Lights, camera, action! Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park built inside a working Hollywood movie studio, and one day there is packed with spectacular rides, behind-the-scenes magic and unforgettable moments!
With a little planning, you can make the most of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood and enjoy the biggest highlights, from Mario Kart to Hogwarts Castle.
If you have more time, we'd always recommend spreading your visit over two days. For everyone with one day to spare, we’ve put together this handy guide, including our recommended route, which tickets and upgrades to consider, and plenty of tips for families, thrill-seekers and solo riders. Let's get started!
Our key takeaways:
- Start in the Lower Lot. Super Nintendo World, Transformers and Revenge of the Mummy are all on the Lower Lot, so head down the Starway first thing, then spend the rest of the day on the Upper Lot.
- Early Access is the best way into Super Nintendo World. It gives you the hour before the park opens in the land, plus one-time Express access to the Studio Tour until 11am.
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opened on 16 September 2026. It's the park's first high-speed outdoor coaster, reaching up to 72 mph (116 km/h), and it has a Single Rider line.
- Universal Express covers every ride except Hollywood Drift, including Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, and the VIP Experience includes Hollywood Drift too.
- Download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app before you go for live wait times, show times, Virtual Lines and mobile food ordering.
- Jurassic World - The Ride reopens on 21 November 2026 after its refurbishment, so plan it into visits from that date.
- Halloween Horror Nights runs on selected nights until 1 November 2026, when the day park closes earlier, so arrive at opening to make the most of your day.
Quick answer - how do you do Universal Studios Hollywood in one day?
The best way to do Universal Studios Hollywood in one day is to arrive before opening, head straight down the Starway to the Lower Lot, and ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Transformers and Revenge of the Mummy first.
Then come back up to the Upper Lot for the Studio Tour by around 11am, and spend the afternoon in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield and Minion Land, finishing with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Use the official app throughout the day to check wait times and order food.
How is Universal Studios Hollywood laid out?
Universal Studios Hollywood is split into two areas, the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot, linked by the Starway, a chain of escalators running down the hillside. The park entrance is on the Upper Lot.
The Starway takes around 7 to 8 minutes on the escalators alone, so we'd suggest allowing around 15 minutes door to door each way, including the walk at either end. That's why the smartest one-day plans make just one trip down and one trip back up.
Upper Lot | Lower Lot |
|---|---|
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Super Nintendo World |
The Simpsons Ride and Springfield | Transformers: The Ride-3D |
Minion Land, including Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land | Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride |
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! | Jurassic World - The Ride (from 21 November 2026) |
DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda | |
WaterWorld | |
The World-Famous Studio Tour (departure point) | |
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift |
If you can't use the escalators, there's a shuttle and an elevator between the Upper and Lower Lots. Team Members can point you in the right direction.
Our recommended one-day route at Universal Studios Hollywood
This is the route we recommend for a first visit without Universal Express. It keeps you to one round trip on the Starway and puts the most popular rides at the best times of day!
- Arrive early. The car parks open two hours before the park opens (one hour before Early Access), so aim to park around an hour before your entry time. That gives you plenty of time to walk through CityWalk and clear security.
- Early Access hour (Lower Lot). Head straight down the Starway to Super Nintendo World. Ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge first, then enjoy the Power-Up Band Key Challenges while the land is calm.
- Park opening (Lower Lot). Stay on the Lower Lot for Transformers: The Ride-3D and Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride, plus Jurassic World - The Ride from 21 November 2026. If you've booked Toadstool Cafe, this is the perfect moment for an early lunch.
- Around 10am (up the Starway). Head back up to the Upper Lot and enjoy The World-Famous Studio Tour before 11am, using the Express access included with Early Access.
- Late morning (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter). Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff, sip a Butterbeer and soak up the atmosphere of Hogsmeade.
- Lunch. Use mobile ordering in the app, and aim to eat a little before or after the busiest lunchtime hours.
- Afternoon (Upper Lot). Enjoy The Simpsons Ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! and DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda, and catch a WaterWorld show time.
- Late afternoon (back to Hogsmeade). Visit Ollivanders and the Wizarding World shops, which are usually calmer later in the day.
