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

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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.

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.

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Hi! Thanks for your extensive research, we really appreciate it! We plan on visiting this spring and I was wondering if you have an opinion about when the park is the least crowded…Thanks!

Honestly, the best thing to do to avoid crowds it to get to the park before opening and stand in line to be one of the first ones in. Head straight to Diagon Alley upon opening. This is when you’ll experience the least crowds and have the area practically to yourself, compared to the crowds that come later. Have fun!!!

Thanks so much for the information. I have also read that the security line piles up and people get stuck standing an hour in security line to get in early in the morning. I don’t want to go that early anyway, but I’m asking what time are the security lines short? Is it after the initial rush is over at 9am? or later? thank you!

Hello! Yes, security lines to pile up in the morning if you’re not one of the first ones there. Security lines do not get short until about 2 – 3 hours after the park’s official opening time. Good luck and have fun!!

These are such great tips for Universal. This was overwhelming the first time I went there, as it is very different from Disney. But these helpful tips are great for navigating the parks.

Thank you! I agree that these are essentials tips! With theme parks being so expensive, I am a firm believer that it takes some planning before going 🙂

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Global Munchkins

Travel + Global Inspired Lifestyle

April 4, 2024

29 Incredible Universal Orlando Tips [Save Money & Time]

We just returned from a jam-packed whirlwind trip to Universal Orlando and it was absolutely incredible!!! One of the reasons the trip went so smoothly is because we have visited Orlando more times than I can count and over the years we have collected a lot of Unversal Orlando tips & tricks to help us avoid crowds, save money and have fun.

So, today I am sharing those secrets with YOU!

Read on to learn our best Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks for 2024. We love these parks as much as Disney World , if not more. This is truly a world-class resort.

Universal Orlando Tips

1. Stay on Property at one of these 3 Resorts! My Favorite Universal Secret

This is one of the best tips for visiting Universal Orlando (in fact, I have a whole post about it ) I have because staying on property makes all the difference in the world and is worth EVERY penny.

Let me explain. At first glance, you might notice that you can find cheaper hotels near the Universal Resort in Orlando. But, if you want Express passes, stay at these three resorts, because they come for FREE!

The three resorts on property ( Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel specifically) include FREE Universal Express Passes for each hotel guest (which gives you front of the line access to the most popular rides in the parks), early park admission, priority seating at many restaurants in City Walk and FREE transportation around the resort.

The Universal Express Passes alone would cost you a minimum of $89.99 per person and can go up to $379. With 4 guests in a room you can save $360 – $1200 per day in express passes

So, the $100 you are saving a night on your room is NOT worth it!

Staying on property at Universal Studios Florida also means you can take advantage of the beautiful walkways and boat rides available to hotel guests. It’s a convenient way to get around!

****Pro Tip**** Book your Universal Vacation with a Travel Agent Like Best Day Ever Vacations! They offer the same prices as booking direct but have extra incentives to make your trip even better!

2. Use a Travel Agent knowledgeable about Universal Orlando

When I first used to travel, we always booked everything ourselves, than I found out that a lot of travel agents work don’t charge a thing.

There is a lot to figure out when it comes to planning a Universal trip:

• How to get to the parks from the airport
• What are Express Passes
• How to travel from Park to Park
• Which hotels to stay at
• Where should you have dinner?
• Is the dining plan worth it?
• What about character breakfasts?

It’s honestly endless.

We reached out to Best Day Ever Vacations (they are seriously the best!) for our Disney Vacation and they did such an amazing job we asked if they handled Universal Orlando. Sure enough, they have Universal Orlando specialists who know everything about the parks, hotels, city walk and more. It made planning a vacation so much more fun! Pretty much 90% of the tips I have are from them.

3. Arrive Early & Leave Late

Another great tip for Universal Orlando is to take advantage of the early park entrance in the morning offered solely to guests staying on property.

But, even if you are not staying on property you will want to plan on arriving prior to the park opening hours and that is because they begin to allow guests to enter the parks early (up to a certain point) before the park officially opens.

If you are one of the folks who enter early you will be able to breeze through several wait times on the most popular attractions before the crowds arrive.

That said you will also want to stay late. Both Universal Orlando Parks tend to die down around 4pm.

Guests who stay later enjoy much shorter wait times which is why we like to get in early, then take a midday pool break at the hotel and return to the parks around 3-4pm. An easy schedule when you are staying on property.

Take a Peek Inside the Parks by watching our YouTube Video below.

Give us a thumbs up & subscribe for more great family travel videos!

4. Book the Concierge Level as it may save you money

I have a lot of kiddos, so when we stay in a concierge room, it is worth it. This means complimentary breakfast for the entire crew, snacks to take in the park, and some appetizers when we get back, so a large dinner isn’t quite needed. It is so worth it!

5. Plan for 4 Days Minimum

Now that  Volcano Bay  has opened we decided to up our recommended minimum number of days to 4 instead of 3.

You will definitly want an added full day to check out Universal Orlando’s amazing new water park. Volcano Bay has some of the BEST water attractions & slides we have EVER experienced.

The park itself is immaculate, the food is wonderful, they have two lazy rivers (one is a thrilling experience), and the kids splash areas are the best we’ve ever seen!!

I believe that 4 days is enough to conquer Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, AND the NEW Volcano Bay Water Park. That is ‘IF’ you have the Universal Express Passes for the dry parks.

If you do not have the express passes then you will want at least 5 days at the parks to be able to hit all of the popular attractions.

But, again notice that you need one less night at a hotel when you have the Express Passes which are included in the price of your stay at the on-site properties that I mentioned above. Another reason why it is actually cheaper and much better to stay at one of the hotels on the property!

6. If you are going to buy Express Passes Consider the VIP TOUR because it might be cheaper and includes A LOT MORE!!!!

People don’t know this but the Universal Orlando VIP Tour is the best deal in town. You get to the front of the line on every ride (including the ones Express pass does not cover) + it includes breakfast, lunch and valet parking and even more! Check out the details here!

7. Dates to Visit to Avoid Crowds

Avoiding the crowds is one of my favorite Universal Orlando Tips. There are three times a year where I feel like you can count on avoiding large crowds at the Universal Orland Resort.

One is the entire month of September as everyone is back in school and either just visited over summer or is planning to visit over the holidays.

The second is visiting between Dec 3rd- 15th. The closer it gets to the school winter breaks the more the traffic picks up.

The 3rd Date is the one week after January through the first week of February. Everyone has visited from the holidays and the next holiday is not til Presidents day weekend.

But, visiting Universal during the holidays is extra spectacular! In Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you can see The Grinch musical show which is a wonderful performance.

And, in Universal Studios you can witness authentic balloons and floats from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Plus, both parks are decked out with holiday lights too. It’s my favorite time of year to visit!

8. Use Child Swap

One way to breeze through the crowds when traveling with infants and toddlers is by utilizing the “child swap” program at Universal. The “child swap” allows families traveling with little ones to wait in the queue together once while allowing both adults a turn to ride.

How this Universal Orlando Tip works is one parent stays off the ride and waits in the designated “child swap room” with the child who is not tall enough to ride. While the rest of the family hops on the ride.

When they are finished the parents swap roles and the parent who initially stayed back is given a chance to ride without having to wait in line again. Instead, they simply walk to the front of the line in the “child swap” designated area.

*Pro-Tip-Another added benefit of using the “child swap” is the second parent can take up to 3 guests with them. So, several people in the family get to ride twice!

9. Single Rider

Guests 10 years or older, also have the option of a shorter wait by being a “single rider”. Since most people ride in groups of two or more, if there is an extra spot available the attendants will ask for a single rider and you’ll be able to skip ahead in the line.

At some queues, there is even a special line reserved just for “single riders”.

10. How to Make the Most of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Tip #1 : Avoid the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the AM!

I know this sounds contradictory to every other thing you might read BUT trust me. The first place every person heads to is the Harry Potter area in each of the parks making both of these lands complete madhouses in the morning… even for guests with early entry.

Unless you are going to be one of the first people in the park and you are going to run straight to one of the Harry Potter rides forget it.

You will have much better luck heading into these lands around 4 pm when everyone else in the park has already ‘been there, done that’.

Check out the photo above. That is my kids walking into Hogsmeade during early park entry on a non-holiday visit. Can you see the crowds in there- INSANE!!! I mean for good reason of course.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (both Hogsmeade & Diagon Alley) are the MOST INCREDIBLE themed lands I have ever visited.

Absolutely, spectacular in so many ways. However, if you can be smart and avoid the crowds I promise the experience will be even that much better.

11. Take Time to Really Explore the Harry Potter Lands

As I just mentioned, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absolutely amazing. And, I am not just talking about the main attractions. I urge you to really explore these lands as there are magical elements hidden all around you.

If you buy an interactive wand at Ollivander’s you can actually cast spells around Diagon Alley and make magic happen right before your eyes!

On our recent visit to Universal Orlando we waited in line at Ollivander’s for the Wand Chooses the Wizard  experience and Shea got picked!!! Check out his face in our YouTube video here .

*Pro Tip-   You can also ask the goblin in the Money Exchange any question and he will respond. Ask him about the dragon in Gringotts next time you visit 😉

Head inside the stores in Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade !

Our kids got a kick out of the crazy jelly bean flavors (some are actually really gross) and the chocolate frogs.

*Pro Tip- grab your Harry Potter costume supplies before leaving home. Capes at the park are really pricey. Find ones much cheaper on Amazon here.

12. Try a Butter Beer + Secret Menu

You can’t visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter without getting your kids a Butter Beer. Who can blame them with that tasty marshmallow topping?

But, if you really want to impress your kids, head to The Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head Pub and order a Pumpkin Fizz.

*Pro Tip- It won’t be on the menu because it is a secret item.

And, knowing that will make you the coolest parent alive!!

Don’t miss the Butter Beer Flavored Ice Cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, Fountain of Fair Fortune, and at select street vendors throughout Diagon Alley.

13. Take the train in between the parks

Don’t miss riding the Hogwarts Express between the parks. Not only is it a super convenient way to get around, but it is also one of my favorite Harry Potter experiences too!

I am not telling you why because I don’t want to spoil any surprises. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.

*Pro Tip- make sure to take the train from BOTH parks. The experiences are totally different.

14. Get a Coffin Full of Donuts to Start the Day

As I mentioned in our best things to do in Orlando Voodoo Doughnuts offers up one of the best fried creations in all of Orlando, at least that’s my opinion.

One of their six locations in all of the world is at Universal Citywalk in Orlando, meaning you won’t have many other opportunities to try one of these tasty and colorful pastries.

Trust me, these are not your average doughnuts. They are both extravagant in looks and in taste. You will find their shelves filled with raised yeast donuts, cake donuts, and specialty donuts of all kinds.

If you like peanut butter, you cannot miss out on the Old Dirty Bastard. Name aside, this doughnut is what dreams are made of. You can check out the full menu here!

And yes, like we said this involves a coffin. You can purchase a 3-foot wooden coffin filled with three We Pick ‘Em Voodoo Dozens.

It is a fun way to celebrate a special occasion or just do something unique while on vacation. Plus, you can never have too many doughnuts! 

15. Tips for Toddlers (height requirements)

We did notice that many of the rides had a 40-inch height requirement as our youngest is not quite that tall yet. But, that doesn’t mean there is not a ton of rides and shows available for smaller toddlers.

I recommend checking out Seuss Landing where multiple rides have lower height requirements, Shrek 4-D, Fievel’s Playground, Camp Jurassic, the Curious George Water area and a day in the Park with Barney- a live show and playground area. And, don’t forget to take your littles to hang out with the characters too!

Youngsters 34-inches tall can ride E.T. the ride which happens to be a favorite in our family. I was so sad when our CA park got rid of it and so I make sure we hop on it every time we visit the Orlando parks.

Once kids reach 36 inches tall they can test their thrill-seeking skills on Woody the Woodpecker’s Rollercoaster (above), Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Flight of Hippogriff & more.

Little ones who hit the 40-inch height requirement can ride the Seuss Trolley Train, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the Simpson’s Ride (although it is a little frightening), Transformers, Spiderman, and more. And, once youngsters reach 42 inches tall they can also ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Men in Black, Popeye and Bluto’s water ride, and Jurassic Park… The Ride just to name a few. Check out our experience on Jurassic Park below:

16. Buying souvenirs

It’s unavoidable your kids are going to want to take home a treasure to remind them of their incredible vacation at Universal. Be smart and use Universal Orlando’s package pick-up & free package delivery to on-site hotels.

Package pick-up sends your souvenir to the front of the park so you can pick it up on your way out versus lugging it around all day. If you are staying on-site they take it a step further and deliver it right to your hotel. Just one more reason staying on property is such a smart idea!

17. How to Save on Food… Dining Plans!

Universal offers several different dining plans that can help you save money and make life a little easier too. Choose from full service or quick service plans. With up to 100 dining locations to choose from inside both parks and in City Walk your family will have plenty of options to choose from.

The full-service plan includes two of our favorite restaurants at the Universal Resort- Mythos Restaurant and The Cowfish (yes sushi + burger fusion is a thing).

But, we do find the quick service plan a little easier on the pocketbook. View the plans, list of participating restaurants and pricing here .

Family Style- Louie’s Italian Restaurant

One of the munchkins’ favorite Universal Orlando tips is heading to the back of the park at Universal Studios for the BEST theme park pizza we’ve ever had. Feeding a large family at a theme park can cost an arm and a leg.

One way we save at Universal is by ordering a whole pizza pie from Louie’s Italian Restaurant. While a single slice will run you about $7 bucks, a whole pie so roughly $30 and comes with 8 slices.

*Pro Tip- Don’t forget ice water is always complimentary so drink up.

Cheap Shareable Treat- Lad Lard’s Pink Donut

Growing up The Simpson’s was one of those shows I would watch with my dad. Most jokes went right over my head but that didn’t stop me from laughing. Walking through the Simpson’s area brought back so many memories.

So, I was a complete sucker when my kids requested an enormous pink sprinkled donut from Lad Lard’s. Luckily, it was under $5 bucks and easily shareable! Don’t take our word for it check out this article from USA Today’s 10Best.

The Tacos at BumbleBee Man’s Taco Truck is a delicious, quick, and easy on-the-go lunch or snack too!

Just for fun… Moe’s Tavern

Not really a savings tip BUT something fun to do while in the Simpson’s area is to while in the Simpson’s area is to head to Moe’s tavern to try a Duff Beer. While you are there order the kids an alcohol-free, orange-flavored Flaming Moe. The dry ice makes it smoke and the kids will get a kick out of it!

18. If You are an annual passholder, turn your soda into a delicious slush.

If you are an annual passholder, there is a wonderful lounge to relax and cool off. The best part, you can buy a soda and turn it into a delicious slush.

19. Head to City Walk

Another Universal Orlando tip I have found that works well is to leave the parks and head into City Walk for lunch. Here you will find better tasting options in my opinion and a wider variety of eateries.

It may not save a lot of cash but at least you get better quality food for your money and at lunch its a ghost town so very little wait times too! 

I personally loved the Bread Box which serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads. It was a healthier option and the kids loved the bench swings  located at some of the booths.

The NBC Sports Grill & Brew is a favorite amongst the kiddos in our family. Who doesn’t love a working foosball dining table 😉

City Walk also has some fun photo opportunities and great shops and because it is so quiet during the afternoon you can get a bunch of fun shots.

*Pro Tip- if you stay at one of the hotels I mentioned previously your room key will also help you get priority seating at many of the restaurants in City Walk.

20. Skip dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Wait what?? You read that right. Dinner here includes a ridiculous wait time and your room key does not grant you priority seating at this hot spot.

However, the specialty here is clearly dessert and you can skip the long wait and head right inside and order your tasty treats at the counter.

Make sure you try at least one of their INCREDIBLE Artisanal Milk Shakes. Hands down the BEST flavor is Salted Caramel Pretzel but Chocolate Peanut Butter comes in close for second.

* Check out my top 10 foods you have to try at Universal

21. Don’t Miss These Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

You most likely know about all of the most popular attractions. But, there are a few things that most people are unaware of that we think are absolutely worth your time.

Live Raptor Photo Opportunity- I mean where else can you get a photo with a live raptor- ha! What makes this so incredibly fun is the employees are steadfast in the delivery of their character.

The kids were actually starting to question if the dino was going to be real. Check out the video:

Jurassic Play Area-  After you ride the Jurassic Park River Adventure, you can go to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Here you can relax in the air-conditioned room while kids check out all the cool dinosaurs. Make sure to wander over to the eggs. If you’re there when a baby dino breaks out of its shell, your kiddo might be lucky enough to name the newborn and get an official birth certificate!

Character Meet & Greet with Shrek & Donkey- who wouldn’t want to spend time with this hilarious duo. Make sure to check the guide for times so that you can hang out with these totally awesome and funny characters. Check out our experience below:

Fievel Playground- stop by this awesome play area to give the kids a chance to run wild. There is plenty for both little and big kids to do and it’s also a nice break for mom & dad. Liv loved playing in the ball pit and the older ones enjoyed the water slide and swinging from the giant rope.

Hello Kitty Shop – if you have young girls (or teens) they will LOVE the adorable Hello Kitty Shop located inside Universal Studios. They have every type of Hello Kitty product imaginable PLUS an adorable bakery/ candy shop too!

Free Coloring Station in Seuss Landing- little ones will love cooling down in the air conditioned stores in Seuss Landing. We found a coloring station in the store near the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!

22. Take a photo of your park passes

If you lose your park passes it can be a pain, but if you take a picture they can easily reprint them 

23. Pack some Ponchos

It’s Central Florida, which means there is a good chance of rain. Also, there are some very wet rides. So, pack some ponchos and save yourself the exorbitant costs of paying for a poncho at the parks.

24. GET A BIRTHDAY BUTTON (READER SUGGESTION!)

Here is one of the comments that I thought was a great idea.

“If it’s someone’s birthday, get a birthday button. When I went with my sister, we got backdoor access to a couple of rides and they sang Happy Birthday to her over the intercom at Men in Black!” -Crystal

25. There are 2 Lazy Rivers at Volcano Bay and one is absolutely not Lazy!

If you decide to hit up Volcano Bay you will for sure find yourself in the Lazy River, however some people do not realize there are actually two rivers.

One nice and mellow river and one that is more of a fast paced rapid ride. Everyone in the fast paced river is required to wear a life vest as the water does move quite fast, but it is super fun!

26. Download the Universal app beforehand

You can then link your tickets and credit card to the app. When you are in the water park you can use their special Tapu Tapu Tapu to pay for items. The app also gives wait times for the 2 main parks.

27. Save Hundreds of Dollars by renting a Stroller from an offsite vendor!

The strollers at Universal are expensive and not very comfortable. Kingdom Strollers has been around for over 20 years and they will save you a ton of money plus they deliver the stroller to your hotel or Airbnb!

You simply place your order and then meet them at your hotel at one of their 5 daily meetup times and grab your stroller.

It couldn’t be any easier Check em out here! In fact now you can pick up your stroller at the Orlando Airport. It is pretty convenient

28. Universal Tips for Adults – Visit During Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is one of the best times to visit the parks with or without kids, but especially without kids since Universal’s Mardi Gras events are going on.

You will enjoy, live concerts from top artists, amazing food, and plenty of celebratory drinks and parades. You can check out all the Mardi Gras details here.

29. Take the Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios and Disappear into the Wall!

Ever wanted to disappear into a brick wall like they do in Harry Potter. If you take the Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure you will enjoy all the whimsy of Hogsmeade station including an illusion which makes it seem like you disappear into a brick wall (check it out in the video above). 

Map of Islands of Adventures

Universal Orlando Tips FAQ’s

How do i get the most out of universal studios.

Stay in an onsite hotel for FREE Express Passes Arrive Early Go to Harry Potter’s World later in the day Allow 45 Minutes for Parking & Security Use Rider Switch Pass if you have kids that are too small

How can I save money at Universal Studios Orlando?

Pre-Purchase Tickets from Discount Ticket Sites Like Undercover Tourist Bring your own water Get Free Express Passes by staying at an onsite hotel Get a whole Pizza for the Family at Louise’s Visit during the off season for the best deals

What rides to go on first at Universal Studios?

Hollywood Rip Rock it Transformers Mummy the Ride Harry Potter Escape from Gringots

Is Express Pass worth it at Universal?

It depends on how much time you have to spend at the parks. If you are short on time, yes! The cheapest way to get Express passes is staying at an onsite hotel. You get 5 for 2 days for 1 night at a hotel.

Pin for later- 29 Amazing Universal Orlando Tips

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Reader Interactions

November 30, 2016 at 12:46 pm

You definitely need inside tips when you visit places like this! It can make all the difference for a trip! Great share!

November 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm

The concierge level sounds like a game changer! Will try next time!

November 30, 2016 at 9:27 pm

I love posts like these! I have never spent time in Orlando but it’s on my list. Pinning this for when I get to cross it off because it will come in handy with planning. Thank you!

December 13, 2016 at 1:10 pm

So many awesome tips! We stayed on site on our last visit and it was totally worth it! I’ll definitely pay with my AMEX next time to get access to the lounge.

February 19, 2022 at 6:25 am

I must have missed the benefit of using AMEX. Can you please fill me in?

December 13, 2016 at 7:21 pm

Man! You really are an expert! Great tips lady.

December 14, 2016 at 6:22 pm

I had NO IDEA about these great tips. I especially like the Child Swap scheme and analyzing hotels for whether they include passes! Brilliant.

March 9, 2017 at 4:51 pm

This helped me out a lot! We plan on going to City Walk for lunch, because I *need* to try that shake at that Chocolate place. I don’t even care if the food is crap. I told my kids we’re going because Mommy needs a gigantic shake.

March 10, 2017 at 10:22 am

I love that about you. You totally deserve the milkshake taking the kids by yourself. You won’t need to worry about the food at all. That shake is a meal on it’s own anyways.

April 20, 2017 at 5:13 am

I love the am ex tip & staying on property perks! Had no idea! Also love the moes tavern!

July 14, 2017 at 3:45 pm

Very detailed post! I didn’t realize that you get express passes staying at the resort, great idea!

July 15, 2017 at 7:11 pm

Yes, and those express passes are EVERYTHING! Makes the park experience SOOO much more enjoyable.

July 15, 2017 at 4:56 am

We always stay at the resorts in Orlando. Even though it can be a little more expensive at times, it’s worth it to maximize on time. A lot of the resorts we’ve stayed at come with snacks twice a day and you can grab an apple or orange to take into the park to make it stretch even longer! I can’t wait to get back to Disney and Universal! I haven’t seen any of the newer part of Wizarding World of HP.

July 15, 2017 at 7:10 pm

Exactly! And, yes you have to go back. Diagon Alley is SOO cool. The dragon is amazing.

July 15, 2017 at 3:33 pm

Great tips! My parents love Disney World and Orlando Studios. They go every couple of years and have a trip planned in the Fall. I will pass on these tips!

July 15, 2017 at 7:09 pm

Awesome, thank you!!

August 7, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Great tips for a first timer. One question, and maybe I missed it, did you mention anything about a pass that lets you park hope? I am using almost every one of your tips, thanks again!

August 8, 2017 at 6:50 am

There are multi-park tickets that allow you to go between parks in the same day. And, there are express passes that allow you to get to the front of the lines. Express passes are included when you stay on property at most of their resorts too.

September 29, 2017 at 11:04 am

Volcano Bay is a no-no as far as I could see from endless horrible reviews. Too crowded and bracelet system doesn’t work. Better off going to Disney’s or Sea World’s aqua parks.

September 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

Thank you for the comment. I definitely agree that Universal needs to limit the amount of people they allow in and work on their bands. But, now that it’s a quieter season (as opposed to a brand new park in the summer) I’m guessing things are slowing down. And, if that’s the case I don’t think the park itself with the rides it has can be beat by any of the other Orlando water parks. In fact I can confidently say that Volcano Bay had the best rides, slides, play areas and was the cleanest water park I had ever visited. They also had the best food. So when they get all the tweaks worked out I think it will be unstoppable ?

May 7, 2018 at 5:44 pm

We just went in April and the bracelet system was fantastic! They must have gotten all the hiccups worked out because it was flawless. We rented chairs too. Our attendant brought us our food and refilled our water bottles all day long. It was a great experience.

May 8, 2018 at 6:16 am

That is wonderful news!!! I absolutely LOVED the park and was only concerned with the lines. I figured they would learn and improve. Great news!!

July 9, 2018 at 6:11 pm

We have never been to universal, but would you say it’s a full day in each park? And how may parks are there?

July 9, 2018 at 9:00 pm

Hey Mandy, There are three parks. If you don’t have the express pass, it is definitely a full day in each park. If you do have the express pass you can possibly hit up two parks in one day. The parks are a good size and a ton of fun.

December 12, 2019 at 8:17 am

Also a fun tip: outside of Diagon Alley at Universal studios, if you knock on the door of 12 Grimmauld Place, you can see Kreacher peak out through the curtains.

August 20, 2019 at 6:41 am

Thanks Lucy for the sweet comments. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about your trip.

December 11, 2019 at 8:34 am

The BEST Universal Orlando Tips from a Pro [Over 20 Amazing Tips] – Great site. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!- calator.tel

February 9, 2020 at 5:57 am

If it’s someone’s birthday, get a birthday button. When I went with my sister, we got backdoor access to a couple of rides and they sang Happy Birthday to her over the intercom at Men in Black!

February 13, 2020 at 8:36 am

The pictures of your children in the park really made this list special. Thanks for sharing.

September 11, 2020 at 3:19 pm

I was surprised by the difference in the daily rates of a common hotel to a hotel in the Universal complex. Actually, even though it is a little more expensive, the advantages far outweigh the difference. Thank you for all this information.

June 6, 2021 at 5:45 am

We just visited the end of may and the parks we’re super crowded,that being said we purchased the unlimited express pass and it may be pricy but my family never had so much fun,we had no wait times and that makes a high difference compared to the other people I saw waiting over an hour on some rides. Also they do have a medical assistant pass for people with conditions that make waiting in line difficult , very helpful with two children with conditions that make it hard to wait in the heat. Can’t wait to go back ,I think we will definitely stay at one of the big three hotels to get express pass

June 6, 2021 at 6:23 am

Glad you had a great time. Yes, when it is crowded, those express passes are a game changer.

February 15, 2023 at 11:19 am

ANYONE HAVE A STRATEGY FOR ONE PERSON, AGE 20, WHO ONLY HAS ONE DAY, WANTS TO DO BOTH PARKS IN EARLY MARCH 2023 ? I SEE SINGLE RIDERS OPTIONS, SHOULD I STILL GET EXPRESS PASS? PLAN TO BE THERE WHEN PARK OPENS AND STAY UNTIL IT CLOSES! THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR INPUT!

February 24, 2023 at 5:44 am

With Single Rider you should be able to get on almost all the major rides in one day.

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The Best Universal Orlando Tips 2024

This article is your complete guide to the 25 best U niversal Studios tips!  In this article, we’ll cover some of the best Universal Studios Orlando tips and tricks to help save you time in the morning, money on express passes, picking the right time of year to visit and so much more. 

Since we’ve been going to Universal for over 20 years, we’ve really learned the best Universal Orlando tips. Such as picking the right shoes for your day in the parks and using the Universal Orlando single riders line!

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

So if you’re ready to learn all about the best tips for visiting Universal Orlando read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Tips for Universal Studios Orlando 2024

Before we dive into our list of the 25 best Universal Orlando tips and tricks let’s the best tip for Universal vacationers.  Plan you visit during the slower times of the year! Guests will get the most out of their Universal Orlando vacation by giving thought to visiting during one of the slower times of the year, always buying their park tickets in advance , considering staying at an on-site Universal Orlando hotel, give thought to if your group would like to upgrade the express pass, always have a game plan or park plan going into your day, and always take advantage of early park admission when possible!

The Best Universal Orlando Tips

• Plan your stroller or electric vehicle options
• Download The Universal Orlando App / Bring a battery charger
• Check Showtimes and Character Meet and Greets on the Universal App
• Wear The Correct Shoes For Theme Parks
• Prepare for Universal Water Rides
• Be Prepared for Motion Sickness

Know the Height Requirements Ahead of Time

• Don’t Skip the Universal Orlando Single Rider Line
• Don’t Ride the First Ride You See
• Give Some Thought to Universal Orlando  Special Events

Consider a Refillable Universal Popcorn Bucket

• Check Out Food Options Before you Arrive and Make Advanced Reservations
• Know How to Ride the Hogwarts Express

Upgrade and Buy an Interactive Wand

Upgrade to an on-site universal orlando hotel.

• Know What to Pack for the Universal Orlando Parks

Create a Park Plan

Know what’s new at universal orlando, try to avoid the crowds when possible, use early park admission, combine the express pass with early park admission when possible.

Related Page: How Do You Get The Express Pass For Free

Plan Your Stroller or Electric Vehicle Options 

We are going to start our list of the best Universal O rlando tips and tricks with one to save you time in the morning and this would be to understand how to rend stroller and electric vehicles. Guests will be happy to know that they can rent strollers, wheelchairs, and electric convenience vehicles upon entry to both Islands of Adventure Park and Universal Studios Florida. The rental locations will be direct to the left side of each park’s entrance. Guests who do need additional assistance from the parking garage can also rent a wheelchair from the parking garage as well. 

