If you’re planning to visit Universal Studios Hollywood, the Studio Tour is a must-do experience.
As one of the most iconic features of the park, this behind-the-scenes adventure takes you on a tram ride through Universal’s famous backlot (13 city blocks of the studio), where movies come to life.
That’s why it’s also known as Universal Studios Hollywood’s Backlot Tour.
With over 5 million visitors annually, the Studio Tour is a fan favorite, offering an unforgettable glimpse into how movies and TV shows are made right before your eyes.
Top Tickets
# General Universal Studios Admission Ticket
# Universal Hollywood Express Pass
# Universal Studios’ VIP TourExpress Passes & VIP Tickets are limited and often sell out early—secure yours now before they’re gone.
What is Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour?
The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is a 60-minute tram ride through the studio’s active backlot, where you’ll pass by famous movie sets, soundstages, and iconic landmarks used in blockbuster films and hit TV shows.
With the guidance of a knowledgeable tour guide, you will get an insider’s view of the movie-making process, complete with interactive experiences, special effects, and jaw-dropping sets.
Is the Studio Tour scary? While the Studio Tour isn’t meant to be a thrill ride, it does feature loud noises, intense shaking, and dramatic effects like water and fire, which might be a bit scary for some kids or sensitive adults. Some of the rides, such as Jurassic Park, Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey, and Revenge of the Mummy, can be terrifying for some.
Tickets for the USH’s Studio Tour
Your Studio Tour ticket is included with General Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. If you have a VIP Experience or Express Pass, you also get priority access or skip-the-line privileges for an even smoother experience.
For the best experience, we recommend purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets online in advance to avoid ticket counter queues and save time.
Must Read: Popular rides at Universal Studios Hollywood
Want to skip the lines? Follow the link to learn more about the Universal Hollywood Express Pass! If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip, discover top tips for scoring discount tickets.
Highlights of the Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour takes you through multiple themed sets while also showcasing some of Hollywood’s biggest movie secrets. Here are the top highlights you won’t want to miss:
King Kong 360 3-D
King Kong 360 3-D is an interactive, state-of-the-art experience that places you right in the heart of the action.
The studio tour will take you to an area designed to resemble a remote jungle (Skull Island), where you’ll find yourself face-to-face with King Kong, the legendary giant ape from the King Kong movies.
As the tram advances through the jungle, King Kong fights off a massive T. Rex right in front of you. The scene is so detailed that you’ll feel the ground shake beneath your feet as the iconic battle unfolds before your eyes.
King Kong 360 3-D was created under the direction of “King Kong” director Peter Jackson and uses the same techniques and technology that helped bring the 2005 King Kong film to life.
Best Seats:
Car 2, Right Side — if you want to see Kong’s epic entrance
Car 4, Left Side — if you want to see what happens to Car 5
Must Read: Minimum height requirements at Universal rides
Fast & Furious – Supercharged
If you’re a fan of the adrenaline-pumping Fast & Furious movie franchise, you will love this part of Universal Studios’ Studio tour.
This section of the studio tour kicks off as you are involved in an intense chase that sometimes exceeds 195 km/h (120 mph) to escape from rival street racers. Expect fast cars, explosive action, and insane stunts.
As you race through the streets of Los Angeles, you’ll feel the rush of wind, the roar of engines, and even the sensation of jumping from one high-speed pursuit to another. Not to mention explosions, fire, and close calls with other vehicles.
The area where all this action unfolds is 247 meters (809 feet) long — that’s longer than two football fields.
Earthquake – The Big One
This section of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour puts you right in the middle of a massive earthquake disaster, simulating what it feels like to be caught in the chaos of one of nature’s most powerful forces.
It’s not just a ride—it’s an experience that immerses you in the full force of an earthquake, complete with realistic special effects and heart-racing suspense.
The experience utilizes special effects such as shaking floors, water splashes, and flooding, along with stunning audio-visual effects, to simulate an earthquake and the destruction it causes.
Best Seats:
Car 3, Left Side — for those fire effects
Car 3, Right Side — for that impressive flood
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting Universal Studios Hollywood
Flash Flood
Flash Flood is a simulated water-based disaster that takes place as part of the Studio Tour.
As your tram travels through a set that’s designed like an actual canyon, you’ll suddenly find yourself caught in the middle of a raging flash flood.
Within moments, the once peaceful setting transforms into a chaotic, life-threatening flood zone.
The visitors in the tram scream as 10,000 gallons of water rushes down and engulfs the set, creating the feel of a real, catastrophic event.
You may recognize it from films like “Big Fat Liar” and “Fletch Lives”.
Best Seats: Car 2, Left Side
Boeing 747 from War of the Worlds
It was used for three days of shooting in 2005 and is still available for guests to walk around and explore.
The wreckage of the Boeing 747 from the 2005 movie War of the Worlds is one of the most iconic and jaw-dropping scenes on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.
It is next to the Psycho house (remember Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho?).
Did you know that Steven Spielberg tore apart a real 747 airplane for this movie?
The outdoor set was erected at an exorbitant cost – US$60,000 for a decommissioned plane and US$200,000 to disassemble it and transport it to Universal Studios Hollywood.
