Universal Hollywood front of line needed in August?

[SNOWHITE7]

We are going to Disneyland for the first time in August, staying at Paradise Pier, and also want to visit Universal Hollywood. My husband doesn't like driving in the USA, can't get used to being on the 'wrong' side of the road. So we will be using one of the tour bus companies. I'm not sure how long we will have in the park but we are hoping to do most of the rides and attractions so I was thinking of buying the front of line passes. As these are expensive and not available from the bus operators I would like to know whether you think we will need them.

We were also thinking of doing the combined Universal/L.A. City Night tour but don't want to find we have to leave the park too early. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I wouldn't reccomend getting a Front of Line Pass from Universal anytime of the year bc they're expensive and not really worth it. I was there last week and although it was pretty crowded, I was able to do 98% of the park in a day. The things I didn't do wasn't bc of the waits, but bc I chose not to do them. Even the things that would have long lines like The Simpsons ride and the Backlot Tour can easily have the time pass by, by watching the TV screens. There's always interesting things to watch on those. I was suprised that even the Mummy Ride was 10 min long.

 

[Debbiebee68]

We were there last week - crowds were not awful. I could not figure out why people would pay, what was an EXHORBITANT cost, for what seemed to be a very little value. I thought the same thing for their all you can eat pass- unless you are traveling with REALLY big eaters (like my friend's teenage sons), it is really not worth it, because a drink is not included. We did the math and we would have spent more because of the drinks.

 

[SNOWHITE7]

Thanks for your replies. When we go to Universal in Orlando we stay on site and front of line is included with hotel stays. I know in Orlando we would have very long lines without it when we are there so just wanted to check we won't have them in California. This time next week we will be on our way. Thanks again.

 

[Stacerita]

We were just there on Thursday and were able to do everything, plus a few things twice. No front of the line pass was needed. We got there just before opening and left when the park closed. 9am - 8pm. Simpson's ride was the longest line of the day. Everything else was very short or none at all. We were also able to see all of the shows we wanted to see. The longest we waited for anything was for lunch. The line was huge! I'm glad we didn't get the all you can eat pass. When we got hungry again it was almost park closing time and places to eat were closed. Would have been a waste of our money.

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

Front of the Line Pass at Universal Studios Hollywood is a complete rip off. Unless you want "priority seating" at shows and are willing to go all out money wise, it's really not worth paying for. The lines are never bad at the Universal here, unlike Universal in Orlando.

You'll probably do many things more than once since the whole park can be done in half a day usually.

The best thing is that every show and ride uses water effects or has good air conditioning and in August you will be very thankful! Make sure to see Waterworld... it's the best show and you will get soaking wet!

 

[MichiganMom]

I have to disagree about the front of the line passes being a waste of money. We went to Universal Hollywood the week before last on a Thursday and Friday with our 3 teenagers (13, 14 and 16) and upgraded the kids passes to front of the line for $60 each for Thursday only. It was totally worth it. The park was very crowded on that day and by noon the wait was 30 + minutes for the mummy, simpsons, jurassic park and the house of horrors The kids were able to walk on all of those rides all day. They probably rode the mummy 25 times that day. It depends on your budget and how much you want to ride the rides and see the shows. If your happy with getting on the rides a couple of times then it may not be worth it. I suggest you wait till you get to the park, see how crowded it is and then upgrade if you want. You can do it at the park. This was our vacation, we spent alot of money to fly the kids to LA for a week and don't feel we were ripped off at all by spending and extra $180 for front of the line.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Advice... we will be at Universal Studios Hollywood on Monday January 5th - mostly going for the Simpsons Ride.

I am hoping all the kids are back in school by then. It's our first time, so we would like to be able to go on everything at least once.

Any tips?

Also, anyone eat at Cafe Tu Tu Tango?

Thanks!

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Is there any problems for plus sized folks to ride their rides?

 

[smiley_face2]

Another person here wondering how crowded it usually is after new years. We will be going on one of the days between friday jan 2, to monday the 5th. I'm assuming the sat. and sun. would be the busier days of the bunch? Our first choice is probably Friday Jan.2 any opinions on the crowds then? thanks!

 

[StageTek]

January starting the 5th will be so slow that Universal has cut
their operating hours down to 7 hrs Mon-Fri (10am to 5pm) and 8
hrs on weekends (10am to 6pm). Friday the 2nd (10am to 6pm) will
be busy but you will still be able to do each attraction several
times.

 

[smiley_face2]

Thanks Stagetek...I think we will go on friday. I really wanted to see their Christmas offerings, and that will be over on monday. The late 10 am start means we don't have to leave the hotel quite so early! We are driving up ourselves rather than doing a tour. that way we can also stay later in the Citywalk area. What restaurant there do you recommend eating dinner at, and do you think we need to make a reservation for 4 of us?