• The scooters cost $50/day plus a $50 deposit. 
• A single stroller is $15/day and doubles are $25/day plus a $50 deposit

We would say that the most important tip to understand here is for guests who plan to rent an electric vehicle we highly suggest calling Universal at least one week before your arrival to see if you can place a hold on one of the electric scooters because they can sell out. The Universal Orlando guest service number is 407-224-4233. Guests can also look to take advantage of one of the stroller and electric vehicle rental companies in the Orlando area which will deliver either directly to your hotel upon your arrival.

Related Page: Guide to Stroller Rentals at Disney World 

Download The Universal Orlando App / Bring a Battery Charger 

Another one of our favorite U niversal Studios Florida tips is always to download the Universal Orlando App before you arrive at the parks. We feel like this will simply save you so much time in the morning and you can focus on your park plan (which we will discuss in a bit) and not have to worry about connecting to wifi to download anything. Not only do we recommend downloading the app but we also recommend getting familiar with exactly how the app works so that you are ready to use it to its full potential during your time in the parks. Check out our video on the best tips for the Universal Orlando app right here! 

Another important Universal tip is to make sure that you bring a battery charger to recharge your phone throughout the day. Guests can bring a portable charger from home to save some money or you can take advantage of the “Fuel-Rod” charges throughout the park. You can purchase a fuel rod for $30 and when it goes dead, swap it out for a fully charged one. You can also purchase these fuel rods on Amazon so you have it ahead of time. The fuel rods are also rechargeable via USB cord so you can always charge it that way as well. This is one of the best Orlando Universal tips , as the heat also makes your phone die faster, especially with excessive use! 

Related Page: How to Ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 

Check Showtimes and Character Meet and Greets on the Universal App 

Okay, now that you have downloaded the Universal Orlando App our next tip and trick for visiting Universal is to take advantage of the different shows and Universal Orlando character meet and greets within the parks. We thought this was worth mentioning because we feel like Disney World gets most of the fame when it comes to amazing shows. Still, Universal Studios Florida is an entire park dedicated to the history of movies. Our favorite show is the Bourne Stuntacular in Universal Studios. Another reason why it’s so important to use the App when trying to find the best shows is that Universal will sometimes not release the show schedule to their website and the only way to know if a show might be happening that night is by looking on the App or by speaking with a Universal team member. 

The Universal app actually has a lot of useful information and can allow you to have a personal park guide right in your hand.

Related Page: Guide to all Disney World Character Meet and Greets 

Wear The Correct Shoes For Theme Parks 

If you have ever been to a theme park, you know how much walking goes on. Universal is no different, especially Islands of Adventure. This park is one big loop so to get from one land to the next you must go through all of the other lands, there are no cut-throughs. This means you will be walking a lot so you will want to make sure you have comfortable shoes or sneakers to prepare for walking. One of the other tips and tricks I have picked up from participating in some of the RunDisney and Universal Orlando races throughout the years is to break your shoes in. So we would suggest making sure that you purchase your shoes a few weeks in advance and wear them for a few days before your trip to Orlando. 

Related Article: List of the Best Rides at Universal Orlando

Prepare for Universal Water Rides 

We think some of the best rides at Universal involve getting you soaked! Universal has a few water rides most of them are located in Islands of Adventure and they are Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges, Dudley Do Right’s Rip Saw Falls, and Jurassic Park River Adventure. These rides are a blast, especially on a hot day, you are going to be happy to ride them. That being said you will get soaked, especially on Popeyes, so one of our favorite Universal Orlando tips and tricks is that we recommend bringing a change of socks so you can at least have dry feet for the rest of the day. They also have “human dryers” for $5 per cycle. You can get a little drier in these.

Related Page: Complete Guide to all Universal Orlando Water Rides

Be Prepared for Motion Sickness 

We feel like this might be one of the most important tips for visiting Universal Orlando and that is aware that many rides can cause motion sickness. This is especially true for the popular ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey . So if you are prone to motion sickness we highly recommend skipping some of the rides or bringing Dramamine from home which always helps me go on my favorite rides in the parks. We would also say that it could be worth waiting in the queue with the rest of your party just because of how immersive many of the queues are at Universal Orlando and then you can simply let a team member know at the front of the line that you would not like to ride. 

Additional Universal TIP – First aid stations located around the park do have Dramamine in case you forget to take some for motion sickness however, in our experience, they had only the drowsy Dramamine.

Related Page: Guide to Visiting Harry Potter World

This is another one of our top tips for Universal Studios Orlando especially with families visiting with young children and that is to make sure you understand the Universal Orlando height requirements for each ride. This is especially true for Universal over Disney as we feel Universal is more geared towards the thrill rides which in our experience have taller height requirements. We also know that there is nothing worse than getting expectations up and not being able to ride the attraction once you get to the parks. We always suggest keeping in mind that y ou can always use child swap if some members of your party would like to ride the attraction that a child is too small for or just rather skip.  You can switch riders while someone stays behind to watch the kids. The next person doesn’t have to wait in line to get on the ride after swapping riders.

Related Page: Guide to Visiting Universal Orlando With Kids

Don’t Skip the Universal Orlando Single Rider Line 

The single rider line is another great Universal S tudios tip and trick for families who have some members who would like to go on a ride and others who would like to skip it. And just like it sounds it allows one member to go onto a shorter line to get onto one of the popular attractions faster. Now, w ith the Universal Orlando single rider line , your party will most likely be split up. However, this can cut your wait time down by a lot, giving you more time to have fun in the parks. Not all attractions have single rider lines but if it does and you don’t mind being split up, it may help you save time.

As Passholders, we love popping into the parks and using Single Riders Lines to get through all of our favorite rides quickly. It’s one of the best hidden Universal tips for those who love to ride attractions but hate waiting in excessive lines!

Related Page: Guide to the Universal Orlando Virtual Queue 

Don’t Ride the First Ride You See 

Another one of our favorite top tips for Universal Studios Orlando that we give when helping families create their park plans is to skip the first ride you see in the parks. This is especially true for Universal Studios Orlando and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem which usually has a long wait because it is the first ride you see when you enter the park. For this reason, we always recommend heading to Diagon Alley first to get on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. We will say the one time when we do believe that this Universal Orlando tip does not matter is when you have early park admission which we will cover in a bit! 

Related Page: Complete Guide to all Universal Orlando New Rides

Give Some Thought to Universal Orlando Special Events 

Did you know that Universal Orlando has some amazing special events throughout the year? We would say to always take a look at the Universal Orlando event calendar while planning your trip just to get an idea of some of the amazing events throughout the year. And this is a very important tip and trick for visiting Universal Orlando for two reasons with the first being that we typically will see more people in the parks during many of these events and the second being that one of these events might be something that you would really enjoy such as Halloween Horror Nights or Christmas at Universal Orlando. The other cool thing is that events such as Universal Mardi Gras and Christmas are included in your park admission ticket absolutely free.

• January – Rock The Universe (Christian Music Festival)
• February – March – Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 
• September – October – Halloween Horror Nights 
• November – December –  Universal Orlando Holiday Celebration  

Related Page: Guide to Universal Orlando During Christmas

Get Celebration Buttons

This is another great tip and trick for the Universal Parks for anyone visiting with someone celebrating a special occasion such as a Universal Orlando birthday or anniversary. And very simply Universal has celebration buttons that guests can wear around the park and possibly receive some special happy birthdays or congratulations. Guests can stop by guest relations to see if they do have any celebration buttons and the best part is they are absolutely free! 

Related Page: Guide to a Universal Orlando Birthday 

This is a great tip for going to Universal Studios Orlando on a budget and that is to buy a refillable Universal Orlando popcorn bucket. The main reason is that Universal Orlando popcorn buckets start at $12.99 and refills are only $2 each throughout your vacation. So as you can see this can be a very affordable way for a large family to share popcorn throughout your entire vacation. It’s also important to note that Universal does have some very cool themed popcorn buckets which start at $28.00 for characters like the Minions and the Grinch, and these buckets also come with the same $2 refill cost. 

Related Page: How to Visit Universal Orlando For Cheap 

Check Out Food Options Before you Arrive and Make Advanced Reservations 

There is nothing worse than being hot and hungry in a park, trust us we’ve been there. For this reason, we always suggest taking a look at the restaurants and menus before you arrive to the parks. This is especially true for any families traveling with dietary restrictions, and you will be happy to know that many of the restaurants in the parks will be able to accommodate you. Guests can also use the mobile ordering feature on the Universal Orlando app to save even more time once they are inside of the parks and a few of our favorite quick-service restaurants in the parks are Thunder Falls Terrace in Islands of Adventure and Krusty Burger in Universal Studios. We also highly suggest making dining reservations for any of the best sit-down Universal restaurants in advance even if you are visiting during one of the slower times of the year. 

You can even mobile order from a few restaurants in CityWalk , which we highly recommend for the best tips for Universal Studios Orlando .

Related post:  Complete Guide to CityWalk Bars and Clubs

Know How to Ride the Hogwarts Express 

It’s important to note that the Hogwarts Express is not just an ordinary ride, you will need a universal park-to-park ticket to ride this attraction since it picks you up in one park and drops you off in another. So this Universal Orlando tip has to do with getting familiar with the Universal Orlando ticket options and trying to think about which one is the best fit for your family. As a general rule of thumb, we always suggest starting with the base ticket if you are unsure if you want to go park-to-park or even ride the Hogwarts Express. The main reason is that you can always add the park-to-park option on once you get down to Orlando with the only real downside being that you would have to take time out of your day to upgrade your ticket. On the flip side, the Hogwarts Express is an immersive experience that we believe every Harry Potter fan will truly love. 

Additional Universal Studios Tip – be sure to ride it both ways for different ride experiences

Related Page: The Cheapest Universal Orlando Park-to-Park Tickets

This is another one of our favorite tips and tricks for Universal Studios  for families visiting with young children. Guests  who would like to make the most out of their wizarding world experience can purchase an interactive wand in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With an interactive wand, witches and wizards can cast spells around Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We have a full video showcasing everything you need to know about the interactive wands on our YouTube channel, be sure to check it out here! Overall we feel like this is a great activity for the entire family to enjoy and get the little ones involved as there might not be a full day’s worth of rides depending on how you are visiting the parks. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that if you do want to purchase a wand, Ollivanders is not the only place to do so. Ollivanders is usually a very long line so if you don’t want to wait, you can purchase your wand at various other locations in the wizarding world or even the Universal Studios store at the front of both parks or the big Universal Studios store in CityWalk.

Related Page: Universal Orlando Harry Potter Robes

One of the reasons why we love this U niversal Studios planning tip is that ALL of the Universal hotels have great benefits like early park admission, free and easy Universal transportation to and from the parks, free merchandise delivery back to the resort, and resort-wide charging privileges! Last but not least we would say that one of the coolest benefits that is not offered at Disney is the ability to pool hop over at the Universal Orlando hotels!

There are 8 different Universal Orlando hotels that range from budget-friendly to luxury in style for guests to choose from. The best Universal Studios tip 2024 of them all is booking at a Premier hotel and getting Express Pass Unlimited for free for everyone registered in the hotel room.

Related Page: The Best Universal Orlando Hotels for Families

Know What to Pack for the Universal Orlando Parks  

When preparing for your visit to Universal Studios Orlando, carefully considering what to pack is a valuable tip that offers both cost and time savings. By bringing essential items from home, you can avoid the need to purchase them at inflated prices within the park. Some key items to pack include sunscreen, ponchos, reusable water bottles, lanyards, backpacks, and snacks. Bringing your own sunscreen not only saves money but ensures you have a familiar brand that suits your skin needs. Packing ponchos can prove beneficial, as sudden rain showers are not uncommon in Orlando. By having reusable water bottles on hand, you can refill them at water fountains throughout the park, reducing the need to purchase expensive bottled beverages.

Lanyards are convenient for holding park tickets, ensuring easy access at entry points. Additionally, bringing backpacks allows you to carry personal belongings comfortably and securely. Finally, having your preferred snacks on hand can save both time and money, as you can enjoy quick and affordable bites throughout the day. By packing these items and other essentials, you’ll be well-prepared, save on expenses, and optimize your time for an enjoyable experience at Universal Studios Orlando.

Related post:  Complete Guide to Best Universal Studios Pool

Coming up with a park plan for your time in the parks might be the most important Universal Orlando tip and trick on this list. We would suggest watching some YouTube videos, looking at park maps and even a list of all of the Universal Orlando rides before your trip to get a feel for what you would enjoy the most. You can even team up with a company like The Park Prodigy where all of our clients who purchase discount Universal Orlando tickets can ask us to create a custom park plan for their trip absolutely free!

We feel like having a park plan going into your day will allow you to focus on going on the rides that you have your heart set on in an optimized order so you won’t be confused or overwhelmed once you arrive at the parks.

Related Page: Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley

Last summer, Universal Orlando opened a new attraction – Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast. Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is an interactive, blaster game experience that will invite guests to put their villainous skills to the test as they compete against each other in a bid to join the ranks of the franchise’s most infamous supervillains. Villain-Con Minion Blast combines innovative screen technology, state-of-the-art gaming interactivity and elaborate physical sets to create a one-of-a-kind, game-based adventure where guests encounter immersive environments, nefarious villains and tons of mischievous Minions from Illumination’s films in a whole new way. This is all a part of a newly opened “Minion Land” This new area is home to the fan-favorite Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, Minion Café, Freeze Ray Pops, Illumination meet and greet and more! 

Looking to 2024, guests can expect to see the opening of the brand new “Dreamworks Land” replacing Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. Guests can enjoy time with their favorite Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Donkey, Trolls and more.

Related Page: How to Ride the VelociCoaster 

This is one of our favorite tips and tricks for Universal Orlando as we feel like it will help save you a ton of time in the parks if you can take advantage of it, and that is try to pick one of the slower times of year at Universal Orlando. As a general rule of thumb, these slower times will be right after the holiday breaks and the times that you will want to avoid are typical: 

• Winter Break: Typically the second week in February
• Spring Break: The first week of March through the third week of April
• Memorial Day Weekend: The entire week leading up to Memorial Day
• Summer Vacation: Specifically the third week of June through July
• Thanksgiving Break: The entire week before and after
• Christmas Break: The third full week of December until after January 1st

Related Page: What is the Best Day to Visit Universal Orlando

Know When to Buy the Express Pass 

Continuing on with the best time to visit Universal, we know that it’s not always realistic that you’re able to visit at the perfect time which is why you might be wondering if the Universal Express pass is the right fit for you. And we would say if your plan is only to visit Universal Orlando for one or two days and you want to get on absolutely every ride then the express pass might be a good fit for you. We also always recommend shopping around and looking at the Universal Orlando Express Pass combo tickets or even upgrading to one of the Universal Orlando premier resorts where the express passes are included for free. And one additional tip regarding staying at a Universal Orlando premier resort would be that the express pass is included on both your check-in and check-out day! 

Tip –  It’s also important to note that the further in advance you purchase Express Pass, the cheaper it will be. The price is dependent on the day you pick and the price goes up the closer it gets to the date. Sometimes Express Passes will even sell out for certain days so if you know you want it, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Related Page: How to Get the Express Pass For Free?

This is by far our favorite U niversal Orlando tip and that is to make sure you use early park admission when you can! Very simply this will save you so much time by avoiding long lines later on in the day as early park admission is really for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter which has some of the most popular rides. Early park admission also includes the newest ride the VelociCoaster which is another extremely popular ride. Very simply we have seen that getting on 1-2 of the most popular rides can help save families up to three hours later in the day. We would also say that guests can take advantage of Ollivander’s Wand shop and enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with little to no crowds as well during this time so we really feel like it’s a great opportunity for every family. 

Related Page: How to Get Early Park Admission 

In our opinion, this is the best combination of any theme park benefits within both Universal Orlando and Disney World and that would be to combine your Universal Express Pass with early park admission. The main reason would be that there are three rides that are not included with the Universal Express pass and two of those rides are included with early park admission when Universal’s Islands of Adventure open. So our Universal Studios Orlando tip would be if you see that Islands of Adventure open and you have both the Universal Express Pass and early park admission then you should visit Hagrid’s and the VelociCoaster during early admission because you cannot use your Express Pass on these rides later in the day. On the flip side you can then focus on all of the rides that do accept the Universal Orlando Express pass later in the day to make sure you’re getting the most out of that ticket.

Related post:  Complete Guide to the Lockers at Universal Orlando

Universal Studios Tips FAQ

Q: What are the best tips for maximizing my time at Universal Orlando?

A: To make the most of your time, arrive early, and take advantage of the park’s Early Park Admission if you’re staying at a Universal hotel. Use the Universal Orlando app to plan your day, prioritize popular attractions, and take advantage of single rider lines for quicker access. Utilize the Virtual Line feature for select attractions to minimize wait times.

Q: Are there any strategies for avoiding long lines at Universal Orlando?

A: Yes! Consider visiting during off-peak seasons or weekdays when crowds are generally smaller. Take advantage of the park’s Express Pass, which provides access to shorter lines for participating attractions. Alternatively, make use of Single Rider lines if you don’t mind riding separately from your group.

Q: What should I pack for a visit to Universal Orlando?

A: Essential items to pack include sunscreen, ponchos, comfortable shoes, portable phone chargers, and a refillable water bottle. Bringing your own snacks, such as granola bars or small treats, can save both time and money.

Q: Are there any dining tips for Universal Orlando?

A: Make dining reservations in advance for popular restaurants to secure your preferred dining times. Consider purchasing a Universal Dining Plan if you plan to enjoy multiple meals at the parks. Also, explore mobile ordering through the Universal Orlando app to save time and skip the lines at quick-service restaurants.

Q: How can I make the most of my experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

A: Arrive early to experience the themed lands with fewer crowds. Consider purchasing a Park-to-Park ticket to access both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, allowing you to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks. Don’t miss iconic attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts.

Q: What is the best way to stay informed about showtimes, ride closures, and other important updates?

A: Download the Universal Orlando app, which provides up-to-date information on attraction wait times, show schedules, and ride closures. Follow Universal Orlando’s official social media accounts for real-time updates and announcements.

Q: Are there any tips for traveling with children at Universal Orlando?

A: Take advantage of child swap options for rides that have height restrictions so that both parents can experience the attractions. Utilize the child care facilities and play areas available in the parks. Consider bringing a stroller or renting one for younger children to ensure their comfort throughout the day.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!

Who We Recommend

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner and chief editor at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agency which has won the award for the fastest growing online travel agency by Travel Quest Network. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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21 Top Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Orlando [2024]

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After a week in Orlando, Florida and three days spent at Universal Studios Orlando I am already planning a return trip. This was an absolutely magical place and perfect for all ages.

Universal seems to be a mixture of Walt Disney World which is perfect for children and Busch Gardens which is great for thrill-seekers. It’s for sure one of the best theme parks in the US !

I didn’t do quite enough research before my trip so I feel like my time wasn’t used as efficiently as it could have been. And I don’t want that happening to you!

So here are my top Universal Studios tips for 2023.

13. Buy Tickets in Advance

21. how much money do you need in universal studios.

Disclaimer: This post ma y contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going!

What to Know Before Going to Universal Orlando in 2023

There’s no way you’ll have it all figured out before your trip, but it’s great to have a head start! These Universal Orlando tips and tricks will hopefully help you create a plan and know what to expect on your trip.

1. Get to the Parking Garage by 8:30

We got there at multiple times during our stay and by far the easiest time to get in the park was at 8:30.

Since the park opens at 9 it seems like everyone wants to get there right then and there is a bottleneck effect.

When we arrived just after 9, it took us 40 minutes from the time we drove into the park to when we scanned our ticket since the morning rush hadn’t cleared out.

When we got there at 8:30 we were scanning our tickets into the park at 8:50. We were some of the first people in the park and first in line at the rides.

2. Make a Game Plan

Look at the park maps before you get there and figure out which rides you want to get on. Once you figure out your top rides, figure out which ones are close together.

You can group the rides together that you’d like to visit and then make a plan of which you’ll visit first.

You can also make a plan based on the region of the park you want to visit. Maybe you want to visit Harry Potter World first (like we did). I highly recommend this if you’re a big Harry Potter fan.

If you are spending one day in each park then this won’t be as big of an issue. A day gives you plenty of time to see everything in one park depending on how long the lines are and what all you want to ride.

3. Buy the Express Pass

Okay the Universal Express Passes are EXPENSIVE. In the app it kept saying starting at $99 for the Express Unlimited Pass well that’s on a weekday in the off-season.

On Friday April 23, 2021 they were $262 including tax. (That’s for only one.)

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Well, the Express Pass was, but maybe not the Unlimited. They have one pass that lets you skip the line at each ride only once and if I had it to do over again I would get that one instead of the Unlimited.

We didn’t have time to ride many things more than once. Try buying your pass ahead of time to see if you can get a cheaper price instead of buying it on the day of.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but if I had it to do over again I think I would buy the Express Pass on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Those were the cheaper days. There will still be crowds so it’s worth it but it’s cheaper.

We did not have the Express Pass on Thursday and only rode four rides… Yes, four rides because we were standing in line so long. On Friday we got the Express Pass and rode eleven different rides and two of those twice.

So compare getting to ride four things to riding thirteen and you’ll see why it’s worth it to me.

I absolutely hate waiting in line – I’m really not patient at all – and yes, I know that’s a terrible trait. So the Express Pass made my day infinitely better and purchasing it is one of my biggest Universal Studios tips for 2023.

Only you can decide if the price is worth it to you though.

You can buy the Express Pass cheaper on Undercover Tourist sometimes so be sure to check them out!

Just a note – I don’t always recommend buying the Express Pass for theme parks. Especially when you visit places like Dollywood or Busch Gardens .

4. Bring a Fanny Pack (Small Backpacks Work)

You may be thinking “Anna there is no way in heck I am wearing a fanny pack, you are insane.” Well when you see how functional they are at Universal you might just change your tune.

Fanny packs are allowed on almost all the rides at Universal which means you don’t have to waste time with the lockers before the ride and you can keep your phone or anything else with you.

The lockers can get very congested and it takes up valuable time trying to stuff your backpacks or anything else in them. More on lockers in a minute.

If you don’t have a fanny pack and are absolutely boycotting them then a small backpack (like this Kavu bag ) is the next best thing. Just note that these will have to be stored in the lockers.

5. There are Lockers for Most Roller Coasters

The locker situation is awesome for groups that don’t have a person who isn’t riding the coasters. There are standard-sized lockers available for free at many of the roller coasters that measure 5.5” tall, 14” wide, and 16.9” deep. This fits a small backpack or miscellaneous items.

They have larger lockers available for $2 if your things don’t fit in a standard size. These would be regular size backpacks or large souvenirs. These single-time use lockers are only good for a certain time frame – maybe an hour but don’t hold me to that.

If you are bringing items in that you won’t need all day then Universal also offers all-day locker rentals. There are lockers for $10 at Islands of Adventure and $15 at Universal Studios Florida. You’ll have unlimited access to these lockers during the day.

At the Popeye water ride you must pay for the lockers because they offer a covered place on the “barge” for you to place your things. However, they will definitely still get wet so if you have anything that can’t get wet definitely buy the $2 locker.

On Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the Hulk Coaster you have to pass through a metal detector before you can go on the ride so you are required to put everything you have in a locker or with someone not riding.

6. Download the Universal Studios App

You can do so much with the Universal Studios App. You can get in the virtual lines for any attraction with that capability. You can order food and drinks on the app. The app holds your tickets, maps, show times, wait times for attractions, and general park info.

At many of the sit-down restaurants, you can mobile order – at least the ones in Harry Potter World. Then at restaurants with walk-up windows you can mobile-order and pick it up at a specific mobile-order pickup spot. It’s actually super efficient and you don’t have to wait in the long line.

Some rides go to virtual line only when the parks are at capacity. The Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure had a virtual line the first two days we were there and the third it was virtual until the afternoon.

On our third day there the Revenge of the Mummy was virtual and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon was virtual all three days.

Honestly, this is one of the top tips for visiting Universal Studios. The app is so helpful.

7. Virtual Lines Open Before the Park

You can get a spot in virtual lines through the Universal App. It gives you the option to get a spot in line within a certain timeframe so all you have to do is show up at the ride and show the attendant your phone.

The Race Through New York ride opened by 8:30 everyday so you could get a spot. On the day we finally got there early enough to get a spot on Hagrid’s ride the virtual line for it opened at 8:45.

Hagrid’s ride always ran out of virtual spots so we were so excited to get in. By 9 all the spots were always gone and we never could find an opening throughout the day. Until the third day when they opened the line so you could physically wait in it instead of having to use the app.

Moral of the story is that if you want to ride something really bad, make sure to get there early and check the virtual line.

8. The Crosswalk Isn’t Always Open

There are three ways to get between the two parks – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This is only if you have a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.

First – You can walk out the exit of either park and through CityWalk by the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Hard Rock Cafe and into the other park. The walk is about 15 – 20 minutes depending on where you’re at in the park.

Second – There is a crosswalk between the two parks, but it is not always open so not an option all the time. It wasn’t open during any of the three days that we were there.

Third and my personal favorite – Take the Hogwarts Express! This is definitely the most fun way to get between the parks. However, the line gets incredibly long as the day goes on. If you’ve already been on this ride then I wouldn’t recommend waiting over 30 minutes on the train.

9. Many Restaurants on Universal CityWalk Require Reservations

 We made the mistake of not making a dinner reservation on a Friday night and were out of luck when it came to eating on CityWalk.

Every restaurant either had an hour and a half wait or was reservation only. I’ve already told you how impatient I am so you know I’m not waiting that long to eat.

For those of you who exercise your patience daily, you can grab drinks and appetizers at little kiosks around the CityWalk while you wait.

10. Express Passes Get You In Regardless of Virtual Lines

If you couldn’t get in the Virtual Line, but still want to ride something you can use your Express Pass if the attraction has an Express Line.

Not everything has an Express Line, but most do. One very popular ride that doesn’t is Hagrid’s.

11. Wear the Right Clothing and Shoes

One of the most important Universal Studios tips for 2023 by far. I wore a dri-fit t-shirt and shorts that dried quickly because I knew that we would be getting on the water rides.

I also wore my Chacos ZX3 sandals . They’re comfortable and do so well with water.

Comfortable shoes are a must. If you don’t plan on riding the water rides then I would go with sneakers. I’ve actually put together a whole list of the best shoes for theme parks if you need some new ones!

My Chacos are super comfy and did well when we walked 6 miles. Our last day we walked 12 miles though and my feet were hurting pretty good at the end of the day.

12. You Can Bring in Some Food

Here is one of the ultimate budget tips for visiting Universal Studios. You can bring in snacks and food that you don’t have to heat. What you cannot do is bring in a picnic lunch with a main course and sides.

I would highly recommend bringing some snacks and if you really want to watch your budget then take sandwiches for lunch. A good ol PB&J will always do the trick.

You are also allowed to bring up to two liters of water into the park. We brought in two water bottles each and that was plenty for us.

If you buy tickets in advance you’ll save a bit from what you would pay at the gate. It won’t be huge savings but everything adds up. Again, check with Undercover Tourist to buy your Universal Studios park tickets .

You can also see if Express Passes are discounted if you buy them when you purchase admission tickets.

I loved having my tickets on my phone in the Universal App. It was super convenient and I didn’t have to keep up with any extra pieces of paper.

More Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks 2023

14. you must have the 2-park ticket to ride the hogwarts express.

If you want to ride this then be sure you purchase the 2-park ticket! Honestly, if you want to save money you can purchase the 2-park ticket for one day only and do individual parks for the rest of your stay.

The Hogwarts Express is a must for any Harry Potter fan. Be sure to take the train both ways as the video is different depending on which station you come from.

15. Choose the Right Accommodations

Staying on the resort property would be nice, but it’s very expensive. Sometimes the included perks are worth it though. Undercover Tourist also sells hotel packages where you can sometimes find a deal!

For example, I’ve heard that one of the hotels within Universal Orlando Resort will include Express Passes for your whole family if you stay on their property. Depending on the size of your family this might be worth it.

We stayed at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort which is on the Walt Disney World Campus. It isn’t part of the Disney Resorts though so the weekly price is much cheaper.

I’ve also written a complete Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Review if you want to know what to expect. This is sometimes an overlooked Universal Orlando tip!

16. Universal has Free WiFi

This will save your data plan if you connect to the free WiFi. It doesn’t require a password but if you don’t have an Xfinity account you’ll have to enter your email and zip code.

There is good coverage throughout both parks and most of CityWalk.

17. Buy Souvenirs Before You Arrive

This is mainly for Harry Potter World but can apply to other sections of Universal.

Many people love wearing Harry Potter shirts and cloaks. You can buy these on Amazon before your trip for much cheaper.

There are also necklaces, scarves, and so much more sold in the park. The prices really are outrageous so if you can buy them ahead of time I would do that.

The one thing I would buy in the park is the interactive wand if you want that. It is really cool to do the magic in the park.

My sister got Snape’s wand for $58 but I didn’t want to pay that much.

18. You Don’t Have to Buy Your Wand at Ollivanders

Everyone wants to visit Ollivanders to buy their wand which can make the line incredibly long. There are so many other places to buy a wand though.

In Diagon Alley you can visit Wands by Gregorovitch when they are open. You can also go to Knockturn Alley into Borgin & Burke’s if you want a dark wizard’s wand.

In Hogsmeade you’ll find a cart between Hogwarts and the shops where you can buy wands. You’ll also find wands at Dervish and Banges.

19. How Many Days Should You Spend at Universal Studios Florida?

I would say three at the very least. It takes a day or two just to get your bearings – especially if you haven’t made a plan. We didn’t make a good plan and we spent most of the first two days walking around figuring stuff out.

