After visiting the Walk of Fame, which was actually the very first thing we did in Los Angeles on the evening we arrived, it was time for our second major stop – Universal Studios Hollywood.
And I have to say that, for me personally, it was one of the greatest experiences of our entire trip to Los Angeles.
What is Universal Studios Hollywood?
Universal Studios Hollywood is not just an ordinary amusement park – it is the only working film and television studio in the world that is also open to the public as a theme park. It is located in Universal City in the San Fernando Valley, just a few minutes from the center of Hollywood.
The history of this place dates back to 1912, when German immigrant Carl Laemmle founded Universal Pictures. Three years later, in 1915, he opened his studio ranch and invited the public to come and watch movies being filmed for just 25 cents – admission even included a boxed chicken lunch. It was, in fact, the very first “studio tour” in Hollywood history.
The modern era of the amusement park began on July 15, 1964, when the famous Studio Tour was launched with pink-and-white trams called “GlamorTrams.” Over the years, the park expanded with additional attractions, and in the 1990s it became the full-fledged theme park we know today. In 2024, more than 8.7 million guests visited the park, making it one of the sixteen most visited theme parks in the world.
An interesting fact is that the studio backlot has been damaged by fires nine times throughout its history – most recently in 2008, when a fire destroyed two entire blocks, including the original King Kong attraction.
Staying at the Hilton hotel and Hilton Honors membership
We stayed right on the edge of the amusement park, at the Hilton hotel, from where it took us about 5–10 minutes to walk to Universal Studios. The hotel was very nice and, for me personally, it had one additional benefit – I have been a long-time member of Hilton Honors, the Hilton hotel chain’s loyalty program.
What is Hilton Honors and what benefits does it offer?
Hilton Honors is a free loyalty program that anyone can join. Even as a basic member, you can earn points for every stay, choose your room through the app up to 24 hours in advance, use digital check-in, and unlock your room door with your phone. In 2026, Hilton significantly redesigned the program, and it now offers five membership tiers: Member, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and a completely new top tier – Diamond Reserve.
What I personally enjoy most is the feeling that the hotel knows you. When you enter your room and see your name on the TV along with a welcome message, the staff address you by name, and overall you feel that you are not just another anonymous guest – that is exactly what frequent travelers appreciate. Higher membership tiers then offer benefits such as food and beverage credit, access to exclusive lounges, room upgrades, or up to a 120% bonus on points earned.
In any case, I do have one recommendation – if you are staying at this Hilton, buy breakfast in advance. I did not do that because I thought I would not need it, and in the end we went for breakfast anyway. The additional charge for breakfast for three people came to more than 50 dollars, which was quite expensive. But I have to admit that the breakfast was excellent – a buffet with a wide selection, so we ate well and it was nice.
Entering the park and the Express pass – my strong recommendation
When we left the Hilton in the morning, we followed the sidewalk with “Welcome to Universal City” signs, and within a few minutes we were standing in front of the park gates. We immediately took a photo with my daughter by the iconic Universal Studios globe – it is simply a mandatory stop.
It was neither particularly warm nor cold that day – April weather in Los Angeles is somewhat transitional. I was wearing shorts, but on some attractions where water sprayed onto us, I could definitely feel it.
And now for the most important tip for every visitor: the Express pass.
If you do not mind spending the money, it is definitely worth it. But be careful – there are two types. The cheaper standard Express allows you to use the faster line for each attraction only once. The more expensive Universal Express Unlimited allows you to use the Express line as many times as you want. I did not know about this difference, so of course I bought the cheaper one. On my next visit, six months later in October, I went straight for Unlimited and did not regret it.
Even so, it was enormously worthwhile. For example, at Jurassic World, we used the regular line in the morning without waiting because we arrived first. But when we wanted to return to the attraction in the afternoon, the standby line was at least an hour and a half. With the Express pass, we waited about five minutes. At Super Mario, the regular line was two hours long, while we got in within ten minutes. The differences really are enormous.
