Universal Studios Hollywood {The Rides}

I love theme parks and have been to the Disney and Universal Studios parks in both California and Florida.

This post covers the best of {the rides} at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California. A corresponding post about {the food} is linked here!. 

If you're looking for Universal Studios Orlando I've got you covered. See more California parks here. 

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We recently spent a day at Universal Studios Hollywood during our visit to California. We've been to the park a few times over the years and I'm excited to share my favorite parts with you. 

I'll post soon about {The Food} at Universal because it is GOOD! I'm a Disney lover but LOVE LOVE LOVE Universal parks, too. 

The view from the entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The main reason I go to Universal Studios is for the Harry Potter stuff, I love it ALL. The "land" is called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, officially, but you'll usually hear people calling it Harry Potter Land. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the best ride in the park! It's the quintessential Harry Potter experience located inside the Hogwarts castle. 

Even the line is fun, you walk through the rooms of the castle seeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Dumbledore, the sorting hat, and so much more. 

The ride itself takes you on a journey through all of the magic from the movies. You'll get into trouble with Harry and his friends, zoom through the quidditch field, and run into dragons and dementors. 

For me the best part of the park is the Harry Potter area and this ride is the very first thing we do when we get into Universal Studios Hollywood! You do need to stash any big bags in lockers because the ride takes you up and down and all around!

Entering the Wizarding World is magical!

The Hogwarts Express!

Mandrakes in line for the HP Forbidden Journey ride!

Hoping the Sorting Hat puts me where I belong, in Griffindor!

Posing with the Weasley's (flying) car!

Living large at Hogsmeade

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Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is a silly a fun ride for kids of all ages! You join Gru's crew of yellow companions for "minion training" while equipped with 3-D glasses. You'll learn the way of villains and laugh a ton along the way.

The space around the minion ride is awesome, too. The Super Silly Fun Land is an exact replica of the seaside carnival that Gru takes the girls to in the movie. Remember where the prizes are "SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE!?" There's a great game that costs $10 to play and every kid wins a prize. 

Gru, a minion, and a few humans!

Us with the girls from Despicable Me

For kids who NEED something to take home there's a game that everyone wins!

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The Studio Tour

The Studio Tour is a must do at Universal Studios Hollywood. You climb aboard a little train and head to the actual studios where they film movies. 

There's a ton of hype about potentially seeing movie stars but we never have! The real fun is seeing all of the movie sets, vehicles, and props. 

You'll see the classic Jaws shark and set, drive down Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, cruise past the house from Psycho, see sets that make the wild Wild West and little Parisian cafes, crashed airplanes, and so much more. It's a longer ride but it's relaxing and has something for everyone along the way.

Extra tired friends and family members have been known to snooze on this one!

The Hollywood Studio tour really takes you right to the working studios

A little storefront set

The Wild Wild West set

JAWS!!

Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives! Gaby's house is my favorite

The house from Psycho!

Bryce acting scared near the airplane crash!

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Jurassic World

The Jurassic World ride is a water ride that'll keep you on your human toes! You'll see all types of dinosaurs, both friendly and foe. 

This ride is especially nostalgic for those of us who grew up in the 90s.

During our recent visit the temperature was in the low 60s so Bryce braved the water ride alone and only got a tiny bit wet!

Bryce's "damage" from the water on the Jurassic World ride, not too bad!

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The Simpsons Ride

The Simpsons Ride is another nostalgic and fun one, even for a seemingly eternal show. You'll join Homer, Marge, and kids for an exciting and silly adventure through Springfield and Krustyland. 

Just walking into the ride is fun, right through Krusty's mouth. I'm not a huge Simpsons fan but this ride delights me every time! 

Even the entrance to the Simpsons ride is fun!

Thanks for touring Universal Studios Hollywood {The Rides} with me. Stay tuned for {The Food} from Universal Studios Hollywood next. 

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