Universal guests are accustomed to rising costs, but a new change at the company’s Hollywood park shifts part of that burden before visitors even reach the gates. Parking, once a secondary expense, has become a significant line item for many planning a visit.
Theme park pricing has steadily increased across the industry in recent years. Disney and Universal have raised costs on tickets, food, and merchandise as attendance patterns normalize and operating expenses rise.
Disney now charges peak one-day ticket prices exceeding $200 at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. Universal, meanwhile, has implemented smaller but frequent increases across its parks, often outside the ticketing system itself.
At Universal Studios Hollywood, recent changes point to a broader recalibration of guest spending. Food prices rose in September, with Butterbeer increasing from $9 to $9.50 per drink.
Universal Orlando Resort has also signaled additional pricing changes ahead. The company has suggested that broader increases could arrive in 2026, potentially alongside a new annual pass structure that incorporates Epic Universe.
Against that backdrop, parking prices in Hollywood have drawn renewed attention.
Parking Prices Increase at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood raised its parking rates in September. Preferred parking now costs $80, Front Gate parking is priced at $60, and general parking sits at $40.
The park, which opened in 1964 as a studio tour before expanding into a full theme park, initially gave no indication whether the changes were temporary. The higher Preferred and Front Gate parking rates are now permanent.
Universal has permanently raised Preferred and Front Gate parking prices.
@UniStudios
Universal has permanently raised Preferred and Front Gate parking prices. @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/qgdqie5TG7
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) December 22, 2025
As a result, guests visiting the park may pay an additional fee comparable to discounted ticket prices simply to park for the day.
Reaction online has been swift. “$80 to park LMAOOO,” wrote one X, formerly known as Twitter, user.
“It was 25 just 4 years ago,” another user added.
Other guests expressed frustration with the scale of the increase. One described the change as “bloody outrageous,” while another said using Uber now made more financial sense.
Annual Passes Gain New Appeal
The higher parking costs have shifted the value equation for some visitors. For frequent guests, annual passes now offer a clearer financial incentive.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Platinum Annual Pass is currently priced at $599, down from $609. It includes unlimited access with no blackout dates, three bonus months, and free parking.
That parking benefit also applies to visits to Universal CityWalk Hollywood, including restaurants, the Universal Cinema, and retail locations.
The Gold Annual Pass, priced at $299, also includes free parking. Only the Silver Annual Pass and California Neighbor Pass exclude parking benefits.
For guests planning multiple visits, the savings on parking alone can offset much of the cost difference between single-day tickets and an annual pass.
However, increased demand presents its own challenges. Universal Studios Hollywood has already reached capacity several times this month, with guests reporting long waits for attractions such as the Studio Tour.
What do you think of Universal’s parking fees?