The price of an Express pass ranges approximately between 90 and 200 dollars per person, depending on the season and day of the week.
Attractions we visited
Jurassic World – The Ride
First, we headed straight across the entire park to Jurassic World – that was what my daughter wanted, and in the end it turned out to be a great strategy because there was almost no line there in the morning.
The attraction is essentially a water ride where you travel by boat through an area full of animatronic dinosaurs, ending with a major drop from a height of 26 meters. In 2019, the entire attraction was rebuilt from the original Jurassic Park version into a new one themed around the world of Jurassic World.
What thrilled me even more than the ride itself, however, was the Raptor Encounter. This is an experience where you meet an animatronic Velociraptor (or Triceratops) that looks incredibly realistic. I honestly do not know whether there is a person inside a costume or whether it is remotely controlled, but it was very convincing and managed to give not only my daughter but me a real fright.
Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
The second attraction we went on was The Mummy. And this was where we had a little dramatic moment – my daughter cried. The attraction is a roller coaster in complete darkness, with scarab beetles jumping out at you and water spraying, making it look as though insects are flying directly at you. It can be quite intense for younger children, so keep that in mind.
Interestingly, the Hollywood version of The Mummy differs from the one in Orlando – in LA, the roller coaster also travels backward, which you will not find in Orlando. Orlando, on the other hand, has an impressive flaming ceiling effect above the track.
Super Nintendo World and Mario Kart
The Super Nintendo World section featuring Mario and the entire Nintendo world was fantastic. The main attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, combines a track ride with an interactive augmented-reality shooting game. The entire themed area is incredibly detailed – from interactive blocks that you can “charge” using a Power-Up Band wristband to the Toadstool Cafe restaurant.
Super Nintendo World is one of the newer parts of the park – it opened in Hollywood in 2023, and for many visitors it is now the main reason to come to the park.
Springfield and The Simpsons – a must-see for every fan
Then came my personal classic – Springfield. The entire area is a faithful replica of Springfield from The Simpsons. Kwik-E-Mart, Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, and of course – Moe's Tavern.
As a fan of The Simpsons, I naturally had to have a Duff beer at Moe's (Duff Beer in the original). I do not normally drink alcohol, but when you are standing at Moe's, you simply have to have a Duff – it is a must. We bought two beers, I only took one sip, and my daughter was also allowed to taste one sip. I cannot say it was an exceptionally tasty beer, but that is not the point – it is about the experience.
The Simpsons Ride is a virtual roller coaster – a kind of 4D simulator where you fly up and down in a small cabin while watching a Simpsons story on a giant screen. It is fun, but if you are prone to motion sickness, be careful – this attraction is fairly well known for causing it.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
And of course, we saved the best for last – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The village of Hogsmeade is absolutely stunning. Snow-covered roofs, stone streets, shops selling wands and magical supplies – you truly feel as if you have stepped into the movie.
Children can receive a wand during the tour at Ollivanders, as shown in the video below, and you can also use a purchased wand to cast spells throughout Hogsmeade. It works both in LA and Orlando.
Of course, we had Butterbeer – and it was excellent! I drank about four of them. It is a sweet, non-alcoholic specialty with a caramel-and-butter flavor and foam on top. I definitely recommend it.
The shops sold Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, magic wands from Ollivanders, and plenty of other merchandise. Naturally, my daughter could not miss a visit to the wand shop.
Hogwarts Castle itself is impressive and houses the main attraction – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Walking through the castle is an experience in itself – a portrait gallery with talking paintings, Dumbledore's office with a holographic Dumbledore, and many other details that will delight both children and adults.
Right by the castle, there was also a Hogwarts Express conductor you could take a photo with. Unlike in Orlando, however, you cannot ride the train here – that is one of the things exclusive to Florida.
Other attractions and character encounters
In addition to the main attractions, we also came across many opportunities to meet movie characters throughout the park. One of the most entertaining was meeting Scooby-Doo and the entire Mystery Inc. gang by their iconic van.
