first visit universal pin

Islands of Adventure / News / Univeral Studios Florida / Universal Orlando

Celebrate Your 1st Visit to Universal Orlando with NEW Minion Buttons!

by Kristin Sabol · May 25, 2023

Let everyone know you are a first-timer when you visit the Universal Orlando Resort! Get ready for fun and a lot of attention from excited UO Team Members ready to welcome you. Celebrate your 1st Visit to Universal with NEW Minion buttons!

Photo: Universal

This awesome bright blue Minion button is the newest celebration pin added to the line-up. And it is pretty cute!

Let’s check out the Minion 1st visit celebration pin!

Celebrate with the Minions

Celebrate with Stuart and all of Universal to be exact! The blue pin features “My 1st Visit” and this fun image of Stuart!

The official Universal Orlando logo also appears on the front and is a great way to remember your amazing vacation!

And the best part is that is complimentary!

There are a total of three complimentary buttons you can get at UO: the 1st visit button, a birthday celebration button, and a general button that you can personalize.

Simply head to guest services (located at the front of each park and in CityWalk) and let them know it is your first time visiting Universal Orlando.

Then get ready for a day of fun!

Other Ways to Celebrate!

Congrats on your first visit to Universal Orlando! Here are a few other ways to celebrate and make it the most memorable visit yet:

Get an Express Pass – Feel like a VIP and skip the regular lines to maximize your time in the park.
Get a VIP Tour Guide – Be treated like a rock star with your personalized guide!
Meet and Greet With Your Universal Faves- Universal Orlando is home to many of your favorite characters. Take the opportunity to meet them and snap the perfect pic.

Street Corn Crepe Central Park Crepes Universal Studios Orlando

Indulge in Tasty Treats- Savor yummy snacks throughout the parks or experience character dining!
Get the Perfect Souvenir- Pop into the shops and boutiques in the park to find an awesome souvenir and bring home a piece of Universal Orlando.

Photo:Universal Orlando

Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com ! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on your next Universal vacation , please fill out the form below and one of the agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!

Tags: Celebration pins Minions Universal Orlando Resort UO UOR

Get a FREE Quote!

Name * First Last
Number of Adults *
Number of Children *
Ages of Children *
Select Your Destination * *hold ctrl or shift to select more Universal Orlando Unniversal Hollywood
Approximate Travel Dates *

Best Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando Resort

June 28, 2022

by David Mumpower · Published June 28, 2022

Snuggle Up in NEW Harry Potter Pajamas from Universal Orlando!

September 20, 2023

by Kristin Sabol · Published September 20, 2023

Universal Studios Goes Strategically Small

January 19, 2023

by David Mumpower · Published January 19, 2023 · Last modified January 16, 2023

We support these pages!

13 Must-Read Tips for Universal Studios Orlando First-Timers

Posted on Last updated: January 11, 2024

Home » Destinations » Florida » Universal Studios Orlando » 13 Must-Read Tips for Universal Studios Orlando First-Timers

Sharing is caring!

Are you planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando for the first time and don’t know where to start? Check out my top things to know before your first trip to Universal Studios Orlando!

This list of tips for universal studios orlando was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

We recently got back from our first trip to Universal Studios Orlando and it was SO much bigger than Universal Studios Hollywood !

We thought we were pretty prepared since we had visited the California theme park but we were so wrong.

Keep scrolling to hear about our mistakes and the Universal Studios Orlando tips I wish I had known before our trip!

How to Plan Your Visit to Universal Studios Orlando

Visiting Universal Orlando Resort for the first time is super exciting! Here’s how you can plan your trip to make it awesome:

Buying Tickets

It’s a good idea to buy your tickets before you get to the park. You can buy them online from the Universal Orlando website. Sometimes, they have special deals, so keep an eye out!

Image of Marcie Cheung and her son dressed in Hogwarts robes in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Sees the Days Photography

If you want to visit more than one park on the same day, think about getting a ‘park to park ticket’. This lets you hop between the Universal Orlando parks easily. The coolest way to do this is by taking the immersive Hogwarts Express!

We always buy our Universal Studios Orlando tickets through Get Away Today . They usually have the best deals and their customer service is unsurpassed.

Check when the parks open and close on the days you’re visiting. This is really important because sometimes the parks have special events and might close early or open late. You can find this info on the Universal Orlando website or the Universal App .

Download the Universal Orlando App

This app is super helpful! It has maps of the parks, so you won’t get lost. Plus, it shows you how long the wait times are for each ride. You can also use it to find places to eat (and mobile order) and restrooms.

Understand the Park’s Layout

If you’re a first-timer at Universal Studios Orlando, understanding the layout of the parks is super important. There are three main parts: Universal Studios Florida , Universal’s Islands of Adventure , and Volcano Bay , which is a water park.

Universal Studios Florida

This park is all about movies and TV shows. You’ll feel like you’re on a movie set! It’s perfect for fans of films and fun rides. Don’t miss out on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, where you can hop on the Hogwarts Express!

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

This park is more about thrilling rides and adventures. It also has a part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. If you love roller coasters and action-packed attractions, start your adventure here!

Volcano Bay

If you’re visiting during hot weather, you might want to cool off at Volcano Bay. It’s a water park with awesome slides and pools. It’s a great place to relax and have fun in the water.

So, where should you start? If you’re a big Harry Potter fan or love movies, start at Universal Studios Florida. If you’re all about thrills and adventures, Islands of Adventure is your go-to. And if it’s splash time you’re after, head straight to Volcano Bay.

Each park offers something unique, so choose based on what excites you the most!

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando

Visiting Universal Studios Florida can be the adventure of a lifetime, especially if it’s your first time! To make the most of your trip, here are some favorite Universal Orlando tips about what to wear for a comfortable and fun experience.

Image of Marcie Cheung of Marcie in Mommyland and her family posing with Simpsons characters at Universal Studios Florida.

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando in the Summer

Orlando gets pretty hot and humid in the summer. You’ll also likely encounter some rain showers. So, it’s key to dress for both the sun and the rain.

Since you’ll be walking a lot, wear comfortable sneakers or supportive sandals. Don’t wear new shoes! Blisters are the last thing you want!

Opt for lightweight and breathable outfits. Think shorts, tees, or even airy dresses.

Don’t forget your sunglasses and hat to shield you from the sun. And always, always have sunscreen on hand.

A lightweight poncho can be a lifesaver during those unexpected summer showers.

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando in the Winter

Believe it or not, Florida can get chilly in the winter. So, be prepared for varying temperatures.

A lightweight long-sleeve tee with a sweater, jacket, or hoodie on top works great. Bring a heavier jacket if it’s really cold. We saw a LOT of people wearing ski hats in December.

Jeans or wool leggings are perfect for keeping you warm and comfy.

Stick to comfortable sneakers that can handle a day of exploration.

Universal Themed Clothing

Part of the fun at Universal Studios is showing off your fandom! Whether you’re a Harry Potter wizard, a Jurassic Park dinosaur enthusiast, a Simpsons fan, or into Marvel superheroes, themed shirts and accessories add to the excitement. Dress up as your favorite character and enjoy the magical atmosphere!

So, when you’re packing to visit Universal Studios, remember these tips to stay comfortable and enjoy every moment, whether you’re exploring the water park, wandering through Harry Potter’s world, or enjoying the other amazing attractions.

Remember, the right outfit can make your adventure even more memorable!

Prioritize Must-See Universal Orlando Attractions

Visiting Universal Studios Florida for the first time is super exciting! To make the most of your trip, here are some tips and tricks, especially for first-timers.

Image of a boy wearing Hulk hands in front of the Hulk rollercoaster at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Sees the Day Photography

Top Attractions

The wizarding world of harry potter.

This is a must-see! From Hogwarts castle to thrilling rides, it’s a magical experience. It’s laid out in two parks: Diagon Alley is in Univeral Studios while Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure. I recommend getting a park hopper ticket to do both AND ride the Hogwarts Express.

Roller Coasters

If you love thrills, don’t miss out on rides like the Incredible Hulk Coaster. My 9-year-old is a huge roller coaster fan and he said that the Hulk tops his list.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

This ride is perfect for the whole family. It’s the same as the one at Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s quite possible that you’re kids will want to ride it multiple times.

Managing Time

The parks can get crowded, especially near popular rides like Harry Potter. To avoid long waits, try to visit these rides either early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s less crowded.

Remember, the two parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, are walking distance from each other. Plan to visit attractions close to each other to save time.

Use the Universal Orlando app to check wait times and plan which ride to go to next.

These tips should help you prioritize and enjoy the best Universal Orlando attractions without getting bogged down in bottlenecks.

Use the Universal Express Pass

If you’re a first-timer at Universal Studios Orlando, you should definitely know about the Universal Express Pass . This is a special pass that lets you skip regular lines at most rides and attractions. It’s a game-changer, especially on busy days!

What is the Express Pass?

It’s like a fast pass to get you to the front of the line quicker.
You can choose between different types of Express Passes. Some let you skip the line once per ride, while others, like the Unlimited Pass, let you skip as many times as you want.

Is it Worth It?

If you hate waiting in long lines and want to see as much as possible, it’s totally worth it.
Prices start at $79.99 for Universal Studios Florida and go up depending on the park and pass type.
Think about how much time you’ll save. More time means more fun!

If you want to do the Express Pass, book it as soon as you can. We checked the prices while we were in the park and it was about $300 for the Unlimited Pass for same-day.

Remember, you need to buy your theme park ticket separately. So, if you want to make the most out of your visit to Universal Studios Orlando, consider getting the Express Pass. It could turn a good day into a great one!

Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed

When you’re having a blast at Universal Studios Orlando, it’s super important to stay hydrated and not get too hungry. Here’s a tip: carry a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated as you explore the parks.

For food, there are lots of cool places to grab a bite. If you’re in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ve got to try the famous Butterbeer. It’s a sweet, frothy drink that tastes like magic!

Image of Marcie Cheung with a Krusty Burger at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

My kids are huge Simpsons fans and they totally geeked out when we had lunch at Krusty Burger. The food was actually better than I expected.

Universal has many restaurants and snack spots. You can find everything from quick bites to sit-down meals. Remember to take breaks and enjoy some unique park treats. They’re part of the fun experience at Universal Studios!

Take Advantage of Early Park Admission

Here’s a super cool tip for first-timers at Universal Studios Orlando: If you stay at one of Universal’s hotels, you can get into the parks early! This means you can enjoy some of the coolest rides before the regular crowd rushes in.

Image of two hotel keys at Universal Studios Orlando. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung of Marcie in Mommyland

For example, while we were there in December, hotel guests could enter Universal Studios Florida up to one hour before it opened. You could ride popular attractions like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts or Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.

At Universal Islands of Adventure, you can enjoy Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ or the thrilling Jurassic World VelociCoaster an hour early too!

And at Universal Volcano Bay, you get a 30-minute head start to enjoy slides like Krakatau Aqua Coaster.

Make the most of this extra time. Plan to hit the most popular rides first. This way, you can enjoy them without long lines. It’s a great way to start your exciting day at Universal!

Explore the Wizarding World During Off-Peak Hours

Here’s a wizardly tip: visit the Wizarding World during off-peak hours to dodge those massive crowds. The best times are usually right when the park opens or later in the afternoon.

This way, you can explore Harry Potter’s magical world more comfortably and get on those awesome rides like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts without the long wait. It’s like having a magic wand to beat the crowds!

Stay On-Site for Added Benefits

If you’re planning a first-time visit to Universal Studios Orlando, think about staying at one of their resort hotels. There are lots of perks!

Image of the water taxi in front of Loews Sapphire Falls in Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

First, you get into the park an hour earlier, which is awesome for beating the crowds. They have free transport too, so you can get to and from the park easily. We thought the water taxis were super fun!

There are different types of hotels, from more affordable options like Universal’s Endless Summer Resort to fancier ones like Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Sapphire Falls . These hotels have cool stuff like pools, dining options, and even a rooftop bar at Universal’s Aventura Hotel !

Plus, if you stay at a Premier hotel, you get a free Universal Express Unlimited Pass to skip regular lines at most rides. That’s a huge bonus!

And, you can have any stuff you buy in the park sent straight to your hotel for free. Super convenient, right? These hotels make your Universal Orlando trip extra special and hassle-free

Stay Updated on Shows and Parades

When you’re at Universal Studios Orlando, don’t miss out on their cool shows and parades. They’ve got some awesome stuff like ‘The Bourne Stuntacular’ – it’s full of amazing stunts that’ll wow you.

Image of the exterior of the Bourne Spectacular at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

If you’re curious about how they make movie special effects, check out ‘Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show’. It’s not only educational but super fun too!

For music fans, ‘The Blues Brothers Show’ is a must-see. And if you love Harry Potter, ‘The Tales of Beedle the Bard’ in Diagon Alley is magical. Make sure to find a good spot early for these shows – they’re popular and get crowded fast!

Prepare for Weather Changes

When you’re heading to Universal Studios Orlando, be ready for sudden weather changes. It’s smart to pack a poncho or a light rain jacket, especially if there’s rain in the forecast. Wear clothes and shoes that can handle getting wet, just in case you’re caught in a shower.

If it looks like rain, start your day at Islands of Adventure. It has more outside attractions that might close in bad weather, so you’ll want to check those out first. But don’t worry, there are plenty of cool indoor rides too!

Image of the Cat in the Hat ride at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Over at Islands of Adventure, you’ve got The Cat in The Hat and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, among others.

At Universal Studios Florida, you can enjoy indoor rides like Revenge of the Mummy, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

These rides are perfect for staying dry and having fun, even when it’s raining outside!

Save Time for Shopping and Souvenirs

At Universal Studios Orlando, don’t forget to save some time for shopping and grabbing cool souvenirs! Each area in the park has unique shops filled with awesome merchandise.

Image of Simpsons souvenirs at a gift shop at Universal Studios Florida. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

First-timers will love visiting Ollivanders in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a magical wand, or the Universal Studios Store for t-shirts and hats. You can find almost anything, from cool Jurassic Park gear to fun Minion toys. It’s the perfect way to remember your amazing trip!

Universal Orlando Resort FAQs

What’s the best time to visit universal orlando.

The best time is usually during spring or fall when it’s less crowded and the weather is nice. Summer and winter holidays can be really busy.

Do I Need Tickets for Each Park?

Yes, you need separate tickets for Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. You can also get a park-to-park ticket to visit more than one in a day.

Can I Bring My Own Food?

Small snacks and bottled water are okay, but big meals and coolers aren’t allowed.

Is There a Way to Skip Lines?

Yes! The Universal Express Pass lets you skip regular lines on most rides, but it costs extra.

What’s the Best Ride?

It depends on what you like! Thrill-seekers love The Incredible Hulk Coaster, while Harry Potter fans adore Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

Is There Stuff for Little Kids?

Absolutely! Seuss Landing and Fievel’s Playland have fun rides and play areas for younger kids.

How Do I Get from One Park to Another?

You can walk, or if you have a park-to-park ticket, take the Hogwarts Express train.

Can I Meet Characters?

Yes! You can meet characters like the Minions, Spider-Man, and even Harry Potter characters.

What Should I Wear?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because there’s a lot of walking. And don’t forget sunscreen!

Where Should We Eat?

There are lots of places! From quick snacks to sit-down restaurants, like the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter’s World or Mythos Restaurant at Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Orlando Tips Wrap-Up

There are SO many cool things to do at Universal Studios Orlando! It’s super important to plan and prioritize your top attractions for a seamless first-time experience.

I hope you soak in the magic and have an epic family vacation!

Looking for more Universal Studios Orlando content? Check out How Many Days Do You Need at Universal Studios Orlando? , Universal Studios vs Disney World: The Ultimate Family Vacation Showdown , Is it Worth Visiting Universal Studios Orlando at Christmas? , and Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure: Which Orlando Park is Right for You?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

All Articles
Itineraries
Guides and Tips
Attractions
Behind-the-Scenes
Guest Stories
Guides & Tips
Universal Orlando Resort Deals
Universal Studios Hollywood Deals

A Local’s Guide to Your First Time Visit to Universal Orlando Resort

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley

EDITOR’S NOTE: This blog was originally published in October of 2019 and then underwent extensive updates and editing in the summer of 2021 to remain current and relevant.

Universal Orlando Resort is a place that allows you to explore the streets of Diagon Alley at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , visit a real-life Raptor Encounter to meet Blue the Raptor , float down the Kopiko Wai Winding River at Volcano Bay , and finish with a cold beverage high in the sky at Bar 17 Bistro on top of Universal’s Aventura Hotel all in one day.

With so much to see and do, how can you get the most out of it during your first-time visit? Here’s a few first timer tips to get the most out of your upcoming visit.

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

Have you ever watched a movie and said “I wish I could experience that movie in real life.” Well, we have some good news for you. Check out these must-do experiences straight from the movies:

Take a journey to the depths of Gringotts bank on the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride
Have your mind blown by the live action stunts during The Bourne Stuntacular
Looking for a rip-roaring rush? Try the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Great for the family: Become a Minion on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Experience : Follow in Harry Potter’s footsteps as you enter into Diagon Alley – watch out for the fire breathing dragon
Character Meet & Greet : Meet Optimus Prime , Bumblebee and Megatron
Shopping : Find all things Universal and more at the Universal Studios Store
Bonus : Journey from King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure aboard the Hogwarts Express (only available with a Park-to-Park admission ticket)

Great Places to Eat at Universal Studios Florida

Quick Service: “Hey Hey, Kids!” Visit Springfield, U.S.A. and stop by Krusty Burger for a fun atmosphere and great meal.
Best View: Try an off-the-charts meal and take in an incredible view of the lagoon at Richter’s Burger Co.
Best Atmosphere: Get your fill of Bangers and Mash, Fisherman’s Pie, Toad in the Hole and more at the Leaky Cauldron
Romantic : Try Lombard’s Fresh Catch at Lombard’s Seafood Grille while you take in the nautical atmosphere on the docks of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf
Sweet Treats : Try a Dole Whip Pineapple Sorbet at Schwab’s Pharmacy

Click here to view a complete list of Universal Studios Florida rides, attractions, dining and more .

Here are some resources to help plan your day:

Best Option – Download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App
Visit Universal Studios Interactive Map or Download Universal Studios Map

LOCAL TIP | Start at the back of the park and work your way counter-clockwise to the front to stay ahead of fellow guests and take full advantage of ride lines.

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

Get ready to encounter dinosaurs, fly high above city streets with a famous web slinger, visit a secret school of witchcraft and wizardry, come face-to-face with a colossal ape and more. Check out these must do experiences that give you a sense of adventure:

Race alongside Velociraptors at 70 miles per hour on the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster
For the first time ever you can join and fly into the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , the epic new roller coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Soar high above Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Splash down on Jurassic Park River Adventure
Feel the power and strength of becoming gamma-charged on The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Character Meet & Greet : Take photos with your favorite Marvel characters – Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, and Rogue along with classic villains like Dr. Doom and The Green Goblin in Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Islands of Adventure
Shopping : Witness a wand choose its wizard or witch at Ollivanders in Hogsmeade

Great Places to Eat at Islands of Adventure

Quick Service: Enjoy a delicious meal at Three Broomsticks
Best View: Eat while you watch daring riders get drenched at Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park
Best Atmosphere: Dine with Super Heroes at Marvel’s Character Dinner at Marvel Super Hero Island in Islands of Adventure
Romantic : Take in the spectacular view of the park’s inland sea and colorful lands from the award-winning Mythos Restaurant
Sweet Treats : Pick up a delicious Butterbeer from Hog’s Head

Click here to view a complete list of Islands of Adventure rides, attractions, dining and more.

Visit Islands Of Adventure Interactive Map or Download The Islands Of Adventure Map
Start your day off in Hogsmeade and work your way clockwise around the park to take advantage of wait times and attractions.

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL VOLCANO BAY

Take the 70-degree fall through a drop door on the Ko’okiri Body Plunge
Think your brave? Try taking on the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
Take on the twists, turns and drops of the Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
Grab 3 of your friends for a wild on the wild side with the Honu of the Honu ika Moana
Experience: Float down the and relax on the Kopiko Wai Winding River or take on the challenge of TeAwa The Fearless River
Experience : Lay out with a cold drink on Waturi Beach and take in that volcano view
Shopping : Pick yourself up a soft Volcano Bay beach towel from the Waturi Marketplace
Bonus : Relax, unwind and enjoy the charms of your own private cabana in paradise with extra-comfy seating, concierge service and more

Great Places to Eat at Volcano Bay

Quick Service : Taste the tropics at Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club
Best View: Take in that incredible view at the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar
Tasty : Try the Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich at Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club . It’s delicious!
Best Atmosphere: Soak it all in from Whakawaiwai Eats with a pizza

Click here to view a complete list of Volcano Bay rides, dining and more.

Visit Volcano Bay Interactive Map or Download The Volcano Bay Map
First, plan to arrive early to Volcano Bay and secure that perfect beach chair with that incredible view. TapuTapu will also make your day easy. This wearable device that holds your place in lines, activates interactive surprises, makes cash-free payments and more.
Stay at a Universal hotel and enjoy early park admission to Universal Volcano Bay one hour before the park opens (valid theme park admission required).

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL CITYWALK

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen Milkshakes

Get ready to indulge in some of the most mouthwatering food with refreshing drinks, shop until you drop and dance the night away at Universal CityWalk. Check out these must-do experiences for a day or night out:

Show : Belt out your favorite tunes with help from talented backup singers and a live band at Universal CityWalk’s Rising Star
Experience: Challenge your friends to a round of mini golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf or grab a cold beverage at the Lone Palm Airport at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Shopping : Forgot your vacation collectibles? Swing by the Universal Studios Store
Bonus : Check out a show at the Hard Rock Live or catch an afternoon movie at Cinemark

Great Places to Eat at Universal CityWalk

Quick Service : Try the best thing since sliced bread at Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches
Best View: Enjoy a sunset while eating a Burgushi at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
Best Atmosphere : Enjoying a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Romantic : Indulge in true italian cuisine at VIVO Italian Kitchen
Sweet Treat: Try one-of-a-kind delectables like the Dirt Doughnut, the Memphis Mafia and the Bacon Maple Bar at Voodoo Doughnut

Click here to view full list of entertainment, shopping and dining options at Universal CityWalk.

Here are some resources to help plan your visit:

Visit Universal Studios Interactive Map or Download The CityWalk Map
Take advantage of the FREE self-parking after 6PM!(Not valid during Halloween Horror Nights. Additional restrictions may apply and are subject to change without notice)
Free parking available with a purchase of two (2) Universal CityWalk Matinee tickets.

WHERE TO STAY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

There’s a Universal Orlando hotel for every family style and budget. Take a look at all the amazing places you can stay so close to the theme parks:

Premier Hotels – $$$$

Loews portofino bay hotel.

Relax in surroundings inspired by the beauty, romance and charm of the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy.

Experience: Treat yourself to a day at the Mandara Spa
Feature: Spend an enchanted evening with live music and traditional opera as you sip wine and sample gourmet fare during Harbor Nights . Additionally, enjoy nightly festive melodies with Musica Della Notte , a unique blend of classic opera, festive melodies, and “popera” favorites
Dining: Feel like you’re part of the family at Mama Della’s Ristorante with authentic Italian cooking and strolling musicians
Benefits : Free Universal Express Unlimited, early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Universal Volcano Bay, free transportation, priority seating at restaurants and more

Learn more about Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel

Live like a rock star and savor the perks of rock ‘n’ roll royalty with impeccable surroundings, laid-back style and show-stopping service.

Experience: Attend a monthly award-winning “ Velvet Sessions ” with an up-close and personal rock concert. Past performers include Bret Michaels, Eddie Money, Joan Jett, and more
Feature: Take a self-guided Music Memorabilia tour and discover Elvis’ pajamas, John Lennon’s suit, Paul McCartney’s guitar, Lady GaGa’s leather outfit, Rihanna’s bodysuit and more
Feature : Discover The Sound of Your Stay™ program with A-list perks. tracks.®, lets you stream a celebrity-curated playlists to amplify your stay. picks® allows you to choose from a menu of 20 different Fender® guitars that can be delivered to your room (down payment and loan agreement required)
Dining: Stop by The Kitchen and dig into their famous mac and cheese. But don’t forget the encore – they’ve got some of the most jaw-dropping desserts you’ve ever seen

Learn more about the Hard Rock Hotel

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Get swept away in an exotic south seas paradise with tropical wonders, exotic foods, and carefree fun.

Feature: Experience weekly Wantilan Luau firsthand with an evening of authentic Polynesian food and entertainment at this exciting dinner show
Dining : Visit Jake’s American Bar where you can try fabled South Seas explorer Jake McNally themed favorites including island cocktails, Jake’s American Red Lager and the B-1 Bomber Burger

Learn more about Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Preferred Hotel – $$$

Loews sapphire falls resort.

Escape to the feeling of being in paradise with the calming sounds of steel drums, swaying palm trees, scenic views, and blue cascading waterfalls.

Experience: Take in the incredible 16,000-square-foot pool with a sand beach, hot tub, water slide and more
Dining: Try Caribbean-inspired cuisine at Amatista Cookhouse or stop by the Strong Water Tavern for rare vintage rums and tapas-style dining options
Benefits : Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Volcano Bay, free transportation & Universal Volcano Bay, located steps away from Volcano Bay, and more

Learn more about Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Prime Value Hotels – $$

Universal’s aventura hotel.

It’s your chill zone, your party place, your hangout, your refuge. And the best part, it’s perfectly priced.

Feature: Enjoy a drink with a view high in the sky at Bar 17 Bistro
Dining: Have a chef cook up a custom wok dish right in front of you at the Urban Pantry
Benefits : Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Universal Volcano Bay, free transportation, steps away from Volcano Bay, and more

Learn more about Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Enjoy vibrant, retro-style with rooms and suites brilliantly designed for fun and affordability.

Experience: Take on a friend at Galaxy Bowl and when you’re finished, head over to the Ace The Arcade for an overtime match of timeless arcade favorites
Feature: Have a relaxing day floating down Cabana Bay’s lazy river while you soak up that warm Florida sunshine
Dining: Try a wide variety of food stations including deli items, pizzas, burgers, salads and desserts at the Bayliner Diner

Learn more about Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Value Hotel – $

Universal’s endless summer resort – surfside inn and suites.

Step into the extra affordable surf lifestyle with beach-themed standard rooms, spacious two-bedroom suites, and more.

Experience: Kick back in the surfboard-shaped pool and soak in the sunshine
Feature: Check out the spacious, two- bedroom suites that sleep up to six
Dining : Stop by the food court for a wide variety of great food options or have a fresh-made pizza pie delivered directly to your room
Benefits : Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Universal Volcano Bay, free transportation and more

Learn More about Surfside Inn and Suites

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

Inspired by sand, sea and breathtaking sunsets, this extra affordable retreat features two-bedroom suites, two large pools and more.

Experience: Soak in the sunshine at one of the two large pools with a beautiful sandy beach – how cool
Feature: Check out the spacious, two-bedroom suites that sleep up to six
Dining: Stop by the food court for a wide variety of flavorful food for every palate. On the go? No problem. There are plenty of grab-and-go options available

Learn More about Dockside Inn and Suites

THINGS TO KNOW

You might know about all the amazing experiences you’d like to try at Universal Orlando, but now let’s take a look at few ways you can get the most out of your first time trip with a few local planning tips.

Express Pass – Get to the Fun Faster

Want to get the most out of your visit? Check out a few of the Express Pass options available so you can skip the regular lines at most of your favorite rides and attractions to get the most out of your day at the parks.

Did you know you the Express Pass is included FREE when you stay at a Universal Premier category hotel? Check out the details here .

Plan Your Entire Trip with Ease Using the Official Universal Mobile App

Imagine having your own travel guide to give you every bit of important information you need to get the most out of your first-time visit. That is what the official Universal Orlando Resort App provides!

What can the Universal Orlando Resort mobile app do?

The app can become your Virtual Wallet
You can find everything you need including ride wait times, showtimes, dining venue hours and more
Create your own personal “to-do” list of favorites
Always be in the know with the latest park updates
Order meals on the go with ease
What else can you do with the App? Find out here

WHAT TO BRING

Let’s dive into a few tips to help you decide what to bring during your first-time visit to the theme parks.

Backpacks and Shoulder Bags

Can you bring a bag or backpack to Universal Orlando Resort? Absolutely! A small, soft-sided bag is perfect for toting your essentials around while exploring the theme parks.

Potential Items To Add To Bag Include:

Rain poncho or jacket
Refillable water bottle

Check out the What To Pack For A Day At Universal Orlando Resort for more great tips on what to bring to the theme parks.

TAKING PHOTOS AT THE THEME PARKS

Can you bring a camera to Universal Orlando Resort? Of course! You are about to have some of the best times of your life and what better way to remember those moments than incredible photos to take home with you.

LOCAL TIP | Since it’s your first time visiting the theme parks, check out the My Universal Photos options, so you can focus on the fun while they focus on capturing your best moments.

WHAT TO WEAR

Florida is a tricky place when it comes to weather. Most of the time it’s warm and sunny, but there are those occasional days that cause us to break out our coats. Regardless, it’s good to be prepared.

Check the Weather: Take a moment to check the weather forecast before heading to the theme parks
Fashion or Comfort: Of course you want to look fashionable in all of the Instagram photos you are planning on taking, but keep in mind to be comfortable as your day may include lots of walking and standing in the heat
Which Shoes to Wear: Try to wear a shoe that is breathable and comfortable

Check out the full list of Frequently Asked Questions on what to bring to the theme parks.

Did we miss anything? Tell us about some of your theme park first-timer tips in the comments below! And make sure to share your tips on Twitter , Facebook or Instagram with #ReadyForUniversal or ask for help with #AskUniversal.

Universal Destinations & Experiences

Never miss a thrill. Subscribe now to get email updates from Universal Parks & Resorts.

Derek is a member of the Universal Orlando Content + Engagement Team. Imported from Detroit with a passion for storytelling, filmmaking, and adventure.

A pumpkin-headed scareactor in an HHN scarezone

[UPDATED] Universal Halloween Horror Nights 33: Everything Coming to HHN at Universal Orlando Resort

Guide to DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida

A couple sits by the pool at Universal Endless Summer Resort

Guide to Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort

Travel the World at Universal Orlando Resort

No comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Work With Jen
USA Bucket List
Follow Us On Instagram

45 (Quick!) Universal Studios Tips Perfect For Your First Visit

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Hold on tight (and take notes!) as we go over 45 Universal Studios tips that are absolutely essential to know before your first visit!

With Universal Orlando Resort being among the best theme parks in the world, it’s so important to know the tips and tricks necessary to maximize your visit and get the most from your experience.

You’re in for a treat as you begin to explore these Universal Studios tips and secrets while gearing up for the family vacation of a lifetime!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. For more info, see disclosure.

Click here for Universal Studios tips that you won't want to miss when planning your first visit; from Top US Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

Table of Contents

Tips for Universal Studios Orlando

In case you’re confused like I was, Universal Orlando Resort consists of 3 parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay waterpark.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located in both Universal Studios (Diagon Alley) and Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade).

Each of the 3 parks has a separate ticketed entry, though park-to-park tickets are available if you’re looking to explore them all.

Our tips for Universal Studios Orlando are organized into the following categories that include tips for:

Planning your visit
Purchasing tickets
Parking & arrival
Touring tips
Rides & shows
Food & beverage
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips
Universal Orlando on-site hotel perks

Each of the tips in these categories is meant to give you a brief overview (hence ‘quick tips’) of the fun and important things to know when visiting Universal Studios.

For more information, or for a deeper look into your visit, be sure to visit the Universal Orlando Resort homepage. Likewise, be sure to review their current safety guidelines regarding the ongoing pandemic.

Universal Studios Tips: Planning Your Visit

Study the best times to visit. Crowds are highest when schools are on break (ie. Spring Break and Christmas). Find out how to beat the heat if visiting in June, July, or August, as the temperatures can be unbearable. Visit in September through January (minus holidays) for the fewest crowds and best prices.

2. Watch for ticket deals and special offers. The prices of Universal Studios Orlando tickets rise and fall based on season and demand, so it’s best to purchase them a few months early. Likewise, consider checking into the availability of discounted Universal Orlando tickets , as well as consulting with a travel agent for specials or promotions.

3. Decide on where to stay. This will largely depend on what perks you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend. Choices range from Universal Orlando Premier Resorts (most expensive, many perks), Universal Orlando hotels (some perks), off-site hotels (affordable), or vacation rental homes (more space).

Our choice, Loews Royal Pacific Resort , a Universal Premier Resort that is a 7-minute walk from the theme parks!

4. Check the ride height requirements. Find out which rides are right for you and your family before you go. Prepare your smaller children for the rides that they are, and are not going to be tall enough to ride to avoid meltdowns once there.

5. Don’t stress about not having a stroller. There are single ($18) and double strollers ($28) for rent upon entering the Universal Theme Parks, or you can bring your own. Mark your stroller in order to recognize it and be sure to park it in the Stroller Parking at rides.

6. Watch the Harry Potter movie series before you go. Purchase the Harry Potter 8-film collection (like we did!) and be sure to watch the entire series before you go. Having an understanding of all things Harry Potter makes the experience so much better!

Universal Studios Tips: Purchasing Tickets

1. Know your ticket options. If you only want to visit 1 park for 1 day, get the basic (least expensive) 1 park ticket. If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and King’s Cross Station, you’ll need a Park-to-Park Ticket. When visiting multiple marks for multiple days, get Multi-Park, Park-to-Park tickets.

2. Buy your tickets in advance. Lines at the ticket counter are long at park opening. Pre-purchase your tickets online to save money and avoid standing in line at the ticket counter.

3. Children under 3 are free. Take notes that there is no park admission fee for children under 3 years old. Child prices apply to children ages 3-9, and adult prices ages apply to guests 10+.

4. Determine if you want to spend extra money to get Universal Express Pass. Universal Express Pass allows you to bypass the standard line at rides and attractions and get into a shorter, quicker, Express line. Universal Express Pass is a ticket add-on, meaning that it’s an additional cost to standard park tickets. The add-on can be purchased ahead of time, once you’re in the park, or comes free when you stay at a Universal Premier Resort (more on that coming up).

Read here to see if we think Universal Express Passes are worth it !

5. Purchase a lanyard. You will want the convenience of storing both your park tickets (for park-to-park access) and Express Passes (to be scanned at each ride) in a lanyard. They are not provided by Universal Studios or Universal hotels. Though they can be bought on-site, they are cheaper to purchase online ahead of time.

Arrival & Parking

1. Download the Universal Resort Orlando app. Be sure to download the free Universal Resort app from the App Store and Google Play before heading to the park. You can use it for mobile ordering, virtual line reservations, wait time alerts, and an interactive park map. (Don’t forget to bring a portable battery charger as you will use your phone quite a bit.)

2. Check theme park hours ahead of time. Universal does not release its daily theme park hours until approximately 1 month before any given date. Hours vary by month and day, so be sure to check their website before your visit.

3. Know if you qualify for Early Park Admission. Universal’s Early Park Admission allows all Universal Orlando Resort hotel guests and annual pass holders one-hour early entry to Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and a 30-minute early entry to Volcano Bay.

Not all rides open early. Be sure to check the Early Park Admission page (and app) a few weeks before your visit to determine which parks are offering this feature on what days, and for what rides. This varies drastically each week and is subject to change without notice.

4. Arrive early. If you don’t qualify for Early Park Admission, get to the turnstiles 45-60 minutes before the advertised park opening. Early arrival equals shorter lines and more rides! (Even with Early Park Admission, arrive at the gates 30-40 minutes before opening. i.e For 7:00 AM Early Admission, arrive at the gates no later than 6:30 AM.)

5. Allow at least 30 minutes for general parking and security. Once parked, escalators and moving walkways bring you into the transportation hub. Here, you will find security checkpoints, restrooms, vending machines, and souvenirs. It is a 15-minute walk to get from the hub to the entrance of either theme park.

6. Remember where you park. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay share the same two gigantic covered parking garages. Take a photo of the name and number of your parking section, as well as the level and row. It’s easy to forget.

Universal Studios Touring Tips

1. Bring your AAA card. Many of the restaurants around Universal will give you a 10% discount for showing your card when you dine.

2. Wi-Fi is free at Universal. Be sure to switch over to the free network once you get to the park entrance in order to save on your data plan.

3. Make a game plan beforehand. In order to maximize your time in the park, I absolutely recommend that you study the park layout, as well as have a general idea of the order in which you want to do the rides and attractions. Both our Universal Studios Touring Plan , and Islands of Adventure Touring Plan outline exactly how we tour the parks when we’re there.

5. Have an understanding of the Universal Studios lockers. Unlike visiting the Disney theme parks , most rides at Universal do not allow personal belongings (including backpacks) to be brought onto the rides. This is due to their high intensity.

Along with paid lockers at the front of the park, each ride has either free or paid lockers based on the size of your backpack or bag.

*After reading this article, come back and check out our complete guide to understanding the lockers at Universal Orlando!

6. Pack a modestly sized Universal day bag. If you’re looking to save money, only bring in a backpack or fanny pack that fits into the complimentary lockers. Here’s exactly what we pack in our Universal Studios day bag that is just enough, but not too much.

Universal Studios Tips: Rides & Shows

Vist the best rides at Universal Studios Florida early in the day, as these are the rides that accumulate the longest lines as the day goes on.

2. A reminder about Hogwart’s Express: Remember that you must have a “Park-to-Park” admission ticket to ride the Hogwart’s Express attraction. For a full experience, ride Hogwart’s Express in both directions as it is different depending on which direction you are traveling.

3. Check showtimes. Use the Universal app to check the daily showtimes and figure out how to fit them into your daily itinerary. Likewise, check what rides have a Virtual Line option for that day and make reservations. Virtual Line reservations cannot be done until you’re physically inside the park.

Note: If you have Express Pass, you do not need to make Virtual Line Reservations for rides that qualify for Express. Hagrid’s Motorbike does not honor Express Pass, so be sure to make a Virtual Line Reservation if it is being offered.

4. Small kids? Do Child Swap. Each ride has a family room where one member of your party can wait with the little ones while the rest of your party rides. Once they are finished, switch places so whoever rode can stay with the kids, and the adult(s) who sat out can then go on the ride.

5. Take advantage of the Single Rider line. Single Rider lines are always shorter and move faster than the regular line. If you don’t mind being split from your group, or if you want to quickly repeat a ride, hop into the Single Rider line.

6. Be prepared for motion sickness. Much like the best rides at Islands of Adventure , the rides at Universal includes twists, turns, and intense motion simulation. I highly recommend bringing along both adult and child doses of motion sickness medication (or taking it beforehand) to prevent queasiness.

Universal Studios Tips: Food and Beverage

Bring your own water bottle. Bring along these collapsible reusable water bottles to save you tons of money from having to purchase bottled water inside the park ($5.50/bottle). Restaurants and quick-service counters will refill them at no cost.

2. Eat at the Universal restaurants and at CityWalk. The fun and unique food and beverage options at Universal Studios are part of the experience! Don’t miss out on getting a VooDoo Donut or going to the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, two of the best restaurants in CityWalk . Also, be sure to get a Flaming Moe (orange soda with dry ice) found in the Simpson’s Springfield Fast Food Boulevard section of the parks.

3. Make reservations ahead of time. I highly suggest making online reservations for full-service restaurants at the parks and City Walk to avoid the lines during busy seasons. This can be done online, or by calling (407) 224-FOOD.

4. Consider if a Universal Dining Plan is worth it. Both quick-service and full-service dining plans are available at Universal. The cost per day does not include gratuities and only covers food from participating locations. Personally, we do not purchase a dining plan and have never regretted it.

5. Butterbeer comes in liquids and solids. We suggest trying them all!

Butterbeer Fudge
Cold Butterbeer
Frozen Butterbeer (our favorite!)
Hot Butterbeer
Butterbeer ice cream
Butterbeer potted cream (creamy custard)

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips

Head to Diagon Alley first or last. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, is by far the busiest part of the park. Go there first thing in the morning, or later in the evening after 4 PM to experience smaller crowds. (We spent the full hour of Early Park Admission enjoying Diagon Alley with little to no crowds; it was the highlight of our trip!)

2. Watch the fire-breathing dragon. Stick around. The large dragon on the top of Gringotts Bank rumbles, then breathes fire every 10-15 minutes.

3. Exchange money at Gringotts Money Exchange. The best part about going into Gringotts Money Exchange is listening to the ‘crabby’ animated goblin banker. Here, you can exchange money for ‘wizard currency’ to purchase food and souvenirs etc. around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Any unused banknotes can be converted back to regular money at Guest Services.

4. Browse the shops and shop windows. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, browsing the shops in Diagon Alley will be a major highlight of your visit! The decor inside the shops and windows will make you feel as if you’re inside the books and movies. Plus, they contain exclusive Harry Potter merchandise that can’t be found anywhere else.

5. Be sure to stop in Ollivander’s Wand Shop. If you don’t want to wait in line to attend a wand-fitting demonstration, simply go into Ollivander’s, and the staff will assist you in picking out a wand. When purchasing a wand, opt for the ‘interactive’ wand that costs $10 more than a ‘learner’ wand. The interactive wand comes with a map showing 34 marked locations where you can cast spells around the parks.

Note: Small children will have a hard time executing the spells as the infrared tip of the wand needs to align perfectly with the censor in the window.

This can get frustrating for the littles, so be prepared and be ready to step in and help.

6. I’ll repeat. You MUST try Butterbeer. Head to The Fountain of Fair Fortune or the Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley to get Butterbeer. This butterscotch goodness is a Universal Studios must-try.

7. Catch a show. Throughout the day there are various types of shows in the Carkitt Market section of Diagon Alley. Check for showtimes on the Universal app. Celestina and the Banshees is our favorite.

Universal Orlando On-Site Hotel Perks

One of our best tips for visiting Universal Orlando is to stay on-site at one of the Universal Orlando Resorts.

Along with their close proximity to the theme parks (within walking distance!), these are the key benefits of staying on-site. These perks will make a world of difference to your family’s Universal vacation.

1. Early Park Admission . When you stay at an on-site hotel you get Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 1 hour before the park opens, and 30-minutes prior to the Volcano Bay opening. (Worth it!)

2. Universal Express Pass . Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort offer free Universal Express Unlimited to resort guests. Your room key serves as the Express Pass to show to get on rides. (Worth it, in our opinion!)

3. Complimentary transportation . Enjoy free transportation to the theme parks from each of the hotels via either water taxi or shuttle bus. Cabana Bay and Aventura Hotel are by shuttle bus only. (Worth it, although you still have to pay for parking at the hotel, $28/night.)

4. Priority seating at restaurants. Guests staying at Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel, Lowes Royal Pacific Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel receive priority seating at select restaurants. Show your room key to the hostess and see if priority seating is available.

5. Package delivery. Free merchandise delivery from Universal stores and ships to any Universal hotel.

6. Charging privileges. Charge purchases across the entire Universal Orlando Resort to your room key card when staying at any Universal hotel.

Here are the current Universal Resort Hotels to choose from (in order of Budget to Premier):

Surfside Inn and Suites ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Dockside Inn and Suites ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Universal’s Aventura Hotel ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Cabana Bay Beach Resort ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Loews Royal Pacific Hotel ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Hard Rock Hotel ( Book directly on Booking.com )
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel ( Book directly on Booking.com )

Tell me which of our Universal Studios tips surprised you the most, or that you found the most helpful! I would love to know 🙂 Jen

If you liked reading our Quick Tips for Universal Orlando, continue planning your Universal Orlando vacation here:

Universal Orlando Touring Plans:

Universal Studios Touring Plan: 1-Day Itinerary
Islands of Adventure Touring Plan: Complete 1-Day Itinerary

Universal Orlando Tips:

What to Bring to Universal Studios (+Day Bag Tips)
9 Big Differences Between Disney World and Universal Studios
Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando: 9 Reasons to Stay
A Complete Guide to the Lockers at Universal Orlando
Top 7 Best Restaurants in Universal Citywalk

Universal Orlando Rides:

Top 7 Best Rides at Islands of Adventure
Top 7 Rides at Universal Studios Florida
Is Universal Express Pass Worth it? A Detailed Look!

* Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

The Best Marco Island Beaches in Florida to Fall in Love With

Family Road Trip Packing List (+ Free Printable Packing Checklist)

37+ Fun & Unique Things to Do in Naples, Florida

Destin Harbor Boardwalk: Top 10 Best Things to Do (+ FAQs)

Grouse Mountain Lodge: 7 Helpful Reasons to Stay

5 Tips to Choose the Best VRBO Rentals for your Next Vacation

Find Even More

Find your next vacation destination!

Connect on Instagram

Find out where we’re traveling now!

Jen and family sitting on couch smiling at each other.

Make the memories now

You don’t have to wait until your kids are more grown up or you have a ton of money saved to start traveling.

With a little planning and a lot of love, lifelong family vacation memories can be made at all ages, stages – and places both near and far.

Destinations

Attractions
Girls’ Trips
U.S. Cities
All-Inclusive Resorts
Universal Orlando

Free Printable

Free packing list printable when you subscribe for the latest travel updates!

Travel With A Plan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Family Vacation Packing List!

Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Turning your typical family vacation into a bucket list adventure!

Universal orlando -10 things to do before your first visit.

A few years ago, we took our first trip to Universal Studios Orlando. We are a Disney family, and didn’t know what to expect at Universal Studios. I knew my husband would want to avoid the busier days at the parks and not like waiting in lines, and I also knew my kids were a little young for some of the thrill rides. I definitely knew that I didn’t want to hear ANY complaining! Here are 10 things I did before our first trip to Universal Studios Orlando to make the experience as fun and enjoyable as possible for ALL of us:

( This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my disclosure policy here . )

1. Watch videos of the rides on YouTube

There is nothing worse than going on a theme park ride, having your kid be terrified during the ride, and potentially ruining the rest of their life! I needed to know which rides my kids could handle, and which rides would have to wait for our next trip. By watching videos of the rides on YouTube, they were able to tell me “no way” or “YES, I CANNOT WAIT TO GO ON THAT RIDE”. The best ride videos we watched were by Inside the Magic and UnderCover Tourist.

2. Read the restaurant menus

There are a lot of places to eat in the parks, at CityWalk, and at the on-site hotels. You don’t want to waste your time and money by eating bad food! So, I searched online and read through some menus. This helped us decide where we really wanted to eat, and also gave us an idea of how much $$$ we were going to be spending. You can find menus on the Universal Orlando website here . Another very helpful website, while planning your first Universal vacation, is Touringplans.com . You can find menus and food prices on their website here .

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium has crazy milkshakes and desserts!

3. Sign up for a Loews loyalty account if staying at an on-site hotel

Unfortunately Loews ended the YouFirst Rewards program in December 2018. Hopefully they replace it with something soon!

We knew we were staying at an on-site hotel at Universal, so I signed up for a Loews account before I made our reservation. Loews Hotels is the company that runs the on-site hotels at Universal Studios Orlando. You can easily register for their loyalty account, YouFirst Rewards, on their website . Upon check-in at Portofino Bay, I was recognized as a YouFirst Rewards member, and we were given a room with a balcony. There aren’t a lot of rooms with balconies, and I’m convinced that we got one because of my loyalty club membership.

5. Buy your tickets and express passes before you get there

On our first day at Universal Studios Orlando, we took advantage of entering the park early due to staying on-site. Upon entering the park we were very surprised at the long lines at the ticket counter! We had our tickets already, but what a terrible way to start your day by waiting to buy a ticket. By staying on-site at certain hotels, an express pass is included with your stay. Each person receives this pass for each day you are a hotel guest. This pass saved us a lot of time because we were able to bypass the general lines at many of the attractions. We use these awesome clear water proof cellphone cases and keep our express pass, credit card, and cash securely around our neck –

6. Decide where to stay based on what’s best for your family

There are so many pros and cons to consider when deciding where to stay. We chose to stay at Portofino Bay, which is an on-site hotel. The deciding factors were the location, transportation provided to the parks, express passes, and the top notch pool area. By staying there, we were able to leave the parks in the afternoon and take a break by the hotel pool. We could easily walk or ride the boat back to the park later in the day. This kept everyone from getting cranky from putting up with the crowds all day long. Unfortunately, you are paying for the convenience. Also, each on-site hotel has a different vibe to it, so do your research. There are many quality hotels off-site that are more reasonably priced, and may be more suitable to your family’s needs.

7. Make a list of the rides you really want to experience and take a picture of the list

After doing the ride research on YouTube, we knew which kid wanted to go on which ride. We made a list and then took a picture of the list with my phone. This way, I could pull up the picture on my phone and make sure we weren’t missing anything. The last thing you want is to accidentally send your seven year old on Skull Island: Reign of Kong when they couldn’t even handle watching the YouTube video of the ride.

8. Become familiar with the layout of the parks

Getting a general idea of what attractions are in which park, where the parade route is, and the layout of the resort area is very helpful. This saves you from aimlessly wandering around or even from getting lost. I borrowed Universal Studios guidebooks from the library and even bought one to take along on the trip. The most useful book to me was The Complete Universal Orlando by Julie and Mike Neal. The authors actually lived inside the park while researching the book…how lucky are they?! Universal Studios has an app available which provides maps, ride wait times, and a lot of other info. Something else to keep in mind is that throughout the year some attractions will close for maintenance. The ride closures are posted online, so take a glance at the list so there are no surprises when you walk up to your top must see attraction.

9. Listen to a podcast about Universal Studios Orlando

I sit at my desk almost all day long while at work, so I took advantage of this time by listening to a podcast about Universal Studios Orlando. The weekly podcast discusses what is new in the parks, gives restaurant reviews, and ride reviews. The best podcast I found is by The DIS. You can find it at thedisunplugged.com .

15 Insider Tips For Your First Time at Universal Orlando

May 4, 2024 // by Macey Sidlasky // Leave a Comment

Is it your first time at Universal Orlando?! It may feel a little overwhelming. There seems to be so much that you have to do: pack, plan, reserve… the list is endless. However, your first time at Universal doesn’t have to be stressful! I have 15 inside tips for you and your family’s first visit.

This is specifically a list of tips that we think first time goers to Universal Orlando should know. It will go over what to bring, how you can save money, freebies, fast passes, restaurant reservations and much, much more. Read on to learn the best way to plan a trip to Universal Orlando.

Three friends gather in front of the Hogwarts express, enjoying their first time at Universal Orlando with a park to park ticket.

1. Purchase Your Tickets in Advance

Whether you are planning on bolting it to Diagon Alley early in the morning, or you want to hop on Hagrid before everyone else, spoiler alert: everyone is thinking the same thing. So don’t waste any time! Purchase your tickets in advance so when you arrive you don’t have to wait in line.

You can purchase tickets online. We also suggest making the most of your time and purchasing a park-to-park ticket so you can park-hop and be flexible with timing. This way you don’t have to feel stuck in one park on one day. Plus, then, you can also experience the Hogwarts Express and its two experiences. If of interest too, you can always purchase your express tickets online. But if you’re visiting on off seasons, those express tickets may not be needed.

Book In Advance Here: Universal Orlando Theme Park Tickets

A hand holds up a universal pass holder preferred pass at the welcome to universal orlando resort sign.

2. Consider Dates and Timing

There are two things to consider when arriving for your first trip to Universal Studios Orlando. First, make sure you know when busy season is. If you can avoid visiting during spring breaks, winter breaks, and summer, this is ideal. But if you cannot, make sure you are purchasing express passes to hit all you need to see!

The best way to visit Universal Studios is to also always be early: allow 30 minutes (at least!) for parking and security. And then, eat before or after rush times! Everyone loves to eat lunch at noon, but if you wait until 2 o’clock, dining lines decrease. Plus, while everyone is eating at noon, those wait times drop!

A woman in a blue tank and backpack enjoys the lesser crowds of Universal as she walks through the magic mirror at King's Cross, enjoying her first time at Universal Orlando.

3. Get Familiar with the Universal Orlando App

From checking wait times to mobile ordering, this app is a life saver. You can confirm park hours before your visit, or even during your visit. You can find bathrooms with ease, as well as your parking place (avoid getting lost in Jurassic Park or Spiderman, please). Everything you need is right here.

You also have access to show times, and a new Chat feature that allows you to ask questions about said showtimes, safety measures, contact info and more. The chat feature can be used off property too! I suggest downloading and getting familiar with it before you hit the park: that way you don’t spend all your time staring at a screen. But if you are going to stare, bring a portable phone charger with you!

A screenshot of the Universal Orlando app shows insight to wait times, mobile ordering, hours and more.

4. Stay on Site (Or at Least Close By)

The Universal Orlando Resort Hotels are amazing: fun and different designs/theming, comfortable beds, pools, and tasty restaurants will have you questioning if you even want to go into the parks! But with the free shuttle and water taxi to the parks, you’re going to have to go. And don’t forget the early park admission!! You get in one hour before others at theme parks, or 30 minutes before with the water park.

If you can’t stay on property, that’s okay too! There are some nearby hotels that also offer shuttles to CityWalk so you don’t have to pay parking. Most also offer breakfast buffets or grab-and-go options and snack bars needed for early mornings! You can’t go wrong staying close by when planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando, but make sure to stay for more than one night!

A man in a Ravenclaw hat sits at a nice restaurant, overlooking Hulk and Doctor Dooms: his resort stay allowed him to book this restaurant and enjoy his first time at Universal Orlando.

5. Join the Coca-Cola Freestyle Program and Bring Snacks

Of all Universal Studios Orlando tips, the ones that save you money are very important! One of the most important things you can do is stray hydrated during your trips in the Florida sun, but how do you do that without breaking the bank?? The Coca-Cola Freestyle program is the way to go.

With it, you can purchase a souvenir cup from participating locations and then refill it at any freestyle location for the rest of the day. There are over 100 drinks to choose from, and you can fill it up once every 10 minutes. You do have to reactivate each day, but it’ll save you from spending $5.00 on water every second. Plus, water is free! AND you can save money by bringing in your own snacks: granola bars, cheese-its, you get to pick your own! Yay for money saving tips for Universal Studios!

A woman holds a Gilly Water up in Diagon Alley, which is great for hydration, but is expensive: join the coca-cola program instead!

6. Don’t Miss the Shows

It isn’t necessarily bad to schedule your first trip to Universal Studios Orlando around the shows. Think about it: rides aren’t going anywhere. The shows only happen at specific times! Start times are always posted outside the show’s location, and are available in the app.

Shows don’t start until 10 a.m. either, so you can hit a few rides before stopping in. Most shows are indoors, which means free AC too! And even if they aren’t inside, you get to stop and rest for a few moments. Plus, the shows are fun! The Bourne Legacy has great technology, and the Horror Makeup Show is to die for!

A woman in a bucket hat and a man in a Ravenclaw hat smile with Beetlejuice before a Horror Makeup show.

7. Use Single Rider Lines and Child Swap Programs

These benefits are here for a reason! If you are bringing kids and they don’t meet the height requirements of rides, or if they don’t want to go on a ride, this doesn’t mean that you have to miss out too! The child swap program allows one member of your party to wait with the kid in the family room while the rest of the family rides. Then you swap! A win win.

You can also use the single rider lines which helps with longer wait times. It’s the fastest way to get on and off a ride, especially ones that are popular like Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure. Your party will be separated, though, so don’t expect to ride together!!

A woman goes toward the single rider line on the Incredible Hulk coaster knowing the wait times will be down, allowing her to see more during her first time at Universal Orlando.

8. Pack a Small Bag or Be Prepared to Buy a Large Locker

Unlike Disney , there are very few rides that you can take your bags on at Universal. E.T. is one of them, but Hagrid is not. Sometimes you can get away with a crossbody bag or a fanny pack if you are carrying small things, but most times workers are going to require you to get a locker.

If you have the need to get a big locker, do it for the full day to hold all your stuff. Otherwise, you’re going to have to stop and get a small locker at each ride. You can get free ones for an hour with your park ticket… but those locker rooms are tight space and it can get hectic, so save yourself a hassle and don’t bring bags or have a “home base” larger locker somewhere else in the park.

Two girls smile for a selfie in a bathroom, their fanny packs allowing easy access to their things and requiring minimal lockers.

9. Make Dining Reservations

Whether you are going to restaurants in the park that are 100% worth checking out (I’m looking at you, Mythos and Flanngins) you should make a reservation. These places fill up quickly and if you try to get sat the day of without a reservation, you’ll be waiting two hours or more. The same applies for CityWalk.

CityWalk has tons of restaurants but those long wait times aren’t worth it. Call ahead and book through the Universal Orlando’s Reservations Page. Some places offer additional booking opportunities through OpenTable as well. And the same also applies for restaurants at hotels that are on site. Be safe! Book ahead! This is the best way to visit Universal Studios: plan ahead.

A picture of Mythos Restaurant shows that it was awarded the "World's Best Theme Park Restaurant" and we highly suggest going there during your first time at Universal Orlando.

10. Go to Diagon Alley in Early Morning or Evening

Despite only having one ride, Diagon Alley is super popular amongst guests. They love to come ride Gringotts, see the dragon spew fire, experience Ollivander’s, explore Knockturn, and maybe even eat at the Three Broomsticks. For some reason, crowds build here in the middle of the day.

This means exploring in the early morning or later afternoon is better. This is also a great opportunity to get butter beer more quickly (there are more places to get it at in Diagon than in Hogsmead), and the Ollivander’s line is usually longer in Hogsmead. Of all Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips and tricks: get to Diagon first!

A woman in a hufflepuff sweater points her interactive wand at the glass windows in Diagon Alley.

11. Prepare for Weather

There is nothing worse than Florida weather some days. SO when planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando, pack appropriately. Packing for Universal Orlando can be easy when you think about it at the most basic level– shorts, shoes, tanks– but you need to think more critically if you can!

For example, you need to think of rain if you’re visiting during summer months. Pack a poncho instead of carrying an umbrella or purchasing a poncho for a pretty penny. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring hair ties and hair clips. Wear tanks and bring a jacket just incase, and wear a hat! Or bring sunscreen. Protect yourself from getting or being uncomfortable.

A man and woman smile for a selfie in line for Hagrids, even while it is raining: the weather doesn't have to ruin your first time at Universal Orlando.

12. Avoid Riding the First Attraction You See

We get it: you’re excited! You want to hop on a ride. But so does everyone else. Most guest will enter Universal and go straight to the closet ride. If you know the park layout, go explore beyond that first attraction. Heading toward the back of the park allows you to step away from crowds and beat some of those lengthier lines toward the front.

For example, most guests jump right onto Minion Mayhem in Universal Studios. This is why the wait time is so long. But I personally go to Diagon to hop on Gringotts to avoid those wait times . I suggest always going toward the back and then making your way back around and toward the front.

An over the lake shot shows Doctor Dooms Free Fall, VelociCoaster, and the Hulk.

13. Game Plan the End of Your Visit & Stay Late

Two to three hours before the parks close is the least busy time for the parks. Most people are heading back to hotels, going to reservations for dinner, and just done for the day. But that doesn’t mean you have to be! Wait times will be down, and you can always hop on one last ride. Take Hagrid, for example! Its wait time is shorter toward the end of the night. And VelociCoaster is so different at day than at night.

There are also nighttime shows! You can see the Universal Cinematic Celebration, which is a projection mapping and fireworks show. Or you can go to Islands of Adventure to see the lights on/at Hogwarts. Get your seats early, though!

At night, the park is still open and enjoyable: things like Mel's Drive In stay open for views of shows, late night snacks, and their appearance differs after the sun goes down, so this is something you don't want to miss during your first time at Universal Orlando.

14. Be Prepared for Motion Sickness

This is oddly specific, but Universal is heavy on their screen rides. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the Simpsons Ride, for example, are prone to making guests sick. Thus, avoid riding on an empty stomach OR avoid riding on a full stomach! Take your time post food.

If needed, pack yourself some Dramamine. This is a good over the counter medication to pack that may help curb that motion sickness. Better to be safe than sorry! This is one of this tips for the first visit to Universal Orlando people overlook and then regret.

People load into the spinning teacups of StormForce's ride: I hope they packed motion sickness because some of these rides get intense.

15. Take Advantage of Festivals and Events

This is closely tied with ensuring that you do your research ahead of time: when are you going? When in the year are you specifically visiting? Those times may correlate with the special festivals and events, which bring new and exciting things. Mardi Gras; Halloween Horror Nights; there are so many fun things to do.

Not only do these offer epic parades, haunted houses, festive entertainment during the holidays and more, but it invites you to explore the park in a different light. There is more food more decor, and even more to do. Don’t miss your chance to partake in this excitement. Check out the full schedule of events so you know all the tips for going to Universal Studios Orlando.

A man enjoys a huge bite of a beignet during the Mardi Gras Festival: if you are visiting for your first time at Universal Orlando during the festival seasons, take advantage of them!

And there you have it, folks. Universal Orlando for first-timers now have 15 inside tips to ensure your trip is amazing! This is the best way to plan a trip to Universal Orlando, so begin to pack, plan, and have fun!

A girl stands in front of a window in Diagon Alley with her interactive wand, looking for one of the Universal Orlando secrets: a special interaction spot not located on a map!

Reader Interactions

I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top 10 tips for first-timers.

I ’ll never forget walking out of Universal Islands of Adventure in 2022, drenched from head to toe after riding Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge .

It was my first trip back to Universal Orlando Resort in years, and I learned some things the hard way, which I gladly shared with fellow travelers, hoping that they’d avoid my mistakes .

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Florida resort several times a year. And while I stand by my earlier tips, I’ve learned a few others.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Here are my top tips for first-timers visiting Universal Orlando.

1. Stay on property

From RV parks to vacation rentals, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Central Florida, but it can pay to stay on property when visiting Universal Orlando. Not only are prices comparable to off-property hotels with Endless Summer Surfside and Dockside starting at $99 a night, but all of Universal’s resort hotels offer up to an hour of early entry to select parks, which vary depending on time of year.

They also provide free resort transportation, so you can get back to your room fairly quickly after a long park day or for a midday break. That free transportation can be clutch in the mornings, particularly at pricier Loews Sapphire Falls , Loews Royal Pacific , Loews Portofino Bay , and Hard Rock Hotel , which offer water taxis that drop you off closer to the parks than you can get arriving by car or bus. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel guests can walk over to Sapphire Falls for water taxis, but the extra time and steps added may not be worth skipping the resort shuttle bus.

Walking paths are also available to the parks from every resort hotel except the Endless Summer ones. Cabana Bay guests also have a dedicated walking path to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Guests staying at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock also get free Universal Express Passes , which dramatically cut waits for most rides and normally start at $79.99 per person. Free package delivery is also available to all resort hotels, if guests don’t want to lug park purchases around all day.

Epic Universe details revealed: What's coming to Universal Orlando next year

2. Buy a popcorn bucket

Snacking at the parks can get expensive. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, but there’s one crowd-pleaser that won’t break the bank.

A plain popcorn bucket costs a little over $12, and you can keep getting refills throughout your trip. Refills cost around $2 each, making popcorn among the cheapest, most shareable snacks on property. On our last trip, my family and I got multiple refills for the price of one pretzel with cheese dip.

3. Bring a light, refillable water bottle

Staying hydrated is always important, particularly on hot park days.

You can fill water bottles with free ice-cold water at any of the many Coca-Cola Freestyle machines across the property. Cups of ice water are also available for free anywhere dispensed soft drinks are sold.

Leave big double-walled stainless steel tumblers at home. Not only will they feel heavy, carrying them around all the day, but if they aren’t leak-proof, they’ll make a mess when you tip them on their sides to fit in lockers for thrill rides.

4. Bring a medium-sized bag to carry your stuff

Numerous attractions, from Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Men in Black Alien Attack , require guests to store loose articles in lockers provided for the duration of the ride.

I previously recommended keeping most of your things together to avoid having to empty every pocket each time. That’s still true, but I want to add a caveat on size.

The free lockers aren’t very big. They can fit a Loungefly-style mini backpack or empty popcorn bucket, if you squish them down, but they’re not large enough for packed full-size backpacks. Keep that in mind unless you want to pay for larger lockers.

5. Bring ponchos

Ponchos don’t take a lot of space and can save you from getting soaked like me on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge, Dudley Do-Right’s Rip Saw Falls , and Jurassic Park River Adventure .

Even if you skip water rides, ponchos are good to keep on hand for rainy park days.

6. Use single-rider lines

Many attractions have a single-rider lane. If you’re traveling alone or don’t mind your party being split up, you can save time using the single-rider lane, if it’s open. They’re not always offered.

It doesn’t guarantee a short wait, but it’s usually shorter. On our latest trip, my middle schooler still waited at least 45 minutes for The Incredible Hulk Coaster and an hour for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit . That was about as long as the regular standby wait for Hulk but shorter than the standby wait for Rip Ride Rockit.

The following attractions have single-rider lanes, though availability varies.

Universal Studios Florida

E.T. Adventure
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Men in Black Alien Attack
Revenge of the Mummy
The Simpsons Ride
Transformers: The Ride-3D

Universal Islands of Adventure

Doctor Doom's Fearfall
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
The Incredible Hulk Coaster

7. Use child swap

If someone in your party doesn’t meet ride requirements for an attraction or simply wants to sit it out, you can ask for a child swap. It’s particularly helpful for families with young children because it allows parents and caregivers to take turns riding the ride and staying with whoever is sitting it out.

On our most recent trip, my youngest didn’t want to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , so we all waited in line together, but then she and I peeled off to a designated waiting room while my middle schooler and mother-in-law went on the ride. When they were done, my mother-in-law stayed with my youngest while I went on the ride. My middle schooler lucked out, getting to ride it twice.

Not all attractions have waiting rooms, but they all offer swaps. Just let team members know you need one.

8. Take breaks

Theme parks can be exhausting. Not only are you on your feet all day, but they can be loud, crowded and overstimulating.

When possible, I like to plan for at least one sit-down meal in the day. This way, I can take my time and recuperate in air conditioning away from crowds. I’ll typically splurge on one table-service meal, but there are several mid-priced, quick-service restaurants across both theme parks where you can grab a lighter snack and relax.

Really, any cool spot where you can sit down works. Knockturn Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida is always refreshing, though dark. Jurassic Park Discovery Center in Islands of Adventure is a great place for kids to explore while adults unwind.

9. Watch the shows

Rides get a lot of the love, but Universal Orlando’s live entertainment is top tier. You can find showtimes on the free resort app or simply stop to watch performances you stumble across while roaming the parks.

The only year-round shows with dedicated seating are at Universal Studios Florida: Animal Actors On Location! , The Bourne Stuntacular , and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, which is more funny than scary.

10. Let little ones stretch their legs

There are several play areas across both theme parks for little ones to burn off energy.

A new DreamWorks Land opened at Universal Studios Florida this summer with “Kung Fu Panda” and "Shrek"-themed play areas.

At Islands of Adventure, kids can explore Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park, If I Ran a Zoo in Seuss Landing, and Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon. There are also splash pads and water features across Toon Lagoon; just make sure to bring swimsuits or backup clothes for those.

Bonus: Don’t sleep on Volcano Bay

You’ll definitely want to pack swimsuits if you’re heading to Volcano Bay, which regularly ranks among the best water parks in the country and adds a completely different experience to vacations.

It’s themed like a tropical paradise, with plenty of trees and an iconic volcano that houses multiple water slides. The water park can get crowded, but you never spend too much time standing in line because every guest gets a Tapu Tapu wearable bracelet that lets them join one virtual queue at a time.

Single-day tickets start at $80, which is considerably less than the $119 starting price for guests age 10 and up at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, but still not cheap. However, if you’re already planning to buy multiday tickets for both theme parks, tacking on Volcano Bay is not much more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top 10 tips for first-timers.

Universal Studios' iconic globe spins outside of Universal Studios Florida.