- Last hour (Hollywood Drift). Ride Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in the final hour before the park closes, or use the Single Rider line.
- Evening (CityWalk). Book a CityWalk table in the app before you leave the park, then enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Your one-day timetable
Time | Where | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Early Access hour | Lower Lot | Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Power-Up Band Key Challenges |
Park opening | Lower Lot | Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World (from 21 November 2026), Toadstool Cafe |
Around 10am | Upper Lot | The World-Famous Studio Tour (before 11am) |
Late morning | Upper Lot | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Butterbeer |
Lunchtime | Upper Lot | Mobile-ordered lunch |
Afternoon | Upper Lot | The Simpsons Ride, Minion Land, The Secret Life of Pets, Kung Fu Panda, WaterWorld |
Late afternoon | Upper Lot | Ollivanders, shopping, photos at Hogwarts Castle |
Last hour | Upper Lot | Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift |
Evening | CityWalk | Dinner, shopping or a film |
If you have Universal Express
Universal Express gives you one-time priority access to each participating ride, attraction and seated show, so your route can be much more flexible. We'd still recommend starting on the Lower Lot, as it keeps the Starway to one round trip, then using your Express access across the Upper Lot in the afternoon. Save Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift for the last hour or the Single Rider line, as it isn't included in Express.
Visiting on a Halloween Horror Nights date?
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs on selected nights from 3 September to 1 November 2026, and on those dates the park closes to daytime guests at 6pm. In October, the park usually opens at 9am or 10am, so it's the perfect time for a focused, action-packed day.
- Arrive for Early Access or park opening, as your day will be a little shorter.
- Prioritise your top five rides and experiences, and check show times in the app.
- Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event that runs from 7pm, when the Studio Tour transforms into the spine-chilling Terror Tram, starring Art the Clown in 2026. If you'd like to stay on, our complete guide to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood has all the details.
Which ticket is best for one day at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices are date-based, with adult prices for guests aged 10 and over, child prices for ages 3 to 9, and free entry for under-3s. Here's how the main options compare for a one-day visit.
Ticket or upgrade | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
A full day's admission to the park, including Super Nintendo World | Early risers happy to follow a plan | |
Two days, with the second visit within 90 days | Seeing everything at a relaxed pace | |
Park entry plus one-time priority access to each participating ride, attraction and seated show (excluding Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift) | First-time visitors on busier dates | |
A guided tour with unlimited priority access (including Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift), exclusive backlot access, light breakfast, gourmet lunch, valet parking and priority show seating | A once-in-a-lifetime treat (ages 5+) |
Is Universal Express worth it for one day?
Universal Express is a brilliant choice for weekends, school holidays, summer and US public holidays, especially on a first visit when you'd like to enjoy the Studio Tour, Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart and the shows. On a quieter weekday outside the holidays, Early Access, an early start and the Single Rider lines will help you make the most of your day too.
Is the VIP Experience worth it?
The VIP Experience is the ultimate way to see Universal Studios Hollywood, with a personal guide, a gourmet lunch in a private dining room, and exclusive access to sound stages, the props warehouse and backlot areas that aren't open to other guests. It's limited, so book early. Guests must be aged 5 or over, and under-17s need to be with an adult.
Would two days suit you better?
A 2-Day Ticket gives you time to enjoy every show, explore Hogsmeade at your own pace and ride your favourites again. Our 2-day guide to Universal Studios Hollywood shows you how to split your time.
Booking your One Day Ticket with AttractionTickets.com
Our Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Ticket is an official, gate-ready ticket, so you can head straight to the park entrance on the day. Here's what you can look forward to:
- Instant delivery. Your tickets arrive in your AttractionTickets.com account as soon as you book.
- Gate-ready entry. Show the QR code on your phone at the entrance, or print your tickets before you go.
- Flexible dates. You can change the date of your ticket free of charge, subject to availability (new prices may apply).
- Book with confidence. Enjoy free cancellation with a full refund up to 72 hours before your visit date.
Your ticket is valid for the date you choose when you book, and parking is booked separately on the day.
