Universal Studios Hollywood Reopening Report
For our first visit to a West Coast theme park in over a year, we head to Universal Studios Hollywood! In this reopening report, we’ll share photos, crowds & wait time info, health & safety measures, rule compliance, plus commentary on Florida v. California.
Let’s start with some details about our visit. Wanting to lock-in cheaper pricing and rental car availability, we actually booked this right after receiving the first dose of our vaccines. At the time, California was still largely closed, but everything could be cancelled without penalty. So, we made some guesses about when things would reopen and we’d be able to visit.
With each passing week, more pieces fell into place. When California announced that fully-vaccinated out of staters could attend anything open to Californians, we felt totally vindicated. It seemed that everything we wanted to do would be possible and we paid around half price (less than that for the rental car!) for the major components of the trip by booking early with no downsides. Unfortunately, that ended up being not totally true…
Disneyland never changed its policy to comply with the state guidelines. Consequently, we didn’t visit those parks; it probably would’ve been possible, but we’re just not the rule-breaking type. While this was initially disappointing, it ended up not being much of an issue. We love California, have missed our favorite spots in the state immensely, and now have an excuse to go back this summer (oh darn). For this trip, we ended up splitting time between Los Angeles and Orange County, with stays in several spots, including a few more Anaheim hotels.
During the Universal Studios Hollywood portion of the trip, we stayed in an Airbnb off Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills. If you’re a tourist contemplating a trip to USH, we’d highly recommend this area. It’s convenient to Universal (plus anything in Burbank and Glendale), Griffith Park, Hollywood, and even DTLA. We started every morning with a “sunrise” hike in Runyon Canyon to feel better about all food we’d eat throughout the day.
Let’s turn to our Universal Studios Hollywood visit.
Like our last visit to a California theme park–Disneyland for the opening week of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance–we were joined by our homie, Guy Selga of TouringPlans.com. I would say that “time flies,” but it really doesn’t. That feels like a lifetime ago.
Despite being Annual Passholders for several years, we’ve never done a park report from USH–just occasional updates to our Universal Studios Hollywood Planning Guide. Part of this is because we don’t visit that often; probably an average of 4 days per year (USH APs are cheap and have a low break-even point).
Part is because there’s simply less reader interest in Universal Studios Hollywood, probably due to its distance from Disneyland. However, hopefully this will change. As discussed in our effusive Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash Ride Review, Universal Studios Hollywood has improved a ton in recent years, and has more big additions on the horizon. Speaking of which, next up is Super Nintendo World:
I’m not really sure what readers want to see out of a Universal Studios Hollywood park report, or if anyone wants to see this at all. I’ll breeze through a few different things, and we can revisit whatever topics are most compelling later this summer.
From my perspective, health safety protocol is not particularly interesting, but I’ve also been visiting Florida theme parks since last July. What Universal Studios Hollywood is doing amounts to “more of the same,” albeit on a delayed timeline.
There are two interesting wrinkles at California theme parks. First, dedicated outdoor dining areas. Personally, I would’ve loved to see this at Walt Disney World over the course of the last year. As has been pointed out here repeatedly, indoor dining was objectively the highest risk thing at Walt Disney World last July, and despite the rule changes, that still remains true today.
It’s now easier to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World than it was last July, but the options remain limited. In fairness, California’s climate is much more conducive to this than Florida, so most restaurants in California theme parks have always had outdoor seating areas–not much was necessary in the way of modifications.
Second, one-way walkways that are physically divided.
This strikes me as overkill, both in terms of health safety and practicality. Maybe this will be nice when walkways are more crowded, but for now, it’s unnecessary.
One of the narratives that has emerged recently, in a different way than normal, is Florida v. California. As you’re undoubtedly aware, the two are essentially diametrically opposed when it comes to how they’ve approached the last year. Polarization being what it is, one of those is awful and the other awesome, depending upon your perspective and politics. At least if internet sentiment is to be believed, there’s almost no middle ground.
The thing is, people are alike all over.
