Visit California: Universal Studios Hollywood

We decided to visit Universal Studios Hollywood specifically to visit Super Nintendo World, since it had opened up after we last visited.

I did a lot of research about Super Nintendo World and Universal Studios Hollywood in terms of General Admission, Super Nintendo World Early Entry, Express, Express Unlimited, and VIP Tours in order for us to maximize our time there and minimize our time waiting in lines.

After reading through Facebook Groups and blogs, I ultimately decided upon getting General Admission + Express Passes and Super Nintendo World Early Entry.

Tickets:

The ticket prices for the Express tickets for the day we went were cheapest on Klook compared to the USH Official site, Sam's Club, and AAA.  The price remained steady when I first checked 5 months prior, but tickets prices for other days had increased, so you may want to buy early to avoid any price increase (we bought tickets the weekend before).

I have used Klook on international trips, but it was the first time I used it for a US attraction, and there were no issues receiving our E-tickets and uploading them into the USH app.

Note:  If you have Rakuten, keep an eye out for the Klook cash back offers.  I bought tickets when there was a 10% cash back offer for Klook!  You can also Google search for Klook discount codes, which may be able to be stacked with the cash back offer on Rakuten (be sure to read the terms and conditions).

SNW Early Entry was only available on the USH Official site. 

All ticket variations are subject to dynamic pricing. 

I had both printed tickets and tickets in the app, and either could be used at entry to USH.

Super Nintendo World Early Entry:

Early Entry to Super Nintendo World on the day we went was at 9am, but I read people start lining up early, so that's what we did.  We were first ones at the parking lot, which opened at 7am, and second ones in the security line (I walk slow), which opened at 745am.  

You then go into another holding area for those with Early Entry tickets, which are then scanned at 8am.

Then you proceed to the main entrance, which opens at 830am.  

The Early Entry crowd was pretty substantial at that point.  Some of us rushed to near the front of the crowd, where USH employees were waiting, while others went to the Studio Store near the entrance to buy Power-Up Bands (you can also buy them at kiosks in SNW).

The Power-Up Bands are not required for SNW, but it is required for the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. 

At 8:49am, the USH team escorted Early Entry guests to SNW.  No one was allowed to pass the USH team, but there was quite a mad rush to get as close to the front.  

At exactly 9am, the first guests entered SNW.  We oohed and ahhed and took lots of photos and videos.

It was super cool to be in Super Nintendo World, and hearing all the kids exclaiming how neat the world was only added to the excitement. 

I read a lot of conflicting information on whether to ride the only ride, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, first or after the mini games (Key Challenges).  We ultimately did the ride first, and I'm glad we did, since we walked right on.

There were lines for the Key Challenges, with the longest being for Pirahna Plant Nap Mishap, which is the first game we did.  

We did two other Key Challenges (Goomba Crazy Crank and Koopa Troopa POWer Punch) in order to get the 3 required for the Bowser, Jr. Showdown, but before we did the showdown, we stood in line at Toadstool Cafe, since we had a "queue reservation" for 11am.  

After lunch, we did the Bowser, Jr. Showdown, Thwomp Panel Panic, and explored SNW.  We saw Luigi, Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad.  

Later in the afternoon we returned to use our Express pass for Mario Kart, when the standby line was 80 minutes long. 

The Toadstool Cafe

As mentioned, we had a queue reservation for 11am.  We made it prior to entering SNW with this link.   Most people wait until they get to SNW to scan the QR code on signs around SNW, but you can make a reservation prior to entering SNW (we made ours at 841am).  

The reservation only means you can line up in the queue, which was a pretty long line when we got in 20 minutes prior.  

There was, however, lots of tables (an employee will escort you to a table).

Super Star Lemon Squash

Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots

I really wanted mushroom soup, but it came with a souvenir bowl so it was $19.99.  I decided to just have the Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots ($5.99), which were pretty good.

Fire Flower Spaghetti & Meatballs

Luigi Burger (Pesto Grilled Chicken)

Mario Burger (Bacon, Mushroom, & Cheese)

Mt. Beanpole Cake

Express Passes

The Express Passes were worth it for us.  Most lines were averaging 45 minutes long, so it was great to get on the rides quickly.  The shortest line was for the Studio Tour (just 5 minutes), but everything else was at least 30 minutes long (be sure to download the USH app to view standby wait times).

My favorite ride at USH is Jurassic Park - the Ride. Every other functioning ride was ridden by at least one of us.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash opened up since our last visit, so we had to give that a whirl. It was cute!

Other Dining

We also visited the Power-Up Cafe for various Fizz Drinks and the "edible glitter" popcorn. 

We also went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Cold and Frozen Butterbeer.

We accomplished a lot at Universal Studios Hollywood with minimal wait thanks to the SNW Early Entry and the Universal Express Pass.  If you're only really interested in SNW, there is no need to get the Express Pass, especially if you can tolerate waiting in lines (if you're wanting to explore the other worlds and ride other rides).   Including lunch, we spent a total of 3.5 hours in SNW riding (2x), playing the 4 key games, and exploring.  