23 First Timer Tips for Universal Studios Hollywood (2024 Complete Planning Guide)

Going to Universal Studios Hollywood is such a fun thing to do , whether you have one day, three days, or more at this theme park.

However, if you are going, you want to make sure that you have the best time possible and get to do everything you want to do.

If you are new to theme parks, or just new to this park, you don’t want to miss out on some awesome opportunities.

Through this article, you will find all the tips and tricks you need to know to get the most out of your day or days in Universal Studios Hollywood .

Ready? Let’s go!

Universal Studios Hollywood Springfield Simpsons Land Moe's. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

What to Expect at Universal Studios Hollywood

Before we get into the tips, let’s go over a few of the most common questions.

Jurassic World - The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

What time does Universal Studios Hollywood open?

Universal Studios Florida is open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the regular season.

Universal Studios Hollywood Gate with Hilton Hotel in the background. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.

Universal Studios Hollywood Guide Blog Banner

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The cost of admission starts at $109 , but I like discounts so I use Groupon.com to find cheap Universal Studios tickets that sometimes include Express Passes to skip the lines.

Walking Dead Attraction Universal Studios Hollywood California

Get up to 21% off of your Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets with Groupon TODAY!

What should I do first at Universal Studios Hollywood?

One of the best Universal Studios tips that I can give you is to start in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first.

Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle with NikkyJ. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the three attractions ( Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and the Ollivanders wand experience ) extremely long.

How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days

How much does it cost to park at Universal Studios Hollywood?

If you’re wondering how much is parking at Universal Studios Hollywood , general parking is the cheapest option at Universal Studios Hollywood but also means that these garages are further from the park entrance.

Universal Studios Hollywood Frankenstein Parking Lot and Ride Share Drop Off

General Parking Cost at Universal Studios Hollywood:

Before 5 p.m.: $32
After 5 p.m.: $10

How far is general parking at Universal Studios Hollywood?:

General Parking is a 5 to 10 minute walk depending on the garage you park at

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

New Safety Measures in Place at Universal Studios Hollywood

Face coverings are strongly recommended for all guests indoors
Proof of vaccinations is NOT required
Universal Studios Hollywood will remain focused on maintaining the highest cleanliness and sanitization standards

You can read Universal’s full policy here.

23 Easy Tips to Do Universal Studios Hollywood Like a Pro!

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s go through the best tips for you upcoming trip.

NikkyJ in front of the Globe Universal Studios Hollywood California. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

1. Buy Tickets in Advance

While it is always an option to show up the theme park day of and buy admissions right there, this is not your best bet for a couple of reasons.

Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets for Express Pass and VIP Experience

First of all, you will end up spending more money on your actual ticket price.

Purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood ticket online you will allow you to find the top-notch deals to help you get your tickets at the best price possible.

Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass Pre Purchased Tickets Sign and Prices and Annual Passes. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

If you wait to buy your ticket at the park gates , then it is very rare that you will not pay full price.

This is one of the Universal Studios Hollywood tips you’ll want completed before your trip.

Springfield USA Simpsons Land Krustyland Map Universal Studios Hollywood California. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Secondly, you will waste time. If you buy your tickets at the park, you are just giving yourself one more line to stand in instead of trying the food, watching shows, and riding rides.

Watch: My Full First Time Visit to Universal Studios Hollywood HERE!

2. Pick the Perfect Day(s) to Go

Just like any other amusement park, there are days when Universal Hollywood Studios is almost guaranteed to be completely packed with people.

Universal Studios Hollywood The Simpsons Ride at Krustyland

There are a few different sites you can use to check out which days are the best.

Of course, it is understandable that there are times when you and your group can only go on certain days.

Universal Studios Hollywood Super Nintendo World Toadstool Cafe. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

As a general rule, some of the busiest times are the first week of the year, MLK Jr Day, Spring break, 4th of July, pretty much all of the summer, and the week of Christmas.

Hipster Power Tip: If you want to see special holiday attractions, you can still see them, but maybe avoid going the week of the actual holiday.

3. The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Get to the park early (at least thirty minutes) and make sure you include time to park.

Universal Studios Hollywood The Secret Life of Pets Off the Leash Queue with dogs in living room Max and Duke in Kate's Apartment

The earlier you get to the park, the closer to the front of the admissions line you will be and the quicker you will get in to start your day, ahead of the crowds.

Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Booths

Take advantage of the first couple hours after the park opens to ride some of the busier attractions.

Universal Studios Hollywood NikkyJ in front of Famous Globe and Pre-purchased tickets sign. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Like I hinted before, this does not include parking, and you should save yourself additional time to find a parking spot and get to the entrance of the park.

Top 5 BEST Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood (For ALL Budgets)

4. Universal Express Passes

Getting a Universal Express Pass can save you lots of time and allow you to make the most out of your day.

Universal Studios Hollywood California Theme Park Despicable Me Super Silly Fun Land is a great place to get the best views of the theme park. Making it one of the top Universal Studios Hollywood tips!

It’s kind of like Disney’s Genie+ system. The regular Universal Express Pass lets you bypass the lines once for every attraction that participates.

Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World Express Pass Upgrade

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

5. Bring What You Can

You cannot take anything you want into the park (obviously), but you should take advantage of what you can take in.

Solo Traveler NikkyJ in front of classic Universal Studios Hollywood sign. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

You are allowed to take in 2 liters or fewer water bottles, baby food (which sometimes can equate to grown people food), small snacks, and fruits and veggies (a staple when most of what you buy in the park is junk food.)

Taking in these items can help you save money and time because you do not have to buy as much food and can snack while you are waiting in line: multitasking!

What can I bring to Universal Studios Hollywood?

Acceptable items:

Bottled water (maximum 2 liters)
Small snacks
Any food required for special dietary needs
Food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
Baby food/baby formula
Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

Prohibited items:

Glass containers
Open containers
Large coolers of food
Hard-sided coolers Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels

What to Wear to Universal Studios Hollywood? Fun Outfit Ideas for You!

6. Single Riders Can Save Time

Sometimes part of the fun is riding a ride with the people you came with, but if you do not mind splitting up, some of the rides offer a Single Rider Line which is perfect for us solo travelers.

NikkyJ with Donkey from Shrek Universal Studios Hollywood California. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

They will take people from this line for the one or two seats leftover that bigger groups do not want to take.

Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World Ride entrance and single rider line

Often, the Single Rider Line goes pretty fast, so it can allow you to get in and out faster.

Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios Hollywood:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Jurassic World – The Ride
Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
Transformers: The Ride 3D
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Please Note: Single Rider Line options change frequently and may not be available during your visit.

7. Eat at Weird Times

If you are eating your meals in the park (whether it is all three or just one), consider eating at weird times. This can save you time in a couple of ways.

Universal Studios Hollywood Super Nintendo World Toadstool Cafe menu. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

When you eat at a weird time, you will not have to stand in as long of lines to get your food.

Springfield USA Simpsons Land Cletus Chicken Shack Window Universal Studios Hollywood California

Sometimes lunch rush lines at the most popular spots can be just as bad as the ride lines.

Additionally, you will get to spend the normal meal times riding rides, and the lines will be shorter.

Springfield USA Simpsons Land Cletus Chicken Shack Chicken and Waffles Universal Studios Hollywood California. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Think about it, while everyone is getting food, they won’t be in line. You’ll thank me later for this Universal Studios Hollywood tip.

Recommended: REVIEW and Guide to the Sheraton Universal Hotel: Where to Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood?

8. Book The VIP Experience

If you really want to get the most out of your experience and have the money for it, consider buying the VIP experience.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Backlot Tour Western Scene with VIP Experience Tour Guide Owen. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

You will get a personal tour guide to take you around the park (including areas that other people do not get to see), and they will take you to the front of lines and front seats at shows.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour with VIP Guide in Western Scene

It’s one of THE best things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood! Trust me, it’s that good 🙂

Save up to 45% on Things to Do in Los Angeles – Museums, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, LA Zoo, Knott’s Berry Farm, Hollywood Sign with Go City TODAY!

9. Take a Break and Get More Done

People who want to do a theme park in a day , or who just want to make the most out of a single day, usually want to get to the park before it opens and stay until it closes.

Universal Studios Hollywood Guest Relations VIP Experience at Entrance. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

This is a great strategy, but believe it or not, you may want to consider taking a break in the middle of the day.

If you’re staying at a hotel nearby , return in the middle of the day when it is hottest and most grounded for a nap or just a short break period.

Hollywood California Near Los Angeles Ovation Shopping and Loews Hotel

This will allow you to avoid the crowds and become refreshed again to get more done in the evening.

2024 Sheraton Universal Hotel Guide: Where to Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood?

10. Get the App, Use the App

Universal Hollywood Studios has an app that you can download and use all over their park (with their free Wi-Fi. )

Universal Studios Hollywood California Super Nintendo World App

With this app , you can do lots of different things.

A few of the most helpful is the ability to make plan out your own itinerary , stay up-to-date with the latest wait times, access to the park map and so much more.

Universal Studios Hollywood App Virtual Line Experience. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

No more carrying around pesky paper maps that take up space and get lost way too easily.

Get your Discounted Universal Studios Hollywood tickets TODAY!

11. If You Are Taking the Kids

If you are taking the kids, take advantage of the Child Switch Program that the park offers.

Universal Studios Hollywood Gru and Minion Meet and Greet. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

This program allows one parent or group of adults to wait with a child that is too short or cannot ride a ride for some other reason.

The other adults can then switch out and not have to wait in line again.

Universal Studios Hollywood Secret Life of Pets Ride park scene. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Of course, there are plenty of things you can do with your little ones, but sometimes there are rides you want to ride even if your kids can’t.

Hipster Power Tip: Don’t forget to check out the NEW Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash ride using the Virtual Line™ experience.

12. Complete Sections at a Time

There are two main sections of Universal Studios Hollywood, the Upper and Lower Lots.

Universal Studios Hollywood Map 2024 and 2025 PDF. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

It is best to do one lot at a time, in entirety, as the escalator ride from one to the other is about 7 to 10 minutes long.

Universal Studios Hollywood escalator to the lower lot

It is generally recommended that you start with the lower lot before it gets too busy, but the main goal is to complete one before starting the other.

This is one of the TOP Universal Studios Hollywood tips you should do.

5 Best Restaurants in Downtown Disney You MUST Try (Anaheim)

13. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Creative has done a spectacular job of bringing the novels of J.K. Rowling to life.

Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment and Ollivanders. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

As you approach the “Please Respect the Spells Limits” Hogsmeade sign, you’ll feel like you have officially made it home.

NikkyJ in front of Hogwarts Express Harry Potter World Universal Studios Hollywood California. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

You do not want to miss out on all the amazing fun that is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this is one of the busiest parts of the park.

Three Broomsticks in Harry Potter World Universal Studios Hollywood California

So, it is a good idea to do the rides in this section in the morning before it gets too busy.

Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter Flight of Hippogriff on the Roller Coaster

Additionally, do not forget some of the other magical attractions like getting a wand or trying some butter bear (yes, your kids can have it too.)

Dark Arts on Hogwarts Castle in Harry Potter World Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

You will be sure to have a mystical time!

What the best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade itinerary?

Jump on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Stop by Ollivanders for your wand
Ride Flight of the Hippogriff
Enjoy breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
Have a Butterbeer
Explore the shops inside Hogsmeade Village
Enjoy the Hogsmeade entertainment
Come back later to watch the nighttime show over the castle

7 BEST Food at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Food (Universal Orlando)

14. More People, More Fun, Less Money

A solo trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is what we’re all about here on ThemeParkHipster, but going to Universal Hollywood Studios with all your friends or family can be so much fun.

Universal Studios Hollywood Waterworld Stunt Show

It can actually save you money.

The park offers discounts for big parties (of ten or more people), and it is worth a call to the park if you are planning to buy that many people.

Universal Studios Hollywood NikkyJ at the Waterworld Stunt Show. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Take more people, have more fun, and actually spend less money (in comparison).

Save up to 65% off exploring the attractions in Los Angeles with Groupon TODAY!

15. Go on the World-Famous Studio Tour

Sometimes people skip out on the Studio Tour because it is time-consuming and may not sound that exciting, but you must do it!

Universal Studios Hollywood Entrance to the world famous studio tour

Especially, on your first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The whole tour is packed with movie magic that will leave quite happy.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour Western Water Scene. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Plus, it’s a nice break to rest your feet just in case you don’t have hotel to go back to in the middle of the day to take your break since it lasts for about 60-minutes.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour Cars from Movies The Flintstones and Harry Potter. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

What to expect on the Studio Tour?

On this real Hollywood set, you’ll get to visit 13 city blocks on four acres of historic studio lot.

Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Studio Tour War of Worlds Disaster Plane Crash with NikkyJ

You’ll also get to come face-to-face with Norman Bates himself, the destruction left behind from War of the Worlds, the shark-inspired film set of Jaws, the monstrous King Kong, and more!

5 BEST Things to Do in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure (2023)

16. Take a Snapshot of Where You Parked

This next tip is known by most theme park regulars but is very important , especially if you do not have a photographic memory. When you park, take a picture of the section sign.

Universal Studios Hollywood Frankenstein Parking Lot and Ride Share Drop Off. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

It will help you can get back to your car after a long day of adventure and fun.

Plus, it’s not fun at all when you are leaving a theme park exhausted from a day of fun only to spend hours wandering around the parking lot looking for your car.

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips you must do!

2024 First-Timer’s Guide to Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood: Houses, Tickets and more!

17. Save Shopping at the End of Your Visit

If you are getting souvenirs, buy them at the end of your trip.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Store and Back to the Future Merchandise

This way, you do not have to carry them around with you and can save time by entering the shops as they empty out at the end of the day.

Universal Studios Hollywood Super Nintendo World Merchandise at 1 Up Store. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

As you make your way back to the park entrance, stop into your favorite shops and buy all the things you’ve had your eyes on throughout the day.

This is one of the top Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

Save up to $50 on select dates to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood on Groupon TODAY!

18. Share Food to Try More

There is so much food to try at Universal Studios , and you will probably want to try it all.

Universal Studios Hollywood Cocina Mexicana Food Stand Menu

So, get one or two of each thing (depending on how big your party is) on the menu, and all try it.

Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk Wasabi Sushi Tempura roll and sake

This way, you can try all the specialty foods you want.

Even if you could eat that entire donut from Springfield , you may not want to because then you cannot try all the other delicious foods.

Universal Studios Hollywood Springfield Simpsons Land Lard Lad Donuts. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Plus, it’s like you’re creating your own foodie tour around the park.

Ultimate 3-Day Disneyland Itinerary (2023 Travel Guide)

19. Get Photos not Signatures

At Universal Hollywood Studios, the characters rarely sign autographs; they just take pictures. While this is a bummer, I think that photos are the better souvenirs.

Meeting a Decepticon at Transformers Ride Universal Studios Hollywood Tips with NikkyJ

Just remember to print them out from your phone once you get home.

Get Your FREE Universal Studios Hollywood Video Planning Guide TODAY!

20. Know How to Conquer Universal Studios Hollywood in One-Day

You may be asking if it is possible to do it in a day, and yes, it is, to an extent.

Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World Ride predator cove. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

While you may not get to try all the foods, see all the shows, and ride all the rides, it is possible to experience the majority of Universal Studios in a day.

If you are trying to accomplish this, though, you want to follow most of the tips above and map out a plan of attack beforehand.

Remember to prioritize and do things by location!

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary for One-Day

Arrive Early
Enjoy the Attractions of the Lower Lot
Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Go Back Up to the Upper Lot and Do the Attractions
Have Lunch in Springfield
Do the Studio Tour
Watch the Shows
Meet Characters
Re-do Your Favorite Rides
Do Some Shopping
Have Dinner in CityWalk

REVIEW: Is the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures Worth It? (2023)

21. Experience the Must-Do Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has some of the top theme park attractions in the country. So, be sure to put these experiences on your must-do list!

Universal Studios Hollywood Super Nintendo World Mario Kart Bowsers Challenge Ride. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Hollywood

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Upper Level)
Jurassic World — The Ride: Must be 42″ (107 cm) tall. Children 42-48″ (107-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
Revenge of the Mummy ℠ — The Ride: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Lower Level)
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash: Must be 34″ (102 cm) tall. Children 34-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Must be 40” (102 cm)
The Simpsons Ride: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
The World-Famous Studio Tour (Upper Lot)
TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
WaterWorld (Upper Level)

22. Go Solo!

Now you know that I had to drop this tip in just for you.

If you have never thought about going to a theme park alone , then Universal Studios Hollywood should be one of the parks you consider making that solo trek.

Simpsons Springfield universal studios cop and doughnut with NikkyJ. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Why go solo?

Going solo allows you to do Universal your way! This is the MAIN PERK of going to Universal Studios alone.

Universal Studios Hollywood NikkyJ in front of Famous Globe and Red Carpet. Keep reading to get the best Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Plus, you can take advantage of the Single Rider Line , making it one of my favorite Universal Studios Hollywood tips!

Read: 5 Amazing Benefits of Going to Theme Parks Alone (Solo Travel for Women)

23. Have Fun!

Your Universal Hollywood trip will be what you make it, so please try to enjoy yourself. Sometimes the unexpected or annoying points of your vacation make for the best stories.

Hollywood California Near Los Angeles Ovation with NikkyJ

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

Let’s Wrap this Up!

Now you are armed with all the tips and tricks you need to conquer Universal Hollywood Studios and have an amazing day or days.

25 first timer tips for Universal Studios Hollywood full Theme Park Travel Guide

Make sure to have fun with all the experiences you can have!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days

(Original Article Date: April 16, 2020/Updated on March 4, 2024)

Share this article!

2024 Ultimate Guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood: Tips, Rides, and more!

Disneyland vs universal studios hollywood: which is better in 2024, leave a comment cancel reply.

Vacation savings from Orlando Informer! Save with Orlando Informer! X

on select Universal Orlando Resort tickets

No blockout dates. Savings vary by day. Restrictions apply.

Universal Orlando Annual Passes – Complete Insider’s Guide

Welcome to OI’s complete guide to annual passes at Universal Orlando. Though not anywhere near as convoluted as purchasing year-round tickets for Walt Disney World Resort, Universal’s annual offerings have gotten steadily more complicated over the past several years, as Universal Orlando Resort has added more and more to its lineup of attractions – most especially the Volcano Bay water theme park, which single-handedly doubled the number of annual pass options that were out there.

Let’s just walk through this process bit by bit and take everything one step at a time, yes? By the end of our discussion, you’ll be fully equipped to make the best decision between all eight AP permutations for you, your family, and your vacation budget.

View our Universal Orlando Resort tickets if you are looking for discounted tickets to Universal Orlando Resort.

What are the different annual pass tiers?

Before we can get into which option might be the best for you, we’ll first need to go over what all those options are in the first place.

To begin with, Universal offers four basic tiers or categories for its annual passes. The Seasonal Pass allows you access to the resort only during certain times, or seasons, of the year – basically, you won’t be eligible to go during spring, some of the summer, or Christmas break. The Power Pass cuts those blackout dates in half. The Preferred Pass has no blockouts for the theme parks, though it still does for the water park, while the Premier Pass does not have any blockout dates at all.

Beyond reducing the number of blackouts the higher up the annual-pass ladder you go, Universal also throws in more perks into the mix. Perks start in the form of discounts at gift shops, restaurants, and hotels and end with free tickets to Halloween Horror Nights (once again, we’ll explore all these benefits a little more in-depth in just a bit).

Finally, it should be noted that all four AP echelons are offered in two different varieties: two-park and three-park . The former grants you entry only to the two theme parks ( Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure ), while the latter makes you eligible for the Volcano Bay water theme park, as well. On the whole, the price difference between the two options is somewhere around $100 – save for the Premier Pass, that is, which costs a bit more to upgrade.

Before we go into more detail, it is important to note that Universal Orlando Resort uses different terminology between Seasonal and Annual Passes. Due to its block-out dates, they refer to the Seasonal Pass as “seasonal” rather than “annual.” Despite their use in these terms, the Seasonal Pass offers admission for most of the year with some exclusions during the busiest seasons.

Universal Orlando Resort Annual Pass Blockout Dates

The first – and probably most important – factor to deciding which annual pass to pick up is.

The blockouts for the two theme parks are different from pass to pass, while the ones for the water park are far more consistent across the board.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA AND ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE BLACKOUTS – 2024 & 2025

Seasonal Pass

July 1 – 31, 2024
November 25 – 30, 2024
December 21 – 31, 2024
January 1 – 5, 2025
April 7 – 26, 2025
July 1 – 31, 2025

Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida on all concert dates .

April 7 – 19, 2025

Power Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida only until 5 PM on concert dates if there is a concert on a blockout date.

Preferred and Premier Passes

VOLCANO BAY BLACKOUTS

June 8 – August 11, 2024
April 7 – April 26, 2025
June 7 – August 10, 2025
June 7 – August 10, 2025 Blockouts apply before 4 PM

Preferred Pass

July 1 – August 11, 2024
July 1 – August 10, 2025 Blockouts apply before 4 PM

Premier Pass

What about those additional perks?

The second consideration when perusing all the different annual-pass levels is what else Universal will be giving you; these discounts and freebies will make a far bigger difference to what the bottom line is than you may at first realize, especially if you’re going to be visiting more than once a year. Y our annual pass could end up paying for itself in all these attached savings .

As such, we suggest that you take a good, long look at your options and keep these perks in mind when you finally make the plunge into AP land.

Seasonal and Power Pass

You won’t find any savings inside the three parks, but you can get a few special offers inside CityWalk (such as on Universal Cinemark tickets) and the Universal hotels (including up to 30% off the rack rates and up to 15% off on select eateries).

In addition to keeping all the CityWalk and hotel benefits from the two lower-level APs, the Preferred Pass ups the discounted rate at certain locations and, on top of that, adds even more venues into the mix (for example, food at Hard Rock Cafe and concert tickets at the Hard Rock Live next-door).

But the real distinction here is a discount inside the theme and water theme parks. You can expect 10% off on all Universal-owned stores and restaurants, as well as on My Universal Photos . Please know that the food and beverage discounts are not eligible at non-Universal owned carts or on any alcoholic drinks.

Finally, there are a number of places inside the parks that will also reap you a discounted price, such as rock climbing, airbrushing, or psychic readings.

It’s much easier to describe the difference in discounts between the Preferred and Premier Passes: take pretty much every single location that offers a discount at the parks and at CityWalk and increase it from 10% to 15% with similar exclusions. Premier Passholders tend to get a bigger chunk of change off at the hotel restaurants, as well.

For a complete listing of all the current discounts across all of the theme parks, CityWalk venues, and hotels, please see Universal’s main page .

Unsurprisingly, the Seasonal Pass won’t net you any savings here, but the Power Pass will grant you 50% off regular daytime self-parking after your first visit.

