT keep going up and down those escalators all day. It takes about 10 minutes each way, and that adds up fast.
Hit these in this order:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (obviously)
- Jurassic World: The Ride (prepare to get wet)
- Revenge of the Mummy (if your kids can handle it)
- Transformers: The Ride 3-D
Step 4: Head Back Up to the Upper Lot
By now it’s probably mid-morning and you’ve already accomplished more than most families do all day. Pat yourself on the back. Maybe grab a pretzel. Actually, definitely grab a pretzel. The ones at Universal are legitimately the best theme park pretzels I’ve ever had.
Step 5: Attack the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This area gets absolutely mobbed by midday, so hitting it in the late morning is your sweet spot. Do the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride first (it has the longest wait times), then Flight of the Hippogriff.
Take some time to explore the shops and watch the wand magic demonstrations if your kids bought wands. It’s actually pretty entertaining, and the staff members are super helpful about showing kids how to do the spells correctly.
Step 6: Do the Studio Tour
This is non-negotiable. The Studio Tour is THE signature experience at Universal Studios Hollywood, and honestly, it’s a nice break because you’re sitting down for about an hour.
Wait times tend to be shorter in the afternoon, so this is the perfect mid-day activity. Plus, if your little ones need a nap or some quiet time, this is your chance. The tram is air-conditioned and mostly dark during the attraction parts.
Step 7: Hit the Remaining Upper Lot Attractions
Now that you’ve done the heavy hitters, you can pick and choose based on what your family wants to see:
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! (My kids’ favorite)
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
- The Simpsons Ride
- The DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
- Silly Swirly Fun Ride (perfect for toddlers)
Step 8: Catch a Show (If You Need a Break)
By late afternoon, everyone’s going to be dragging. This is when you strategically insert a show. WaterWorld is the most popular and features some seriously impressive stunts. The shows in the Wizarding World (Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally) are shorter but still give everyone a chance to sit.
The Best Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood (By Age)
Let me break this down so you know what your kids can actually ride before you get to the park. Measuring them at home and checking height requirements beforehand will save you from heartbreak at the entrance.
Best for Toddlers and Young Kids
Silly Swirly Fun Ride – No height requirement if riding with an adult. It’s basically Dumbo, but with Minions. The line is usually short, and there’s a play area where kids can run around while you wait.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! – 38″ height requirement. This is hands-down the best ride for elementary-age kids. Even the queue is entertaining, with little videos playing in different apartment windows. The ride itself reminds me of Monsters Inc. at Disneyland.
DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda – No height requirement. It’s more of a 4D show than a ride, but it’s cute and air-conditioned. Win-win.
Best for Elementary-Age Kids
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – 40″ height requirement. My 9-year-old is obsessed with this ride. It uses augmented reality, so you’re racing against Team Bowser while your kart zooms through the course.
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem – 40″ height requirement. It’s like a virtual rollercoaster, so if anyone gets motion sick, they can just close their eyes. Still fun though.
The Simpsons Ride – 40″ height requirement. My kids haven’t even seen the show, but they love this ride. Similar vibe to Minion Mayhem but with different scenery.
Best for Thrill-Seekers
Jurassic World: The Ride – 42″ height requirement. You’ll get soaked on this one, so either go first thing in the morning or save it for the end of the day. There’s a big splashdown finale and you’ll see the Indominus Rex, which is terrifying and awesome.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 48″ height requirement. Super immersive dark ride through Hogwarts. You’ll feel like you’re flying through a Quidditch match. Even if your kids are too short, you can walk through the castle and just skip the ride at the end.
Revenge of the Mummy – 48″ height requirement. This one’s legitimately creepy. My thrill-seeking 9-year-old thought it was too scary. Just saying.
Flight of the Hippogriff – 39″ height requirement. The only actual rollercoaster at Universal Hollywood. It’s super quick but fun.
Transformers: The Ride 3-D – 40″ height requirement. Dark ride with lots of action on the screens. Not super intense, but the visuals make it feel more extreme.
What to Do Besides Rides
Here’s the thing: if you try to cram every single ride into your day, you’re going to burn out. Mix in some other activities to give everyone a mental break.
