Common Studios Hollywood is one in every of Southern California’s greatest theme parks, and an awesome aspect journey in case you’re visiting Disneyland. This USH planning information presents suggestions & tips that will help you get monetary savings & time, keep away from crowds, the place to eat, and greatest rides to do on the “Leisure Capital of Los Angeles.” (Up to date January 13, 2023.)
Common Studios Hollywood goes to have a large 2023. Though the favored Halloween Horror Nights and Holidays at USH seasons at the moment are over till September 2023, quite a bit is occurring early this 12 months. Lunar New 12 months 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. Nevertheless, 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 USA 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 prospect to expertise the USJ model of Tremendous Nintendo World and it’s actually one thing particular. The dynamic land can be a visible spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity positioned inside a newly expanded space of Common Studios Hollywood. Tremendous Nintendo World will function the groundbreaking Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem trip, in addition to many interactive actions designed to interact the whole household throughout the fascinating Mushroom Kingdom.
January 13, 2023 Replace: Tremendous Nintendo World is presently in technical rehearsals, which is Common’s model of a delicate 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 far more.
Tremendous Nintendo World is anticipated to proceed technical rehearsals till Annual Move previews (see beneath dates) begin. These are unscheduled previews and aren’t assured to happen every day. For example, 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 traces all through the day, and the land as a complete is just not completely completed or fully polished. In the event 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 in opposition to doing a visit with the expectation of experiencing delicate openings of Tremendous Nintendo World, as you would possibly get burnt. (Most likely not a giant deal for APs, however we might not wager the price of a single-day ticket on delicate openings!)
If there’s curiosity, tell us within the feedback and we’ll share a separate submit concerning the delicate openings of Tremendous Nintendo World. In any other case, count on protection starting after the primary AP preview date. Within the meantime, try our ideas in Tremendous Nintendo World Evaluate: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly. In the event you’re on the lookout for extra Mario Kart data, see our Journey Evaluate: Mario Kart Bowser’s Problem. (Each opinions are primarily based on the USJ model of Tremendous Nintendo World.)
The blockbuster new Tremendous Nintendo World may even provide 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 youngsters 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 gang challenge is the measurement 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 is not going to require advance reservations. Visitors will be capable to enter the land as common, as long as it isn’t 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. Nevertheless, 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 special beast, with later-arriving crowds and completely different demographics. However, our expectation is that demand for the brand new land will far exceed capability, and the remainder of the park will develop into a ready room of kinds for Tremendous Nintendo World. Which means large crowds and lengthy waits all through the whole 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 may 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 trip primarily based on the hit movie franchise is totally incredible. It’s an awesome change of tempo from the same old thrill rides at USH!
Past that, Common Studios Hollywood has modified a lot within the final 5 years–and for the higher. The most important 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.
Large areas of USH have already got been dramatically remodeled from how they have been a few decade in the past after we first purchased our Common Studios Hollywood Annual Passes. The long run past Tremendous Nintendo World can also be vivid, with a brand new curler coaster that begins within the higher lot and descends to the decrease lot possible on the horizon, plus substitute 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 crucial 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 completely 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 presents a wonderful, albeit completely 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 you could learn about visiting Common Studios Hollywood, the place you may trip the flicks!
When to Go to
Only a few individuals are most likely planning a visit to Los Angeles solely for Common Studios Hollywood. Most of you’re most likely including on a day as a part of your Disneyland or Southern California trip, so the reply to that is simple…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 gradual 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 possibly can mainly consult with our When to Go to Disneyland submit 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 plenty of different states, however it may be scorching. Extra importantly, that’s when everybody else involves California–that means crowds.
Park Tickets
There are a few good choices for saving cash on Common Studios Hollywood tickets, each by way of Get Away In the present day. The primary is shopping for a Disneyland + Common Studios Hollywood combo cross. In the event you don’t plan on doing Disneyland, Common’s “Second Day Free” ticket choice 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’s best to be capable to accomplish all the pieces in a single full day in case you are 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, large Harry Potter followers who need to spend a whole day in Hogsmeade, after which elect to spend a second day doing the remainder of the park.)
In the event you’re contemplating doing greater than a few days, you would possibly take into account an Annual Move. This largely applies to Californians who would possibly need to revisit later within the 12 months. We now have the bottom tier (the “Season Move”) and it price us barely lower than a 2-day ticket. There are blockout dates and this cross doesn’t embrace parking, however it has been an awesome worth for us.
You may also discover low cost presents on 1-day tickets or Annual Passes at Costco, Ralph’s, Vons, and different California grocers. Sam’s Membership and AAA generally provide reductions on tickets for his or her members, so remember to examine that out in case you’re eligible.
Technique
In the event 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 the event you’re making an attempt to make it out of your Disneyland-area resort to Common Studios Hollywood for rope drop, there’s an affordable likelihood you may be driving throughout a minimum of a part of rush hour. Once you sit at your laptop and plan this all out at 11 p.m., this visitors received’t be accounted for.
The plus aspect to leaving early and arriving to USH at rope drop is that few different folks will do it. Los Angelenos are unfamiliar with the idea of being “on time” for the reason that visitors gods kind of 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 may 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
- Exhibits
- Studio Tour
Okay, a little bit of clarification 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 invaluable 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 most important purpose 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 sequence of escalators, tends to be lifeless within the morning. In truth, 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 occasions.
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 the event you can trip these earlier than the “crowd wave”, superior. If not, save them till the tip of the day when traces will taper off.
In the event you’re prepared to make use of it, Single Rider will save a ton of time throughout busier occasions. 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 the entire exhibits, the most important 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 traces are inclined to get shorter later within the day.) Don’t miss it.
