Universal Hollywood Advice

[darthspiderman]

Hey, I'm actually going to USH in a about 4 weeks and was wondering if there was anything I should know before going. My bro and I, he's 16 & 23 for myself, will be the only ones going. We usually take family trips with everyone and their moms to Disney, but we are flying through LA from a overseas trip and decided to swing by USH while on a 2 day lay over. It'll be like June 16 when we go. Is that a peak season? Crowded much? I hear that unlike disney, you can buy a pack of express passes on top of using your ticket to get them. Is it worth it to do?

Thanks!

(Or should I skip USH and go somewhere else? But the Mummy Ride seems so cool even though theres only like 4 rides at USH)

 

[darthspiderman]

I'm also operating under the assumption that USH has the "fast-pass" kiosks - in USO they were caled Universal Express Passes - like in Florida. Or is that not the case, and you have to buy those passes to get priority?

 

[StageTek]

June 16 is the first Monday of peak season. It won’t be crowed at
all. Get in early to avoid the long lines for Simpsons and
nothing else will be more than a 20 minute wait. Or wait until
just before closing to go on Simpsons and you won’t wait for much
more than 20 minutes.

 

[darthspiderman]

As it turns out I misread my itenarary, and we will LAND on the 16. So the trip will be on the 17th. Based on what youve said, I'm assuming the crowds will basically be the same.

 

[darthspiderman]

Anywhere I can find a good Universal Studios Guidebook or something? Or does anyone have any advice as to what should be done in what order; first, second, last, etc.

Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

it's mentioned "briefly" in the guidebooks i've seen, UG & Passporter

didn't notice a touring plan per se.

we're still up in the air about it, moreso interested in the tour & Simpsons ride

upset they don't have the free bus from anaheim area anymore

grayline does have a "pkg" with tix & transportation in the area of $80 (as i recall) as do a few other vendors

check out
http://www.anaheimoc.org/member_details/listview.asp?cat=6421

 

[simba_one]

My suggestion would be to get there at opening and head straight for The Simpsons Ride as it'll definitely be the busiest. When you've got that one out of the way, head down to the lower lot for Jurassic Park and The Mummy. You can expect the Studio Tour line to get pretty long as the day goes on but I would imagine that it won't be anywhere near as long as The Simpsons so waiting for the Studio Tour shouldn't be too bad. Pretty much everything else will either be a walk on or a very short wait.

A good thing to remember is that the lower lot closes before the rest of the park so go down there again a good hour or so before park closing (I don't know when they actually stop letting people down - anybody know?) and you'll eventually end up being one of the only ones down there as people are stopped from going down. Depending, you might be able to squeeze in one final ride on The Simpsons when you get back up but from my past experiences, everyone who tries to go down to the lower lot and is stopped, ends up going on Back To The Future (so The Simpsons now) so that might end up being a fairly longish (nowhere near as long as earlier in the day though) wait.

I wouldn't say go for the FoL passes as it's not really worth it considering the time you're going. There's no Express Passes like at USO though so if you really wanna squeeze as much into your 1 day as possible, go for it. You'll get reserved seating for shows too so you won't have to stake out a place in line for a decent seat. Again, considering the time you're going though, it won't be too busy.

Have a great trip!

 

[VegasMike21]

We went last Friday, got there at 10am when the park opened and headed right to the simpsons, and didn't have to wait at all, walked right in and headed for the preshow that lasts around 4 minutes, then headed to the ride itself. as the day went on the line got longer, at around 2pm, the line was 50 minutes long, so yes it's best to do that ride first thing in the morning or late in the evening before the park closes.

 

[darthspiderman]

hey thanks for that, very helpful! :

 

[kristenhh]

I have never been and am considering going. However, the only time will be the 4th of July. Any experience or opinions on how crowded it will be? Would it even be worth going on a totally crowded day, especially since I have never been? Thanks for any input...

 

[GrandCanyon]

Hi, I'm going in August. I can either go one full day or two half-days. What would you recommend among the following two items, and what strategy would you recommend?

Mid-August - Option #1
Sunday: 11:00 - 4:00ish
Monday: 9:00 - whenever we accomplish everything.

Mid-August - Option #2
Monday: 9:00 - whenever we accomplish everything.

Additionally, would anyone recommend a FOLP for August? Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks.