Universal Studios Grad Bash: Everything From Hollywood to Orlando [2023]
Universal Studios is a great theme park for all ages to enjoy. But did you know that Universal Studios also offers a special private Grad Bash for graduating 8th graders and high schooler Seniors?
Yes! For a few nights every spring, Universal Studios puts on a Grad Bash for graduating high school seniors, and they also have a few nights for 8th graders to celebrate.
This post will go over both of the Grad Bashes for high school seniors. The one held at Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as the one in Orlando. Additionally, it will also touch on the Grad Bash for 8th graders; Jr Grad Bash, and Gradventure.
What is Grad Bash at Universal?
Now you might wonder, what exactly is Grad Bash at Universal Studios? Which is a fair question.
Here is a little promotional video that Universal Studios Hollywood put together a few years ago to promote Grad Bash at Universal.
Essentially, it is a special private ticketed event specifically for those that are graduating. Very similar to the Disneyland Grad Nights.
Hollywood Studios Grad Bash
The original Universal Studios is located in Hollywood, California. Why not celebrate graduating high school at an exclusive private event called Grad Bash!
This Grad Bash is available for graduating seniors within Southern California. Designed to be a night filled with fun at Universal Studios, specifically dedicated to the graduating class of 2023.
Sounds great right? Let’s break down what makes this Hollywood Grad Bash a great option for something else.
What’s Included At Grad Bash Hollywood
Alright, so if having a private event after hours at Universal Studios wasn’t enough for your graduating senior to want to attend, here are some of the things that are included in the ticket.
For starters, it is a private event, meaning only those graduating seniors who have admission tickets and the chaperones are allowed in. The general public that visits that day, will leave at the end of the day, while the seniors are just getting the party started.
All of the attractions throughout the park are going to be available to the guests of the event. Which means shorter wait times! This makes it so much easier to enjoy all of the rides that the parks have to offer.
There will also be live music throughout the park, with various DJs for those who want to get their dance on!
Additionally, there are photo ops located throughout the park. Each photo op is themed specifically for the Class of 2023, making it extra special.
And if that wasn’t enough, it is important to know that for every 15 student admission tickets sold, groups will receive 1 free chaperone ticket. This can be a nice perk as chaperones have their own lounge and goodies to enjoy during the event as well.
Universal Studios Grad Bash: Hollywood Tickets
There are two ticket options available for students to choose from. With an additional breakfast add-on ticket option for those that are interested.
The first basic ticket costs $89. It is considered a general admission ticket. This ticket allows graduates to enter the park at 4 pm. There is still access to all the rides, photo ops, and other fun things during the event.
The other ticket option is called a Premium Package and costs $119. This premium ticket allows you admission into the park when the park opens. As well as includes a meal voucher and an exclusive souvenir tote bag.
There is an additional add-on for guests that wish to add Breakfast to the end of the Bash. Since the bash ends in the early AM. There is an option to add breakfast to their experience. This breakfast add-on costs $45 and is served from 2 am to 4 am.
What Are The Dates For Grad Bash
There are only 5 dates that Universal Studios Hollywood is going to be putting on this Grad Bash in 2023. Meaning that if you want to attend, it is best to register ASAP so that there is a higher chance of getting the date and tickets that you want.
The dates are as follows:
Friday, May 12
Thursday, May 25
Friday, May 26*
Friday, June 2
Friday, June 9
*Tickets for Friday, May 26 are sold out for the 2023 Grad Bash
What Time is Grad Bash at Universal Hollywood?
The private Grad Bash event officially starts around 9 pm. The park closes to the general public at 8 pm. The Grad Bash goes on until 2 am.
This gives students a total of 5 hours to enjoy the parks during the private event. With the option of up to 12 hours if guests enter the parks at 4 pm and purchase the breakfast bash option lasting till 4 am.
It is important to remember that once the event has started and students enter the event, they are not permitted to leave the event until the event is over.
Universal Studios Orlando Grad Bash
Very similar to the Grad Bash at Universal Studios Hollywood, but times two and amplified!
The Orlando Studios Grad Bash allows guests to explore two of the parks with admission tickets to the event. That’s right 2 parks with private event tickets!
Now if you don’t know, Universal Studios Orlando has 3 parks total. 2 theme parks and 1 water park. Tickets to the Grad Bash get you admission to the 2 theme parks! How awesome is that?!
There is also an option to upgrade the experience to be able to go to the water park as well. But more on that later.
Here is a promotional video from the Orlando Studios Grad Bash from a few years ago.
