Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood
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Name	Universal Studios Hollywood
Location	Universal City, California, United States
Opening date	July 15, 1964
Owner	NBCUniversal
Operator	Universal Parks & Resorts
Area	415 acres
Website	https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

Universal Studios Hollywood. It is a film studio and theme park located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. Operated by NBCUniversal, it is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use. The park features a multitude of rides, shows, and attractions based on popular Universal Pictures films and other media properties, alongside an extensive backlot tour.

History

The origins of the park are intrinsically linked to the growth of Universal Pictures, founded by Carl Laemmle. In 1915, Laemmle opened Universal City Studios on a former chicken ranch, creating a self-contained community for film production. By the 1960s, executive Alfred Hitchcock's success with films like *Psycho* highlighted public fascination with filmmaking. Capitalizing on this, studio guide Julie Meade began offering informal tram tours to visitors, which evolved into a formalized attraction. The official opening in 1964 featured staged events like the Collapsing Bridge trick and visits to the backlot, home to famous sets such as the Courthouse Square used in *Back to the Future*. Over decades, it expanded significantly, adding major themed areas like *Jurassic Park*—The Ride in 1996 and undergoing a major transformation under the ownership of Comcast.

Attractions and rides

The park is divided into themed lands on the Upper and Lower Lots, connected by a series of escalators. The Upper Lot features family-friendly attractions such as Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the *Simpsons* Ride, which immerses guests in Springfield. The Lower Lot is anchored by intense, high-thrill experiences, including the acclaimed *Jurassic World*—The Ride with its iconic Tyrannosaurus finale and the *Revenge of the Mummy* indoor roller coaster. Other significant attractions include Transformers: The Ride-3D, which utilizes advanced Autobot technology, and the long-running *WaterWorld* stunt show based on the 1995 film. Seasonal overlays, like for Halloween Horror Nights, often temporarily modify these experiences.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This immersive land, opened in 2016, is based on the *Harry Potter* film series from Warner Bros. Pictures. Centered on the village of Hogsmeade, it features the flagship ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, located within a meticulously detailed recreation of Hogwarts Castle. Guests can also experience the family coaster Flight of the Hippogriff and sample iconic fare like Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. The land is further brought to life by interactive wand experiences at locations like Ollivanders and performances by the Hogwarts Frog Choir, creating a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's universe.

Studio Tour

The world-famous Studio Tour is a one-hour guided tram tour through the actual working backlots of Universal Studios. Narrated by a video host, often a celebrity like Jimmy Fallon, it passes by iconic soundstages where shows like The Good Place are filmed. The tour includes immersive segments such as the Fast & Furious: Supercharged finale and the tense *Earthquake* simulation. Guests see historic outdoor sets like Whoville from *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* and the *War of the Worlds* plane crash site, while also encountering the legendary *Jaws* animatronic and the flash flood sequence at Little Europe.

Special events

Throughout the year, the park hosts several limited-time events that dramatically alter its atmosphere. The most notable is Halloween Horror Nights, a separately-ticketed event featuring terrifying mazes based on properties like The Weeknd's music and films such as *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, alongside live scare zones. During the winter holiday season, Grinchmas celebrations take over Whoville with live shows and festive decor. The park also celebrates Lunar New Year with themed food and character meet-and-greets, and hosts summer concert series and previews for upcoming NBC television programs.

In popular culture

The location has been featured and referenced across numerous media platforms, cementing its status as a cultural landmark. It appears in films such as The Sting and Kissing Jessica Stein, and has been the setting for episodes of television series like Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Musicians, including Miley Cyrus in her music video for "7 Things," have utilized its iconic backdrops. The park and its attractions are also frequently parodied in animated shows like Family Guy and South Park, and it serves as a common prize destination on game shows such as *The Price Is Right*.

Category:Universal Studios Hollywood Category:Theme parks in Los Angeles County, California Category:1964 establishments in California