Common Studios Hollywood is considered one of Southern California’s finest theme parks, and an amazing facet journey in case you’re visiting Disneyland. This USH planning information provides suggestions & methods that can assist you lower your expenses & time, keep away from crowds, the place to eat, and finest rides to do on the “Leisure Capital of Los Angeles.” (Up to date January 13, 2023.)
Common Studios Hollywood goes to have a enormous 2023. Though the favored Halloween Horror Nights and Holidays at USH seasons are actually over till September 2023, so much is going on early this yr. Lunar New Yr celebrations with conventional leisure and costumed characters like Kung Fu Panda, Minions, and Mandarin-speaking Megatron from Transformers.
Additionally in early 2023, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, a brand new restaurant and confectionery opens in Common CityWalk. The world well-known studio tour has a brand new scene that includes Jupiter’s Declare from Nope. Nonetheless, all of that is comparatively insignificant as in comparison with the 800 pound plumber within the room…
Tremendous Nintendo World opens on February 17, 2023 at Common Studios Hollywood! This marks the official arrival of Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and different iconic Nintendo characters to the US theme park scene. It’s the second of three variations of the land; with the primary already open in Common Studios Japan.
We had the possibility to expertise the USJ model of Tremendous Nintendo World and it’s really one thing particular. The dynamic land might be a visible spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity situated inside a newly expanded space of Common Studios Hollywood. Tremendous Nintendo World will function the groundbreaking Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem journey, in addition to many interactive actions designed to have interaction your complete household throughout the charming Mushroom Kingdom.
January 13, 2023 Replace: Tremendous Nintendo World is at the moment in technical rehearsals, which is Common’s model of a gentle opening. We attended the primary day of those and bought an opportunity to spend a number of hours within the new land, eat a lot of the menu at Toadstool Cafe, do the Energy-Up Band minigames, and rather more.
Tremendous Nintendo World is predicted to proceed technical rehearsals till Annual Go previews (see beneath dates) begin. These are unscheduled previews and should not assured to happen each day. For instance, Tremendous Nintendo World opened after the remainder of USH and closed previous to park closing. (It’s our understanding that the present lighting wasn’t fairly prepared, so the land was cleared shortly after sundown.)
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem had downtime and lengthy strains all through the day, and the land as an entire shouldn’t be completely completed or utterly polished. In case you’re planning to go to Common Studios Hollywood previous to the land’s official opening date, you would possibly get fortunate. We’d warning towards doing a visit with the expectation of experiencing gentle openings of Tremendous Nintendo World, as you would possibly get burnt. (In all probability not a giant deal for APs, however we’d not guess the price of a single-day ticket on gentle openings!)
If there’s curiosity, tell us within the feedback and we’ll share a separate put up in regards to the gentle openings of Tremendous Nintendo World. In any other case, anticipate protection starting after the primary AP preview date. Within the meantime, take a look at our ideas in Tremendous Nintendo World Assessment: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly. In case you’re searching for extra Mario Kart information, see our Journey Assessment: Mario Kart Bowser’s Problem. (Each critiques are based mostly on the USJ model of Tremendous Nintendo World.)
The blockbuster new Tremendous Nintendo World may also supply Annual Passholder previews on January 29, 30, and 31; in addition to February 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Registration for these previews opens on January 5, 2023.
It ought to go with out saying, however Tremendous Nintendo World goes to attract colossal crowds to Common Studios Hollywood all through 2023. Mario is extra recognizable than Mickey Mouse, and tens of millions of children and adults are undoubtedly wanting to step into their favourite video video games. That is going to show Common Studios Hollywood right into a trip vacation spot for guests from across the nation.
Compounding the group problem is the dimension of Tremendous Nintendo World. The one at Common Studios Japan is barely bigger, and it’s nonetheless very small. Because of that compact footprint coupled with excessive demand, the Japan model makes use of a timed-entry system for accessing Tremendous Nintendo World.
Formally, Common Studios Hollywood has acknowledged that Tremendous Nintendo World won’t require advance reservations. Company will be capable of enter the land as traditional, as long as it’s not at capability. If Tremendous Nintendo World is at capability, make reservation from the USH app whereas inside park, or kiosk on Decrease Lot.