In the event 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 trip on the Studio Tour is completely different, however night time brings a brand new factor to the attraction.
Severely, we can’t stress it sufficient: do the Studio Tour. That is the defining attraction of Common Studios Hollywood, and the one factor we make a degree of doing every time we go to. (Simply don’t get your hopes up concerning the Quick and the Livid sequence…it has extra cheesiness than the flicks, however with out the redeeming allure and coronary heart.)
Gate A/Entrance of Line Move
“Gate A” is Common Studios Hollywood’s “Entrance of Line” cross, 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 improve in price relying upon the season (the busier it’s, the extra you pay).
We aren’t proponents of buying Gate A until you’re going through the peak of vacationer season (assume summer season, spring break, or any nationwide holidays), and even then, we might advocate benefiting from Common Studios Hollywood’s many Single Rider traces or arriving at park opening and using an environment friendly park touring technique just like the one above.
In the event you comply with our plan above, the Entrance of Line/Gate A cross is simply not obligatory the overwhelming majority of the time. Possibly it could be on like the ten busiest days of the 12 months, however we now have 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 selection 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 street journey? Let’s deal with every of those…
Disneyland Day Journey – Persist with your resort in Anaheim and simply drive there and again. Visitors apart, that is fairly easy. Common doesn’t open on the daybreak, so that you’ll have an affordable quantity of transit time whereas nonetheless having the ability to make park opening.
Southern California Trip – In the event you’re doing this and don’t thoughts altering accommodations as soon as–which is what we suggest–we’d counsel doing (a minimum of) 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 the event you’re doing a street 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 might 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 just a little 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 get pleasure from dawn over the ocean the following morning with out having to battle visitors to go north.
In terms of particular accommodations close to USH, we just like the Garland and Sheraton Common Lodge. Each are actually near the park, with the Sheraton being a brief stroll and the Garland being a brief (free!) shuttle trip. You’ll additionally discover the Hilton Los Angeles/Common Metropolis “on-site” at Common Studios Hollywood.
There’s additionally a Metro Crimson Line station at Common Studios Hollywood, making something alongside the Crimson Line tremendous handy to the park, together with choices in Downtown LA. Slightly than going for a bland chain, you would possibly take into account 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 the event you discover a “too good to be true” value, it most likely is. If you’re selecting a resort particularly for USH, we suggest trying north of downtown Los Angeles. Burbank and Glendale will be higher choices than Hollywood/Los Angeles. Neighborhoods like North Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, and Los Feliz are additionally good picks.
To economize, try the Common Studios Hollywood resort + ticket packages provided by way of Get Away In the present day. They’ve a number of accommodations from which to decide on, however our high decide is certainly the Garland. It’s an awesome resort-style property with a ton of character, nice rooms, and posh facilities. The Sheraton can also be stylish and good, however it’s the type of resort you can 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 likelihood you’ll drive by L.A. to get there. Nevertheless, that doesn’t should be the case!
As famous above, there’s a Metro Crimson Line station positioned at Common Metropolis, which is a brief stroll from each the park itself and CityWalk. The Metro Crimson Line is a subway working between Downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood, with stops in or close to the Civic Middle, 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 may 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 trouble.
Most individuals will need to drive themselves from Disneyland to Common Studios Hollywood. There aren’t any good shuttles, Uber is just too expensive, and public transit will be convoluted and inefficient. Sadly, visitors will be dangerous too, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Plan on a minimum of 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 need to lease a automobile. Visitors will 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 superb. We’ve accomplished loads of one-day leases from rental automobile companies inside strolling distance of Disneyland, after which have simply accomplished after-hours drop-offs.
As for airfare, rental automobiles, and different fundamentals, right here’s my commonplace data: 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 ebook by it. It presents latitude in selecting a number of airports, versatile journey dates, and extra.
Eating
When you trip the flicks proper into the reward store and purchase the flicks together with your American Categorical–official bank card of the Leisure Capital of L.A.–it’s time to dine (at?) the flicks.
In the event you’re superb with counter service eating, Common Studios Hollywood has a number of stable choices contained in the park. As a complete, I don’t assume the culinary expertise is on par with Disneyland’s, however the highlights are greater than serviceable. The most effective 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 expensive, however it’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 recreation is sturdy. Holy cow. Clearly, you’re going to need to attempt 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’s best to share them, you most likely received’t need to.
Then there are the donuts the dimensions of your head in Springfield, deserving of one other holy cow. There are some fascinating varieties, however these ought to be break up. After consuming the maple bacon one just about on my own, my enamel harm.
One factor you would possibly need to take into account is buying a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. Relies upon upon whether or not you need loads of Coke or the memento mug. Coke Freestyle machines positioned all through the park’s eating places, and regular drink purchases in eating places aren’t entitled to refills. In contrast to in Florida, there is no such thing as a 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. This can be a onerous ticket occasion wherein you step onto the set of a few of your favourite horror motion pictures, and strolling by these units as actors try and scare you. This occasion is just not for kids underneath the age of 13, and is certainly grownup in tone.
Halloween Horror Nights are an enormous draw for Common and so they undoubtedly entice an grownup crowd. If in case you have no younger children and like horror motion pictures or exhibits like ‘The Strolling Useless,’ you’ll most likely get pleasure from this occasion and discover it value the price of the ticket. If in case you have a youthful household, you’ll need to keep away from it. In the event you’re touring through 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’s best to schedule.
I feel that is most likely 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 subjects lined in larger depth, please let me know within the feedback.
In the event you’re visiting Common Studios Hollywood along with your Disneyland journey, try 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 numerous different issues, try 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 the event you’re a first-timer, is there the rest you’d prefer to know? Chances are high when you’ve got questions nonetheless, so does another person! Please share your ideas within the feedback beneath.