What to do while in Los Angeles-Evolve Magazine Recommendation: Stop at Universal Studios Hollywood!
Universal Studios Hollywood is a leading global entertainment destination that includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour and adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment promenade. Featuring highly-themed immersive lands, rides and attractions that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows, Universal Studios Hollywood brings movie-making magic to life for guests visiting from across the globe. Its signature behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, which celebrates 60 years, bridges the theme park with the movie studio to take guests on a once-in-a-lifetime foray of an authentic movie production and television studio.
Check out their website for more information on special deals, like the buy-one-get-a-second-day-free offer on general admission tickets. Here’s a tip: It is worth buying the Express Pass to avoid the line-up, especially on the popular rides and attractions. Here’s what you can look forward to at the park.
Universal CityWalk, located adjacent to the theme park, is a dynamic outdoor entertainment, shopping and dining complex that features such popular restaurants as The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut. The destination also includes one of L.A.’s most famous movie theatres, Universal Cinema with deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates one-year of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity designed to transport theme park guests and Nintendo fans into the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to become part of the Mushroom Kingdom. The highly immersive and interactive land features the groundbreaking ride “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge™,” Toadstool Cafe, 1-Up Factory Store, character meet and greets and a host of interactive gameplay, enhanced with the purchase of a Power-Up band. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to generations of Nintendo fans for over 40 years. Also, the all-new Power Up Cafe is now open on New York Street, located on the Upper Lot inside the theme park. This exciting original concept venue invites guests to power up outside of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Jurassic World—The Ride
“Jurassic World—The Ride” features an original storyline that takes guests on a breathtaking excursion through the theme park as depicted in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s film, JURASSIC WORLD. “Jurassic World—The Ride” brings guests face-to-face with the extraordinarily realistic dinosaur, the Indominus rex, who stakes her claim at the ride’s finale in a forceful battle with her arch-rival, the Tyrannosaurus rex. The ride also features the stars of the JURASSIC WORLD films – Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and BD Wong.
Raptor Encounter
Located adjacent to “Jurassic World—The Ride” is the elaborately themed “Raptor Encounter” where Blue, the most beloved Velociraptor from the JURASSIC WORLD franchise engages guests in daring face-to-face encounters. Brought to life by employing the exact computer-generated model and images used to create her for the big screen, Blue tips the scales at a hefty 750 pounds, towering 15 feet in height and 13 feet from tail to snout, and succumbs to highly skilled handlers who adeptly guide her to within feet of guests.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
A stroll along the cleverly themed Pets Place brings guests to Katie’s NYC apartment building where the award-winning Illumination’s “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash” ride resides and answers the question, “What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?” This tech-savvy adventure inspired by Illumination’s blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets films, features the original voice talent, including Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate and Lake Bell. This impressive ride combines 64 technologically-advanced animated figures with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping designed to take guests on a journey to meet some of their favorite characters from the movies, including Max, Snowball, Daisy, Gidget, Chloe and Duke.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” has been masterfully recreated at Universal Studios Hollywood, and is faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which serves as its iconic focal point.
From its snow-capped roofs to its cobblestone streets, Hogsmeade bustles to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff.”
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts. A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods. With a gentle flick of the wrist and just the right touch, guests can cast multiple spells at dazzling wand magic locations.
“Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle”
The “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” casts a mesmerizing display of light, music and special effects, unleashing the darkest creatures and villains and invites guests to experience a new dimension of sorcery within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
As darkness falls on Hogwarts castle, Dementors, Death Eaters and other unspeakable creatures from Aragog and Mountain Trolls to Thestrals cloak the castle with sinister images from the darker side of magic—even conjuring the visage of Lord Voldemort himself, until the Patronus spell—one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world—is cast.
An exclusive musical arrangement accompanies the experience, conducted by William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London and based on the original scores composed for the films created by Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams.
This experience is a seasonal event.
“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle”
“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” shines brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin and culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky.
The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection, designed to dance across the stunning Hogwarts castle, is accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by composer John Williams based on his original scores for the film series. The musical arrangement was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London.
This experience is a seasonal event.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem / Super Silly Fun Land
“Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” an original Ultra-HD adventure and “Super Silly Fun Land,” an imaginative and interactive play zone, are based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s international blockbuster Despicable Me.
“Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” transports guests into Minion mayhem via Gru’s iconic house and laboratory for their adventure. Whimsically themed queues, clever preshow videos and comedic dialogue set up the fundamental plot: Gru’s secret mission to create as many mischievous Minions as possible from human recruits. Guests embark on an exciting journey through a series of visceral and physical special effects that elevate the intensity of the ride. Water, wind, vibrations and simulated laser beams affect guests as they soar, twist, pivot and roll aboard a state-of-the-art hydraulics ride base.
“Super Silly Fun Land,” an elaborate play zone unique to Universal Studios Hollywood, is adjacent to “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.” The colorfully themed, interactive Minion-inspired outdoor venue, a literal interpretation of the seaside carnival from the film, entertains guests of all ages with more than 80 different water play features. A nearby dry zone invites guests to climb, jump and slide – while a Minion themed ride, “Silly Swirly Fun Ride,” soars and spins guests around for a 360-degree view of “Super Silly Fun Land” aboard a fleet of uniquely-styled ride vehicles.
DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda Adventure
Universal Studios Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda Adventure.” With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” introduces the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure. Developed by the innovative team at Universal Creative, this never-before-adapted technique depicts a series of immersive and visually dynamic scenic designs that transform within the interior space and enhance the story. With detailing that is so precise, it is near impossible to realize the projected imagery is a mere illusion.
Fast & Furious—Supercharged
High-octane excitement races onto the scene with “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” a pulse-pounding, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that is the grand finale to the world-famous Studio Tour. This gripping, technologically-advanced ride, inspired by Universal Pictures’ most successful film franchise and featuring the original cast, propels guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars and daring escapades traveling at accelerated speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. Situated within a 65,000 square foot building on the legendary backlot, the high speed, 3D-HD ride reunites stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Luke Evans in a revolutionary mega-attraction, conceived as an installment to the dynamic film series.
King Kong 360 3-D
Created under the direction of Peter Jackson for the Studio Tour, “King Kong 360 3-D” features one of the screen’s most powerful and enduring icons. This theme park adventure is the largest, most intense 3D experience on the planet, combining thrilling visceral effects with the world’s largest Surround Digital projection system. Guests wear special 3D glasses as they enter a darkened soundstage aboard the Studio Tour tram and are transported deep into a tangled jungle location. They find themselves caught in the middle of a titanic struggle between a 25’ Kong and a 35’ tall voracious dinosaur – action which sends the packed tram sliding ever closer to the edge of a bottomless chasm.
Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride
The theme park’s first-ever roller coaster, “Revenge of the MummySM —The Ride” is based on the phenomenally popular Mummy films. This state-of-the-art roller coaster taps into rider’s primal fears through immersion in a total multi-sensory environment. Utilizing animatronics, sophisticated motion picture technology, state-of-the-art ride, audio and robotics engineering, the ride preys upon common human phobias: fear of the dark, fear of insects, fear of speed, fear of heights and fear of death to deliver the world’s first psychological thrill ride.
Springfield / The Simpsons Ride
Springfield™, U.S.A., hometown of America’s favorite family, “The Simpsons™,” brings the sprawling and vibrant space surrounding “The Simpsons Ride™” to life. Springfield is designed to capture the spirit of the animated town and engage visitors and fans of the show in the intensely absorbing and colorful world made famous throughout the series’ record-setting seasons. Guests visiting Springfield have the pleasant sensation of being hurled through their television sets and into the accurately depicted town, complete with signature eateries such as Krusty Burger, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Luigi’s Pizza and Phineas Q. Butterfat’s Ice Cream Parlor, along with Homer’s favorite hangouts, Lard Lad Donuts, Moe’s Tavern and Duff Brewery.
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson ride along with guests in the mega-attraction “The Simpsons Ride.” Guests are rocketed along with the Simpson family on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure. Visitors experience a side of Springfield previously unexplored as they enjoy the ride’s interpretation of “Krustyland,” a fantasy amusement park dreamed up by the cantankerous Krusty the Clown. Universal’s award-winning creative team collaborated with “The Simpsons” Creator and Executive Producer Matt Groening and Executive Producer James L. Brooks to create the first-ever mega-attraction based on the blockbuster TV series. It features the show’s classic humor and many of its instantly recognizable characters, all voiced by the original actors.
StarWay
The futuristic Starway links the upper and lower portions of the Universal lots. With spectacular views, this multi-layered escalator and adjoining steps stretch over 1/4 mile to an area of the studio previously inaccessible to the public and to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, “Revenge of The Mummy—The Ride,” “Jurassic World—The Ride” and “Transformers: The Ride—3D.”