If you can make it on Tuesdays or Wednesdays those are the best days to visit too. Weekends are absolutely horrendous for crowds. I would hate to see the place when they weren’t limiting access.

Hopefully these Universal Orlando tips and tricks will help you take advantage of all your time there!

20. Visit During Shoulder Season

Unless you have to visit during the school breaks, I would make it a point to avoid those. You’ll spend your whole vacation waiting in line.

According to the Undercover Tourist, the best times to visit Universal over the next couple years will be weekdays during September through December with September being the best.

Our visit was in April and I’m sure the crowds weren’t bad compared to the summer months when school is out.

This is totally dependent on your preference. Do you plan on bringing a picnic and re-entering the park? Do you plan on buying souvenirs? Playing arcade games? Alcohol?

Another thing to think about is the CityWalk. Will you eat or shop here? The main extra expenses that you’ll have inside the park are food and souvenirs.

I would budget $60 per person per day especially if you’re doing two meals in the park. That will likely get you a snack too.

For souvenirs, I recommend setting a budget before you go. For example, I knew the only thing that I wanted was a refrigerator magnet and possibly a Christmas Tree ornament so my budget was around $25 for souvenirs.

Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Orlando for 2023

Okay here are some new things to do at Universal Studios plus some oldie but goodie memorable experiences that we had.

Number one – the Jurrasic World Velocicoaster is open! This looked like an absolutely epic ride so if you are a big coaster fan then check it out.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure TM , Escape from Gringotts TM , Revenge of the Mummy, Rip Ride Rockit TM , and the Hulk Coaster were our favorite rides. Again, these are for the big roller coaster fans!

Check out at least one of the shows while you’re here – they do a great job! Universal keeps a list of all the current shows.

Make sure to allow some time to explore city walk. It really is an attraction to itself. Grab some doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnuts where you can skip the line if you order on the Universal Studios app.

Do you love seasonal events? Then plan a trip to Universal around Halloween, the Holidays, or Mardi Gras! Check out their event list for other things throughout the year.

For Harry Potter fans, make sure you visit Hogsmeade at night if they are doing the light show at Hogwarts TM . They don’t do this every night though so ask an employee when you visit.

Oh and make sure you check out the Knight Bus TM right outside of Diagon Alley. Across from the bus, you’ll see 12 Grimmauld Place and if you hang out a bit you can catch Kreacher peeking out the window.

Make sure you eat all the Butterbeer in as many different ways as you can. Check out the Three Broomsticks for the atmosphere and Mythos is an award-winning restaurant in the park.

How to Get to Universal Studios Orlando

If you live in the southeast then you may consider a road trip to Orlando so you can drive to the park. Depending on where you live, Orlando is also a cheap place to fly into.

You can either fly into Orlando and rent a car or contact your hotel to see if they have a shuttle service from the airport. This will save you money, especially if you are staying at a Universal hotel.

Ubers are plentiful around Orlando in case you need to go somewhere other than the park. If you aren’t staying on property, many local hotels have a shuttle service that will take you to the park.

This just means you are at the mercy of the shuttle schedule or you’ll have to take an Uber depending on when you want to arrive and leave the park.

Other Things to Do Near Orlando

Here are a few fun things to do in Orlando or for day trips!

Museum of Illusions Ticket

Kennedy Space Center & Everglades Safari

Helicopter Night Tour Over Orlando Theme Parks

Crystal River Manatee Swim

Wekiva River Guided Kayak Tour

Things to Do in Everglades National Park

Where to Stay in Orlando

If Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek isn’t what you are looking for then check out the other Orlando hotels at the link below!

✅ Orlando Hotels on Booking.com ✅

WRap Up: Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando

I know that was a lot of info but I hope even one of these tips will help you! The most important tips for Universal Orlando are to figure out how to skip the crowds whether that is planning your vacation in the off-season or getting the Universal Express Passes and make sure you remember these budget tips!

I hope you’ll have a fantastic trip in Orlando and you’ve found these Universal Orlando tips for 2023 helpful.

Do you love theme parks? Here is a list of the best theme parks in the US !

Pin for later!

Anna is a North Carolina native who grew up traveling the southern US with her family. Now she is a full-time travel blogger who road trips the US and shares about outdoor adventures and epic things to do. Want to know more? Read her full story here.

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There are some really handy tips here! I visited a few years ago and we had tickets that lasted for 2 weeks as part of our holiday package and I really enjoyed the park.

Oh wow! That is really nice. It is such a fun park to visit.

Great tips! I heard they’re doing awesome deals on season passes too! I really want to go to Volcano Bay!

Thank you! Yes, they have some really good deals going right now. We didn’t make it to Volcano Bay but I’m sure it’s great!

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Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando: The Best Park-to-Park Guide

@wannabephotographer33

This article was originally published in February of 2022 and then underwent extensive updates and editing in September of 2023 to remain current and relevant.

As a loyal Hufflepuff , a front-row sitter at those mid-90’s afternoon acapella performances at Mel’s Drive-In , and as a child who would always think she had a fever from all the crying she did at the end of E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial , Universal and I go way back. And over the past three decades, I’ve had many opportunities to perfect my guest experience.

Normally, I would dedicate an entire day to each theme park (I am very meticulous). But recently I took on a one-day, park-to-park venture. It was my wedding anniversary and the first time away from my now 2-year-old son. So, I went all in. Turns out I had the time of my life and, trust me, as a new mom I do not take this feeling lightly.

So, whether you are in town for a couple of days, have a lot on your itinerary, managed a quick escape from real life for some real fun, or are just looking to feel like your old self again, here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your park-to-park experience at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure .

1. Purchase Tickets in Advance — and Get There Early

When you’re on a two-park mission, every line counts — but save the waiting time for after the turnstiles. Arrive a little before the gates open and factor in 30 minutes for parking and security screening. With The Official Universal Orlando Resort App you get the Parking Reminder feature, so you can find your way back to your car after a long day (you’ll thank me for this one later). Since most days the crowds start picking up an hour or so after opening time, take advantage of these quieter morning hours. By mid-morning, you could probably have ridden Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit twice (if you dare, cause I certainly don’t).

PRO TIP: If you really want to get a great head start on your day, book a stay at one of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels and get Early Park Admission , which allows you to access the theme parks prior to the scheduled opening time.

Either way, buying tickets online and redeeming them from your phone is convenient as it gets you right through the gates quicker. You can purchase them on the Universal website as well as on the mobile app. Speaking of…

2. Download The Official Universal Orlando Resort App

Make sure you download the app before heading to the park. The perks come in handy; aside from saving you time at the entrance since you can buy and manage your tickets with the Wallet feature, it also helps you organize your day with the Interactive Park Map that gives you the attractions’ wait time and showtimes (so important). It also allows you to join Universal’s Virtual Line Experience to reserve ride times for you and your party at certain attractions. By the way…

3. Join the Virtual Line Experience ASAP

At Universal you can be in two places at once. OK, it’s not exactly magic, but it’s technology at its best. So, while you’re catching a show or catching your breath, you can also be in the queue for other attractions, such as the unmissable Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade . Keep in mind that this feature is available for select rides at select times, and you can only make same-day reservations, one at a time, and only while you’re on Universal Orlando property. Guaranteeing your place in line as soon as you hit Universal CityWalk in the AM is not too soon!

4. Don’t Wing It

I love a good to-do list — although at the theme parks it’s more like a must-do list. It helps me walk through the gates ready to hit the ground running. So, consider picking out your must-do’s in advance as it helps you prioritize your experiences and ensures you cover all your non-negotiables. With the app you’ve got that at your fingertips since you can also research and favorite the rides, shows, and restaurants you’ve had your eye on, so you don’t waste time wandering around. Or DO wander around! Especially if you…

5. Consider Adding Universal’s Express Pass Unlimited to Your Budget

You’ve got a full day ahead, so skipping lines helps you experience more (with repeats!). If your goal is to hit as many rides as possible, this tip is for you. Don’t worry if you haven’t purchased your pass yet, you can change your mind at any time and get them at either park — but keep in mind that on busier days they may sell out.

PRO TIP: When you stay at a Universal Premier Category Hotel , Express Pass Unlimited is included free.

6. Eat on the Go

Who has the time to eat when they’re having fun? I do. Even if it’s a quick stop at TODAY Cafe for a chocolate croissant (or any of their pastries, really). But if you’re looking to dine in and are afraid of missing out on all the fun, you can use Mobile Food and Drink Ordering in the app. Set up an account ahead of time, so that at any point during the day you can choose a restaurant and place your order. Then just hit “Prepare My Order” when you’re at the venue and, voila, a hot and tasty meal in no time. An invaluable time-saver when you’re on a two-park mission.

7. Travel on the Hogwarts Express

If you’re also a Harry Potter fan, you’ll most definitely want to explore both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during your visit to Universal Orlando Resort. And sure, with the lands being located in separate parks, you could exit one land and walk to the other, but why would you do that if you can stay in the magic and board the Hogwarts Express to travel between the lands? With a 2-park ticket, you can board the train at Platform 9¾ (after running through the brick platform in King’s Cross Station, of course). Or, board at Hogsmeade Station and back travel to London for a completely different adventure. As I love trying to relive my favorite moments from the film series, I usually board the Hogwarts Express in London, by Diagon Alley, for that iconic and familiar journey to Hogwarts.

8. Save the Best for Last

Whether your all-time fave is in Seuss Landing , Jurassic Park , or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , keep your cool and get more done before the grand finale. Chances are your favorite spots are most people’s favorite spots, which means you could be waiting in queues for hours while you could have covered A LOT of ground. I chose to start my day at Universal Studios and although my impulse was to rush over to Diagon Alley as soon as I went through the park gates, I decided to save my ultimate Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts for last. That way, I was able to hit all the great attractions in Universal Studios by early afternoon and then enjoy my favorite ride with a shorter line. A great way to end the first half of my park-to-park day before heading to Islands of Adventure.

9. Don’t Dismiss the Classics

Sure, we can’t wait to ride the breath-taking Jurassic World VelociCoaster . But don’t go skipping treasures like The Revenge of The Mummy , E.T. Adventure (sobs), and Men in Black: Alien Attack . Aside from being unmissable classics, I can tell you I always have an exceptionally good time, especially at Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (note to self: bring an extra pair of socks next time). 

10. Time to Go

Well, not quite yet. Although you might be feeling somewhat tired from your 12-hour fun, CityWalk is just starting to come alive. Sit back and relax while you enjoy some good food and cold drinks before you call it a night. And whenever you feel ready to leave (if you ever do!), you’ll be glad you used the Parking Reminder feature on the app — told you you’d thank me later.

Got more tips on how to enjoy a park-to-park day like a pro? Please share your wisdom with us in the comments below.

Universal Destinations & Experiences

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Andrezza Duarte

Andrezza is the Senior Manager of Universal Orlando's Internal Communications team. She's a Brazilian storyteller, occasional roller-coaster rider, mom in progress. You can spot her walking around Diagon Alley, ordering french fries somewhere or standing in line for another picture with SpongeBob SquarePants.

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11 comments.

#7 needs to be updated to reflect that you need a 2 park park-to-park ticket in order to ride Hogwarts Express. You can have a two park ticket with only one park per day!

Looking to spend my 61 birthday this year after we couldn’t travel last year What different experience can I book on please

Hi Steve! We recommend exploring our website https://bit.ly/3gRlexT or contacting our Guest Services Team at (407) 224-4233 for more information about our parks!

i love Universal!!!!! such a great park and always feels like home! just make sure to try and keep the great features we love and keep the prices lower than the Mouse so y’all can beat them!

We’re two sixty somethings that have been visiting Universal from the UK for the past 17 years. Desperate to get back after missing the last two years due to Covid. We usually stay at the Royal Pacific to get those express passes and are hoping to return this September. My favourites are Escape from Gringotts and Bluto’s bilge barges.

We hope to see you soon, Dorothy!

My husband Tom and I chose to spend our 50 th Wedding Anniversary at Universal . We are so excited to come back, and September can’t get here soon enough!

I still don’t understand how the park to park means if I’m booking a vacation package that includes a 3 park 5 day ticket and stay? I had a chat with customer service and they seemed like machines, unable to say yes or no.

Hi Lis! We have two options when it comes to how many parks you can visit per day. One is a Base Ticket, which is one park per day, and the other is our Park-to-Park Ticket, which means you can go between the parks in one day. For assistance with purchasing, we recommend calling 800-711-0080!

Hello, Is it possible to park with an rv?

Hi Hans! You are welcome to park an RV at Universal CityWalk. The price of RV Parking would be $32 per vehicle.

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23 Amazing Universal Studios Orlando Tips to Save Time and Money

Are you looking for the BEST Universal Studios Orlando tips to make the most of your time on your trip?

Well, look no further!

Planning a trip to the Universal Orlando Resort doesn’t have to be a hard task, but I do know that sometimes the details in the planning can get stressful.

First off, the resort has 3 theme parks with another one opening in the future , plus multiple hotels to choose from and the famous CityWalk.

With all those experiences to participate in, you’ll want to know these pro tips for going to Universal Studios Florida.

Whether you choose to go to Universal Studios in Orlando solo or with family and friends, each tip will guide you to having the best theme park vacation ever!

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.

1. Buy Tickets in Advance Online

This one Universal Studios Orlando tip will save you both money and time!

It’s best to buy your tickets ahead of time. This prevents waiting in a line once you arrive at Universal Studios.

Hipster Power Tip: The line to buy tickets in the morning is long at Universal Studios so make sure you get yours ahead of time so that you can skip this line and go straight to the gates.

2. Get Your Universal Orlando Tickets from a Trustworthy Website

Be sure to buy your Universal Studios Orlando ticket directly from Universal’s website or from a reputable source such as  Groupon or The Park Prodigy .

These places are always having special rates for the Orlando theme parks.

Universal Orlando Tickets: How to Get a Free Day at Universal Studios in 2024?

3. Know the Universal Orlando Ticket Options

There are a few options to choose from for Florida residents when buying a ticket for any of the Universal Orlando theme parks.

Below are just a few of the Universal Orlando ticket options that you can choose from:

• 2 Park, 1 Day Universal Orlando Ticket: This option allows you to visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the same day.
• 1 Park, 1 Day Universal Orlando Ticket: This option allows you to visit only one park for one day.
• 1 Day Volcano Bay Ticket: This option allows you to visit only Volcano Bay for one day.

Keep in mind that this is just the foundation of how you choose your Universal Studios tickets.

You can add multiple days to your vacation with the option to visit the two main parks on the same day for each day you choose.

It’s all about how you choose to spend your time at Universal Orlando Resort.

Get the whole list of the Universal Orlando ticket options here and save money too!

4. Know the Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Florida

This is one of my top Universal Studios Orlando tips for you!

Holiday peaks , crowd sizes , weather, and a few other factors have a lot to do with your Universal Orlando experience.

This includes just how long you’ll be waiting in line for your favorite rides.

What are the best times to visit Universal Studios Orlando?

Below are the best times to visit Universal Orlando Resort:

These months are closely followed by May, September, and October as the best time to visit Orlando.

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

5. Get aUniversal Orlando Express Pass

Depending on the time of year you go, you’ll may want to think about getting an Express Pass.

Universal Studios has some of the most innovative rides with wait times to prove it.

Are the Universal Express Passes worth it?

It depends on a few factors. For instance, if you’re only going to be at Universal Studios for a day and you came on a crowded day , then I’d say definitely get the Express Pass.

On those peak days, it gets extremely hard to do and see each attraction available at the park.

Plus, if it’s a hot and humid day, it only adds to the frustration.

I know the prices can be out of your budget, but if you can squeeze a little bit more then definitely grab an Express Pass.

If you’re not into the whole thrill ride thing and you’re fine doing rides casually, then pass on the Express Pass and spend that money on some theme park food and merchandise.

Express Passes to Choose From:

• Universal Express Pass : You can skip the regular line ONE TIME per ride at participating attractions each day that your pass is valid.
• The Universal Unlimited Express Pass : You can skip the regular lines an UNLIMITED number of times at participating attractions.
• Volcano Bay Express: You can skip the Virtual Line one time at participating attractions.

Express Pass Rides and Attractions at Universal Studios Florida

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™
• E.T. Adventure™
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged™
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
• Hogwarts™ Express
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon™
• Revenge of the Mummy™
• The Simpsons Ride™
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D

Hipster Power Tip: There are three resorts on Universal Orlando property that include FREE Universal Express Passes for each hotel guest. They are: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel.

6. Be Sure to Use the Child Swap Program

A true ThemeParkHipster, like yourself, will most likely have a time where the little ones will be join you on one of your trips.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun Universal Studios attractions.

You and your theme park partner can take advantage of the Child Swap Program, where you’ll both be able to scream on Hollywood Rip Rockit , as the little ones wait to the side.

How does the Child Swap Program work at Universal Studios?

The Child Swap Program works by allowing one member of your party to wait in a designated area along with any children who are unable or unwilling to participate.

Once the rest of your group is off the ride, you trade places and take your seat on the ride while those who rode previously stay with the child(ren).

Recommended: 1 Day in Orlando Itinerary: What Should I Do That’s NOT Theme Parks?

7. Have a Game Plan and Download the Official Universal Orlando App

Route your path around the park in advance by  retrieving the Universal Studios park map on the app.

This is one of the best Universal Studios Orlando tips for your visit!

The Universal Orlando Resort app allows you to find ride wait times, show times, mobile ordering and dining venue hours.

The app also allows you to do so many other things such as, placing food and drink orders from select restaurants when you’re in the parks.

View the 2024 Universal Studios Map Below

You can also get your perfect Universal Studios Florida one-day itinerary here!

8. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley

If your smile is as wide as mine, then you probably want to skip the other rides and head straight back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley section of the park.

You’ll want to explore all the crevices of Diagon Alley and discover the dark streets of Nocturne Alley.

Become a true wizard and get your wand!

I recommend partaking in the interactive wand experience at Ollivander’s ; it’s always pretty fun and you’ll love it!

Don’t forget to ride Escape from Gringotts and chat with goblins while you’re in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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

9. Try EVERY type of Butterbeer at Harry Potter World

In case you’re a Muggle, Butterbeer is a drink mentioned several times in the Harry Potter books .

It is the drink of choice for many of the adolescents through out the famous Wizarding story.

Plus, it’s a staple drink and a must have beverage whenever you visit Universal Studios.

How is Butterbeer served?

• Cold Butterbeer
• Frozen Butterbeer
• Hot Butterbeer (seasonal)
• Butterbeer Potted Cream
• Fudge Butterbeer
• Butterbeer Soft Serve Ice-Cream
• Vegan Butterbeer

As you can see, there are sooooo many Butterbeer options to chose from!!!

Where to find Butterbeer?

You can find a Butterbeer offering of some sort inside the Diagon Alley section of Universal Studios at:

• The Leaky Cauldron
• The Hopping Pot
• Sugarplum’s Sweetshop
• Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour

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10. Ride Hogwarts Express From Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade

Hopping on the Hogwarts Express train is the best way of recreating the footsteps of the famous wizard, Harry Potter.

The Hogwarts Express is located inside King’s Cross Station next to the secret entrance to Diagon Alley.

In order for you to experience this attraction, you’ll need to have a park-to-park admission ticket for the same day.

Your Park-to-Park tickets (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) will allow you to visit both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade via the Hogwarts Express.

7 BEST Photo Spots in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that are Instagram-worthy!

11. Have a Universal Studios Packing List

It’s important for you to know what to pack for Universal Studios Florida.

Below are some of the things I MUST HAVE for my days at the park.

• Comfy Shoes
• Breathable Clothing
• Sun Protection
• Wizard’s robe and wand
• Hand sanitizer
• Phone Charger
• Portable Fan

Get the full Universal Orlando packing checklist here!

12. Know What You Can and Cannot Bring inside Universal Studios

To prevent any embarrassment at the security checkpoints, I’ve listed the items you are able to take with you inside of the Universal Orlando parks.

Please keep in mind that Universal is very strict on what it allows you to bring.

Acceptable items at Universal Studios:

• Bottled water
• Small snacks that do not require heating
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically indicated nutritional supplements
• Food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

Prohibited items at Universal Studios:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Picnic lunches
• Food that requires heating or refrigeration
• Glass containers
• Hard-sided coolers
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
• Suitcases and bags with wheels
• Folding chairs
• Clothing with offensive language or content
• Clothing that represents someone as emergency personnel
• Weapons of any kind

WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Food at Universal Studios UNDER $10!!! 🍟🍦🍻🍕

13. Enjoy the Must-Do Rides and Food at Universal Studios Florida

Make sure you make a list of the things you must-do on your trip to Universal Studios.

Below are some of my favorite things to do on my solo days at Universal Orlando.

• Escape from Gringotts
• Discover the Mysteries of Revenge of the Mummy
• Horror Make Up Show
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Chicken and Waffles at Cletus’ Chicken Shack
• Eat at the Leaky Cauldron
• Get a Loaded Baked Potato outside of Diagon Alley
• Ride Hollywood Rip Rockit
• Explore the NEW Minion Land
• Watch the Bourne Stuntacular
• Save the World in Transformers the Ride

7 Best Universal Orlando Restaurants for Solo Travelers

14. Take Advantage of the Single Rider Line

This line can cut your wait time in half and that’s always a benefit of going to a theme park alone .

It allows you to get around to most of the attractions quickly, because you don’t have to wait in the normal ride line.

This is especially important if you are traveling to Universal Studios solo.

Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios Florida:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Fast and Furious Supercharged
• Revenge of the Mummy
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D

Hipster Power Tip: The Single Rider Line will split up your party so keep that in mind on your visit. Universal Team Members use Single Riders to fill in extra spot available on the rides.

15. Go to Universal Studios Solo!

At ThemeParkHipster, I’m ALL about  going to theme parks solo!

Almost  everything on this list you can also do alone,  and if you want to, you absolutely should!

Going to Universal Studios alone allows you to plan your day the way you want it without having to compromise with others.

It’s my favorite way to go to Universal Orlando Resort!

16. Use the Lockers at Universal Studios

There are lockers next to certain attractions that require you to store your loose items.

They are free for up to a certain time period. The time period will depend on the wait time of the attraction.

If you go beyond the time frame for holding your items, you will be required to pay a small fee.

Just make sure to take a photo of your locker number.

Trust me when I say that it will save you the headache of trying to remember your locker number when you’ve just got done screaming your head off on Revenge of the Mummy!

Cheat Sheet: Universal Orlando Resort Height Requirements (2024 Guide)

17. Get a Birthday Button

You can grab a free birthday button from Guest Services at Universal Studios Florida.

Professing your birthday to the world may increase your chances of being chosen by Ollivander in the wand presentation show.

Getting a Universal Orlando Birthday button is just one of the free things you can get on your Universal trip.

Hipster Power Tip: It’s not required for you to buy the want; however, tou do have to pay for the wand if you want to keep it even if you’re selected to be a part of the show at Ollivander’s.

18. Enjoy Free Wi-Fi at Universal Orlando

There’s free Wi-Fi throughout all of Universal Studios.

All you have to do is connect to the Wi-Fi on your mobile device as you would normally do and follow the instructions.

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19. Visit CityWalk Orlando

Universal Orlando CityWalk is an entertainment hot spot between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

It’s filled with lots of shops, restaurants, clubs, and more!

If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, then it similar to Disney Springs.

You do not need a ticket for Universal Studios in order to experience CityWalk.

You’re also able to leave Universal Studios (or Islands of Adventure) and enjoy all the CityWalk action , then return back to the parks without needing another ticket.

Ready to start planning your next Universal Orlando vacation? Listen to the  latest podcast episode on Apple  or on your  non-Apple  device now!

20. Get a Milkshake at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

On your trip to Universal Studios you must stop in CityWalk on your way out and have one of the famous Toothsome Chocolate Emporium milkshakes!

Its’ not only an Instagram worthy photo spot , it’s also a must have treat because it’s absolutely delicious.

Voodoo Doughnut Orlando Will Put a Spell on You!

21. Don’t Forget About Free Water

Tap water is free at any restaurant inside Universal Studios and some quick service locations. So, be sure to bring your own water bottle to fill it up during the day.

Get more ways to beat the Florida theme park heat!

22. Grab the Best Souvenirs at Universal Studios Orlando

No trip to Universal Studios is complete without the best souvenirs to remember your day.

One of my best Universal Studios Orlando tips is to check Amazon for souvenirs at a cheaper price.

Let’s go through some of the top items you must get on your trip.

• Wizarding World of Harry Potter wand
• Giant Simpsons doughnut
• Wizard Robe
• Universal Studios T-shirts
• Universal Orlando Trading Pins

Read NEXT: 7 AMAZING Things I Can’t Wait to Do at Universal Epic Universe in 2025!

23. Have Fun!

Whether you’re on your own adult solo Universal Orlando vacation or if you’re with friends, you will have fun!

Save up to 50% on over 25 Things to Do in Orlando: Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND Florida, kids activities, airboat ride, WonderWorks & more TODAY!

What to Know Before You Go to Universal Studios Florida

Now that we have the beginner tips for Universal Studios Florida covered, let’s go through some of the top questions I’m frequently asked for your next trip to this incredible theme park!

What’s the best itinerary for Universal Studios Orlando?

You’ll want to save time on your Universal Orlando trip , so you must have a game-plan to save time and see the most popular attractions.

You can grab your FREE Universal Orlando Resort Guidebook here!

What time does Universal Studios open?

Universal Studios Florida is  open 365 days a year from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.  in the regular season and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the peak season.

Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios in Florida?

The  cost of admission starts at $119, but I like discounts so I use  Groupon or The Park Prodigy  to find cheap Universal Studios tickets.

What should I do first at Universal Studios Orlando?

One of the best Universal Studios Orlando tips that I can give you is to start at Diagon Alley first.

This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the main attraction, Escape from Gringotts, extremely long.

Join the Conversation on the  Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Community on Facebook!

My Final Thoughts on the Best Universal Studios Orlando Tips

Universal Studios Florida is one of the best theme parks in the world! You are bound to have an amazing time if you plan the right way and follow these tips.

Now go out there and start your Universal Orlando theme park adventure today!

Let me know your best Universal Studios Orlando tips in the comment section below?

If you enjoyed the Universal Studios Orlando Tips, then you’ll love these:

• Universal Studios One-Day Itinerary
• Islands of Adventure One-Day Itinerary
• Best Photo Spots at Islands of Adventure
• Diagon Alley Complete Guide
• Best Photo Spots at Universal Studios
• A Celebration of Harry Potter Tips and Tricks
• 7 Ways to Enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade
• What You Need to Pack for Universal Orlando
• Top Money Saving Websites for Theme Parks

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

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.

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(Original Article Date: June 1, 2019/Updated February 17, 2024)

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25 Essential Tips for Universal Studios Orlando

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Visiting a theme park like Universal Studios is so much fun and exciting but it can be chaos if you go in with no plan. With the rising cost of… well, everything these days it can be stressful to plan a vacation of any kind but when you are planning around something like a theme park that will require tickets to enter, food, and so much more you want to make sure that you are saving every dollar that you can, that you plan your trip to make sure you get your money’s worth, and that everything goes as smooth as it possibly can. 

After reading this article, you’ll be armed with all of my favorite Universal Orlando tips that you need for an amazing trip! I’ll cover everything starting with considerations as you book your trip to Universal Studios Florida to how to save money and maximize your experience in the park.

Where to Stay at Universal Orlando – Tips to Decide

If you plan on at least two days at Universal Studios, consider staying at an on-property hotel. They’re extremely convenient and most of them offer perks specific to Universal Orlando resort guests.

The best perks – Unlimited Express Pass and Early Access – are reserved for folks staying at Hard Rock Hotel , Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort . All three are walking distance to the theme parks, which makes it even easier to take advantage of your early park admission. You might even have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter all to yourself!

If you’re looking themed hotel rooms at Universal Studios in Orlando, these Premier Hotels are where you’ll find them as well. These suites all sleep up to 5 people in two separate spaces.

• Hard Rock Hotel – Future Rock Star Suites
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Despicable Me Kid’s Suites
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Jurassic World Kid’s Suites

The downside of Premier Hotels is that they’re really expensive, starting around $400 per night but sometimes as much as $800 per night. But with four Unlimited Express Passes per room (including the day you check in and the day you check out) it might be worth it since those passes start at $130 each for park-to-park visitors.

Lots of people do a “split stay” – one night at a Universal Premier hotel, followed by a few nights at a mid-priced Disney World hotel like Pop Century or Art of Animation . Following that strategy also lets you avoid the extra expense of renting a car – you’ll just need to takeUbers to and from the airport and one between Universal and Walt Disney World.

One of the best Universal Orlando resort tips? To get a Premier room and all its benefits for free, you can apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and use the sign up bonus – worth at least $750 depending on the current promotion – to book through the Ultimate Reward portal. Small business owners can level up by also applying for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card , with a bonus worth $1500 when combined with the Sapphire Reserve.

If you’re not worried about the Express Passes or themed rooms, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a good Universal hotel option at a reasonable price point. You’ll still get Early Park Admission one hour before regular park opening, though you’ll have to take the free shuttle bus or walk 20 minutes to the entrance.

The design choices are fun and lively and when you aren’t at the parks you can dive in to the fantastic pool area (complete with waterslide and lazy river) or enjoy on-site bowling! Cabana Bay offers everything from standard rooms up to 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suites that sleep up to 8 people . Check available room types for your dates.

