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You long-time frog fans know Tad as our official frog family videographer. While he toadally enjoys making ride videos for our YouTube channel, he really has set his sights on becoming the next Spielberg. For him, it doesn't get any better than Universal Studios Hollywood. It's a thrill for him to be "on location" inside the theme park that just so hoppens to be where "Back to the Future" and "Psycho" were filmed. And we know he's not the only one who's excited to visit! With the addition of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more family-friendly attractions, this theme park/working studio sure is more hopping than ever.
Whether you have a filmmaker in your family or you're just a bunch of fun seekers, it helps to know the least crowded time to visit. Lucky for you, we've got the best dates to visit Universal Studios Hollywood for 2018 and 2019 if you're planning a trip!
When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Our Los Angeles Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get a day-by-day look at expected crowds a full year in advance. If your particular dates are not listed, jump down to the comments below and ask. We frogs will be hoppy to answer. We've got a similar post devoted to the best and worst times to visit Disneyland if you hoppen to be planning visits to both. (Now, if only we could predict travel times on those SoCal highways ... that would be something!)
Harry Potter has unsurprisingly created a spike in interest and attendance at Universal Studios Hollywood. It has also fueled interest in of one of our most popular posts — when to use the Universal Express Ticket (formerly known as the Front of Line Pass) . His West Coast arrival draws Potter fans who can't make the trip to Orlando. The locals love him too. We're expecting this surge (or... lighting bolt?) of interest in Universal Studios Hollywood to continue over the next few years. And there are always whispers of Wizarding additions. Aparecium!
How Locals Influence the Best Times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2018 and 2019
If you’re used to visiting Universal Orlando Resort rather than the Hollywood original, know that there are some differences. The best times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2018 and 2019 aren't necessarily the same ones at Universal Orlando. The biggest difference are the locals. Universal Orlando has locals, but not nearly as many as those in the Los Angeles regional area. More and more of these locals are annual passholders, who think nothing of popping in for a pint of Butterbeer after the end of a long week.
While the regional passholders have a large influence on crowds, it's not all doom and gloom. Many passholders have blockout times during the times most popular with tourists — mostly summer, spring break and the holidays, but also a few weekends here and there. Looking at Universal's Silver Annual Pass available days calendar gives you a fairly good idea of the very busiest dates of the year. This is because these are the times when most of the passholders are not allowed to enter. From the second half of June through early August, the Silver Annual Passholders are blocked from entering the park entirely. That's a sure sign that there will be tourists!
Worst Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2018
Now let's hop into the key topic at hand — the dates of the best and worst times for crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood. We'll start with the bad news first (depending on how you look at it).
- Around Christmas through the second week of the New Year - Dec. 22, 2017-Jan. 6, 2018
- MLK Jr. Day Weekend - Jan. 12-15, 2018
- President's Day - Feb. 16-19, 2018
- Spring Break and Easter - March 10 - April 15, 2018
- Memorial Day Weekend - May 25-28, 2018
- June 9-Aug. 11, 2018
- Veteran's Day Weekend - Nov. 10-12, 2018;
- Thanksgiving week - Nov. 17-24, 2018
- Around Christmas through the second week of the New Year - Dec. 21, 2018-Jan. 5, 2019
Worst Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2019
- Around Christmas through the second week of the New Year - Dec. 21, 2018-Jan. 5, 2019
- MLK Jr. Day Weekend - Jan. 18-21, 2019
- President's Day - Feb. 15-18, 2019
- Spring Break and Easter - March 18-April 23, 2019
- Memorial Day Weekend - May 24-27, 2019
- June 7-Aug. 12, 2019
- Veteran's Day Weekend - Nov. 9-11, 2019
- Thanksgiving week - Nov. 16-23, 2019
- Around Christmas through the second week of the New Year - Dec. 21, 2019-Jan. 5 , 2020
Other Dates That Might See Higher Crowds
We've pulled together other days that see higher crowds, but not as high as the absolute worst days. Some of the dates listed are isolated, with the days around them generally fine. These dates do bring in more locals. Anyone out there in La-La-Land aware of other dates that are popular with locals? Share in comments below!
- Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration - May 11-12, 2018
- Opening of Dreamworks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda - June 15, 2018
- Labor Day - Sept. 3, 2018; Sept. 2, 2019
- Columbus Day (elevated crowds that entire week) - Oct. 8, 2018; Oct. 14, 2019
Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2018 and 2019
- Weekdays in January (minus the week of New Year's Day and the days around MLK Day )
- Weekdays in February (minus the days around President's Day)
- The first few days in March (until March 4, 2018 and March 11, 2019)
- The second half of April in 2018
- Weekdays in May (Minus Memorial Day Weekend)
- Mondays through Fridays the last two weeks of August
- The first half of September (except Labor Day weekend); Mondays through Thursdays for the remainder of September and October (except nights with Halloween Horror Nights or Columbus Day week)
- Mondays through Thursdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
- Mondays through Thursdays during the first half of December
So there you have it — the best and worst times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood! If you can't avoid visiting during a busy time, don't sweat it! We have a ton more hopful tips and resources to help you save time waiting in line and plan a great trip.
Related: Tips to Maximize Your Time at Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: Tips for Maximizing the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass
Keep hopping!
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