The real perks start to kick in at the Preferred level: after your first visit, you’ll be granted free self-parking and discounted rates for normal and Red Carpet valet parking. Premier does it one step better by offering free Prime self-parking and normal valet parking, with an even bigger discount for Red Carpet valet parking.

EARLY PARK ADMISSION

If you end up going with the top two AP levels, you’ll be offered free Early Park Admission (also known as EPA) to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure without having to stay at a Universal hotel. Please be aware that Preferred Passholders have some restrictions here that their Premier counterparts don’t (such as, for example, only getting early access to one theme park instead of both during the busier times of the year).

We should also note that no annual pass will grant you EPA to Volcano Bay, no matter whether you have the three-park version or not; the only way to secure early entry to the water park is by staying on property at one of the resorts.

PURCHASING ANNUAL EVENT TICKETS

For those events that require a separate ticket – Halloween Horror Nights, Rock the Universe , and EVE at CityWalk – every AP echelon will nab you a discount off the standard price (though you’ll need to check with Universal directly to see what it is for the dates that you plan on attending). Even better, Premier holders get one free HHN ticket each and every year.

(And since we’re talking about annual events , let’s just take a moment to point out that the Seasonal Pass’s blackout dates interfere with a few of the ones that don’t require a special ticket – chiefly, Grinchmas and the Mardi Gras concerts that always prove to be so popular.)

FREE EXPRESS PASSES

For Premier Passes only.

Just in case all the discounts, parking perks, Early Park Admission, and bargain rates for general-admission/annual-event tickets weren’t enough to sway you to go the Premier route, Universal has one final ace up its sleeve: free Express Passes after 4:00 pm at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. (Just note that this is for basic Express and not Unlimited, which means you can only use your complimentary EP once per participating attraction per day, and it’s not valid at Volcano Bay. But, still – it’s free!)

UOAP LOUNGE

Originally intended to be a limited affair, Universal has kept extending the life of its Universal Orlando Annual Passholders’ Lounge Presented by Coca-Cola. Located in Toon Lagoon , near Comic Strip Cafe, and typically open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, APs can relax, recharge their phones, and purchase Coke products, including Arctic Coke Coolers, which crystallize beverages “for even cooler, crisper, ice-cold refreshment.”

How much does all this cost?

Enough with all the explanations and fine print, right? Let’s just get down to brass tacks – how much will an annual pass cost you?

Here are the current prices for 2024:

OUT-OF-STATE ANNUAL PASSES

FLORIDA RESIDENT ANNUAL PASSES

If you are unsure about purchasing Annual Passes prior to your visit, you are always welcome to upgrade your multi-day ticket to an Annual Pass at guest services ( this includes tickets purchased from Orlando Informer as well ). Just be sure to upgrade before the ticket expires (your last day).

All about FlexPay

For the three higher-level annual passes, you have the option to purchase your admission via a monthly installment plan called FlexPay. For the first month of FlexPay payments, you will put down half the cost of your chosen Annual Pass. In the months following, you will make installment payments until your pass is fully paid off. There’s no interest charged for you doing this.

It sounds like a no-brainer – why pay more, all at once, when you don’t have to? – but there’s actually a lot of fine print involved with the whole process, and it kicks in once you’ve finished paying off the first 12 months of your AP. Once you enter month 13, you move from a year-long window of admission to a monthly window. If you pay the rate for that month, you have a valid ticket; if you don’t, you don’t.

It sounds rather easy, but there are a surprising number of complications involved. For example, you are from out-of state and you purchased your annual pass in January before the rates were raised for the coming year and you didn’t actually visit Universal Orlando until May. Ordinarily, your one-year block of admission would kick off in May 2022 and last until May 2023, but because you’ve opted to pay using FlexPay, once June 2022 comes around you move from a yearly basis to a monthly one – you now need to keep making those monthly payments in order to keep your AP valid and active. In other words, instead of getting a full year of entry to Universal, you only ended up getting eight months’ worth before having to pay again.

Yes, there is a solution to this scenario: make sure to cancel the automatic renewal option that FlexPay defaults to before January 2023 comes to a close. However, for most people, who are busy with work and family during their non-vacationing periods, it’s easy to let the date slip, and then they’ll end up paying quite a bit more for their AP than they at first thought they were going to.

There are several other similar situations out there that we’ve heard of over the years from readers and listeners, and all of these make us jump to one simple conclusion: if at all possible, we advise you to pay for your annual pass all at once and to not use FlexPay. You may thank yourself for the decision later on.

OI Universal Center » The Script: Tickets, packages, and planning

Best day of the week to visit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay
Best time of the year to visit Universal Orlando Resort
Dining Reservations at Universal Orlando – Complete Guide
How many days to spend at Universal Orlando?
Maps and Rider’s Guide for Universal
Parking, Guest Drop-off, and the Universal Orlando Transportation Hub
Saving Time and Money at Universal Orlando: Top 10 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets
Shuttles, Taxis, and Ride Sharing: Transportation Recommendations Around Orlando
Universal Orlando Express Passes – Complete Insider’s Guide
Universal Orlando Ride & Show Wait Times Based on Crowd Levels (including Diagon Alley)
Universal Orlando: Complete Guide to Attraction Assistance for Special-Needs Families
Universal Orlando: Secret to Getting UNLIMITED Express Passes
Universal Orlando’s Dining Plans – complete guide & tips to save money
Weather at Universal Orlando: Average Temperatures, Rainfall, & Expert Advice
What to pack for your Universal Orlando vacation: free checklist & how to keep kids safe
What’s Coming to Universal in 2024 and Beyond
Which Universal Orlando theme park is better?

Get Savings

50+ Universal Studios Hollywood Tips for First Time Visitors (2024)

These Universal Studios Hollywood tips for first time visitors will help guide you through the movie-themed Los Angeles theme park. Ideas on what to see and do, where to eat, and thoughts on the best nearby hotels in the Southern California area.

Entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood with palm trees

Mom Rewritten uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links in these posts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see the Privacy Policy and Disclosures tab.

I have received complimentary tickets and Universal Express passes for my family. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This article originally published February 5th, 2019 and has been updated and republished with a new date.

Universal Studios Hollywood Tips

If you’re planning a Southern California vacation, you might wonder if a day or two at Universal Studios Hollywood is appropriate for your family. I’m breaking down all the must-know details in this guide of Universal Studios Hollywood tips for first time visitors.

Neon signage of Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’ve never been to Universal Studios Hollywood before, you might have a few questions about whether it’s the right SoCal theme park for your family.

I’m sharing my personal tips for taking young children, must-do thrill rides and maximizing shorter lines.

Read how to create a park plan for the days you visit. And of course, tips for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Also find out about the new Super Nintendo World, the newest Universal themed area.

These are a few answers to frequently asked questions and tips for going to Universal Studios Hollywood:

Paper guide map of Universal Studios Hollywood

Where is Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Universal City, about 3.5 miles away from Hollywood in Los Angeles. Vacationers often add a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood to their Southern California trip.

Universal Studios Hollywood front entrance with bronze statue in fountain

There are a few things to know about the area (click through these links for tips on each location):

Disneyland – located in Anaheim, about 36 miles away.

Knott’s Berry Farm – located in Buena Park, about 32 miles away.

LEGOLAND California – located in Carlsbad, about 100 miles away.

San Diego – located about 130 miles south. Includes several popular theme parks including two near the downtown area, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo . The sprawling San Diego Safari Park is in north county.

Driving Tips to Universal Studios Hollywood

You’ll want to avoid rush hour traffic by driving before 6 am or after 9 pm at night. Your best bet is booking a hotel nearby to completely skip freeway driving in Los Angeles on the day of your visit.

San Diego theme parks will take you nearly 3 hours drive. The drive to the Anaheim & Buena Park theme parks will be over an hour. Consider renting your own vehicle and not relying on ride share.

Another option is to use Karmel Shuttle for transportation between Anaheim hotels and Universal Studios Hollywood. These private passenger vans hold up to 9 riders for one price and offer “door-to-door” service.

Man with children sitting in a motorbike inside the Paris area of Universal Studios Hollywood

How is Parking at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood offers several levels of parking with costs ranging from $30-70 for a full day. There are discounted rates for arrival after 5 pm.

During our visits, we used General Parking which put us inside a garage at the far end of CityWalk. The trek through this outdoor shopping and dining center took about 15 minutes to get to the front gate.

There is also a dedicated “Uber Zone” with a location for ride share pick-up or drop off.

The Simpsons Ride entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood

Where Can I Get Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the Universal Hollywood website or app. There are several ticket options for Universal Studios Hollywood, all of which I outline later in this post.

Buy discounted Universal Studios Hollywood tickets and vacation packages through my affiliate Get Away Today.

Southern California Discount Travel

My travel partners at Get Away Today offer both discounted theme park tickets and SoCal-area hotels to fit any budget! Many hotels include exclusive discounts like free parking, complimentary breakfast or even free nights, just for booking through Get Away Today.

When you’re ready to book your Southern California vacation, my friends at Get Away Today are ready to help! Call 1-855-GET-AWAY to book your trip.

BONUS DISCOUNT! – Mention code REWRITTEN to receive an extra discount off your SoCal vacation package of two or more days.

Are There Security Checks at Universal Studios Hollywood?

All Southern California theme parks have some sort of security check before guests are allowed to enter the park. This can include bag inspection, metal detectors and more.

At Universal Studios Hollywood guests won’t be standing in super-long lines while security guards unzip every pocket in your bag. Instead your belongs will be scanned through an X-ray machine!

Simply place your bags onto a conveyor belt, just like at the airport. Bags are still inspected but not opened unless something suspicious is noted.

All visitors still walk through a metal detector after removing items from their pockets. My family was able to pass through security in a quick 5 minutes, even on a busy weekend!

Family entering through security line at Universal Studios Hollywood

What Should I Bring to Universal Studios?

Just like packing for any theme park, assess your day’s needs. You’ll want to pack in anything that you don’t want to have to purchase inside the park.

This includes sunscreen, sun hat, jacket, snacks, cell phone charger, charging cord and a water bottle. Consider a compact backpack or purse that will fit into a small locker (more on why that’s important later).

Packing a Day Bag for Universal Hollywood

I packed everything in my Designer Park Co. bag for the day. I was able to easily fit 2 changes of clothing, sunscreens, wallet, phone, and more into this convenient backpack. Use code REWRITTEN for 10% off your order!

While vaccinations are no longer required for the L.A. theme park, masks are still highly recommended for indoor attractions. There are also lots of hand sanitizer stations located in the park, so it’s not necessary to bring your own.

If you’re using your cell phone to take photos and access the Universal Studios Hollywood app consider bringing an external charger. The Fuel Rod is convenient, compact and can be purchased ahead of time at a discount.

There are Fuel Rod stations located around the theme park. Simply drop your used charger into the machine and receive a new Fuel Rod to recharge your phone!

Fuel Rod charging station at Universal Studios Hollywood

Is Outside Food Allowed at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Most area theme parks do allow their guests to bring in snacks and food with a few restrictions. Items should not be in glass containers and food needs to be packed inside a backpack or soft-sided container.

Absolutely no hard coolers and nothing larger than 8.5″. Fast food is usually not permitted. And of course, no alcohol or illegal items.

Consider packing in small water bottles, as well as snacks like dried fruit, nuts, and firm crackers, granola bars and pretzels.

Universal Studios Hollywood front entrance sign

How Many Days Should You Spend at Universal Studios Hollywood?

While three days (or more) is the usual recommendation for Disneyland , Universal Studios Hollywood could be experienced in a single day.

There are a few caveats to this, including arriving at opening, moving briskly and staying until park closing. For a more leisurely visit, you’ll want a multi-day ticket.

During our first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, we visited on a Saturday during the holiday season. The park was very busy, with most ride waits an hour plus. We spent 9 hours at Universal Studios Hollywood and were able to go on all the rides except one. We also skipped most of the shows.

The next time we went to Universal Hollywood we used the Universal Express Pass. This shortened the wait time in line considerably. There are definitely ways to take advantage of the time crunch so keep reading!

Tile mural at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood in One Day

If you want to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in one day, I’d recommend first that you schedule a visit during a non-peak time. This would include not planning a visit during holiday weeks, summer break or any days when kids are out of school.

Signage and red carpet entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood

A mid-week visit is optimal. But then, you’ll also be dealing with L.A. traffic! Consider booking a nearby hotel to stay overnight. Then either walk to the park or take advantage of a free hotel shuttle. This will get you to the front gates early.

I’ll share more about the best area hotels near Universal Studios later in this article.

Hogwarts Express train photo op at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood

Navigating Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is over 400 acres, with most of this area part of the working studio. The theme park itself is reasonably walkable with attractions on two levels. The levels are divided by a series of long escalators. Plan to take about a 10 minute ride to get to the next level.

Escalators from lower lot at Universal Studios Hollywood

Strollers are permitted on the escalators, but kids need to be removed before riding. There are also elevators. Guests who have issue with standing for long periods, and those in wheelchairs or motorized vehicles should use the elevators. Or course you could always get a workout in and take the stairs!

Jurassic World entrance sign at Universal Studios Hollywood

There are four rides in the lower lot, with a Jurassic Park-themed ride newly opened. There are 6 rides on the upper level. Other attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood include kid-friendly play areas and live action shows.

Consider starting and finishing one level before moving to the next. Another good option would be to do some of the upper lot attractions, complete all of the lower lot, then finish the day in the upper section.

The Simpsons Ride entrance and carnival games in Universal Studios Hollywood

Using the Universal Hollywood App

Download the Universal Hollywood app to your smart phone before your visit. Use of the app while in the parks will help you more easily navigate and maximize time.

Create an account before your visit and add purchased Universal Studios ticket codes into the app. In-app features include an interactive map, show times, dining, and ride details. The map is important when looking for dining menus, restrooms and guest services.

The app is also where you’ll find the Virtual Line experience. More details on this important line skipping feature later, keep reading.

Screenshot of the Universal Studios Hollywood app

Can You Get a Front of the Line Pass at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Yes, there are ways to skip the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood! To maintain the perks of quick line access for guests who purchase there are only a limited number of these tickets sold each day. These are the two paid line-jumping options for Universal Studios Hollywood:

Universal Studios Hollywood spinning globe at entrance

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Express Pass

Universal Express Pass allows guests to bypass the queue once for each ride, attraction and seated show for that day. Universal Express Pass was previously called the “Front of Line Pass”.

These are the participating attractions on the Express Ticket:

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Flight of the Hippogriff

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Jurassic World – The Ride
Kung Fu Panda Adventure
Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
Studio Tour
The Simpsons Ride
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD access when reservations are required (but does not include ride access to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge)
Transformers: The Ride-3D

Entrance to Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood

How Does Universal Express Work?

The additional cost is around $80 above the cost of your regular ticket. I recommend purchasing a discounted ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood , then upgrade to Universal Express after entry into the theme park.

Here’s an extra time-saving tip: There’s a guest relations location just inside the park gates to upgrade to Universal Express. Don’t stand in this guest services line! There are additional places to upgrade your ticket as you walk into the park that have much shorter wait times.

You’ll receive an actual paper ticket to use for accessing the Universal Express lines. This ticket will be scanned by the employee at the entrance of the line and sometimes again further in the queue. Store your ticket in a safe place to avoid losing it or getting it wet.

A lanyard with a plastic cardholder sleeve is a great idea to keep the Universal Express tickets close at hand.

Universal Express Pass Review

My family used the Universal Express during our visit and I’d like to share our honest thoughts about this “line skipping” service. Without a doubt, the Universal Express Pass is an excellent upgrade if you dislike waiting in lines.

My husband can’t handle long wait times AT ALL. He was thrilled with how quickly we were able to get to the front of the line with Universal Express.

Yes, the cost may be prohibitive to those on a tighter budget. But we found the added charge to be well worth it in the way of saving time and stress!

My family visited on an extremely busy and hot summer day when wait times for some attractions were nearly 2 hours. We never waited longer than 15 minutes in line for any given ride using the Universal Express pass.

Woman wearing KURU sandals at a theme park

Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

For the ultimate ticket splurge, the Universal Studios VIP Experience is the way to go. VIP receive valet parking and VIP entry to the park. From there is just gets better!

Guests who pay for this feature get unlimited express ride access, the best seats at shows, and exclusive back lot access. There’s also excellent VIP lounge access with snacks and refreshments, a gourmet meal in the private VIP dining room, and an expert guided tour.

The VIP Experience ticket is also the only way to skip the line for the newest ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

The Universal Hollywood VIP Experience has a cost of $417+ that includes one day admission.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter wand in a box

Universal Hollywood Virtual Line Experience

Select rides and attractions feature a “virtual line” allowing guests to skip the wait in queue. This free feature is a great way to explore more of the park, without the long wait times. Here’s how it works:

Once you have scanned into the theme park, tap the Virtual Line Venues in the app to begin the process.
Enable push notifications on your device in the settings. This will allow you to receive notice when Virtual Line pass is valid.
Select a return time for a particular attraction.
Set group sizes to get separate return times for different people in your party. You may include up to 10 guests in one group.
Check in to the app frequently. Additional Virtual Line return times are often added later in the day.
Check in at the attraction entrance during the designated reservation window. Your entire group must be present. You’ll need to show the QR code for entry.
When the return time has passed, book another Virtual Line reservation!

The Secret Life of Pets Off the Leash entrance building at Universal Studios Hollywood

What Are the Best Things at Universal Studios Hollywood?

From movie-themed attractions to high speed thrills and special effects shows, there’s plenty for all at this film-making theme park. The following sections will discuss the individual guests from toddlers to adults and what attractions are the best for each.

What Are the Thrill Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood are exciting with hi-tech flight simulation and special effects. There are height restrictions to be aware of, which I’ve noted next to each attraction.

In addition, there may be extra requirements in which a “supervising companion” (aged 14+) must accompany a child on the attraction.

Jurassic World - The Ride showing boat splashing into the water at Universal Studios Hollywood

If you have a kid who scares easily, you should use caution on some of these attractions. The mild rides might be better suited for nervous children. I’ve made some notes next to each below:

Revenge of the Mummy (48″ height requirement)- High-speed indoor roller coaster with scary scenes and mummies.
Transformers: The Ride – 3D (40″ height requirement)- This motion simulator car ride immerses you into a war zone with Transformers working to save the world.
Jurassic World – The Ride (42″ height requirement) – Boat ride through an immersive land of scary, realistic dinosaurs with a steep watery drop.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (48″ height requirement) – Intense motion simulator that moves your ride vehicle (a broomstick!) with the action.
The Simpsons Ride (40″ height requirement) – Another motion simulator that mimics a roller coaster with the addition of height.

Entrance to The Simpsons Ride Universal Studios Hollywood

Mild Thrill Attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood

It’s not all high intensity at Universal Studios Hollywood. Fortunately there are some family-friendly attractions that younger kids can enjoy as well. Height restrictions may still apply.

Flight of the Hippogriff (39″ height requirement) – A mild and short roller coaster for families in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash (34″ height requirement) – Based upon the movie series, guests join the animal characters on a traditional “dark ride” through New York City.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (40″ height requirement) – A motion simulator similar in style to The Simpsons Ride with mist and lighting effects as well as 3-D.
Studio Tour (no height restriction) – Some of the features including King Kong may be frightening to young kids.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (40″ height requirement) – Compete with other riders in this interactive ride that takes you into the game.

Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster with Hogwarts Castle in the background

What Can Babies & Toddlers Do at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Most of the height requirements are 40″+. Based on these height restrictions, I didn’t bring my 2-year old with us to Universal Studios Hollywood during our first family visit.

We returned for a second visit when she was 6 years old and there was much more for her to enjoy at the older age.

Two children standing next to a Minion statue outside Super Silly Fun Land at Universal Studios Hollywood

There aren’t really too many attractions that are appealing to younger kids. On that end, the same could be said for expectant mothers. Many of the rides, including the “mild thrills” have jerky movements. Use caution and heed the posted warnings for pregnancy on each attraction.

Here’s what there is to do with a baby or toddler at Universal Hollywood:

Kid’s Play Areas

DinoPlay (under 48″ height requirement) – Dinosaur themed kid’s play area. Ideal active play section for younger kids when adults are with older kids on Jurassic World – The Ride .
Super Silly Fun Land (under 48″ height requirement) – Inspired by the Despicable Me movie, this outdoor play area has water features, carnival games and Minions fun. Bring a change of clothing if your family chooses to use the water section. There are changing rooms available nearby.

Super Silly Fun Land entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Rides without Height Requirements

Kung Fu Panda Adventure – motion simulator attraction with individual seats. There are non-moving seats for parents with young children.
Studio Tour – use caution when taking young children. There are frightening elements and effects in this ride.
Silly Swirly Fun Ride – spinning “Dumbo-type” ride with controls to change height.

Silly Swirly Fun Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

Things to Know About Taking Young Kids to Universal Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood offers single and double stroller rentals in the theme park. Or you’re welcome to bring your own stroller. And unlike the other SoCal theme parks, wagons ARE allowed at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Park restrooms all have diaper-changing stations. Nursing mothers may breastfeed wherever they wish in public within the theme park. Or they may visit the nursing facilities within the First Aid Station.

There aren’t any “adult only” sections of the theme park. Kids can go into any location, including the bars.

Child Switch at Universal Studios Hollywood

Child Switch operates differently than rider switch or rider swap programs at other theme parks. Here’s how Child Switch works at Universal Studios Hollywood:

Your party stays together through the line. Yes, this means your child will be accompanying you through the line (no strollers permitted). Children stay with you in queue so as not to split up the family.

Child-Switch waiting areas are located at the loading zones of the rides. These waiting rooms can also be used for family members who simply don’t want to ride.

Interior queue in The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

How Child Switch Works at Universal Hollywood

One guest in your group steps into the room with the child while the rest of the group rides. Then that person switches places with another adult after the ride so the second person can have their turn. No additional waiting in line.

My 6-year old daughter was not tall enough for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey so we used the waiting room. The area was roomy with plenty of benches for parents and kids.

Child standing next to height requirement sign at Universal Studios Hollywood

Some rooms have large windows so families can see out. We watched a Harry Potter film on a television while we waited for the rest of the group. When dad and big brother returned after their ride. I then went on the ride with my son while my husband waited with our daughter.

Rides that offer Child Switch waiting rooms:

Transformers: The Ride – 3D
Revenge of the Mummy
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Child Switch was a smooth and seamless process but it has its pros and cons. On the plus side, families can stay together. But for families with rambunctious toddlers, waiting in a long queue together could prove to be too challenging.

READ MORE: The child-switch program is just one way How Universal Studios Hollywood is Better Than Disneyland.

Front entrance of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

The World-famous Tram Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is a cornerstone can’t-miss attraction. The ride neatly combines a historical aspect with jaw-dropping experiences.

