In actuality I'd give 3.5 stars if it was possible. As I'm a senior I did not have super high…read moreexpectations- for me. My grandchildren would rate this theme park as a 5+ if they could! My daughter had read all the user blogs for here in advance and had their app yet there was changing information with the time the gates opened. That being said we waited 90 minutes at front gate then about 20 at the 2nd entry. We started where the line was shortest (35 min wait) at Nintendo World. Next up was Harry Potter- the kids had a blast on the ride yet I was green after the jerking & jolting. For me, the Universal Studios tour was the highlight of the day. Being a vegetarian I wasn't sure what kind of food I'd find. Very limited options but did have a veggie burger from Krusty's that was pretty good. Two areas for improvement: Water refill stations please!!! We were told we could refill in the bathroom....yuck. Also would love to see a few more seating options with shade. On a good note, the restrooms were plentiful and maintained well. The grandkids were more than satisfied however and only wished the park stayed open later.

The day included wonderful family memories as well as several disappointments. While we enjoyed our…read moretime overall, the park has changed considerably since my last visit 25 years ago. I expect rides to evolve and I'm fine with change. My concern is losing classic rides while everything shifts toward simulator‑style experiences. The park relies heavily on large-screen simulator rides. A couple can be fun, but the current lineup feels like too much. Many practical attractions have been removed, so traditional options are limited. If you dislike simulators or get motion sick, plan carefully, since most rides are now screen-based. The Studio Tour remains an exceptional experience. We enjoyed the King Kong, earthquake, and Jaws segments. However, the tour no longer includes the live action or stunt performances that were once part of it, which was disappointing. Jurassic World - The Ride is enjoyable with several impressive moments. However, I preferred the original Jurassic Park version, which featured more dinosaurs, the brachiosaurus, extended music, a stronger finale, and the iconic score when the gates opened. While the new ride's final dinosaur is larger and taller, it lacks the same up-close impact. Character interactions were the standout of the day. We were delighted to meet the Minions, Gru, and Donkey from Shrek. Donkey personally wished our son a happy birthday, creating a cherished memory. The Transformers, Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, were also exceptional. They engaged directly with our son, used his name, and provided a personal experience. A cast member portraying a New York character escorted us to the front of the Shrek queue, provided a virtual tour, and offered our son a hug. Cast members throughout the park were consistently friendly and contributed significantly to our day. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey caused severe motion sickness. The combination of rotation, vertical movement, swinging motions, and immersive screen visuals was overwhelming, especially after The Simpsons Ride. The effects lasted most of the day and continued for about a week afterward. My husband spent substantial time waiting on benches. I evaluated most rides in advance and declined many, including recommending against Harry Potter for my husband. We had a disappointing Scooby Doo and gang meet-and-greet. The app showed a 5:00 PM appearance. We arrived on time and waited over 15 minutes, then left assuming it was canceled. When we returned, the characters were finishing with the last guests. Cast members said they were done for the evening, so we couldn't take photos. Scooby Doo waved kindly when he saw our disappointment, which we appreciated, but we left without a picture. During a character queue, a staff member expressed frustration with our son quietly playing with the chain barriers, stating it gave her a headache. Super Nintendo World was a significant disappointment. We were denied access to interactive games without purchasing a Power-Up Band, priced at $46 or more. Unwilling to incur that expense, we exited with minimal engagement. I was relieved we had not purchased early access. Dining quality has declined at several locations. The $59 meal pass initially appeared economical but proved less cost-effective than individual purchases. To get value, guests must select higher-priced entrées, typically $16.99 or more, and additional snacks that may not be desired. Many restaurants lacked suitable options. I purchased packaged cookies for the hotel, but they were crushed in transit. Self-serve soda stations require a separate scanned drink pass cup for refills. I discarded my soda believing refills were included and was left with ice water. Mel's Diner and Luigi's offered limited selections, with issues including chewy pasta, soggy bread, and pre-packaged desserts. The Harry Potter-themed ice cream, featuring vanilla with chocolate or strawberry lining, cost nearly $30 and was underwhelming. Parking was $40 for general admission, with higher fees for preferred options. The handicap-accessible route was confusing and involved multiple loops, although staff provided helpful directions. Merchandise was expensive, with shirts at $40, wands at $69, and similar pricing for other souvenirs. The park's operating hours were shorter than expected for a summer visit, closing at 7:00 PM on our day and as early as 6:00 PM on others. This felt limited given the ticket cost. We appreciated the character interactions, the Studio Tour, and our family time together. I am glad we visited, but I miss the previous version of Universal Studios that featured more practical effects and a wider variety of ride types.

I LOVE MINIONS. Like the beings themselves, I'm just okay with the Despicable Me franchise. This is…read morea small "land" but the theming is super cute and the merchandise that they have in the shop is pretty unique and great if you do like the franchise. There's a cafe, a small water park like attraction, the Minions Mayhem ride off to the side, a kiddie ride, some carnival games and the merchandise shop. You can meet a Minion near the Minions Mayhem ride entrance or you can do the photo op with the statues. I always make sure to take a picture with the little rubber ducky one. So cute. Short and quick visit if you don't have kiddos with you and just want to take a gander.

We LOVED Super Silly Fun Land…read more Great rides. Fun water play on a hot day (we usually end our day there so we don't have cold rides after). Watch out for kids that just sit on the water shooters!!! You have to wear shoes - so bring some water shoes!!! I can't believe I convinced Flavor Flav to go with us - he said it was not whack (but I sat on a water shooters and kept getting him).

In honor of my milestone 800th Yelp review…read more... We are going somewhere very, VERY Magical. A place not just for kids, but for adults, and even for the elderly... Basically, for anyone who still believes that the Magic is real. And I'm going to let me let you in on a little secret.... It is, very much Real. So pack your bags, head to Platform 9 3/4 and get on the Hogwarts Express! ALL ABOARD!!!!! To The Wizarding World of Harry Potter @Universal Studios Hollywood we go! --------------------- It was May 23rd, 2026.... We were celebrating my oldest daughter's Birthday who just turned 8 a few days prior. As she recently got into watching all of the Harry Potter movies and being that we hadn't been to Universal Studios in several years, none of us had experienced the Harry Potter World before. On the day of our visit, my oldest wore her Harry Potter outfit (Team Gryffindor, of course). I don't know who was more excited, her or me... But she looked Awesome and her beaming smile said it all! We were at the front gates at opening and our 1st stop was The WW of HP and upon walking through the gates of this Magical Land... We were all immediately transformed into another world. A world of Magic, of Mystery & of course Wonder. It was something special that only you seeing it for yourself will you truly understand the Magic. And as the wise Albus Dumbledore said himself, "Words are in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic." Yes, the true magic are the things that can be said about this place; the stories told, the memories created, the experiences shared by those who had yet to experience it before. And our experience was nothing short of Pure Magic. The Hogwarts Castle is absolutely Breathtaking; I simply could not get enough of it. Yeah, as we walked away for the final time that morning, I just couldn't stop looking back at it as I was filled with joy. From the.... Train conductor at the entrance who posed for a picture with my oldest was in character the entire time and he was a pure gem. To the themed shops, the butter beer, the interactive spots throughout the land were so much fun and it's definitely my new favorite spot within the park... And of course, the themed rides that absolutely did the movies justice and were extra fun because it was our first time. We had a blast! But the most magical part of our experience was the wand shop presentation where a child is selected from the audience as the "chosen one". My daughter was randomly selected as the "chosen wizard" and was pulled front and center to be apart of the wizardry show. It was experience she will hopefully never forget... I know I won't! A huge shoutout to Universal Studios and everyone behind making this place as real as our imaginations imagined Hogwarts would be.... You ABSOLUTELY Nailed it! Until our next adventure..... May the Magic in your heart, the imagination in your head and the hope in your spirit stay young forever.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood honestly felt like stepping…read moredirectly into the movies. The attention to detail throughout the entire area is incredible, from the architecture and music to the little interactive elements hidden throughout the land. Even if you're not a huge Harry Potter fan, it's still an experience worth visiting because the atmosphere alone is so immersive. One of the best parts was how well the staff stayed in character and interacted with guests. Team members were friendly, helpful, and did a great job managing the crowds, especially around the more popular attractions and shops. Even when the area became busy, employees kept lines organized and answered questions without seeming rushed. The rides were definitely the highlight. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was one of the most impressive theme park rides I've experienced. The wait time can get long very quickly, especially in the afternoon, so I highly recommend going early in the day if possible. Universal's app was helpful for checking ride times throughout the day. Flight of the Hippogriff had a shorter wait but was still fun, especially for families or anyone wanting a lighter ride experience. Food and drinks are expensive, but honestly the themed snacks and Butterbeer are part of the experience. Butterbeer is a must-try at least once. The frozen version was my favorite, especially in the California heat. Seating around the food areas fills up fast during peak hours, so timing your meals earlier or later than normal lunch times can help avoid crowds. The shops inside Hogsmeade were extremely detailed, but they do get packed. Ollivanders was one of the busiest areas during my visit, and there was a wait to get inside. If you want an interactive wand experience, be prepared for the wands to be pricey, but the interactive spell locations throughout the land make it more fun and worth it for fans. One thing visitors should know is that this area gets crowded very quickly, especially midday and during weekends or holidays. Taking photos can sometimes require patience because there are constantly people walking through the main pathways. Early mornings and evenings seemed to be the best times for photos and shorter lines. Overall, this was one of the most immersive themed areas I've visited at any park. Universal did an amazing job bringing the Harry Potter world to life, and it truly feels like an attraction you could spend hours exploring. Definitely worth adding to your Universal Studios Hollywood visit.

