Universal Studios Hollywood With Kids: Our One-Day Family Guide
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If Universal Studios Hollywood is on your Los Angeles itinerary, you may be wondering if one day is enough, whether Early Access is worth the extra cost, and how much your kids will actually enjoy it.
We recently spent a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood with our four boys, ages 4, 6, 10, and 12.
Between Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, Minions, thrill rides, and the famous Studio Tour, we packed a lot into one day and left feeling like we had experienced most of the park’s biggest attractions.
Here’s exactly how we spent our day, what was worth the extra money, and the tips I would share with any family planning a visit.
Universal Studios Hollywood At a Glance
- Ages during our visit: 4, 6, 10, and 12
- Time needed: One full day
- Purchased: General admission tickets plus Early Access to Super Nintendo World ($20 per person)
- Parking: Preferred Parking ($60)
- Favorite area: Super Nintendo World
- Most surprising attraction: The Studio Tour
- Would we do it again? Absolutely
Planning Your Visit
One of my biggest recommendations is to purchase tickets online before your visit.
Not only will you usually save money compared to buying tickets at the gate, but you’ll also avoid wasting time standing in line on the day of your visit.
Before purchasing, compare prices between Universal’s website and third-party sellers.
I also like checking Viator because prices can occasionally be lower, and if you use Rakuten, you may be able to earn cash back.
👉 Check current Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices here.
One thing to keep in mind is that third-party tickets can be more difficult to change or refund.
Double-check your dates before completing your purchase.
Is Early Access to Super Nintendo World Worth It?
A few days before our trip, I decided to add Early Access to Super Nintendo World.
During our visit, it cost an additional $20 per person and allowed us to enter Super Nintendo World one hour before the rest of the park opened.
It’s important to note that this was not early entry to the entire park.
While guests can enter Universal Studios Hollywood, the other themed areas and attractions are not yet open. The purpose of Early Access is to give guests extra time inside Super Nintendo World before the crowds arrive.
One thing I wasn’t sure about beforehand was whether I could purchase Early Access separately from my park tickets. The answer is yes. I purchased our park tickets through Viator and then purchased Early Access directly through the Universal Studios Hollywood website a few days before our visit.
For our family, this was absolutely worth it.
We were able to explore Super Nintendo World, ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge with a shorter wait, and meet characters before the majority of guests entered the park.
By the time general admission guests were making their way to Super Nintendo World, we had already experienced most of what we wanted to do there.
If Super Nintendo World is one of your top priorities, I would spend money on Early Access before I would spend money on Power-Up Bands.
Early Access completely changed the flow of our day for the better.
Preferred Parking
We also opted for Preferred Parking.
During our visit, Preferred Parking cost $60 compared to $40 for General Parking.
Normally I don’t splurge on parking upgrades, but after spending an entire day walking around the park, I appreciated having a shorter walk back to the car.
Because we arrived early, we were among the first guests parked in the Preferred Parking garage, which meant our spot was especially close.
For our family, the extra cost was worth it. After being on our feet all day, everyone was happy to have one less long walk before heading back to our hotel.
Start Your Day in Super Nintendo World
Thanks to Early Access, we were able to head straight to Super Nintendo World before the biggest crowds arrived.
One thing to know is that Super Nintendo World is located in the Lower Lot, which is the furthest area of the park from the entrance. Getting there involves multiple long and steep escalators.
Once we arrived, however, it was completely worth it.
Super Nintendo World was one of the most immersive theme park lands I’ve ever experienced.
Everywhere you look, something is moving, spinning, flashing, or interacting with the environment. It truly feels like you’ve stepped inside a Mario game.
We rode Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge with a short wait, met Mario and Luigi, and later got photos with Princess Peach and Toad.
By the time most guests were entering the park, we had already experienced the area’s biggest attraction.
Do You Need Power-Up Bands?
We chose not to purchase Power-Up Bands.
With four boys, the cost added up quickly.
Honestly, we never felt like we missed out.
Would they add something extra? Probably.
Did we still love Super Nintendo World without them? Absolutely.
Explore the Lower Lot
One thing that surprised me about Universal Studios Hollywood was just how far apart the Upper Lot and Lower Lot feel.
There are several very long escalators connecting the two sections.
Because of this, I would recommend completing everything you want to do in the Lower Lot before heading back to the Upper Lot.
After Super Nintendo World, my husband and two older boys rode Revenge of the Mummy while I took my youngest to DinoPlay in the Jurassic World area.
This worked out perfectly.
Instead of waiting around for his brothers, my 4-year-old had a place to climb, play, and burn off some energy.
The older boys absolutely loved Revenge of the Mummy.
Lunch in the Lower Lot
We grabbed lunch before leaving the Lower Lot.
There are several quick-service dining options located near Transformers and Revenge of the Mummy.
Our family ended up with a mix of corn dogs, popcorn, a sub sandwich, and a charcuterie-style snack box.
The food was decent, but definitely expensive.
If you’re trying to save money, I recommend bringing snacks and reusable water bottles.
I carried a backpack all day and had no issues bringing it into the park.
These are the same park-day essentials we bring on amusement park visits, including our favorite backpack, portable charger, water bottle, and other items that help make long days in the park more comfortable.
Park Day Favorites
These are the items we bring for full days at theme parks, zoos, and other family attractions. From our favorite backpack and reusable water bottle to a portable charger and other practical essentials, these products help make long days more comfortable.
Springfield U.S.A.
Once we made our way back to the Upper Lot, our first stop was Springfield U.S.A.
