Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood traces its origins back to March 15, 1915, when Carl Laemmle opened Universal City on a 230-acre ranch in the San Fernando Valley. In those early days, the public was invited to watch silent films being made for just 25 cents, a price that included a boxed chicken lunch. This early version of the studio tour was eventually phased out with the advent of sound films, as directors required silence on the set to capture clear audio. The modern era of the park began on July 15, 1964, when the official theme park opened its doors to the public. The centerpiece was the Glamor Tram tour, which gave visitors a behind-the-scenes look at actual movie sets and special effects. Over the following decades, the park evolved from a simple studio tour into a full-scale entertainment destination, introducing standalone thrill rides and immersive environments based on blockbuster franchises like Jaws, King Kong, and Jurassic Park. Today, Universal Studios Hollywood remains a unique hybrid of a working film studio and a world-class theme park. It has undergone massive expansions in the 21st century, most notably with the addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the highly immersive Super Nintendo World. As 'The Entertainment Capital of L.A.,' it continues to bridge the gap between cinematic history and cutting-edge theme park technology, offering guests a chance to step directly into the movies they love.