Sure, there are regional variations and obviously differences in park policies. However, I did not notice an appreciable difference in guest behavior at Universal Studios Hollywood v. Universal Orlando. Little things, but nothing major.
Mask compliance was more or less the same, with exposed noses being just as common in California. Most notably, physical distancing in queues was observed to roughly the same degree. Some people diligently stood only on markers, others floated around obliviously.
I’m not complaining–this didn’t bother us in the least. I’m pointing it out because we’ve had several readers remark that they’ll be visiting one of the two coasts because it comports more or less with their personal viewpoints on health safety.
Outside of a few state rules that differ and are fast-fading, the two Universals–and the two Orange Counties–felt more or less the same. For better or worse, people everywhere are at roughly the same phase in this and behave accordingly. State policies may have created vastly different “vibes” six months ago, but in May 2021, that is simply not the case.
Now let’s turn to wait times and crowds, which are two very different things right now.
Universal Studios Hollywood felt like a ghost town; most walkways were nearly devoid of people. It was the least busy I’ve ever seen the park, and we normally endeavor to visit in the off-season when crowds are low. Normally, this time of year is the start of tour group season and things are crowds are picking up.
Don’t let that lull you into a false sense that visiting is a relaxed experience–wait times are astronomical.
During our day at Universal Studios Hollywood, there were a half-dozen rides with peak wait times over 100 minutes. Those who are familiar with USH know that’s most of the rides!
Under California’s reopening plan, theme parks in Los Angeles County are now able to operate at 35% capacity. Universal hasn’t indicated whether they’re running at that level, but the day we visited was sold out.
As has been the case with the Florida parks, the problem with seeing that number and assuming it’s a good thing is it overlooks physical distancing on rides.
To better understand this, I’ll illustrate with an example. Jurassic World – The Ride is a high capacity raft ride with several rows and seats in each row–I wish I would’ve counted, but I believe it’s 5 rows with 5 seats in each row.
Our raft had 3 parties in it, with a total of 8 people. This would vary by ride vehicle, but a probable scenario would be the ride operating at 35% efficiency, versus 35% park capacity. The end result is that Universal Studios Hollywood is currently in a similar position for wait times as it would be on a peak-season 100% capacity day. While May is the start of summer tour group season, it is most definitely not normally peak season.
Countless commenters have claimed “Walt Disney World can’t be operating at only 35%, wait times and crowds were way too high.” We’ve been through this explanation of why park capacity is misleading, as it doesn’t account for attraction efficiency plus everything that isn’t open at all, or operating with physical distancing.
Judging by complaints on social media, we’ll now go through the same with the West Coast audience. Our message would be to ignore the stated park capacity cap. That number is absolutely meaningless in a vacuum. Among many other variables, on-ride physical distancing makes a huge difference–and that varies from attraction to attraction.
This is also how there’s the seeming contradiction of low feels like crowds v. high wait times.
Wait times for attractions are higher because the rides are operating inefficiently, which also means people are spending a disproportionate amount of time standing in line–rather than in common areas. Additionally, there’s nothing “inefficient” about walkways, so those actually reflect the 35% capacity (or whatever amount under that at which Universal Studios Hollywood is actually operating).
Finally, some preliminary strategy. We want to emphasize that this is based only upon one post-reopening visit, could change as circumstances change, etc.
We’d recommend arriving early and heading directly to the Lower Lot. There, start with Jurassic World – The Ride followed by Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers. Head back up and do the Simpsons. By then, it’ll probably by time for lunch.
Wait times peak midday, so do shows and the Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash via the Virtual Line then.
Later in the afternoon, do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, allowing enough time for the Studio Tour afterwards (be mindful of the “last tour of the day” time for that). We should have something more refined in the next couple months, but for now, racing directly to the Lower Lot is the most important piece of advice.
Ultimately, despite the long waits, it was a great day in Universal Studios Hollywood. This is one of our favorite theme parks anywhere, with a beautiful setting, nice atmosphere, stunning views, and one of the most iconic rides with infinite repeatability in the Studio Tour.
