Celebrating the Universal Studios 60th Anniversary with the Special Edition Studio Tour
We recently made our way to Universal Studios Hollywood to kick off the Universal Studios 60th Anniversary celebration! This milestone was marked with exclusive merchandise, themed food offerings, and—most exciting of all—a Special Edition Studio Tour. This celebration ran from April 26 through August 11, 2024.
As frequent visitors with annual passes, we couldn’t resist checking it out on opening day. These are some of our many memories over the last decade of visiting Universal Studios Hollywood.
🎥 Watch our full experience of the Universal Studios 60th Anniversary Special Edition Studio Tour here:
Here’s a look at what made the day special and some tips from our visit.
Starting the Day in Hollywood
Our day actually began with a morning hike to the Hollywood Sign (12,000 steps, if you’re counting). After working up an appetite, we made a sweet stop at Voodoo Doughnut for their PB&J creation. This delectable delight contains raspberry jelly inside, peanut butter glaze on top, and crushed peanuts for the perfect crunch.
Fueled up, we headed to the park for the first official day of the 60th Anniversary Studio Tour. The wait time was surprisingly short, about 20 minutes, thanks to extra trams running. Even though we didn’t get one of the special “glamour trams,” we scored great end seats with a clear view of the action.
Highlights of the 60th Anniversary Studio Tour
The Studio Tour is always a must. But, the Universal Studios 60th Anniversary edition added some fun extras that film buffs HAD to see.
Classic Hollywood Sets
As you wind through the backlot, you’ll pass iconic areas like Courthouse Square (famous from Back to the Future) and the Metro Sets. The tour also goes by the Universal Fire Station—a real, working firehouse. This is because Universal City is technically its own city.
Monster Legends on the Backlot
One of the most impressive sights is the massive Monster Mural by artist Tristan Eaton. Spanning 50×200 feet, it features horror icons like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride, The Wolf Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Jaws, Mexico, and War of the Worlds
The tram then transports you to Amity Island, home of Jaws, and into a simulated stormy Mexican village where movie rain is created.
Exclusive 60th Anniversary Additions
The big anniversary twist comes at the Bates Motel. Guests actually disembark the tram here for a rare chance to walk through the area, snap photos with iconic movie props, and soak up the eerie atmosphere. This walk-through is exclusive to the Universal Studios 60th Anniversary Tour and was so awesome to experience!
After Bates Motel, you’ll also find fun photo ops with Fast & Furious cars, Kong’s hand, and even Jaws himself before boarding a new tram to finish the experience.
Beyond the Studio Tour
The day didn’t stop there. After the tram tour wrapped up (with a 3D finale featuring Dominic Toretto and the Fast & Furious crew), we refueled at Cletus’ Chicken Shack in Springfield. Pro tip: head upstairs for extra seating and a chance to wander between Krusty Burger, Moe’s Tavern, and Cletus’—all seamlessly connected.
We wrapped up the evening by exploring the Lower Lot. After grabbing a craft beer at the Jurassic World bar cart and waving to Megatron as he heckled guests, we strolled through Super Nintendo World before calling it a day.
Final Thoughts
The Universal Studios 60th Anniversary is more than just a milestone—it’s a celebration of Hollywood history. From classic backlot sets to the special Bates Motel walk-through, the 60th Anniversary Studio Tour offers fans something they won’t find any other time of year.
This experience was fantastically put together and really allowed us to enjoy the magic of 60 years of movie-making history at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Did you explore Universal Studios Hollywood for the 60th Anniversary? Which part of the celebration did you like the best—the studio tour, the merch, or the food? Let us know in the comments!