For those who would rather stay at an amazing off-property hotel that the whole family will love, check out the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes . This newly renovated, ultra-luxe hotel will satisfy high-end hotel lovers. There’s a big brand new water park – just take a look at these photos to see how amazing it looks. Because it’s a little removed from the theme park areas, the JW sits on over 500 acres and has plenty of outdoor areas to explore including ecotours, falconry, fishing and more. The JW Studio has video games, foosball, ski ball, air hockey and more. It’s about a 15 minute drive to Universal Studios Orlando theme parks.

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Tips for Universal Orlando Vacation Booking

Planning is essential when it comes to a successful trip, the more you are planned and prepared for – the more success you will have. Try some of these planning tips when it’s time for you to start planning your Universal Studios trip. 

• Start Planning Early: When it comes to something like Universal Studios, you will want to start planning relatively early. I recommend planning about 6 months to 1 year prior to when you are planning on going. This allows you to time to save the money necessary for your trip as well as booking all of the necessary reservations such as hotel, park tickets, and more.
• Check the Crowd Calendar: When it comes to picking when you want to take your visit, check on the crowd calendar to see peak times to avoid. Universal Orlando lines can be brutal and the park gets extremely busy during peak seasons such as the summer and holiday seasons. Unless you are visiting for a specific occasion, try to plan to visit during the off-season where you may have a less stressful visit and see more of the Universal Orlando resort. Our recent visit on a Monday in mid-October saw very manageable crowds, and many visitors have had success on weekdays in late August and through September.
• Weigh a Multi-Day Trip vs a Park to Park Ticket: One of the first decisions you’ll have to make as you plan your visit to Universal Orlando is whether you should choose a multi-day ticket or a park to park ticket – or you may want to choose a multi-day park to park ticket! There are two Universal Orlando parks within the Universal Studios Florida property as well as a seasonal water park, Volcano Bay. You’ll have to evaluate in advance what you want to do at Universal Studios in the context of all the other things to do in Orlando . If you want to do absolutely everything , a two or three day park to park ticket may be the right fit. On the other hand, if you don’t like thrill rides or are visiting with small children then a one day park to park ticket should do the trick. Why am I specifically recommending park to park tickets over single-park tickets? The Hogwarts Express connects the two parks through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it’s only available with park to park tickets. Don’t buy a single park ticket and then be disappointed! Unlike Walt Disney World , the two main parks at Universal Orlando are an easy walking distance apart so it’s feasible to hop back and forth multiple times per day. There’s also no specific time at which you’re allowed to switch parks. We bounced around several times without issue.

• Know Ride Height Requirements: If you are traveling with younger children, this is an important thing to note. Many of the Universal Studios rides are more intense, both aesthetically and physically, than those at Disney World and have a minimum height requirement. It’s a good idea to check out height requirements prior to visiting the park so you have an idea of what may work for your family and what may not – petite families like ours simply don’t have access to all of the rides, and knowing those limits may help you decide how many days to spend at Universal Studios. One ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure requires riders to be 54″!

Universal Studios Tricks Shortly Before You Visit & At the Parks

• Arrive at the Park Early: If you want to get a jump start on things you will want to arrive to the park early. If you’re staying off-property, you’ll park in the same parking structures that are used for Universal CityWalk and then go to the security pavilion, after which you walk through City Walk to the park entrances. Those security lines can get long! We arrived in the parking structure a little after the 8am opening and it took around 15 minutes to get into the park; by that time there was already a 30 minute wait for our first ride. If you wait until 9am or later to arrive, plan on even longer to get If you’re staying at one of the Universal hotels, you’ll be allowed to arrive one hour before park opening. Be sure to take advantage of that, as you should be able to experience a lot before the real crowds arrive.

• Download the Universal Orlando Resort App Before You Go. While every day is different, you can take a peak at your highest-priority rides and shows a few days or even a week before you visit to see what typical wait times look like. You can also add them to My Favorites for easy access once you’re in the park, and there’s even a Wait Time Alert feature to let you know when the lines have gotten shorter and you should head over. You’ll also want to use the app for mobile food ordering, so be sure to get it set up before you get to the park.
• Have a Rough Plan For Your Day. While flexibility is critical, it’s good to arrive at Universal Studios Florida with a general idea of how you’re going to divide your time and prioritize experiences. That’s especially true if you have park to park tickets. For example, our kids really wanted to ride Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and it’s near the entrance to Universal Studios Florida. We also planned for the biggest chunk of our day to be spent in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so we hit Minions first and then gunned it over to Diagon Alley and got in line to pick out wands at Ollivanders. If we’d wanted to ride Escape from Gingotts, that would have been a great choice as soon as arriving in the area since the line can get extremely long. We also knew that we wanted to hop over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure to experience Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts Castle with enough time to return to Universal Studios Florida for the last run of Bourne Stuntacular – don’t miss that show! Sitting down with the app in advance and making a rough plan for the day will serve you well. Of course it’s important to know which park you’ll be starting at. Generally they both open at the same time but one park has Early Park Admission for guests staying on-property. If you’re staying on site that’s the obvious place to start, while if you’re staying in an independent hotel you may find smaller crowds at the other park.
• Plan To Attend Some Shows. Universal Studios Orlando offers plenty of great entertainment at no extra charge. The trick is to get a handle on their schedules in advance, as they can be pretty limited some days. For example The Tales of Beedle the Bard in Diagon Alley only runs 10am to 3:30pm some days.
• If you see a souvenir you like, buy it. Once you enter Diagon Alley you’ll realize that a huge portion of its real estate is actually shopping. There are some fun, unique items that you’ll only find there and in other shops within the themed lands of the Universal Studios theme parks. While there’s a large Universal shop on CityWalk, it doesn’t always get the same merchandise as the smaller locations within the parks. That’s somewhat of a contrast to Walt Disney World, where you’ll find an enormous variety (nearly everything) at both the Disney Springs World of Disney store as well as the Emporium in Magic Kingdom.

Money Saving Tips for Universal Studios

No matter who you are and when you are visiting, I know we all love to save as much money as we can! A trip to Universal Studios can be pretty pricey but there are some tricks to saving a little bit of money.

• Buy Tickets Online: The easiest way to save money on Universal Studios tickets is to buy them in advance from a legitimate source. You’ll save a few dollars person on a 1 day park to park ticket, but a family buying a 2 day ticket can easily save over $100! You’ll also save precious time at the gate.
• Consider Ticket/Resort Packages: If you’ve decided to stay at a Universal Studios hotel, you might score a great deal by booking the hotel and tickets together as a package .
• Check for Deals/Specials: Often times Universal will run deals and promotions that will provide you some savings. These may include multi-day ticket purchases at a discounted rate and more! You can find current deals here .
• Check for Discounts: There are a few qualifications that may get you a discounted rate when it comes to purchasing Universal tickets. For example, they offer a discounted cost to both Military personnel (active, retired, and spouse of the military) AAA members, and Florida residents.
• Bring Water and Snacks. Universal Studios Florida allows you to bring up to 2 liters of water along with snacks and even a small soft-sided cooler. They don’t have facilities for heating up food, but feel free to pack sandwiches or even cheese, crackers and apples for an easy, cost-effective lunch. You might want to bring enough food for lunch and an afternoon snack and then you can plan for dinner on CityWalk as soon as the parks close. (We ate lunch at Three Broomsticks and were underwhelmed by the balance of quality vs price.)

• Choose Dining Options Wisely. Lots of Universal tips will tell you to eat tons of thematic snacks in the theme parks. But if you are going to purchase food at Universal Studios Orlando, choose wisely! We liked the ice cream at Florian Fortescue’s but found most of the candies at Honeydukes to be gimmicky and not great. TODAY Cafe has a surprisingly nice range of breakfast/brunch/lunch options and pastries for an afternoon snack – we mobile ordered breakfast while in line for our first ride and then picked it up when we were done! For a quick lunch, I’ve heard solid recommendations for Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck at Universal Studios and Green Eggs and Ham in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. One thing to be sure you try? A nice refreshing cup of butterbeer!

• Buy Shirts Online Before You Go. This one is straightforward, but you don’t have to wait until you arrive at Universal Studios or City Walk to buy your themed shirts for the day. You’ll spend less and enjoy a bigger selection if you purchase them in advance! We chose all of ours from this extensive selection .

Time Saving Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks

If you are looking to make the most of your trip and ensure that you have an action packed day, then you may want to keep these time savings tips and tricks in mind when it comes to planning out your day.

• Consider Universal Express Passes : Although it’s pretty pricey, the Universal Express Pass may be worth the money if you are visiting during a busier time of the year and you want to do everything at Universal in just one day. You may want to consider Universal Studios premier resorts , which include the Universal Express Pass with your stay. The cost could make it worth booking at one of these hotels compared to a value resort, especially since you’ll be walking distance to the park’s entrance. Combined with early admission, you can really make the most of limited time this way!
• Don’t Rely Exclusively on Hogwarts Express to Park Hop: I get it. The whole reason most people feel compelled to buy a Universal park to park ticket is to ride the Hogwarts Express. It’s very cool and definitely adds to the magical feeling of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides! That said, as the day progresses the wait time can be upwards of an hour. The two parks are plenty close to walk between – less than 10 minutes from gate to gate.

• Use the Single Riders Line: Most Universal attractions offer a single riders line. Here you will face a significantly shorter wait time and will in turn have the opportunity to fit more into your day. Contrary to the name of the single rider’s line, quite often you will find that you will still get to ride in the same ride car as your partner or group but you just may not be sitting right next to them. If you’re visiting Universal Studios without kids or your kids are older and don’t mind, that’s a great tradeoff for a much shorter line. 
• Utilize the Universal Orlando App : Having the Universal Orlando app is very beneficial when you are visiting the parks. You can find resources including a park map, ride and attractions wait times, scheduled show times, and more!
• Skip Sit-Down Dinner in the Theme Parks (If You Can): This tip won’t work for everyone, but if you’re able to push your group for a late dinner at City Walk you’ll be able to take advantage of the quieter night hours at Universal Studios. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is often open later than Universal Studios Florida but sometimes everything is done by 7pm or 8pm. We didn’t do this an instead opted for a nice dinner at Mythos, the interior of Poseidon’s cave pictured above. The food was very good and it’s a beautifully themed restaurant, but we missed out on the last 90 minutes of park time. It was the right choice for our family after three days of hustling around theme parks (and we had a very special 11th birthday to celebrate) but if we go again we’ll probably make a different choice.

What To Bring To Universal Studios Orlando Tips

If you don’t read any other Universal Orlando tips, be sure to review these!

• Wear the most comfortable shoes you can find. I brought these sneakers for our trip to Orlando and they worked out great even through we covered a whopping 23 miles in three days. We hit 20,000 steps just on our day at Universal Studios!
• Since you’ll be walking a ton and Orlando is almost never cold, prepare to drink a lot of water. All eateries in Universal Orlando will give you a free cup, or you can use Coke Freestyle machines for water anywhere you see them. Since we are a family of four and we like to stay hydrated, we brought a hydration bladder in our backpack in addition to a smaller insulated bottle. Collectively we went through about 6 liters of water, so I was very glad we brought the bladder! Otherwise we would have been stopping constantly to refill instead of bouncing from one activity to another.

• If you want to be chosen at Ollivander’s, you have to dress the part. My son was the lucky young wizard chosen for the wand receiving ceremony! I think he had a few factors weighing in his favor. First, he and his sister came fully decked out in their house shirts and robes. Second, it was his 11th birthday and he had the official Universal Studios pin given out at guest services. Third, while waiting for our turn with Mr. Ollivander we chatted up our escort and made sure she knew that he was there for his 11th birthday because that’s when all young witches and wizards matriculate at Hogwarts. She could tell we were into it and I think she gave a nod to Mr. Ollivander himself. Even if it isn’t your birthday, I think coming in costume with one of these robes will help your case!
• The #1 item to put on your Universal Studios Orlando packing list? An external battery pack , without question, is the most important thing to bring on your Universal Orlando trip. When I polled my Facebook group the day before traveling it was everyone’s top recommendation and they were right! Between taking photos and videos, tracking my kids on their AirTags , refreshing the Universal app to check wait times and show schedules, and ordering food I ended up needing a second battery back. Fortunately I had ordered this one right before our trip and it worked incredibly well. There’s also a version for non-iPhones .

Visiting Universal Orlando FAQS

The best way to get the most out of your time at Universal Orlando is to decide on your priorities. Whether you love thrill rides or can’t get enough of casting spells with the interactive wants in Diagon Alley, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to do absolutely everyone in a single visit to Universal Studios unless you spend lots of time there. Don’t stress out, leave the FOMO behind, and have a blast doing what’s meaningful to you!

Yes, we brought this backpack and it worked perfectly. I also attached this partner to it, which was extremely helpful when our family opted to divide and conquer – it was the perfect Universal Studios trick to make sure we could each still carry the essentials without being bogged down.

For rides that are physically intense – and you’ll find quite a few at Universal Studios Orlando – there are free lockers to stash your stuff before you get on the ride.

Many first time visitors to Universal Studios feel like they’ve had their fill after one or two days of park to park tickets. If you’re visiting in the warm weather and don’t have other plans for Orlando, consider adding another day for Volcano Bay. Sometimes you’ll find promotions here that give you two free days when you buy two, but personally I think that four days would feel pretty repetitive and there are plenty of other great things to do in Orlando !

Planning Your Visit to Universal Studios Orlando Theme Parks And Beyond

If you are planning a trip to visit Universal Studios Florida, I strongly recommend making a plan to maximize your experience. I hope that some of our experiences and Universal tips for first-timers help you in planning your Universal vacation. Just remember: there’s no one best way to do Universal Studios, only your way!

Be sure to read these articles as you plan the rest of your amazing trip to Orlando:

• Fantastic Things to do in Orlando With Tweens
• 25 Tips for Disney World That Won’t Make You Crazy
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Review: Is It As Good As You’ve Heard?
• Disney All-Star Music Resort Reviews: A Repeat Visitor’s Inside Scoop
• Transportation From MCO to Port Canaveral: 5 Ways to Get to The Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal
• Complete Guide to Visiting Kennedy Space Center: Tips & Tricks
• Attainable Bucket List Item: Swim With Manatees in Crystal River, Florida
• Fun Things to do in Sarasota with Kids: A Delightful Weekend Getaway
• Hyatt Regency Sarasota Review: Family-Friendly Fun
• 15 Wonderful Things to do in Clearwater with Kids (and Their Parents!)
• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Review: A Weekend Getaway Wrapped in a Bow
• Things To Do In Miami With Kids: A Weekend Getaway For All Ages

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• Saving Time and Money at Universal Orlando: Top 10 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

You’ve reached our world-famous list of the top 10 easiest ways to save time and money when visiting Universal Orlando Resort! Utilize these tips both when planning your vacation and once you arrive at any of the three parks – Universal Studios Florida , Islands of Adventure , and Volcano Bay  – to maximize your precious vacation time and to make your trip budget stretch further.

Tip #1: Buy your tickets in advance

The number-one easiest way to save money and a heck of a lot of time is to purchase your theme park tickets and Express Passes online before your trip. You can often save around 20% on multi-day tickets just by buying online, and even single-day admission occasionally has discounts when purchased ahead of time.

In addition to saving you a sizeable chunk of change, buying in advance often lets you go straight to the gate – heck, even will-call passes can be picked up at the will-call kiosks with little-to-no wait. Needless to say, this will save you a ton of time versus waiting in the main line with other guests who haven’t even thought about purchasing admission until they’ve walked up to the park gates. (Just be sure to read the fine print on whether your tickets will let you walk right to the entrance or if you’ll need to pick them up from will-call.)

This is absolutely a win-win situation for you (and Universal) – you can save a ton of money, and you don’t have to wait in the terribly long lines at the ticket windows.

Opt for convenience and savings by securing your Universal Orlando Resort admission and Express Passes through us at Orlando Informer here !

Tip #2: Don’t forget to check out authorized third-party ticket sellers, but avoid heavily discounted tickets

Reputable authorized Universal ticket sellers can be found online both in the United States and abroad, and they often have discounts not available on the main Universal site. Orlando Informer is an authorized retailer of Universal Orlando Resort admission, and you can view available discounted tickets and Express Passes here !

Be sure to do your due diligence to check references and reviews before purchasing. Some third-party sellers even have discounts on hotels and experience add-ons, so this strategy is worth adding to your planning arsenal. By the same token, if you are offered heavily discounted tickets, and all you have to do is meet someone behind a Red Lobster to get them (we actually had a friend who did this), you are probably not going to get legitimate passes. In this case, you are most likely buying partially used tickets or the complimentary ones given out to Universal’s team members, which are not allowed to be transferred to another guest. If you unwittingly try to use one of these shady tickets, you may not be allowed to enter the park – and, just as bad, you likely won’t have recourse to get your money back.

Tip #3: Know what you want to buy before you drop your cash

In general, Universal Orlando admission tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable , so be sure you know what you want before you take the plunge and make that exciting – but expensive – purchase. However, if you’ve truly made an error or require an admission change, contact your ticket seller or Universal directly, depending on where you purchased your passes, to see what options might be available.

Also, as we mentioned, the ticket rules typically prohibit the transfer of ownership of your partially used tickets to another person or to a third-party vendor; if you do so, the person who ends up buying the remainder of your admission may not be able to use it.

Tip #4: Consider becoming an annual passholder

There are several reasons to think about buying one or more annual passes (known to diehard Universal fans as a “UOAP”) when arranging your Universal Orlando Resort vacation. Perhaps you’re planning a longer stay, or maybe you know you’ll be back to visit more than once within a calendar year. In either of these scenarios, it’s worth doing the math on the ticket prices to see if going the annual route is the best option for you. Visit our complete insider’s guide to annual passes for the full scoop.

(Note: before you take the plunge on an UOAP, be sure you understand the differences between the different types of passes, especially when it comes to the blockout dates – you wouldn’t want to buy an AP specifically for your trip, only to find that your particular pass is blocked from entry on those dates!)

In addition to the straight-ticket-versus-annual-pass calculation, there are added benefits to being a passholder at Universal: all levels of passes are eligible for some discounts and perks, which may change throughout the year. You would also have access to passholder hotel rates (which are nothing to sneeze at!), and keep in mind that only one member of your party needs to be a passholder in order to book a resort hotel room with the discounted rate.

Tip #5: Stay at a premier Universal hotel to get Express Passes for the whole gang

If you choose to stay at one of Universal Orlando Resort’s premier hotels , you’ll get plenty of perks, including Early Park Admission and close proximity to the parks (with free resort transportation). But one of the best benefits, in our opinion, is that everyone who books a room at Portofino Bay Hotel , Hard Rock Hotel , or Royal Pacific Resort will get an unlimited Express Pass for each guest in that room (subject to room capacity, of course) for every day of your stay – including check-in and check-out days. This not-so-secret trick may net you an awesome resort stay and unlimited Express access for about what you’d pay for a regular hotel and Express Passes if you were going to buy them for your traveling party individually. We give an in-depth explanation of this awesome benefit here .

Tip #6: If you are buying Express Passes at the park, do so after you get inside

Whenever Universal Orlando is moderately busy, temporary Express Pass sales kiosks are brought out and placed at the very front of the entry area to the theme parks – and because these are so visible, they usually attract long lines. That’s why you should know that there are additional kiosks just steps inside the gates of both theme parks, and since guests usually want to rush to the attractions after waiting to get through the turnstiles, these extra Express locations inside the park entrances usually have no waits at all. We took this picture literally minutes after the picture above:

Tip #7: Check out the My Universal Photo packages

Although we all carry our phone/camera around in our pockets these days, there’s a good chance you’ll want a souvenir of your trip in the form of a group shot at the front of the park, or maybe you got caught with a hilarious ride photo on Revenge of the Mummy . In that case, we recommend considering a My Universal Photos package, which can be purchased beforehand for significant savings.

If you decide to simply buy photo prints as you go, you could end up paying $20.00 or more for a print at each ride. With a My Universal Photos package, you can get a one-day package for $69.99 (plus tax) or a three-day photo package for $89.99 for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. A one-day photo package for Volcano Bay will run you $39.99 plus tax. If your trip is even longer, or if you’re planning multiple vacations within one calendar year, a 30-day digital package for $119.99 or a one-year digital package for $139.99 can give you some significant savings versus buying individual prints. We recommend you check out all the offerings on both the Universal Orlando website and the Amazing Pictures site (which has been known to have seasonal sales, especially around Black Friday) to review the add-ons and inclusions that would best suit your family. For all the ins and outs of this program, don’t forget to visit our complete guide to My Universal Photos and ride photos.

Tip #8: Bring a backpack and rent a locker for the day

Packing a park bag is a particularly good idea if you plan on going on water rides or if you are visiting during a time of the year when the temperature changes considerably from day to night (this saves you both the time from heading back to the hotel to change and the money from having to pay theme-park prices on duplicate pieces of clothing). Simply rent a locker for the day, and you’ll have your gear much closer, without having to carry it around all day.

The lockers at the front of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and all throughout Volcano Bay, can be rented for a flat rate for the day (around $14, depending on the size you’ll need), and you may open and close them as many times as you want on that day. See our complete locker guide for more information.

To put this into an example for you, when we are going to  Mardi Gras  in February at Universal Studios Florida, and we know it may get cold in the evening, we’ll bring a bag with jackets to the parks and rent a locker. After we stow our gear, we head over to Islands of Adventure and play for the day; then, in the evening, when we come back to Universal Studios for the parade and/or concert, our jackets are waiting for us in the locker. This is a great way to avoid spending $50 per person on Universal sweatshirts. The same can be said for unexpected rain showers – a few emergency ponchos that cost less than a dollar at your local grocery store may save you from buying $20 Universal-branded ones when the heavens open up. This is Florida, after all, but that daily afternoon summer thunderstorm can catch visitors off guard.

When it comes to bringing a bag, you may carry your extra items for your theme-park day, like additional clothes and sunscreen, in bags and backpacks of a reasonable size – you just cannot bring any bags with hard sides or wheels, like a cooler, into the parks (soft-sided coolers are allowed if they’re no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep). And, of course, you cannot bring any weapons or alcohol onto Universal property at all.

Tip #9: Use your AAA membership for discounts

For AAA members, most dining locations and shops at Universal offer 10% off select food and merchandise purchases. While this may not seem like much on any one single transaction, over the course of three or four days the savings will certainly add up. (And don’t forget that some of the full-service restaurants at Universal’s hotels also offer an AAA discount.)

Tip #10: Address any issues with Guests Services or team members before you leave

No service or venue in the world is perfect, and Universal (or any theme-park operator, for that matter) is no different – rides break down, lines can be long, and Murphy’s Law doesn’t take a vacation like you do.

If you happen to have a negative experience while you’re in the parks, don’t let it fester in your mind and ruin your trip – simply visit Guest Services at the front of the parks and let them know what’s up. Chances are good that they’ll acknowledge the shortcoming and work with you to rectify it. If you try to address your grievances while you’re still at Universal (versus once you get home), Guest Services may be able to provide options that will be useful to you right then and there. If you’re already home, however, then chances are whatever they offer will only be useful on your next visit – and, for many families, that could be years away.

Bonus tip: the lines for Guest Services inside the theme parks are usually much shorter than the lines outside the parks. So, if possible, get inside the turnstiles before you head there.

Now that we’ve shared all our secrets for saving time and money at Universal, you’re ready to dive into planning your trip! Head to our Universal Planning Center for hundreds of pages of info and all the knowledge we have to share on the complete Universal experience, which is helpful for first-time visitors and seasoned theme-park goers alike. Keep calm and plan on!

OI Universal Center »  The Script: TICKETS, PACKAGES & PLANNING

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• 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?

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Universal Orlando guide: Tips from frequent visitors

When I was a kid, we went to an Orlando theme park at least once a year. You had to plan a few things in advance, but visiting an amusement park wasn't what it is today. With all the apps, reservation timelines and rules, planning the "perfect" trip to any major theme park has become a massive endeavor.

Just thinking about planning the trip is enough to give me hives. The stakes are so high — pricey admission, reservation deadlines for everything from character breakfasts to dinners at popular restaurants and all sorts of add-ons to get into the theme parks before the masses and skip the lines. There's so much to know.

However, we really wanted to visit Universal Orlando on a family vacation , so I needed to overcome my planning paralysis. I'm happy to say that — with some strategic decisions upfront — we were able to execute an awesome visit to Universal with a minimal amount of advance planning.

If you're a first-time visitor to Universal Orlando, here's what you need to know to plan your own vacation.

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When to visit

The date for your visit to Universal Orlando may not be entirely up to you.

If you're traveling with school-age children, you're likely locked into visiting during school vacations, long weekends and summer break. If that's the case, you'll probably visit Universal when it's at its busiest. That's not the end of the world, though, since there are ways to reduce the waits for lines. More on that in a minute.

You can check expected crowd levels at crowd calendars like the ones at Undercover Tourist, Touringplans or Orlando Informer .

The slower times of the year are Labor Day through the first two weeks of November (before Thanksgiving) and the first two weeks of December (before the holiday rush). Note, though, that if you visit close to Halloween, it will be busier because of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights .

Most of January, except for the first week, is also relatively quiet, as is the first week of February. But then it gets crazy with spring breakers. Crowds thin out a bit after Easter and through May, then ramp up again for the summertime. June, July and August are always busy. Always. And, as an added bonus, it's extremely hot.

For our first visit in a zillion years, I picked a quiet time in early November so any planning blunders on my part would be minimized by the lack of intense crowds.

Related: 10 things no one tells you about Orlando

Where to stay during a Universal Orlando vacation

Once you've ironed out when you plan to visit Universal, you'll want to determine where to stay.

You have a ton of options, from hotels right on Universal property and nearby points hotels to rental homes and Airbnbs . There are so many choices that TPG wrote an entire guide to choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip .

Let's recap the high points here.

Benefits of Universal hotels

If you only have a few days to explore Universal and don't mind the cost, an on-site property may be your best bet. That's because guests of all Universal hotels receive early entry into the parks for specific attractions.

Which parks open for early admission vary by day and only certain attractions are available. However, they tend to be the popular rides with lines that grow once the gates open to regular parkgoers. There's a helpful page on the Universal site to figure out what's available to on-site hotel guests. With some rides in each of the two parks available, that should also help spread out the crowds just a bit.

It's a nice freebie, and it's the best strategy if you have your heart set on riding Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure without spending hours in line. Currently, this ride does not participate in Universal's Express Pass skip-the-line program.

If you stay in one of Universal's on-site hotels, you can take advantage of the park's complimentary transportation options to get between CityWalk, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and your hotel.

Some hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel , Loews Royal Pacific Resort , Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offer complimentary boat shuttles.

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort , Universal's Aventura Hotel and the above-mentioned hotels have peaceful walking paths and all resorts, including Universal's budget-friendly Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites, have complimentary shuttle buses.

The downside of staying at a Universal hotel is often the price. Rack rates are usually relatively high, though Universal's Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites — have rates that start at $91 per night on off-peak dates.

The mid-tier resorts, Aventura and Cabana Bay, start at closer to $130 per night.

Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

But if you prefer to stay at one of Universal's top-end Premier hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay), you're probably looking at starting rates around $325 per night. However, you'll also get complimentary Universal Express skip-the-line passes for every guest staying in your room.

We'll explain that in more detail down below, but it's a huge timesaver and may be worth the extra per-night cost of staying on-site.

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum® Card from American Express , a great way to maximize a stay at Loews Portofino Bay is to book via the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts collection .

This will get you not only the Express Passes for all guests of that hotel but also full daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit, late 4 p.m. checkout and more.

Staying off-site

Universal is surrounded by plenty of points hotels, so if you'd prefer to stay off-site — on points or cash — you can easily do so. Some of TPG's favorite nearby points hotels are even within walking distance of Universal.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

Here are a few points hotels within walking distance of Universal:

• Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort (Category 2, from 6,500 World of Hyatt points per night).
• Hyatt House Across From Universal Resort (Category 3, from 9,000 World of Hyatt points per night).
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando (Around 30,0000 Hilton Honors points per night).

And some great points hotels that are just a short drive away:

• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Category 4, from 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night).
• Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld (From 34,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes (From 52,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• JW Marriott Grande Lakes (From 40,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• Hilton Orlando (40,000 to 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night).
• Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (40,000 to 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night).
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando (63,000 to 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night).

Related: Choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip

All about Universal tickets

Visitors have a lot of options when it comes to buying Universal tickets, from the type of ticket to how you'll pay for them. Here's the skinny.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT UNIVERSAL VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S THEME PARK BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Universal ticket types

There's a variety of ticket types at Universal Orlando. You can buy tickets that get you into one, two or three theme parks (i.e., Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park).

You can purchase tickets for one, two, three, four or five days. The cheapest tickets allow access to one park per day. So, if you start your day at Universal Studios, you can't use the same ticket to get into Islands of Adventure in the afternoon. You're limited to one park per day. This sounds good but isn't always a great choice.

Alternatively, you can buy the pricier Park-to-Park tickets that allow you to bop between the theme parks as you wish. These tickets may be more expensive, but they give you the greatest amount of freedom to visit more than one park on the same day.

Related: From Butterbeer to magic wands: Everything you need to know about Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and Kings Cross Station, you need a Park-to-Park ticket or an Annual/Seasonal Pass.

There's no way around that requirement since Hogsmeade Station is in Islands of Adventure and Kings Cross Station is in Universal Studios. Basically, Universal's got you cornered on this one.

