Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Beijing Universal Studios
1. Let me share my annual pass experience
I got an annual pass and visited seven times. I avoided the Transformers ride (I'm a scaredy-cat) and Ollivander's (the wait was too long), but I hit nearly everything else so many times I was tired of it. The best part about the annual pass is you can come and go anytime; no need to feel guilty about ticket prices. If you're tired, just head home and come back the next day. Especially during the off-peak weekdays, the park is less crowded, and you can enjoy rides freely. Riding Flight of the Jurassic five times in a day isn't a dream.
2. Should you buy a raincoat?
No need to buy a raincoat!
There are always people selling raincoats on the subway for ten bucks each, claiming they'll cost 50 in the park. Honestly, the only place you might need a raincoat is at the WaterWorld stunt show. If you insist on sitting in the “splash zone,” you might get soaked. But if you just sit a few rows back, you won’t get wet at all, and the show is still great. I always sit toward the back in the middle, see everything perfectly, and don't get a drop of water on me.
3. Don’t get fooled into “photo ops” with the raptors
I've never waited in line for this ride. Unless your kid is a dino fanatic, don’t waste your time. They’ll ask if anyone wants a photo with the dinosaur. If you want the photo, it’s 170 bucks at the entrance. If your child really wants it, just let a parent stand behind and snap a pic with their phone; don’t waste that money. I’ve seen photos taken by others—it’s just a mechanical dinosaur + filter; they end up looking pretty ordinary.
4. Eating and drinking in the park: Don’t be a sucker
Food in the park is pricey. Minion ice cream is 43 bucks, chocolate ice cream is 38, and a bottle of water is 15 bucks. I usually bring my snacks to munch on while waiting in line. I also bring an empty water bottle since there’s drinking water available at every restroom entrance—staying hydrated is easy.
If you really want a hot meal, the Kung Fu Panda Zone offers the best value:
| Restaurant | Recommended Dish | Price | Taste Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ping's Noodle Shop | Beef Noodle | ¥70 | Big chunks of meat, rich broth |
| Master Ping's Noodle Shop | Fried Sauce Noodles | ¥60 | Full of flavor, chewy noodles |
| Kung Fu Snacks | Fresh Fruit Cup | ¥30 | Fresh watermelon and cantaloupe |
| Kung Fu Snacks | Ice Jelly | ¥32 | Lots of ingredients, great after spicy food |
5. Bringing your own food? These two spots let you sit and eat
Sometimes I bring rice balls, bread, and braised beef for dinner. The park doesn’t allow eating while walking, but there are two air-conditioned indoor areas where you can sit and enjoy your meal:
-
Outside the entrance to Flight of the Jurassic
There’s a row of empty seats no one watches; even if it’s full, no one bothers you. There are seats inside the area, but the staff might kick you out if you try to eat. -
Kung Fu Panda Zone - at the back of the Kung Fu Training Camp
There’s a row of empty seats back there, basically no one around, and plenty of AC. I always pack a bowl of ice jelly + my rice balls, and when I'm done, I head back to the rides.
6. Bag storage tips: Don’t bring too much stuff
| Ride | Storage Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter Forbidden Journey | ✅ | Store at the end of the line; you can bring your phone |
| Flight of the Jurassic | ✅ | Store your bag first, then line up; it's best to just bring your phone and bottled water |
| Transformers | ✅ | I haven't tried it, but I hear bag storage is free |
| All other rides | ❌ | Just bring your bag on; no need to store |
My current go-to: phone + power bank + empty water bottle + a small pack of tissues. I don't even carry a bag—ready to go light!
7. How to ride: My secret ranking
I ranked the rides based on excitement + immersion + value of waiting time. Friends coming for the first time can take notes:
Tier One (Must-Ride)
- Flight of the Jurassic: Suspended roller coaster, feet dangling, heart racing at the drop
- Jurassic World Adventure: When the T-rex charges out, I always duck my head
- Battle for the Source of Fire: 3D shooting + spinning vehicles, my highest score ever was 80,000 points
- Forbidden Journey: A Harry Potter paradise, but if you get motion sickness, be careful; my friend crouched in a corner after the ride
Tier Two (Try if you have time)
- Minion Mayhem: Kids love it; it gets a bit dizzy after too many rides
- Eagle Flight: Small roller coaster; riding at night gives a view of the castle lights—super romantic
- Minion Roller Coaster: Indoor roller coaster; not too intense, perfect for scaredy-cats
Tier Three (Consider if you have extra time)
- The Dragon Warrior Journey: Sit on a boat and watch a screen, the story feels a bit childish
- Legends of Light and Shadow: Floating lanterns are great for photos, but spinning might make you dizzy
- Bumblebee's Spinning Ride: Like an upgraded spinning coffee cup, you’ll lose your bearings after spinning
8. A few final thoughts
Now when I go to Universal, I arrive at 10 AM and leave at 7 PM. When it gets hot at noon, I find a place to sit and enjoy ice jelly, and in the cooler afternoon, I hit the rides again. Having an annual pass is like turning the amusement park into my backyard, no rushing to rides, no checking in, no photo ops—just chill and enjoy it your way.
If you’re more of a “ride priority” kind of person, remember to avoid peak times, bring snacks, and pack light. Don’t fall for the park’s spending traps. Have fun, and see you at the park!
