The Studio Tour occupies the original backlot established in 1915 when Carl Laemmle opened the site to the public for 25-cent tours.
The Jaws lake set remains one of the oldest standing outdoor film sets in the industry.
The 'War of the Worlds' crash site features an actual Boeing 747 fuselage purchased by the studio for filming purposes.
Super Nintendo World uses wearable 'Power-Up Bands' that sync with a smartphone app to track interactive gameplay scores throughout the land.
The park's topography forces a roughly 100-foot elevation change between the Upper and Lower lots.
Psycho House, originally constructed for Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film, remains on the property and is a standard stop on the tram tour.
The park maintains a proprietary water reclamation system to keep its massive outdoor sets and landscaping irrigated during Southern California droughts.
Universal Studios Hollywood is a hybrid movie studio and theme park located in the San Fernando Valley. It features the world-famous Studio Tour, which transports visitors through authentic, active backlots including Courthouse Square and Wisteria Lane. The park is split into an Upper Lot and a Lower Lot, connected by a series of long outdoor escalators. Key attractions include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and Jurassic World – The Ride. The site functions as a working film and television production facility, meaning filming operations can occasionally influence park access or operations. Guests can view original soundstages and exterior sets used in major motion picture productions. The infrastructure utilizes significant vertical terrain, requiring significant walking between the upper and lower levels. Various live-action stage shows complement the mechanical rides to provide a mix of cinematic education and entertainment. It is currently fully operational as of June 2026.
The iconic spinning Universal globe fountain located at the entrance plaza.
Visit the Lower Lot immediately upon park opening to experience popular high-demand attractions before lines peak.
Download the official park app to track real-time wait times and view the daily schedule of live performances.
Use the Single Rider line for major attractions if you are willing to be separated from your group to fill empty seats.
Do not attempt to walk between the Upper and Lower lots outside of the designated escalator system, as there are no guest pedestrian paths.
Open daily year-round; operating hours extend significantly during summer months and holiday periods.
Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are essential due to the high volume of walking and steep inclines; casual attire is standard.