Some Common followers have construed this as a “win” and indicative of Common not utilizing comparable digital queues as Disney. Nonetheless, that’s a bit deceptive. Tremendous Nintendo World at Common Studios Japan is so small that it routinely hits capability inside minutes of official park opening, after which strikes to timed entry for the rest of the day.
Common Studios Hollywood is a unique beast, with later-arriving crowds and totally different demographics. However, our expectation is that demand for the brand new land will far exceed capability, and the remainder of the park will grow to be a ready room of kinds for Tremendous Nintendo World. Meaning enormous crowds and lengthy waits all through your complete park all through 2023.
The excellent news is that Common Studios Hollywood has improved tremendously within the final a number of years, so these in that glorified ready room for Tremendous Nintendo World could have a blast! The Studio Tour, WaterWorld Stunt Present, and Jurassic World: the Journey (that includes a brand new Indominus Rex) are all superior.
On the family-friendly entrance, there’s the Secret Lifetime of Pets: Off the Leash. We reviewed this in Common’s New Darkish Journey Rivals Disney’s Greatest! Because the title suggests, that article is filled with effusive reward, as this family-friendly darkish journey based mostly on the hit movie franchise is completely incredible. It’s an amazing change of tempo from the standard thrill rides at USH!
Past that, Common Studios Hollywood has modified a lot within the final 5 years–and for the higher. The largest latest addition is the aforementioned Secret Lifetime of Pets: Off the Leash. Previous to that, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was added to the higher lot. On the decrease lot, there’s the newly-redone Jurassic World space, which incorporates Raptor Encounter, DinoPlay, Isla Nu-bar, and Jurassic World — The Journey.
Enormous areas of USH have already got been dramatically remodeled from how they have been a couple of decade in the past after we first purchased our Common Studios Hollywood Annual Passes. The long run past Tremendous Nintendo World can also be brilliant, with a brand new curler coaster that begins within the higher lot and descends to the decrease lot seemingly on the horizon, plus alternative stage exhibits and different leisure.
Within the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer season Olympics, there are different long-term plans so as to add extra rides to this hybrid of a theme park and dealing movie studio. That ‘hybrid’ nature of the park is vital to Common Studios Hollywood’s success, and what makes it distinct from each different theme parks in Southern California and different studio excursions at Warner Brothers, Paramount, and Sony.
This additionally makes it considerably totally different from Common Orlando Resort, with far fewer points of interest (and just one park), however that doesn’t essentially imply it’s a pale imitator or inferior substitute. Very like Disneyland is smaller than Walt Disney World however provides a wonderful, albeit totally different expertise, so too does Common Studios Hollywood. And a part of that is as a result of of its hybrid nature, not despite it.
With that mentioned, right here’s what that you must find out about visiting Common Studios Hollywood, the place you may journey the films!
When to Go to
Only a few persons are in all probability planning a visit to Los Angeles solely for Common Studios Hollywood. Most of you’re in all probability including on a day as a part of your Disneyland or Southern California trip, so the reply to that is straightforward…everytime you’re coming to California.
On this regard, crowd patterns at Disneyland translate fairly equally to Common Studios Hollywood. The busy season at one is the busy season on the different, and vice-a-versa with sluggish seasons. Crowds at each are based upon college schedules–primarily these of Los Angeles and Orange County, California (however to a lesser diploma, the western United States). You may mainly consult with our When to Go to Disneyland put up to find out when to go to.
As for when to go to California, we’re a fan of the autumn and winter months. Summer season doesn’t get humid like Florida and lots of different states, however it may be sizzling. Extra importantly, that’s when everybody else involves California–which means crowds.
Park Tickets
There are a few good choices for saving cash on Common Studios Hollywood tickets, each by way of Get Away Right this moment. The primary is shopping for a Disneyland + Common Studios Hollywood combo move. In case you don’t plan on doing Disneyland, Common’s “Second Day Free” ticket possibility lets you unfold your go to over a number of days.
Two full days is overkill, however we love doing a night one night time adopted by arriving for rope drop on day two. Even in case you do each single present, attraction, 2 meals, and spend time exploring, it is best to be capable of accomplish all the pieces in a single full day if you’re fairly environment friendly.
Spreading issues out over an evening and the next morning makes issues much more nice, and means far much less ready in line. Plus, it provides you an opportunity to expertise each day and night time within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. (Talking of which, enormous Harry Potter followers who wish to spend a whole day in Hogsmeade, after which elect to spend a second day doing the remainder of the park.)
