The weekends are always going to be the busiest days at Universal Studios, so try and avoid Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sometimes Mondays can be busy, just because it is right next to the weekend days and guests tend to take 3 or 4 days weekends using Monday and Friday.

The best day of the week to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is consistently Tuesday or Wednesday. Because the park is located in the heart of Los Angeles, it is heavily influenced by local "Pass Members" who flood the park on weekends and Friday evenings. Mondays can also be surprisingly busy with "long-weekend" tourists. On a mid-week Tuesday, wait times for major attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey can be 30-50% lower than on a Saturday. However, as of 2026, you must also check the Special Event calendar. During the fall (September–October), the park often closes early on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays for Halloween Horror Nights, which can cut your daytime short. In the spring (April–May), "Grad Bash" events can also cause early closures and higher teen crowds on Friday nights. If you want the absolute quietest experience, aim for a Tuesday in late January or early February (after the New Year's rush but before Spring Break begins), when the "off-peak" pricing is lowest and the weather is generally mild.