Thanks to all of its changes in the last several years, Universal Studios Hollywood is a great place to simply be. The lack of Annual Passes at Disneyland will probably cause more Californians to discover that this year, and we hope Universal will adapt to cater more to that crowd. There are some lessons USH could learn from Disneyland, Knott’s, or even the company’s own parks in Orlando. That’s another story for our next update, though!
Planning a Southern California vacation? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles or Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Pasadena, Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places! For comprehensive theme park advice, consult our Universal Studios Hollywood Planning Guide and/or our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you visited Universal Studios Hollywood since the park reopened? Any thoughts on your experience, wait times, crowds, or anything else? Thoughts on health safety protocol, park capacity, or ride efficiency? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Love the USH posts and second another commenter’s suggestion of a report from Knott’s! Seeing these parks from a “Disney perspective” is different than other reviews out there and really helps get us to try something new!
Where does USH rank with the other Universal parks in the world for you guys?
How do they rank?
What a great article, lots of great info.. Thank you for posting. I can wait for the out of staters rule to be lifted, I like to enjoy these parks too, However I’m also unvaccinated (for medical reasons) plus this is MY choice, MY body (please no pointing the finger) This vaccine is experimental and not FDA approved, The shots cause many adverse effects afterwards. Low blood cells, anemia, weakening immunity to other illness even diabetes. To properly vet a vaccine it takes 5years minimum.This is basically a trial and error vaccine because no one had studied the effects.. But this article isn’t about vaccines.. I hope that the parks do open to out of staters and the unvaccinated, I have always wanted to experience universal studios. I take precautions. Like wearing a mask hand sanitizer washing my hands temp checks. And please I don’t want anybody to comment about the way I feel about vaccines. This is just my opinion and I have every right to my opinion. Hope everybody has a safe and blessed day 🙂
I got a Knott’s season pass because for a limited time they were offering a Scary Farm add-on and I love to pee my pants. If Universal offered a Horror Nights add-on, I would get a pass for more micturition goodness. Halloween is the absolute best. If Universal execs read the comments on websites that are not about their parks, please make a note of this, sirs or ma’ams, along with the fact that I bring changes of pants everywhere I go (I am very cleanly, and I do NOT need additional assistance). I think one of the passes comes with a Horror Nights discount, but I’m not looking for a discount, I want an add-on. I want all of it in one pass. Swaddle me in your Horror Nights, if you will. I also like the new ride from Tom’s review, sounds fun.
Just fyi, this reader has lots of interest in articles on USH! 🙂
So glad to see a report from you in California! Welcome back to the best coast… y’all should probably move back here to make up for your year away 😉 loved this trip report, wanted to leave a positive comment for you! Thanks for your work.
I planned my trip 3 months ago and wanted to cxl but they assured me to they we’re at 60 percent capacity and masks required indoors and 3 feet between guest’s. I payed for 2 seasonal passes, my son and I rode 3 rides, packed with people hitting my back yelling with no mask, they had them off or down under their chin, Universal lied to me about my safety and after 20 years of coming I won’t be back especially when I asked for a discount because they were not honest and the rude guest service can, said he could refund me a 2 day ticket but I would owe him money, the park is at 130% no doubt and I have never been treated so bad by a universal guest service worker in my life, very disappointed, I didn’t drop 2000 with onsite hotel to be thrown into wall to wall people, that is false advertisement and unsafe, a small discount to make up riding 3rides for 600 dollars and a little kindness would have made my day better now I’m disgusted in the way I was treated and I’m rushing to get tested for covid, people are wild crazy coughing sneezing and with no mask good luck because you could have kept it at 60% but full capacity is going to give everyone covid, vaccines don’t work , I have 2cowirkers with Covid now, fully vaccinated. Bottom line I was told I would be safe and now I feel like I have covid. All I wanted was 100dollar discount for the lies and deception I was told and assured before I came. because I couldn’t have a nice time smashed together like cattle and 600 dollars for 3rides was not the universal way. I deserve a discount for the deception, my mom is on oxygen and has cancer, this was not safe like you assured me on the he phone. So disappointed and covid will be all over universal if you don’t slow down to 50%, lives matter, all liv s matter.
