33 GUIDES
Universal Studios Hollywood is the original Universal park, set on the working studio backlot in Los Angeles. I cover the rides, the Studio Tour, seasonal events including Halloween Horror Nights and the Christmas season, the closest hotels, and how to fit a visit into a wider LA trip.
Universal Studios Hollywood is a small park by Orlando standards, and that is exactly why it works. Everything on this list fits inside one long day, and the list has a new number one now that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is open. If you only have time for three things, ride Hollywood Drift, take…
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the best ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. This outdoor rollercoaster that opened in September 2026 is unlike anything else at the park. Prior to this the best ride was Mario Kart down in Super Nintendo World which is still the number one choice for kids or those wanting to…
Power-Up Bands are RFID silicone slap bracelets that you can use to interact with different elements at Super Nintendo World. The Power-Up Band connects to your Universal Studios mobile app, keeping track of keys, coins, stamps and other awards you collect. There are six different Power-Up Band designs available: Power-Up Bands cost $42 plus tax;…
Toadstool Cafe is the only restaurant in Super Nintendo World and the best place to eat at Universal Studios Hollywood. The restaurant is highly immersive, and the food is delicious and affordable. However, given its popularity and the format of this restaurant, it’s unlike eating anywhere else in the theme park. Reservations You can not…
This is the hour-by-hour plan I use for one day at Universal Studios Hollywood as an annual passholder, and it covers every ride, the Studio Tour and lunch at Toadstool Cafe between a 9am opening and a 6pm close. It assumes a 9am opening, so shift every time by the same amount on days the…
Super Nintendo World is the newest land to open at Universal Studios Hollywood. This theme park area, which focuses on the Super Mario franchise, debuted in January 2023. Even if you’re not a huge fan of Super Nintendo, I highly recommend visiting this area of the theme park. The immersiveness and attention to detail are…
A Universal Studios Hollywood refillable cup is a Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup with a chip inside that unlocks fountain drinks all day, one refill every 10 minutes. At $20 before tax against $5 for a regular fountain drink, it pays for itself on the fourth drink. It is the one thing I buy on every…
Silly Swirly is the best ride for toddlers at Universal Studios Hollywood, because it is the only real ride with no height requirement. I took my son on this ride on his first visit to Universal Studios Hollywood at just 14 months. Since then he’s been to the park several times, so here are the…
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the best ride for kids at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s not scary and has a minimum height of 40″ making it suitable for most children aged 4 upwards. I have taken my son to Universal Studios Hollywood several times since he was just one-year-old and been on all of the…
The perfect day at Universal Studios Hollywood doesn’t start at the theme park. Instead, it starts at home with the correct planning and preparation. Since Universal Studios Hollywood is a relatively small it doesn’t need as much planning as some other theme parks. Nevertheless, spending a small amount of time thinking about your trip will…
You are permitted to bring food and drink into Universal Orlando. However, there are some rules you should know first: Having visited Universal Orlando more than ten times over the past decade, both with and without children, I understand first-hand the practicalities of bringing food and drink with you to the park. Methodology: Policy verified…
📝 Update reference (delete this block when update is complete) Target word count: ~2700 · Primary keyword: universal hollywood vs orlando Distinguishing move: Three-park Wizarding World verdict from the May 2026 press trip including Cosme Acajor at Epic Universe against Ollivanders Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, with VIP tour observations. Use the recommended H2 structure below…