If you're going to visit for more than a couple of days or potentially twice in 12 months, consider a Universal annual pass .

When I planned our trip, Universal was running a promotion that would have given us extra days in the parks for free. But when I crunched the numbers, a Florida resident annual pass was only $8 per ticket more expensive than the tickets for one trip, so we went with the annual pass.

Buying direct from Universal

Universal Orlando almost always has ticket specials on its website. Read the options carefully to see if any of the promotions make sense for you. The special may throw in a free day at the park(s), an Express Pass or discounted admission to the Volcano Bay water park .

Related: How to get the most out of one day at Universal Orlando

Buying tickets from other vendors

You can also buy tickets from reputable vendors like Undercover Tourist . What's great about Undercover Tourist is that it often has some older tickets available so when prices increase each year, you can often still buy a cheaper ticket from them.

It's worth bookmarking their site to comparison shop. Purchases from Undercover Tourist code as travel for the purposes of using a travel credit card or earning extra points.

Related: Best credit cards to use for Universal Studios

And although you can't typically purchase stand-alone Universal tickets at Costco, Costco Travel does sell Universal vacation packages that include tickets and on-site hotel nights.

You'll even get a Costco Shop Card after your visit. Check out pricing for your dates to see if it represents a better deal versus booking through other methods.

Using points to buy Universal tickets

Historically, it was possible to use Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points to purchase your Universal Orlando theme park admission , though our most recent searches didn't turn up any availability.

Upgrade to skip the lines

Like so many amusement parks around the world that have skip-the-line passes , Universal has its own version called Universal Express. There are a few ways you can get Universal Express passes.

Related: Is Universal's Express Pass worth it? TPG tested how much time it really saves you in line

The best way is often to get it included in your stay, as mentioned above. Guests staying at any of the three top-of-the-line Universal Premier hotels — Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort — get Universal Express Unlimited for free as registered guests.

This is huge as the starting cost if purchased separately is more than $100 per day, per person. For a family of four, getting it with your room rate is almost certainly a better deal than buying it.

Note: The Premier level of the Universal annual pass includes Express Pass access beginning at 4 p.m.

Another option is to simply buy an Express Pass when you need it. How much you pay depends on the type of pass you buy and when you visit Universal, as passes cost more when crowd levels are high. Here are the three types of Express Passes you can buy:

Universal Express: This is the base version of the skip-the-queue pass. It allows you to skip the regular line one time per participating ride at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. Prices start at $79.99 per person, per day for one park and go up from there — sometimes as high as $279.99 per day.

Universal Express Unlimited: The unlimited pass lets you skip the regular lines at participating rides as many times as you wish at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Passes for that privilege start at $109.99 per person, per day. Pricing for the unlimited passes seems to be running about $30 more per day than the normal express passes, which may make them the better value (assuming you can afford a second mortgage).

Volcano Bay Express: This pass is solely for use at Volcano Bay water park, where it allows you to skip the regular line one time per participating ride. The pass starts at $19.99 per person, per day, but you won't find that rate very often.

Participating rides and attractions are subject to change, so it's best to consult Universal Orlando's website before your visit.

When I visited, just about every ride we wanted was included in the Universal Express Unlimited, with the exception of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Hagrid's is an incredible ride that has also seen some incredible wait times since opening. Alas, unless you purchase a VIP tour, your anticipation of rides that aren't included in Universal Express like Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be rivaled only by your time waiting in line.

Take a VIP tour

Another way to avoid the lines is to take a VIP tour. There are small group and private VIP tours at Universal and both will help you cut the line.

Summer Hull, a director at TPG, took her family on a private VIP experience at Universal and it included walk-on ride access during the tour, as well as Express Passes and dining credit after the official tour was over.

A private tour will cost a few thousand dollars for the day for your group, but small group VIP experiences can be much less expensive, starting at less than $200 per person.

The primary difference between the two tours is the amount of access. The group tours are obviously less private but also only guarantee that you'll experience front-of-the-line access for eight to 10 rides. A private VIP tour is charged by the hour and operates at a faster or slower pace as you prefer.

Whether you decide to purchase an Express Pass or take a VIP tour will likely be determined by how crowded the park is during your visit, as well as your budget.

If it's off-season, you may be able to get away without a skip-the-line pass. But if you're visiting during a holiday week or school vacation, be prepared for long lines without a pass. On those dates, having an Express Pass will allow you to ride more attractions in less time.

Universal's child-swap policy

If you travel as a family, you know that not everyone will want to go on every ride. And some of your kids may not yet be old or tall enough to ride some attractions that your other kids are dying to try.

Universal solves the problem of the entire family having to choose between experiencing a ride or not with its child-swap program.

In fact, Universal's child swap is the best in the business as there are (air-conditioned) waiting areas in some key attractions. Most even have televisions showing whichever movie the attraction is based on.

This allows one member of your party to watch over small children while the rest of the gang waits in line and rides. Then you can swap places so the other member can enjoy the ride too, without another long wait. Just ask the attraction attendant to point you toward the designated waiting spots.

What's at Universal Orlando?

Although it's not as large ( yet ) as Walt Disney World , Universal Orlando has plenty for your family to see and do for several days. There are two theme parks, a water park and an entertainment, dining and shopping complex.

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk are arranged in a triangle around a small lake. The Volcano Bay water park is separated a bit from these three destinations.

Universal Studios

One of Universal's two theme parks, Universal Studios has eight sections. You enter through an impressive arch and, if you walk straight, are immediately in Production Central with attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Transformers: The Ride-3D.

If you take a right after you enter the park, you're in Hollywood, where you'll find the NBC Media Center, Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show, the Bourne Stuntacular and the Character Party Zone.

A lot of the attractions in both Production Central and Hollywood are better saved for when the day starts getting hot. You get to sit in blissful air-conditioning at these shows: Minion Mayhem, the Bourne Stuntacular and the Horror Make-Up Show.

If you've got little kids, turn right upon entry and walk through Hollywood so you can start immediately at Woody Woodpecker's KidZone.

From there, enjoy Springfield: Home of the Simpsons. I'm no kid, but I loved Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl ride!

If your kids are older, bypass those kid-centric areas and make Men in Black Alien Attack in World Expo your first ride of the day. After you ride, you are perfectly positioned to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley first thing in the morning.

Get in line for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts before the line gets too long.

Then, explore Ollivanders and Gringotts Money Exchange and see a few shows (we saw The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees). Kids love talking with Stan and the Knight Bus conductor. Don't miss a meal at the Leaky Cauldron or ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.

If you have a Park-to-Park ticket, you can decide to take the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station (next to Leicester Square) to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure.

If you have a one-park ticket, you won't be able to ride the Hogwarts Express and will instead continue your exploration of Universal Studios.

As you depart The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley, keep to the right to enter San Francisco.

If you didn't opt for a butterbeer in Hogwarts, this is a fantastic spot to stop for lunch or a snack since most of what you'll find here are restaurants, including the city's famous seafood restaurant, Lombard's. There is also one ride here: Fast & Furious — Supercharged.

From San Francisco, continue on to New York, where you don't want to miss Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (another great get-out-of-the-heat, rest-your-feet experience) and Revenge of the Mummy. Hang around, too, to see some shows like the Blues Brothers or Marilyn & the Diamond Bellas.

Once you've had your fill of the Big Apple, continue back along the main thoroughfare to Production Central and Hollywood, if you skipped those in the morning.

In the evening, don't miss Universal Studios' nighttime extravaganza. Called the Cinematic Celebration and centered at the theme park's lagoon, it combines music, films, water and light.

You can also see a daytime fountain and music show at this same lagoon. Check the daily program or official Universal Orlando app for times.

Islands of Adventure

The second Universal theme park is Islands of Adventure. Your best call here is to arrive as soon as the gates open and walk quickly to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Both are at the opposite end of the park from the entry gates, so it will be a walk but enjoying the busiest rides in the park without crushing crowds is worth it.

If roller coasters aren't your thing (and you aren't prone to motion sickness), get in line instead to see Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is where you'll ride a broomstick and it really is a fantastic attraction.

After that, ride Flight of the Hippogriff, a gentler roller coaster. (If you can ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World, Flight of the Hippogriff will be no big deal). Or you can simply walk around Hogsmeade for some fun photos without throngs of other guests in the background.

After you've done the ride, explore Hogsmeade itself and see some shows (we saw the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally) and watch a wand choose a wizard at Ollivanders (if you didn't see the same experience at Diagon Alley already).

Grab a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks or adjacent Hog's Head and then continue on to the other lands of Islands of Adventure.

When you leave The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can go in either direction. For our purposes, let's pretend you walk to Jurassic Park first. Here you'll visit Camp Jurassic where kids will enjoy the Pteranodon Flyers. You can also take the Jurassic Park River Adventure and have a "raptor encounter."

There are plenty of places to pick up fast food here, from pizza and ribs to burgers and nachos.

Next up, you can ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong before hitting Toon Lagoon, where your kids can cool off in some sprinklers, or you can all ride Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls flume (warning: you will get very wet).

As you dry off from that heart-pounding experience, head to Marvel Super Hero Island, where you can meet Marvel characters and ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster (it's an intense one).

If you have some daredevils in the family — or Marvel fans — you'll spend a good amount of time here.

Beyond the Incredible Hulk coaster is the entrance to the park. Continue from there to Seuss Landing.

Even though we didn't have any kids in tow, we still enjoyed walking through this bright and cheery land and we even rode the Caro-Seuss-el merry-go-round and The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.

There's also a Seuss character zone and plenty of other rides and attractions that are specifically designed for the little ones.

The Last Continent is just beyond Seuss Landing. There's a neat interactive experience called The Mystic Fountain. Seriously, start talking to it and you'll be mesmerized.

You can also take on Poseidon's Fury in a special-effects guided tour or stop to dine on Mediterranean-style food at Doc Sugrue's Kebab House, Fire Eater's Grill or Mythos Restaurant.

Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is Universal's water park. This park can close because of chilly weather or during lightning storms. Check Universal's schedule to see if it is slated to be open during your visit. Volcano Bay has everything you'd expect of an exceptional water park, like Waturi Beach with a fantastic lagoon for swimming and Kopiko Wai Winding River.

There are also some incredible waterslides and drops and the Ko'okiri Body Plunge that features a 70-degree fall through a drop door and 125 feet of what Universal calls "white-knuckle fun."

Thrillseekers love the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, where you plunge right through a waterfall, and TeAwa The Fearless River whitewater ride through churning rapids and waves.

COVID-19 restrictions are pretty limited at Volcano Bay. Masks are required when entering and exiting the park, as well as in restaurants (when you're not actively eating) and in retail locations. They're not permitted on the water rides themselves.

As if two theme parks and a massive water park weren't enough, Universal also offers CityWalk.

This complex of restaurants, shops and clubs is open during the day, but it really heats up at night with free self-parking after 6 p.m. You don't need tickets to enter, but you can buy tickets for shows at the Hard Rock Cafe.

You'll also find restaurants such as Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, Bob Marley — A Tribute to Freedom and Pat O'Brien's that offer live (and recorded) music. There's a movie theater (free parking with the purchase of two movie matinee tickets), karaoke club (CityWalk's Rising Star), miniature golf and the Red Coconut Club and The Groove for dancing.

There are plenty of spots to dine too. You can grab snacks like pizza, hotdogs and Panda Express Chinese food and sweets from Voodoo Doughnuts.

Or you can have a more substantial meal at restaurants like the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, VIVO Italian Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and more.

We had a fantastic dinner at Bigfire, where the pork chop was the juiciest I've ever eaten.

Universal's boat shuttles that take you back to its resorts are right at CityWalk so it's convenient to spend the day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure and then have dinner at CityWalk and go shopping before heading back to your hotel for the night.

And a third park coming …

Universal Orlando announced a new theme park, a third gate at Universal Orlando, back in 2019. A massive 750-acre tract of land located not far from the two existing theme parks was to be the site for the new park.

Dubbed Epic Universe , the new park is rumored to house franchises like Fantastic Beasts, a Harry Potter spin-off, Super Nintendo World and Universal Classic Monsters. Construction was delayed due to the pandemic, but the new park is on track to open sometime in the summer of 2025.

The best credit cards to use at Universal

Now we get to a hot topic for points-and-miles travelers who are planning a trip to Universal Orlando. Which credit card should you use? That depends.

For example, how and where you purchase your theme park tickets will dictate how the charge will be coded. Historically speaking, Universal theme park tickets and VIP tours purchased directly from Universal have coded as "entertainment."

However, tickets purchased at an on-site Universal hotel and charged to the hotel have coded as "travel." Depending on how you purchase your ticket, you'll want to select either a card that rewards you for entertainment spend or travel purchases.

If you think your purchase will code as entertainment, two good credit card options are:

• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card — 4% cash back.

If, however, you know your charge will code as travel, you're better off using:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve — 3 points per dollar spent.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — 2 points per dollar spent.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — 2 points per every dollar spent.

The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Universal is packed with rides, attractions, character meet-and-greets and more. Yet it's compact enough for you to cover a lot of ground in just a few days.

Universal Orlando can be a pricey but incredible adventure for your family. If it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you're seeking, you may be best waiting until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

However, if you're more "go with the flow," Universal Orlando has plenty to offer for fans of Harry Potter, Marvel and so much more.

Additional reporting by Edward Pizzarello.

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

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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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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?

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The ULTIMATE Tips and Tricks Guide for Visiting Universal Orlando

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I LOVE Universal. I always have. (I’m not even being bias because I used to work there). *I’ve got all the Universal Orlando tips for you!!!*

I remember visiting Universal Orlando a couple of years after opening, before City Walk existed… I remember visiting Nickelodeon Studios (before it was Blue Man Group) and touring the Clarissa Explains It All set… I remember visiting the first year Islands of Adventure opened up and I thought The Hulk was the coolest roller coaster ever.

You could say I grew up going to Universal and then when I grew up, I went even more!

The Ultimate Tips and Tricks for Universal Orlando

*WARNING Story Time*

I worked on Universal property for 6 years and went to the parks at least once a week… some days I wouldn’t even go on the rides and I would just eat at the different outlets and restaurants, some days it was just to see a Mardi Gras concert, other days it was just to walk around because I was bored, or I had friends in town and they had never been to Universal, and some days it was just the employee preview of a new ride.

Needless to say, I’ve been to Universal more than the average tourist…

A LOT more than the average tourist, so I’ve picked up a few Universal Orlando tips and tricks for you to take with you on your next vacay to the city beautiful.

This is a SUUUUUUPER long post with a lot of information, but this is the perfect resource for you to use before you go to Universal Orlando Resort.

I also have a post on Universal Orlando Resort’s NEED TO KNOW info before you go!

A lot of people call it Universal Studios, but it’s actually Universal Orlando Resort…. Universal Studios is one of the parks

You can visit their main website here !

This is the HUB for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You have to walk through City Walk to get to these parks. There is only one entrance to City Walk from the parking garages (and two other entrances from the on-site hotel walking paths. This is a great spot for dining, drinks, speciality shops, and nightlife.

There are 3 parks:

• Universal Studios (Diagon Alley, Rip Ride Rock-it, The Mummy, Transformers, Minion Mayhem, Springfield)
• Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade, The Hulk, The Adventures of Spiderman, the water rides, Seuss Landing)
• Volcano Bay (Water Park and the newest addition to Universal Orlando)

Parking fees:

• General: $22.00
• Preferred: $35.00
• After 6pm: FREE
• Volcano Bay: You have to park in the same garage as Islands and Studios, but let the parking attendant know you are going to Volcano Bay and you will follow the signs to the ground floor of one of the garages (even if the traffic for the other parks is going to the other garage)! The shuttle buses are frequent and leave from the ground floor of the parking area. Unless you are staying at an on-site hotel, this is the ONLY way to get to Volcano Bay.

Walking to the Parks

Once you park in the garage, it will take you about 20-30 minutes to walk to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure (depending on where your parking spot is). There are moving walkways throughout the parking garage if you wish to use them. Once you have reached the HUB and gone through security, you are still about 10 minutes away from the parks. So allow extra time for walking through the garage and getting through security because it will take longer during peak hours.

How to Get Free Parking

Ok, technically not free, but a good deal.

I’m not saying do this everyday, but it’s good if you are going to spend money on dinner anyway.

Park at the Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay, they are in walking distance from City Walk (or you can take the water taxi), take your parking ticket with you (don’t lose it, it’s more expensive to park at the hotels than the parking garage), and then when you are finished exploring the parks, eat at one of the restaurants in the hotel. If you spend over $25.00 then the restaurant will validate your parking.

This does NOT work with overnight parking and you’re not guaranteed to find a parking spot during the peak season with the hotels at 100% occupancy.

Only some restaurants will validate, so you can call ahead and double check. You CANNOT go to the pool bars, you must be a guest. Your parking cannot be validated if you are staying at the hotels.

My recommendations are The Kitchen restaurant at Hard Rock and Mamma Della’s at Portofino.

Download the Official App

First order of business… download the Universal App. The is literally one of the best Universal Orlando tips! There is free WiFi around all the parks and in the hotel lobbies, so you can stay connected your entire trip.

The app will let you check out park maps, ride descriptions, park and restaurant opening and closing times, parade and show times, and you can even set up a virtual wallet and make express pass purchases or manage your meal plan.

I use the app for checking out ride times. You could take away all the other functions of the app, because having the current ride times in the palm of your hand is gold! There are a couple of boards scattered throughout the parks with ride times on, but this makes it SO MUCH EASIER! And don’t you want easier when you are on vacation?

Express Passes

This is literally the worst kept secret at Universal… and for good reason. Each ride has a separate express pass line (with the exception of one or two) and if you have an express pass, then you get to skip the regular line and cut your wait time down to almost nothing. You can purchase a regular express pass which allows you to use once on every participating ride or you can get the unlimited express pass and ride as much as you like.

Here’s the kicker… if you are staying at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific Resort, then you get 5 unlimited express passes INCLUDED with your room! I kid you not! The extra cost you pay for the room makes up for the fact that you get free express passes. Not just for one day either, for your entire stay! For a family of 4, that can make all the difference!

If you are visiting during off-season (I’ll get into that later), you do not need an express pass. Wait times will be 5-10 minutes and that’s normally the long walk through the queue to get to the boarding zone. You will -no doubt- be wasting your money.

Also, the express line skips the regular queue and takes you through a different entrance to the boarding zone, so if you were expecting the heavily themed queue (like walking through Hogwarts Castle for the Forbidden Journey), you will miss out on that experience and the story for the ride.

Early Access

If you are staying at an on-site hotel (any of the 6 hotels -soon to be 7), you get early access to the parks. It’s only an hour before the parks open and it’s only for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but totally worth getting there if you want to hit that ride before the crowds start and you’re at a hotel that doesn’t offer express passes.

Just because it’s early access, doesn’t mean it won’t be busy. There’s over 4,000 rooms with the on-site hotels and that’s the potential for over 16,000 people to have early access to the parks if each room has 4 occupants and all the hotels are at full occupancy. Highly unlikely all those people will show up to the Wizarding World at the same time, but I’m just giving you a reality check.

You need to get there a little bit earlier than the early park admission so you are one of the first people in the park.

Make sure you check with the concierge or front desk for what park is admitting the early access. It changes year to year and season to season… so one day it could be the Wizarding World in Universal Studios and then the next month, it could be the Wizarding World in Islands of Adventure.

Stay at One of the On-Site Hotels

I’ve already told you about the free express passes for three of the hotels and you get the early access no matter what hotel you stay at… but there are so many other perks to staying at an on-site hotel and they include a quite a few tips for Universal Orlando.

You are right next to Universal! RIGHT NEXT TO IT! If you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, it’s literally a six minute walk to get to City Walk. You can also walk from Portofino (you will walk right by Hard Rock) and Royal Pacific (you’ll enter City Walk at the side of Margaritaville). If you stay at Sapphire Falls, you can take the super convenient water taxi and if you stay at Aventura then you can take the shuttle or walk a few feet to Sapphire and take the water taxi. There is a shuttle from Cabana Bay, however if you are going to Volcano Bay, you can walk there and take the hotel guest only entrance to the park.

Stay on the club level (only available at select hotels) and you’ll receive free continental breakfast, snacks throughout the day, bottled water and soda cans, a club lounge for relaxing outside of your room, OH, and happy hour – FREE beer and wine!

You don’t have to rent a car. Universal Orlando Resort is actually located in Orlando (unlike Disney, which is in it’s own world), but you have access to I-Drive, downtown Orlando, and Mall at Millennia if you stay at one of the hotels. So you can skip out on that ungodly parking fee in the Universal garage… and the parking fees for the hotels (hint: it’s OVER $20.00 per day to park at the hotels, even if you are a guest) and opt for Uber or a taxi to explore outside of the Universal area.

Also, if you’re buying souvenirs at the parks, then you can send them to your hotel and not have to worry about carrying it around the park with you. You can also attach your credit card to your room key and use that to make all your purchases in the hotels and in the parks!

And they are PET FRIENDLY, so Rover can come too! (If you bring your pet, your room will most likely be on the first floor).

Bring a Backpack/ Hip Pack

Wanna feel like a super tourist? Wear a hip pack! (Or fannie pack or bum bag… whatever you want to call it). It’s super convenient when you don’t have to stop by the ultra-busy lockers to drop off your bag (with the exception of some of the coasters) and you can take it on with you. It’s perfect if you are staying at an on-site hotel and you don’t have to bring as many “park survival items”.

If you’re not staying on property or you need to carry extra items (reusable water bottle, change of clothes, flip flops…) then you should bring a small back pack. Don’t bring a large over stuffed bag, because it will be a struggle pushing it into the lockers.

Free Lockers

Lockers for the rides are free for the duration that you are on that ride. Universal is in the process of switching to a locker system that uses your ticket to get in and out of the locker, but right now, you use your fingerprint to gain access to a locker.

If the wait time for the ride is 30 minutes, then the locker will be available for about an hour. If you get stuck in the line, the ride breaks down, or any other unforeseen circumstances happen and you go over the locker time, just let the attendant know and they can bypass the system.

Also, if you are using the fingerprint lockers then you need to remember your locker number (DON’T WORRY: if you forget it, the locker attendant can help you)

Lockers are unfortunately NOT free for the water rides, so you will need to take all your items on the ride with you, unless there is someone in your group who is not riding and can hold all your items (or you want to pay of course).

You WILL Get Wet

This is a good follow up from the previous statement. YOU WILL GET WET on the water rides. There are three. Jurassic Park’s River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. They are all located in Island’s of Adventure.

The River Adventure (located in Jurassic Park, pictured on left) is the most tame out of the three, you have the best chance of drying after riding this one. There’s no hidden drops to get your more wet and if you are in the center of the boat, then your chances of staying dry are higher. The wettest seat is in the front, at either ends.

Ripsaw Falls (pictured on right) *SPOILER ALERT* is in Toon Lagoon and can be deceiving. From the outside, it looks like a super fun log flume with a steep, but tame drop… tame meaning, it doesn’t look like you get that wet… LIES! Once you get on the ride, there is a drop in the back (away from the view of unsuspecting riders) that will get you SOAKED… no one is safe. If you don’t get a locker, your bag WILL GET WET, and all of it’s contents… you’ve been warned, but this is such a fun ride!

Popeye’s is also located in Toon Lagoon and you shouldn’t be deceived by this one because you will see the poor, drenched people walking out of the exit for this ride (and all you can think of is “crap, that’s going to be me). There is a waterproof bag holder in the center console, so you can put your belongings in there to keep them from getting wet. *Make sure you secure all your loose articles in a bag or back pack, you don’t want any loose articles in the center*. Out of all the rides, this one is the equivalent of jumping into a pool with your clothes on… I’m not joking. You get absolutely soaked and if you think there is anyway around it – there isn’t. You literally go underneath a waterfall during the ride, but also such a fun ride!

Bring a Change of Clothes

If you’re planning on staying at the parks all day and going on the water rides, then I recommend that you prepare. I just explained how soaked you get from these rides and if you don’t want to be uncomfortable, then I recommend bringing flip-flops for the water rides, dry fit clothes and a change of underwear (or wear a swimsuit). There is nothing worse than walking around a busy theme park for hours while you are soggy. And don’t be fooled by thinking you will dry out in the Florida sun quickly, because *guess what* the air is humid and wet.

Also, you might want to eat at City Walk for dinner and you don’t want to smell like theme park… bring a little toiletries bag with you with wet wipes, deodorant and a waterless disposable toothbrush so you can “freshen up” before dinner…. you’ll thank me later!

Bring a Poncho

Unfortunately this won’t help you on the water rides (even though you see people wearing them)… however, it will work on Jurassic Park. But the poncho is for the downpours that happen -almost- every day in the summer.

You think I’m joking? Two years ago, there was a thunderstorm every day in July… EVERY DAY.

It can put a damper on your day if you’re not prepared/scared of the rain. I cannot tell you how many people think that they will melt if they get caught in the rain. Everyone runs for cover wherever they can find it. However, if you have a poncho, then you can walk around freely and not get soaking wet so you can get in line for that ride that everyone was rushing to, but now are not because they are stuck under an awning in Hogsmeade.

Weather and Ride Closures

That being said, make sure you keep an eye out for the weather and have a plan.

Universal and the Universal hotels work in weather codes. They range from plain old rain, to lightning within 5 miles. When they get that call for lightning, all the outdoor roller coasters will shut down, all the hotel pool decks will shut down, and Volcano Bay will completely shut down.

NOTE: It can be SUNNY or NOT raining outside, but even if there is a potential for lightning in the area, everything will shut down. So please listen to the team members that are trying to make sure you get under shelter safely.

If you see a storm coming (which you will be able to see the dark clouds rolling in most of the time), make sure you have your plan. If you are in the parks, I think it’s time to figure out which indoor ride you’re going to. Are you at one of the hotel pools? Maybe start packing up and head out for an early dinner before the rush.

All the places you would expect to get busy, gets 10 times busier than you would expect. So plan ahead.

Pace Yourself with Rides

Universal Orlando has A LOT of simulator rides and it seems like they just keep adding more and more each year. They are dominating the parks. If you are prone to motion sickness, then it might not be a good idea to go on these rides all in the same day. I don’t get motion sickness, but after a day at the parks, I start to feel a little “off” the more simulators I go on.

I’ve rated them from almost no motion sickness to potential motion sickness

• Hogwarts Express (both directions)
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Fast and Furious: Supercharged
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
• Transformers
• The Adventures of Spiderman
• The Tonight Show’s Race Through New York
• The Simpson’s Ride
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Single Riders

This is a great trick to know if you don’t want to fork out the cash for the express passes, but don’t want to wait in a super long line. Most of the rides have a single rider line and they are clearly marked.

If you don’t mind being split up from your group on the ride, then this is the way to go. It can cut down your wait time by more than half. You can stay with your party for the duration of the line and will only get split up once it’s time to ride. (Sometimes they need two or three people for the same car, so you could end up going on the same ride together).

Visit the Mystic Fountain at Islands of Adventure

If you’re heading to Hogsmeade, you will more than likely walk through the Lost Continent. To the average tourist walking through, it’s where Mythos is located and that Poseiden’s Fury show you’ve never been to, but always wonder why it has a 30 minute wait time… every time. Keep walking and in the area near the Sindbad Stunt Show, you’ll see a lone fountain.

If no one is around, it’s probably not doing anything… but walk closer and the mystic fountain will start to talk to you. Don’t make them angry or toy with them because it will squirt water at you.

It’s fun to stop by and say “hi” as this is a normally overlooked attraction. If it’s your birthday or anniversary, let the Mystic Fountain know!

Nope, there’s no alcohol in Butterbeer… sorry guys. Although if you ask for an alcoholic Butterbeer inside Diagon Alley, you’ll get some funny responses from the team members if they feel like playing along that day.

*If you ask for a shot in your Butterbeer, then everyone will turn you down. Butterbeer is supposed to be served a certain way and taste a certain way and the team members will not destroy the integrity of the drink.

When the Wizarding World first opened, you could only get regular or frozen, but now there’s several ways to enjoy butterbeer. Don’t forget to ask for your souvenir Butterbeer glass!

• Regular: Plain ol’ simple way of serving Butterbeer. This is a classic. The drink tastes a lot like cream soda, but it’s the whipped froth on top that is the star. It’s got a creamy, marshmallow-y texture to it… can I just get a cup of that? *If you are in Hogsmeade, pop into the Hog’s Head bar because they serve it and most of the time there is no line (or the line is shorter).
• Frozen: I prefer frozen over the regular (but I don’t like cream soda… sorry people), so this version doesn’t taste as much as cream soda and has more of a butterscotch taste to it, but IT IS SWEET! Oh, and it comes with the same creamy topping.
• Hot: This is great for those cooler days in Orlando (it does happen, I promise), but not recommended after walking through the parks all day in 90 degree weather… it’s not refreshing. *Hot Butterbeer is only available during the winter.
• Ice Cream: This is my favorite way to enjoy Butterbeer. This is soft serve ice cream and it’s delicious! You can find it at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley and if the line is too long (sometimes it is), you can grab your Butterbeer ice cream from The Hopping Pot at the other side of Diagon Alley. If you have a craving over in Hogsmeade, don’t worry, you can get some at The Three Broomsticks.
• Butterbeer Potted Cream: I think this is supposed to be a take on British clotted cream, however, the Brits don’t eat clotted cream by the spoonful (it goes on scones) and it’s not really sweet, but this is a great dessert for the kids (or adults!!). You can find them in the Wizarding World restaurants (Three Broomsticks and The Leaky Cauldron).
• Butterbeer Fudge: This is a yummy caramel/butterscotch/shortbread tasting fudge. You can get it at Sugar Plum’s or Honeydukes!