Entrance sign to The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

The former appeals to adults familiar with the movie-making experience (Jaws!). The more intense moments like King Kong 360 3-D and Fast & Furious – Supercharged are sections that kids and teens will enjoy.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a working movie studio. Both movies and TV shows are currently filmed here. The tour will take you through areas that have been used on past productions and you might even drive past a live set.

Our tour tram drove through the “town” where the shows The Good Place and Rutherford Falls are filmed. We went past several open sound stages where you could peek inside and view the set ups.

Dinosaur viewed from the Studio Tour tram bus ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

The ride takes place on open-air bus trams. Sit in the middle car if possible, for the optimum viewing experience. The center of each tram also offers the best view of the television screens that show snippets from films and shows throughout the ride.

Important to note that guests can bring snacks on the Studio Tour. After waiting in line for over an hour and then going on the hour-long Studio Tour, we were wishing we’d brought a snack! Don’t be like us…grab some food to bring on the bus ride.

Can You Do Universal Studios Hollywood With Special Needs?

The rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood are really intense. Carefully assess the special needs of those in your party and determine whether they’ll be able to take in the realistic motion simulators, intense rides and bright lighting used throughout the park.

Universal Studios Hollywood has a Family Center with quiet rooms that guests with autism (or other special needs) and their families can rest in. The space is also open for nursing mothers. This Family Center allows families to take breaks as needed, without having to leave or return to the hotel.

Children sitting on Vespas in the Paris section at Universal Studios Hollywood

Motion Sickness at Universal Studios Hollywood

A large majority of the thrill rides at Universal Studios Hollywood include motion simulators. If you err towards motion sickness, you may want to consider using precautions to avoid illness.

Non-drowsy “sea sickness” medications or pressure-point bands can help.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid alcohol.
If all else fails have your family go on the rides without you. There are rooms available to wait in (the designated “child-switch areas”) for certain attractions.

Duff Beer garden displays at Universal Studios Hollywood

Complimentary Storage Lockers

The attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood are fairly intense with lots of movement. Most of these attractions do not offer on-ride storage. Your possessions must be placed inside of a locker before boarding the ride. Universal Studios Hollywood conveniently offers complimentary locker rental at certain attractions.

Guests with backpacks, purses, cell phones, or other items simply step inside the locker room before joining the queue. After a quick fingerprint scan, you’re assigned a locker to store your items for several hours.

After the ride, return to the locker to retrieve your goods. There’s no payment unless you want to store your items inside of the locker for longer.

Are there Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Several rides offer a single rider option. This is appealing to older kids, teens and adults who are able to separate from each other.

Guests using the “single rider” line will be chosen to fill empty spots inside ride cars. This means you may not request to be seated with the rest of your group. Single Rider access isn’t always open but just ask the employee at the entrance.

My family used single rider for one of the rides during our visit. The wait time was only ten minutes versus the posted 70 minute wait in the regular queue. What a huge time saver! Of the 5 of us, three of us were seated in the same car albeit in different rows to fill the empty spaces.

Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood with Single Rider access:

The wizarding world of harry potter at universal studios hollywood.

Save plenty of time in your schedule for exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter book or movie series, you will absolutely feel immersed in the village of Hogsmeade.

It’s highly recommended to visit this popular area immediately upon entering the theme park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter gets very busy. There are so many intricate details in this themed area at Universal Studios Hollywood you may want to spend all day here!

Hogsmeade area at Universal Studios Hollywood

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Attractions

Attractions inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (listed in order of how you should visit them):

You’ll definitely want to head here first thing in the morning. This attraction is located inside the towering Hogwarts castle.

The queue takes you through significant scenes from the movies, like Dumbledore’s office, the greenhouse and the talking paintings, which makes the long wait interesting!

Exterior of Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood

Ollivander’s Wand Shop

Purchase a special interactive wand at Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Guests can cast spells at specified locations in this area by repeating incantations. With an exacting wave of the wand, magic happens right before your eyes in the shop windows!

How much are Harry Potter wands at Universal Studios Hollywood?

There are two versions (interactive and “non-magical” replicas) and they cost as much as $75.

Even if you don’t buy a wand, the pre-show before entering the shop is whimsical and fun. A participant from the crowd is chosen.

My son was picked and it was a delight to watch the magic unfold! I won’t spoil the surprise but just know that a memorable scene from the Harry Potter movie is reenacted.

On subsequent trips to Universal Hollywood, we’ve brought the wand back with us. There are helpful employees located at the various spots to offer assistance with use of the wands.

Child holding a wand within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

More Wizarding World of Harry Potter Attractions

Flight of the Hippogriff – This is a family-friendly roller coaster that’s appropriate for anyone 39″+.
Three Broomsticks – This dining location is a must. Not only is the interior impressive, the food is really delicious!

Interior of The Three Broomsticks restaurant

Hog’s Head & Magic Neep Cart – You’ll find Butterbeer in several forms at both locations. I’ve heard that the drinks are slightly less in price at Hog’s Head (though the line was out the door on our visit, so I didn’t test that!)
Frog Choir & Triwizard Spirit Rally – These live entertainment features with singing and dancing draw a modest crowd.

Frog Choir performers on outside stage at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood

Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts – The evening show with projections on the castle happens several times nightly during select seasons. Check the Universal Hollywood app for details.
Shopping Locations – With an impressive 8 shops, you’re sure to find the perfect Harry Potter souvenir! Try Honeydukes for sweets like Chocolate Frogs with wizard trading cards. Zonko’s Joke Shop has a massive amount of fun gag gifts.

Exterior Zonko's Joke Shop Universal Studios Hollywood

Live Shows at Universal Studios Hollywood

I will admit that we didn’t have time in our single day visit to take in any of the live shows. The Special Effects Show and Universal’s Animal Actors have both recently ended.

WaterWorld is the only show currently running. This action-packed show is filled with fight scenes that are best for older kids and adults.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

This new Nintendo themed land opened to guests in early 2023. Super Nintendo World is located in the lower lot at Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

Here are the highlights of this new immersive area:

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride
Interactive gameplay activities in the Mushroom Kingdom including Peach’s Castle through the use of a purchased Power-Up Band.
Toadstool Cafe for dining
1-UP Factory retail store

A Virtual Line reservation will be required (during select times) to enter Super Nintendo World. This can be secured through the Universal app on your phone.

How to Ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Need another reason to upgrade to Universal Express or a VIP pass? These guests don’t need reservations to enter Super Nintendo World.

VIP Pass ticket holders also receive cut-the-line access to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. For all other guests, stand-by queue or the single rider line is available.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood

Are There Character Meet n’ Greets at Universal Studios Hollywood?

There are many figures to pose with at Universal Studios Hollywood. Lines we saw were generally pretty short with just a few people waiting. The Transformers queue to meet Bumblebee was the longest, about 20 people deep.

Exterior of Kwik-E-Mart with Bart Simpson outside at Universal Studios Hollywood

Unfortunately there isn’t any filter on the Universal Hollywood app in which to locate the character meet n’ greets. You’ll need to bring your own camera, as there isn’t a system available like Disney’s PhotoPass . Also, characters at Universal Hollywood do not sign autographs.

Child standing with a statue in the Springfield area in Universal Studios Hollywood

These are some of the characters you can meet at Universal Studios Hollywood:

In Springfield, find The Simpsons favorites, Krusty, Sideshow Bob, Marge, Homer, Lisa and Bart
A Mummy outside of his namesake ride
Transformers – Bumblebee, Optimus Prime or Megatron
The Minions
Luigi, Mario and Princess Peach in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein

Child standing with Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein at Universal Studios Hollywood

SpongeBob SquarePants
Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona
Hello Kitty
Scooby-Doo & Shaggy
Dinosaurs near Jurassic World – The Ride including a thrilling Raptor Encounter

Man holding a Jurassic World raptor at Universal Studios Hollywood

Dining at Universal Studios Hollywood

All of the dining options at Universal Studios Hollywood are quick service, which entails ordering at the counter and then picking up your own food. There are no full-service restaurants inside the theme park.

This also means there’s no advance dining reservations. Every food service location at Universal Hollywood is walk-up. Lines to order can be lengthy. Consider eating at “off-peak” times to avoid the lunch and dinner crowds.

Despite the fast food vibe of the theme park, there is one option that feels more like a regular restaurant.

Exterior entrance of The Three Broomsticks restaurant at Universal Studios Hollywood

Dining at The Three Broomsticks

Located inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is The Three Broomsticks. This dining location is generally recognized as the best restaurant at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Beyond the immersive feeling of being in Harry Potter’s world, the restaurant is large and accommodating. The food we enjoyed was absolutely delicious. Meals here are like what we’d make at home for Sunday dinner and less like the fast food is really is!

Plate of food at The Three Broomsticks in Universal Studios Hollywood

We ordered The Great Feast to feed our group of six and it was an awesome amount of food. The Great Feast is served on a metal sheet stacked with spare ribs, roast chicken, vegetable, corn on the cob and potatoes. There were 3 teenagers with big appetites in our group and we still had leftovers!

It’s a hearty and filling meal that’s a far cry from the usual theme park dining options. At $69.99, when divided by six guests, this meal is also a bargain!

The Great Feast platter of food at Universal Studios Hollywood

You can also order Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, which is a must. This sweet drink comes in three varieties – frozen, hot and cold. You can also find Butterbeer hard packed ice cream!

Glass of Butterbeer at Universal Studios Hollywood

Other Universal Studios Hollywood Dining Options

Guests with dietary restrictions including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian do have choices at Universal Hollywood. The Universal Studios Hollywood website has a dietary food guide with suggestions on how to order to your needs.

Lard Lad Donuts statue at Universal Studios Hollywood

Definitely consider The Three Broomsticks for one of your meals. Outside of this, here are a few other dining and snack location ideas. The most dining options are found in the Simpsons’ area of Springfield.

Krusty Burger, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck, Luigi’s Pizza, Suds McDuff’s Hot Dogs, Phineas Q. Butterfat’s Ice Cream and Lard Lad Donuts in Springfield U.S.A.
Minion Café
Cocina Mexicana
Jurassic Cafe
Starbucks has several locations
French Street Bistro
Mel’s Diner
Studio Cafe
Panda Express
Hollywood and Dine
Toadstool Café (access to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD required)

Entrance to Hollywood and Dine restaurant at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk

Just outside of the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood is CityWalk, an outdoor shopping and dining area. Just like Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District , this location is filled with places to find souvenirs or catch a full-service meal.

When I visited with my kids, we headed out of the park about 20 minutes before closing. We got in quickly for dinner at Johnny Rocket’s for burgers and fries.

There are 30+ dining spots inside CityWalk as well as a movie theater, shops, nightclub and concert venue. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen has recently opened here.

Buildings and signage at CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood

Souvenir Shopping at Universal Studios Hollywood

In a movie-themed amusement park, naturally there’s tons of merchandise available for sale in the gift shops.

There is a package pick up feature in case you buy something during the day and don’t want to carry it around. Request this service then pick up items at the end of your visit near the exit at the Universal Studio Store. These are a few of the can’t miss locations to shop:

Production Central for all things Hollywood movie themed.

Animation Studio Store for all the DreamWorks, Illumination and Hello Kitty merchandise.

Jurassic Outfitters for unique dinosaur souvenirs.

1-UP Factory store for gaming inspired goodies in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

Jurassic World souvenir shop at Universal Studios Hollywood

Pressed penny machines , which are themed towards the different sections of the park.

Honeydukes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for famous candies from the movie including Chocolate Frogs, Fizzing Whizzbees and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

Honeydukes candy shop at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Tips for Grown Ups

Of all the Southern California theme parks, Universal Hollywood offers the most entertainment options for adults. Outside of the rides and shows, here are some suggestions for adults:

Play carnival games in Springfield U.S.A. or Super Silly Fun Land to win a prize.
Shop for souvenirs in one of the many awesome gift shops.
Pose for photos at the many photo op locations throughout Universal Hollywood.
Explore CityWalk after theme park hours have ended. This outdoor shopping center is located just outside the park gates.

CityWalk entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood

Where to get alcohol at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood does offer alcoholic drinks at locations around the park. From draft beer to mixed drinks, here’s where to find a grown up drink. Additional restaurant locations offer alcohol as well.

Duff Brewery Beer Garden (Springfield area) – Cocktails including margaritas and Long Island iced tea along with wine and draft beer. Outdoor seating at the open-air bar. Duff Beer is brewed exclusively for Universal Studios!

Duff Beer Gardens at Universal Studios Hollywood

Hog’s Head (Wizarding World of Harry Potter) – Draft beer including themed drinks like the Wizard Brew and Snake Bite. Non-alcoholic Butterbeer is also served.

Mulligan’s Irish Pub – Get beer on tap or a mixed cocktail including Mule or Old Fashioned.

Isla Nu-Bar – Tropical cocktails served in collectors tiki glasses.

Moe’s Tavern (Springfield area) – Fans of The Simpsons can grab a cold Duff beer inside this tavern from the show. Get the signature drink of Moe’s Tavern, The Flaming Moe (non-alcoholic). There’s even a Love Tester machine!

Moe's Tavern entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood

Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights is a seasonal offering in the fall. It’s highly appealing for teens and adults but definitely not appropriate for children. Or those who frighten easily, like me!

Neon Universal Studios Hollywood sign lit up at night.

Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood

Given the location of Universal Studios within Universal City, there may be concerns about safety. That is a valid worry and travelers to the Los Angeles area should continue with their usual safe travel requirements.

This includes not leaving anything of importance in vehicles as well as locking car and hotel room doors. In addition, use caution when out after dark and do not walk outside alone.

Where to Stay at Universal Studios Hollywood

These are a few suggestions for hotel accommodations near Universal Hollywood. Click through to each link for discount pricing and additional details about each:

Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood – Burbank Area – Free hot breakfast buffet and large rooms with queen-sized beds are a highlight of this hotel. Located about 4 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, the drive took less than 10 minutes.

Interior room at the Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood

Sheraton Universal Hotel – This hotel is close enough to walk, though they also offer guests a free shuttle to the entrance. Rooms are on the smaller side with double beds. But on the plus side, there’s an upscale pool area with lounge.

The Garland – Sprawling retro-style hotel located about 1 mile from the theme park. Complimentary shuttle for guests along with onsite dining and an excellent pool.

Tilt Hotel – Movie themed rooms and continental breakfast at a smaller boutique-style hotel. Just half-mile away from Universal Hollywood, making this location close enough to walk (albeit uphill).

Looking for Universal Studios Hollywood vacation package deals? Purchase discount tickets and vacation packages from my affiliate Get Away Today .

Use the Promo Code REWRITTEN and receive an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount).

Subscribe to Mom Rewritten Newsletter

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How To Get a First Visit Pin at Disney World

Disney World is a magical place that captures the hearts of millions of visitors each year. If you’re preparing for your first visit, you’re likely excited, and perhaps a little overwhelmed, by the prospect of experiencing everything the park has to offer. One way to commemorate this special occasion is by wearing a First Visit Pin. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps to getting your very own First Visit Pin at Disney World.

To get a First Visit Pin at Disney World, you can either ask for one at the front desk of your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, visit any of the Guest Relations locations within the parks and other Disney locations, or ask for one at any of the shops within the theme parks. These pins are free and available to all guests visiting the park for the first time.

What is a First Visit Pin?

A First Visit Pin at Disney World is a special button given to guests who are visiting the park for the first time. These pins are provided for free, and wearing one allows cast members and other guests to recognize that you are experiencing Disney World for the first time. While there are no guaranteed perks or special treatment associated with wearing a First Visit Pin, it serves as a fun and memorable keepsake from your first trip to Disney World.

How to Get Your First Visit Pin

Obtaining a First Visit Pin at Disney World is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps:

Check-In at Your Disney Resort: If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you can pick up a First Visit Pin at the Front Desk in your hotel lobby.
Visit Guest Relations: You can also visit any of the Guest Relations locations at the four Walt Disney World theme parks, both water parks, Disney Springs, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Stop by Park Shops: Another option is to stop by any of the shops in the theme parks and ask if they have any First Visit buttons available.

Please note that if you weren’t able to get a pin while at the parks, there isn’t a way to receive one once you return home. However, you can find First Visit Pins for sale on websites like Amazon and Etsy, but these may not be the same as the complimentary pins provided by Disney World.

Eligibility for the First Visit Pin

Anyone can avail of the First Visit Pin at Disney parks, as there are no specific eligibility criteria. These complimentary buttons are a way to let cast members know that you are visiting for the first time, and they love to welcome first-time visitors.

Making Your First Visit Special

In addition to getting your First Visit Pin, there are many other ways to make your first visit to Disney World special:

Book a Disney Vacation Club Resort: Enjoy an immersive Disney experience with themed rooms, extra amenities, and convenient park entry.
Buy the Memory Maker Photo Package: Have unlimited digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos taken during your trip.
Partake in Character Dining: Enjoy a meal with your favorite Disney characters at select restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.
Get a Special Souvenir: Purchase a unique keepsake to remember your first visit, such as a personalized ornament or a custom-made Mickey ears hat.
Use the My Disney Experience App: This app helps you plan your trip, make reservations, and access wait times, maps, and other useful information.

Remember, every Disney trip is unique, so tailor these suggestions to your family’s preferences and interests to create a truly memorable first visit.

Your first visit to Disney World is bound to be an unforgettable experience. Make it even more special by getting a First Visit Pin. Not only does it serve as a wonderful keepsake, but it also allows you to celebrate and commemorate your first trip to the magical world of Disney. Enjoy your visit and have a magical time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get more than one first visit pin.

Yes, each member of your party is eligible to receive their own First Visit Pin. However, it’s important to note that these are meant to commemorate your first visit, so it’s not customary to collect multiple pins during the same trip.

Is the First Visit Pin available at Disneyland as well?

Yes, Disneyland also offers First Visit Pins. You can pick them up at the City Hall in Disneyland Park or at the Chamber of Commerce in Disney California Adventure Park.

Do I need to provide any proof that it’s my first visit to get the First Visit Pin?

No, you do not need to provide any proof that it’s your first visit. Disney operates on the honor system, and these pins are given out freely to enhance the magic of your visit.

Can I get the First Visit Pin if I’m not staying at a Disney Resort?

Absolutely, you can get a First Visit Pin even if you’re not staying at a Disney Resort. Simply visit any of the Guest Relations locations or park shops to request your pin.

Is the First Visit Pin transferable?

The First Visit Pin is a keepsake item and does not have any attached privileges, so there’s no official policy on transferring it. However, it’s intended to commemorate your personal first visit to Disney World, so it’s typically not transferred to others.

How To Get Discounts at Disney World

What Can’t You Wear at Disney World?

People At A Splash Mountain Water Ride At Magic Kingdom In Disney World

Top 4 Water Rides at Walt Disney World

What Is the Scariest Ride at Animal Kingdom?

What Time Is the Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom?

What Are the Requirements to Work at Disney World?

About the author, ashley clayton, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Ashley is a true theme park veteran, with insights gleaned from multiple visits to every park in the US. Her goal is to provide an insider's guide to making the most of your visit to any theme park.

How Far is Epcot from Magic Kingdom?

How To Reserve Disney Park Hopper

When Was Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration Filmed?

What Are Disney Vacation Club Points?

What Was the First Roller Coaster at Disney World?

What Places Are in Epcot?

By the co-author of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020 , the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series ever.

Available on Amazon here.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Instructions for Your First Visit to Walt Disney World

By Dave Shute

RECENT AND NOTABLE POSTS:

Next Week at Disney World
New Disney World Room Rate Discount Deal for 2024
Disney World in 2024
2024 Week Rankings for Walt Disney World
Disney Word Crowds in 2024
Heat Maps of Disney World 2024 Ticket Prices
Disney World 2024 Theme Park Ticket Prices
2024 Resort Hotel Prices at Walt Disney World
The Disney Dining Plan in 2024
The Basics: The Theme Parks and Genie+
Josh Humphrey, 1985-2022
Disney World’s Replacements for FastPass+: Genie+, ILL, etc.
Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe, DVC, a Few Other Resorts
Disney World’s Early Theme Park Entry Program

INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR FIRST DISNEY WORLD VISIT

Follow the instructions that follow for your first family visit to Walt Disney World to save thousands of dollars, and avoid dozens of hours waiting in line, while seeing all the best of Walt Disney World!

1. When to Go to Walt Disney World:

Most years, I suggest that if you can, you should arrive at Walt Disney World one of the first two, sometimes three, Saturdays after Thanksgiving . In 2024 I recommend the first two weeks after Thanksgiving. More… Next best dates to go…

2. How Long to Stay:

You can have a wonderful trip spending as few as 5 days. However, if you can , be in Orlando for 9 days –a Saturday through a Sunday. More… Going for a shorter trip…

3. How Old/Tall Your Children Should be:

Kids of any age can have a wonderful time at Disney World. However, if this may be your kids’ only childhood visit, consider going when your youngest child is at least 8 or 9, and your shortest child at least 48 inches tall . More… Planning for going with younger/shorter kids…

4. Where to Stay at Walt Disney World:

Stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort if you can afford it, or at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort if you can’t. More… Next best resort options…

5. How Much to Budget:

You can have a wonderful first visit for $3,000 or less. However, to see all the best of Walt Disney World at the best time of the year to visit, budget if you can $14,000 if you are staying at the Polynesian , or $9,500 if at Art of Animation . More… Developing a much lower or a different budget…

6. When Your Plans Need to be Firm:

Your plans should be firm at least 181 days before your arrival date. More… Planning if it’s already later than that…

7. How to Eat at Walt Disney World:

8. Where to Eat:

The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly where to eat (as do the Other Itineraries ). More… Next best dining choices…

9. How to Spend Your Time at Walt Disney World:

The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly how to spend your time in Orlando (as do the Other Itineraries ). More… Other Itineraries…

10. What to do When:

See the To-Do List for an exact list of what to do when to prepare for your trip. More… To-Do Lists for Other Itineraries…

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest !!

1,261 comments

Thanks again for the quick response. Ya I’m still not 100 percent sure if or when we are going. I have looked at prices for tickets and as of now I’m seeing 485 for 2 two day tickets. does that sound about average or is there any other place that I maybe able to get them cheaper. Those prices are direct from disney btw. Thanks again for all your help

Brian, prices vary by the first day of eligible use–in the period you are looking at, the range for two two day park tickets is about $60. You can’t find short tickets elsewhere that will cost less. Some of the longer-day tickets are available for small saving from third parties, but not shorter tickets.

Can I get a copy of your schedule in word so i can use that to plug my plans into?

Hi Kristi, not sure what schedule you are referring to?

Dave! When is the 2020 book coming out???

