One of the most famous movie-based theme parks in the world, Universal Studios Hollywood is set amongst the film studio's backlot. Alongside attractions celebrating iconic movies, it is also home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
One of the most famous movie-based theme parks in the world, Universal Studios Hollywood is set amongst the film studio's backlot. Alongside attractions celebrating iconic movies, it is also home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
| Opened | 15 July 1964 |
|---|---|
| Season | Year round |
| Owner | NBCUniversal |
| Attendance | 9,660,000 (TEA 2023) |
| Website | www.universalstudioshollywood.com |
| Nearby | Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier (12 miles) Six Flags Magic Mountain (24 miles) Knott's Berry Farm (29 miles) Disney California Adventure (34 miles) Disneyland (34 miles) |
Visitors pose for photos beside the Universal globe
Founded in 1912, Universal Studios is the oldest movie studio in the USA which is still actively producing films. Universal's Studio Backlot was opened in 1915, set on a sunlit hillside in the Hollywood hills. Since its early days, the backlot has been open for public tours, offering an insight into the magic of the moviemaking.
The famous Studio Tour was established in 1964, marking the start of the evolution into a full blown theme park with rides, shows and other attractions celebrating the world of film and some of Universal's most iconic movies. While the theme park occupies two large areas on the upper flanks of the hillside connected via escalators, TV and film production still continues on the site with the backlot occupying over 400 acres.
Universal Studios' Upper Lot features the park's main entrance, complete with the huge spinning globe based on the Universal Studios logo which provides an almost essential photo opportunity for most visitors. Alongside the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Simpsons simulator rides, the Upper Lot is home to the famous Waterworld stunt show, and is also the departure point for the Studio Tram Tour. The tour takes around 90 minutes and includes the King Kong: 360 3-D and Fast & Furious: Supercharged attractions.
Hogsmeade
A large area of the Upper Lot is taken up by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in 2016. This is a theme park within a theme park, and offers guests the chance to experience a highly immersive environment based on the village of Hogsmeade as described in JK Rowling's Harry Potter books. At one end of Hogsmeade lies Hogwarts Castle, inside which is the incredible Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey dark ride.
The Lower Lot is the smaller of the two major areas at Universal Studios, and is reached from the Upper Lot via a series of escalators. It is home to three of the park's more intense rides: Jurassic Park: The Ride, a flume ride that tours the fictional dinosaur park; Transformers: The Ride, a superbly themed modern dark ride; and Revenge of the Mummy, a launched indoor coaster from Premier Rides.
The park continues to expand, with plenty of land available within the Universal Studios Back Lot for future attractions to be built. Universal Studios will also be home to the world's press as it hosts the main press centre for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Boat tour through Jurassic Park's dinosaur attractions
Indoor rollercoaster adventure through an ancient Egyptian tomb
Impressive dark ride based on the Transformers movie franchise
90 minute tram tour around the Universal Back Lot's famous movie sets
Fly alongside Harry, Hermione and Ron on a spectacular broomstick adventure
Be transformed into a Minion and help Gru's daughters on a very special mission
Visit Krustyland to try out the new rollercoaster, but watch out for Sideshow Bob!
Big budget live action stunt show based on the Waterworld movie
Ollivander helps young wizards find their wand in this interactive show
Colourful projections light up Hogwarts Castle at night
Themed resturant serving Butterbeer and food from the Harry Potter books
