By pinguino k – Wikimedia

Originally Published by Lilian in July 2021, Updated by Charity K on April 2023

Top 16 Facts about Universal Studios in Hollywood


 

Located in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Universal Studios is a city in its own right. The Studios have spread through Los Angeles as well as the County island.

This is one of the oldest Hollywood film studios that are still in use. It is also one of the most famous studios in Hollywood.  

The studios are often referred to as the entertainment capital of Los Angeles. These studios were specifically designed and built to offer tours of the Real Universal Studios sets. It is also one of the first fully developed theme parks in the world.

You will find film-themed rides, roller coasters, studio tours, and fun-filled annual events. It is a perfect place to visit for people of all ages too. If you love the silver screen, this is a paradise for you.

Occupying more than 400 acres of land, these studios will give you a sneak peek of all the work that goes into producing Award-winning movies.

Here are the top 9 facts about Universal Studios in Hollywood.

1. You can tour the Hogwarts Castle

While at Universal Studios, a stop at the World of Harry Potter area is worth the time. It has a soaring Hogwarts castle, classrooms, corridors, and passageways that were featured in the film series.

Experience wands choosing their owners and get to sample food for wizards at Hogsmeade village. There are frog-shaped chocolates for sale like peppermint toads.

You can also sip on pumpkin juice at Three Broomsticks, and enjoy a traditional English shepherd’s pie at the fairy-tale tavern.   

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter allows you to explore the mysteries of Hogwarts Castle.  

2. When the studios first opened, the admission fee of just five cents

By Snowman Guy – Wikimedia

When Carl Laemmle first opened Universal Studios in 1915, he invited the public to see all the action almost free of charge. The entrance fee was five cents and one got a boxed lunch with chicken.

One would also get to shop for green groceries since the Studios was part of a working farm. Tour of the facility was halted in 1930 because of sound films. Before this, they were producing silent films. The stages for these productions were not soundproofed well enough.   

They resumed giving tours in 1964 and guests would get behind the scenes of movies and television productions.

3. Universal Studios have been destroyed by fire severally

By pinguino k – Wikimedia

Universal Studios Hollywood’s backlot has seen its fair share of blazing flames. There have been about nine huge fires throughout history.

The first fire broke out in 1932 when sparks from a nearby bush fire burnt the backlot. Four movie sets were destroyed and over $100,000 in damage was reported.

Another fire happened in 1949 from a brush fire again. This caused the total destruction of one building and two others were badly damaged.

In 1957, the New York Street film studio set was destroyed by an arson fire that caused half a million dollars in damage. Just a decade later, another fire, suspected arson, damaged the Little Europe area and part of Spartacus Square.

4. The worst fire was in 2008

The most damage caused by the fire was in 2008. Three alarm fires broke out on the backlot of Universal Studios. A worker was using a blowtorch to warm asphalt shingles that were to be used in a façade.

A lot of damage was reported; Brownstone Street, New York Street, New England Street, the King Kong attraction, some structures that makeup Courthouse Square and the Video Vault were burned down.

The Courthouse building survived the fire for the third time in its history, the west side of it was slightly burned. Other than ground firefighters, about 500 responded. There were helicopters dropping water too.

The fire was put out after twelve hours.

5. The main attraction at Universal Studios is World-Famous Studio Tour

Photo by Mike Peel – Wikimedia

The World-Famous Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s prized attraction. This tour runs for an hour and you get to see movie studio backlot on a 4-acre piece of land.

While on this tour, you will hear the voice of Jimmy Fallon the host of Tonight Show. He narrates it on HD video monitors in the tour vans.  

You will get to experience an earthquake, see a shark from its jaws, and get a feel of New York Street and the Big Apple. The tram ride takes you past sets from films like War of the Worlds, Psycho, and Jaws.

6. Filmmakers and celebrities used to offer a guided tours of the studios

The initial tours of the Universal Studio were offered by people who worked at the Studio or by relatives of famous people. One famous person that offered a tour was John Badham back in the 1960s.