Universal Studio Grad Bash: Orlando Tickets
No ticket information has been released by Universal Studios Orlando.
Their website does state that for every 10 student tickets that are sold, the school will receive 1 free chaperone ticket to the event.
But other than that there is not much more information on tickets.
What’s Included In Universal Studios Grad Bash Orlando
There is a Grad Bash ‘Mix-In’ party that allows guests to enter the parks at 4 pm.
There is even an exclusive path for guests and chaperones to go from one park to the next.
Live entertainment and DJs are going to be present in both of the parks during the nights of the Grad Bash.
Universal Studios Grad Bash: Dates
This Grad Bash is only available for 4 nights during March and April, so it is important to secure your tickets as soon as you can to ensure that you get the date that you want.
The dates within March and April, and are as follows:
Friday, March 31
Friday, April 21
Saturday, April 22
Friday, April 28
Some of the dates listed could be sold out. I do not hold any information on which dates are sold out, and which nights are still available. It is best to contact Universal Studios directly for this information.
Universal Studios Grad Bash: Orlando Hours
This event is a long one! But that doesn’t mean that time can’t go by super fast! As I say with Disneyland After-Hour events, always plan ahead to capitalize the most of the night.
Guests are allowed to enter the parks a 4 pm the day of the event. The event officially starts at 7 pm and goes until 2 am.
Since this event is held between two different parks, it really is best to have at least a general game plan for rides when attending the event.
Middle School Options For Grad Bash
Universal Studios goes above and beyond when it comes to graduates, as they also throw Grad Bashes for those who graduate middle school!
Just like with Grad Bash for high school seniors, they are private events to celebrate those graduating. Registration and purchase of a ticket are required ahead of time.
And there are these special events in both parks, in Hollywood and Orlando.
Jr Grad Bash – Hollywood
The Grad Bash option for middle schoolers closest to Universal Studios Hollywood is called Jr. Grad Bash.
With many of the same perks as the Grad Bash for High School Seniors, this Grad Bash is dedicated to the graduating 8th graders. Giving them their very own private event to celebrate their accomplishments.
What’s Included In Jr Grad Bash Hollywood
Like with the Universal Studios Grad Bash for graduating Seniors, the Jr. Grad Bash has special themed photo ops for students.
There are dance parties for students to enjoy as well. The dance parties will be hosted by various DJs.
Additionally, there are many chaperone benefits that come with being a chaperone.
These benefits include (but aren’t limited to):
-Free Parking with Admission
-Universal Express Unlimited Access (only during the event hours)
-Private Chaperone Lounge area which includes a complimentary massage chair, while also serving food and drinks.
Schools that register are offered one free Chaperone park admission for every 15 paid students that attend the event.
Universal Studios prides itself on creating a safe and sober environment for students to have fun.
For any wondering parents, there is a Sheriff’s Substation on Universal Studios’ property, and students won’t be able to leave the property during the event, except for emergencies. This allows the environment to stay safe.
Universal Studios Jr. Grad Bash: Dates
The dates for the Junior Grad Bash are limited to only two nights. If you wish for your 8th grader to attend, it is best to register for the event as soon as possible.
The dates are:
Friday, May 5
Friday, May 19*
*May 19th is currently sold out for the 2023 Jr. Grad Bash.
Fewer dates mean more likely that it will sell out quickly.
Universal Studios Jr. Grad Bash: Tickets
There are two ticket options available to students who wish to attend.
The basic ticket costs $69 and allows students to enter the park at 4 pm.
This is a few hours prior to the event actually starting. Allowing students to enjoy more time in the park.
The other ticket option is a premium ticket. A premium ticket costs $93 and allows students to enjoy a full day of park admission.
Meaning that students can enjoy Universal Studios from the park opening until the end of the event.
Additionally, the premium ticket also includes a meal voucher and a souvenir bag which is custom to the Grad Bash event.
There also are additional add-on dining options for before and after the event at select restaurants at the City Walk. These do cost an additional fee though, so keep that in mind when booking these add-ons.
Universal Studios Jr. Grad Bash: Hours
There currently isn’t any information on the specific hours that the private Jr Grad Bash event takes place, which includes Universal’s own website for the event.
The Universal Studios website, it does list that the basic ticket allows guests in early at 4 pm. Which is the same as the regular Universal Studios Grad Bash event.
It seems that it would be safe to say that the event starts at 7 pm and goes until 2 am like the other grad bash, but again there is no information listed yet on specific times.
It is best to contact Universal Studios directly to get specific details about the event.
