Emblematic of Hollywood, Universal Studios houses both the sets and studios used by Universal to shoot its films and series (only part of which can be visited on the Studios Tour) and an amusement park. To this day, Universal City remains one of the world’s largest film production facilities, with 30 sets and a backlot that can replicate any location in the world.
Leaving the parking lot, you cross CityWalk, a huge shopping mall with numerous souvenir stores, restaurants and a 19-screen cinema. Then you arrive at the gates of the park: advance booking on the Internet is essential for (relatively) quick entry. Whether you’re a film buff or not, the Studio Tour is a must: this 45-minute streetcar tour takes you behind the scenes of the studios, with spectacular attractions and life-size reconstructions. See the famous motel from Psycho, the sets from Desperate Housewives or Back to the Future, and the special effects used in War of the Worlds and its famous crashed plane.
The park is divided into 2 levels. On the upper lot, you can visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an absolute must-see. Meet the characters from the animated film The Secret Life of Pets, Gru and his Minions, and The Simpsons. Finish your visit with Waterworld, a breathtakingly staged (and splashy!) attraction. On the lower lot, incredible experiences await you: Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers and the brand-new Super Nintendo World. It’s difficult (if not impossible without a VIP pass to avoid the queues) to do all the attractions in one day, so choose wisely and have fun!
Universal Studios Hollywood was visited on March 30, 2023.
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