BEST Rope Drop Strategy for Universal Studios Hollywood

[@hollybabyyy]

I cant believe some ppl hate simpsons and forbidden journey. Theyre my favessss. And i get motion sickness when i watch video games and stuff but not on those!

[@savannah4439]

Omg those rides make me want to diiieeee 💀💀 you could not pay me to ride either of those they make me so sick haha

[@Squintillions]

Went to Universal Studios at the end of June. We went down to the Lower Lot around 9:30am and it was super packed, wait time on Mario Kart was 165 minutes. I talked to a staff member and she suggested coming back around 5 - 6 pm. We went back just after 6 pm. The advantage then is that the sun is low enough in the sky that the land is shaded by the high backdrop walls. The wait for the ride was then around an hour.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Later is definitely better. When we went in March, the final hour before park close (which at the time was 6 PM to 7 PM) was the best time to be in Super Nintendo World. The land was pretty cleared out. We played every game and beat Bowser Jr all in the last hour. Earlier in the day, each game was near an hour wait.

[@lisabostrack24]

I really do miss Universal. It's been way too long. But you made Rope drop so easy. I will make it back one day. The last time I was there was when Backdraft and ET were still going.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

They still have ET at Orlando! I love riding it.

[@lisabostrack24]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thank goodness they do. I will make it out there.

[@juanma6020]

My strategy is just to buy the Universal Express Unlimited and enjoy everything multiple times at a nice steady pace and enjoy everything.

[@leighims]

Thanks for this video. Makes me want to plan another visit because there’s quite a bit of new things to do !

[@jacehua7334]

So one thing I did when my NCAL friends came during the July 4th week, was when we did the Lower Lot I went inside Mario Land to grab a reservation at Toad Stool Cafe. You want to do this earlier during the day and scan the QR code so you have more control over your schedule later on in the day. Also for those that like to collect souvenirs, one thing I noticed is they actually give you the plates and bowls for the soups and Bowsers meatball dish. You can also buy plates there too now. Also I'm guessing you're not too much of a popcorn bucket fan? I really only got into the popcorn bucket culture after going to Tokyo Disney. But I still collect the ones at Universal and Disney CA.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Ideally, you’d do Early Entry and pound out Mario Kart twice in the first hour, then get a res for Toadstool, then proceed with your morning as laid out here. I couldn’t get early entry as I planned this visit a little last minute. But I might do an Early Entry strategy video on my next visit in September. I haven’t bought early entry yet. But there’s still plenty available. I think they’re only sold out two weeks in advance.

[@ruthmacias]

@@SoCalDisneyDadplease do, Im actually watching this because Im going on october 2nd and Its been 10 years since the last time I went to universal hollywood

[@shelleyhaldane2107]

@@SoCalDisneyDad I would love this! Coming from Canada, we will be at Universal September 11. We bought early entry but I’m looking for a good strategy for after Mario. Love your videos!

[@3drage]

Serendipity! I bought a VIP ticket today for my birthday and was curious what rides Hollywood has. I've been to both Orlando parks, but haven't been to Hollywood since my teenage years.

[@HeyyWhyNott20]

Good stuff! I’ll be checking out the food video later

[@cklo8799]

Such a helpful vlog. Mario World and eating at Toads Cafe is important to us on our trip, so trying to figure out the best strategy to make everything happen!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Do Early Entry (if it’s not sold out) and enjoy the whole first hour there. Then leave and follow rope drop as shown here (or similar), and then go back into SNW about two hours before park close to enjoy the rest of what it has to offer. It’s the least crowded later at night. Even more so than early entry.

[@cklo8799]

@@SoCalDisneyDadPerfect! So early entry is definitely worth it then??? Again, can’t thank you enough for helping us!

[@carrevenger31]

Thanks for explaining the 20 minute wait thing with simpsons. From what was shown in the video, there was no backed up line in the simpsons ride queue at that time, but I guess the pre shows are what counts as the wait.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yeah, there weren’t that many people. They only had half the room filled at what amounts to the second of three checkpoints. There’s a stop outside the building. There’s a stop inside the building in what looks like a little carnival room. There’s a third stop right before the attraction in a small loading room. And then there’s the 5 minute ride itself. Considering each “stop” is about 6 minutes give or take due to loading/unloading, there’s your 20 minutes.

[@carouselkim8992]

great video loved the Tram Tour highlights chosen

[@SusanKuaile]

This is perfect timing, we’re going to Universal next week, though probably not for rope drop.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ll have a Food Guide out on Wednesday of the different options throughout the park that you might find helpful.

[@SusanKuaile]

Thanks will be waiting for that video.

[@kingbuckets_4208]

Great content Traver!

[@Sippy_Boi]

Great vlog! Thanks for sharing all this important information. What day of the week did you go? I can't decide whether to go on a weekday or on the weekend - On a weekday it would be less crowded but on the weekend the park is open for much longer. What would you recommend?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ve actually never been on a weekend. I don’t remember what day of the week this was, but it was definitely a weekday. If you have a little while before you need to decide. Download the Universal app and check wait times around 1 PM on a weekday and on a weekend and see how different the wait times are. Any time I’ve gone on a weekday you don’t even need Express pass. I went in the middle of the summer, at the start of Halloween, and the first week that Super Nintendo World was open this year, and none of those days were ever busy enough to need express pass.

[@Sippy_Boi]

@@SoCalDisneyDad Thank you so much! I will use your advice.

[@Sean-uh6te]

Thank you for the video

[@KissesFromCanada]

QUESTION: which hotels would you tell a handicapper to stay at when visiting Universal? I already book HJ for my Disney days BECAUSE OF YOUR VIDEO! Kisses from Canada 🇨🇦

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The Hilton Universal is the absolute closest you can get. There's still a tiny walk to the park, but they also have a free shuttle. The Sheraton Universal also has a free shuttle (it's the same shuttle, stops at both hotels). Both the hotels are pretty much around the same cost, so it's just a preference choice. Here's my videos of both hotels: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOQea2DZq2Kac0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmncqJVohNuEn5I I have also stayed at the BLVD. I wouldn't recommend it unless you plan to drive and park in the parking garage.

[@triplefl4751]

Here’s how I do it Get there early 1. Transformers “Do first 3 Early” 2. Mummy 3. Jurassic World 4. Harry Potter 5. Harry Potter Flight of the Hippogriff 6. Studio Tour 7. Kung Fu Panda 8. Waterworld 9. The Secret Life of Pets “Reservations” 10. Despicable Me 11. The Simpsons “Do during late afternoon or night” 12. Mario Kart Do whenever “Reservations”

[@MBFF-if7yu]

Thank you!!!! This was the one thing missing from my planning. Read my mind 👏🏻

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Hope you find it helpful!

[@MBFF-if7yu]

I’ll use your strategy for my second day at Universal and for my first day I’m thinking about buying the early entry for Nintendo. I’m afraid of the crowd level if I don’t and Nintendo is a must for us. Thank you again!

[@carinap]

@@MBFF-if7yu How was your trip following these steps? We’re going this saturday-sunday and i’m hoping for this to work 😩!!

[@MBFF-if7yu]

@@carinap it was great and it worked perfectly! I did buy early entrance to Nintendo but because I went in August so the crowd levels were insane. But the rope drop strategy worked like a charm. Have a great trip!

[@Idk_yet921]

Ready to watch the brand new socaldisneydad video I can already tell this one is a banger.

[@HeyyWhyNott20]

Another excellent video. Quick ?, are the lockers to store items, backpacks etc nearby rides or is it just in one location?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

All the rides that don’t allow bags have lockers at the ride entrance/exit and you can’t even get on the ride without first going through the locker area. Any of the other rides that don’t have these lockers, bags are allowed on the attractions.

[@michaeladams1523]

A year later, would you still recommend early entry for Nintendo land? Funny story: my wife and I visited in 2010. She has Spina bifida and has very little feeling in her legs. At the part of Mummy where there is a little tube thing tickling the back of your legs, people started screaming. She asked me why they were since she couldn't get the tube. 😂

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@michaeladams1523 I would yes. In fact, I’ll be using early entry on Tuesday when I go with a buddy of mine. It’s fairly affordable and a great way to ride Mario Kart

[@AreuisCoolKid]

I love universal. I cant wait for them to add their fast and furious roller coaster

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’m looking forward to that too!

