Universal Studios Hollywood Parking Tips, Guide, Discounts

Unlike planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando on the East Coast where many guests use a transportation service, a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood more than likely entails planning for parking.

Additionally, much like Disneyland in Anaheim which has a variety of parking areas for guests, Universal Studios Hollywood offers many options. This makes parking a detail you should not gloss over.

In fact, there’s more to know about parking at Universal Studios Hollywood than you might expect. Because we visit Universal Studios Hollywood so often, we’ve curated all the information you need to know on parking, including the best tips and practices for you to have a great vacation in the theme park.

Read on for everything you need to know about Universal Studios Hollywood parking, including cost, how to get the best deals on parking, and where to park.

Free Universal Studios Hollywood Vacation Quote

Purchasing your tickets before you arrive eliminates the time you would’ve spent in line at the ticket booth and gets you into the park quicker. Another benefit to advanced ticket orders is the opportunity to save money. We partner with Universal Studio’s top travel partner to offer discounts on tickets exclusively for our readers.

For the best prices on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets and info on how to avoid scammy tickets, visit our guide to discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.

Understanding Your Parking Options at Universal Studios Hollywood

Generally, parking garages at Universal Studios Hollywood open about 30 minutes before the Universal CityWalk opens. Make sure to check operating hours before you visit the theme park or Universal CityWalk to plan how early you should arrive. You can see our guide to Universal Studios Hollywood hours for everything you need to know. 

Universal Studios Hollywood offers 4 different parking garages, named after Universal’s beloved movies: Frankenstein Garage, Jurassic Parking Garage, ET Garage, and Curious George Parking Garage. Occasionally, the Woody Woodpecker lot is used for General Parking, but it is typically reserved for Preferred and Front Gate parking. When parking in these garages, you’ve got several levels of parking fees.

General Parking Options

General Parking Before 5pm ($32): This is the standard parking option at the theme park and puts you furthest from the park entrance compared to the other parking options

General Parking After 5pm ($10): When arriving later in the day, your parking fee is dramatically discounted and is also located near the park entrance

While some parking garages are closer to the theme park and Universal CityWalk than others, they are all a short 5-10 minute from the front gate of Universal Studios Hollywood. However, because a Universal employee will guide you to a parking garage and parking spot, you aren’t able to choose 1 particular garage over another when paying for General Parking.

Preferred Parking Options

Universal Studios Hollywood also offers several options if you are looking for a parking spot closer to the theme park entrance:

Preferred Parking Before 5pm ($50): This option puts you closer to the parking entrance than General Parking – under a 3 mine walk to the security checkpoint and park entrance.

Preferred Parking After 5pm ($20): When arriving later in the day, your parking fee is dramatically discounted and is also located closer to the parking entrance.

Front Gate Parking ($70): This puts you at the closest parking spot, just steps away from the security checkpoint and the theme park, but is also the most expensive. These spots are also extremely limited in quantity and tend to fill up quickly during busier times of the year.

Valet Parking ($25 for first 2 hours, $50 after 2 hours): The most convenient parking option allows you to drop your car off before entering the parking garage. At the end of your visit, all you need to do is go to the parking drop-off area, where a Universal employee will retrieve your car for you. While extremely convenient, this is also the most expensive option if you plan on parking more than 2 hours.

Remember that parking is still subject to availability and that parking rates may change without notice.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Universal Studios Hollywood also offers a number of different charging station areas scattered throughout their different parking garages. The rate is $0.40/kWh. However, prices are subject to change without notice.

The charging station locations are:

• Frankenstein Garage: 4 ports on Level 2 and Level 7
• Jurassic Parking Garage: 8 ports on Level 1 and B1M
• ET Garage: 16 ports on Level B1
• Woody Woodpecker Lot: 1 port near Front Gate Parking
• Curious George Garage: 2 ports on Level 1

When Planning, Don't Forget About the Security Checkpoint

Although the security checkpoint is relatively quick, make sure to factor this time into your day when planning your trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The security checkpoint is where you walk through right after parking your car. At Universal Studios Hollywood, guests send their bags, backpacks, and purses through an x-ray machine, similar to those at the airport. Universal employees won't check your bag unless something suspicious is noted on the x-ray machine. You can see our full Universal Studios Hollywood bag policy guide for everything you need to know about what you can and can't bring. Additionally, all guests must pass through metal detection. 

After that, you'll head straight to Universal CityWalk or the theme park!

Read our ranking of all the Universal Studios Hollywood rides!

Which Parking Option is Best for You?

If you’re looking to park at the closest parking garage to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, this is the ranking of garages from closest to farthest. Remember though, when it comes to General Parking, Universal employees guide you to your parking garage – you do not get to choose which garage to park in.

Front Gate Parking: This garage is literally just a few steps away from the theme park main entrance.

Woody Woodpecker Lot (Preferred Parking): Parking here adds only an additional 2-3 minutes of walking time.

Frankenstein Garage and Jurassic Parking Garage: These 2 garages are much closer than the last two, with some spots in the Frankenstein Garage being almost as close to the main entrance to the theme park as the Woody Woodpecker lot.

Curious George Garage and ET Parking Garage: These 2 garages are the farthest away from the main entrance and near the back of Universal CityWalk.

How You Expect to Feel at the End of the Day May Dictate Which Parking to Purchase

If you know that your legs will be extra tired at the end of a long theme park day or if you have little ones that might get extra cranky at the end of the day, spending extra on Preferred Parking, Front Gate Parking, or even Valet Parking might be a great option for you.

Read more about the best tips for Universal Studios Express pass in our guide.

Which Parking Option is Best for Universal CityWalk?

In contrast to parking for the theme park, you won’t be spending nearly as much time on your feet at Universal CityWalk. This means that parking up close might not be as high of a priority for you. With that being said, General Parking might be a great option.

Additionally, if you’re visiting Universal CityWalk after 5pm or if you’re staying there for under 2 hours, opting for Preferred Parking or Valet Parking (under 2 hours) are great uses of your money. The major difference between Preferred Parking and Valet Parking at this point would be that Valet Parking might be a better option when you’re going for the convenience.

Additionally, you have some great ways to save money when dining or watching a movie at Universal CityWalk – more on that below!

Saving Money on Parking at Universal Studios Orlando

When looking to save money on parking, you have a few options to consider. Let’s go over those options so you can figure out which one works best for you and your family.

Valet Parking Validation from Universal CityWalk

When it comes to valet parking, you do have access to parking validations when dining at a full-service restaurant at Universal CityWalk. Validated valet parking fees are as follows:

• 0 to 2.5 hours ($10)
• 2.5 to 3.5 hours ($15)
• 3.5 hours or more ($50)

You have access to these valet parking prices when dining at the following full-service restaurants at Universal CityWalk:

• Antojitos Cocina Mexicana
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• Buca di Beppo
• Dongpo Kitchen
• Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
• Johnny Rockets
• NBC Sports Grill & Brew
• The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
• VIVO Italian Kitchen
• Wasabi

Read more about the best places to eat and shop at Universal CityWalk.

Discounted General Parking with a Movie Ticket

When watching a movie at Universal Cinema at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, you have access to $5 parking. To receive this discount, you must present your General Parking receipt at the Universal Cinema ticket window.

This offer is for one time use and must be surrendered at the time of redemption. Additionally, it cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts, or prior purchases. This offer is subject to change without notice.

Free Parking Through the Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Pass

In recent years, Universal Studios Hollywood changed the way they operate their Annual Pass program. Previously, they offered a season pass good for a set amount. This changed to where any Annual Pass purchased is valid for 12 months from the first day of use, matching with Disneyland’s Magic Key program.

While there are 4 types of Annual Passes, there are 2 that offer free General Parking before 6pm when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Gold Annual Pass ($329)
• Platinum Annual Pass ($627)

While both types of Annual Passes offer free parking when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, the major difference between the two is that the Gold Annual Pass has blackout dates, whereas the Platinum Annual Pass has no blackout dates. With that said, even with the Gold Annual Pass, you have over 325 possible days to visit the theme park, with over 75 of them being weekend days. Other perks of having these Annual Passes include 15% discounts on in-park food, beverage, and merchandise. These Annual Passes offer FlexPay, a payment option that allows you to pay for your Annual Pass with monthly installments.

Be on the lookout for deals when purchasing a Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Pass. Most recently, Universal Studios offered savings of up to $50 on an Annual Pass. Additionally, you’ll likely be able to save a little money when purchasing your Annual Pass online. However, you can always make your Annual Pass purchase at the front gate!

Plan Your Universal Studios Hollywood Vacation

To get a head start to planning your Universal vacation, subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. Here you will have access to useful planning information, exclusive Universal deals, and access to the lowest priced Universal tickets anywhere. Find more information on planning your vacation here:

1. Universal Studios Hollywood Guide
2. Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets
3. Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
4. Closest Airports to Disneyland
5. Best Hotels Near Disneyland