Spotting this iconic landmark, you'll have guessed I'm writing today's Universal Studios guide. After countless visits to Shanghai Disneyland, it was finally time for a change of scenery at Beijing Universal Studios! During the recent National Day holiday, our family headed to Beijing, dedicating a day and a half to the Beijing Universal Resort. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, ticking off every attraction!
We'd previously visited Universal Studios Japan in Osaka and Universal Studios Singapore, making Beijing our third Universal Studios park. Despite this, our experiences in Osaka and Singapore proved little help for our first visit to Beijing Universal Studios. Instead, it was the warm-hearted people of Beijing who provided us with invaluable information – truly befitting the magnanimity of the capital's residents!
Beijing welcomed us with perfect weather, allowing me to see a Universal Studios park where every corner and detail was photogenic. Every shot in my travel journal feels like a visual treat. Combined with our sense of novelty about Universal Studios and my Harry Potter–loving brother’s built-in fondness for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Beijing Resort delivered a full-score experience and became the most unforgettable memory of our Beijing trip.
I can’t help but compare Shanghai Disneyland with Universal Beijing. The characters at Shanghai Disneyland are more widely recognized, and the overall atmosphere is stronger, but when it gets crowded, Disneyland can be overwhelming. The streets, alleys, and even the restrooms are packed with people, and both the interactions and shopping experiences there feel highly commercialized. Universal Beijing is different. Aside from Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter area, which is full of travel photo shoots, the overall experience throughout the park is very enjoyable. The shopping environment, in particular, stands out—you don’t see people carrying huge bags like they’re stocking up on merchandise, only an immersive and relaxed shopping experience.
I'm delighted to share our experience with everyone, much like when I wrote my first Shanghai Disneyland travelogue, meticulously detailing each attraction to provide first-time visitors with a comprehensive guide. After my inaugural visit to Beijing Universal Studios, I finally understood the anxiety of being completely in the dark during that first trip, and I realised what first-time visitors truly seek in a guide.
Pre-trip Planning
As a seasoned Shanghai Disney Annual Pass holder with years of experience, I've developed transferable expertise in researching theme park guides. When tackling Beijing Universal Studios, I confidently approached it with a structured method. Follow my reasoning step by step to grasp the fundamental framework.
Download the Official Beijing Universal Studios App
Should you decide to visit Beijing Universal Studios, the first step is to download the official app, ‘Beijing Universal Resort’. The vast majority of information you seek can be found within, guaranteed to be accurate. The official ‘Beijing Universal Resort’ WeChat public account and the ‘Beijing Universal Resort Official’ mini-program also provide the same information.
Beijing Universal Studios App Download Link:https://www.universalbeijingresort.com/zh_CN
During your visit, both the official app and mini-program feature a “Map” section where you can view your current location, check attraction queue times, and review show schedules.
Understanding Operating Hours
I consider knowing the park's opening and closing times an essential planning strategy. Only with this information can you effectively organise your itinerary. The official channels mentioned above provide Beijing Universal Studios' current operating hours (as shown below). The park typically announces these approximately 1-2 weeks in advance. Operating hours may vary depending on low/peak seasons, weekdays, weekends, public holidays, and festival periods.
Operating Hours Inquiry
For instance, during our visit to Beijing Universal Studios, we coincided with both National Day and Halloween season. Additionally, our stay at the official hotel granted us one-hour early entry, and we also experimented with the half-day pass for entry after 2 PM. These factors meant our effective playtime was closely tied to the park's operating hours.
Purchasing Tickets for Beijing Universal Studios
Tickets for Beijing Universal Studios are available across major booking platforms, categorised into half-day passes, one-day passes, one-and-a-half-day passes, two-day passes, and other options. During specific events (such as Double Eleven), non-designated-date multiple-entry or group tickets may also be sold. Ticket pricing varies across off-peak and peak seasons, with standard one-day tickets officially priced from ¥418 to ¥748 (subject to official announcements). The refund policy is considerably more accommodating than Shanghai Disneyland's, permitting free cancellations up to three days prior to the visit date.
Regarding ticket discounts, I've covered this in detail in my previous Beijing guide. I recommend comparing prices across multiple platforms before your visit. Here are some common discount methods listed; I shan't elaborate on specific pathways.
