How to Navigate Universal Studios Hollywood

Alright, yes, I know this post is so delayed. But how could I not share the photos from Universal Studios at Grinchmas? Over winter break, my boyfriend flew in from Colorado to see me at New Years and we spent a few days going around LA, making tamales with the family, and of course we went to one of the many theme parks. We were going to go to California Adventure for New Years Eve, but we ended up going here the day before with my brother tagging along. We were too tired after a whole day in the park to even think about going to California Adventure the next day.

Now, before this trip, my boyfriend hadn’t seen Harry Potter, so he obviously couldn’t understand why I was geeking out in Hogsmeade. I have since gotten him hooked on the movies and we have already gone through the first five (which we did in two days). He now gets it. I tried the butterbeer, which I 100% recommend by the way. It tastes like cream soda and the foam on top must be a heavy cream, because it tastes like ice cream. We all shared a cup, since it was expensive, and I think we all wished there was more at the end.

Now, what you’re actually here for:

Let me take a minute to first talk about the rides:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

I loved this ride, but I can see how it may give someone motion sickness. It’s similar to Soaring Over California for those that have been to California Adventure. There are no big drops or anything, but you feel like you’re moving. You’re watching a screen most of the time, which gives you the illusion that you are moving.

Flight of the Hippogriff

If you’re not with a family (read: kids), I don’t think this ride is worth it. There are no big drops, it’s pretty slow, and fairly relaxing in my opinion. There’s a reason they call it “family-friendly.”

Jurassic Park

I liked this one! It’s your classic water-ride with a big drop on the end. It’s most comparable to Disney’s Splash Mountain. You go through the classic “Jurassic Park” complete with the theme song and everything and then into a “Restricted Area” where you then see raptors inside a broken down raft complete with one raptor chewing on a theme park poncho. You then go into the indoor area, where you get to get up close and personal with the larger Dinosaur…

Walking Dead Attraction

Ok, this isn’t a ride. It’s more like a really really scary one-way Haunted House. You’re on a fixed path the whole time. It’s pretty intense. I actually watched a guy in front of me chicken out and go back. However, I’m a total fraidy-cat, and I loved this. I wouldn’t do it again, but it was the best Haunted House-like thing I’ve ever done. (P.S. The actors are not allowed to touch you.) I will say that I was pretty glad to be back out in the regular park again and I was actually on a bit of an adrenaline high after this. I’m still a bit salty that my boyfriend and brother forced me in the front and I hate haunted houses and scary movies the most. The guys in front of us were obnoxious, which unfortunately can ruin things for everyone. They yelled at the actors and one guy even walked on his knees for a bit and I almost tripped over him. I also grabbed his arm on accident, oops.

The Mummy

This ride is pretty fun, even though it’s short. It’s indoors, like a Pirates of the Caribbean, but it’s more of a roller coaster than a relaxing thing. It’s fast, a bit jumpy and fun. Overall, I would recommend but wouldn’t wait longer than 30 minutes to ride it.

I also came up with a few tips after my day here that will increase your ride times and decrease your wait times. If I could do it over again, this is how I would go about it.

1. If a wait time is 30 minutes or less, get in line.
2. The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey line gets shorter at the end of the day. It’s all indoors, so hit it after it gets dark. If you are not traveling with kids, the Flight of the Hippogriff is not worth your time.
3. Lines for lunch are significantly shorter after 2 PM. If you can hold off, ride wait times will be shorter during prime lunch time and will get longer afterward. Get lunch after the “prime time.”
4. Don’t miss the studio tour! Do this during the day time!
5. The Mummy Ride is shorter in the morning and gets much longer at night. Hit this one first.
6. The Jurassic Park ride is a water ride and you may get really wet. I got drilled in the eye by a water sprayer! The ride line is shorter in the evening, but I recommend going on this either when it’s hot outside, around 2 or 3, or right before you’re about to leave.
7. Don’t miss the Raptor Encounter!
8. Around the beginning and middle of the day, the Walking Dead Attraction will have a wait time of around a half hour. This attraction is intense; do not go on it if you don’t like Haunted Houses.

Hope you liked the tips and enjoy your trip!