Are skip-the-line tickets worth it if I’m visiting during a less busy time?

Even on quieter days, popular rides like *Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey* or *Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge* can still have waits of 30 minutes or more. Skip-the-line tickets help you maximize your time no matter the crowd size, so you can fit more into your day without feeling rushed.

Do skip-the-line tickets include parking or transportation to the park?

Express Tickets don’t include parking, but VIP Experience Tickets come with complimentary valet parking. General parking fees still apply unless specified, so plan accordingly. The park is also accessible via public transit, like the Metro Red Line, which drops you off near the entrance.

Are there any restrictions on using skip-the-line access for certain rides or shows?

Most rides, attractions, and shows are included with Express and VIP access, but some experiences—like special events or separately ticketed attractions—might not be covered. Also, if a ride has a virtual queue (like for new or high-demand attractions), Express access might not apply.

Can I use skip-the-line tickets for re-entry if I leave the park and come back?

Yes, both Express and VIP Experience Tickets are tied to your 1-day park admission, so you can leave and re-enter the park on the same day without losing your skip-the-line benefits. Just keep your ticket handy for re-entry and to use your Express access throughout the day.

How early should I book skip-the-line tickets to make sure I get them?

It depends on when you’re going, but booking a few weeks ahead is a safe bet, especially for peak times like summer or holidays. Express and VIP tickets can sell out fast, so the earlier you book online, the better your chances of securing them.

Universal Studios Hollywood Skip-the-Line Tickets Guide

How long are the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood gets a lot of visitors—millions every year. During busy times like summer, holidays, or weekends, you might wait over an hour for popular rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Jurassic World: The Ride. Booking tickets online ensures that you can skip the ticket counter line and head straight to security, saving you time before you even step into the park.

Getting the skip-the-line tickets takes it a step further—it doesn’t just allow you to bypass the regular lines at the ticketing counter but also gives fast-track access to rides, shows, and attractions so that you can dive into the fun as quickly as possible.

Quick overview: How to skip the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood gets crowded fast, especially on weekends, school holidays, and during Halloween season. On busy days, expect 20–60+ mins if you’re buying tickets at the gate, plus ~10–30 mins for security (can run ~30–60 mins at peak arrival times). Inside the park, popular rides can post 40–120+ min waits by late morning, so your “skip the line” strategy is mainly about reducing ride queues, not skipping security.

Direct entry tickets (From $109): Pre-book online and scan in at the turnstiles, bypassing the ticket-booth purchase line. You still queue for security screening. Best for budget travelers who can arrive at opening and prioritize 2–3 headliners early.
Express tickets (From $189): One-time priority access to most rides/attractions and many seated shows, plus standard park entry. Doesn’t skip security and can sell out on peak days. Best for one-day visitors who hate long waits; not ideal if you mainly want character meets/shopping.
VIP guided experience (From $355): Includes a guided VIP tour component plus upgraded priority access (typically the lowest waits), reserved show seating, and a meal perk. Still requires security. Best if you want maximum coverage with minimal planning; trade-off is higher cost and a more structured pace.
Early Access add-on for Super Nintendo World (From $20–30): Enter the land before general guests to ride Mario Kart with the day’s lowest waits. You need separate park admission and you still clear security. Best if SNW is your top priority; less useful if you don’t care about Nintendo.
Virtual line/app-based reservations (Price varies): When offered, you reserve a return time for select attractions to avoid standing in the full standby queue. Availability is limited and not guaranteed daily. Best as a free “queue hack” to stack with rope-drop planning.

See all your options to skip the queues at Universal Studios Hollywood ↓

Why you should book Universal Studios Hollywood skip-the-line tickets

Save time & avoid long lines

Skip the lengthy general admission queues at the ticketing counter and bypass regular lines for rides and attractions. Head straight to the action and make the most of your day.

Enjoy a stress-free experience

With skip-the-line access, you don’t need to worry about long wait times or missing out on popular rides, shows, or timed experiences. Instead, focus on creating unforgettable memories.

More time for exploration

Spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrilling rides, immersive worlds like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, and the world-famous Studio Tour.

Perfect for families & large groups

Avoid the frustration of keeping kids entertained in long lines. Skip-the-line tickets ensure a smoother, more enjoyable experience for families and groups of all sizes.

How long are the queues at the Universal Studios Hollywood entrance?

Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes 25,000–35,000+ visitors daily during peak season, and entry queues reflect that demand.

