For many Southern California residents, Universal Studios Hollywood offers a distinct identity among the region's theme parks. While its rides might not match the charm of Disneyland or the sheer terror of Six Flags Magic Mountain, the hillside park remains a convenient option, located right here in Los Angeles, providing a mix of silver-screen thrills and actual Hollywood magic.
The park is split into two main levels, connected by a series of escalators. The thrill-filled Lower Lot is home to the Super Nintendo World, Jurassic World, and a new Fast & Furious-themed roller coaster. Also found here are the Transformers ride, described as a "slick but muddy crash course in Michael Bay robot carnage," and Revenge of the Mummy, an indoor coaster offering "unexpected thrills" despite its dated effects.
The new Fast & Furious coaster is a wild, sensory-scrambling experience with dual launches, speeds up to 72 mph, and muscle cars that spin 360 degrees. Its low-profile layout twists along the park's hillside, providing an intense, yet worthwhile, ride that can leave some a little woozy. This addition replaced the previously "dizzying and ill-executed Fast & Furious: Supercharged segment."
Super Nintendo World, found by following an oversized green warp pipe on the Lower Lot, is a colorful and kinetic re-creation of the Mushroom Kingdom. Its main attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, is an augmented-reality-enhanced race. Visitors can also dine at Toadstool Cafe—where the short rib is a notable recommendation—and shop at the 1-UP Factory store, with various game-like experiences scattered throughout the land.
Occupying a corner of the Lower Lot, Jurassic World: The Ride updates the beloved 90s attraction. It features a tiki bar and raptor encounter, mixing animatronic and digital dinosaurs. While it may have lost some of the original's spine-tingling wonder—and the animatronics can appear somewhat sad—it gains in "loud, wet fun." Expect to get thoroughly drenched on this ride.
On the Upper Lot, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is described as simply magical. It overflows with the whimsical charms and sweets from the iconic series, featuring Hogsmeade Village and the thrilling Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride within Hogwarts Castle. The British pub fare here is surprisingly solid, and Butterbeer is available in many forms. For dedicated Potterheads, this land alone could justify a visit.
Universal’s original attraction, the studio tour, remains one of its highlights. This nearly hour-long experience offers a chance to visit one of L.A.’s oldest and most famous movie backlots. It carts guests through diverse outdoor sets, including New York, European villages, the old West, and film landmarks like the 747 crash site from War of the Worlds and the Gold Rush town from Nope. The tour includes preplanned encounters mimicking special effects, such as a wet and fiery earthquake simulation—refreshed in Spring 2024—a sudden flash flood, and the "delightfully rubbery, toothy grin on the face of Bruce—the shark from Jaws."
Other Upper Lot attractions include the Waterworld stunt show, which despite its 90s film origins, remains a "seriously entertaining" 20-minute spectacle of jet skis, a plane crash, and pyro, with a splash zone recommended on hot days. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is noted as the park’s "most charming attraction," a family-friendly dark ride with animated dog and cat animatronics. The Simpsons Ride offers clever entertainment, though the adjacent Springfield restaurant area, while nailing references, falls short on food and interiors.
Despite ongoing improvements each year, the park generally feels about 80% complete, especially considering its "steep and still-climbing ticket prices." The Express Pass, a $100-plus per-person upgrade allowing guests to skip lines, is a "remarkable time saver on busy days." However, with only about a dozen attractions, it may not be worth the extra expense on slower days.
Before even reaching the park, visitors must stroll through Universal CityWalk. This "loud, colorful and confined pedestrianized street" is packed with restaurant chains and souvenir stores, but it also houses what might be the best IMAX theater in the entire city.
