Shows
Shows at Universal Studios Hollywood
There are no parades, but there is a big stunt show, performances in Hogsmeade and light shows on Hogwarts Castle. You'll bump into well-known characters all over the park. Times are listed in the official Universal Studios Hollywood app.
WaterWorld
According to Universal, WaterWorld is the longest-running show at Universal Studios and the park's highest-rated stunt show. You'll see leaping jet skis, dangerous dives, gunfights, huge explosions and a plane crashing down right in front of you. Around 168,500 fire effects are set off every year, with fireballs reaching up to about 15 metres high. Arrive 30 minutes before the show: once the stands are full, the doors close. You may get wet in the front rows.
Shows in Hogsmeade
There are two performances in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
- Frog Choir: four students, from Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, sing well-known wizarding songs, accompanied by their big croaking toads.
- Triwizard Spirit Rally: students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang capture the spirit of the Triwizard Tournament with stunts and dance.
Light shows on the castle
In The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, the four Hogwarts houses come to life in a spectacle of light and music projected onto the castle. You watch from Hogsmeade. On some evenings there's Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, a darker version featuring Dementors, Death Eaters and Voldemort, set to music by John Williams. According to Universal, the show Hogwarts Always will return later.
During the holidays you can see The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. Check the app for times.
Meeting characters
Well-known characters roam all over the park. At the Raptor Encounter in Jurassic World you meet Blue, the leader of the velociraptors. In Transformers Metrobase you can have your photo taken with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron. In SUPER NINTENDO WORLD you meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.
You'll also come across the Minions, The Simpsons, Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona, Po from Kung Fu Panda, the Trolls, Hello Kitty and Scooby-Doo, among others. Park staff know where and when.
Arrive on time
Be at the theatre 30 minutes before WaterWorld. If the stands are full, the doors close.
Check the app
Show times and character times are in the official app. They can vary from day to day.
Accessible
The shows have wheelchair spaces and scripts in large print and braille.