👉Tickets purchased through Ctrip come with preferential discounts.
👉Book tickets online via Klook for 388 RMB
The Double Eleven prices are remarkably favourable compared to what we paid during our National Day holiday trip. I've posted our peak season costs below for reference as an upper limit.
👉Admission: For our family of three adults and one child, we purchased a half-day ticket for 1st October and a full-day ticket for 2nd October, totalling ¥3,505. This ticket cost also included two meal packages (each comprising a special drink, snack, and main course) plus two CityWalk coupons offering 50 yuan off purchases over 200 yuan.
👉 Hotel: One night's stay at Universal Studios Grand Hotel on 1st October in a Deluxe Twin Room (breakfast excluded) cost 1,992 yuan, booked one month in advance via Trip.
Express Pass
‘Express Pass’ refers to a paid fast-track service for queueing. I've always found the name remarkably self-explanatory – indeed, even when describing Shanghai Disneyland's ‘Privilege Card’, people often draw parallels using the term ‘Express Pass’.
Is Express Pass necessary for visiting Universal Studios Beijing? I can only say that if money is no object, do get an Express Pass – it absolutely enhances the enjoyment of your visit. Express Passes come in single-attraction (valid only on the day of purchase), 3-attraction, 5-attraction, and all-inclusive packages. Prices fluctuate based on visitor numbers, and packages for peak days often sell out in advance.
While the single-ride Express Pass offers the convenience of on-the-spot decision-making, it comes at the highest per-ride cost. Consequently, the 3-ride Express Pass is generally recommended, striking a balance between affordability and ensuring you don't miss out on three key attractions.
Given our large family and the fact that our visit coincided with peak pricing, we opted against purchasing Express Passes. Fortunately, despite the high ticket cost, visitor numbers remained manageable during the first two days of the National Day holiday. Combined with our hotel's early entry privilege and invaluable tips from an annual pass holder, we managed to experience every attraction at Beijing Universal Studios within a day and a half.
Transport and Accommodation for Beijing Universal Studios
Situated in Tongzhou District on the outskirts of Beijing, the theme park is accessible via metro, private car, or taxi.
👉 From Beijing South Railway Station, take Line 14 to Jiulongshan Station, then transfer to Line 7 to Universal Studios Beijing Station. The entire journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
👉 Take a taxi from Beijing South Railway Station to Beijing Universal Studios. The journey covers approximately 30 kilometres. Without traffic, it takes under an hour. Metered fares are around ¥100, while ride-hailing services are cheaper.
Residents of Beijing informed me that Beijing Universal Resort becomes rather deserted in the evenings, raising concerns about hailing taxis – particularly as we intended to proceed to the Great Wall at Badaling that same night. Fortunately, we departed from the Universal Grand Hotel during off-peak hours, and being a public holiday, we were fortunate enough to secure a cab. Should you remain apprehensive about obtaining transport, it is advisable to book a vehicle via DiDi several days in advance.
The currently open Beijing Universal Resort covers a smaller area than Shanghai Disney Resort, resulting in a simpler layout. The entire complex comprises Beijing Universal Studios, Beijing Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Hotel, and Nongjin Resort Hotel (Beijing Universal Resort). Among these, Beijing Universal CityWalk resembles Shanghai Disney Resort's Disney Town, with hotels in both resorts offering direct pedestrian access to the theme park. For budget-conscious travellers, accommodation along the metro lines is a viable alternative.
Experience the Seven Themed Zones at Beijing Universal Studios
Universal Studios Beijing comprises seven themed zones: Hollywood, Jurassic World: Isla Nublar, Transformers Base, Kung Fu Panda: The Land of Awesomeness, Future Water World, Minion Park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With the exception of Future Water World, which features a standalone show, each zone offers a comprehensive experience encompassing attractions, performances, activities, dining, and retail.
Beijing Universal Studios offers only 16 attractions in total. Excluding Future Water World, each zone averages 2-3 attractions. My overarching impression can be summed up in two words: ‘dizzying’. While many attractions aren't particularly thrilling, the high-tech elements can induce vertigo. This was especially pronounced in the three most popular rides: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Last Battle, and Jurassic Park: The Ride. This may also be related to my personal constitution.
