It is a truth Universal-ly acknowledged that a vast majority of visitors to Southern California must be in want of a day at the theme park!

You’ll need to do your research, but here are some simple and quick tricks that will help you sort your day so you are relaxed as you make your way around with visions of magic wands, pink Homer donuts, and a special star that helps you run from ride to ride with the power of invisibility.  

Buy your tickets in Advance!

This seems easy, however, you’ll save time after going through security by not standing in the ticket line.  Here’s how it works: after you’ve gone through the MASSIVE parking structure, you walk through CityWalk, then through security…why wait in another line?  You’re locked and loaded and ready to enter the park. Universal Studios does connect your thumbprint to your ticket at the entrance cue (even just for the day) but by then the chocolate frogs and Duff Beer are enough to get you moving along and ready for the day.

Get there EARLY!  (1 hour before opening)

Again, this seems like common sense, but when you think about it, you’ve spent so much and will spend more on food and merchandise.  Get there early to get to the main attractions.  Not only is it cooler, especially on the top of the hill early in the morning; and it’s far less crowded.  Locals with year passes tend to show up after work or school for a few hours, making it a breeze to bounce from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at the top of the hill to the new Super Mario Land at the base.  From opening to around 10 am is a precious time in the park that will set you up for the rest of the day!

Pre-Map out the Park & Shows

Of course, you do not need to have every bathroom location memorized. It’s good to take a minimum of 30 minutes, even if it’s the night before to get the lay of the land.

At the top of the hill, you have your “Kids” area; Despicable Me’s Super Silly Fun Land, Secret Life of Pets:  The Ride, and Kung Fu Panda in 4D!   Next up is Harry Potter World, which will transport you away to Hogsmead and Hogwarts for magic, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.  And you mustn’t forget Springfield from The Simpsons; where you can drink Duff Beer and enjoy a donut the size of your head! PLUS, the Hollywood Studio Tour entrance is located right near Simpsons Land.

Down at the bottom of the hill, or four flights of stairs/escalators, are the heavy-hitter areas.  The Mummy and Transformers Rides both of which are technically stunning.  Jurassic World Dino Park where you can meet a “real life” Dino Trainer and his raptor.  Finally, there is the all-new Super Mario World, which is delightfully subversive.  

Big Rides First, Breakfast Second. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is worth the hype. Whether or not that is the experience you are the most ecstatic to encounter the moment the gates open, hastily walk – never run – on over.  Depending on the wildness of the ride, and how attuned you are to motion sickness, begin your day full of joy by taking on the ride you’ve been looking forward to during the planning process.  

Know where you’re eating and eat during Non-Peak Hours.

Now we’re getting into the ins and outs of “outsmarting” the rest of the tourists during your visit.  Think about when you normally eat breakfast in the comfort of your own home, now multiply that by exhausted parents and toddlers, moody pre-teens, and moderately drunk adults celebrating birthdays.  Look at the menus, double-check for your dietary restrictions, and hit up your desired destination 30 minutes before you would traditionally do to help cut down your time in line.

Prep for water rides.

I cannot emphasize this enough:  every single attraction has water involved.  

Now there are levels to the water.  Jurassic World, no matter where you sit – you will get wet.  While you can buy a poncho for $10, I find that rolling up a trash bag with some pre-cut holes in it gets the job done just as well.  Plus, you won’t need to carry around that poncho, you can just toss it after you’re done!

Waterworld, hence the title, contains water and has its splash zones marked.  Those currently drying off or looking to not get wet, can easily sit towards the sides of the stadium or the back without jeopardizing your view.  

Now here is where it gets interesting.  It’s so important I’ll say it twice.  

EVERY OTHER RIDE, including the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour,  has some sort of gentle spray/drip/splash where you might get a teensey bit wet.  If you have sensory issues with water, feel free to blame an imaginary team member “Gary” for each time you end up mildly damp.  However, the “wet scale” of these effects is quite low; think of the amount that comes from a spray bottle.

BONUS TIP:   Make time for Waterworld

It’s dazzling. 

Do. Not. Miss. This. Show.