This show is amazing!!! We watched it twice while we were at Universal Studios for the two days we…read morewere there. Definitely do not sit on the green benches unless you want to get wet. The show kept us entertained the entire time. Cast did a phenomenal job. This is a must when you visit this park. Don't forget to show up early so you can get good seats! It gets packed.

Great show! 10/10…read more Action packed and very entertaining for children and adults. Expect water planes, jet skis and boats. There are fire and explosions! The actors do an amazing job of entertaining the crowd. It seems like such dangerous work!! They make it look effortless though. My husband and I showed up late to the showing and got horrible seats. I didn't take any photos or videos, because they would have had the back of people's heads in them. No one wants to see that lolol I plan on coming back to Universal in a couple months. I will get good seats next time! The show was still great this time. Spectacular really. I love it. I haven't been brave enough to sit in the splash zone. If you want to get wet, go for it. lol

INSANE. My…read moreboyfriend said he almost got an aneurysm just walking inside. Extremely impressive and is a testament to how great the back drops and stage sets are for Universal Studios. As much as people praise Disney, there is no "land" that impressed me as much as Super Nintendo World (may be slightly biased since I'm more familiar with this IP than with Star Wars). Lots and lots of animatronics all around and the attention to details must be commended. Even the restrooms are very strongly themed with the background music changing to match and it being underwater themed too. If you have a wristband you can utilize the interactive aspects of this area, but even if you don't, it's definitely a must stop, even if you may not be much of a gamer. Bright, vibrant colors and so so much to work out. The fact that the "world" is stacked so high in the sky, really gives you the strong feeling of immersion as you are surrounded by everything you'd expect from jumping into a Super Mario game. Lots of photo ops with characters and just with the land as a back drop. There's the Toadstool Cafe, the Mario Kart ride, a shop, and so, so much to look at. Can't wait to come back again one day and not be rushed to finish all of the Fan Fest festivities.

