Universal Studios Hollywood Hours 2024 FAQ, Tips, & Expected Hours

Universal Studios Hollywood hours can fluctuate throughout the year but typically follow a similar pattern depending on the season. Universal Hollywood only releases their hours about a month in advance which can leave guests wondering when Universal will open and close for the day on their visit.

Keep reading for our full Universal Studios Hollywood hours analysis along with common frequently asked questions surrounding when Universal Studios Hollywood opens and closes. Plus, our full list of when Universal Studios Hollywood will likely open and close based on historical park hours. And how to access Super Nintendo World before park opening!

How to Check Universal Studios Hollywood Park Hours

Universal Studios Hollywood only releases their hours about a month in advance on the Universal website. Because of this short time frame we have projections on hours based on historical data from previous years.

But usually, only the opening and closing times will be posted and the entertainment schedule will only be available on the Universal Studios Hollywood app.

Universal Studios Hollywood hours will change throughout the year depending on the season, anticipated crowd levels, and this also impacts what type of entertainment is offered and how often.

What Time Does Universal Studios Hollywood Open?

Universal Studios Hollywood opening schedule fluctuates throughout the year. During less crowded times of the year the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will open later in the morning with busier times of the year offering earlier opening times.

Here is a breakdown of the typical Universal Studios Hollywood opening hours you can expect:

• 8AM – peak travel days, weekends
• 9AM – most times of the year, weekends
• 10AM – slow times of the year, weekdays

During the majority of the year, you can expect to see Universal Studios Hollywood open at 9AM. Although some peak travel times will also see longer hours, more on this below!

This has been the pattern since Super Nintendo World has opened which is now offered for Early Entry.

Super Nintendo World Early Access

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is the number one draw in the entire park at the moment. This land has been increasingly popular since it opened and the demand is high for the experiences in the land. It's not uncommon to see Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (the main e-ticket attraction in the land) to reach wait times of over two hours, even three hours during peak times of the year.

Not only is the attraction a huge draw, the restaurant inside the land is also popular along with all the Super Nintendo immersive game experiences. This is all what makes early access for Super Nintendo World so appealing.

Universal Studios Hollywood is currently offering tickets (purchased separately before regular park admission) to enter Super Nintendo World an hour before the park officially opens.

This might be one of the best ways to access Super Nintendo World right now. Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket is an add-on option to your existing Universal Hollywood ticket. The ticket includes early access to Super Nintendo for one hour prior to the scheduled park opening time. So if Universal Studios Hollywood opens at 8AM, your early access ticket for Super Nintendo World will be from 7AM-8AM.

The ticket also includes one-time express line access to the Studio Tour until 11AM. The price for a ticket is around $20-30 per person.

See more on Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices here.

Discount Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, offers the best Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

Can You Enter Universal Studios Hollywood Before it Opens?

Technically, all guests will get the opportunity to enter Universal Studios Hollywood before the park opens. Universal will typically start scanning tickets and allowing guests to enter the gates about 30 minutes prior to park opening.

You won't be able to access the attractions until the park officially opens but this does give you a head start at positioning yourself near the areas you want to explore first. You can see our full guide to Universal Hollywood parking to look ahead at the options that are available if you are driving there.

The only other method to entering Universal Studios Hollywood before park opening is to purchase a Super Nintendo World early access ticket.

There is no early entry associated with hotels since Universal Studios Hollywood is much smaller in size than Universal Orlando and does not have its own official hotels on site.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close?

Universal Studios Hollywood follows a similar pattern with closing hours like it does for opening hours. The busier the park day, the later the parks will remain open. The earliest that Universal Studios Hollywood will close is 6PM and the latest it will stay open is 10PM with the exception of Halloween Horror Nights which are a late night ticketed event.

Here is a breakdown of the typical Universal Studios Hollywood closing hours you can expect:

• 6PM, 7PM – slow times of the year, weekdays
• 8PM, 9PM – most times of the year, weekends
• 10PM – busiest times of the year, weekends

This pattern of longer Universal Studios Hollywood hours happens most often during these times of the year:

• the first week of January
• Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend, January
• Presidents Day weekend, February
• March
• April
• June through mid-August
• September
• October
• November
• December

These times of the year reflect some of the busiest times at Universal Studios Hollywood including the Halloween and Christmas season, summer, and spring break. You will also see holidays extended during three-day weekends (think Presidents Day, Memorial Day, etc.) as Universal Studios Hollywood will anticipate more crowds during those times of the year.

Can You Stay at Universal Studios Hollywood After Park Closing?

When Universal Studios Hollywood officially closes for the night, the stores will remain open for an additional hour for guests to do their shopping. So you technically can stay inside the park for up to an hour after the official closing time. This is pretty typical of most theme parks as they want guests to spend their time in the stores before leaving the parks for the night.

As for attractions, as long as you are in line for a ride before the park closes then you will be able to experience the attraction. For example, if Harry Potter Forbidden Journey has a wait of 60 minutes and the park closes at 10PM you will need to get in line before that time. Even if you hop in line at 9:59PM you will be able to ride! This is why it's a good strategy to save those longer lines right before the park closes so that time spent in line is when the park is closed for the day anyways.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close During the Off-Season?

Universal Studios Hollywood can close as early as 6PM for the off-season which is often considered weekdays in less busier months like January and February.

Even during peak times of the year, Universal Studios Hollywood will always close earlier on weekdays than on weekends. So if you want to enjoy the parks late into the night, visiting on a weekend is your best bet.

When Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close for Special Events?

Universal Studios Hollywood may close early on nights that Halloween Horror Nights are being held. This is easily one of the most popular events in the area for Halloween and draws large crowds.

Halloween Horror Nights often officially starts at 7PM and on those nights Universal Studios will usually close at 5PM as the park begins to transform into Halloween Horror Nights. If you do not have a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights you will have to leave the parks as it closes for the event.

Does Universal Studios Hollywood Close for Rain?

Universal Studios Hollywood does not close for the rain except for in extreme circumstances. Theme parks often continue to run in all weather conditions with the rare exceptions of extreme weather.

Some outdoor rides may close during periods of rain and will often reopen once the rain passes. Luckily, the majority of the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood are indoor so this won't impact too many attractions.

When is Universal Studios Hollywood Early Entry?

The only Universal Studios Hollywood early entry offered is the ticket access for Super Nintendo World. This usually takes place one hour before the park officially opens and allows access to only Super Nintendo World.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Closed on Thanksgiving?

No, Universal Studios Hollywood is open year round including Thanksgiving. You can expect large crowds for Universal on holidays even ones like Thanksgiving. This is an ideal time to plan on purchasing Express Pass.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Closed on Christmas? 

No, Universal Studios Hollywood is always open for Christmas and Christmas Eve! This is one of the busiest days of the entire year to be at Universal Studios Hollywood! This is a must to purchase Express Pass to avoid all the long lines.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood Open on New Year's Eve?

Yes! This is often known as being the busiest day of the year at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood will usually stay open late with a large celebration taking place until midnight with DJs, food, and drinks. This is a popular event among locals and you can expect large crowds to come out to celebrate.

Universal Studios Hollywood Hours FAQ 2024