Ride the Hogwarts Express (Both Ways)

*You will need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express*

Take the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, and then when you take it in the other direction you’ll get a completely different experience. It’s an immersive experience that’s the perfect way to get you from one park to the next. You’ll see your favorite characters make an appearance, ride by Malfoy Manor, see Hogwarts Castle in the distance, and even watch a dementor battle.

If you have a small group, then you will more than likely be placed in the same compartment with another group and there are no windows in the compartment, so if you are uncomfortable with enclosed spaces, this might not be the train journey for you.

*For a great photo op with the Hogwarts Express engine, take the train from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade (Studios —> Islands) and as you are exiting the first flight of stairs, before you go down the second flight, you can walk straight to the front of the train. Everyone is too busy going with the flow of people to notice they are passing a photo op. You have to be exiting the train, you cannot get there through the entrance at Hogsmeade.

Where to Eat

There’s TONS of places to eat in the parks… and we can’t forget outside the parks on City Walk… or even at the on-site hotels. So finding somewhere to eat can be confusing.

The quick service and cafeteria style eateries serve your everyday average regular park food – pizza, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, salads, fries… the usual. To change it up, visit the Three Broomsticks or The Leaky Cauldron in the Wizarding World and you’ll get a selection of popular British foods – fish and chips, bangers and mash, fish pie, toad in the hole and more!

There’s also grab and go food carts that sell pretzels or hot dogs and chips. In my experience, sometimes it’s faster to stop by a quick service restaurant instead of the carts (if there is a line) because there’s only one person manning the carts and several in the restaurant. You’ll also have more options.

*A hot dog at one of the carts is more expensive than a burger from a quick service outlet – FYI.

You can also choose to have a sit down serviced meal in one of the parks. Mythos by far surpasses that of any other theme park restaurant I have been to… it won best theme park restaurant a few years in a row! The mix of Asian, Mediterranean and American is perfect for a light lunch and the indoor mystical cave feel of the restaurant is magical. Definitely make a reservation so you’re not stuck on an hour wait!

Here’s a list of my absolute favorite places to eat at Universal Orlando Resort

• Richter’s Burger Co – Universal Studios
• Lombard’s Seafood Grille – Universal Studios
• Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck – Universal Studios
• Mythos – Islands of Adventure
• Margaritaville – City Walk
• The Cowfish – City Walk
• The Kitchen Restaurant – Hard Rock Hotel

Universal Dining Plan: There’s multiple options with this one. You have to book with a vacation package or be staying at an on-site to participate in some of the meal plans. Depending on which option you choose, you can get a quick service meal, unlimited soft drinks, full service meals and snacks for one inclusive price per adult/child, per day.

So do I think it’s worth it? NOPE. Sorry guys, I just don’t think it’s worth it for the price. Although, for $15.99 plus tax, you can get 1 day unlimited Coca-Cola freestyle beverages (with a massive souvenir cup).

City Walk Post: The Most Instagrammable Spots at City Walk

Where to drink.

Here’s one for the adults. Sometimes you just want to take a break from the parks and the rides and the heat and sip on a cold one. There’s no shortage of places to grab a beer or a cocktail… you can even take them to go.

If you get a to-go drink somewhere at City Walk, you cannot take it into the parks with you. Same as if you get a drink in the park, you cannot take it out to City Walk with you…. HOWEVER, you can take a drink with you on the Hogwarts Express.

If you want liquor drinks then you can go to Finnegans or Chez Alcatraz, both in Universal Studios, Backwater Bar in Islands of Adventure and Dancing Dragons Boat Bar in Volcano Bay.

For beer, you can go to Finnegans, Moe’s in Springfield, The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley, Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade.

The carts around the parks will sell beer by the can and if you want a different selection of canned beer, go to the Kings Cross Station mini mart that’s a quarter way through the line, they have a small selection of British beer and cider, and you won’t find it anywhere else in the park.

Finnegans is a great place to take a time out for an hour. There’s good food, good drinks, occasionally live music, and they have their own bathrooms.

Beer You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Universal is lucky enough to have Florida Brewing Company on their side that brews several beers unique to Universal Orlando Resort… tips for drinking at the theme parks? Don’t OVER DO IT! It’s hot and you’re going on a lot of rides!

Duff Beer: Found in Springfield, Universal Studios. Ever watched The Simpsons and wanted to know what the world’s most famous beer tastes like? Well now you can! Coming in three different styles: Duff, Duff Lite and Duff Dry, you can have the first two on tap (pay a little extra for a take-home souvenir glass -it’s actually plastic- Duff beer or Moe’s pilsner) and the dry is a dark beer that comes in a bottle. I prefer the lite, if you are wondering.

Hog’s Head Brew: Found at the Hog’s Head, Hogsmeade, Islands of Adventure. This is a Scottish ale that was the first exclusive beer made for Universal. It’s a little malty and bready, but somehow refreshing on a hot day. This is the only place you can find this beer, it does not make an appearance in Diagon Alley at the other park.

Dragon’s Scale: Found in the Wizarding World, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Amber lager that’s a little hoppy with caramel malts.

Wizard’s Brew: Found in the Wizarding World, Universal Studios. This is a dark stout with hints of chocolate and coffee, so if you’re a Guinness fan, then you’ll be thrilled with this one.

Volcano Bay

• Tapu Tapu: The wristband that you receive as soon as you enter the park. It is connected to YOUR ticket, so don’t trade wristbands with someone because you want a different color. You can connect your credit card and use it for purchases, use it to unlock your locker, and use it to tap into ride queues (at the totems – you can’t miss them!) throughout the park.
• Take advantage of the early access if you are staying at an on-site hotel.
• Get there for opening time, especially in the summer. The park reaches max capacity almost every day in the summer and they can refuse you entry.
• No drop-off zone , if you are taking a taxi or Uber, then you need to get dropped off at the main parking garages and take the shuttle from there. Don’t try to walk through Cabana Bay, you need a room key.
• BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL! If you want to RENT a towel, you have to pay a non-refundable $5.00 fee per towel. If you are staying at an on-site hotel, you can take towels from the pool deck, just ask the pool attendant!
• Get a locker! There’s three different sizes of lockers and you literally leave everything in there because you open your locker with your Tapu Tapu wristband. You can hook multiple Tapu Tapus to a locker so you don’t have to be the person going back and forth to open it. This should be the first thing you do when you get to the parks, there have been times when the lockers have reached capacity. You can pay for your locker by credit card or cash and there is an attendant there at all times to help you.
• Finding Chairs. Believe it not, it’s quite simple to find chairs if you arrive at a decent time. There’s tons of chairs all over the park, so venture outside of the wave pool area and you can find some more secluded areas with chairs.
• Cabanas and Preferred Seating. There’s several options for cabanas (some are even on the second level) and you get towels included, your own locker in the cabana and you can TAP into any ride around the park without visiting the totem! Preferred seating will get you some nice chairs with umbrellas. Make sure you reserve a few weeks prior to arrival, but they get booked up quickly!
• RIDE NOW! If the ride doesn’t show a wait time, then you don’t have to tap into it, you can ride it now. If you are already in a virtual line with your Tapu Tapu then it will NOT affect that wait time if you go on a ride now. If you see a ride now that you want to go on and you haven’t tapped into another ride with a wait, then I recommend you walk around and find a ride with a wait time and tap into it because it’s more efficient.
• Want an adult beverage? Put it in a souvenir cup , not only do you get to keep the cup, but you get money off future beverages!

Stay At Least Five Days

To make your visit actually count and to pace yourself so you don’t need a vacation from your vacation, I recommend spending five full days at Universal. You’ll be able to enjoy the parks, experience some of the great restaurants and nightlife at City Walk, and enjoy a day lounging by the pool.

If you are pressed for time and want to take it all in, then you can spend three full days. One day dedicated to the Wizarding Worlds in both parks and then Islands of Adventure (it’s easy to complete it within half a day), one day for Universal Studios, and the last day for Volcano Bay.

What Time of Year to Visit

This is going to be very detailed, so bare with me (but you wanted all the Universal Orlando Tips). You would think that peak season is the summer and off season is everything outside of that, but it’s a little more complicated.

Off season: Second week of January – February (with the exception of President’s Day weekend in mid February), the last 3 weeks of September, October excluding weekends, first 3 weeks of November, first 3 weeks of December

Average: Presidents Day weekend, March, first 2 weeks of June, October weekends

Busy: April, Memorial Day weekend (end of May), mid June – first week of September, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week – first week of January

During the off season and average times, it’s always better to go during the week because a lot of locals will go on the weekends. During October, Halloween Horror Nights dominates Universal Studios, so keep that in mind for the weekends and select Thursdays and Fridays.

Holiday weekends will always be busier, so if you are arriving from another country, you should always check just to make sure. Christmas is the busiest time for the parks and try to avoid them at all costs.

Special Events

Universal knows how to have a good time and they want you to join them.

January: Harry Potter Weekend: A weekend dedicated to all the Potterheads. The weekend is filled with seminars, Q&A’s from some of the actors, wand classes, potions classes, flying lessons, special dinners, and all of your new Potterhead friends.

January: Rock the Universe: Super popular 2 day Christian music festival that hosts the biggest names in Christian rock music.

February-Beginning of April: Mardi Gras: On select nights only. The streets get filled with New Orleans cuisine, Mardi Gras dancers, floats with plenty of beads to catch (you can even have the chance to get on the float and throw some beads yourself!!!), and a big name concert from major bands and artists! (My faves include Matchbox 20, Kelly Clarkson, Ne-Yo and Fall Out Boy) Want a front row “seat” (no seats, you stand) to your favorite band? You’ll need to set up camp first thing in the morning – around 9am-10am.

May-June: Summer Concert Series. They haven’t done this since 2015, but I’m adding this in case they decide to have a change of heart and bring it back because this was one of my favorite events. Every weekend was a big name band, some of my faves have been Huey Lewis and the News, Pitbull, Goo Goo Dolls, and Lifehouse). The best part? The concert was included in your price of your park ticket!

September-November: Halloween Horror Nights: By far the best Halloween celebration I have been to. Universal Studios is turned into one giant scare zone after 6pm on select nights. Walk through several houses all themed to famous horror films, scary movies, and thrilling TV shows.

November-December: Holiday Celebrations: The parks get decked out for Christmas, Grinchmas will be your favorite show, the Christmas parade was just re-vamped and it’s better than ever, and watching the holiday light show at Hogwarts Castle is magical.

Movies and TV Shows: It shouldn’t be a surprise that Universal Studios is also a working film studio. It might not produce as many movies as it used to, but from time to time, you will see “hot set” signs posted up. Jimmy Fallon came with Tonight Show and gave guests the opportunity to get tickets to his late night show! Universal has also seen the Today Show set up shop a few times and Ellen even dropped by for a week of shows. ALWAYS find out what’s going on and see if you want to participate in anything.

Free Express Passes

This is not something I recommend ALL THE TIME, but if you have a genuine issue, then it’s worth asking and one of my best Universal Orlando tips I can give you!

Lets say you’ve been waiting in line for the Rip Ride Rockit for an hour and all of a sudden they close for lightning. It looks like the storm is sticking around for a while and you don’t have time to hold your place in line while the storm passes… ask one of the ride attendants for an express pass to come back later.

Another example: The ride wait time is 10 minutes, but then you get inside and it ends up being 45 minutes before you even get on the ride… ask the ride attendant for an express pass.

If you waited for a while and then the ride shut down due to “technical difficulties”, ask for an express pass.

This is not an unlimited express pass, but they will print off an individual pass on what looks like a receipt and it’s good for that day for one ride. (It doesn’t have to be the ride you were stuck on/had issues/had to wait extra in line).

This privilege is NOT to be abused. I’m sharing this because it’s an easy fix for team members to diffuse a situation. Sometimes they will give your party 2 single express passes each because you are nice and understanding. THAT’S THE KEY: Nice and understanding. Once you start getting angry and defensive, you will get nothing but a bad attitude.

*This is also NOT a guarantee every time (the team member doesn’t have to do anything for your ride time/ride failure issues), it’s just a nice gesture and guest “wow”.

Character Meet and Greets

When you think of characters walking around, you always think of the Disney princesses and Mickey and Minnie, but Universal has created quite the cast of characters over the past few years and it’s become a dominating part of the streets of Universal Orlando, here’s the tips…..

Some of the hot spots where you are guaranteed to walk by and see AT LEAST one character are:

• Marvel Super Hero Land in Islands of Adventure. Spiderman, Captain America, Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men crew are frequent visitors to this spot.
• Hollywood Blvd in Universal Studios. Popular characters are the Scooby Doo Gang (ALL OF THEM!), Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boop, and the Doc from Back to the Future.
• The side of Shrek 4D. Donkey, Shrek, and Fiona. Donkey will be ALL the time, and sometimes he’s with Shrek, sometimes Fiona. Donkey is fun and will talk to you and ask you questions about where you are from and how your day is going.
• Outside the Transformers store. This is on the same street as the Shrek gang, and right outside the Transformers store where you exit the ride. Only one transformer will come out at a time, but the costumes are super cool (and they interact with you!!!). You can catch Bumble Bee, Optimus Prime and Megatron here.
• Springfield. On the right side of The Simpsons Ride (across from the Kwik-E-Mart), the whole Simpsons gang can show up! Sometimes it’s just Bart and Homer or Bart and Lisa, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get everyone (and sometimes Sideshow Bob).
• Seuss Landing. In Islands of Adventure, you can catch The Lorax hanging out by the Truffula trees, the Grinch during Christmas time, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 wandering around.
• Outside the Hello Kitty store. You can catch Hello Kitty!! And she’s so cute!!

Keep watch for a more in-depth guide to character meet and greets coming soon!!

Buy Your Harry Potter Gear Prior to Your Vacay

One of the bigger Universal Orlando tips! It’s not cheap to buy a robe from Universal and I’m going to tell you, it’s not under $50.00. Harry Potter shirts are about $25.00-$40.00 and don’t even get me started on sweaters… then when you add hats, scarfs, passport covers, phone cases, jewelry, bags, back packs, note books, pens, book marks, and Christmas ornaments.. it adds up.

The one purchase you NEED to make in the Wizarding World is the interactive wand. It’s so much fun to go around Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley and do “real” magic spells.. you feel like a real wizard!

Anything Else?

This just scratches the surface of everything that Universal has to offer and all of my Universal Orlando tips, but I’m already at 6,800 words! Sorry guys!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you know when I post new content (more Universal posts coming soon!!!!) and if you have ANY questions about your upcoming Universal vacay, leave me a comment or direct message me on social media!

If you’ve got your own Universal Orlando tips, lemme know!

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Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks

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My 5 Favorite Harry Potter Filming Locations in England Hiking Malham Cove: Harry Potter Filming Location

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Tips for Universal Orlando: Your 2024 Insider’s Guide

Endless thrills and excitement based on your favorite characters from film, TV, and comic book lore are what’s on the menu at Universal Orlando Resort.

Welcome to your ultimate insider’s guide to Universal Studios Orlando ! Imagine exploring larger-than-life theme parks, mesmerizing shows, shop-till-you-drop experiences, and spectacular hotels all in one place.

You’re about to dive into a world where every day is a cinematic adventure. Let’s take a journey as we reveal all the Universal Studios Orlando tips you need to elevate your experience. Allow us to be your Universal Orlando guide.

About Universal Orlando

Stepping into Universal Orlando is like entering a world full of breathtaking adventures. It boasts three awesome theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where you can get drenched on Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges, and Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Plus, the lively Universal CityWalk offers endless fun for every family member, complete with Coca-Cola Freestyle machines for custom drink options!

Experience thrilling roller coasters like The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Revenge of the Mummy. There are cool themed areas from your favorite movies and TV shows, too.

Harry Potter fans? Explore Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade. Jurassic Park fans can meet dinosaurs, while Fast & Furious fans experience the adrenaline on the Supercharged ride. Despicable Me fans will love the hilarious 3-D ride with the Minions.

Related Post: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando – 12 Top Must-See Places

Universal Orlando isn’t just about rides, though. It’s a foodie’s paradise with over 50 places to eat. But we’ll get more into that later.

And if shopping’s your thing, CityWalk has loads of themed stores for cool souvenirs. Whether it’s movies, adventures, top-notch rides, diverse food, or shopping, Universal Orlando is a universe of fun waiting for you!

Universal Orlando Tickets

Now that you’ve marked your calendar for an adventure-filled day at Universal Orlando Resort , it’s time to secure your passes. And here at Tripster, we frequently feature fantastic deals on theme park tickets, including Universal Orlando. We’re confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the savings you’ll find!

A pro tip for you: Given the expansive nature of Universal Studios Orlando, it can be overwhelming to attempt to see and do everything in both parks in one day. So, we often recommend opting for a 2-day park to park tickets.

Or if you really want to see everything, go for the 5-day pass! This ticket option gives you the flexibility to experience everything at a relaxed pace.

Insider Universal Orlando Tips

All set? Great! Let’s dive into a handful of additional tips that’ll help you get the best out of your adventure. Let this be your Universal Studios guide!

What to Bring

Ready for your Universal Orlando adventure? Here’s a fun packing guide to help tailor your day:

• Flip-flops: Essential for water rides. Keep your shoes dry, and enjoy the splash!
• Towels and Swimsuit: Perfect with flip-flops for water rides. You should expect to get soaked on rides like Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. Pack an extra pair of underwear to stay comfy all day. At Volcano Bay, bring your own towel and swimsuit. And remember, only guests with a room key can stroll through Cabana Bay.
• Backpack or Hip Pack: A small, comfy bag frees your hands for those crucial ride selfies!

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• Locker Essentials: Rent a locker at water parks to keep your valuables safe. Remember, there is no room key and no entry at Cabana Bay!
• Summer Prep: Dress light, bring a water bottle, slather on sunscreen, and don a hat. Florida’s weather can surprise you, so pack a light poncho or umbrella too.

Now, you’re set for a thrilling time at Universal Orlando! Enjoy multiple days of fun!

Can I Bring Food to Universal Orlando?

Remember, the park lets you bring limited snacks like fruits, sandwich wraps, and bottled water. Avoid large meals, alcohol, glass, and items needing heat or refrigeration.

Running low on snacks? No problem! Universal Orlando offers a feast of options. Explore the park’s eateries (we laid some suggestions below) and food carts for quick bites. Perfect for refueling between thrilling rides!

Universal Orlando Parking Tips

Parking at Universal Orlando is a breeze, with clearly labeled lots and ample spaces. They offer both regular and preferred parking options to cater to your convenience. Remember, parking lots fill up quickly during peak times, so aim to arrive early, especially on busy days.

More Universal Orlando Tips 2024

Need more Universal Studios Orlando trip tips? Here are a few more of the best tips for Universal Orlando.

• Arrive early! The early bird at Universal Orlando avoids long queues and crowds. Quite an obvious one in Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks 2024, but arrive early to beat traffic and enjoy rides with shorter wait times. If you’re staying at a Universal Hotel, you might get early access to the park. Wondering about the best day of the week to visit Universal Orlando? It’s usually Tuesday and Wednesday when crowds are relatively thinner than weekends.
• Minimize your wait at  Universal Orlando with single-rider lines—they’re quicker! Also, a Universal Express Pass can be a great investment, letting you skip most regular lines.

Related Post: From Triceratop Spin to Flight of Passage: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Rides

• Universal Orlando, particularly the walking paths, transforms at night with glowing lights and magical vibes. The cooler evening temps make exploring even more delightful, so consider staying late to experience it all!
• Universal Orlando Resort is located at 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819 . It typically opens from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Hours may extend, especially during peak seasons, weekends, and holidays—sometimes until midnight. For the most accurate hours, check their website or mobile app on your visit day.
• Cameras are allowed in the park, but there may be restrictions on rides and attractions. It’s always good to have a secure strap for your camera during rides. Friendly team members are also available to take your pics!

Orlando Hotels and Lodging

When it comes to accommodation , you’re spoiled for choice. An array of on-site hotels offers rooms and suites for every budget and preference. Some hotels, such as the Italian-themed Loews Portofino Bay, offer guests free Universal Express unlimited ride access.

Furthermore, choosing to stay at an on-site hotel can provide additional perks and convenience, including unrivaled proximity to the parks and CityWalk . Below are some of our top picks:

• Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Holiday Inn & Suites Across From Universal Orlando
• Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Orlando Attractions

Beyond the thrills and spills of Universal Orlando, the Orlando area is brimming with a wealth of other world-class attractions. Make a splash at SeaWorld Orlando , where you can get up close and personal with a treasure trove of marine life, enjoy high-energy shows, and tackle adrenaline-pumping rides.

For lovers of the magic and charm of movies, Disney’s theme parks in Orlando, including Magic Kingdom and Epcot, create enchanting memories with fantastic rides, attractions, and character encounters.

Thrill-seekers can venture into the galaxy at the Kennedy Space Center , all within easy reach. It’s an eye-opening journey through the history of space exploration.

And it comes complete with the chance to meet real astronauts, watch rocket launches, and experience the sensations of a simulated space flight!

Universal Orlando Experiences

Universal Orlando is a paradise for thrill-seekers, with heart-thumping rides at each of its parks. Now that you know all about Universal Studios Orlando tips and tricks 2024, let’s get into the experience! We have you covered with the top three rides you simply must try at each park.

Universal Studios Park

Universal Studios Orlando Florida is a perfect blend of classic rides, exhilarating experiences, and movie magic. It offers guests the unique opportunity to step right into the world of their favorite films, transforming from viewer to participant.

From thrilling rides inspired by blockbusters like Jurassic World to live shows such as the Tonight Show and Ellen, the park offers an unmatched experience of entertainment and excitement!

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: This immersive, multi-dimensional roller coaster thrusts you into the magical world of witches and wizards. Prepare to come face-to-face with villains from the Harry Potter universe as you navigate the depths of the Gringotts bank.

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• Revenge of the Mummy: An unforgettable indoor roller coaster, it combines intense, dark ride elements with heart-stopping thrill elements. It’s a must-ride for fans of Egyptian mythology and the Mummy franchise.
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster: This exhilarating ride, themed after Marvel’s Hulk, is a high-speed roller coaster that starts with a powerful launch, followed by a series of intense twists and turns.

Islands of Adventure

Whisking visitors off to a realm where legendary tales and epic adventures come alive, Universal’s Islands of Adventure is nothing short of a modern marvel. It offers a vibrant collection of thrill rides, shows, and attractions, from the heart-pounding Super Hero Land to the enchanting Mystic Fountain.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey : This ground-breaking motion simulator ride is a journey through iconic locations in the Harry Potter series. Soar through Hogwarts, encounter magical creatures, and come close to the Whomping Willow.
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong: Embark on a thrilling adventure to the mysterious Skull Island, where you will come face-to-face with the fierce Kong himself. This immersive 3D ride offers an epic encounter with prehistoric predators.
• Jurassic Park River Adventure: This is a water-based ride where you embark on a delightful cruise through the “Jurassic Park”. But hold on tight as things get awry, turning this gentle journey into a splashy and exciting adventure.

Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay, a stunning water-themed park at Universal Orlando , is an absolute must-visit for adventure seekers. With its thrilling rides, picturesque tropical atmosphere, and immersive theme, this park promises a splash-filled day of fun for all ages.

Not to mention the innovative Tapu Tapu wristbands that streamline your experience make it easy to make purchases, secure lockers, and manage ride queues—making your fun in the sun all the more enjoyable!

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster: Crowned as Volcano Bay’s flagship attraction, the Krakatau Aqua Coaster is a favorite among guests. This ride employs magnet-propelled technology, allowing your four-person canoe to dash both downwards and upwards through the insides of the park’s massive 200-foot volcano. With watery surprises at every turn, this coaster is sure to leave you drenched in excitement.

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• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides: For adrenaline junkies, Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides are a must. Starting from a heart-stopping trapdoor drop, these intertwined body slides take you through a spiraling descent full of twists and turns. Brace yourself because these chutes deliver unmatched thrills all the way down to the splash pool at the bottom.
• Punga Racers: Last but not least, Punga Racers is another fun-filled ride that’s perfect for some friendly competition. This four-lane slide provides manta-shaped mats where guests lie stomach-down. The first one to reach the finish line wins, but regardless of where you rank, the fun is always an A+.

Universal Orlando Restaurants

After a thrilling ride or a long day of exploration, wouldn’t you just love a hearty meal or a quick snack to refuel? Universal Orlando Resort offers a plethora of scrumptious dining options that cater to every craving, making your magical adventure even more satisfying.

Richters Burger Co

Craving a classic American burger? Richters Burger Co is your go-to spot. Feel your taste buds light up in delight with their juicy burgers, seasoned fries, and thick shakes. It’s comfort food at its best!

Lombards Seafood Grille

If you’re in the mood for seafood, then head straight to Lombards Seafood Grille. Enjoy a splendid array of fresh ocean fare in an elegant, maritime-themed setting.

Related Post: Best Restaurants Universal Studios – Your Complete Guide

From platter-sized salads brimming with shrimp to flavorful fish and chips, experiencing seafood has never felt more luxurious.

Serving fancy, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, Mythos is a real gem tucked away in Universal Studios. The family-friendly ambiance and the continually evolving menu, with dishes like pad thai, risotto, and fresh fish, make it a dining destination not to miss.

Drinks and Refreshments

For a refreshing pause, check out the resort’s many beverage spots. There’s no shortage of locations to grab a beer, including options brewed by Florida Brewing Company specific to Universal Orlando.

Various food carts scattered across the park offer grab-and-go refreshments, too. These include pretzels, hot dogs, and chips, making your snack hunts easy and convenient.

Universal Orlando FAQs

Does universal orlando have harry potter.

Yes, Universal Orlando Resort features the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which spans across two of its theme parks. In Universal Studios Florida, you can explore Diagon Alley, and in Universal's Islands of Adventure, you can visit Hogsmeade. These immersive areas offer rides, shops, and dining experiences all themed around the Harry Potter series.

Is Universal or Disney better?

Deciding whether Universal or Disney is better depends on what you're looking for in a theme park experience. If you're more interested in large rides like roller coasters, Universal is going to be your best bet.

However, if you prefer a wider variety of family-friendly attractions and detailed theming, Disney might be more suitable for you.

Why is Universal Orlando so popular?

Universal Orlando is a hit because it offers a unique blend of thrilling rides, immersive attractions, and behind-the-scenes experiences.

It's the place to be for awesome rides and cool spots from your favorite movies and TV shows, especially with areas like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Plus, its mix of high-energy fun and entertainment is a magnet for anyone looking for a great time. Overwhelmed? No worries, we've got you with Universal Studios Orlando tips and tricks below.

Universal Orlando Reviews

Universal Orlando Resort has drawn rave reviews for providing an unparalleled theme park experience. If you’re still on the fence about whether to visit, let’s delve into some of them here .

Plan Your Universal Orlando Adventure With Tripster!

There you have it, our all-in guide to Universal Orlando! But here’s one more: unlock the most amazing deals for your next Universal Orlando adventure with Tripster.

Be it hotels or exciting activities , Tripster has the best offers to make your trip affordable and fun-filled.

Moreover, our handy travel guide has more tips for Universal Studios Orlando 2024, so you don’t miss out on any thrilling experience. So, plan your adventure now!

Did We Miss Anything?

Got more Universal Studios tips and tricks 2024? Perhaps, Universal Orlando secrets? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Kyla Paler

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20 Universal Orlando Tips & Tricks to Maximize your Vacation

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando is not nearly as overwhelming as planning a Disney World trip , but there are still things it helps to know before you go. After visiting a number of times and assisting others with their trips, I’ve decided to share my top Universal Orlando tips with my readers.

We fell in love with Universal Orlando and the amazing theming in the parks, especially the Wizarding World of Harry Potter . Some families are die-hard Disney fans but for us, Universal is our favorite! With three parks and seven hotels, there are many choices to consider and decisions to be made. Be sure to read through these tips so you can get the most out of your visit.

Top Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks

1. stay on property.

Staying on site in a Universal Orlando resort will get you free shuttle transportation to all the parks, early entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay, and, depending on where you stay, other perks like Unlimited Express Passes.

Premier Resorts

The top tier, or Premier, resorts are the Loews Portofino, Loews Royal Pacific, and the Hard Rock Hotel . The Premier resorts included Unlimited Express Passes and Priority Seating at select restaurants.

• Loews Portofino  — keep in mind that this is a high-end, more elegant resort. Expect fine dining and opera in a more hushed atmosphere. Good for families that want a feel of Europe and a relaxed, low stimulation atmosphere.
• Hard Rock Hotel — the vibe at the Hard Rock is much livelier, living up to the rock and roll reputation with live music at the pool (and even music under the water.) This hotel may appeal to Millennials, but kids also love the waterslide and parents love the proximity to the parks.
• Loews Royal Pacific — the Royal Pacific offers the largest pool, but no slide, so more for swimmers and loungers than those looking for poolside entertainment. However, you can take the bridge over to Sapphire Falls and hop a water taxi or shuttle over to the parks.

Preferred Hotels

The Preferred hotels are the next tier, which now is just the Loews Sapphire Falls since Loews Royal Pacific was bumped up to Premier. Loews Sapphire Falls does NOT include Express Passes or Priority Seating, but you can still take a water taxi to the CityWalk and the Universal Theme Parks instead of a shuttle bus.

