Universal Studios Hollywood, Theme park in Universal City, Los Angeles, US.
Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park in Universal City within the Los Angeles area and also a working film studio, with attractions based on movies and series produced by Universal Pictures. The complex spreads across two levels connected by long escalators, with the upper grounds holding covered themed areas and live shows while the lower section contains rides built into the hillside.
Carl Laemmle bought the Taylor Ranch in 1914 and founded Universal City; the studio opened on March 14, 1915, with a two-day event drawing 10,000 attendees. Public tours with a five-cent admission and a chicken boxed lunch were discontinued around 1930. On July 15, 1964, a new tram tour launched, growing into the theme park.
The grounds connect visitors with the entertainment industry through daily studio tours, encounters with costumed film characters, and special screenings of current productions. Guests can walk through actual outdoor sets they recognize from movies and television.
The complex is reachable via Metro B Line through Universal City station, with regular shuttle buses running from there to the entrance. It helps to arrive early in the day to avoid large crowds during peak seasons.
The backlot studio tours pass through actual street sets where television series are regularly filmed and which may be reconfigured for each visit. Parts of the complex sit on a hillside that offers deep views into the constructions behind the rides.
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