The park offers many other attractions that we did not have time for or that I have not mentioned – for example, Transformers: The Ride 3D (an intense 3D simulator featuring Autobots and Decepticons), The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash (a cute ride suitable for younger children), the WaterWorld show (an action-packed stunt show with explosions and water effects), and of course the legendary Studio Tour, an hour-long tram ride through a real movie backlot where you can see sets from Jaws, Psycho, War of the Worlds, and many more – and you might even come across an active film shoot.
Universal Studios Hollywood vs. Universal Studios Orlando – the main differences
I have visited Universal Orlando in Florida several times, and I have to say that, in my opinion, Orlando is better overall – but that does not mean Hollywood is not worth visiting. They are simply two very different experiences.
Orlando is significantly larger. While Hollywood is one compact park covering about 415 acres, including the working studio, Orlando is a huge resort spanning more than 840 acres, with three theme parks (Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and, since 2025, Epic Universe), plus the Volcano Bay water park and seven resort hotels.
What does Orlando have that Hollywood does not?
The main difference is in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Orlando has two complete worlds – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. The Hogwarts Express runs between them, which is a fantastic experience in itself. Hollywood only has Hogsmeade – there is no Diagon Alley or Hogwarts Express here.
Other attractions you will not find in Hollywood include: Jurassic World VelociCoaster (one of the best roller coasters in the world), Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (a large outdoor roller coaster), E.T. Adventure (a classic dark ride that has been in Orlando since the very beginning), and entire themed areas such as Marvel Super Hero Island and Seuss Landing.
What does Hollywood have that Orlando does not?
On the other hand, Hollywood has something you will not find in Orlando – the Studio Tour. This hour-long ride through a real working movie backlot is a unique experience. You see sets where iconic movies were filmed, and the tour also includes King Kong 360 3D and Fast & Furious: Supercharged. Hollywood also has The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash and the WaterWorld stunt show, neither of which are in Orlando.
There is also a major difference in the atmosphere. Hollywood offers more of an “L.A. experience” – you are in the middle of a real film studio and city. Orlando, by contrast, is a classic resort where you come for several days and focus entirely on the parks.
In 2026, Hollywood is also opening its first major outdoor roller coaster – Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, featuring rotating vehicles and speeds of more than 115 km/h. This could significantly transform the park’s lineup.
Practical tips to finish
If you are planning to visit Universal Studios Hollywood, here are a few things that can save you both time and money:
The Express pass is worth it – and if you can, invest in the Unlimited version. The difference in waiting times is truly dramatic, especially on weekends and during peak season.
Arrive right when the park opens – lines are shortest in the morning, and you can experience several attractions with almost no waiting.
Start in the Lower Lot – the lower level of the park tends to be emptier in the morning, and it is where you will find the most intense attractions (Jurassic World, The Mummy, Transformers, and Super Nintendo World).
Expect water – you will get thoroughly soaked on some attractions, especially Jurassic World. In summer, it is a pleasant way to cool down, but during colder months I recommend bringing a lightweight raincoat.
The Hilton by the park is a great choice – its proximity to the park is invaluable, and as a Hilton Honors member you also receive some pleasant benefits.
CityWalk is free – the CityWalk shopping and entertainment area in front of the park gates is accessible without a ticket and offers restaurants, shops, and cinemas.
Final thoughts on Universal Studios?
Universal Studios Hollywood was a fantastic experience, and I definitely recommend visiting it if you are in Los Angeles. Yes, Orlando is larger and offers more attractions, but Hollywood has its own unique, unforgettable charm – after all, you are in a place where movie history is actually being made. And when you add Jurassic World, The Simpsons, Harry Potter, and Super Mario, it becomes a day you will remember for a long time.
We enjoyed it to the fullest – my daughter was thrilled, I fulfilled my dream once again of having a Duff at Moe's and Butterbeer in Hogsmeade, and overall it was one of the best days of our entire trip to LA.