And if you do only get General Admission, there is an opportunity to add-on Express while at the park, if it turns out to be more crowded than you thought.  

Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

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Visit California: Universal Studios Hollywood

The last time I went to Universal Studios Hollywood was over twenty years ago, so I was excited to return with the kids!

The iconic red carpet entrance led to a world of excitement.  We rushed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Although our family only watched a few of the Harry Potter movies, I thought this world was just magical! 

Our first ride was “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and then we hopped on the “Flight of the Hippogriff™” roller coaster.  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey took us on a breathtaking, surreal ride through Hogwarts, while Flight of the Hippogriff was a very kid-friendly coaster.

My favorite ride was Jurassic World - The Ride, which opened up earlier this year. Jurassic Park - The Ride was my favorite ride on my last visit, but this updated version, which features a storyline from the epic film, Jurassic World, and some really cool effects, was awesome.  I thought the additions of the Indominus Rex and Mosasaurus were so cool, and of course I just loved the drop at the end (there's a good chance you will get wet!).

My kids loved visiting Springfield. They never watched an episode of The Simpsons, but after a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, they are eager to watch the show! I thought Springfield and all of the shops and eateries from The Simpsons were just so neat to see.

“The Simpsons Ride” was quite fun too, as we went on a crazy virtual roller coaster ride throughout Krustyland.

Other highlights included Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” an Ultra-HD adventure in which guests try to become minions by going through all sorts of virtual obstacles; the short, but very exciting Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride; Transformers: The Ride-3D, which puts guests in the seat of an elaborate flight simulator ride; and the DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda Adventure, a multi-sensory attraction featuring many of DreamWorks' popular characters. 

The Studio Tour – Behind-the-Scenes Tram Ride has changed a lot since my last visit, and it's definitely a must-do while at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Guests get a behind-the-scenes look at backlot sets and famous cars, and they even get to experience earthquakes and floods!

My favorite moments included a drive by Jaws Lake as well as the Bates Motel.  You'll just have to take the tram tour to find out why...

Two immersive experiences included on The Studio Tour were King Kong 360 3-D, which put guests right in the middle of an intense battle, and Fast & Furious—Supercharged - a fast-paced, 3D-HD thrill ride.  

A lot of the rides consisted of virtual reality / 3D experiences, so for those highly sensitive to motion sickness - I encourage you to eat some ginger candy!

There are several shows guests can watch at Universal Studios Hollywood.  WaterWorld—A Live Sea War Spectacular, was full of incredible special effects and pyrotechnics.

My husband is a fan of The Walking Dead, so he couldn't miss The Walking Dead walk-through attraction (not recommended for guests under the age of 13). The attraction, which utilizes authentic walker make-up effects combined with animatronic walkers, puts guests amidst this popular TV series.

Dining options are plentiful at Universal Studios Hollywood. We ate at Krusty Burger for lunch, and got cool treats at Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream Parlor (from Stranger Things).

Chocolate Caramel Fudge Sundae

Stranger Things' Eleven's Waffle Sundae

The portions at Krusty Burger were enormous, and the sundaes were a treat, but I didn't like how the Scoops Ahoy employee tried to give me a pre-made, melted sundae that another customer failed to pick up from several minutes ago (I was there as he called out for the guest).  He reluctantly made me a new one. 

The kids loved all the Character sightings!  They took photos with Gru, Curious George, Minions, Bart Simpson, Shrek, and more! 

One of the highlights from our visit to Universal Studios Hollywood was when one of the Minions started dancing to YMCA (watch a video here).

There are a couple of playground spots in the park for kids to release some energy - Dino Play in Jurassic World, and one in Super Silly Funland from Despicable Me, which was also full of whimsical rides, games, and even a water-play area!  I just loved how Universal Studios Hollywood brought these movie settings to life!

The theme park was decked out in Halloween Horror Nights decor - one day I hope to get to experience the haunting festivities!

The Universal Studios Hollywood app came in real handy to find out wait times for rides.  We did have Universal Express tickets, which provides one-time express access for each ride, attraction, and seated show, but we used them just a handful of times, when the wait was longer than 30 minutes (yes, my patience threshold is quite low, but with three kids who constantly bicker, waiting in line for longer than 30 minutes was a deal-breaker).

Employees would even tell us to hold on to express access for certain rides if the wait was short so we didn't waste the express access.

I highly recommend getting Universal Express tickets if you have limited time to spend at the theme park or you go on a busy day.

We had such a blast at Universal Studios Hollywood.  The kids met some of their favorite characters, we rode thrilling rides and watched entertaining shows, and we all experienced some of our favorite movies and television shows in exciting, interactive ways.  

Be sure to download the Universal Studios Hollywood app before you go so you can plan out where to eat, shop, and ride, and consider getting Universal Express to maximize your time at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Mahalo to Universal Studios for providing complimentary tickets!

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