• Loews Sapphire Falls — with a distinct Caribbean vibe, the pool at the Loews Sapphire Falls offers both a slide and sandy area. You can also find corn hole and table tennis nearby for entertaining little ones.

Prime Value Resorts

Next are the Prime Value resorts of Cabana Bay and the new Aventura Hotel. As the name suggests, these hotels are more value oriented and do not include Universal Express Passes. The bonus, however, is that both are within walking distance to Volcano Bay water park.

• Aventura – Opened in 2018, the Aventura is a modern, stylish hotel within walking distance to the Volcano Bay waterpark.
• Cabana Bay — This 50s-themed hotel offers tons of entertainment, from multiple pools, water slides, a lazy river, a fire pit and even a bowling alley. Just don’t expect to find fine dining (but you can get a kitchenette!) (Read my full Cabana Bay review .)

Value Resorts

Universal now offers a new Value category with the opening of the Endless Summer Resort. This resort requires a shuttle bus ride to any of the parks or CityWalk. It is divided into two sister properties.

• Surfside Inn and Suites – Opened in late 2019 and features a relaxed surf vibe with a beach feel. In addition to standard rooms, this hotel features 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to six, making it the perfect spot for larger families looking to save money.
• Dockside Inn and Suites – Opening in March 2020, the Dockside is a larger hotel with two towers and two large pools, but also features family-size suites and standard rooms.

2. Figure out if you need Express Passes

If you haven’t been to Universal Orlando before, let me first explain what Express Passes are. Express Passes allow you to skip-the-line (or at least join the shorter Express Pass queue), similar to Disney’s FastPass+ system except you don’t book individual ride passes in advance.

Express Pass is used in Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure ( Volcano Bay has their own system .) Express Passes can be used on many — but not all — rides (unlike at Disney where you book 3 FastPasses and then can add more after that). They do not give you an assigned time, you can go whenever you want and join the shorter Express Pass queue.

With a standard Express Pass, you can only use it once per ride. With an Unlimited Express Pass, you can go back and use it as many times as you like. See which rides current offer an Express Pass queue.

Here is my tip — go through the website and see what rides you think your family would want to ride. Then, download the Universal Orlando mobile application . Start to look at the average wait times at different points of the day for the rides you want to go on. If the lines are usually longer than you want to wait, then an Express Pass is the way to go.

Just keep in mind that Express Passes are purchased in addition to your ticket, the price varies based on how crowded they expect the park to be on the day you are visiting, and you can always add on Express Passes while you are there (if they are still available.)

If you are visiting during a peak time, like a holiday break or long weekend, chances are you will appreciate paying extra to get Express Pass access. However, if you plan on spending a few days in the park, you may not mind spreading it out a bit and waiting a while longer.

The best way to get Unlimited Express Passes without paying a bundle is to stay at either the Loews Portofino, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific. Then Unlimited Express Passes for your whole family are included in your stay.

If you are a family of four or more, it will likely make sense to pay for the more expensive hotel and get the included Express Passes if you were going to get them anyway.

If you are a family of two or three, it may be cheaper to stay at a value resort and just purchase the Express Passes — but be sure to price out the differences.

3 . Buy Park-to-Park Tickets (or not)

If you are a Harry Potter mega fan, or if you only have one day to spend in Universal, the Park-to-Park ticket is a must. The only way you can ride the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure is if you have a Park-to-Park ticket.

And, a Park-to-Park ticket lets you visit both parks in one day. Purchase discounted Park-to-Park tickets from our affiliate partner Getaway Today.

4. Don’t over or under stay

For me, the ideal Universal Orlando vacation would be three days, four nights. I would spend one day at Volcano Bay and two days at the other parks.

If you are not really into rides, you can do Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure in one day, especially if you have an Express Pass (and a Park-to-Park ticket of course.)

However, the upcharge in ticket price between a three-day, three-park pass and a four-day, three-park pass is less than $12…so you may just want to add on that extra day.

5. Think about when to go.

Summer is HOT and crowded, but we don’t all have the flexibility in going in the off seasons. I was surprised that it wasn’t crowded when we went at Thanksgiving , plus we got the benefit of seeing the park decorated for the holidays.

Plus, they have added new holiday decorations to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and they will use projection to make Hogwarts sparkle. I’d love to see that!

There are also other special events like a Celebration of Harry Potter and Halloween Horror Nights .

If you do visit in the summer, just get there early in the morning, plan to cool off on the two water rides in Islands of Adventure or some of the indoor rides in Universal Studios, and be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.

5 . Book a package

If you book a package through a registered Universal Orlando travel agent, you may be able to get package discounts that may not be available booking direct online. ( Let me know if you need a referral to a good agent!)

There are also exclusive package add-ons you can include such as transportation between Disney resorts and Universal. Others add-ons include dining plans, transportation, Blue Man Group tickets, VIP experiences and photos.

6 . Consider a dining plan

The average lunch in Universal Orlando will cost you close to $20, but with the quick service dining plan you will get one quick service meal (including an entree and non-alcholic beverage), a snack (such as popcorn, ice cream or a non-alcoholic frozen beverage) from food carts or quick service locations, plus an additional non-alcoholic beverage for $24.49 per adult and $15.97 per child (at time of writing.)

Note: both restaurants in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron) are included in the quick service dining plan.  You can also choose some days with the Full Service dining plan if you are going to be eating dinner or lunch in CityWalk and mix and match your plans. (See more Universal dining options .)

If you purchase a dining plan, you can also add on the Coca Cola Freestyle refillable, insulated cup. On our last trip, we did not do the dining plan, but we still purchased a cup for $14.99, which could be refilled throughout the day (although it won’t allow you to refill it too quickly one after the other.) We still bought one and shared but if you are really thirsty, everyone might need their own.

7. Make dining reservations in advance

If you are doing a character breakfast, you need to reserve it in advance by calling 407-224-7554 (EST 7:30am – 10pm Mon – Sat; 7:30am – 9pm Sun) up to 24 hours before arriving to confirm the table or making a reservation on OpenTable.com .

Unfortunately not all restaurants take reservations but some do, like Emeril’s for example. It is so nice after a long day walking around to NOT have to wait to eat. You may also want to check out my Universal Orlando dining reviews.

The restaurants within the parks that accept reservations online are: Mythos (Universal Studios), Finnegan’s Bar & Grill (Universal Studios), Confisco Grill (Islands of Adventure), and Lombard’s Seafood Grill (Universal Studios).

8. Reserve priority seating or cabanas at Volcano Bay

I talked about this in my Volcano Bay tips post, but if you want to reserve chairs or a cabana at the waterpark, you’ll need to do this a minimum of two weeks in advance as they sell out quickly.

9. Arrive early

On-site guests get early entrance to both Volcano Bay and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter . I recommend getting to the gates before opening time. Many times they will let you into the park before official opening and you can be lined up and at your ride when the park officially opens. It helps to have reviewed the maps of the parks before you go so you know exactly where to head.

I’d recommend lining up for the wand choosing ceremony at Ollivanders as the line gets really long later. Plus, if you are one of only a few people in the first demonstration, you will have great odds that someone in your group will get “picked” for the ceremony. See all my tips for Harry Potter world .

10. Download the App

I’d recommend downloading the Universal Orlando mobile application  so that you can check wait times and set alerts for when you favorite rides reach a certain wait time threshold.

11. Join the Jimmy Fallon Virtual Queue

Race through New York starring Jimmy Fallon, also uses some of the latest technology. This fun (and funny) simulator ride uses a Virtual Queue. You can join the queue from the mobile app and you will be assigned a time to show up. Simply scan your phone on arrival and in you go!

12. Eat dinner early

If you can’t get reservations, the way to beat the crowds (in two ways) is to eat early. For example, we really wanted to go to the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium but knew it would be mobbed during prime dinner hours.

So, we had a light breakfast (we were in a hurry to get the park early), early lunch, and then an early dinner. We arrived around 4pm and had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. By the time we ordered and our food was served, it was nearly 5pm.

When we got back to the parks, the crowds had thinned and the wait times were much shorter than early in the day.

13. Visit Diagon Alley early (and late)

Diagon Alley can feel REALLY crowded in the middle of the day. Also, some of the interactive spells don’t work as well in full sunlight (like the water feature over the bathrooms).

I like to be there either early in the morning and/or in the evening. I find there is a really special feel to Diagon Alley in the evening. The light adds to the magic and when the dragon breathes fire, it is even more impressive.

14. Ride Hogwarts Express both directions

If you have a Park-to-Park ticket, you should ride the Hogwarts Express in both directions as they are two different experiences. And don’t miss the visual effect when people walking through the wall to Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross ( see my video over on this post .)

15. Be smart about your souvenirs

I’ve written a post about the best Harry Potter souvenirs (and some fan favorites to buy before you go), which you should be sure to check out. Just keep in mind that they really add up (check out my budget post ).

I’d recommend giving each kid a souvenir budget so they can make smart choices. Make sure you read about the best place to buy a Pygmy Puff .

16. Store your stuff

On many of the “big ” rides, you can’t bring on backpacks, purses, etc (like Gringotts and Forbidden Journey.) Universal offers free lockers for about the amount of time it should take you to get through the ride.

You need to store your stuff BEFORE you queue up and note that these locker rooms can be mad houses. First you need to go to a locker rental station and use your fingerprint to open a locker. You only have a few seconds to identify the locker and store your stuff. You may need two lockers if you have more than two day bags so two people should line up at the rental station. When you come off the ride, you need to go back to the same locker rental station to open your locker so remember where it is!

For rides like Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey, you will be dipped and tipped and jostled around so be sure to stow your hats, phones and other loose items. It is really tempting to bring your phone to take pictures inside Hogwarts and Gringotts but you have two options.

Either make sure you can later secure it in a zipped or buttoned pocket, or after the ride, grab your stuff and go back through to take a closer look (and just skip the ride.)

There are also paid lockers in different spots, like conveniently near Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (where you will get totally soaked by the way!) But note that on the Barge ride, there is a storage area under a fastened down tarp to store phones, wallets and small bags so don’t pay for the lockers if you don’t need them.

17. Don’t wear sneakers on water rides

That seems obvious right? But on rides like Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges you will get soaked and you have to wear shoes. So even if you just bring a cheap pair of flip flops in your bag, switch out your shoes before the water rides. Oh, and there are “people dryers” if you really need them.

18. Not just for big kids

I know the Universal Orlando advertising targets families with “big kids” but even younger kids — or chickens like me that don’t like rides very much — can still have a great time. So while people think Disney is for young kids and Universal is for teens, both work for both (see my teens favorite rides at Disney .)

First, Seuss Landing is like stepping into a dreamland, or the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. Little ones can enjoy time playing here while the “big kids” head off to the Hulk or King Kong.

Plus, the “big” rides offer a child swap option so the rest of the family can ride the ride while one waits with the younger one and then switch places when they get off without waiting in the long line again.

Of course, in my case it is more of a parent swap and I just walk through and enjoy the features of the queue and then wait for the kids to get off the ride. I also make an excellent bag holder.

19. Bring your own food?

If someone in your party has a food intolerance/allergies, you are allowed to bring in your own food in a soft-sided cooler bag in plastic containers (no glass.) Good news for allergy families! You just need to tell the guard at security that you have a family member with a food allergy.

20. Other ways to skip the line

Another way to “skip the line” is to join the no motion queue on some of the simulator rides (like Minions.) You won’t feel any motion in these seats but you can still experience all the 3D effects of the ride, without the long wait.

Some rides may also offer single rider lines so if you are the only one that wants to ride the line, listen for them calling out for single riders and jump to the front of the line.

My last tip for Universal Orlando is don’t forget to download your Harry Potter photo scavenger hunt for Universal Orlando!

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: July 18, 2017

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2024 Universal Orlando Planning Guide

Our 2024 Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure planning guide offers park & ride strategy. It features tips & tricks to help you save money & time, avoid crowds, and have the best vacation or side-visit from Walt Disney World as possible. ( Updated January 7, 2024. )

We’re Universal Orlando Annual Passholders and huge fans of those parks in addition to Walt Disney World. Universal has improved a ton and upped its game in the last decade. This began with the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which were further enhanced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

That has been taken to the next level with the debut of Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and to a lesser extent, with the new Minions mini-land last year. This is once again going to be another big year thanks to the DreamWorks Animation Land Opening in 2024 at Universal Studios Florida. These recent and upcoming additions, not to mention an all-new theme park in 2025, are among the reasons why some Walt Disney World fans are openly asking:  Is Universal Beating Disney?

Suffice to say, we highly recommend spending a couple of days at Universal when vacationing at Walt Disney World. This is guide to Universal Orlando Resort contains everything you’ll need to know. Whether you’re doing both parks in a single day or making a trip of it with an on-site hotel stay and multiple days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, we have you covered with info and advice about attractions, dining, resorts, strategy, crowds, and more.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to make the most of a visit to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. We’re going to take a counterintuitive organizational approach to this guide, as we’ve found that many readers consult it while visiting Universal rather than during the planning stages of a trip. Accordingly, we’re going to front load with info you need to know if you’ve already touched down in Central Florida.

If you’re a Disney fan simply trying to determine whether a trip to Universal Orlando Resort is right for you in the first place, you might start by reading our Universal vs. Walt Disney World post, which covers some of the pros and cons of each, plus the differences between the two vacation destinations. Although they’re all theme parks located in Central Florida, each have strengths and weaknesses that will make them better or worse for certain types of families–ages, demographics, etc.

Similarly, if you’re debating between resorts at the two main theme park complexes, see our comprehensive breakdown: Universal Orlando vs. Walt Disney World Hotels . That should help you determine which is the better option for your vacation–or if a split stay might be best!

For what it’s worth, neither of these versus posts nor the one about whether Universal is “beating” Disney are pointless fan cheerleading or theme parks as polarizing team sports. The two versus posts are practical planning that objectively weigh pros and cons, whereas the “beating” one is an editorial (not useful for planning, but potentially interesting).

Anyway, here’s everything else you need to know about visiting Universal Orlando Resort…

What’s New & Next at Universal

If you have not been to Universal Orlando in a while (or ever), a lot has changed in the last several years. This includes a few attractions that have been added in the last several years: Bourne Stuntacular, Fast and the Furious: Supercharged, Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

In terms of what’s new, there are two hugely popular coasters in Islands of Adventure: Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in the Hogsmeade side of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Without question, VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s are two of the very best roller coasters in Orlando. (I’d personally put both above TRON Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World, but to each their own on that.)

As noted above, there’s also the new Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida . As the name suggests, this is an area based on the  Despicable Me  film franchise, and builds on the popularity of the existing Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem attraction. This is now an expanded avenue with the new Villain-Con Minion Blast ride and Minion Cafe restaurant, plus more retail, snack spots, meet & greets, placemaking, and more.

Next on the horizon is the aforementioned DreamWorks Animation Land that will feature characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse  and explore themed, interactive play spaces and attractions that bring popular franchises like  Shrek ,  Trolls  and  Kung Fu Panda to life.

Although unconfirmed, this is expected to feature a “Trollercoaster” (a Trolls-themed roller coaster, hence the name) and a Shrek’s swamp area. Construction permits put the end of work in March 2024, which makes sense–have the DreamWorks land open by Spring Break. (That opening timeframe is also unconfirmed, though–permits can be extended, but construction appears to be progressing quickly.)

These new additions are appetizers to the main course, which comes in Summer 2025. Universal is building a third theme park in Central Florida and construction is progressing fast . It’s full steam ahead on this project, and Universal’s Epic Universe Park is Opening by Summer 2025! This will bring Super Nintendo World plus more Harry Potter, Universal Monsters, How to Train Your Dragon, and much more to Universal Orlando in the coming years.

In the here and now, another thing worth addressing in terms of what’s new is a return to normal in terms of attendance and crowds. After nearly two full years of pent-up demand driving wait times and prices higher, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have seen a slowdown.

With this, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have gotten more aggressive with discounts in an attempt to entice more people to visit their parks and stay in on-site hotels. We’ve mentioned repeatedly that  Walt Disney World already  has released a dozen different discounts for 2024 .

Universal has followed suit, shifting from discounts aimed almost exclusively at Annual Passholders and Florida residents to general public offers. There’s currently a “buy 2 days, get 3 free” ticket deal, resort discounts offering 20-35% off, and package deals offering up to $650 off.

These are worth pricing out for yourself, but we should warn that many have length of stay requirements of 5 days. That’s longer than most people will spend at Universal Orlando (which is part of why it’s being offered–to increase visit durations). In any case, we recommend using a travel agent– such as Be Our Guest Vacations –to price out different packages and deals, and help you figure out the best way to save, plan your trip, etc.

Now let’s turn to Universal Orlando’s advanced planning topics…

Where to Stay

There are a number of questions you have to ask yourself when planning a trip, and many of them will dictate where you stay. Do you want Unlimited Express Pass by staying at an eligible Universal Orlando hotel? Do you want to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel for the duration of your trip, or change hotels? Do you want to stay an an off-site hotel in the general vicinity of both Universal and Disney to save money?

We’ve recently stayed at every single on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort–here are our reviews:

• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Review (recommended)
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Review (highly recommended)
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Review (good Express Pass eligible “budget” pick)
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Review (highly recommended)
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel Review
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Review (highly recommended)
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites Review (good budget pick)
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites (2-Bedroom) Review (good for larger families)

For insight into all of these hotels, their pros & cons, and how they compare and contrast with one another, see our Universal Orlando Hotel Rankings & Reviews .

We are big fans of Universal’s hotels, and are particularly partial to the two “bay” resorts: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Both of those are in our top 10 hotels in Orlando, rivaling some of our favorite resorts at Walt Disney World.

Universal’s hotels provide great bang for buck, and even those that don’t include free Express Pass do offer Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before those parks open. That can be absolutely huge!

As for staying off-site, you generally will get the most bang for your buck when staying in an off-site hotel, as there are a lot of non-Disney and non-Universal hotels competing with one another. We have an Off-Site v. On-Site Walt Disney World Hotels article that goes into greater depth about the pros and cons of staying off-site, and it’s marginally applicable to Universal, as well.

As for simply staying at a Walt Disney World hotel for the duration of your trip regardless of where you go, we have written comprehensive reviews with our opinions and photos of the rooms. Check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page , for links to each of these reviews.

Ride Strategy for Universal Orlando

Next, what to know while you’re at Universal Orlando. For starters, we strongly recommend that you do not “wing it” for your daily itinerary due to the aforementioned crowd issues. You don’t need to plan every movement so that there’s no spontaneity in your trip, just make sure you have at least a loose plan of what you’re going to do.

We have the following plans for each park that cover our perfect days:

• 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Islands of Adventure Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Universal Park Hopping Itinerary ( both Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida )

Those offer step by step touring plans for both theme parks at Universal Orlando, prioritizing the most popular rides and skipping what isn’t worth your time. Those will help you do Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and other must-do rides.

If you’d prefer to create your own itineraries and want an overview and review of every attraction at each of the parks, consult our Islands of Adventure Ride Guide and Universal Studios Florida Ride Guide . If you’re a fan spinners, you might want to check those out, as we don’t waste your time with that nonsense in the itineraries.

When to Visit

If you’re adding on a Universal Orlando visit to your Walt Disney World vacation, the answer to this is easy…whenever you’re visiting Walt Disney World. Crowd patterns at Walt Disney World translate pretty similarly to Universal Orlando.

The reasons are two-fold: first, because crowds tend to be predicated upon school schedules, which are the same for both; second, because Walt Disney World is the ‘whale’ in the Orlando market, so crowds for all theme parks are dictated by when guests plan their Disney vacations. In other words, you can refer to our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars post to determine when to visit, as that’s roughly applicable to Universal Orlando as well.

There are only some exceptions to this, and they’re largely predicated upon special events that are unique to each of the parks. For example, Walt Disney World sees its crowds spike due to runDisney events, when its hotels are hosting conventions or youth sporting events, or during EPCOT festivals. By contrast, Universal sees its own spikes around Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and early December when it plays host to the Pop Warner youth football event.

In general, though, the big driver of attendance at both is school breaks. In particular, those of Orange County and other counties throughout Florida and the South. Of course, both are vacation destinations, so breaks for school districts in the Midwest and Northeast also have a significant impact. The obvious times like Spring Break, Easter, Summer, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are all busy.

More under the radar timeframes like MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and more also see pronounced spikes in crowds. Again, reference the aforementioned crowd calendars if you’re looking to choose the best times to visit Universal Orlando.

Due to a surge of locals on weekends, we strongly recommend avoiding Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on Saturdays and Sundays. Mondays through Thursdays are the best days to visit, with much lower crowds then. However, that goes out the window during holiday weeks or anytime school is out of session, when it’s disproportionately tourists and every single day of the week is busy.

The one exception to this is if you want to see or avoid Halloween season at Universal, namely Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This is a hard ticket event that has a huge following among locals and fans of haunt season, in general.

During HHN, you step onto the set of some of your favorite horror movies, and walking through those sets as actors attempt to scare you. This event is not for children under the age of 13, and has absolutely nothing in common with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. See our Guide to Halloween Horror Nights for more .

Aside from this, the only noteworthy events are Mardi Gras and Christmas. See our Guide to Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios Florida . At this fun event, guests can experience a food festival with cuisine and entertainment inspired by international Carnaval celebrations.

Food booths serve up the flavors of Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Spain and other regions including, of course, New Orleans. Plus enjoy spectacular floats on display, street entertainment, music, beads and more throughout Universal Studios Florida.

Although HHN gets all the attention from the fan community, an equally popular seasonal event is Christmas at Universal Orlando . During this, Grinchmas and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s are the main entertainment draws. There’s also the Christmas Tribute Store, which is essentially a walk-through exhibit, plus Universal Studios Florida’s iconic Christmas Tree.

Perhaps the biggest draw is Winter in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which features unique decor and projections on Hogwarts Castle. There are also decorations around both parks in Seuss Landing, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Hollywood, New York, and San Francisco.

How Many Days?

This one is going to vary widely based on a few variables. The biggest one is how receptive your party is to the type of attractions that are prominent at Universal Orlando Resort, namely, roller coasters and screen-based simulators. That’s reductionist, and there are many more things at Universal than those types of rides, but if your party is averse to either, doing more than 2 days at Universal is going to be tough.

If you love coasters or have teens, you can easily spend 3 days or more at Universal Orlando. Heck, I’m not huge on roller coasters or simulators, and I can easily do 2 days (or even 3) at Universal. Likewise, if you love Harry Potter, several days at Universal will be easy. The two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter alone can fill a good chunk of the day. I mean, Diagon Alley has a fire-breathing dragon …not liking dragons is distinctly unpatriotic.

Islands of Adventure also has a Jurassic Park area, which is basically a tribute to our greatest national treasure: dinosaurs. It’s not as good as a real Jurassic Park (that would be like the San Diego Zoo meets the Lincoln Memorial meets Tokyo DisneySea), but it’s an enjoyable area to explore. In other words, there’s plenty to do if you’re an “ambiance person” at the Universal parks.

Then, there’s also the question of how much “extra” vacation time you have. Assuming you’ve already allocated your time at Walt Disney World and are looking at “other stuff” to round out your trip to Florida, I’d probably look to spending more time at Universal than other parks like SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. That’s personal preference and all of these parks definitely aren’t trying to accomplish the same thing, but I find the Disney and Universal parks to be in a different league than all of the rest.

Universal Orlando Park Tickets

If you’re looking for a deal on park tickets, Get Away Today will save you the most money on Universal Orlando tickets . This is especially true if you’re doing a longer trip, as Get Away Today has a ‘Buy 2 days, get 3 days free’ special. With more and more to do at Universal Orlando, spending several days in the parks is highly recommended–especially if you’re staying in a nearby hotel and want to do some partial days (also recommended).

I am a fan of the Park-to-Park tickets if you can swing spending extra. This is because Universal did something really ingenious when it built Diagon Alley, and that was connecting the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter via the Hogwarts Express.

You can only ride this train from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley (or vice-a-versa) if you have the Park-to-Park ticket. I’m no Harry Potter fan, but the experience of entering a train station in London, walking through a wall, and then taking a train to Hogsmeade is pretty awesome.

If you’re going for just one day and don’t want the park-to-park tickets, the best way to save money on Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida tickets is simply going to be buying tickets online on Universal Orlando’s website. The Universal tickets purchased online can be printed at home and used at the turnstiles–meaning no waiting in line to purchase tickets or exchange vouchers.

Express Pass

Express Pass is Universal Orlando’s version of Genie+ or Lightning Lanes (a way to skip the lines) and is available as a ticket add-on or with select hotel stays. You can purchase two varieties of Express Pass, regular or unlimited. Almost all of the most popular attractions in each park offer Express Pass.

The regular version allows you to skip the line once per eligible attraction in either park, and costs $90 to $350 per person depending on the date. Universal Express Unlimited offers line-skipping privileges, as the name suggests, an unlimited number of times per attraction, and costs between $100 and $380 per person. Even at its most expensive, Genie+ at Walt Disney World costs under $40 per person. So, what’s the difference? Well,  a lot. 

Unlike Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, there is no tech component to Express Pass. While it’s significantly more expensive, it’s also frictionless. You simply go up to the attraction and use your Express Pass entitlement. There’s nothing to reserve or hassle with in an app. Express Pass involves zero screen time and headaches–but you’ll pay a lot more for it!

Whether Express Pass is worth the money largely depends upon what day of the week and season you’re visiting, and how you value your time versus your money. Personally, we would not pay for Express Pass most days. However, we also avoid weekends and holidays, arrive for park opening, and utilize an efficient park itinerary.

If you really want Express Pass, staying at an on-site hotel that offers Express Pass with your stay is absolutely the way to go. Unlimited Express Pass is available at the Universal Premier category resorts–meaning Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay–which are Universal’s most expensive hotels. Honestly, this is the only way we’ve ever “bought” Express Pass–we couldn’t justify the cost any other way.

All three of these hotels are nice, on par with Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts, and generally cost less. They’re still pricey, but they’re cheaper than Disney’s higher-end hotels, and absolutely worth the money–especially if you want the Unlimited Express Pass perk or a good location within walking or boat distance of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. If you’d be staying at a nice hotel anyway, this trio is definitely worthy of your consideration.

If you want to learn more about this line-skipping option and how it compares to Walt Disney World’s counterpart, see our guide:  Universal’s Express Pass v. Lightning Lanes & Genie+ at Walt Disney World .

Transportation

By far the most common questions we get concerning Universal Orlando Resort is: “what’s the best way to get from Walt Disney World Universal.” The answer is that there are a lot of options, but by far the best is Uber. We covered this in depth in our Uber vs. Rental Cars at Walt Disney World article. Here’s the pertinent portion of that post:

In the past, the best option we’ve found for those who don’t have rental cars the duration of their trips is either renting a car on-site for the day, or taking a pricey shuttle. Neither is cost-effective or all that appealing, especially when you add on that parking fee.

For those who aren’t renting a car for the duration of their trip, Uber or Lyft are the unquestionable best options for getting from Walt Disney World to Universal. The one-way cost of an Uber or Lyft from Walt Disney World will vary depending upon your exact location, typically costing under $25 each way and taking 20-25 minutes.

There are some good restaurants in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but as a whole, I do not think the culinary experience is on par with Walt Disney World’s. The unquestionable highlights, in my mind, are the counter service restaurants in Diagon Alley (Leaky Cauldron) and Hogsmeade (Three Broomsticks) and the table service restaurant, Mythos, which is a great value.

Other in-park restaurants at Universal Orlando that we like include the Today Show Cafe (for lighter options) and Krusty Burger (for the exact opposite). Actually, there’s something for everyone in the Springfield area, which has a variety of dining options drawn from The Simpsons.

On the snacking front, you’re obviously going to want to try Butterbeer–perhaps all three varieties (frozen, hot, and regular). Most of the other snacks we enjoy are also in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour and Honeydukes.

Another thing you might want to consider is purchasing a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. I’ve done this, but I can really put down the Cokes to make it worth the money. I’m sure some day I will be toothless, but hopefully that’s at least 5 years away. These Coke Freestyle machines located throughout the parks are also a convenient way to get free water that’s cold and tastes great.

Other Things to Do

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s water park. It’s themed to the South Seas and features a giant volcano (hence the name) in the middle with water slides in it. For Walt Disney World fans, it’s a bit like Typhoon Lagoon water park mixed with Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Adventureland.

All the rides at Volcano Bay feature a Virtual Line instead of traditional standby queues. You tap in with your TapuTapu wearable (think MagicBand) to grab a ride time. Then go float, swim, splash, eat, shop or relax around Volcano Bay. Your TapuTapu will tell you when it’s your time to ride.

You will either  love  or  hate  the virtual queue system at Volcano Bay. That pretty much comes down to whether you beat the crowds or not. That can be accomplished by arriving and/or staying late, buying Express Pass, or visiting during the off-season. If you don’t do any of those things, you’ll likely think the virtual queue system sucks, and you won’t accomplish much. It’s definitely a system that creates winners and losers–they key is (obviously) to be in the former group and not the latter.

In addition to the two theme parks and Volcano Bay water park, there’s CityWalk. This is Universal Orlando’s shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, which is a lot like Disney Springs. The big difference is that you walk through CityWalk to access Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, and it’s incredibly easy to exit the parks and eat lunch or dinner at CityWalk. No bus necessary!