Studio Tour – Behind-the-Scenes Tram Ride
Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, the world-renowned behind-the-scenes “Studio Tour” celebrates 60 years and offers guests a unique opportunity to embark on a journey to the workings of one of the most elusive businesses: Hollywood magic. With guidance from knowledgeable Studio Tour Guides, guests navigate the 415-acre movie studio complex of soundstages, facades, working sets and special effects attractions.
The “Studio Tour” is offered in multiple languages, including Spanish and Mandarin.
Highlights include:
- Jupiter’s Claim, Original Set from Jordan Peele’s New Horror Epic Nope
The original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s expansive horror epic, Nope, is featured exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood as an attraction on the world-famous Studio Tour. The impressive and elaborate Jupiter’s Claim set was carefully disassembled post-production and transported to the theme park where it was meticulously reconstructed on site, complete with original props and details from the film.
- Backlot Sets
The iconic sets on Universal Studios’ famed backlot include the world-famous Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street. The sets include a contemporary cityscape that is the largest modern urban backlot shooting location in Los Angeles.
- Earthquake—The Big One
“Earthquake—The Big One” attraction (1989) has undergone a top to bottom renovation and debuts anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics and reopened in April 2024 for the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary celebration. Housed within a two-story soundstage containing a recreation of a modern subway station, “Earthquake—The Big One” puts guests in the midst of a fully-dressed movie set, ready for filming. In slightly more than two minutes, the earth literally collapses, simulating the devastation of an 8.3 magnitude earthquake. As the pavement collapses above them, guests face sparking power cables, felled telephone poles, noxious gases, a crashed 18-wheeler containing highly flammable contents and a massive 60,000-gallon flood.
- Famous Cars
Famous cars find a permanent parking spot along the Studio Tour route in an engaging display of recognizable prop vehicles that have appeared in cult-film favorites.
- Flash Flood
“Flash Flood” attraction is designed to simulate the wrath of Mother Nature during a torrential downpour and on cue, pelts the tram with “movie rain.” Culminating in a devastating flash flood visual effect, the attraction becomes an even wetter experience as 40,000 gallons of water are released, and strategically placed water cannons heighten the drama.
- Jaws Lake
Situated in the quiet New England town of Amity, “Jaws Lake” features an animatronic great white shark similar to the one used in Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws. Guests explore the town, which also doubled for Cabot Cove in the TV series “Murder, She Wrote,” and find themselves at the mercy of the same man-eating, great-white that terrorized the citizens of Amity. After collapsing the dock which erupts in flames, the shark lunges out of the water for the ultimate movie-making special effect.
- War of the Worlds & Other Famous Movie Sets
Passing through one of the film’s most highly recognizable scenes from a set left completely intact from Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, War of the Worlds, guests aboard the Studio Tour observe a small town devastated by an elaborately choreographed 747 jetliner crash. Maintaining scenic authenticity, a series of special effects dramatically enhance the surrounding ruins with still-smoking wreckage and shattered debris.
In true Hollywood fashion, the War of the Worlds set is sandwiched among other original sets, including those from Jurassic Park: The Lost World and the Psycho House and Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Psycho. Several decades of blockbuster movie history are crossed in just a few hundred yards.
Transformers: TheRide-3D
“TransformersTM: The Ride–3D,” based on the iconic brand from Hasbro and electrifying film franchise, directed by Michael Bay, and celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and amazing special effects, revolutionizes theme park ride perceptions as a cutting-edge mega-attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The dynamic, motion-based thrill ride tells an original “TRANSFORMERS” story using original, photo-realistic 3D-HD media, sophisticated special effects masterminded by Industrial Light & Magic and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator ride systems ever created. Fusing high-tech elements with an epic “TRANSFORMERS” tale, “Transformers: The Ride–3D” set a new standard in the world of theme park attractions as an immersive and powerful storytelling vehicle.
WaterWorld—A Live Sea War Spectacular
Transformed into the eerie-futuristic, mist-shrouded netherworld, “WaterWorld®—A Live Sea War Spectacular” represents the most complex combination of high-tech special effects, pyrotechnics, flame and human stunt work ever attempted anywhere in the world. The attraction puts studio guests in the middle of the exciting action that involves hundreds of stunts and fiery special effects. Highlights include giant fireballs rising 50 feet in the air and cascading to earth in a spectacular wall of fire and a seaplane that swoops in directly above the audience, skidding across the water and coming to an explosive crash landing just inches away from startled spectators.
