Weekend in Los angeles only to visit universal studios

Question

I will be in San Jose for 2 weeks for work in August and today I decided to just have the tour of universal studios during the weekend of 15-17 August. I am yet to book a hotel and need some advice in finalizing a my plan. I know it is very hectic but I don't think I would be returning to the west coast any time soon, so gotta do it now.

- I will land into LAX on 16th Morning at 8 AM and will fly back to San Jose from there at 9:30 PM on Sunday night. I plan to go to the studios directly on Sat morning and head back to the airport directly from there on Sunday night. Is it doable ?

- Me and my wife will have a small bag pack each with some food and clothes in them. This much is allowed inside of the park, right ?

- I am mostly concerned about the waiting times. While I think in 2 days I will see it all, but should I go for the "skip the line" add-on which will cost me about 200 Euros ? The official website says around 90 mins of waiting time in the most popular rides but I think they are exaggerating it. Or is it true ?

- Is it fine to order some food online and eat it in some park outside of the studios ? We are a bit picky about food.

- What would be the cheapest option to sleep on Saturday night near to the studies maybe ? We will go there only to spend the night, so a decent place with cheap prices is fine.

Answer

Planning a weekend visit to Universal Studios Hollywood from San Jose is ambitious but doable with careful timing and planning. Here’s a detailed breakdown addressing your concerns:

1. Travel & timing: Arriving at LAX at 8 AM and heading straight to Universal Studios is possible, but you should factor in at least 1–1.5 hours for baggage claim, shuttle or rideshare to the park, and any potential traffic. From LAX to Universal Studios, the drive can take around 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Visiting the park on Saturday and Sunday is feasible if you are focused, but note that Universal Studios can get crowded, especially mid-August, with waits up to 60–90 minutes on popular rides like “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” or “Jurassic World.”

2. Bags & food inside the park: Universal Studios allows small backpacks, purses, and food for personal consumption. Security checks will happen at the entrance, so keep your items minimal and easy to scan. Bringing a small snack or water is fine. However, outside food can generally be consumed only in designated areas; eating inside ride queues is not allowed.

3. Skip-the-line pass: The Universal Express Pass (about 200 Euros) is highly recommended during peak season if you want to experience most attractions without spending hours in line. Official wait times can be fairly accurate on busy days, and mid-August is typically high season. If you prefer to avoid uncertainty and maximize the two days, the Express Pass is worth the investment.

4. Eating outside the park: You can order takeout from nearby restaurants and eat outside the park. There are picnic areas and spots where you can have a meal before or after entering the park. Within the park, options include fast food, themed dining, and some sit-down restaurants, but lines can be long.

5. Budget accommodation near Universal Studios: For a short overnight stay, consider budget hotels or motels within 1–3 miles of the park. These will allow you to rest without spending much and be close enough for a short commute.

Ramada by Wyndham Near Universal / Hollywood: Basic and affordable, a short drive to the park.
BLVD Hotel & Suites: Budget-friendly, close to Universal and offers shuttle options.
Comfort Inn Near Hollywood: Decent reviews, reasonable price, within 10 minutes drive.

Additional tips:

Use the official Universal Studios app to track ride wait times in real time.
Arrive early both days for popular rides to reduce wait times.
Consider parking at a nearby lot rather than the park’s premium parking if you want to save money.

In summary, your plan is doable. The Express Pass will save significant time, your small bags are allowed, and budget hotels nearby can provide a convenient overnight stay. Ordering food outside the park is fine if you prefer to avoid theme park meals.

Weekend in Los angeles only to visit universal studios

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions