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 Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more family-friendly attractions, this theme park/working studio sure is more hopping than ever! Plus, we get to explore Super Nintendo World. Woohoo! Whether you have a filmmaker in your family or you're just a bunch of fun-seekers, it helps to know not only what to expect when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, but also, when to plan your trip. And, action!
When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 and 2024
While there is no reservation system in place at Universal Studios Hollywood, tickets are date-based, effectively limiting capacity each day through the number of tickets sold.
That means it's important to purchase your tickets ahead of time so that your preferred dates aren't sold out. And one other piece of advice: During our recent trips, Express Passes have become more useful than ever in maximizing our time at the parks. Much like admission, it's best to purchase your Express Passes in advance (they can sell out, and more so, the advanced online price is usually the lowest). (Psst ... Undercover Tourist can save you some green on your tickets, as well as Express Pass!)
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!)
How Locals Influence the Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 and 2024
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 2023 and 2024 aren't necessarily the same ones at Universal Orlando.
The biggest difference is 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. A lot of passholders visit on Saturdays, so that may influence you to visit during the week if you can.
While the regional passholders have a large influence on crowds, it's not all doom and gloom. Many passholders have blackout 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.
Now let's hop into the key topic at hand — the dates of the best and worst times for crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood. The big draw this year is going to be the opening of Super Nintendo World Feb. 17, 2023. Hop over to our full guide to see all that we know about Super Nintendo World. With the 100 Years of Wonder celebration kicking off at Disneyland in late January 2023, we expect February and March to be busier than usual in the greater Los Angeles area. Likewise, summer breaks are a big draw at Universal Studios Hollywood. Summer breaks are a big draw for visitors, as well.
Expected Busiest Days at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023
Here are the days we expect to be the busiest at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023:
- Jan. 1-8, Jan. 13-16
- Feb. 17-20
- March 11 - April 16
- Weekends in May, plus Memorial Day
- Second half of June
- July
- Aug. 1-13
- Sept. 1-4; Sept. 22-25
- Oct. 2-23
- Nov. 17-26
- Dec. 17-31
Expected Busiest Days at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024
Here are the days we expect to be the busiest at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024:
- Jan. 1-7, Jan. 12-15
- Feb. 16-19
- March 9 - April 7
- Weekends in May, plus Memorial Day
- Second half of June
- July
- Aug. 1-11
- Aug. 30 - Sept. 2
- Oct. 2-14
- Nov. 22 - Dec. 1
- Dec. 21-31
*The fall of Easter impacts Universal crowds in the spring. Some school districts base their spring break around Easter; others do not. When Easter falls earlier in the season, March or early April, it has the effect of making a more intense, but shorter spring break season. That's the case in both 2023, when Easter is April 9, and 2024, when Easter is March 31. When Easter falls later, the effect is a longer but less intense spring break season. Many California universities consistently have spring break at the end of March, which can affect crowds then.
Other Dates That Might See Higher Crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood
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 the comments below!
- Yom Kippur (when it falls on a weekday) - Sept. 24, 2023, and Oct. 11, 2024
- Columbus Day - Oct. 9, 2023, and Oct. 14, 2024
- Utah and Arizona fall breaks in October
- Veterans Day (and Veterans Day Observed) - Nov. 11
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 16, 2023, and Jan. 15, 2024
- Presidents Day - Feb. 20, 2023, and Feb. 19, 2024
- Caesar Chavez Day (when it falls on a weekday) - March 31, 2023
- Memorial Day - May 29, 2023, and May 27, 2024
- Labor Day - Sept. 4, 2023, and Sept. 2, 2024
Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023
Here are the days we expect to have the lowest crowd levels at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023:
- Weekdays in January (minus the week of New Year's Day and the days around MLK Day)
- Weekdays in February (minus the days around Presidents Day)
- March 1-10
- April 17-30
- Weekdays in May (except for Memorial Day)
- The last two weeks of August
- Tuesdays through Thursdays for the second half of September and the second half of October
- Mondays through Thursdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
- Mondays through Thursdays during the first half of December
Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024
Here are the days we expect to have the lowest crowd levels at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024:
- Weekdays in January (minus the week of New Year's Day and the days around MLK Day)
- Weekdays in February (minus the days around Presidents Day)
- The first few days in March (until March 9)
- April 8-30
- Weekdays in May (except for Memorial Day)
- Weekends during the last two weeks of August
- The first half of September; Tuesdays through Thursdays for the remainder of September and the second half of October
- November (minus the week of Thanksgiving and Veterans Day)
- The first half of December (weekends may have more people than during the week but not as bad as the holiday week. Plus, the park also has longer hours and more evening entertainment on weekends.)
Something to keep in mind if you visit weekends in September and October is Halloween Horror Nights. This separately ticketed event takes place after park hours on select nights. If you visit during the day on those days, you'll see more crowds coming in starting at 2 p.m. The parks may close earlier than usual by about 6 p.m. Hop over to our guide to Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood to learn more.
So there you have it — the best and worst times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 and 2024! 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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