I’ve been to Beijing many times, but this was my first visit during autumn. Apart from enjoying the golden autumn scenery across the city, I had another important goal: Universal Studios Beijing.
Idid some research before going, and with the perfect weather, I had a super successful trip to Universal Studios. Looking back, I feel the ticket price was well worth it.
From entering the park at 9 am until just before 5 pm, I managed to experience almost all the attractions in the park (except for the scariest Decepticoaster, which I didn’t have the courage to ride) and watched all the shows. I even went on the most popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride twice.
Friends with annual passes who frequently visit Universal Studios found it unbelievable and asked if I was exhausted.
Although I was tired, I took a nap midway through the day and had several breaks to sit and rest. Perhaps it was a combination of choosing the right time and making proper arrangements.
So, I decided to write a guide to share my experience of visiting Universal Studios Beijing, as a reference for first-time visitors.
Let’s begin!
When to visit?
The experience at Universal Studios largely depends on which day you choose to go. For a theme park, the difference between a crowded day and a less crowded day is like heaven and hell.
My experience this time was excellent, mainly because there were very few people on the day I visited. The park’s display showed that there were only about 15,000 visitors that day, and the queue for each attraction was short, with an average waiting time of just around twenty minutes.
If you go during peak periods, popular attractions can have queues lasting one to two hours, leaving you with nothing but waiting in line for the entire day.
Therefore, if possible, try to visit on a weekday, preferably on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Mondays are often as crowded as weekends due to being connected to Sundays, and the same goes for Fridays. Thursdays often have events, resulting in larger crowds.
For example, October and November are the park’s Halloween event months. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, there is no Night Surprise Farm project (where staff dress up as ghosts to create atmosphere), and the ticket prices are cheaper, with significantly fewer people.
If it’s your first visit to Universal Studios, I think it’s more worthwhile to experience the classic attractions rather than participating in all the events.
But what if you don’t have time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?
To have a good experience, you’ll need to spend money. You can either buy an “Express Pass” for 700 yuan, which gives you the privilege of shorter queues for all attractions on a single day, or spend 400-500 yuan for the privilege of shorter queues for three popular attractions.
Alternatively, you can stay at the Universal Studios hotel, which allows you to enter the park an hour earlier and enjoy your favorite attractions first. If the price is reasonable, it’s not a bad option. A friend of mine shared a room with another mom during the summer vacation, and two 1.5-meter beds were enough for two adults and two children.
How to experience the attractions?
This time, I went without children. From my experience, Universal Studios doesn’t seem very suitable for young children. Firstly, many attractions are quite thrilling, and secondly, most young children haven’t watched the themed movies, which reduces the enjoyment.
My suggestion is that Universal Studios is more suitable for children over ten years old and adults, with teenagers, especially Harry Potter fans, being the perfect audience. Children under ten are more suited to Disneyland, which is their paradise of happiness.
Next, let me share my route through the park this time. I roughly followed a path of increasing excitement levels:
Minion Land – Jurassic World – Transformers – Kung Fu Panda – Harry Potter
Each area generally consists of a main 4D experience attraction, one or two mechanical rides, and some small interactive experience projects.
Minion Land
The Minion Land looks great for photos, whether taken during the day or at night.
It is a true fairy tale world with vibrant colors, making it perfect for taking pictures. We headed there first upon entering the park because many people’s primary target is Harry Potter, so there were very few people here, with almost no need to queue. It is also one of the only two areas suitable for young children (the other being the Kung Fu Panda area).
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
This is the main 4D experience project in Minion Land. You sit in a moving chair and enter the world of the Minions to embark on an adventure.
As a Minion fan, I was thrilled to be immersed in the story, feeling like I had truly become a Minion. The various weightless flight experiences were very realistic, and I had a big smile on my face throughout the entire ride.
Minion Cute Coaster
A very small roller coaster that is extremely adorable and ends in less than two minutes, with a relatively low level of excitement. I think it’s a good starting point, beginning with something simple and gradually increasing the difficulty.
Minion Whirling Teacups
A project similar to a merry-go-round, equally adorable. Even two-year-old babies can enjoy it, but as a middle-aged aunt, I felt a bit embarrassed to ride it.