Hollywood
The Hollywood section serves as the main entrance to Universal Studios, somewhat akin to Shanghai Disneyland's Mickey Avenue, lined with shops, cafés, and photo studios. Upon entering, one immediately encounters the iconic canopy, identical to those found in other Universal Studios locations.
This area features the largest and most comprehensive Universal Studios shop in Beijing, the retro-chic Sunset Sweets confectionery, a recreation of the darkroom from the original Hollywood Camera Shop, and the impeccably styled Mr. Peach Coffee. Hollywood Boulevard is exceptionally photogenic, instantly proving you've visited Universal Studios.
The sole attraction in the Hollywood section is called ‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ – a year-round experience with no queues, accessible to all. There are no height restrictions, though children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult. The attraction transports visitors to a film special effects set, immersing them in a storm-hit scene with blazing fires. This was our first experience, and the startling realism promptly reduced my little sister to tears.
Jurassic World: Isla Nublar
Jurassic World Isla Nublar is a themed area based on the film Jurassic World. This wilderness-inspired zone features three attractions: ‘Jurassic World Adventure’, ‘Fly Over Jurassic’, and ‘Encounter with the Velociraptors’. The first two are large-scale must-visit attractions renowned for their long queues.
The Flight Over Jurassic attraction is situated within Jurassic Camp, which itself houses an indoor play area featuring rope nets, climbing structures, and slides – perfect for younger children to explore.
Flying Over Jurassic is one of the most popular attractions at Beijing Universal Studios, ranking among the longest queues due to its thrilling experience. Boarding the soaring glider, you'll fly through the skies above Nublar Island, accelerating, decelerating, and spinning at times, sending your adrenaline surging. The attraction requires a minimum height of 1.22 metres for solo riders, while children between 1 metre and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
Jurassic World Adventure is an indoor ride where you board a vehicle to venture deep into the heart of Isla Nublar, immersing yourself in a 4D dinosaur world. The dinosaur effects are incredibly lifelike – my little sister got scared again. The ride requires a minimum height of 1.22 metres for solo riders, while children between 1.02 and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
Raptor Encounter is an interactive attraction where visitors can come face-to-face with prehistoric creatures. Put simply, it's a photo opportunity spot that dinosaur enthusiasts won't want to miss. Those uninterested in dinosaurs may find queuing unnecessary. There are no height restrictions, though children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
Transformers Base
Transformers Base, inspired by the Transformers films, exudes a contemporary industrial aesthetic. Here you'll find Autobots such as Optimus Prime and Decepticons like Megatron. The area features three attractions: Transformers: The Last Battle, Decepticon Coaster, and Bumblebee's Cyclone. The most thrilling ride at Beijing Universal Studios, the Decepticon Coaster, is located here.
Transformers: The Last Knight is also among the top three most popular attractions at Beijing Universal Studios. While its experience is similar to several other 4D motion rides, it stands out as the only one requiring visitors to wear 3D glasses. The main storyline involves defeating Megatron to seize the final Allspark fragment, delivering an intensely dizzying experience. Riders must be at least 1.22 metres tall to ride independently, while children between 1.02 and 1.22 metres require parental accompaniment.
The Bumblebee Spin resembles Shanghai Disneyland's Spinning Honey Pot, albeit with a different narrative backdrop. Here, Bumblebee takes centre stage, appearing as though he's DJing but actually undergoing rotational testing at the medical centre. This attraction also induces considerable dizziness. There are no height restrictions, though children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
The Decepticons roller coaster is undoubtedly the most thrilling attraction at Beijing Universal Studios, and we didn't dare to try it. However, those who have ridden it report a strong sense of being enveloped, offering greater reassurance than roller coasters at other theme parks. Though popular, its intensity deters many, resulting in moderate queue lengths. The height requirement for this attraction is a minimum of 1.32 metres.
Kung Fu Panda: The Land of Awesomeness
Kung Fu Panda: The Land of Awesomeness is a themed area based on the film Kung Fu Panda, featuring three attractions: Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior, Whirling Martial Arts, and Lantern Legend. The attractions in this zone are rather unremarkable and easily overlooked.