In case you’re contemplating doing greater than a few days, you would possibly contemplate an Annual Go. This largely applies to Californians who would possibly wish to revisit later within the yr. We’ve got the bottom tier (the “Season Go”) and it price us barely lower than a 2-day ticket. There are blockout dates and this move doesn’t embody parking, but it surely has been an amazing worth for us.
You may also discover low cost provides on 1-day tickets or Annual Passes at Costco, Ralph’s, Vons, and different California grocers. Sam’s Membership and AAA typically supply reductions on tickets for his or her members, so make sure you verify that out in case you’re eligible.
Technique
In case you’re driving to Common Studios Hollywood, add half-hour to no matter Google Maps estimates as your drive time so you may arrive earlier than park opening. In case you’re attempting to make it out of your Disneyland-area resort to Common Studios Hollywood for rope drop, there’s an inexpensive probability you’ll be driving throughout at the very least a part of rush hour. While you sit at your pc and plan this all out at 11 p.m., this visitors gained’t be accounted for.
The plus facet to leaving early and arriving to USH at rope drop is that few different individuals will do it. Los Angelenos are unfamiliar with the idea of being “on time” for the reason that visitors gods roughly preclude that. Crowds have a tendency to point out up about 1-2 hours after park opening, and have a tendency to tour the park in a predictable method. If you will get forward of the wave of crowds, you may actually come out forward at Common Studios Hollywood.
Upon arrival, right here ought to be your priorities, so as:
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
- Secret Lifetime of Pets: Off the Leash
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- The Simpsons Journey
- Transformers: The Journey 3D
- Jurassic World – The Journey
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Journey
- Lunch
- Reveals
- Studio Tour
Okay, a little bit of rationalization for all of that. First, we strongly encourage all however probably the most hardcore Harry Potter followers to skip Ollivanders. It’s mainly a pre-show for purchasing wands, and takes worthwhile time early within the morning. Likewise, Flight of the Hippogriff is a waste of time in case you’re over the age of 5.
Second, your fundamental objective ought to be getting all the way down to the Decrease Lot points of interest (Transformers, Jurassic World, and Revenge of the Mummy) earlier than lunch. This space of the park, separated by a collection of escalators, tends to be useless within the morning. The truth is, in case you skip all the pieces above these attraction and go straight to the Decrease Lot, it is possible for you to to walk-on to those points of interest with no wait a number of instances.
Secret Lifetime of Pets, Forbidden Journey, Simpsons, and Despicable Me are the 4 points of interest which might be going to attract lengthy waits early-on. It’s because they’re the favored rides close to the entrance of the park. In case you can journey these earlier than the “crowd wave”, superior. If not, save them till the top of the day when strains will taper off.
In case you’re keen to make use of it, Single Rider will save a ton of time throughout busier instances. Single Rider is obtainable on the following points of interest:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Jurassic World – The Journey
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Journey
- Transformers: The Journey 3D
Whereas we like (and suggest) doing all the exhibits, the largest can’t miss at Common Studios Hollywood is the Studio Tour. Don’t confuse its placement on the itinerary above because it being of low significance. It’s the must-do at USH. (We solely place it later within the day as strains are inclined to get shorter later within the day.) Don’t miss it.
In case you’re visiting throughout a season when the Nighttime Studio Tour is being provided, we extremely suggest doing each the common Studio Tour and the Nighttime model. Each journey on the Studio Tour is totally different, however night time brings a brand new factor to the attraction.
Severely, we can not stress it sufficient: do the Studio Tour. That is the defining attraction of Common Studios Hollywood, and the one factor we make some extent of doing every time we go to. (Simply don’t get your hopes up in regards to the Quick and the Livid sequence…it has extra cheesiness than the films, however with out the redeeming allure and coronary heart.)
Gate A/Entrance of Line Go
“Gate A” is Common Studios Hollywood’s “Entrance of Line” move, which is like FastPass at Disneyland, besides that Gate A prices cash. In some circumstances, a lot of cash. Costs for Gate A begin at +$100 the price of single day tickets and enhance in price relying upon the season (the busier it’s, the extra you pay).