Jurassic World
Walking a short distance from Minion Land, you’ll enter an area filled with dinosaurs. The immersion here is also exceptionally well done. The queueing areas are full of Jurassic exploration elements, such as introductions to various dinosaurs, fossil specimens, laboratory data, etc. Dinosaur enthusiasts can find Easter eggs everywhere.
Jurassic World Adventure
This 4D experience project is highly recommended. Several people sit in a small car and enter a tropical desert, experiencing the most thrilling part of the “Jurassic World” storyline.
The car constantly flips and flees, with various dinosaurs fighting and breathing fire right in front of your eyes. The sense of being there in person is strong, and it’s an experience that leaves you wanting more, eager to go again immediately after finishing.
Pteranodon Flyers
As soon as you enter the gates of Universal Studios, you can see this roller coaster hanging halfway up the mountain, looking very spectacular and beautiful. It simulates the perspective of a pterosaur, sitting in a glider overlooking the entire Jurassic World.
I found the excitement level to be okay, only slightly scarier than the Minion roller coaster, but it was too short, ending in two minutes.
This project has a relatively long queue time, and it was the longest I waited during this visit. I think it can be skipped if you’re short on time.
Raptor Encounter
A project where you can get up close and take photos with dinosaurs. If you’re a dinosaur enthusiast, you can queue up to experience the interaction and probably take some fantastic photos.
Transformers
I fell asleep both times I went to the cinema to watch “Transformers,” so I originally only wanted to quickly pass through this area. However, its main 4D experience project is exceptionally well done and is my second favorite in the entire park.
Transformers: Battle for the AllSpark
Similar to the Jurassic World Adventure, you also sit in a small car for a 4D indoor adventure. Transformers battle right in front of your eyes, with many moments of fast chases, dives, and explosive scenes that keep you holding your breath in excitement every second.
I highly recommend not missing this project. Even if you haven’t watched “Transformers” at all, it won’t affect the experience. The excitement level is acceptable for most people, thrilling but not scary.
Decepticoaster
This is one I didn’t have the courage to ride and is the most thrilling project in the entire park. The track is long with many inversions, and it’s the world’s third-tallest catapult roller coaster. Brave roller coaster enthusiasts can go for it.
Bumblebee Boogie
A family-friendly project similar to spinning teacups. Those who don’t mind dizziness can experience it, but it doesn’t need to be a priority.
Kung Fu Panda Land
Kung Fu Panda is an area even more suitable for young children than Minion Land. Since I didn’t bring any children, I originally planned to quickly pass through and leave, but unexpectedly, it was quite a pleasant surprise.
It is the only area in the entire park that is completely indoors, simulating the scene of the hidden paradise in “Kung Fu Panda,” as if you’ve walked into a Chinese-style animation.
Because it’s entirely indoors, I think it must be a great place to cool off in the summer. There’s also a fairly large slide playground inside, and little ones will probably never want to leave once they enter.
Kung Fu Panda Adventure
This is the main project of the pavilion, a boat tour experience. Compared to the previous main projects, it’s much more suitable for young children, but for those who love Po the Panda, like myself, it’s still very enjoyable, a leisurely and relaxing experience. (Remember to sit in the middle, or you’ll get wet)
Legendary Lanterns
A family-friendly small project, a rotating hot air balloon. However, the appearance is very dreamy and artistic, and just looking at it is a feast for the eyes.
Harry Potter
Finally, we arrive at the most popular Harry Potter area. When I got here, it was probably already after 4 p.m., avoiding the crowd of people wearing wizard robes and taking photos as soon as they entered. At this point, there were far fewer people.
Every time I look up at the large castle, I’m stunned by its beauty. From the architecture to the atmosphere, everything is done with great care. Harry Potter fans could probably spend most of the day in this one area alone.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
While queuing, it feels like you’ve truly entered the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with moving and talking photos
This is probably the most popular project in the entire park, as well as the main project for Harry Potter. It’s also a 4D indoor adventure experience, with an original storyline where you sit on a broomstick and fly.
It’s high-energy throughout, and I screamed with joy the entire time.