Looking to have an anxiety attack that is fueled by extreme overstimulation? Than Super Nintendo…read moreWorld is for you! All jokes aside, this place is a lot fun and we loved exploring, but prepare yourself for a assault on the senses. By hour two, my daughter and I were ready to leave. I've never been overstimulated before, but with the loud music, constant video game noises, the heat, and all of the children scream-crying, my brain was in overdrive. Now that you've prepared yourself here's a quicklist of must do things when visiting here... - Get here first thing in the AM or be prepared to wait. - You MUST get the game band, otherwise you can't do anything except hop on the Mario Kart ride. - Plan to spend to the bulk of your day here. With the band you gain access to multiple games in the area, collect digital coins, Mario Stamps, and unlock access to a secret final interactive game. - Book reservations for Toad's Cafe. If you walk-up you'll be waiting. They did a great job with this attraction, but it does get hot here since you're basically inside of a plastic and cement bowl. Let's-A-go!

There's some recent food that I had at Universal Studios:…read more Luigi's Pizza Meat Hater slice This wasn't bad. It was one of the better things I had in the park that day. The pizza had fresh veggies! I liked that. There was a decent amount of cheese. The crust was alright. It could have been hotter maybe? But other than that, it was decent. I would eat this again. Toadstool Cafe Mushroom Soup This was horrible. It was the worst mushroom soup I have ever had. It tasted like mushrooms ground up and thrown in a broth. Just gross. I would not order this again. The cup is cool, and you can keep that. Tasted like garbage. Hogsmeade Butterbeer Actually, not too bad! It's bubbly and frothy lol Had an okay flavor. It tasted like root beer to me lol I would get this again! Power Up Cafe Veggie calzone This was not half bad! It is super cute, comes a mushroom head. It tasted pretty good. It had lots of veggies in it and I wish it had more cheese. It was edible though. I would order one again. The cafe itself was adorable! Toadstool Cafe Pirahna Salad The salad was very fresh. Loved the presentation. I would not order it again though. It was expensive for what you get and not very filing.

Everything we had at Universal on 10/10/2023 and their rating:…read more Big pink doughnut (simpsons land/lard lad) 4/5 kids loved it. a little dense but i've seen other peoples be fluffy. frosting was good. want to try the other flavors. Luigi's pizza 3.5/5 $10 a slice. big slices. flavor is okay. kids enjoyed it. whole pizza is $55 for 8 large slices. Loaded chicken nachos (minion cafe) 4/5 good but i was not able to pay for extra cheese which it could have used. big enough to share. Chicken strips & fries (wedges) 3/5 (harry potter) also came with purple grapes. good for the kids. small portions $10. Mac & cheese w/fries (wedges) 1/5 (harry potter) also came with purple grapes. greasy and no cheese flavor at all. kids wouldn't even eat it and my son eats everything. $10 Cream cheese pretzel (snack bar) 2/5 wanted to try the jalapeño and cheese one but they were out of jalapeños but after eating this one i might not bother trying it. it was super dense and not enough cream cheese and it tasted weird like maybe it was cooked to much (maybe they're better fresh) 10/11/2023 chicken sandwich (jurassic cafe) 4/5 pretty bomb. my favorite thing i ate the whole trip. they skimped on the aoili and cooked veggies but over all very good. came with wedges. burger (jurassic cafe) 3/5 according to my husband it was kind of dry but okay over all. came with wedges. chicken empanadas (jurassic cafe) 2/5 tasted nothing like traditional empanadas. similar to the filling of a pot pie and weren't great. the chimichurri sauce was also just okay, very thick. sticky toffee pudding (harry potter 3 broom sticks) 5/5 we loved it! reminded me of a warm apple cake with a crunchy outside & paired with vanilla ice cream made it perfecttttt ice cream soda (mario cart outside mario land) strawberry 3/5 & green apple 2/5 my kids were not impressed with either flavor and didn't finish them but they were cute and fun. they had flavored sode, vanilla ice cream & boba at the bottom.