In the movie, a plane crashes into a suburban area after an alien invasion devastates the Earth.
During the Studio Tour, visitors pass by this iconic set, marvelling at the scattered wreckage.
Live burning fires, smoke, dents in the airplane fuselage, and destroyed buildings add to the chaotic and dramatic scene.
Best Seats: Car 3, Left Side
Visiting Disneyland as well? Find out how to go from Universal Hollywood to Disneyland Park
Amity Island’s Jaws
Amity Island’s Jaws recreates the famous shark attack scenes from Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster film called Jaws.
As you ride through this portion of the Studio Tour, your tram enters the small town’s harbor, where the infamous great white shark lurks just beneath the surface.
As you are cruising by, the shark strikes, attacking the tram and creating a pulse-pounding, action-packed scene that’s as thrilling as the one you saw in the movie.
Best Seats:
Car 2, Right Side — to get a good look at the shark just as he emerges
Car 3, Right Side — to get a good look at the shark and enjoy those fire effects
Bates Hotel & Mansion
Bates Hotel & Mansion is one of the most iconic and eerie attractions on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.
It is inspired by the chilling psychological thriller Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Since the ace director wound up shooting Psycho in 1960, the sets have been relocated around the backlot a bit.
As you drive through the Universal backlot, you will go past the Bates Motel, where a dilapidated hotel office and creepy lights hint at the evil lurking inside.
As you are taking in the eerie, unsettling vibe at one of the most thrilling stops of the studio tour, Norman Bates steps out with a dead body.
He opens his car boot and dumps the body inside, and then looks at the tram. That’s when most visitors turn towards the tram driver and go, “Start now!”
Courthouse Square
Courthouse Square is a beautifully crafted movie set designed to resemble the exterior of a charming small-town courthouse.
This iconic location has been featured in numerous major films and TV shows, making it a must-see stop on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.
Most famously, Courthouse Square is the backdrop for the Back to the Future trilogy. Here, you’ll find the iconic DeLorean and Clock Tower, central elements of the Back to the Future franchise that have become pop culture symbols.
The square has also appeared in other classic films and shows, including To Kill a Mockingbird, The Munsters, and The Ghost Whisperer.
Best Seats: Car 2 or 3, Left Side – for the best view of the courthouse
Backlot Tour at Night: During peak season, guests can enjoy a nighttime Studio Tour. We recommend experiencing both the regular and nighttime tours if visiting in summer. The General Admission ticket grants access to both tours.
Studio Tour’s Timings
The Studio Tour typically runs every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the day, from park opening time until an hour before closing.
The day’s first tour usually begins around 9 am or 10 am, depending on the season and day of the week.
Universal Studios’ opening hours
Peak seasons (April to August, December, and January) have longer hours, opening as early as 8:00–9:00 AM and closing between 9:00–10:00 PM.
Off-peak months (September to November and February to March) have shorter hours, typically 10:00 AM – 6:00 or 7:00 PM on weekdays and slightly later weekend closing times.
How Long Does the Studio Tour Last?
The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour typically lasts around 60 minutes.
However, do factor in wait times before you board the studio tour tram. During weekdays, there may be a 15 to 20 minute wait, while during the busy weekends, you may have to wait longer:
- Saturdays: Expect a 25-minute wait on average
- Sundays: The wait can be slightly longer, around 35 minutes
Find out the wait times for all the rides
Best Time to Take the Studio Tour
For the best experience, it’s ideal to take the Studio Tour early in the day when crowds are generally lighter. The first tram is ready to depart at 9 am or 10 am, depending on when the park opens for the day.
Some visitors prefer to take the Studio Tour mid-way through their visit so that they can sit down and enjoy 60 minutes of thrills when they are tired.
The World Famous Studio Tour trams stop before Universal Studios Hollywood closes, so don’t wait till the last tram departure.
Tips to Get the Most Out of the Studio Tour
- Arrive early to avoid long wait times and catch the first trams of the day.
- Use the Universal Studios Hollywood app (Android, iOS) for real-time updates on wait times and available tours.
- If you’re visiting with younger kids, discuss the special effects with them so they don’t get too scared while passing by the Jaws or King Kong 360 3D experience.
- Upgrade to a VIP Experience for exclusive access and behind-the-scenes information that’s not available to general admission guests.
Is the Studio Tour Worth It for Families?
Absolutely! The Studio Tour is one of the most family-friendly experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood. Whether you’re with young children, teens, or grandparents, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The combination of thrilling rides, movie magic, and educational insights makes it a perfect attraction for visitors of all ages.
VIP Backlot Access
The VIP Backlot Access tour (also known as the VIP Tour) goes beyond the standard Studio Tour by giving guests priority entry to more exclusive areas of the Universal lot.
You will be guided by a personal VIP tour guide who will take you to secret filming locations, soundstages, and other behind-the-scenes spots where the magic of Hollywood happens.
Some of the other features of the VIP Backlot Access tour are:
- Unlimited front-of-line access to all rides, attractions, and shows
- A personal VIP tour guide for the entire day
- Continental breakfast on arrival and a gourmet lunch in the VIP dining room
- Valet parking included