We took photos with Homer and Bart, enjoyed some fun photo opportunities, rode The Simpsons Ride, and shared a giant Lard Lad donut.
Personally, I was not a fan of the Simpsons ride. This one made me a little bit queasy. My kids didn’t have any problems but I was definitely feeling it.
At $10.99, the donut wasn’t exactly cheap, but it was delicious and large enough for our family to share.
It was definitely a fun treat and I think totally worth it!
Mom Tip: Food inside Universal Studios Hollywood can add up quickly. We saved money by bringing snacks and refillable water bottles into the park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Next, we headed into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Just like Super Nintendo World, this area felt incredibly immersive.
The snow-covered rooftops, shops, and Hogwarts Castle made it feel like we had stepped into the movies.
We explored the area, took photos, and rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Child Swap Was Easier Than Expected
Before our visit, I wasn’t entirely sure how Child Swap worked.
It ended up being incredibly easy.
While my husband and our three older boys rode, I waited with my youngest in a small room with benches that was playing Harry Potter content on a screen.
When they finished, they came back and got me.
We simply told the team member it was my turn for Child Swap.
That was it.
The best part was that our three older boys were allowed to ride again with me.
Needless to say, they thought that was awesome.
Motion Sickness Warning
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was one of the most impressive rides we experienced all day.
It was also the ride that made both my husband and me feel the most motion sick.
If you’re sensitive to motion simulators, keep that in mind.
Minion Land and Super Silly Fun Land
Our next stop was Minion Land.
A Minion character happened to be out with a short line, so we stopped for photos before riding Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
The ride itself was fun, but one of our favorite parts came afterward when guests enter a room where they appear on screen dancing with the Minions.
Our family got completely into it.
We danced so enthusiastically that we ended up being the last people left in the room.
It became one of our favorite memories from the day.
We also stopped at Super Silly Fun Land, where my youngest rode Silly Swirly.
This area is especially great for younger kids.
One thing to know is that there is a huge Wet Zone play area.
My boys were disappointed we hadn’t brought swimsuits and towels, so if your kids love water play, come prepared.
Don’t Skip the Studio Tour
By mid-afternoon, everyone was getting a little tired.
That made it the perfect time for the Studio Tour.
This attraction is included with your admission ticket and gave us a chance to sit down for a bit while still experiencing one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s most unique attractions.
Guests board a tram and travel through Universal’s famous backlot, passing working movie and television sets while experiencing special effects, famous movie scenes, and behind-the-scenes moments that make Universal unique.
The tour lasts roughly 45 to 60 minutes and was a nice change of pace after spending much of the day walking around the park.
The special effects were entertaining for our boys, although some scenes may be a little intense for younger or more sensitive children. Our 4-year-old was a little scared during a couple of parts, but by the end he was telling us how much he loved it.
Some of our favorite highlights included:
- Jaws
- King Kong
- Earthquake effects
- Rain effects
- Working backlot sets
One important note: The Studio Tour closes before the park closes, so don’t wait until the end of the day to ride it.
Wrapping Up Our Day
After the Studio Tour, we spent some time souvenir shopping before heading back to the car.
At that point, we felt completely satisfied with our day.
We had experienced most of the park’s biggest attractions and never felt rushed.
For our family, one day was the perfect amount of time to experience Universal Studios Hollywood.
Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood With Kids
- Purchase tickets online before your visit.
- Consider Early Access if Super Nintendo World is a priority.
- Arrive early. We arrived about 40 minutes before Early Access began.
- Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app and check ride wait times throughout the day.
- Complete the Lower Lot before heading back to the Upper Lot.
- Bring refillable water bottles. Filling stations are located throughout the park.
- Pack snacks to save money.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bring a change of clothes if your kids plan to enjoy the Wet Zone.
- Bring a stroller or wagon for younger children.
- Make sure to ride the Studio Tour before it closes for the day, as it typically ends before the park closes.
Real Mom Tip
We always pack a portable charger, refillable water bottle, and a small backpack for park days. You can see all of our favorite travel and packing products here.
What We Missed
Even with a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood, there were still a few attractions we didn’t experience.
We ended up overlooking Jurassic World – The Ride. It wasn’t high on our priority list, and by the time we finished exploring Super Nintendo World, riding Revenge of the Mummy, and having lunch in the Lower Lot, we were ready to make our way up to the Upper Lot.
We also didn’t make it onto Transformers: The Ride 3D, although it was one we would have liked to experience.
In addition, we didn’t have time to see any of the park’s shows.
While we didn’t do everything, we never felt like we missed out.
We still experienced most of the park’s biggest attractions and left feeling very satisfied with our day.
One fun bonus was getting a glimpse of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest roller coaster, which was nearing completion during our visit.
It was exciting to see it taking shape and imagine how it will change the park once it opens.
Is Universal Studios Hollywood Worth It?
Universal Studios Hollywood ended up being one of the highlights of our Los Angeles family vacation and was well worth dedicating a full day to.
What I appreciated most was that there was something for everyone. Our older boys loved the thrill rides, our youngest found plenty of attractions he could enjoy, and the immersive themed areas made the entire park feel like an experience rather than just a collection of rides.
If you’re visiting with kids and wondering whether Universal Studios Hollywood is worth adding to your itinerary, I absolutely recommend it.
If I were planning another visit, I would follow almost the exact same plan again.
If you’re planning a Los Angeles family vacation, don’t miss my 5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary for Families, where I share exactly how we combined Universal Studios Hollywood with beaches, iconic sights, and other family-friendly attractions throughout the area.
May you love your adventure. KW