What was more interesting was that the visitors were never aware until the end of the tour. Jim Carrey frequently surprised guests.

7. One can shop at the Universal Studios

There are over 30 stores, 30 dining options, 6 nightclubs, live outdoor entertainment, and a 19-screen movie theatre. There is also a seven-story IMAX studio.

A state-of-the-art 5-tower concert venue that showcases live, free entertainment all year long is worth checking out while there.

8. Water World is the most high-rated show at Universal Studios

By Prayitno – Wikimedia

Water World has always been one of the highest-rated shows at Universal Studio. The goal was to have this attraction near other popular franchises like Fast & Furious.

Tours of Battlestar Galactica are also exciting. The trams drive inside the attraction like a spaceship that used lasers. There have been several remakes of the show.

9. Universal Studios hosts several unique events

Universal Studios hosts numerous special events throughout the year. There is the annual Halloween Horror Nights in October as well as Grinchmas in December.

To attend these events, one needs to book their tickets in advance, especially during the busy holidays. Kids under 10 might get scared by the Halloween Horror Nights.

10. There were Various Changes that Took Place from 2001 to 2009

The Rugrats Magic Adventure took the front stage and replaced Totally Nickelodeon in 2001 and the Nickelodeon Blast Zone opened in the same year. In addition, Animal Planet Live replaced the Animal Actors’ School Stage in 2001. Therefore, there was a major shift in the park during 2001. That notwithstanding,  Universal Studios Hollywood closed E.T. Adventure in 2003 to make way for Revenge of the Mummy in the following year, 2004. Fear Factor Live replaced Spider-Man Rocks while Universal’s House of Horrors opened, replacing Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula in 2007. Both Back to the Future: In 2008, The Simpsons Ride and the Universal Story Museum opened up while The Ride and Lucy: A Tribute was closed. In addition, the Nickelodeon Blast Zone was re-branded to the Adventures of Curious George in 2008. The main shift was in 2009 when the Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical replaced Fear Factor Live in the Upper Lot.

11. The Birth of Transformers: The Ride 3D

Two major key events happened. The Transformers: The Ride 3D and King Kong 360 3-D took to the stage in 2010 after the Special Effects Stages and Backdraft attractions were closed while Special Effects Stages was moved to the former Creature From The Black Lagoon building and reopened as Special Effects Stage. Of importance to note is that on May 24, 2012, Transformers: The Ride 3D opened on the Lower Lot.

12. There is a very Effective Transportation System by Train

There is a Metro B line subway train that runs between the following locations, Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, East Hollywood, Koreatown, Hollywood, Westlake, and Downtown Los Angeles.

13. There are Buses to Universal Studios in Hollywood

BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One cannot miss out on how to arrive at the studios because it is well services with metro buses. At Lankershim Blvd and the front entrance of Universal Center Drive, one can catch metro local lines 150, 155, 224, and 240. In addition, metro shuttle line 656 and 165 also do the service but stops away from the entrance. Of importance to note is the free shuttle tram that serves as a free delivery for passengers to the park entrance.

14. There was a Partnership between Universal Studios and Nintendo

ElHeineken, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There was a milestone that was accomplished through the partnership between Universal Studios and Nintendo on May 7, 2015, which made attractions and merchandise basically based on Mario and other Nintendo characters. In 2016, the area changed its name to be called Super Nintendo World. Universal Studios Japan was announced and confirmed to be actualized in 2020.

15. There are Major Corporate Partners with Universal Studios

Universal Studios operate a partnership with major corporate partners like Avis Budget, Christie, Coca-cola, Dreyers, Edgewell personal care, NAPA, Niagara, Uber, and Visa.

16.  Universal Studios Produced the Most Successful Universal Pictures

Worldwide Box office’s most successful production of all time was Jurassic World which gave a turnover of $1.669,963,641 in 2015. Locally, the turnover amounted to $652,306,625.

There are also occasional celebrations of film anniversaries every year. Universal Studios is the world’s most equipped for the production of all-time movies and other films like animation.

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