Character Meet and Greets
You never know who you’ll run into, which is part of the fun. We usually see Minions and Gru near the Despicable Me area. Transformers characters (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron) hang out in their area and they’re super interactive.
In Super Nintendo World, you can meet Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach at designated times. Check the app for schedules.
On our last visit, we also spotted Scooby-Doo characters, Trolls, and even the Simpsons gang roaming around.
If you want professional photos of your family at the park, book a Flytographer session. You’ll save $20 with my link, and honestly, the photos are so much better than the blurry selfies you’ll take while wrangling three kids.
Play Areas
DinoPlay – Located in the Jurassic World area in the Lower Lot. Kids can dig for dinosaur fossils, check out a full-size T-Rex skull, and burn energy on the rope bridge. Perfect for when the bigger kids are doing a ride the little ones can’t handle.
Super Silly Fun Land – Near Despicable Me. Elaborate play structure with tons of shade. We’ve definitely parked ourselves here while the kids ran wild.
Wand Magic in the Wizarding World
If you splurge on an interactive wand at Ollivander’s, you’ll get a map showing where you can perform spells throughout the Wizarding World.
Staff members are usually around to help kids do the spells correctly, and it’s actually pretty entertaining to watch things move or make sounds when you get it right.
The wands cost about $65, which is steep, but if you have a Harry Potter superfan, they’ll get hours of entertainment from it.
Shopping (Because Let’s Be Real)
The best shopping is hands-down in the Wizarding World. Honeydukes is dangerous if you have a sweet tooth, and you can get a personalized Hogwarts robe at one of the shops near the castle.
Super Nintendo World has the 1-UP Factory store with all the Mario merch your heart desires. We picked up some Mario Kart toys from Amazon before our trip so the kids could play at home, which got them even more excited.
Food at Universal Studios Hollywood (The Honest Truth)
Let me be straight with you: if you’re a foodie, Universal isn’t going to blow your mind. It’s standard theme park fare. But there are a few standouts worth mentioning.
The Best Pretzels on Earth
Seriously. The soft pretzels at Universal are incredible. Get them at the cart between the escalators to the Lower Lot. They’re drizzled with butter and you can get a cheese dip with a little kick. Perfection.
Butterbeer (Obviously)
You can’t leave the Wizarding World without trying Butterbeer. It tastes like cream soda mixed with butterscotch. They have traditional Butterbeer, Butterbeer floats, and frozen Butterbeer (my favorite).
At Christmas, they have a hot version that’s absolutely magical. Worth planning a winter trip just for that.
Pasties at Hog’s Head
These savory pastries are filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese. Perfect for grabbing and eating while you walk.
Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World
Fun themed food, but honestly? It’s overpriced and not amazing. We usually grab a quick bite here just for the experience, but don’t expect gourmet.
For a Sit-Down Meal: Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
If you need to sit down and decompress, the shepherd’s pie here is actually pretty good. It’s near the Simpsons ride.
Pro tip: Pack some snacks in your bag. Grab a pack of granola bars from Amazon and some reusable water bottles before you leave. Universal allows outside food, and you’ll save a fortune.
Essential Items to Pack
Speaking of packing, here’s what you absolutely need:
- Comfortable walking shoes – You’ll log 5+ miles easy. Get yourself some good walking sneakers from Amazon before you go.
- Sunscreen – Southern California sun is no joke. We’re from Seattle and my husband’s neck got crispy because he forgot to reapply. Learn from our mistakes.
- Portable phone charger – Your phone will die. Plan accordingly.
- Lightweight backpack – Something comfortable that won’t kill your shoulders by noon. This packable daypack is clutch.
- Light jacket – It gets cold in the air-conditioned queues.
- Hat and sunglasses – Trust me.
Universal Studios Hollywood: The Insider Tips That Actually Matter
Okay, here are the strategies that will separate you from the amateur tourists:
Use Single Rider Lines
If you don’t mind splitting up, single rider lines can save you massive amounts of time. They’re available on several major rides. My husband and I will tag-team this: one of us takes the little kids on something else while the other rides the big rides via single rider.