We aren’t proponents of buying Gate A except you’re going throughout the peak of vacationer season (suppose summer time, spring break, or any nationwide holidays), and even then, we’d advocate benefiting from Common Studios Hollywood’s many Single Rider strains or arriving at park opening and using an environment friendly park touring technique just like the one above.
In case you observe our plan above, the Entrance of Line/Gate A move is simply not needed the overwhelming majority of the time. Possibly it could be on like the ten busiest days of the yr, however we have now by no means had a difficulty doing all the pieces in USH throughout a single day with out Gate A.
The place to Keep
There are a variety of variables that play into this. First, are you visiting Common Studios Hollywood as a day-trip from Disneyland? Is the go to a part of a Southern California trip? A California highway journey? Let’s deal with every of those…
Disneyland Day Journey – Follow your resort in Anaheim and simply drive there and again. Visitors apart, that is fairly easy. Common doesn’t open on the break of day, so that you’ll have an inexpensive quantity of transit time whereas nonetheless with the ability to make park opening.
Southern California Trip – In case you’re doing this and don’t thoughts altering lodges as soon as–which is what we suggest–we’d recommend doing (at the very least) a break up keep, having a resort in Orange County/Anaheim for the Disneyland, seaside, and no matter else within the O.C. portion of your journey, after which a separate resort in Los Angeles or close to Common Studios Hollywood.
California Street Journey – In case you’re doing a highway journey down/up the state (let’s say flying into San Diego and flying out of San Francisco with a one-way automobile rental), we’d suggest Common Studios Hollywood being what you do in your final day within the Los Angeles space earlier than heading north.
The night time earlier than, keep in L.A., however the night time after, drive as much as Santa Barbara. It’s a bit over an hour drive, however getting again to your (a lot nearer, distance-wise) resort in L.A. may take simply as lengthy that night time. Staying in Santa Barbara will get you away from town and ready to take pleasure in dawn over the ocean the following morning with out having to battle visitors to go north.
In the case of particular lodges close to USH, we just like the Garland and Sheraton Common Resort. Each are actually near the park, with the Sheraton being a brief stroll and the Garland being a brief (free!) shuttle journey. You’ll additionally discover the Hilton Los Angeles/Common Metropolis “on-site” at Common Studios Hollywood.
There’s additionally a Metro Pink Line station at Common Studios Hollywood, making something alongside the Pink Line tremendous handy to the park, together with choices in Downtown LA. Relatively than going for a bland chain, you would possibly contemplate one thing eclectic or with old-Hollywood allure, just like the Safari Inn.
When reserving in Los Angeles, be conscious of neighborhoods, parking prices, and resort charges. In case you discover a “too good to be true” value, it in all probability is. If you’re choosing a resort particularly for USH, we suggest trying north of downtown Los Angeles. Burbank and Glendale might be higher choices than Hollywood/Los Angeles. Neighborhoods like North Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, and Los Feliz are additionally good picks.
To save cash, take a look at the Common Studios Hollywood resort + ticket packages provided by way of Get Away Right this moment. They’ve a number of lodges from which to decide on, however our prime choose is unquestionably the Garland. It’s an amazing resort-style property with a ton of character, nice rooms, and posh facilities. The Sheraton can also be stylish and good, but it surely’s the sort of resort you would discover anyplace.
Transportation
There are not any two methods about this: driving in Los Angeles sucks. And, in case you’re visiting Common Studios Hollywood, there’s a superb probability you’ll drive by way of L.A. to get there. Nonetheless, that doesn’t need to be the case!
As famous above, there’s a Metro Pink Line station situated at Common Metropolis, which is a brief stroll from each the park itself and CityWalk. The Metro Pink Line is a subway operating between Downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood, with stops in or close to the Civic Heart, Monetary District, Wilshire Boulevard, Hollywood & Sundown Boulevards, Koreatown, and the San Fernando Valley.
Even in case you’re staying in Orange County close to Disneyland, you will get to Common Studios Hollywood with out driving. Merely take the Pacific Surfliner from Anaheim to Union Station in Los Angeles, the place you may then catch the Metro. We solely suggest this for probably the most traffic-averse, as it’s a little bit of a problem.
Most individuals will wish to drive themselves from Disneyland to Common Studios Hollywood. There aren’t any good shuttles, Uber is just too expensive, and public transit might be convoluted and inefficient. Sadly, visitors might be dangerous too, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Plan on at the very least an hour, and doubtlessly nearer to 2 relying upon visitors.