How to use the Universal Studios Hollywood app
The official Universal Studios Hollywood app is the most useful tool for your day, so download it and set it up before you leave home. Here's what it can do:
- Live wait times on a park map, which you can filter by Upper Lot, Lower Lot, Express and Single Rider
- Wait time alerts, so you'll know when a favourite ride drops to a time that suits you
- Show times for WaterWorld, the Wizarding World performances and seasonal shows
- Virtual Lines, used on selected attractions on busier days, which let you choose a return time and enjoy the rest of the park in the meantime
- Mobile food and drink ordering at selected restaurants
- Dining reservations, including Toadstool Cafe and CityWalk restaurants
- Power-Up Band tracking for the coins, keys and stamps you collect in Super Nintendo World
Set it up at home:
- Download the app and create an account.
- Link your park tickets.
- Add a payment card for mobile ordering.
- Set up your Power-Up Band if you're buying one.
- Save your Early Access QR code separately on your phone or print it, as it doesn't appear in the app.
Virtual Lines can only be joined once you're inside the park, so check the app's Virtual Line section each morning. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift uses a standard line and a Single Rider line, so you can head straight there whenever it suits your plan.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the park's newest ride
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is Universal's first high-speed outdoor coaster, and it's already one of the most talked-about rides in Los Angeles. You'll race along 4,100 feet (around 1,250 metres) of track at up to 72 mph (116 km/h) in cars that spin a full 360 degrees as they drift through the turns.
- Height requirement: 51 inches (129.5 cm)
- Single Rider line: Yes, alongside the standard line
- Universal Express: Not included (the VIP Experience includes it)
- Lockers: Free and mandatory. All loose items, including phones, go in a locker before you ride, and you keep your park ticket with you to open it again afterwards.
- Test seat: There's a test seat at the entrance, so you can check the fit before you join the line.
Tip: The ride has its own locker area and metal detector, so keep your pockets empty and your park ticket handy to make the process quick and easy.
Super Nintendo World tips
Super Nintendo World is a colourful, interactive land on the Lower Lot, packed with surprises for Mario fans of every age. Its headline ride, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, uses augmented-reality headsets to put you in the race against Bowser.
- Height requirement for Mario Kart: 40 inches (102 cm)
- Single Rider line: Yes
- Power-Up Bands: These wearable bands let you collect digital coins and keys in the land's Key Challenges and track your score in the app. You don't need one to ride Mario Kart.
- Toadstool Cafe: Book a table through the app or website, up to 60 days ahead. Arrive around your reservation time, and allow some extra time to be seated. The menu marks vegetarian, vegan, gluten-friendly and dairy-free options.
- 1-UP Factory: The land's shop, perfect for Nintendo souvenirs.
Entry to Super Nintendo World is included with your park ticket. On the busiest days, Universal sometimes uses a Virtual Line in the app to manage entry to the land, so check the app when you arrive.
The World-Famous Studio Tour
The World-Famous Studio Tour is what makes Universal Studios Hollywood unique, taking you on a tram through real film sets and sound stages on a working studio backlot. It lasts around an hour, with Jimmy Fallon as your video host.
Look out for the Bates Motel from Psycho, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, the town square from Back to the Future, and the screen-used ship from Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, added in summer 2026. Along the way, you'll come face to face with King Kong 360 and Jaws, and you might even spot filming taking place!
Our tip: The Studio Tour usually closes earlier than the rest of the park, so check the last tram time in the app. Doing it before 11am with your Early Access Express credit, or in the afternoon when you'd like a sit-down break, both work brilliantly.
Our guide to the film and TV sets you can explore at Universal Studios Hollywood has more behind-the-scenes highlights.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sits at the heart of the Upper Lot, so it's easy to visit twice in one day. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Ride first, shop later. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff are great in the late morning, while Ollivanders and the shops tend to be calmer in the late afternoon.
- Height requirement for Forbidden Journey: 48 inches (122 cm)
- Use the free lockers for loose items on Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff, and keep your park ticket with you to open them again.
- Try a Butterbeer and the hearty dishes at Three Broomsticks.
- Catch the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally, and check the app for the day's show times.