There’s also a lot of relatively new dining at CityWalk, such as Red Coconut Club, Bigfire, Voodoo Doughnut, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, and VIVO Italian Kitchen–among other things. Toothsome is a fan-favorite for its over the top milkshakes and dessert concoctions (as well as the fun steampunk theme), and Voodoo Doughnut is a fun spot. With that said, we think both are slightly overrated.

For our money, the sleeper hits of the list are Bigfire and Cowfish, both of which offer great food at reasonable (by theme park standards) prices. We’d also give honorable mentions to Vivo and Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. While the latter is not our personal favorite, it’s better than the “blockbuster” touristy restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Nothing against any of those–but they’re essentially Applebee’s with more wow-factor. Good enough for predictably-prepared comfort food, but absolutely nothing special.

One final note on attractions is that there are numerous attractions that don’t allow bags, but provide free lockers nearby for storing backpacks, cameras, small children, and whatever other random junk you might have on you. These are pretty convenient and there are larger lockers you can pay for at the front of the park, but the point here is for those of you who are used to bringing a small U-Haul worth of stuff into the Walt Disney World parks: you can’t do that at Universal. Pack for the parks a little lighter.

I think this is probably a good starting point if you’re planning on visiting Universal Orlando Resort as an add-on to your Walt Disney World vacation. If you would like to see some of these topics covered in greater depth, please let me know in the comments. We’re planning to tackle more on dining, special events, and Universal Orlando news in the coming months, so stay tuned for more of that!

Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for everything about those parks, resorts, restaurants, and so much more. For regular updates, news & rumors, a heads up when discounts are released, and much more, sign up for our FREE email newsletter !

Your Thoughts

Are you visiting Universal Orlando Resort in 2024? Excited for Epic Universe or other rumored additions in the next few years? What about Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, or the new rides that have recently opened? Have a favorite on-site hotel at Universal? Do you prefer staying on-site at Universal, or commuting from Walt Disney World? If you’re a first-timer, is there anything else you’d like to know? Chances are if you have questions still, so does someone else! Please share your thoughts in the comments

Written by Tom Bricker

Do you have an itinerary for 1 day, 2 parks at Universal, with an express pass? That would be appreciated.

Have loved your site for years. We use it as a major planning tool for all of our trips to Disney, Universal and Disney Cruise locations. It seems like the ride guides, 1 day itineraries and Mardi Gras guide are all from a couple of years ago. Are there any updates we should be aware of that you do not reference in this article?

Thanks for sharing, would love to visit Universal.

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A First Timer’s Guide to Universal Orlando

Jun 15, 2015

See recent posts by Gina Vercesi

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort is exciting, but daunting, even for the savviest of travelers. This guide will streamline the process by answering a first-time visitor’s most common questions about accommodations, ticket options, timing and more.

What’s the Difference Between Each Park?

Universal Orlando Resort is comprised of three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park. Another component of the resort is CityWalk, an expansive entertainment, shopping and dining promenade.

Universal Studios Florida Movies and television come to life at this action-packed theme park. Universal Studios Orlando features seven distinct areas, and each one feels like a film set with rich detailing. Diagon Alley, part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is the most popular area here — obviously.

Islands of Adventure Islands of Adventure caters to the young bunch with attractions featuring favorite super heroes and cartoon characters. Little ones will especially love Seussland, while Potter fans will delight in the snowcapped village of Hogsmeade. Make no mistake, though — Islands of Adventure still caters to teens and tweens with iconic thrill rides. The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall are at the top of the list.

Volcano Bay Opened in 2016, Volcano Bay might as well be an island in French Polynesia. The water park features rides and attractions for all ages — including the now-famous Krakatau Water Coaster, a waterslide inside the park’s centerpiece “volcano.”

When Should We Go to Universal Orlando?

School vacation times dictate the crowd levels at Universal Orlando Resort. The resort’s location in Florida means many looking to escape the cold will flock to the parks during the winter and early spring, with mid-February through April seeing higher crowds and pricing. The summer months see similar crowd levels and rates, with the addition of heat and humidity. Visit September through January for the fewest crowds and best prices.

Where Should We Stay at Universal Orlando?

Offsite Accommodations Several Orlando hotels are considered Universal Partner Hotels and many of these are located just a mile from the parks. Some of these offer complimentary shuttle service to the parks, but will probably not get you to the parks as early as you’d like. Booking a stay at a Universal Partner Hotel directly through Universal as part of a package that includes park tickets entitles you to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour early on select days.

However, the complimentary transportation to the parks will not begin running early enough to allow you to take advantage of that benefit, requiring you to drive to the parks or take an Uber or taxi. Also, booking a package via Universal may not always be the most cost-effective option, and staying at an offsite hotel may not actually save you money in the end.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (Moderate/Value)

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Moderate/Value)

Hard Rock Hotel Orlando (Deluxe)

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (Deluxe)

Loews Royal Pacific Resort (Deluxe)

Without question, the biggest perk of staying at one of the onsite hotels is early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which allows guests to enter Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village an hour earlier than the general public.

For guests of Universal Resort’s Deluxe Hotels, Universal Express Unlimited Passes are included in the price of the stay; guests of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort do not receive this benefit. If you are considering a stay at an offsite hotel at a similar price point, this perk alone can make it worthwhile to opt for one of these hotels instead. The proximity of the onsite hotels to CityWalk and the theme parks is another benefit of choosing to stay at one of these properties. All five hotels provide easy access to the CityWalk promenade.

What’s the Best Way to Get Around Universal Orlando?

Everything at Universal Orlando Resort feels centrally located, and getting from the parks to the hotels and everywhere in between is a breeze. From the entry point of CityWalk, both theme parks are only about a 5- to 10-minute walk. A water taxi transports guests from the Deluxe Hotels and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort to a dock in CityWalk. Cabana Bay provides its own shuttle bus to CityWalk’s main entrance. Shuttles are also available to transport guests between the Universal Orlando Resort hotels.

How Much Time Do We Need at Universal Orlando?

The answer to this question largely depends on how much you want to see during your visit. Ideally, three-day park-to-park tickets will allow you to experience most of what the parks have to offer while leaving room for much needed down-time to relax by the pool or enjoy a leisurely meal. Of course, you can also visit the parks in one day — just know that you’ll need a play-by-play strategy, particularly for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. See 24 Hours in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for our best tactics.

If you are staying in an onsite hotel and have the privilege of early entry, start your day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — either Hogsmeade Village or Diagon Alley. After riding the Forbidden Journey (in Islands of Adventure) and/or Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios), head to the parks’ other headlining attractions — substantial waits tend to build early and quickly at Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, Transformers the Ride: 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios Florida, and at the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and the Toon Lagoon water rides (Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges in Islands of Adventure.

Which Ticket Options Are Best at Universal Orlando?

Tickets are available for one to four days of admission and come in three forms:

• Multi-Day: These tickets allow guests entry into one park, two parks, or all three parks over the course of four days (or less), depending on your preference.
• Single-Park: These tickets allow guests entry into one park or all three parks for one day; they can be upgraded at any time.
• Volcano Bay: This ticket provides one-day access to the water park.

The price difference for a park-to-park ticket over a single-park ticket is about $50 regardless of how many days of tickets you have. It is highly recommended that you purchase your park tickets in advance. Doing so through Universal’s website offers you a savings over the gate price, as well as time savings. Tickets purchased online can be printed at kiosks located at all of the Universal Orlando resorts and theme parks.

Note: A ride aboard the Hogwarts Express requires that guests purchase park-to-park tickets. Multi-day park-to-park tickets are available, too.

Is Universal Express Pass Worth It?

Unlike lines at Disney World, front-of-the-line access at Universal is a perk that typically comes at a price. There are two types of passes available — the Universal Express Pass, which entitles guests one express queue entry per participating attraction, and the Universal Express Pass Unlimited, which entitles guests unlimited access to the Express queues at participating attractions. Guests staying at Universal’s Deluxe Hotels receive Unlimited Passes as an added benefit. Guests at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort other area hotels may purchase the passes a la carte.

If you are staying at either of the park’s Moderate hotels, have access to early park entry and are willing to arrive at the park’s turnstiles prior to park opening, you will stay ahead of the masses and the Express Pass will only be of minimal benefit, even during peak periods. If you are staying at an offsite hotel or would prefer to sleep later in the mornings, Express Passes will reduce your wait times significantly.

Volcano Bay offers Tapu Tapu bands that automatically help families avoid waits with technology that notifies them how long lines are so they can plan their next move accordingly. Anyone with tickets to the water park receives a Tapu Tapu (to be returned upon departure).

More Hacks for Universal Orlando

Don’t Prolong Breakfast To save time, plan on eating breakfast in your room before heading to the parks. If this is too early for your stomachs, plan a breakfast break after your first attraction.

Rent a Stroller To lighten your load, strollers can be rented in both parks immediately after you pass through the turnstiles. Family Services areas are centrally located and provide everything caregivers need for diaper changing and bottle warming. Rocking chairs are available for nursing moms or for resting quietly with a tired toddler.

Take Advantage of Rider Swap If you’re traveling with young children who don’t meet the height requirement for an attraction, or someone in your party isn’t interested in coming along for the ride, Universal’s Rider Swap program is for you. Rider Swap allows the whole family to go through the attraction’s queue together. At the loading area, one parent takes the non-riding kids to a special waiting area while the other parent boards the attraction with the other kids. After the ride, the family is reunited and the other adult may ride without having to wait in line. Any member of the family may ride again so the second adult doesn’t have to ride alone.

Download the Universal Orlando Resort App Be sure to download the resort’s official app, which is free. The app provides wait times, which are very accurate, lists of attractions with detailed descriptions, park maps, dining and hotel information and show times.

Know Which Foods You Can Bring The parks allow the following items: bottled water; small snacks; any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements; any food for special dietary needs; baby food/baby formula; and soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5 inches wide, 6 inches high and 6 inches deep. Full picnic lunches and food that requires heating or refrigeration are not permitted.

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2024 Universal Islands of Adventure Map (Printable PDF)– Plus, Each Island Map

This is the 2024 map for Universal Islands of Adventure, the second theme park of Universal Orlando Resort that opened in 1999. The park is home to some of the resort's most popular attractions like the VelociCoaster, Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and more.

Universal Islands of Adventure is divided into eight different islands which are all situated around a lagoon: Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing. Each of these islands is visible on the Universal Islands of Adventure map below.

You can see our full Universal Islands of Adventure ride guide for a breakdown of all the attractions and what to expect and our full guide to visiting Universal Orlando for everything you need to know as you are planning your visit.

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In this planning guide:

Universal Islands of Adventure Map 2024 PDF Printable

On the Universal Islands of Adventure map below, you'll see each of the different islands marked in a different color with the locations of attractions, restaurants, and entertainment. On the map, you'll also see the locations of First Aid, Guest Services, and Service Animal Rest Areas, icons for attraction accessibility for guests with disabilities, and Parental Advisory icons for certain attractions.

You'll also see which rides offer Express Pass marked on the map as well. See our full guide to Express Pass at Universal Orlando for everything you need to know!

Below, we will break down the layout of Universal Islands of Adventure by land and highlight the attractions, dining locations, and entertainment that each area offers.

***You can click for a pdf download of the Universal Islands of Adventure map that will give you an overview of where each of the lands and attractions are located.***

You can also view a printable 2024 Universal Studios Hollywood map here!

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Port of Entry

👉🏾 CLICK HERE to Read About the Universal Epic Universe: NEW Theme Park Coming to Universal Orlando 2025

Port of Entry is the first area that you'll see upon entering Universal Islands of Adventure. There aren't any attractions in this area, but you'll find dining locations including Croissant Moon Bakery (A on map), Confisco Grille (B on map), and Backwater Bar (C on map) that you can explore, or you can grab a coffee and snack on your way into the park through Starbucks (D on map) or Cinnabon (E on map). As you walk further into Port of Entry, you'll find Seuss Landing to the North and Marvel Super Hero Island to the South.

See the map for Port of Entry below:

Marvel Super Hero Island

Working clockwise around the different islands of the park, you can see Marvel Super Hero Island to the left of Port of Entry on the Universal Islands of Adventure map. Marvel Super Hero Island is based on stories from the Marvel comics, and it's home to attractions like The Incredible Hulk Coaster (1 on map), Storm Force Acceleration (2 on map), Doctor Doom's Fearfall (3 on map), and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (4 on map).

There is also a meet-and-greet opportunity here, Meet the Marvel Superheroes (5 on map) where you can meet iconic Marvel superheroes and villains. There are a few dining areas in Marvel Super Hero Island including Cafe 4 (F on map) and Captain America Diner (H on map).

See the map of Marvel Super Hero Island below:

Toon Lagoon

Toon Lagoon is the land located between Skull Island: Reign of Kong and Marvel Super Hero Island, home to attractions including what we consider to be the best water ride at Universal, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (9 on map), the play area Me Ship, the Olive (7 on map), and the raft ride Popeye and Bluto's Bildge-Rat Barges (8 on map). The area is also home to a character meet-and-greet area, Classic Comic Strip Characters, where you can meet characters like Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor Man, and Olive Oyl. You'll find a few dining locations here including Comic Strip Cafe (I on map), Blondie's (J on map), and Wimpy's (K on map).

See the map of Toon Lagoon below:

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Skull Island: Reign of Kong is located to the far southwest of the park and is home to only one attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong. This trackless dark ride takes you on an immersive adventure aboard an expedition truck through Skull Island as you encounter monsters from the film and a giant Kong animatronic.

See the map for the Skull Island: Reign of Kong area below:

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is located between Skull Island: Reign of Kong and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure. The island is home to several fun rides including the intense Jurassic World VelociCoaster that simulates a raptor hunt (16 on map), Jurassic Park River Adventure (13 on map), and Pteranodon Flyers (12 on map), and more, as well as the experience Raptor Encounter (14 on map) where kids have the chance to meet Blue the raptor. You'll find dining options in Jurassic Park including Thunder Falls Terrace (L on map), Pizza Predattoria (M on map), The Burger Digs (N on map), and The Watering Hole (O on map).

See the map of Jurassic Park below:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

On the far northwest of the park is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one of two Harry Potter-themed lands at Universal (the other, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios Florida). Here, you'll find attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (17 on map), Flight of the Hippogriff (18 on map), and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (21 on map). You can also shop at Ollivanders (20 on map), enjoy entertainment like Frog Choir / Triwizard Spirit Rally (19 on map), or dine at Hog's Head (P on map) or Three Broomsticks (Q on map).

At Hogsmeade, you can board Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station (22 on map) if you have a park-t0-park ticket that will take you to the other station at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida park.

See the map for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade below:

The Lost Continent

👉🏾 CLICK HERE to Read Our Comparison of Disney World vs. Universal Orlando – Which is Best in 2024?

The Lost Continent is located on the north end of the park between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Seuss Landing and is themed to ancient myths and legends. This area of the park was formerly where Poseidon's Fury was located, but now the only attraction here is The Mystic Fountain (23 on map), a talking fountain that interacts with guests. It is also home to a few dining locations, including Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House (R on map), Fire Eater's Grill (S on map), and Mythos Restaurant (T on map).

See the map of The Lost Continent below:

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is located between Port of Entry and The Lost Continent on the Universal Islands of Adventure map. Here, you'll find several kid-friendly attractions like The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! (24 on map), Caro-Seuss-el (25 on map), One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (28 on map), and the dark ride The Cat in the Hat (29 on map). Kids can explore in the play area If I Ran the Zoo (30 on map), enjoy the live performance Oh! The Stories You'll Hear! (26 on map), or meet characters in the Dr. Seuss Character Zone (27 on map).

This area is also home to fun dining locations including Moose Juice, Goose Juice (U on map), Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop (V on map), Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous (W on map) and Green Eggs and Ham Cafe (X on map).

See the map for Seuss Landing below:

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Frequently Asked Questions

While the question of which park is better between Universal or Islands of Adventure boils down to personal preferences, Universal Islands of Adventure is a better option for guests who want to experience more thrill rides while Universal Studios Florida offers overall better shows, character interactions, entertainment, and seasonal events. We break down all of the factors you'll want to consider in our guide to Universal Studios Florida vs. Islands of Adventure . If you're planning a visit to Islands of Adventure, see the map above to get a sense of the layout of the park and the locations of its popular offerings.

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are located within walking distance of one another, so if you want to park hop, it only takes a few minutes. You can see the Islands of Adventure map above and the Universal Studios Florida map to familiarize yourself with the locations of the attractions if you're planning on visiting both parks.

You can do Universal Islands of Adventure in one day. You can see our map above to familiarize yourself with the layout of the park if you are planning on visiting. We recommend getting a park-to-park ticket so that you have access to the Hogwarts Express that will take you between Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.

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About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer from San Diego, California. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been in love with all things Disney ever since! At Mickey Visit, she will keep you updated with the latest news from the Disney Parks and provide helpful planning content for your vacation. Her favorite rides at Disneyland are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

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Enjoy 5 Days at Universal Orlando for the Price of 3 With the Park's Latest Ticket Offer

Just in time for the opening of new rides and shows across the resort.

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

If a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on your summer bucket list, then you (and your wallet) are in luck as Universal Orlando Resort has announced a new ticket offer. And with an entire slate of new attractions and shows, you won’t wait to miss out. Available exclusively to residents of the U.S. and Canada, the theme park destination is now offering 2 days free when you buy a 2-park, 3-day ticket starting as low as $255.99, per adult, plus tax, Universal Orlando Resort shared with Travel + Leisure . The ticket deal grants visitors five days of access to its theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, for the price of three.

The offer is valid for one park visit a day for any 5 calendar days during an 8 consecutive calendar day period. Prices start at $255.99 and vary based on first date of use. With dozens of thrilling attractions for all ages, including mischief making in Minion Land and classic rides like E.T. Adventure, you’ll have plenty of time to experience all that it has to offer with this special. And for those looking to beat the heat, guests can also upgrade their ticket for access to Universal Volcano Bay water theme park, an award-winning South Seas-inspired paradise.

The savings extend to Universal’s 8 on-site resorts, with a current deal offering 20 percent off 4-night stays. With the utmost of convenience being close to the parks and flexibility for all budgets. No matter which hotel you choose, all include exclusive perks, like transportation to the theme parks and early entry.

And the deal comes at a perfect time as this summer is stacking up to be bigger than ever with several brand new experiences at Universal Orlando.

Beginning June 14, guests can step into the colorful worlds of their favorite fictional characters, including Shrek and the Trolls, when DreamWorks Land officially opens. That day will also mark the exciting debut of new in-park entertainment, including CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, a nighttime spectacular celebrating iconic films, and Hogwarts Always, an all-new castle projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade that takes guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year at Hogwarts.

Come July 3, Universal will debut its largest daytime parade to date, Universal Mega Movie Parade. Later this summer, fan favorite Halloween Horror Nights returns Aug. 30 with all new haunted houses and frightening fun.

And that is all leading up to what will be an exciting new addition when Epic Universe , a brand-new theme park home to Super Nintendo World , opens at Universal Orlando Resort in 2025.

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6 all-new haunted houses announced for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024

U niversal has been a fixture in the world of monster movies since the 1930s, bringing fictional characters like the Wolf Man, Dracula and the Invisible Man to the big screen.

These famous monsters have been a mainstay at Universal Orlando Resort since the park opened in Orlando in 1990, appearing in attractions like the "Horror Make-Up Show" and the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. It only makes sense that Universal would drive full-throttle into the world of haunted attractions by turning its entire park into one.

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights began as a three-night event in 1991 (hosted by Beetlejuice himself) with just one haunted house. Now in its 33rd year, Halloween Horror Nights will run for a record-breaking 48 nights, beginning in August for the first time ever. After all, who doesn't want to start celebrating spooky season a little early?

Throughout the event's more-than-two-month run, guests can experience a more sinister side of Universal Orlando. The event occurs in the dark of night after Universal Studios Florida closes to daytime guests. The haunted houses, outdoor scare zones and live entertainment serve as a terrifying counterpart to the family-friendly fun that Universal is otherwise known for.

There is no minimum age requirement for Halloween Horror Nights, but due to its intense nature and extreme gore, the event is not recommended for children under 13. If you want to bring kids, consider whether they are ready for this event.

Popular dates, including opening weekend and Halloween, sell out early, so you must plan ahead to get the socks scared right off your feet. Get your tickets now so you don't miss out. Start planning in advance so you know the ins and outs before exploring the darker side of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights.

Related: 7 spooky destinations for a Halloween vacation

When does Halloween Horror Nights start?

This year, Halloween Horror Nights will occur on select nights from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3. The event is open every night of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays. It typically begins at 6:30 p.m. on event nights and operates until 2 a.m.

Haunted houses

As is typical for HHN, there will be 10 haunted houses at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights this year. The houses are scattered throughout the park. You can find them using the Universal Orlando app's map. Some are in overflow queue areas for rides, while others are in real working soundstages. Some are in large tents and don't look nearly as scary on the outside as they do inside.

Houses are always a terrifying mix of original concepts dreamt up by the menacing minds at Universal and houses inspired by pop culture horror favorites like "Stranger Things" and "Halloween." Most years, the original and movie-based houses are split evenly with five apiece.

This year, Universal departed from convention and kicked off the house announcements with six original houses. Here's a quick rundown:

• Slaughter Sinema 2 : Whether you like it or not, this house makes you the star of your own B-movie marathon, complete with creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti Westerns and more.
• Goblin's Feast : As you walk through this house, you'll observe preparations for a lavish feast for the village goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and witches. Did we forget to mention you're the main course?
• Major Sweets Candy Factory : This isn't Major Sweets' first appearance at Halloween Horror Nights. The candy-making tycoon had his own HHN scare zone in 2022. This year, guests have been invited to chaperone a field trip to his candy factory, where the "deadly yet delicious" treats have some unexpected effects on the children who consume them.
• Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America : La Muerte (aka Death) will guide you through the house, where you will encounter three terrifying legends — Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza and El Silbon.
• The Museum: Deadly Exhibit : There's more than meets the eye at the museum's new folklore exhibit, "The Rotting Stone." It will destroy everything in its path once its evil is unleashed.
• Triplets of Terror : It's just a birthday party, so what could go wrong? A lot, in fact. The Barmy triplets have a bloody re-creation of their family's murders planned for this "bash."

Four houses have yet to be announced, but it's safe to assume they will be based on existing movies and video games as in previous years.

Scare zones

In addition to the haunted houses, Universal creates a series of outdoor scare zones throughout the park. This year, there will be five scare zones, and there's pretty much no way to get around the park without facing the scare zones head-on.

"Scareactors" (it rhymes with "characters") roam around the scare zones looking for unwitting victims to frighten, but they aren't as scary as the houses. They are more likely to shoot you an evil glare or follow behind you a bit too closely. However, they also won't hesitate to rev a chainsaw right in front of you if they think it'll make you jump.

How much are tickets to Halloween Horror Nights?

Single-night tickets for this year's event start at $82.99 per person, plus tax. Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event, so this doesn't get you daytime access to the parks. This year, select ticket types include a six-month subscription to the Peacock streaming service to catch up on your favorite horror franchises before the event.

If you do have a daytime ticket (or annual pass), Universal usually keeps small "Stay & Scream" areas of the park open; this way, you can have a drink and a bite to eat while the park is transformed for that night's festivities. Universal also usually offers a "Scream Early" ticket that allows you to enter Universal Studios Florida as early as 3 p.m. to enjoy the regular daytime attractions and be first in line for the houses.

Universal also offers multinight "Frequent Fear" and "Rush of Fear" passes for those who plan on visiting multiple times throughout the event. They are not yet on sale for this year.

If you want to enjoy the parks during the day and at night, vacation packages that include hotel accommodations , park tickets and admission to Halloween Horror Nights are available. You can even use your hotel keycard to access a dedicated event entrance designed exclusively for hotel guests.

Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

Halloween Horror Nights ticket upgrades

Universal offers a variety of add-ons and upgrades for Halloween Horror Nights . These include:

• Halloween Horror Nights Premium Scream Night — If you want to enjoy Halloween Horror Nights with smaller crowds and shorter waits, Universal is hosting its first-ever Premium Scream Night for one night only Aug. 29. For $350 per person plus tax, you can enjoy staggered entry into all 10 haunted houses (for even more scares), all-you-care-to-enjoy food and nonalcoholic beverages, free self-parking, access to select Universal Studios Florida attractions, and an exclusive event souvenir credential and lanyard. Tickets will be available online beginning June 6 and will likely sell out fast.
• Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour — This is Universal's play on a VIP tour for Halloween Horror Nights. Your expert guide will lead you to a priority entrance at each house, sharing their in-depth knowledge of the event along the way. You'll also get access to a pretour reception with complimentary food and a cash bar, unlimited Universal Express skip-the-line ride access, a commemorative tour credential, a lanyard and a pin. Group and private tours are available, and pricing begins at $369.99 per person; this doesn't include the cost of your Halloween Horror Nights ticket.
• Halloween Horror Nights Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour — Two types of people would benefit from the Unmasking the Horror Tour: those who are too scared to visit the haunted houses at night and those who want to dive deeper into the details of the houses. This is a lights-on tour that takes place during daytime hours. You can choose to tour three or six haunted houses. Prices start at $99.99 per person, plus tax, and $179.99 per person, plus tax, respectively. Regular theme park admission or Halloween Horror Nights tickets are not required for this experience.
• Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass — Universal also offers the Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass, which lets you skip the standby line once per night at the haunted houses and select attractions, much like the daytime Universal Express Pass . Wait times for the haunted houses can climb as high as 90 minutes on busy nights, so this add-on is well worth the money. Pricing starts at $139.99 per person, plus tax. Halloween Horror Nights event admissions are not included and must be purchased separately.

Related: The best credit cards for Universal vacations

Tips for visiting

Save time for live shows.

When we say that Halloween Horror Nights takes over the entire park, we mean it. Aside from the haunted houses and scare zones, there are two live shows, themed food and drink booths, and exclusive Halloween Horror Nights merchandise.

The Universal Orlando app includes times for live entertainment. To get a good spot, you typically want to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime.

Follow this advice if you're a scaredy cat

If you typically don't like to go to haunted houses, you may wonder if you should even visit Universal Orlando during Halloween Horror Nights. If you're not quite sure you can handle it, there are still ways to enjoy the event.

As we mentioned, the outdoor scare zones aren't quite as scary as the houses, so they're a good way to tiptoe into the event. You can also spend your time playing carnival games, eating themed foods, riding roller coasters and watching the shows if you need a break from the houses.

You can book the aforementioned Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour to see the houses during the day with the lights on and without the jump scares. Seeing the houses with the lights on and getting the lay of the land, so to speak, may even give you the courage you need to visit again at night.

Look for Halloween Horror Nights merchandise

Most of the merchandise is in the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store near the Revenge of the Mummy coaster. The store itself is a themed attraction: It has multiple rooms filled with props and decor that make it feel like a haunted house without jump scares.

You can purchase the requisite hats and T-shirts, along with specialty masks, art and memorabilia. There's also an entire room dedicated to spooky treats.

Keep an eye out for original characters

One of the most interesting things about Halloween Horror Nights is the well-developed original characters, which seem to find their way into the event year after year.

You don't have to know these characters and the tangled web of lore surrounding the event in order to enjoy it. Still, several articles on Universal Orlando's blog go "behind the screams" of the event if you want to learn more.

Stay tuned for additional details as this year's event draws near.

Related reading:

• These are the 10 best rides at Universal Orlando
• Universal Orlando reveals details of new Epic Universe theme park coming in 2025
• Best restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Seize the Summer with Universal Orlando Resort’s Best Deal on Tickets Yet

Summer is the perfect time to book a thrilling getaway to Universal Orlando Resort with a new ticket deal.

The start of summer means it’s time to start planning those family vacations. Some of those often include amusement parks and family friendly activities so there’s never a dull moment.

Universal Orlando Resort just rolled out an exciting new ticket deal that offers guests two free days of admission with the purchase of a three-day ticket.

RELATED:  These Are the Haunted Houses Coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2024 In Orlando

Here’s what you get with the new ticket deal, plus a sneak peek at some new attractions. 

What does the new Universal Orlando Resort ticket deal include?

This promotion is available now in the U.S. and Canada. Residents can take advantage of the deal that provides five days of thrilling adventures at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for the price of a three-day ticket, starting at just $255.99 per adult plus tax. Guests can also upgrade to include Universal Volcano Bay water theme park for the ultimate tropical escape. To complement the theme park excitement, Universal Orlando’s hotels are offering special deals, including a 20% discount on stays of four or more nights.

Guests can also opt to upgrade their tickets to include Universal Volcano Bay, a water theme park designed for both relaxation and excitement.

What else is there to do at Universal Orlando Resort?

There are more than 60 exhilarating experiences across its theme parks to explore. Five days of admission will allow ample time to explore all the attractions. Whether it's causing mischief with the Minions in Illumination’s Minion Land , racing alongside a Velociraptor pack on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, or flying through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, there’s something for every member of the family.

Universal Orlando Debuts Its Epic Universe Theme Park for the First Time

New attractions at universal orlando resort.

Starting June 14, Universal Orlando will unveil a host of new experiences, including DreamWorks Land , inspired by beloved characters from Shrek , Trolls , and Kung Fu Panda . Visitors can also enjoy the new nighttime lagoon show , CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular , and Hogwarts Always , a castle projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Additionally, on July 3, Universal Studios Florida will debut its largest daytime parade, the Universal Mega Movie Parade, bringing iconic film characters to life.

For more details and to book the “Get 2 Days Free with a 2-Park, 3-Day Ticket” offer, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com .

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