For probably the most half, in case you’re visiting California and plan to go anyplace off Disneyland property, you’ll wish to hire a automobile. Visitors might be intimidating, however in case you drive between the hours of 10 am and three pm or 9 pm and seven am, you’ll be completely high quality. We’ve executed plenty of one-day leases from rental automobile businesses inside strolling distance of Disneyland, after which have simply executed after-hours drop-offs.
As for airfare, rental vehicles, and different fundamentals, right here’s my commonplace information: for locating low cost airfare, we suggest ITA Software program by Google. It’s probably the most strong airfare search engine on the market, though you may’t e-book by way of it. It provides latitude in selecting a number of airports, versatile journey dates, and extra.
Eating
When you journey the films proper into the present store and purchase the films along with your American Categorical–official bank card of the Leisure Capital of L.A.–it’s time to dine (at?) the films.
In case you’re high quality with counter service eating, Common Studios Hollywood has a number of stable choices contained in the park. As an entire, I don’t suppose the culinary expertise is on par with Disneyland’s, however the highlights are greater than serviceable. One of the best choices, in my thoughts, are the counter service eating places within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Three Broomsticks) and the Simpsons eating places in Springfield.
The meals at Three Broomsticks is costly, but it surely’s near-table service high quality. The Simpsons meals is usually responsible pleasure stuff, however the burgers and waffle hen sandwich are glorious. Don’t knock them till you’ve tried ’em!
Then there are the snacks. Common Hollywood’s snack sport is sturdy. Holy cow. Clearly, you’re going to wish to strive Butterbeer–maybe all three varieties.
At Three Broomsticks, snacks deserving of your consideration are the potted cream and sticky toffee cake. Each are extremely scrumptious, and though it is best to share them, you in all probability gained’t wish to.
Then there are the donuts the scale of your head in Springfield, deserving of one other holy cow. There are some attention-grabbing varieties, however these ought to be break up. After consuming the maple bacon one just about on my own, my tooth damage.
One factor you would possibly wish to contemplate is buying a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. Relies upon upon whether or not you need plenty of Coke or the memento mug. Coke Freestyle machines situated all through the park’s eating places, and regular drink purchases in eating places should not entitled to refills. Not like in Florida, there isn’t any Common Eating Plan at USH.
Seasonal Occasions
Common Studios Hollywood doesn’t do a lot in the best way of seasonal occasions. The one exception to that is Halloween Horror Nights, which you would possibly make an effort to see or to keep away from, relying upon your perspective. It is a exhausting ticket occasion by which you step onto the set of a few of your favourite horror motion pictures, and strolling by way of these units as actors try and scare you. This occasion shouldn’t be for kids below the age of 13, and is unquestionably grownup in tone.
Halloween Horror Nights are an enormous draw for Common they usually positively appeal to an grownup crowd. You probably have no younger youngsters and like horror motion pictures or exhibits like ‘The Strolling Useless,’ you’ll in all probability take pleasure in this occasion and discover it value the price of the ticket. You probably have a youthful household, you’ll wish to keep away from it. In case you’re touring throughout the months of September and October, be conscious of the Halloween Horror Nights schedule.
Christmas is well known with decorations and Grinchmas leisure, however there’s nothing that requires advance-planning or round which it is best to schedule.
I feel that is in all probability covers nearly all the pieces most individuals might want to know when planning a go to to Common Studios Hollywood as an add-on to your Disneyland or Southern California trip. If you need to see a few of these matters coated in higher depth, please let me know within the feedback.
In case you’re visiting Common Studios Hollywood along with your Disneyland journey, take a look at our different planning posts, together with how to save cash on Disneyland tickets, our Disney packing suggestions, suggestions for reserving a resort (off-site or on-site), the place to dine, and various different issues, take a look at our complete Disneyland Trip Planning Information!
Your Ideas
Are you contemplating visiting Common Studios Hollywood? If you’re a USH veteran, are you able to fill in any of the ‘gaps’ right here or add suggestions of your personal? In case you’re a first-timer, is there the rest you’d wish to know? Likelihood is when you have questions nonetheless, so does another person! Please share your ideas within the feedback beneath.