Single Rider and Child Switch
Single Rider lines and Child Switch are two free tools that help you make the most of a one-day visit.
Ride | Single Rider | Child Switch |
|---|---|---|
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift | Yes | Yes |
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge | Yes | Yes |
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Yes | Yes |
Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride | Yes | Yes |
Transformers: The Ride-3D | Yes | Yes |
Jurassic World - The Ride (from 21 November 2026) | Yes | Yes |
The Simpsons Ride | No | Yes |
Single Rider
If you're happy to ride separately from your group, Single Rider lines are often the quickest way onto the big rides. They're perfect for solo travellers, teens and friends who don't mind splitting up for a few minutes. Single Rider opens at the team's discretion, so ask a Team Member at the entrance.
Child Switch
If some of your group are too small for a ride, let the Team Member at the entrance know you'd like to use Child Switch.
- One adult waits with the child in the designated Child Switch area while the rest of your group rides.
- When they return, the waiting adult (and usually a companion) can ride without rejoining the line.
- Children who meet the height requirement but are under 48 inches (122 cm) need to ride with someone aged 14 or over.
Where to eat at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood has delicious food for every taste, and mobile ordering in the app is the easiest way to spend more time on the rides. Here are some of our favourites:
Restaurant | Where | Why we love it |
|---|---|---|
Toadstool Cafe | Super Nintendo World, Lower Lot | Mushroom Kingdom-themed dishes (reservation recommended) |
Three Broomsticks | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Upper Lot | Hearty British classics in a rustic tavern |
Krusty Burger | Springfield, Upper Lot | Burgers straight out of The Simpsons |
Lard Lad Donuts | Springfield, Upper Lot | The giant pink doughnut, perfect for sharing |
Minion Café | Minion Land, Upper Lot | Fun, family-friendly dishes at this newly opened café |
Dietary needs
Universal Studios Hollywood has gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free choices across the park. The app shows restaurant menus, and the park's Dietary Food Guide is a handy way to find options before you go. For allergies, speak to the restaurant team when you order.
Bringing your own
You can bring water bottles, small snacks, baby food and food for medical or dietary needs into the park. Refillable bottles are a great idea in the Southern California sunshine!
How to end your day - Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk sits right outside the park gates, and it's the perfect place to round off your day with dinner, shopping or a film. Book a table in the app before you leave the park, and a relaxed meal also gives the car park time to clear.
Full-service restaurants at CityWalk include Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Buca di Beppo and Wasabi. Dining at any of these full-service CityWalk restaurants also gets your valet parking validated, so ask when you book!
Top tip: Use package pickup for any souvenirs you buy during the day. Ask the shop team to send your purchases to the store near the park exit, and collect them on your way out.
When is the best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood for one day?
Universal Studios Hollywood is open every day of the year, and each season has its own magic.
Time of year | What to expect | Our tip |
|---|---|---|
Weekdays outside school holidays | The most relaxed days of the year | Early Access and an early start are often all you need |
Weekends, summer and US holidays | Lively, busy days with the longest opening hours | Universal Express makes a big difference |
September to early November | Halloween Horror Nights on selected evenings, with earlier day-park closing | Arrive for opening and plan your top rides |
Late November to early January | Grinchmas and Christmas at Hogwarts Castle bring festive magic to the park | Check the official calendar for this year's dates |
Opening times vary by date, so check the official calendar a few days before your visit. Universal usually publishes park hours several weeks ahead.
What to pack for a day at Universal Studios Hollywood
- A small bag that fits easily in a ride locker
- Your park ticket in a pocket, as you'll need it to open ride lockers
- A refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A portable phone charger, as you'll use the app a lot
- Your Early Access QR code, saved or printed
- A light jacket for cooler evenings from autumn to spring
- A poncho if you're riding Jurassic World - The Ride (from 21 November 2026)
Start booking your Universal Studios Hollywood trip today!
One day at Universal Studios Hollywood is an unforgettable adventure, and with a smart route, the right upgrades and the app in your pocket, you'll enjoy the very best of the park. Start in the Lower Lot, save the Studio Tour for the morning, explore Hogwarts at your own pace and finish on the thrilling new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Have an amazing day!
