Universal Studios Hollywood in the Rain: No Lines, Just Fun
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit your favorite amusement park and not wait in any lines? Well, we’ve done that a few times. If you’re willing to brave the elements, you just may get your chance. Join us as we visit Universal Studios Hollywood in the rain, a rarity in Southern California.
🎥 Watch our full experience of a day at Universal Studios Hollywood in the Rain here:
My sister and niece were visiting from out of state, and a visit to Universal is always required when they’re in town. On this particular day, temperatures were lower than usual and a bit of rain was in the forecast. Making our way through an almost empty CityWalk, we stopped near the park’s entrance to update my niece’s photo in front of the director’s statue and fountain.
Simpsons Land and Moe’s Tavern
Moe’s Tavern was a gathering spot for those wishing to get a break from the rain, and overall the Simpsons area seemed pretty busy. This is usually the busiest part of the park as it is the area where lower lots are accessed from. We grabbed a quick lunch from Luigi’s Pizza before moving on.
Hogwarts Without the Crowds
We took a walk to Hogwarts, which was surprisingly empty compared to most days. Most visitors were looking for shelter and grabbing their rain gear. This was just for a glance, as we would return later on our way out.
The Studio Tour: Movie Magic With No Wait
When we noticed on the app that the Studio Tour had only a 10-minute wait, we decided to head down and sit in a covered tram for an hour to experience more of Universal’s movie magic. From movie cars, to killer sharks, floods, the Wild West, and European sets (also used in The Good Place), you get a glimpse of where some of your favorite shows and films were created. A newer highlight is Jupiter’s Claim from Jordan Peele’s 2022 horror film Nope.
After the tour, we stopped by the Kwik-E-Mart for some fun Simpsons merchandise. My sister even grabbed a pair of socks to replace her soaked ones after stepping in a large puddle.
Thrills at the Lower Lot
Down at the Lower Lot, you’ll find fan-favorites like Jurassic World, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers, and the park’s newest addition, Super Nintendo World.
- At Jurassic World, the gift shop is almost as fun as the ride itself — packed with dino masks, action figures, mugs, and even unusual snacks like crickets and lollipops with bugs inside. Thanks to the weather we were able to move about the gift shop and browse with ease instead of bumping into others at every turn.
- On Revenge of the Mummy, one of my all-time favorites, you’re launched forward and then suddenly backward in complete darkness. On most days, this ride has a long wait, 90 minutes or so, but we walked right on thanks to the weather.
- Transformers: The Ride 3D put us right in the middle of a battle between Autobots and Decepticons. Another ride with an average hour-long wait or sometimes longer. It took us 5-10 minutes and that was just walking through the queue area!
- And finally, in Super Nintendo World, no detail was missed. We breezed through the line for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a 3D ride that uses an interactive headset for a fully immersive race. I’ve checked the Universal Studios app and have seen for myself this line can easily be over 2 hours. Not for us, 15 minutes or so!
A Magical Hogwarts at Dusk
As the day wound down, we returned to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With the moody skies, the setting felt magical.
We walked right onto Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with no wait at all, compared to the average 75-minute wait I’ve seen on other trips.
Ending the Day With Voodoo Doughnuts
No trip to Universal Studios is complete without a sweet ending. On our way out, we stopped at Voodoo Doughnut to sample a variety of their famous creations. With no lines, the hardest thing we had to do was choose from their delicious selection!
Why Visit Universal Studios HOLLYWOOD IN THE RAIN?
- Shorter wait times for rides and attractions (sometimes no wait at all).
- Unique park atmosphere (rain makes Hogwarts especially magical).
- No crowds to battle while walking around, in gift shops, or restaurants.
Bring an extra pair of socks, a raincoat or poncho, waterproof shoes if you’ve got em, and of course your sense of adventure!
Even if the weather looks a little gloomy, a rainy day can make for one of the most memorable visits to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Check out our visit to Universal Studios for their 60th Anniversary Celebration!!!
Visit Universal Studios Hollywood, grab your tickets today!