This Jurassic themed playground is interactive and educational, perfect for dinosaur lovers and any…read moreyoung ones who need to burn off some energy climbing, sliding, running, learning, and swinging while parents find some shade to lounge. The main and centered attraction is the ceratopsian dinosaur jungle gym with rope elements and a pebble bridge. Framing the fossil-like dinosaur is a bridge with two entrances, a stairway on the right or a vertical multi-platform climb on the left. The educational dig site includes a fossil finder among other activities using the naked eye, handheld magnifying glasses, or stationary binoculars. A periscope is also situated nearby. The hanging percussion chimes encourage everyone to learn the beginning of Jurassic Park's movie theme song and, of course, impromptu music play. There's also a rainmaker spinner.

My kids loves coming here. There's a net suspension bridge on the upper level and a playground on…read morethe lower level. On the side there's a magnifying glass with Dino footprints for archeological exploration. There's also chimes to hit with music notes instructions. It's a small space with lots to do.

Took the VIP tour for my daughters birthday This was…read morefantastic from the beginning to the end! We got yo sit and have drinks and snacks before our tour begins it was nice The tour was great and our tour guide was so knowledgeable and friendly he had the best vibe! 2hr tour with no walking was amazing we got to see so much and learned lots of new tidbits of shows We got to have lunch with our tickets It was really nice to go to central perk and the food was good we had a good selection of sandwiches and drinks We got to explore the friends area and lots of photo opportunities We got to see the big bang area and again have pictures taken We did the Superman experience and hang out in fortress and have some drinks very cool concept and everyone was very friendly We got to go see Harry Potter's area and see lots of DC items So much to see we truly enjoyed it so much we will definitely be back again

5.7.26 Fun…read moreexperience getting a behind-the-scenes look at how productions come together. Em, our tour guide, was personable and knowledgeable, which made the experience even more engaging. We were able to visit the set of Friends (one of my favorites) along with another sitcom set, though I can't recall the name. I do wish there had been more sets included on the tour. The experience is a mix of guided and self-paced exploration, which offers a nice balance. It wraps up with a gift shop at the end. Overall, a really enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Family friendly ride based on the hit series. This is a very kid friendly ride that is situated…read moreright across from the Minions Ride. I really liked the adoption touch since you're seeing it in the viewpoint as a four-legged friend! TBH it's a chaotic storyline but in the best way possible. It's not meant to make sense, but it is meant to make you smile.

The Secret Life of Pets ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is ridiculously cute and surprisingly…read moredetailed. From the moment you enter the queue, it feels like you're walking through an animated movie, complete with colorful apartments, talking animals, and more visual gags than you can catch in one go. The ride itself is smooth, family friendly, and filled with animatronics that are way more impressive than I expected for something this lighthearted. It's not the most thrilling ride in the park, but it's definitely one of the most charming. Great for kids, fun for adults, and a nice break from all the high-speed, 3D chaos elsewhere. I left wanting to rewatch the movie and maybe adopt a cartoon dog.

Back in my day, we didn't need a 400-ft LED screen to make the dinosaurs feel real... but I will…read moresay the "new" Mosasaurus addition at the beginning of this ride is awesome! This ride is on the lower lot of Universal Studios, the last time I won on this was almost 20-years ago. They've done a great job at keeping this attraction fresh, with the addition of the Indominus Rex & T-Rex fight, a few extra spitting dimos, and aforementioned Mosasaurus. I took my seven-year-old son on this, who is a huge Jurassic Park lover, but I did not tell him about the 80-ft drop at the end. His face on the ride drop picture was totally worth it! He loved the ride so much that he rode it again with his mom. A few things... - Definitely get a poncho. We didn't do this and got a little wet, but not too bad! - Don't want to wait in line? If you ride solo you can hop right on Pro Tip: If you have child or attendee with you that's neurodivergent you can ask for a guest accessibility card or "IBCCES" through the Universal Studios website. You'll need to apply for this about a week before your visit. This card allows you to skip the line for rides or come back to the ride at scheduled time.

universal's most iconic ride!!!…read more * honestly a MUST & the suspense when that drop comes is EVERYTHING *