The World-Famous Studio Tour — The Complete Ride Guide

Introduction

The Studio Tour is the tram ride through the backlot at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it is the attraction people most often skip when they have a thrill list. Universal describes it as a trip behind the scenes of Hollywood's most famous backlot in the world's largest working movie studio, per Universal's ride page, read October 12, 2026. Every Universal fact below carries that read date; our ride data and my opinion are labeled.

On naming: Universal calls its skip-the-line product Universal Express, which many people know as Express Pass. I use Universal's name from here on.

How long does the Studio Tour take?

Plan on about an hour. Universal's ride page lists an approximate run time of 60 minutes, read October 12, 2026. Universal's Guide for Safety and Accessibility says the tour lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes, also read October 12, 2026.

Those are two Universal figures that don't match exactly, so I'd budget the full 60. Our ride data puts the average standby wait at 30 minutes, which is an average from our rides table, not a live number.

How do you board the Studio Tour?

You climb two steps into the tram vehicle, per Universal's Guide for Safety and Accessibility, read October 12, 2026. Guests who can't manage the steps can use the transfer ramp at the unload area, per the same guide.

For wheeled mobility devices, per that guide: some trams have been modified to fit wheelchairs and most electric wheelchairs, but not ECVs or OPDMDs. Guests in wheeled mobility devices go to the attraction entrance and speak to a Team Member for queue access. Universal's ride page labels accessibility as "Check Ride Accommodations" (read October 12, 2026), so confirm details at the entrance on the day.

Universal Express works here on its face: per Universal's Tickets FAQ, read October 12, 2026, it includes one-time-per-day express access to each ride, attraction and seated show, with only Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift named as an exclusion. The FAQ doesn't carve out the Studio Tour. My Universal Express guide covers the rest.

Is there a height requirement for the Studio Tour?

No height requirement is shown. Universal's ride page doesn't list one, and the Studio Tour is not on Universal's Ride Height Requirements page, both read October 12, 2026. I treat that as no posted minimum; confirm at the entrance if you are bringing very small kids.

What is on the Studio Tour?

Universal says the tour passes through the Backlot and several attractions at moderate speeds, per its Guide for Safety and Accessibility, read October 12, 2026. Universal's ride page, read the same day, names three highlights:

• King Kong 360: Universal puts you in the middle of a struggle between a 35-foot T-Rex and King Kong.

• Flash Flood: Universal lists 10,000 gallons of water rushing toward you, blasting through windows and knocking over signs.

• Jaws: Universal promises a face-to-face with Amity Island's most famous resident.

The ride page attaches no operating date to these, so check the Universal app on the day for what is running. Water and big effects may startle young children, in my opinion.

Is the Studio Tour worth the wait?

Yes, in my opinion, and it is one of the best things at USH. Our ride data average standby wait is 30 minutes, and our Thrill Factor rating is 1/10: it is a seated tram tour with no drops, launches or inversions, so the payoff is the studio, not the intensity.

When is the best time to ride the Studio Tour?

Before midday, in my opinion, so an hour-long tour doesn't land in the middle of your ride plan. If you ride Hollywood Drift first thing, do the Studio Tour next while the park is still filling up. My One Day Itinerary shows where it fits.

Sarah's Take

Sarah's Take: In my opinion, the Studio Tour is the most underrated thing at Universal Studios Hollywood, and I recommend it to everyone. Universal's own description puts you in a working movie studio's backlot, and no other attraction in the park can say that. Give it the full hour and do it before noon. My Thrill Factor is a 1, and that is fine, because it isn't trying to be a thrill ride.

— Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins, Universal & Coaster Specialist

Tickets

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Studio Tour?

About 60 minutes, per Universal's ride page, read October 12, 2026. Universal's accessibility guide says 45 to 60 minutes.

How do you board the Studio Tour?

You climb two steps into the tram, with a transfer ramp at the unload area, per Universal's Guide for Safety and Accessibility, read October 12, 2026.

Is there a height requirement for the Studio Tour?

None is shown on Universal's ride page or Ride Height Requirements page, read October 12, 2026.

What is on the Studio Tour?

Universal's ride page, read October 12, 2026, names King Kong 360, Flash Flood and Jaws. It attaches no operating date, so check the Universal app.

Does Universal Express work on the Studio Tour?

Universal's Tickets FAQ, read October 12, 2026, covers each ride, attraction and seated show, excluding only Hollywood Drift.

Related Guides

• Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary

• Universal Studios Hollywood Ride Ranking

• Universal Studios Hollywood for First Timers

• Complete Universal Studios Hollywood Guide

Guide by Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins | Universal & Coaster Specialist | Theme Park Network

Last Updated: October 2026. Tour contents and ride rules change; verify current details on Universal's official site and in the Universal app before you go.