This is probably the most thrilling project aside from the Decepticoaster. I consider myself an adult with not much courage (I’m even a bit scared of pirate ships), but the indoor adventure projects I played gradually increased in difficulty, so by the time I reached Harry Potter, I had already built up my tolerance. It was thrilling but not scary, so I played it a second time.
However, some friends felt dizzy and nauseous after playing, not daring to open their eyes the entire time. So, it’s not a bad idea to play it in the evening. If you get dizzy right from the start, it might affect your mood for the whole day.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Harry Potter’s outdoor roller coaster, also considered a small one, not too thrilling. What makes it special is that you can overlook the entire Harry Potter area, and if you play it when the sunset is painting the castle, it’s truly a magical and romantic sunset ride.
The Harry Potter area in the evening
How to watch the shows?
Visiting Universal Studios isn’t just about the above-mentioned rides and attractions; there are also a few shows you shouldn’t miss. I watched the shows interspersed between the projects, which was a good opportunity to sit down, rest, and recover, so as not to get too tired.
In the mini-program “Beijing Universal Resort,” you can find the showtimes and times for each show, as well as the current queue time for each ride and attraction. Check it from time to time to avoid missing the shows and to avoid waiting in line for too long.
Waterworld Stunt Show
I must say, the performers at Universal Studios are extremely dedicated. I’ve seen similar performances at other theme parks, but the actors here are simply social maniacs, starting to liven up the atmosphere fifteen minutes before the show, making every minute and second very enjoyable.
The show has many fighting and explosive scenes, as well as jet ski chases, all done for real. Especially when the fire spews out, you can really smell the hot gasoline, making you quite worried for the actors and concerned about them getting injured.
There are 5 shows per day, so don’t miss it. If you don’t want to get wet, be sure not to sit in the wet zone. There are clear indications on-site, and even if you wear a raincoat in the wet zone, you’ll still get drenched like a drowned rat.
How to Train Your Dragon Spectacular
As a fan of Toothless, I had to watch this show. I think it’s even better than the Waterworld show. Although the plot is a bit simple, the actors, costumes, stage effects, and music are all fantastic, rivaling a formal ticketed musical theater performance.
Especially the moment when Toothless flies out from above the theater is truly stunning. I’d want to visit Universal Studios again just for that scene.
Sing on Tour
Compared to the previous two large-scale shows, Sing on Tour is a smaller-scale music concert show, with the animals taking turns performing on stage. The overall atmosphere is very joyful, and younger children will probably enjoy it more.
What about food?
It’s great that you can bring food into Universal Studios. Expecting the food in the park to be relatively expensive, I brought some bread and snacks into the park and basically didn’t buy any proper meals inside.
There are many restaurants in the park, with prices for a meal around 80-90 yuan. Most of the restaurants serve Western food, like burgers and fries. In the Kung Fu Panda pavilion, there are noodle shops and restaurants that are more suitable for Chinese tastes, and the prices are also relatively more affordable.
Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop in Kung Fu Panda
The restrooms in Universal Studios are the best I’ve seen in any theme park – numerous, spacious, and clean. Each one incorporates the characteristics of its theme, and they all have drinking water and warm water. It’s recommended to bring your own small cup or water bottle.
What about taking photos?
My goal for this trip was to play as many rides and attractions as possible. If you want to focus on taking photos, many people rent Harry Potter wizard robes online in advance. The Harry Potter area is indeed very suitable for taking great photos.
At the entrance, I also saw a photographer accompaniment service, which costs about 148 yuan for half an hour and includes costumes and props. If you want to balance taking good photos and playing the attractions, this might be a good choice – first concentrate on taking photos for half an hour, and then go play the attractions.
I accidentally wrote so much, so let me highlight the key points again.
- Tuesdays or Wednesdays on weekdays have the fewest people entering the park.
- Open the mini-program “Beijing Universal Resort” to see real-time queuing conditions.
- Don’t miss Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: Battle for the AllSpark, as well as the Waterworld and How to Train Your Dragon Spectacular shows.
This day at Universal Studios felt like truly entering a utopia filled with only joy. Without bringing children, I could completely be myself, which is such a rare and beautiful dream for a mother.