The Child Swap Program Is Your Friend
If you have kids too small for certain rides, use child swap. One adult rides while the other waits with the kids. Then you switch without waiting in line again. The older kids can even ride twice. Win-win.
Download the Universal App Before You Go
The app shows real-time wait times, has a map, and lets you mobile order food. Get it set up before you leave home so you’re not fumbling with it at the park entrance.
Start in the Lower Lot, Then Stay in the Upper Lot
Minimize escalator trips. Trust me on this. Do everything in the Lower Lot first, then commit to the Upper Lot for the rest of the day.
Bring Your Own Refillable Water Bottle
There are water fountains throughout the park. Stay hydrated and save money.
Take Advantage of Show Times
When you need a break, catch a show. WaterWorld and the Harry Potter performances have set times, so check the app and plan accordingly.
Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
Universal Studios Hollywood goes all-out for special events, and some are worth timing your visit around.
Halloween Horror Nights (September – November)
This is NOT for kids. It’s genuinely scary and recommended for ages 13+. Haunted houses, scare zones, and the Terror Tram will absolutely terrify you. If that’s your jam, it’s one of the best Halloween events in Southern California.
Grinchmas (Late November – Early January)
We did this a few years ago and the kids loved it. Christmas in the Wizarding World is absolutely magical, especially when the snow falls in the evening. Grinchmas features Meet and Greets with The Grinch, holiday decorations, and festive shows.
Universal Mega Movie Summer (June – August)
Character meet and greets, special entertainment, and extra activities throughout the park. Great for summer visits.
Planning Resources to Make Your Life Easier
Look, planning a theme park trip with kids is a lot. I’ve put together some resources that will help:
If you’re doing a bigger California adventure, check out my free email course on how to plan a trip to Disneyland like a pro. Yes, it’s technically about Disneyland, but the planning strategies work for any Southern California theme park.
Also, if you’re planning multiple California stops, my readers love my guide to getting from Disneyland to Universal Studios.
For more ideas on things to do in the LA area with kids, check out my post on the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
FAQs About Universal Studios Hollywood
How much time do you really need at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Honestly? With Express Pass or VIP, you can do everything in one long day. Without it, you’ll need to be strategic or consider a two-day pass. The park is smaller than Universal Orlando, which makes a one-day visit totally feasible.
What’s the closest airport?
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is only about 7 miles away. LAX is about 25 miles, and Long Beach Airport is also around 25 miles. Burbank is definitely the most convenient if you can swing it.
Can you bring food into the park?
Yes! Universal allows you to bring in outside food and drinks. No glass containers and no alcohol, but otherwise you’re good to go.
Is Universal Studios Hollywood good for toddlers?
There are definitely things for little ones to do, but I’d say this park really shines for kids ages 6 and up. The toddler-friendly rides are limited, though the play areas are solid.
How does the Super Nintendo World virtual queue work?
Download the app, tap the Virtual Line icon, select Super Nintendo World, choose your party size, and pick a time slot. Do this AS SOON as you enter the park on busy days because slots fill up fast. If you have Express Pass or early entry, you can skip the virtual queue entirely.
What’s the deal with parking validation?
If you’re just going to CityWalk to eat or see a movie, you can get parking validation. For the theme park, you’ll pay full parking price.
The Bottom Line
Look, doing Universal Studios Hollywood in one day with kids is ambitious. I won’t pretend it’s a relaxing stroll through the park.
But with the right strategy, you can absolutely hit all the major attractions, eat some Butterbeer, buy some overpriced souvenirs, and create some pretty awesome family memories.
The key is arriving early, having a game plan, and being willing to adapt when your toddler melts down or your teenager decides they’re suddenly terrified of rollercoasters (been there).
If you’ve got one day and you’re ready to make it count, grab your discounted tickets here and get ready for one fabulous adventure in Southern California.
Just remember: comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and realistic expectations are your best friends. And if all else fails, there’s always Butterbeer.
Looking for more tips for Universal Studios Hollywood? Check out our review of the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Pass, guide to Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Hollywood vs Disneyland, and guide to Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood!