[@user-co4rg7nr5d]

How busy is Disneyland and universal studios in the month of May? I'm finally gonna make it back there after thirty years.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

May is a solid time to visit. A lot of schools are finishing up and parents are less likely to pull kids from, say, final exam weeks or graduation. There’s always some state, though, that’s different. We never got out until June in Pennsylvania so I could go somewhere beginning of May without much consequence. By the same token, my kids get out of school here in SoCal on May 15th, so the latter half of the month is free game for us to go places. But by and large, May 7-23 or so would be really. Solid visiting dates.

[@AngelicaFlores-r1l]

Hello thanks for the videos it’s making my trip planning a lot easier. So from what I gather it’s better to buy the early pass for super Mario world and be there at rope drop? I think you mentioned that they could possibly let you in earlier than 7:30?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Early entry gets you in an hour earlier than the park opens. I’m thinking about buying this when I go with my friend next month because he hasn’t ever been. The park doesn’t open until 10 AM. So early entry is 9 AM. I probably wouldn’t show up any earlier than 8:30 for that. But yes, if the park opens at 9, 7:30 would be okay to arrive for early entry.

[@ChrisScheel-t9w]

3 adults hitting uni this morning with no express pass. Won’t be there til about 8am Should we do rides without single rider lanes first cause we don’t mind splitting up on the SRL rides ? Thanks

[@pandora576]

Thanks for video. For the Studio Tour is one side better than the other for the tram ride?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I like the left side (last seat in the row in terms of how you board the tram).

[@1denisflores]

Hi, I am planning on going in spring break without no early access pass unfortunately due to sold out. If i wanted to go to Super Nintendo world what time should i get to the park?

[@jenn8773]

Hello! Compared to Sheraton which hotel would you recommend for universal studios Hollywood?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Since the Hilton and Sheraton are the same price, I like the Hilton as it’s just that much closer if you prefer to walk to the park. Otherwise you’re waiting for the shuttle and the shuttle picks up and both hotels. It stops at the Sheraton first, so technically they get priority seating and the Hilton gets what’s left.

[@elissajones5154]

Wow what date did you go? It didn’t seem busy at all!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

This was in July sometime. Don’t remember the exact date. But honestly, every time I’ve gone it’s been like this. Everyone crams into Super Nintendo World, the rest of the park is empty by comparison. Jurassic World is the second longest line in the park during the summer.

[@elissajones5154]

@@SoCalDisneyDad ok. We are going in March and bought the express pass… I was wondering if we’ve wasted our money 😆

[@tbx59]

Harry Potter, back exit to Simpsons,if all of lower lot is open do that, if not walk-on to studio tour then do lower lot.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Pretty much what I did. Yeah. Except a small detour to Flight of the Hippogriff. I’m not sure skipping that would have sped up Simpsons at all. It’s really the preshow stuff that slows things down. It’s like Soarin’ in that each segment is a forced amount of time and never moves faster.

[@melissaf9228]

3 broom sticks has. breakfast once in awhile

[@ehgotbored]

Opens at 8 or 9 and has breakfast until 11am

[@BlackBeardPirate]

I think the ending got cut off? I’m not sure

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

There was no “sign out” as usual. I had mentioned earlier that when the tour was over, so was the video. Trying something new just to see what happens (I have some analytics I’m tracking).

[@hollybabyyy]

U GOT TO SEE THE BTTF SET ON THE TRAM TOURRRR JEALOIS

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes! I saw it the first time I went on the tour. But the second time they were doing filming down there. And this time they had it back open. But this time the little western village was closed and we got taken back by an area they filled with water and filmed the plane evacuation on the movie Sully. But there were too many random trucks and junk in the way and it didn’t make for good footage so I cut it from the video, but I thought it was really neat. Every time you ride it there’s something by different.

[@jeremynguyen2346]

Is this in California or Florida

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

California. Hollywood.

[@jeremynguyen2346]

@@SoCalDisneyDad hey 👋

[@SobbleMudkipsvids]

Watched first

[@hollybabyyy]

I once had the giant pink simpsons donut in 2014. Not worth it. Terrible quality lol

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Glad to know I dodged a pricey bullet. 😅

[@imsocool5932]

@@SoCalDisneyDadidk man, I eat one almost every time I go to the park 😍

[@ThirdEyeThriving]

I heard they were really good... Im looking forward to eating atleast 1