The entire Kung Fu Panda Land is housed indoors, with rather dim lighting that might make dads feel a bit drowsy... Beyond the main attractions, the area also features climbing structures for little ones and set pieces like the home of Kung Fu Panda from the film.
Legends of the Lanterns is a high-altitude spinning ride similar to Disney's Dumbo the Flying Elephant, suitable for young children. For older youngsters, the lengthy queues make it entirely unworthy of the wait. There is no height requirement, though children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior is the most worthwhile attraction in this area, though it pales in comparison to those in other zones. It involves a boat ride through Kung Fu Panda-themed scenery. The queue to enter is lengthy, though the actual wait time is short. The experience is quite sedate and fails to generate much excitement. The height requirement is 1.22 metres for independent access; children between 0.8 and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by a parent.
Whirling Wuxia Much like Shanghai Disneyland's Fantasia Carousel, this is a staple attraction found in every theme park. It remains suitable for young children, though those with a particular fondness for carousels may wish to give it a go. However, if the queue is lengthy, it may not be worth the wait – we took one look and decided to skip it. There is no height requirement, but children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
Future Water World
WaterWorld is a spectacular show that occupies an entire island, forming its own dedicated zone capable of accommodating vast numbers of spectators simultaneously. The attraction draws inspiration from the 1995 American film of the same name, directed by Kevin Reynolds, which blended action and science fiction genres. Consequently, the show's primary draw lies in its special effects.
This is the most worthwhile show at Beijing Universal Studios. If your schedule permits only one performance, this is absolutely the one to see. The show commences at midday (presumably for optimal lighting), takes place outdoors, and features a covered seating area. Performances may be suspended due to inclement weather.
The entire performance is woven together by a central narrative thread, brimming with spectacular stunts. Water jets and fire blasts erupt intermittently, while high-altitude diving stunts are commonplace. The climax arrives when an aeroplane bursts onto the scene, leaving audiences buzzing with excitement and exclaiming ‘brilliant!’ after the show. A handy tip: as crowds are contained within the performance area during the show, queue times for surrounding attractions tend to decrease slightly.
Minion Park
I absolutely adore the Minion Park area, for those cheeky little Minions are everyone's little rays of sunshine. This zone is themed around the Despicable Me films and spin-offs like Minions, and there's even a street recreating Gru's house from the movies – I simply love it.
The three attractions spread across this area are the Minion Mayhem Coaster, the Super Cute Vortex, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, all designed to be lively and utterly adorable. Beyond these, there's also a dedicated Minion play area. While the Minion Mayhem attraction stands alone outside, the other attractions and play areas are all housed within a large indoor venue.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is the most entertaining attraction in the Minion Park area. It serves as a child-friendly version of the 4D experiences found elsewhere, offering ample fun without excessive scares. The immersive experience is engaging without frightening younger visitors. The minimum height requirement for independent participation is 1.22 metres; children between 1.02 and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
The Minion Games area resembles Shanghai Disneyland's Andy's Toy Box, essentially a money pit for claw machine games. While offering more variety than its Shanghai counterpart, the success rate remains disappointingly low. Exercise caution and steer clear – otherwise, hundreds of yuan can vanish in mere minutes. Don't ask how I know.
The Super Cute Whirlpool is a spinning ride similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Shanghai Disneyland. It's nothing particularly special, with no height requirement, though children under 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult. The Cute Twister Coaster is a junior roller coaster designed for younger children. The ride is very brief, reaching the end just as you begin to feel the thrill of a roller coaster. Children over 1.22 metres may ride alone, while those between 0.92 and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult. If the queues for either attraction are long, it's perfectly acceptable to skip them.
Minion Park is an area well worth exploring for its intricate details, given the rumour that over ten thousand Minions are hidden throughout. Of varying sizes, shapes, and expressions, they lurk in every nook and cranny of the park. The crafty dad even spotted a Minion identical to himself tucked away in one corner.
The weather was unbelievably fine. Sitting by the lake in the Minions area, munching on a Minion ice cream, brought back memories of Universal Studios Japan years ago. This was probably the most leisurely moment of the entire trip.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most popular area at Universal Studios, built around the storylines of the Harry Potter films. It faithfully recreates iconic scenes from the movies, including Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley, making it an absolute must-visit for Harry Potter fans.