Soon! All our copy is in our publisher’s hands

Just updating. We did go down 2 weeks ago was a fun trip for what it was but my little boy got sick the very first day at magic kingdom. But I’ll give disney credit I talked to the front desk at my room and they gave me 2 tickets good for a year for him getting sick. Def will be coming back down soon. What’s the weather usually like dec threw Feb. Want to come sometime in that area and curious on temp and swimming conditions. I know that’s a broad range but figured you would have an idea of the best time to go

Brian–so nice they worked with you on tickets.

On weather, I note on this page that highs are not reliably (80% chance or better) above 75 between the beginning of November and the end of March.

You can see a more nuanced version of this in the chart below. If you look at the bottom (blue) line, you can read a number for any date. 80% of the time the high will be over that, and 20% lower than that. The middle (pink) line is the 50-50 line–half the time the high will be lower, half the time higher.

Thanks again for the quick response. Ya they worked really good with me and even refunded 50 more dollars because they refrigerator wasnt keeping anything cool in the room. Also is it normal for a plan to be cheaper at the desk than buying online? I was paying half cash and half on card so they told me I could at the front desk and the plan I got was cheaper by about 60 dollars or so. Maybe a little more I’d have to check my figures for an accurate account. I wasnt aware they charged for parking at their hotels so that kind of blew but still no paying at the parks so I still came out ahead

What kind of plan?

I got two 2day passes and 3 nights at the all star movie resort (as I said it was a quick trip down and back literally left Sunday night and came back thursday morning) but the plan was cheaper at the desk vs what I was quoted online just curious if that’s the normal or I just got a off day on pricing

Brian, I have never heard of such a thing. There are some 10% ish off room rate deals out there–maybe you got put into one of those?

Ya I’m not sure. The original plan I looked at online and was quoted on the phone was right about 906 I believe. Not including the parking. Or at least it wasnt mentioned. But the price they gave me at the desk before parking was under 900. Close to around 880ish I believe. It was wierd for sure but like you said maybe I got put into a discount. I’ll definitely check ahead of time again before I come back. This time I’m thinking magic kingdom and then sea world instead of animal kingdom. Didnt seem like much to do kid wise there but then again he was sick so that was also an issue

Hi Dave, I just wanted to say Thank You again for all of your wonderful advice which helped us on our most recent trip a few weeks ago and also our visits in 2014 and 15.

Jane, so glad to have helped!

Your site is my favorite resource for Disney planning, since planning my family’s own “first visit” back in 2011!

I am now planning our third (and likely final—as my daughter will be graduating and moving away) visit for November 2020.

The Star Wars attractions are a priority for my husband and myself. With your experience, do you have any speculation as to how the process may be for riding Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run by that time? I realize the current practice with Rise of the Resistance is unprecedented. I guess my question is this—I need to determine to stay on-site vs. off-site. We will have a party of 6 this time, including my elderly parents and two teenagers, so space is important.

Obviously, even with the option of renting DVC points, we can get more bang for our buck for a large group if opting to stay off property. However, if there’s any chance of fast passes becoming an option for these attractions by then, the 60 day window alone would make it worth the extra money to stay on-site.

Of note, I’m a fan of the “Disney bubble” and we did stay on property our last two visits, though last time we rented a car and did 2 days at Universal, my kids’ “favorite” park. (I like it, too, it’s just no Disney!) We will go to Universal for a day this time as well (though we can take an uber now that that’s a valid option).

Hi Nadine! My best guess is that by then they will indeed be using FP+.

One thing you could do is double book both a 60 day eligible hotel and a 30 day eligible one. With the Disney hotels, you can cancel up until 5 days before on a room-only booking and get your full deposit back.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are now many more hotels eligible for 60 days than there used to be. All the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels are now eligible, as are a few others. Detailed reviews are linked to from the bottom of this page . If multiple rooms is an ok option, look in particular at the Wyndham Garden.

The Doubletree sleeps 6, but the room layout may not suit your group…

Thank you so much for the advice!

Hi, I wasn’t sure if this question was posted, I’m here at Disney now, I picked this week thinking it wouldn’t be crowded. but it’s PACKED. Someone said yesterday that the crowds were at 10/10! Any idea why?

Hey Jennifer, crowds Saturday were indeed at 10s, and Sunday at 9s. Everyone missed this. Touring plans had Saturday projected for a 6, and Sunday as a 4.

I have–in retrospect, so not helpful–several theories as to why:

Reschedules from hurricane Dorian; a general shift of people aimed at Food & Wine to Festivals of the Arts, because of several years in a row of hurricane issues. Both of these focus on this weekend as it is well into the second semester, so a good time to take kids out of school, but also avoids disrupting you-know-who’s watching of the super bowl. And Festival of the Arts is much better than F&W, anyway.

Also, this was the first weekend AFTER Rise of the Resistance opened that was also had a 60 day FastPass+ window open…so folks waiting to book a trip to WDW for Galaxy’s Edge until the RoR reviews came in would find this as the best first choice.

Will you be reviewing Disney’s Riviera Resort? We have reservations for August and I’m looking for what room to request if you have a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view! Haha! Looking forward to your awesome expertise! Thanks!

Hi Sue, I’m working on my review now! I hope to have it done within a couple of weeks–it’ll be coming out in bits and pieces…

Hi Dave, just found your site (I knew of your co-author’s). This is wonderful! Although it’s not our first time, this year I, the wife, and grandson are going Sept 19, and your calendars and crowd guides are invaluable info! But, when oh when will RoR go to FastPass+?

Hey Michael, welcome and thanks! FWIW, for someone coming here from easyWDW.com , the most different stuff is my resort reviews–you can find links to all my resort reviews here .

For Rise, is seems the main question is continuing reliability, so they know with some assurance how many FP+ to issue per hour. I don’t think any outside has any insight into when that will be resolved sufficiently…

Quick question. With the shutdown and everything that has happened do you believe there is a chance they will be running specials or reduced rates on rooms at resorts when they finally open back up? I enjoyed the room we had back in November but cant being myself to pay almost 200 for the “value” rooms next month or soon after when they reopen. Any thoughts are appreciated

Absolutely, I do Brian.

Hope so I have to get back down before july and was actually shooting for this month or april until everything happened. But we going threw prices for similar rooms we stayed in and it just seems to pricey for the same room in my opinion. Almost 200 last I checked a night for value rooms in the all star movie resorts. Hopefully they drop back down to a reasonable level or cheaper. If not any recommendations for offsite hotels? I’m sure you have a section on the site but I didnt see it. Thanks again for all your help

Well now that everything is in motion to open back up what are your thoughts on how long the mask policy will last? A few weeks or months etc? I’d assume the first time people start passing out from that heat in a mask they will recend it. but who knows. Any thoughts?

Brian, I expect masks to be the last policy to be reversed–although clinically the best last policy to abandon is physical distancing.

We would like to get back to WDW during the 50th, but limited to when children are not in school. We live in MA, and thus our vacation timeframes are President’s Week, the April vacation, and summer (about June 20th forward). We normally just do April but April 2022 is the week after Easter, and April 2023 is the month after the 50th is over.

What am I likely looking at in terms of crowds in ’22 for a President’s Day trip vs a week after Easter (Easter late next year – April 18th).

Also considering the late June.. a bit scared about the heat as we are wimpy New Englanders and we’ve been spoiled with prior trips being great weather (mostly mid April trips, couple early December).

Hi Luis, I have not done the data collection and analysis I need to do to give you an answer with conviction. However, it is typical that in late Easters the week after Easter is manageable–not good, but manageable. My vote right now would be that given the weather differences you should aim for the April dates.

Love your site even as a frequent Disney visitor, are you planning to post your 2022 recommendations soon?

Hi Lauren, and thanks!! I hope to have them out within a month

I love your content. I’m a pro with Disneyland (used to be a CM there,) but have only been to WDW once. My husband and daughter have been to Disneyland, but not WDW. We want to take our daughter next year when she is 5 1/2 years, she’s already 42″ and we plan on returning a couple years later, but we want this first trip to be special. We will be out of debt next year and this trip will be a celebration for us. We are excited to splurge and plan on staying at the Polynesian.

In 2022, out of September, October, November or early December, when do you recommend we go?

Thank you for everything you do!

Thanks Sarah! I’ll have specific week by week recommendations for 2022 out very soon–hopefully by the weekend.

Take a look at those when they come out and let me know any questions you have!

E-mail (seen only by me; leave blank if you wish)

My response to questions and comments will be on the same page as the original comment, likely within 24-36 hours . . . I reserve the right to edit and delete comments as I choose . . . All rights reserved. Copyright 2008-2024 . . . Unless otherwise noted, all photos are by me--even the ones in focus--except for half a dozen from my niecelets . . . This site is entirely unofficial and not authorized by any organizations written about in it . . . All references to Disney and other copyrighted characters, trademarks, marks, etc., are made solely for editorial purposes. The author makes no commercial claim to their use . . . Nobody's perfect, so follow any advice here at your own risk.

Privacy Policy
Current Disney World Deals

Key 2024 Stuff:
2024 Weeks to Visit Rankings
2024 Crowd Calendar
2024 Resort Hotel Price Seasons
2024 Ticket Price Calendar

Key Disney World Topics

(Hey, everything in blue is a link, even--especially--the bold items!)
The Basics: When to Go
When first-timers should go
When returning visitors should go
Crowds and when to go
Weather and when to go
Hotel prices and when to go
Ticket prices and when to go
The Basics: Where to Stay
Where first-timers should stay
Resort hotel reviews for returning visitors
The value resorts
The moderate resorts
The deluxe resorts
The Disney Vacation Club resorts
Fort Wilderness campground
The non-Disney hotels at Disney World
How long to stay
How old and tall your kids should be for an "only" visit
Disney World itineraries
Park tickets
The Basics: Dining at Disney World
Dining for first-timers
Guide to Dining
The Disney Dining Plan
Free Dining
The Basics: Key Milestone Dates and Deadlines
When your plans need to be firm
My Disney Experience and MagicBands
To-Do Lists
The Basics: What to Budget
The Basics: Deals and Discounts
Testimonials
"This site is astonishingly helpful ...Highly recommended!" --Lee Cockerell, Former Executive Vice President, Operations, Walt Disney World® Resort, and author of Creating Magic
" Great site! Keep up the good work!" --Len Testa, co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2024
“The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!” --Steve Bell, webmaster, MilitaryDisneyTips.com

Most Recent Stuff!

Next Week (June 29, 2024 through July 7, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (June 22, 2024 through June 30, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (June 15, 2024 through June 23, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (June 8, 2024 through June 16, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (June 1, 2024 through June 9, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (May 25, 2024 through June 2, 2024) at Walt Disney World
Next Week (May 18, 2024 through May 26, 2024) at Walt Disney World

First Time Beginner’s Guide to Disney World (15 minute crash course)

Save this post for later

With so many Rides, Shows, and Attractions, it can be hard to know where to start at Disney World in Orlando Florida (Disneyland is in California, and offers different things!).

This is a comprehensive guide that covers all the basics about Disney World. If you’re familiar with Walt Disney World, this information is probably unnecessary. If your new to Disney, then this is the place to be.

Disney is a vacation packed full of so many options, from great rides at the four Theme Parks, to water fun at the Water Parks and Resorts, to Character Memories, fun Entertainment and Nighttime Fireworks Celebrations.

Refer to the Table of Contents below to jump around to areas you’d like to learn more about.

Does Disney World do anything Special for First Time Visitors?

Yes! Disney World offers a ‘1st Visit’ button that you can wear to celebrate that occasion and let Cast Members (the Disney Employees) know that it’s your first time.

So let’s jump into some quick tips for first time Disney World visitors and then you can pick where you want to get started with all this information! If this is too much, simply save or share this page for later.

This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.

Table of Contents for Disney World Guide

Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The Best Times to go to Disney World

How many days do you need at Disney
What do you need to bring to your Disney World Vacation?
Overview of the Parks
Overview of Entertainment in the Parks
All about Disney Resorts

Quick FAQs for Disney World

What should you do on your first visit to disney world.

You should make a Bucket List/ Cant Miss list!

Disney World is intense… there’s so much more to do and see (maybe that’s why we have so many websites and vlogs and content creators sharing the Disney fun!)

Creating a list of things you want to do will make planning much easier and make the vacation more fun . Here’s a list of Can’t Miss fun for most families , and a Can’t Miss list for little kids !

How Much does it cost to go to Disney World?

The average vacation in 2024 is going to cost around $5000 dollars for a Family of Four to go for 5 days (this includes tickets, lodging, a food budget and souvenirs but not travel costs to get to the parks) See the full breakdown for the costs (with examples!) on how to do Disney World on a tight (yet realistic!) budget.

Having a dollar sign in mind is a good way to make sure that you stay on track with your Disney World Vacation. This is such an exciting time and you want to make sure that you make the most of it. There are many money saving tips that can help with your magical vacation.

The Best Time to go to Disney World is the time that fits with your schedule!

Disney World is ‘always’ busy now on the weekends and many times throughout the week. There is no ‘slow’ season, though the months of January and September are typically slower months than others.

Walt Disney World is such a popular resort that it can get a little crowded.

I’ve been on some of the busiest days of the year, and while it is still magical, it’s not very fun waiting in a two hour line ! What you can do is check the best weeks to go and pick the week that works best for your family!

Some of the Best Months to go for lower crowds are:

The beginning of May
The second week in December

Some of the best times to enjoy the Parks for lower crowds are:

In the Evenings- especially if they park is closing in a few hours or staying open very late
In the Early Morning- especially if you have early morning hours available to you when you stay on Disney World property
During the Week Days- it helps to look at the MyDisneyExperience App and check the wait times. While these are often inflated, they are a good predictor of crowd levels during your vacation.
Magic Kingdom on days that a party is planned, and the regular park closes at 6. Many people skip this day because it doesn’t include fireworks, but it’s a great option if you have a park hopper or want to get up early and spend a good 10 hours at Magic Kingdom.

⭐ What is a Touring Plan, and why is it recommended to know the crowd level when planning a touring plan?

Touring Plans are detailed lists that tell you where to go for rides and attractions at what time. These rely heavily on park hours, expected crowd levels, and what rides/attractions your party wants to do. A common Touring Plan example is to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom as the wait time is high during the day (or to make it your last ride of the night).

What do you need to pack for your Disney vacation?

Whether it’s your first time to Disney World or your hundredth, it pays to be prepared.

But what you need for your Disney vacation really depends on each person and family (and reason for the trip!) I do recommend getting a packing list together- at least a month ahead of time, so that way you can get everything you need.

This should include the following items:

Number of Outfits x your vacation days + one opposite weather outfit (so a sweater if you come in the summer, or shorts if you come in the winter)
Two pairs of Comfortable Walking Shoes
Sun Protection including Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen
A Park Bag or Park FannyPack, for you to bring into the parks with you
Comfort Care items like lotion, lip balm, and first aid kits
Toiletries and Cosmetics
Disney Items like Mouse Ears, Signature Books, Pin Collections, Penny Collections

⭐ Does Disney World offer personal care items, clothing, or other commonly forgot items? Yes. Lots of these items are found inside the Parks. But for a full selection, head to the resorts. If you are at a Value resort and can’t find what you are looking for (And have talked to a Cast Member to confirm it’s not hiding somewhere), head to one of the Deluxe Resorts to check out there selections.

The top 3 items I recommend to everyone:

1. Portable Phone Charger – you phone WILL go dead using the MyDisney App, and some of the rides will drain your battery as your phone looks for signal. The alternative is good ole pencil and paper- just make sure you can access your plans and reservations for the day! You can also use the swappable batteries, see more about where to find those swappable battery locations at Disney here .

2. Insulated Water Bottle – It gets HOT at Disney. Even in the winter you are dealing with the sun, the wind and way too much walking. Animal Kingdom also doesn’t do straws or lids- so you need a water bottle to prevent spillage.

3. Body Glide- This stuff is phenomenal. I use it for anywhere my skin might get irritation (like shoes in sneakers or thighs in shorts). Its only a few bucks, so better to have it and not need it- then need it and not have it!

And if your headed to Disney World for a Birthday Celebration , consider what you want to pack, versus what you want to buy when you get there.

How many days should you plan for your Disney World Trip?

Most people will find that a First Time Disney Vacation is exciting and exhausting! There’s so much to see and do, and you cannot possibly get it all done in one trip (or even two!)

Most families will benefit from 3-5 days inside the Parks.

But there’s a lot of ways to do Disney! You could do two days inside Magic Kingdom, and one day at EPCOT. You could just do two days at Magic Kingdom and make it a long weekend. You could hit up all four parks, or two days at Disney and two days at Universal.

Tips for Disney World Tickets

If you are visiting for the first time, a standard ticket would be the most appropriate versus an annual pass- you can pick how many base days you’d like to have.

Recommended time at the resort is 6 days 5 nights . This gives you 4 days in the parks, and then your arrival and departure day. Some families will benefit from a ‘no park’ day in the middle of their week to relax, and take in the amenities at the hotel (and possibly recover from sunburn or dehydration that is so prone to Disney trips!)

There are some pros and cons to only doing Magic Kingdom in one day , but most people will find that with a bucket list, their one day trip is enough!

➡️ You will need a Park Reservation for some tickets and passes. To schedule a park ticket, head over to Disney World here and secure your dates (its better to have a date/park secured and change later than not have one at all!)

What’s not recommended:

-Having a Ticket for Arrival or Departure day (there is plenty to do that doesn’t require a ticket!) Unless you are going for something specific. Most people will benefit from resting on Arrival and Departure day.

-Park Hopper Tickets if you are staying for more than 4 days. If you plan to go to all the parks anyways, there’s no need to add the Park Hopper. I would recommend this if you are doing less than 3 days. Keep in mind that hopping parks can take some time (between 45-90 minutes) that may be better spent in the parks.

-Not getting the Park Hopper if you can only come for 1-3 days. The Park Hopper here will help you take advantage of all the staggered opening and closing times to get the most out of your ticket.

-Purchasing from somewhere like eBay- I would hate for your ticket not to work when you arrived

Overview of the Disney Parks

There’s no Harry Potter, Charizard or Daffy Ducks at Disney World my friends. But we do have 6 Theme Parks (4 Main Ones and 2 Water Parks). Disney World is the size of San Francisco, or double the size of Manhattan. And its also located in Florida, in Orlando. There’s a lot going on here!

Disney also has an amazing amount of themed resorts and restaurants that I also recommend you check out! You can peek around the resorts as a guest and eat at any of the locations on property – most require a reservation but they aren’t hard to get.

Quick Note about Transportation at Disney World

Or said better, How to get where you need to go on Vacation!

⭐ Is Disney Transportation available to all guests, including those not staying on property? Yes! Respectfully of course, but you can hop on the Skyliner, or take the Monorail, or catch a boat without needing to stay on property. This is a fun option on your ‘no-park-ticket’ day, and here’s everything you can do at Disney World without a Park Ticket.

⭐How long does Disney Transportation take? Maybe the most important question of this entire post! Transportation can be quick, kinda slow, or completely closed. You might miss reservations or get stuck for an hour waiting for a bus. While most of it is free to use, it’s a gamble on the time requirements, so plan to give yourself extra time.

Complimentary Transportation Options:

The Buses (available at most Disney Resorts, and will pop up if there is severe weather and you can’t take the Skyliner, Boats or Monorail)
The Monorail. Three lines operate at Disney World. One takes you to and from EPCOT to the Ticket and Transportation Center. One takes you straight from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom and back again. The Last Line makes 5 stops. The Transportation and Ticket Center, The Contemporary Resort, Magic Kingdom, The Grand Floridian Resort, The Polynesian Resort.
The Ferry Boat takes you from Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center and back.
The Friendship Boats operate for the Hollywood Studios/EPCOT water front resorts, Between Disney Springs and Port Orleans Resort, and for the Magic Kingdom Seven Seas Lagoon Resorts.
The Skyliner has three lines. One line goes from the Depot to Hollywood Studios and back (Caribbean Beach is where the depot is located). One line goes from the EPCOT Boardwalk (it’s the second EPCOT entrance called the International Gateway), to Riveria Resort to the Depot. The third line runs from Art of Animation/POP Century Resort to the Skyliner Depot.
Parking at Disney Springs or the Water Parks and Mini Golf locations.

Paid Transportation Options:

Parking at Disney World Parks. This is included if you have paid to park at a Disney World resort. There is a tram at several of the parking lots that takes you to the front.
Minnie Vans, which are a partnership between Lyft Rideshare and Disney World. These are Disney employees who pick you up in a red and black polka dot ‘van’.

The Parks at Disney World

Disney World has four Major Parks, two Water Parks, and then Disney Springs.

Magic Kingdom

The Iconic Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A. are just two of the notable landmarks at Magic Kingdom. This is the Number One Park at Disney World and at full capacity (so really busy with lots of long lines!) it can take a Visitor almost 20 hours to complete the rides and attractions.

Magic Kingdom hosts lots of other amazing attractions like Space Mountain, Fantasy Land and Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Not to mention, Magic Kingdom is also home to lots of character meet and greets and the amazing fireworks display at the end of the night. Seeing the Castle lit up is a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy, and one of the highlights of any Disney trip.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood studios used to be considered among us Disney Goers as the ‘one day park’ because it was something that we could just hit up our favorite attractions and then catch dinner somewhere else on the resort. This is certainly not the case anymore though!

If you follow Disney news at all, you’ll see that Hollywood Studios has been revamped lately to include Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Beauty and the Beast and the Disney Junior Characters.

This is exciting news because it takes this park and gives it a much needed update. If you’ve never been (or it’s been a reallyyyyy long time) don’t bypass Hollywood Studios because of old reviews. This is definitely a park you want to visit for all your movie and TV needs!

Epcot is the infamous park that houses all the other countries. The park actually has two sections, Worlds Celebration, Nature and Discovery at the Front of the Park and World Showcase around the lake (it’s a giant circle).

The World Showcase is where you’ll find many scenic views, easy going rides and of course, the eleven countries with authentic gifts and cuisine. I love to go on Date nights to “Britain” or “Japan”- it’s so amazing that we can step into another country without leaving Disney!

With few exceptions, the World Showcase doesn’t open up till 11 for shops and drinks, but you can catch the Shops, Attractions and Food at the front of the park when the park opens. Options like the Soarin’ ride, Finding Nemo, Mission: Space and Test Track are great ways to start the day (and Frozen in Norway plus Ratatouille in France open when the park does!)

Epcot is also home to Festivals throughout the year. We have the Festival of the Arts to start the year, followed by the Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring and Early Summer. Then Food and Wine Festival in the Fall and The Festival of the Holidays to round out the year.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is where the animals are, seriously. With more than 500 acres and 1700 animals, it’s considered to be the largest theme park in the world! This makes for quite the adventure when it comes to planning your day as you won’t be able to see everything in one go.