In peak season (June to August and late December), general admission lines typically stretch 45–75 minutes between 9am and 12pm, with waits exceeding 90 minutes on holiday weekends. On the busiest days, queues can form well before opening and wrap around the main entrance plaza along Universal City Plaza, slowing entry for large volumes of guests.
In the low season (January to early March and September), waits usually drop to 15–30 minutes, though weekends and rope-drop mornings remain the busiest.

Note: These times cover only the entry/ticket scan line; all visitors must also clear security screening afterward.

Types of queues you’ll encounter at Universal Studios Hollywood

Entry to Universal Studios Hollywood is via the main park entrance at Universal City Plaza, near Universal CityWalk. These are the main queues you’ll encounter and how skip-the-line access affects them.

Ticketing queue

Location: Outside the main gates along Universal City Plaza
Who uses it: Walk-up guests buying tickets on arrival
Average wait time: 30–60 mins (peak), 10–20 mins (off-peak)
Skip-the-line? Yes, with pre-booked tickets

Main entry line (ticket scan)

Location: At the turnstiles just inside the entrance gates
Who uses it: All guests entering the park
Average wait time: 15–30 mins (peak), 5–10 mins (off-peak)
Skip-the-line? Partially, faster with pre-booked or Express tickets

Security screening

Location: Before the park entrance, near CityWalk access points
Who uses it: All visitors, including Express and VIP guests
Average wait time: 10–25 mins (peak), 5–10 mins (off-peak)
Skip-the-line? No, mandatory for everyone

Express ride entrances

Location: Separate Express queues at participating attractions
Who uses it: Universal Express ticket holders
Average wait time: 5–20 mins (peak), minimal off-peak
Skip-the-line? Yes, skips regular ride queues

VIP Experience entrance

Location: VIP reception area near the main entrance
Who uses it: VIP Experience guests only
Average wait time: 5–10 mins
Skip-the-line? Yes for attractions and shows, not security

How to skip the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood

Book tickets online

Book your Universal Express ticket or Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience online to skip the long wait lines at the ticketing counter. With pre-booked tickets, you can fast-track your entry into the park and start enjoying the attractions right away.

Visit during the early hours

Avoid peak crowds by visiting early in the morning on weekdays. Universal Studios Hollywood typically opens its gates at 9am (or earlier during peak seasons), and arriving at opening time gives you a head start on the day’s adventures with shorter lines.

Universal Studios Hollywood timings

Check out Universal Studios Hollywood hours to plan your visit. Arriving early or visiting during off-peak times can help you maximize your skip-the-line benefits and enjoy a less crowded experience.

Which line do skip-the-line ticket holders use?

Everyone uses the same main entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood. After you get past the entry area, you’ll see lines for the ticket counter and security. If you’ve got skip-the-line tickets already, you skip the ticket counter line and head straight to security. From there, you’ll use the designated Express lanes at each ride, attraction, or show for faster access, depending on your ticket type.

Universal Studios Hollywood skip-the-line ticket options

Universal Studios Hollywood Express Tickets

Best for: Thrill-seekers and families looking to maximize their day with minimal wait times.
With the Universal Express ticket get one-time Express access to each ride, attraction, and show, allowing you to bypass regular lines and dive straight into the fun. This ticket includes 1-day park entry and priority access to major attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and the Studio Tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Tickets

Best for: Movie buffs, luxury seekers, and those wanting a personalized, in-depth park experience.
Enjoy unlimited Express access, a private VIP guide, exclusive Backlot tours, gourmet dining, and more with the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience. This premium experience offers a luxurious, behind-the-scenes look at Universal Studios Hollywood with added perks like valet parking.

Compare your Universal Studios Hollywood ticket options

Ticket type	Wait times	Queues	Access/route	Best for	Price	Book
On-site ticket (walk-up)	60–90 mins (peak)	❌ None	Buy tickets at the gate, then standard entry	Last-minute visitors with high wait tolerance (not recommended)	Varies	On-site
Pre-booked general admission	10–30 mins	✅ Ticketing queue	Scan-and-go entry at turnstiles	Budget travelers who arrive early and rope-drop rides	From $109	Admission ticket
Universal Express	5–20 mins per ride	✅ Ride queues	One-time Express access to most rides & shows, park admission	One-day visitors who want to avoid long ride waits	From $189	Express Pass
VIP Experience	5–10 mins	✅ Ride & show queues	Guided VIP tour, unlimited Express, reserved seating, meal perks, valet parking	Those who want maximum coverage with minimal planning	From $355	VIP Experience ticket

Frequently asked questions about Universal Studios skip-the-line tickets

No, everyone has to go through security at the entrance, even with Express or VIP tickets. These tickets help you skip the ticket counter and ride lines, but security checks are mandatory for all guests to ensure safety.