Within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, three attractions stand out: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Ollivanders. This area is the first destination for early-bird visitors, who sprint the hundred metres to reach it. The Forbidden Journey is also the most popular attraction at Beijing Universal Studios, boasting the longest queues.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a rollercoaster-style attraction often compared to Shanghai Disneyland's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Its thrill lies in its minimal sense of confinement – one feels as though seated on a sofa before departure. Fortunately, the ride is brief; the initial screams subside swiftly. It is recommended to keep eyes wide open throughout to take in the views of Hogwarts Castle. The height requirement for this attraction is 1.22 metres for independent riding. Children between 0.99 metres and 1.22 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
The attraction inside Hogwarts Castle is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. If you arrive early and find the queue for Forbidden Journey already lengthy, you might consider riding the Hippogriff Flight first, then making a return trip to Forbidden Journey before the park officially opens.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is, in my opinion, the most thrilling attraction at Beijing Universal Studios. The queue itself immerses you intensely in the experience, culminating in lockers at the end where you must store all personal belongings. The height requirement for this ride is 1.22 metres.
The Forbidden Journey's main storyline takes you hurtling through the corridors and classrooms of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, soaring high above the castle walls. You begin the ride lying down. Along the way, you'll encounter 100% film-accurate 4D visuals and Death Eaters lying in wait. It's a relentless barrage of thrills and spills, with dizziness being an unavoidable part of the experience. But once you've been on it, you'll agree it's absolutely brilliant!
Ollivanders is the least crowded attraction in the Harry Potter Wizarding World. This experience involves a group entering to participate in a wand selection segment, where one audience member is selected each time to choose a wand. Typically, children in the front rows wearing Harry Potter costumes and not holding wands are more likely to be chosen. Upon exiting this attraction, visitors arrive at Ollivanders Wand Shop, where wands are sold.
Ollivanders Wand Shop appears to be the most popular store at Beijing Universal Studios. An astonishing array of wands crammed the entire shop, featuring wands belonging to every major character imaginable. The sheer number of transactions taking place was genuinely astonishing. My brother ultimately chose Voldemort's wand, and there's an embarrassing little story attached to that particular wand.
Shop assistant: ‘Are you looking for the wand of the Dark Lord?’
Mother: ‘No, I want Voldemort's wand.’
Shop assistant: ‘Ah, the Mysterious One's wand.’
Mum: ‘Eh? No, what Mysterious One? I want Voldemort's!’
Shop assistant: ‘I'm afraid we can't say that name here!’
My brother, standing nearby, snapped irritably: ‘How embarrassing is that?’
Do you get the reference? Anyone who's seen the films will know!
The wand shop sells two types of wands: one without interactive features – essentially just a plain stick, where Muggles remain Muggles; the other equipped with infrared interaction capabilities, allowing these wands to engage with Diagon Alley's shop windows and experience the joy of being a wizard. Unfortunately, on the day we visited, the crowds were overwhelming. The shop windows were packed with wizards casting spells, making it impossible to discern whose magic was actually working.
Every shop window in Diagon Alley was packed with visitors dressed as Harry Potter characters. Renting a full Harry Potter costume for a photo shoot has become an established industry here, mirroring Disney's photo packages. Each window in Diagon Alley is brimming with intricate details, making it utterly captivating. My Harry Potter-loving brother declared he could happily spend the entire day here.
Beijing Universal Studios: Shows and Interactions
Watching performances is a crucial part of the Universal Studios experience. While introducing the seven zones earlier, I mentioned the must-see show, Future Water World. Beyond that, I was particularly looking forward to the ‘Universal Grand Parade’ – commonly known as the float parade. Unfortunately, the parade was closed during Halloween, which was the biggest disappointment of my trip.
Performance schedules can be found on the official app or mini-program, though interactive events lack precise timings. Typically, the app displays a meet-and-greet time slot, during which several characters take turns appearing – encountering any particular one is entirely down to luck.
Universal Midway Show
The Universal Midway Show is a new atmospheric performance introduced this year, somewhat akin to Shanghai Disneyland's Colourful Celebration. A vehicle parades through designated areas accompanied by singing and dancing. The show features a fusion of brass instruments and hip-hop music, creating a lively atmosphere.