Concerned Citizen – Enough with your fear-mongering about vaccines. They work like any other vaccine: preventing transmission as well as illness and death. End of story.
Correction, they should not be open yet for the reasons stated below.
Theme parks should be open yet until we see how this vaccine works. Although it doesn’t, you can still get and give covid with the vaccine. Theme parks being open will start a wildfire in the form of another catastrophic outbreak. Mark my words.
Why was my comment not posted?
I read you need a vaccine to get into universal studios is this true? We are looking at taking a family vacation early August.
I don’t think I’ve seen so many photos of you in one post before!
Honestly, I didn’t even know there WAS a Universal Studios Hollywood until I started following your blog last year. We have a DisneyLand trip upcoming and I briefly thought of some other things I wanted to do in the area…and then remembered my last time in LA with a car and decided to stick with whatever we could walk to from the Hotel. I’d like to get up to Burbank area though…and am considering it a little bit for a future trip in a year or so. There’s some good looking tours from Adventures by Disney that have a component in the area which starts around Hollywood and Disney’s studios, so if I came early I could hit up USH too! I guess this reply could just be summarized with ‘yes, if you go again I’d love to read more!’ Info on Hotels and food is always useful, too.
Thank you for the West Coast coverage. I haven’t been to USH since I was a teenager. Is the ET Ride still in the Lower Lot? The last time I went, The Simpson’s Ride was still Back to the Future. (And was my favorite ride in the park)
The MetroLink train is definitely a good way to get around the greater LA area. Especially if you aren’t as familiar with the freeways and streets and workarounds that locals use.
Yes, to the trains in SoCal! I love taking the train to LA from OC. Also, check out MetroLink as well as Amtrak (Pacific Surfliner). The MetroLink trains are cheaper and only $10 on weekends!
@Tom Bricker
Re: Knott’s
You are too kind! We will also (hopefully!) be there in August for our thrice-cancelled visit to DLR and Knott’s. Just waiting for that out-of-state rule to be lifted…
If you feel like writing it, Tom Bricker’s Take on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour would make for interesting reading!
Great photos as always; the photos of Jaws and the skyline of the (Hollywood?) hills at the top of the escalator are superb. (That’s the Upper Lot of Universal Studios, and not the entrance to the Red Line, right?)
Far be it for me to tell you what to do on your vacation, but personally I would love a trip report from Knott’s! 😉
Haha, it’s too late–we left California before Knott’s reopened and are now visiting our families in the Midwest!
But if you insist…we’ll head there later this summer. 😉
Im not sure we’re ready for Disneyland-crazy this summer, but I’m considering a day at Universal, especially for Jurassic World, Secret Life of Pets, and the Studio Tour. I’m trying to recall how long it’s been since I went to USH … maybe 30 years? (yet done Florida version twice in last 7 years) Just gotta psych myself up for the commute from where we’re staying with family in OC. But nothing firm til they lift the out-of-state rules since not all of our party is vaccinated. Thanks for the tip to bolt for the lower lot first!
That commute is a rough one! Even when we lived there, we’d often book a hotel near USH and take the train, or leave after the morning rush to avoid traffic. With wait times being what they are right now, we definitely do not recommend leaving late. Hopefully that’ll change on June 15 when physical distancing rules are lifted.
I’d actually love more USH content! I haven’t been since I was like…10 or 11, maybe. So 20ish years. I know it’s changed a lot in that time and I’m eager to go back! I did go to USO in 2018 for the first (and only, so far) time and had a great time.
I’m currently planning a trip to Disneyland and Universal for early December, as long as group shuttles are available again (I don’t drive). The private transportation is way more than I want to spend.
Have you looked into the Pacific Surfliner? That’s definitely a viable way to get between Anaheim and Los Angeles, and then the Metro will get you to USH.
People act like public transportation is non-existent in Southern California. It’s definitely not as robust as it could be, but it’s not half bad, either!