Staying in Anaheim - what time to leave to drive to Universal Studios for park open?

[heatherenae71]

We're going to Universal Studios on a Tues (in Feb). The park opens at 10am and while my husband is not one for being at the park for "rope drop", I would like to get there as close to 10am as possible! We're staying in Anaheim...should we plan to be on the road by 9:00am? Or even earlier? I haven't been to Universal Hollywood in over 20 years! I can't even remember what the parking lot situation is like - haha! (open lot? parking garage?) Thanks!

 

[China Expat]

I would leave at 8 am for traffic and parking.You will be going with the traffic toward LA and it will be busy.

 

[Lisa24jks]

I would definitely leave at LEAST two hours earlier, maybe even earlier tbh. Rush hour traffic can be brutal. (I'm a habitually early person though, so that's just me.)

There is some open lot parking at Universal, but it's mostly handicapped parking and if you pay for Front Gate parking, but if you get there early enough, they may direct you there. There are 4 parking garages otherwise, and they'll just direct you to what's open and that usually depends on the time of day, etc.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I recently did the drive in a car service from Universal to Disney on a Saturday afternoon. The driver estimated 60 minutes, it took almost 90 minutes.

For early morning weekday I would allow at least 2 hours.

Parking at Universal Studios Hollywood


Daily Parking Fees Per Vehicle
Daily Parking Fees Per Vehicle

• General Parking Before 5pm - $30
• General Parking After 5pm - $10
• Preferred Parking Before 5pm - $45
• Preferred Parking After 5pm - $20
• Front Gate Parking $65

General Parking is subject to availability. Parking rate may change without notice.
Valet Parking Standard Rates

• $25 for First 2 Hours
• $45 after 2 Hours

Valet Parking With Validation from CityWalk Full-Service Restaurant

• $10 for 0 - 2.5 Hours
• $15 for 2.5 - 3.5 Hours
• $45 after 3.5 Hours

$5 parking with purchase of General Parking and a movie ticket*
*Offer is valid only at Universal Cinema at CityWalk Hollywood. Offer is for one time use and must be surrendered at time of redemption. To receive your $5 parking, present your General Parking receipt at the Universal Cinema ticket window. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts, or prior purchases. Offer subject to change without notice.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

• Frankenstein Garage: 4 ports (Level 2 and Level 7)
• Jurassic Parking Garage: 8 ports (Level 1 and B1M)
• ET Garage: 16 ports (Level B1)
• Woody Woodpecker Lot: 1 port (near Front Gate Parking)
• Curious George Garage: 2 ports (Level 1)

The rate is $0.35/kWh. Prices subject to change without notice.

 

[CeCe0906]

I have a similar question but in the other direction.

We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel the first week of August . On our last day, we plan to check out of the hotel, store our bags at bell services, and spend the day at the parks. In the evening after dinner, we need to retrieve our bags from guest services, and transfer to the Hilton by Universal Hollywood. What time does traffic settle down a bit in the evening? I can't go too extremely late, I'll have my 9 year old grandchild with me, just me and her. But I'd just as soon spend my time in the park rather than extreme traffic. This would be on a Thursday. Taxi or car service?

We would then do Universal on Friday, fly home Sat from the Burbank airport. I did a split airport thing, since we are doing both parks, in via SNA, home via Burbank. Anyone know the traffic situation on a Sat morning from Universal to Burbank airport ? Our flight leaves at 8:25 am.

 

[sjmac42]

After 7pm should be fine leaving Anaheim. The worst of the traffic should be over by then barring a major accident.

 

[ktlm]

To get from DLR to Universal you have to drive through Los Angeles. We went in non rush hour time and it took us an hour and a half to get to the Universal from DLR. Coming back a different day, we also were NOT traveling during rush hour and the return trip (to SNA) took well over 2 hours. The traffic can be awful.

 

[CeCe0906]

To get from DLR to Universal you have to drive through Los Angeles. We went in non rush hour time and it took us an hour and a half to get to the Universal from DLR. Coming back a different day, we also were NOT traveling during rush hour and the return trip (to SNA) took well over 2 hours. The traffic can be awful.

Wow, thanks for the information. I looked and it was about 35 miles. Hopefully it won't take 2 hours. I'll probably shoot for a 7 to 730 pm pick up. At least I don't have to do it twice, the Burbank airport is pretty close to our hotel

 

[BadPinkTink]

Wow, thanks for the information. I looked and it was about 35 miles. Hopefully it won't take 2 hours. I'll probably shoot for a 7 to 730 pm pick up.

Miles means nothing in LA. I did the journey from Universal to Disneyland 2 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon. The driver estimated 60 minutes, it took 90 minutes

 

[Lisa24jks]

Miles means nothing in LA.

We're not locals, but have spent enough time in Southern California, that we joke with our LA friends. They'll tell us something is a mile away and we'll say, "Is it a regular mile or an LA mile?" Because, it's a big difference in drive time!

 

[heatherenae71]

Thank you so much for all of these replies! I'll definitely plan to leave at 8:00am!!

 

[CeCe0906]

Has anyone used the taxi services or car services in the area? With the traffic, I'm hesitant to Uber; I've got my grandchild with me, and I have had wildly differing rides, safety driving wise with Uber. Cost wise, I know taxi probably cheaper, but I don't take that into account as much when I'm traveling with a grandchild, safety and clean is most important.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I used Midwilshuttle for all 3 of my journeys

 

[Ross Kratter]

Has anyone used the taxi services or car services in the area? With the traffic, I'm hesitant to Uber; I've got my grandchild with me, and I have had wildly differing rides, safety driving wise with Uber. Cost wise, I know taxi probably cheaper, but I don't take that into account as much when I'm traveling with a grandchild, safety and clean is most important.

I would go with car service in your case. I used In Style Transportation three times when I was in the area this past November and really liked them. Great cars in impeccable condition (Lincoln Continentals and Navigators and Cadillac Escalades) and drivers, excellent service, easy to book.