‘The Untamed’ is situated beside Hollywood Boulevard, a performance based on the film How to Train Your Dragon. The stage and set design are meticulously crafted, and when the Viking lad Hiccup rides his dragon around the venue, the atmosphere becomes quite electrifying.
Throughout Beijing Universal Studios, you can interact with delightful film characters everywhere, the Minions being one such example. During Halloween, they even donned bizarre costumes. The queues for these interactions are incomparable to those at Shanghai Disneyland, as they haven't yet been eroded by fan culture.
Along the way, we stumbled upon all manner of street performances: the Triwizard Tournament rally in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, baby velociraptors in Jurassic World, and impromptu meet-and-greets on Hollywood Boulevard. Surprises abound at every turn.
If time permits, catch a performance of “Sing Live Tour”. As someone who loves singing, I've always held the film “Sing” in high regard. This show brings the film's final stage performance to life. Though the audience wasn't particularly enthusiastic, it was still a pleasant break to sit in the theatre.
Transformers: The Legend Live
Transformers: The Live Experience is an interactive attraction where visitors can meet the Autobots. The Autobots take turns appearing, with the sharp-tongued Megatron proving the most popular. Many guests relish being ‘teased’ by Megatron and share videos of these interactions on social media.
At Kung Fu Panda's Land of Awesomeness, Kung Fu Panda meet-and-greets feature randomly appearing characters, with Po, Mei Mei and Tigress taking turns to make appearances. Fans are advised to stake out a spot for a chance encounter.
Though Beijing Universal Studios lacks fireworks displays, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter hosts multiple nightly Hogwarts Castle Magic Celebrations after dark. As dusk falls, the castle illuminates with dazzling lights for a six-minute spectacle brimming with ceremonial grandeur. With frequent showings, it's advisable to check timings via the app and select one to experience.
Dining and Shopping at Beijing Universal Studios
Food at Universal Studios is slightly cheaper than at Shanghai Disneyland, yet tastes better. Whether it's the rarity of my visit or the quality itself, both main dishes and snacks earned my praise.
Though we covered nearly every attraction at Beijing Universal Studios in just one and a half days, we only sampled a few culinary offerings. Our meal plan included a main course at the randomly selected Zijing Restaurant. The official app allowed us to preview the restaurant's signature dishes beforehand; we opted for the slow-roasted ribs black gold burger and grilled beef skewers with rice, both of which were quite tasty.
Universal Studios Cuisine
We sampled some park snacks too. The giant chicken drumstick and Minion ice cream both scored highly; the corn dog felt a tad small, tasting similar to Shanghai Disney's offering. For signature drinks, we tried the blood-bag-shaped grape juice and Butterbeer from the Harry Potter zone. The kids were thoroughly satisfied with these – whether for their appearance, flavour, nostalgic appeal, or sheer novelty.
The items above are likely the top sellers at Beijing Universal Studios, namely wands, owls and butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. From my observations, first-time visitors to Universal Studios invariably end up purchasing these essentials.
Harry Potter enthusiasts also develop an obsession with a confection called the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. These magical beans deliver a spectrum of astonishing tastes – pleasant ones include standard fruit flavours, while the unpleasant ones encompass such delights as booger, earwax, and vomit flavours. My very first bean landed me a dud, and I've never opened another of these mystery packs since.
Children transition from eagerly sampling every flavour to requiring considerable courage to taste them later on. By the time we returned, the packet lay untouched. Having polled most people, the fate of the Jell-O Beans invariably fizzles out. My advice? Buy sparingly.
Shopping at Universal Studios Beijing is best handled at the one-stop Universal Studios Store located at the entrance. Here you can find nearly everything sold throughout the park's shops, within a comfortable and pleasant shopping environment. This may be partly due to the less-than-useful shopping vouchers included with Universal Studios annual passes, effectively deterring those seeking to conduct business through resale. Wands can also be purchased at the Universal Studios Store, where the shopping experience is a hundred times better than at Ollivander's!
Special Festival Events
Like Disney, Universal Studios hosts several themed seasonal events each year, with Halloween being the most popular. Beijing Universal Studios' 2024 Halloween season is themed ‘Thrilling Universal’, featuring limited-time access to select attractions. The most anticipated are three haunted houses: Jack's Circus, Mansion 81, and The Farm of Horrors.
