Hey Travellers,
Have you been considering a vacation to Universal Orlando Resort but you’re not sure where to get started? Don’t worry, we have got you covered! Below you’ll find our Top Tips for visiting Universal Orlando and how you can get the most out of your visit!
Tip #1: Purchase your tickets in advance.
The last thing you want to do when starting your vacation is to wait in a line for park tickets. Not only is it kind of boring, it also wastes time that you could be spending in the parks! Purchasing your tickets in advance sets you up for success and most of the time, works out to be cheaper than purchasing from the gate. We highly recommend getting park-hopper tickets for the two theme parks so you’re able to visit both of the parks in the same day.
Tip #2: Stay at a Universal Hotel.
There are many benefits to staying at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel, besides the amazing variety of food and beverage offerings, the comfy beds and the enticing decor.. you are staying RIGHT IN THE HEART of the adventure! This means you can quickly hop on a bus, take a water taxi or walk to the theme parks which saves time and is extremely convenient! Staying at a Universal Hotel also means you’ll have access to the theme parks 1 hour before they open (30 minutes for Volcano Bay Water Park). This is the perfect opportunity for you to visit the busiest parts of the park, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, before they are open to the general public! If you do decide to stay on property, there are different categories of hotels to fit best with your budget. While all of the hotels are amazing, we personally love the Premier Properties because they provide an additional benefit – FREE EXPRESS PASSES! Yep, you heard right! Everyone in your room will receive complimentary express passes for each day of their stay (including check in/check out days). Express passes can be used to skip the lines at most rides/attractions in the theme parks. They usually retail around $89.99 per person, per day, so this is an amazing deal! The hotels that offer this benefit are Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific and Loews Hard Rock Hotel.
Tip #3: If you’re not staying on property, stay close to the parks!
There are many hotels in the surrounding area to Universal Orlando Resort, some of them even offering transportation to the parks! They are often more affordable and some even have complimentary breakfasts to get you started for the day! Staying near to the parks is key so you can spend more time having fun, and less time travelling back and forth to your hotel! It will also save money if you have to Uber or take a taxi because it will be a smaller distance!
Tip #4: Arrive Early!
The Universal Parking Structures and drop off points are still a bit of a walk away from the theme parks themselves, and you have to account for getting through Security too! We would recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the time you want to be there so you’re able to get to the park entrance with enough time. Bonus Tip if you use the park structure, take a photo of the name/number of the row you parked in, this will ensure you don’t have problems finding your vehicle when you’re ready to leave!
Tip #5: Pick the best time to visit!
You may have already decided on when you want to visit, or you may be limited to a specific time of year. Picking a slower time of year to visit can make such an impact on your vacation in terms of wait times and crowd levels. If you’re able to, we suggest visiting on weekdays and skipping out on holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter etc.
Tip #6: Utilize the Single Rider Lines!
As long as you don’t have your heart set on riding everything as a family, you can make use of the Single Rider Lines located at some of the most popular attractions. This is the fastest way to get on/off a ride (without paying for Express Passes). You’ll find yourself on rides with regular wait times of 2 hours within a matter of minutes! However, it is important to note that your party will be separated.
Tip #7: Research Height Requirements in advance!
If you’re travelling with children, this is extremely important. The last thing you want on vacation is to have an upset little one because they were turned away from a ride/attraction that they had been excited to experience. Preparing in advance will allow you to manage your expectations. Please remember, height restrictions are in place for safety reasons, team members will not allow a child onto a ride even if they are 1mm from the required height.Â
Tip #8: Take advantage of Child Swap!
If you come into a situation where your child doesn’t meet the height requirements, or are too frightened to go on certain rides, you don’t have to miss out on any of the fun! Universal’s Child Swap program allows one member of your party to wait in a family room with that child, while the rest of your party rides. Once they’re finished, you can switch places so whoever went first can stay with the little one and you can enjoy the ride!
Tip #9: Download the Universal Orlando Resort App!
The Universal Orlando Resort App has EVERYTHING you need to make the most out of your visit. From park hours, attraction wait times, mobile ordering food/beverages or showing you how to get from A to B, this app will quickly become your best friend! You’ll be able to see height requirements, show times or whether a ride is currently open, all at the click of a button!
Tip #10: Use a Travel Agent to Book!
Using a Travel Agent to book your Universal Orlando Vacation costs you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! In fact, using a Travel Agent can often save you money, as they are aware of all promotional offers and deals! For example, if you book with us before September 4th, 2023 – we will provide you with a $50.00 Universal Giftcard to spend during your visit (click here to learn more). Using a Travel Agent also means you’ll receive more tips/tricks like the ones in this guide, your agent will be a fountain of knowledge and can help you better prepare for your visit. They also take the stress out of planning, all you need to do is sit back, relax and start packing!
Are you ready to visit Universal Orlando Resort? Click here for your no-obligation quotes from an Academy Travel Agent. Remember our services are ALWAYS 100% free!
