Hello!
I’m a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder that just visited USH for the first time. I could not find much about how to plan for it or how any of the add-ons worked. I decided to copy my USH Thoughts and the section of my Trip Report that covers USH…
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
This Universal Addict got to see where is all began!
Since this park also has an Orlando counterpart that was built after the original I want to ask a lot of the same questions as I did with DLR!
TL;DR – If you’ve ever been to Universal Orlando you don’t need to visit USH. It only has four attractions unique to this park along with different wand/spell locations. I LOVED those four attractions, but it would be hard to justify a trip to USH for any of them alone. If you’ve been to Orlando and you still want to visit you’ll have a good time if you scale your expectations for new attractions / experiences.
Did I enjoy USH enough to feel like I should go return?
TL;DR – Sadly, no…
Did I have a great time? YES!! OMG! So much fun!!
Would I ever go back? Only if my daughter wife wants to go to Hollywood’s HHN or visit DLR.
(I actually copied and pasted this from my DLR section! 
!!
Do people that have only gone to UOR “need” to visit USH?
I mentioned this in my introduction, but there’s not much to make USH worth a visit if you have been to UOR.
If you LOVE TV and movies and would like to see the back lot that’s pretty cool. I am a fan of the show “The Good Place” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” I got to see sets from both of those and it was AWESOME!
It’s fun to see how the rides differ from each coast and a few other things I’ll go over in later sections. Sadly though, I can’t recommend anyone go out of the way to visit versus UOR
What things about USH really stood out?
It’s so spread out! You hear that this park is “On a hill”, but it’s a CLIFF! You have to take 4 escalators to get to and from the different parts of the park. I got vertigo one time when I looked up at my escalator climb back up.
Lack of Street Entertainment. I’m used to seeing so many street performers and characters. I only saw the Raptor Encounter and MegaTron at their designed meeting spots.
While there may not be many differences between these park you can rely on the things you like being available. I couldn’t visit Hogsmeade without a hot Butterbeer and thankfully I knew I could get one.
The view of Burbank and the surrounding area. OMG! It’s so beautiful to look out across the area from the upper lot or escalators.
What things about USH were better or not as good as UOR?
These parks are so identical that any changes are noticeable. The biggest change is Springfield. WOW!! This version of Springfield is three time larger. There are so many more jokes and interactive buttons to push. This is the only section of USH that I was jealous that UOR doesn’t do as well. I like the Simpsons and the Springfield in UOR is “OK” compared to this one.
Alcohol – I don’t drink often at theme parks. I think they tend to not give full pours or have blended drinks with very little booze in them. If I’m paying $15 - $20 I want it to give me a buzz. I bought three drinks at USH because they all tasted great and each had a “kick!”
Parking Garage - For all the clichés about LA traffic the TMs had the parking down to a clockwork mechanism. Plus, if you took an Uber or Lyft it’s easy to find where to go to get picked up later!
Live Shows! The Tram Tour is so fun! The Waterworld show is not only action packed, but hilarious! I adore the Bourne show at UOR, but would give it up for WaterWorld any day!
Universal Visa Rewards – I paid for this trip with this card. I don’t like it, but at USH they make sure you know about all the benefits. They have reps and signage all over. I never knew I got 10% off all purchases at all Universal parks. I used that perk all day / night!
Better Rides at USH
- Revenge of the Mummy! This is going to be a controversial opinion for Universal fans. I think this one is actually better. It’s missing two fire effects and that’s it. I don’t miss the Brendan Fraser portions of the ride or the “fake ending”. By not stopping to do that fake-out the coaster is more fun.
- Secret Life of Pets – It has no direct clone but was FANTASTIC!! This is another ride where the queue is an attraction by itself. You get to be transformed into a unique pet and go on an adventure with practical sets and screens. I would trade any number of UOR dark rides for this one.
- MegaTron Meeting – OMG! He’s hilarious. He’s allowed to insult and roast you. If you can’t take getting teased by a performer then avoid this villain. This is a “must do” for me! In Orlando he only play prerecorded sound bites
- Kung Fu Panda Adventure – It’s a basic 4D movie, but better than it’s UOR counterpart in DreamWorks Destination
Better Rides at UOR –
Most of the rides at UOR are either identical at USH or don’t exist there!
Jurassic Park River Adventure - I was so prepared to love Jurassic World. I genuinely like those movies, and I dream of a unifies Jurassic Land at IOA. The Mosasaurus “tank” is so cool and the two extra LARGE dino robots are so amazing. It just falls flat. I missed the John Williams score and big gates. Why can’t JW have the big gates and the music to start??
Raptor Encounter – Unlike UOR the USH version of Blue is out walking around in the open. It’s so weird seeing the performer’s legs – even if disguised.
Not as Good as UOR –
CityWalk! Right now, the USH version of CityWalk is undergoing massive construction. They are going to add in the first Universal owned hotel and a lot of new eateries. It’s a bit of a mess. Maybe this will be something worth stopping for in a couple of years!
They don’t have as many Coke Freestyle machines. Plus the ones they have don’t make their own ice. The night event, Fan Fest, didn’t have any ice all night because no one refilled it!
Super Nintendo Land
I know this isn’t unique to USH. I haven’t been to any other version of SNL. This was my “sneak preview” of Epic Universe. I won’t spoil it for you, but I want to say a couple of things.
The entrance tunnel is so cute!! It’s as good as entering Diagon Alley
It’s visually stunning! Much smaller than I expected, but this may be a USH issue.
Lack of much to do…USH only has Bowser’s Challenge and a couple character meetings.
I was truly underwhelmed by Bowser’s Challenge. It’s not bad or good. I only rode it once & didn’t feel like doing it again even though it had no wait at Fan Fest. Maybe little kids will like it. I think SNL is definitely targeted at smaller kids. (Ages 12 & under)
I did not buy a Power Up wristband. I didn’t feel like I had enough time to play all the games. It does look about as much fun as doing spells with my wand. If I get an AP to Epic someday I would get one.
Overall, if I lived in the LA area I would definitely get an annual pass to USH. It has a lot of the things that I love about UOR. Unfortunately, if I could choose which Universal park I would like to live nearby it would be UOR. Not only does it have way more options / attractions it’s closer to other theme parks.
I like how you “feel” the bugs on this one and miss that effect in Florida but overall I prefer the length of the Florida one but yes, the old movie sections, do kids these days even know the Mummy movies?