Compared to Disney's whimsical approach, Universal's haunted houses deliver genuine scares. Most visitors are both cowards and thrill-seekers, and I'd mentally prepared myself for the prospect of fleeing in terror. However, Beijing Universal Studios' Halloween season closes every Tuesday and Wednesday, and our visit coincided with a closure day, sparing me the dilemma.
Though we avoided the most scream-inducing parts of Halloween, we still wanted to soak up the festive atmosphere. This blood-effect kit, sold exclusively on Universal CityWalk, looks remarkably like a real blood transfusion kit. Holding one in your hand is undeniably cool. There's also a matching syringe kit, leaving us marvelling at Universal Studios' ingenuity.
Universal Resort Accommodation
Guests staying at hotels within Beijing Universal Resort enjoy one-hour early admission. The resort features two hotels: the Universal Studios Grand Hotel, situated closest to Universal Studios; and the Norking Resort Hotel (Beijing Universal Resort), slightly further away but offering superior facilities. Both hotels are similarly priced.
👉 Universal Studios Grand Hotel bookings:Trip
👉Nogin Resort Hotel (Beijing Universal Resort):Trip
We stayed at the Universal Studios Grand Hotel, as it aligns more closely with the theme park's ethos, and its proximity to the entrance suited our needs perfectly for a first visit where we wanted to maximise our time on the attractions. The hotel's interior was rather charming, though the check-in after 4pm and check-out before 11am policy proved rather inconvenient.
The Deluxe Twin Room at Universal Studios Grand Hotel features remarkably minimalist décor. Were it not for the prominent ‘HOLLYWOOD’ lettering adorning the walls, one might scarcely realise they were within Universal Studios. Fortunately, theme park hotels boast exceptionally spacious beds; the two 1.5-metre double beds comfortably accommodated our family of four. An added bonus is the hotel's allowance for ordering takeaway, with a surprisingly diverse selection of nearby eateries.
Descending the stairs from the Universal Grand Hotel to Level B1 leads directly to the entrance for Universal Studios and Hollywood Boulevard – incredibly convenient! All guests can enter the park one hour early with their ID, and this golden hour proved invaluable for us to tick off attractions. We utilised the early entry to complete the three major rides in the Harry Potter zone. A sign near the Universal Studios entrance displays your height restrictions for attractions – simply stand beside it to see which rides you can't enjoy.
During the National Day holiday, we stayed at the Universal Studios Grand Hotel for ¥1,992 per night. All four of us qualified for early entry. Though we didn't splurge on the Minion-themed breakfast experience, we still felt the hotel stay was well worth it. After all, theme park hopping is exhausting, and being able to return straight to the hotel after leaving the park was truly a blessing.
Universal CityWalk
Finally, let's discuss Beijing Universal CityWalk. This promenade resembles Shanghai Disney's Disney Town, situated outside the theme park itself. No admission ticket is required; anyone can stroll and dine here. Emerging from Beijing Universal Studios' main gate provides seamless access to CityWalk, with the metro station and car park located at its opposite end.
What does Universal CityWalk offer? Foremost is the iconic landmark of Universal Studios: the rotating globe emblazoned with ‘UNIVERSAL’. No visitor leaves without capturing a snapshot with it – just mind your angle for that perfect shot.
The dining options along Universal CityWalk are remarkably diverse. I had initially assumed there would be only a handful of Western chains, but to my surprise, it features local delights such as Quanjude and Donglaishun, offering both Chinese and Western cuisine. The promenade also houses Universal Studios shops, CityWalk Cinemas, and the Pop Mart Global Concept Store. For those staying in the resort hotels like us, everything from dining to entertainment can be conveniently accessed without leaving the resort grounds.
To conclude this piece on Beijing Universal Studios, special thanks must go to our Beijing friend ‘Dudu Dad’. He provided invaluable tips and assistance throughout our trip, even joining us during the National Day holiday to make our park experience truly memorable! This article also features the highest number of family photos from our collection. Words cannot express our gratitude – thank you! Do come visit Shanghai Disneyland next time!
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