Gradventure – Orlando
Gradventure is the Grad Bash at Universal Studios Orlando for middle school graduates.
They are guaranteeing to create a safe and fun environment for the graduating 8th-grade class.
Below is a promotional video about the event that Universal Studios released a few years back for the event.
What’s Included in Gradventure
Like with the other Grad Bashes at Universal Studios, guests with tickets to the private event are able to enter the theme parks prior to the start of the event starting.
Students can enter the parks as early as 4 pm, and have a special pathway to go from both parks. This also means that students that are attending Gradventure are going to have access to both theme parks in Orlando!
Additionally, a dinner voucher is included with the cost of the event making it easier for students to eat during the event.
Universal Studios Gradventure: Tickets
The basic ticket allows students to enter the parks as early to maximize their time in the park.
There is nowhere on the Universal Studios website that actually lists the cost of the event without giving information to register for the event.
For direct ticket information, I recommend contacting Universal Studios Orlando directly for specific information on ticket costs.
Universal Studios Gradventure: Dates
This event is only taking place for 3 nights at Universal Studios Orlando. If you wish to secure your tickets then I recommend that you act fast because tickets are likely to sell out quickly.
The dates for Grandventure 2023 are as follows;
Friday, May 5
Friday, May 12
Friday, May 19
Universal Studios Gradventure: Hours
Like the other Grad Bash events, students are allowed to enter the parks at 4 pm. The event officially starts around 7 pm and ends at 2 am.
Universal Studios Grad Bash: FAQ
Here are some of the frequently asked questions that usually come up around Universal Studios Grad Bash. These are just some of the more common questions. If there is something specific that you need help with or have questions about, I would recommend calling Universal Studios directly.
What time is Grad Bash at Universal?
Whether attending Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Studios Orlando, the Grad Bash starts at 7 pm. But guests are allowed to mix into the park at 4 pm.
The event ends at 2 am with different breakfast options that can be added on for an additional fee. The add-on breakfasts would continue to go from 2 am to 4 am.
Meaning that if participating students wanted to, they could spend up to 12+ hours at Universal Studios!
Is Grad Bash Worth It?
After evaluating all of the perks that each Hollywood and Orlando have to offer to the graduating classes for a Grad Bash, I would definitely say that the Grad Bash is worth it.
Universal Studios, regardless of which park you attend, has really put a lot into the planning and execution of this special private event for graduates. I mean just having full access to the park(s) with limited attendance is incredible!
It is definitely something that I wish was available for me when I graduated 8th grade or high school.
Who Is Eligible To Attend Grad Bash?
To attend Universal Studios Grad Bash in Hollywood, schools need to register at their website here.
In order to attend in Southern California the billing zip code of the card that is used to pay for the reservation does need to have a California zip code. This does limit attendants to just those in California.
Additionally, schools, whether public, private, or homeschooled must pre-register in order to be able to attend. There will not be any entrance for students who don’t have tickets that haven’t preregistered for the event.
But that goes for both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando.
To register for Universal Studios Orlando Grad Bash, check out their website here.
Is There A Dress Code?
The dress code for the Universal Studios Grad Bash events can be a little complicated. Each park, and each event holds a slightly different dress code for students to abide by.
Generally speaking, Universal recommends that students wear comfortable and casual clothing to the event.
For Universal Orlando, Grad Bash. There is a specific requirement that they expect students to follow. The dress code can be found here; dress code PDF.
For Universal Orlando, Grandventure, the specific dress code can be found here; gradventure dress code pdf.
It is recommended that the schools show those PDFs to participating students prior to leaving for the event.
Universal also states that if there is any student that isn’t wearing something that is appropriate that the student will be directed to the store to purchase something that is appropriate in order to enter the parks.
What Is There For Chaperones To Do?
It seems that chaperones at Hollywood and Orlando are going to have different experiences.
Universal Studios Orlando, states on its website that the chaperones are responsible and are supposed to help enforce that students are following the rules keeping it a drug-free and alcohol-free party. The Grad Bash is classified as a school event, therefore the chaperones are in charge.
Universal Studios Hollywood, is another story. Chaperones that attend the event in Hollywood, not only get free admission (when the appropriate number of students’ tickets get sold) but also have their own private lounge to relax in. Chaperones also get access to Universal Express Unlimited which shortens the wait times.
Additionally, these Hollywood Grad Bash chaperones can enjoy what is called VIP extras. The VIP extras include snacks and drinks all night long, as well as complimentary breakfast, games, and giveaways.