There’s several sections to Animal Kingdom, the newest of which is the Pandora land based off the movie Avatar. Some of the other sections, which are called ‘lands’ include Asia, Africa, Dinoland, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Discovery Island.

Since Animal Kingdom is so large, it’s good to plan for exactly one day here and still pick your ‘must see’ items! The Thrill rides here tend to fill up quickly, just like at the other parks (namely Avatar Flight of Passage and Everest, plus sometimes slower Family Fun rides like Navi River Journey and the Animal Safari)

Animal Kingdom generally opens earlier than most of the parks, and it’s a great park to ‘Rope Drop’ (or show up before it opens!). Then you can leave around Dinner time to another park, Disney Springs or eat at the Resort.

The Water Parks

Disney has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both of these have lots of fun water activities with their own unique themes.

Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical getaway filled with water rides the whole family can enjoy! It also features a kiddy play area and thrill rides for the older kids!

Blizzard Beach takes a different spin on theming, think ski resort that has melted into summer water fun! Blizzard beach also has several options for everyone in the family, from kid sized water slides to one of the world’s tallest and fastest water rides!

Disney Springs

Disney Springs was previously called Downtown Disney and if you look at old reviews or message boards it’s easy to get confused about where Downtown Disney went!

It did get a major facelift and a new name. Most notably, it received lots of new parking, a slew of new stores (many of which are designer names) and several new restaurants.

Disney Springs is:

Free to Park at
Free to Enter
Normally low crowd, but crowded on Weekends, Holidays and High Crowd Park Days

Notable Entertainment Offerings at Disney World

I get this question from Disney Vacationers all the time- “What is there to do at Disney?”

There is SO MUCH to do at Disney World that you simply can’t do it all! What I wanted to do was break down the basics for you!

There’s lots of Characters at Disney

You can meet the characters a few different ways.

1.By going to the Character Meet and Greets inside the Parks, these are marked on the Map
2.By Scheduling a Character Dining Experience.
3. By purchasing a Special Event Ticket
4. By stumbling upon an unmarked Character Meet and Greet
5. By meeting Characters at the Resorts as they tour around to different locations daily

Some of the Characters you can meet in the parks are:

Mickey Mouse
Joy (Inside Out)
Donald Duck
Winnie the Pooh and Tiger
Tinker Bell
And SOOOO many more!

Character Dining is a great way to meet your favorite Pals! If you’re interested in how to meet characters without a ticket check out this helpful guide!

Disney LOVES parades. They have a parade for everything it seems like! They even have one when it RAINS!

Don’t forget that Disney World also has seasonal parades for Halloween and Christmas. They go all out with these, as typically they are only shown for a separate ticketed event (like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas)

Here’s some of the memorable ones you can expect at Magic Kingdom:

Main Street Trolley Show

This happens in the mornings at Magic Kingdom, kind of like their welcoming act to bring you into the park! It’s a very “Mary Poppins” themed show, and oh so cute!

Disney Festival Of Fantasy Parade

Featured so many Favorites, catch this show on Main Street USA during the day. Typically you’ll find this show at 12 pm and 3 pm, but check the app for updated times during your trip.

FireWork and Nighttime Shows

You can find FireWorks Displays at three Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!

At Magic Kingdom, you’ll get to see Happily Ever After, typically at 9pm. You can best see this is you can see the Castle, but I also enjoy the Fireworks without the Castle Display by hanging out in FantasyLand.

At Hollywood Studios, line up for Fantasmic, with shows typically starting at 9pm nightly. This is in a Theater, so you’ll need to head down Sunset Blvd and join the crowd to see this performance. There’s minor Fireworks during the Visual Display broadcasted on the Chinese Theater.

At EPCOT, gather around World Showcase for a fun Visual and Auditory Show that you can see all around the lake. It’s an easy watch, and generally low crowd.

Nightlife and Nighttime Activities at Disney

Some would say that I saved the best for last- and that is probably the case! If we were going to cover ALL of the options for entertainment after dark at Disney we would be here awhile. Let’s look at some of the favorites!

Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs)

Disney is not just for kids! Especially Downtown Disney, which was built more with the adult in mind. You can shop and enjoy Dinner, then grab drinks on the water.

You’ve got several options to choose from. One of the newest additions is The Edison, which has flapper style dancers, a DJ and music floor. The Hangar Bar has lots of games to play over drinks, and Paradiso 37 will have you dancing to Latin Music all night long! Bar hopping is another favorite, with almost 10 places to choose from it can be a fun weekend night!

The BoardWalk

If you want to stay near the resorts, definitely check out the Disney BoardWalk. Not only is it absolutely picturesque in the evenings with live musicians and plenty of restaurants, but it also hosts some 21 and up venues.

Jellyrolls is famous for their dueling piano competitions- truly a must see experience. Then you have a Dance Venue featuring hits from the 80s and 90s.

Disney World Resorts

Now, let’s talk about the resorts. Disney World has 36 resort hotels on the grounds, 26 of which are owned and operated by Disney.

The Resorts are set up in a tier system. What this means is that each resort falls under one of three categories. The categories for the Walt Disney World Resorts are Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe. These tiers are based on the resorts sizes, amenities, transportation options and price.

Value Resorts

We’ll start with the Value Resorts. These are the least expensive of the Walt Disney Resorts but they don’t lack in magical experience!

They all have a dining area, stocked with various goodies (and yes, they accommodate allergies!) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the gift area sections they have the standard souvenirs like coffee cups and towels while they also have snacks and drinks.

All of the Disney Value resorts have the usual conveniences you would expect at a Disney hotel. Mail, laundry, dry-cleaning, complimentary wi-fi, airline check-in, designated smoking areas, and ATMs.

The Value Resorts also have some other amenities like the pools and a jogging trail. While the pools don’t have slides, they do have poolside activities that happen throughout the day. Other cool options for the value resorts are the indoor arcades and the playgrounds.

The two best perks of the Walt Disney World Resorts are the free transportation and the Extra Magic Hours.

The transportation and extra magic hours are the main reason we stay at Disney so often even though we live right up the road! Because you really can’t go wrong with the list of amenities, the adorable themes and the perks of transportation and extra magic hours that you get by staying on-site at the Disney World Value Resort hotels.

Moderate Resorts

The next tier up is the Moderate Resorts and these are some of my favorites! The moderate resorts at Walt Disney World Resort provide some of the best options for the price. Plus the blend of affordability and amenities make Moderate Resorts a great options for most families.

While the Value Resorts focus more on cartoonish theming- The Moderate Resorts focus more on cultural themes. They offer all the amenities of the Value resorts with some nice additions!

Disney’s Port Orleans offers horse-drawn carriage rides, bike rentals and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Caribbean Beach offers a pirates adventure cruise, bike rentals, sand volleyball and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Coronado Springs offers bike rentals and sand volleyball. They also have nicer themed room with queen sized beds (value resorts have the full sized beds).

Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas

Staying at a Deluxe Resort is similar to the name, its where Disney goes above and beyond! These rooms tend to be a little bigger than most other rooms on the grounds, and they have more amenities.

So you get all of the perks of the other tiers, with some nice additions like valet parking, higher quality dining on site and more recreation choices at the resort. This takes your Disney vacation from regular to extraordinary!

My favorite part about staying at the Deluxe resorts is how much closer they are to the parks, and transportation also seems to move a lot faster from these resorts (maybe its in my head… but I do feel that way!). We tend to save the Deluxe Resorts for special occasions, like honeymoons, but we’ve taken the kids before and their were lots of other kids there too!

The Deluxe Villas are similar to the resorts, but they sleep way more people! Most of these are also at a different location than the other Deluxe properties, but still full of the same amenities.

Disney Resort Features

So now that you have a general understanding of the what and where, let’s compare some of the basic features of all the resorts.

The value resorts have double beds that sleep four, whereas the Moderate and Deluxe resorts have queen beds. King Sized beds can be found sprinkled throughout the resorts, you just have to hunt to find them!

Food Options

The value and moderate resorts have food court style options- which is great for a large family of picky eaters, but the Deluxe resorts only have one quick service option that can be limiting on food choices. Both the Moderate and Deluxe have Table Dining options that help to add to the ambience of finer vacationing. Deluxe resorts also offer Signature and Character dining as part of their 5 star service.

Transportation

For the most part, the value and moderate resorts only options are the buses. There are three moderate resorts that have the Water Taxi boat service and those are Ports Orleans Riverside, French Quarter and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The Deluxe Resorts have several more transportation options, like the monorail, boat taxis and walking. You can also call a ‘Minnie Van’ from any of the resorts (and they come with two car seats!) You’ve got options!

Every resort on Disney property has a pool (thank goodness, because Florida is hot!) but the types of pools differ across the tiers.

The value pools are, well, value based (but your kids won’t mind, I promise!). They don’t have anything fancy besides some theming and poolside activities that Disney Cast members run.

The moderate pools are absolutely a step up. Here the theming is top quality and you’ve got water slides!!

So how can the Deluxe pools beat water slides? With even bigger water slides, of course! They also have more pool options to choose from, which limits the amount of loud rowdy teenagers you might run into on your afternoon swim.

How far in advance should you book a Disney World trip?

As soon as possible! Disney Rooms can normally be book over a year in advance, and park reservations can be book 365 days in advance!

Is it cheaper to stay on Disney Property?

Honestly, most of the time, not really–though you can get some good deals with the value resorts, what you’re really paying for is convenience and the experience. There are definite perks, the biggest of which is being so close to the parks. You’ll have to decide what’s right for you and your family!

How much money should I bring to Disney World?

It kinda depends on your budget and how much you plan on eating at the Parks. A single person can easily spend 100 dollars on food and drink for one day at Disney World. Budgeting 150+ per person, per day for food, drinks plus a souvenir budget (like 100 per person for the trip) is reasonable.

So there you have it, folks, just about everything a beginner needs to know (and then some!) about planning their first trip to Disney World!

If you’re a first time Disney World visitor, I know it can be a little overwhelming, but remember that priority number one is to have fun! You’re not going to be able to do and see everything, so make a plan and let the good times roll!

Where do I get the "1st visit" pin? This will be my family's first trip to Disney World and think my kids would like these pins. I also read the characters acknowledge it when they see it. ”

Useful 56 Useful Please Log In to mark this question useful.
Save Answer Please Log In to view your saved answers.
 Pinterest
 Facebook
 Email

Meet the Panelist: Marcy, Ohio

Thank a Panelist

Share a message of thanks with the knowledgeable panelist who provided a personalized answer to your disney vacation question..

256 Characters Remaining

Please do not include personal information such as full names and reservation numbers in your message.

Whom do you want to thank?
Close Submit

Thanks for submitting your comment!

Didn't find what you were looking for click the ask a question button to open the ask a question dialogue box. if you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question., to submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so., ask plandisney, discover the magic of a disney parks family vacation from one of our knowledgeable online panelists..

Please do not include personal information such as full names and reservation numbers in your question.

Relevant Tags Please select at least one tag related to your question from the choices below.

The menu below has been automatically set to the panelist you were reviewing, however, you can ask anyone on our panel.

Close Ask a Question Opens the Ask a Question dialog box.

Thanks for submitting your question!

You'll receive an email if your question is answered., please note.

Email communication is the only way we can notify you when your question has been answered. If you choose to opt-out of receiving emails, you will need to return to the site to check if your question has been answered.

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer .

Or you can continue browsing without updating.

Search forums
Media New media
BOOK NOW! Disney Cruise Line Fall 2025 to Spring 2026. Get up to a $1000 shipboard credit!
Disney Trip Planning Forums
Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies

First visit pins

Thread starter Muskegon78
Start date Jan 31, 2013

DIS Veteran

Jan 31, 2013

Our first day at the parks will be at Animal Kingdom. Will we be able to get a first visit pin anywhere before RD (outside of the gate) so we aren't wasting time? Otherwise I know we can get it later in the day

Reading Is Fundamental.

Muskegon78 said: Our first day at the parks will be at Animal Kingdom. Will we be able to get a first visit pin anywhere before RD (outside of the gate) so we aren't wasting time? Otherwise I know we can get it later in the day Click to expand...

mesaboy2 said: If you're staying at an onsite resort, you can get it when you check in. Click to expand...

There is definitely a guest relations both inside and outside the entrance of each theme park, and I am reasonably sure that you could get your first visit pin from either location at any park (unless they happen to be out of pins that day).

Share this page

Dis news & updates.

New Limited-Time Menu at D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs
Itinerary Change Announced for July 24 Departure of the Disney Dream
New Kendra Scott x Disney Collaboration Coming Next Week
Donald's Cantina & More Coming to the Disney Dream
Disney Ever After Opens at Disney Springs With New Look & Merch!

New DISboards Threads

Today at 5:07 AM
Disney Online Games
Yesterday at 11:35 PM
Community Board
Yesterday at 11:06 PM

Dingdingding
Yesterday at 9:28 PM
California & the West

#1hoosierfan
Yesterday at 9:12 PM

Yesterday at 8:56 PM
Disney Cruise Line Forum

Walt Disney World News
Walt Disney World Articles
Disney Cruise Line News
Disneyland News
General Disney News

Latest posts

Latest: Patsaizan
A moment ago

Latest: KNovacovschi
25 minutes ago

Latest: CAPSLOCK
29 minutes ago

Latest: suzywindy
32 minutes ago

Latest: cellomom

COMMENTS

Celebrate Your 1st Visit to Universal Orlando ...
Congrats on your first visit to Universal Orlando! Here are a few other ways to celebrate and make it the most memorable visit yet: Get an Express Pass- Feel like a VIP and skip the regular lines to maximize your time in the park.; Get a VIP Tour Guide- Be treated like a rock star with your personalized guide!; Meet and Greet With Your Universal Faves- Universal Orlando is home to many of ...
Button Guide
Featuring Marilyn Monroe or the famous Universal uni-globe, these first visit buttons are a perfect way to start your day at the world's largest movie-studio and backlot. It's my birthday! Are you celebrating your birthday at Universal? Simply request a birthday button, and a Universal team member will write your name on this celebratory ...
Celebrating your birthday or special occasion at Universal Orlando
The first thing to do when you arrive at Universal's property is to get the official birthday button. This is a crucial step - without it, no one will know just how special this trip is. To nab the button, simply visit Guest Services inside of either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure and let them know you are celebrating ...
Universal Orlando Resort
Plan your first visit to Universal Orlando Resort with this helpful guide. Learn how to buy tickets, choose hotels, explore attractions, and save money. Book in advance online and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
13 Must-Read Tips for Universal Studios Orlando First-Timers
Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed. When you're having a blast at Universal Studios Orlando, it's super important to stay hydrated and not get too hungry. Here's a tip: carry a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated as you explore the parks. For food, there are lots of cool places to grab a bite.
A Local's Guide to Your First Time Visit to Universal Orlando Resort
Here are some resources to help plan your day: Best Option - Download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App. Visit Volcano Bay Interactive Map or Download The Volcano Bay Map. LOCAL TIPS. First, plan to arrive early to Volcano Bay and secure that perfect beach chair with that incredible view. TapuTapu will also make your day easy.
New Minion 'My 1st Visit' Button Available at Universal Orlando Resort
The blue button features Stuart, a one-eyed Minion, celebrating below the words "My 1st Visit.". The Universal Orlando Resort globe logo is in white to the side. For the last several years, Universal Orlando Resort has only had two complimentary buttons available: a birthday button and a general celebrating button.
14 Helpful Tips for Universal Orlando First Time Visit
14 Universal Orlando Tips to Help Plan Your Visit. Arrive Early. Consider Staying On-Site at a Universal Resort for On-Site Perks. Do you need a Park to Park Ticket. Will You Purchase Express Passes. Consider Using the Single Rider Line. Take Time to Explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
45 (Quick!) Universal Studios Tips Perfect For Your First Visit
Universal Studios Tips: Purchasing Tickets. 1. Know your ticket options. If you only want to visit 1 park for 1 day, get the basic (least expensive) 1 park ticket. If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and King's Cross Station, you'll need a Park-to-Park Ticket.
Universal Orlando -10 Things To Do Before Your First Visit
If you do have to visit at a crowded time, go early and visit the most important attractions on your list first. A benefit of staying at a hotel on-site is extended hours in the park. Check with your hotel for details. 5. Buy your tickets and express passes before you get there.
15 Insider Tips For Your First Time at Universal Orlando
There are two things to consider when arriving for your first trip to Universal Studios Orlando. First, make sure you know when busy season is. If you can avoid visiting during spring breaks, winter breaks, and summer, this is ideal. But if you cannot, make sure you are purchasing express passes to hit all you need to see! The best way to visit ...
I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top ...
I'll never forget walking out of Universal Islands of Adventure in 2022, drenched from head to toe after riding Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge. It was my first trip back to Universal Orlando ...
First time buttons
for Orlando, Walt Disney World. Level Contributor. 18,870 posts. 1. Re: First time buttons. 11 years ago. They have a variety of different buttons/pins including my first visit. Just visit any Guest Services at any park. If you are staying at a Disney hotel you can also ask the front desk if they have them.
23 First Timer Tips for Universal Studios Hollywood (2024 Complete
General Parking Cost at Universal Studios Hollywood: Before 5 p.m.: $32 After 5 p.m.: $10 How far is general parking at Universal Studios Hollywood?: General Parking is a 5 to 10 minute walk depending on the garage you park at; Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!. New Safety Measures in Place at Universal Studios Hollywood
1st Visit pin / Does it bring special treatment?
Joined. Feb 24, 2008. Aug 23, 2008. #14. It was DD10's first visit and her birthday. She wore the first frip button during our entire stay, and wore the button only on her birthday. While she did seem to receive a lot of recognition for her birthday, I don't recall anyone treating her special for her first visit.
Universal Orlando Annual Passes
Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida on all concert dates. Power Pass. December 21 - 31, 2024. January 1 - 5, 2025. April 7 - 19, 2025. Power Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida only until 5 PM on concert dates if there is a concert on a blockout date. Preferred and Premier Passes.
what exactly do the "first visit" pins at WDW do? : r/disney
I have been looking all over and can't seem to find an answer.
50+ Universal Studios Hollywood Tips for First Time Visitors (2024)
Driving Tips to Universal Studios Hollywood. You'll want to avoid rush hour traffic by driving before 6 am or after 9 pm at night. Your best bet is booking a hotel nearby to completely skip freeway driving in Los Angeles on the day of your visit. San Diego theme parks will take you nearly 3 hours drive.
The Perfect Walt Disney World Itinerary For First Time Visitors
WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION ITINERARY - DAY SIX. Disney Springs Water Tower - Photo by Steps to Magic. Let's assume that you're staying at Walt Disney World for longer than four or five days…maybe you're there for a week. Maybe you'll want to do a half & half day: First half: A Theme Park or Water Park.
How To Get a First Visit Pin at Disney World
KEY TAKEAWAYS. To get a First Visit Pin at Disney World, you can either ask for one at the front desk of your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, visit any of the Guest Relations locations within the parks and other Disney locations, or ask for one at any of the shops within the theme parks. These pins are free and available to all guests visiting ...
yourfirstvisit.net
You can have a wonderful first visit for $3,000 or less. However, to see all the best of Walt Disney World at the best time of the year to visit, budget if you can $14,000 if you are staying at the Polynesian, or $9,500 if at Art of Animation . More…. Developing a much lower or a different budget…. 6.
First Time Beginner's Guide to Disney World (15 minute crash course)
You could just do two days at Magic Kingdom and make it a long weekend. You could hit up all four parks, or two days at Disney and two days at Universal. Tips for Disney World Tickets. If you are visiting for the first time, a standard ticket would be the most appropriate versus an annual pass- you can pick how many base days you'd like to have.
Where do I get the "1st visit" pin?...
What a magical experience! Disney really does know how to make each guest feel special! You can pick up the free First Visit buttons and other celebrations buttons from your Disney resort as you check in, or at Guest Relations at any of the Disney Parks or Disney Springs. Have a really great trip, Macie! Marcy.
First visit pins
Our first day at the parks will be at Animal Kingdom. Will we be able to get a first visit pin anywhere before RD (outside of the gate) so we aren't wasting... Forums. New posts Search forums Media. What's new. New posts Latest activity. ... First visit pins. Thread starter Muskegon78;

Celebrate Your 1st Visit to Universal Orlando with NEW Minion Buttons!

Celebrate with the Minions

Other Ways to Celebrate!

Get a FREE Quote!

You may also like...

Best Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando Resort

Snuggle Up in NEW Harry Potter Pajamas from Universal Orlando!

Universal Studios Goes Strategically Small

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

We support these pages!

Recent Posts

13 Must-Read Tips for Universal Studios Orlando First-Timers

Are you planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando for the first time and don’t know where to start? Check out my top things to know before your first trip to Universal Studios Orlando!

How to Plan Your Visit to Universal Studios Orlando

Buying Tickets

Download the Universal Orlando App

Understand the Park’s Layout

Universal Studios Florida

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Volcano Bay

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando in the Summer

What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando in the Winter

Universal Themed Clothing

Prioritize Must-See Universal Orlando Attractions

Top Attractions

Roller Coasters

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Managing Time

Use the Universal Express Pass

What is the Express Pass?

Is it Worth It?

Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed

Take Advantage of Early Park Admission

Explore the Wizarding World During Off-Peak Hours

Stay On-Site for Added Benefits

Stay Updated on Shows and Parades

Prepare for Weather Changes

Save Time for Shopping and Souvenirs

Universal Orlando Resort FAQs

Do I Need Tickets for Each Park?

Can I Bring My Own Food?

Is There a Way to Skip Lines?

What’s the Best Ride?

Is There Stuff for Little Kids?

How Do I Get from One Park to Another?

Can I Meet Characters?

What Should I Wear?

Where Should We Eat?

Universal Studios Orlando Tips Wrap-Up

A Local’s Guide to Your First Time Visit to Universal Orlando Resort

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

Great Places to Eat at Universal Studios Florida

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

Great Places to Eat at Islands of Adventure

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL VOLCANO BAY

Great Places to Eat at Volcano Bay

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL CITYWALK

Great Places to Eat at Universal CityWalk

WHERE TO STAY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Premier Hotels – $$$$

Hard Rock Hotel

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Preferred Hotel – $$$

Prime Value Hotels – $$

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Value Hotel – $

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

THINGS TO KNOW

Express Pass – Get to the Fun Faster

Plan Your Entire Trip with Ease Using the Official Universal Mobile App

WHAT TO BRING

Backpacks and Shoulder Bags

TAKING PHOTOS AT THE THEME PARKS

WHAT TO WEAR

Universal Destinations & Experiences

You Might Also Like

[UPDATED] Universal Halloween Horror Nights 33: Everything Coming to HHN at Universal Orlando Resort

Guide to DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida

Guide to Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort