Universal Studios Hollywood and the art of making movies a theme park
Published on 09/17/2026 at 07:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is both a working film studio and a theme park laid out across the slopes of Universal City in the Hollywood Hills. The site traces its studio origins back to 1912, while the Studio Tour that anchors the modern park opened as a dedicated tram attraction in 1964.
A hillside theme park built around a studio lot
Universal Studios Hollywood occupies a hillside overlooking the San Fernando Valley, with the studio backlot spreading out below the theme park levels. The complex sits in Universal City, a distinct area within Los Angeles County given over largely to studio facilities and visitor amenities.Universal City location
The layout of the park is arranged around two main levels, known as the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot, which are linked by a long escalator system referred to as the Starway. The Upper Lot lies closest to the entrance and to Universal CityWalk, the open-air dining and entertainment area, while the Lower Lot sits closer to large soundstages and outdoor sets on the studio side.Upper and Lower Lot layout
From early studio visits to the 1964 Studio Tour
Visitors have been invited onto the Universal studio grounds in various forms since the silent film era, when people could watch filming from seating areas near the sets. That informal arrangement developed over the decades into a structured attraction: the Studio Tour, which opened on 15 July 1964 as the centrepiece of a newly organised theme park visit.Studio Tour opening date
The tram-based Studio Tour takes visitors through parts of the 415-acre lot, passing soundstages, outdoor sets and purpose-built effects sequences linked to films and television shows associated with Universal. Over the years the tour has incorporated set pieces such as encounters with Jaws, earthquake scenes and flood effects, blending glimpses of working production areas with designed experiences that play out around the trams.history of the tour
Rides, themed lands and CityWalk
Beyond the Studio Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood has built a collection of rides and lands around well-known film and game properties, including areas based on The Simpsons and Harry Potter. In recent years, new sections inspired by interactive franchises such as Mario Kart have added further indoor and outdoor attractions alongside long-standing shows and stunt performances.attraction themes
Adjacent to the park gates, Universal CityWalk forms a separate but connected district of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. This pedestrian area includes a cinema complex and an outdoor stage used for concerts, extending the visit beyond rides into evening events and dining in view of the studio buildings.theme park and CityWalk
Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Universal Studios Hollywood stands in Universal City in the northern part of Los Angeles, reached by road connections including US 101 and by local rail links serving the nearby Universal City/Studio City station.
- The park is set on a hillside, with movement between the Upper Lot and Lower Lot relying on long escalators and graded walkways, so visitors cover changes in level on foot.
- English is the official language in this part of the United States and the national currency is the US dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Universal Studios Hollywood on social platforms
These links open searches for Universal Studios Hollywood on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Universal Studios Hollywood
Where is Universal Studios Hollywood located?
Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Universal City in Los Angeles County, on a hillside site near the Hollywood district.
What can visitors expect on a visit?
A visit combines the tram-based Studio Tour through real sets and soundstages with themed rides, shows and dining areas spread across Upper and Lower Lots.
What makes Universal Studios Hollywood distinctive among theme parks?
Its defining feature is the close integration of an active film and television production studio with a theme park built on the same hillside grounds.
