During our first visit to the USA, we only had a little time to spend in each state. So when it came to Orlando, Florida, we wanted to make the most of it.
Our number one place was to visit Universal Studios Resort. As MASSIVE Harry Potter fans, we were super excited to see the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter and all its magical glory!
Since then, I’ve been to Universal Studios a few times and have picked up some new helpful tips along the way.
So without further ado, here are my top tips and tricks for Universal Studios Orlando and how you can fully maximize your visit and have the best time ever!
Universal Studios Resort in Orlando is the home to 3 major theme parks. Universal Studios Florida – Universal’s Island of Adventure & Universal’s Volcano Bay. It also features an entertainment district and world-class hotels.
It’s all about the major movies, behind-the-scenes shows, and thrilling rides. Universal has eight themes.
New York, San Francisco, World Expo, Springfield, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, Hollywood, Production Central, and of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter which includes Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village.
Universal Studios is an action-packed park full of fun and entertainment for all ages.
In 2015 the park hosted an estimated 9.6 million visitors ranking it as the sixth most-attended theme park in the United States, and it is also the tenth most-attended theme park worldwide.
See below my 20 hottest tips for visiting Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida!
1. Research the best time to visit
While visiting the park on any day is just as fun, some days are better than others. I recommend doing a little research and finding the best time to visit when crowds are at their lowest, and the weather isn’t blazing hot.
We found visiting on a weekday during off-peak school times the best. Beat the heat and the crowds and aim for quieter months like September through to November.
We went on a Thursday and Friday 2 weeks before the school holidays started. On the first day, we experienced fewer crowds and fewer wait times. Friday, however, was a lot busier as it was coming into the weekend.
2. Stay at a park hotel
I highly recommend staying at a park hotel if you can, it can be a little pricy, but I found it to be worth every penny.
Our hotel of choice was the Universal Loew’s Sapphire Resort, only a few minutes walk to Universal Studios and CityWalk.
Perks included were free park shuttles, access to character events, and early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
There are so many incredible hotels to choose from. Here are a few hotels you might consider staying at The Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and the Adventura Hotel.
Perks include early park admission, free transportation to and from the park, priority seating at many restaurants in CityWalk, and the best perk of all FREE Universal express passes for each guest, which allows front-line access to the most popular rides in the park.
Please Note: Complimentary express passes are only included with the first 3 premier resorts mentioned above.
Check out more hotels near Universal Studios here!
3. Buy your tickets in advance
It’s always best to buy your tickets in advance. The lines to the ticket counter at the park are crazy long, plus you can save more money and time if you do it online beforehand.
4. Buy discounted tickets
Do some research and watch for discounted ticket prices. Ticket prices at Universal Studios tend to change regularly its always a good idea to search discounted resellers like the undercover tourist and see what deals are available.
5. Purchase a ‘Park to Park’ ticket
Purchasing a ‘park to park’ ticket allows you to visit the two parks Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
I highly recommend this! You don’t want to miss hopping aboard the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross and taking a magical journey to the amazing village of Hogsmeade.
6. Plan your day
To make the most out of your visit to the parks, make sure you plan out your days. We only had two days to spend, so we made sure that we did our top attractions first. We also planned our showtimes and studio tours.
Universal does not display showtimes on their website so make sure you grab a map when you’re in the park first thing or check on the app so you can plan accordingly.
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7. Enjoy free transportation
If you happen to be staying at one of the park hotels, then you also get to enjoy free transportation to and from the park. This also includes the many water taxis located at CityWalk dock.
8. Arrive Early
Be sure to arrive early and stay late. Arriving at opening time will allow you to experience shorter lines at rides and attractions. The morning crowds tend to be smaller, allowing for a quicker entry into the park.
You’ll also want to stay late. Sections like Harry Potter tend to have fewer crowds at around 4 pm, making it much more enjoyable to visit.
9. Make the most of early park entry
If you book your stay at any of the Universal Resorts, you are valid for early park admission entry.
Resort guests are allowed to enter one park an hour before the general public. Find out more here for current times & scheduling.
10. Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips
This was my all-time favorite part of the park and a must-see. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is two magical themes shared between the two parks.
For those die-hard Potter fans like me, you can wander the streets of Hogsmeade Village whilst sipping on some ice-cold Butterbeer from the Leaky Cauldron. Then make sure you hop aboard the Hogwarts Express and explore the wonders of Diagon Alley.
Visit Diagon Alley in the early morning or later in the afternoon
The busiest section of the park is, hands down, Diagon Alley. You want to make sure you head here first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon when the park crowds die down.
If you happen to have an early park admission, I would totally recommend using it to see Diagon Alley before general entry opens – there are always little to no crowds, and makes for better photo ops.
Visit BOTH Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village via the Hogwarts Express
As I mentioned above, you don’t want to miss taking the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade Village. I
It’s a pretty magical experience and definitely a park highlight. Keep in mind you will need a park-to-park ticket in order to ride the Hogwarts Express.
Exchange your money at the Gringotts Money Exchange
Want to exchange your money for gallons? Well, there’s no place better than the Gringotts Money Exchange in Diagon Alley.
Interact with the grumpy animated goblin and swap your real money for wizarding money, which can then be used to buy treats and souvenirs in the Harry Potter areas.
Stick around and see the dragon breath fire
You may not know this, but the enormous dragon on top of the Gringotts Bank ACTUALLY breathes fire, so make you stick around as it’s pretty cool to see.
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Don’t forget to explore Knockturn Alley
Are you brave enough to explore Knockturn Alley? Knockturn Alley is home to the dark arts with stores such as Borgin and Burkes.
Don’t miss checking out the strange and curious items such as the mysterious vanishing cabinet, death eater masks, and more.
Ride both the side cart and motorbike on Hagrid’s motorbike ride
This has to be my favorite ride in the whole park. Enjoy a motorbike ride with Hagrid through the Forbidden Forrest and spot all the magical creatures.
Be sure to ride both sides of the motorbike as they both provide totally different experiences.
Stick around for the nighttime light show at Hogwarts
If you get the chance, don’t miss the spectacular light show display at Hogwarts in Hogsmeade Village.
Watch the castle light up and display projections of all 4 Hogwarts houses. It’s definitely worth sticking around for, and a great ending to a long day.
Don’t skip the queues
Now I’m normally all for skipping queues however, I love being in the queues at Universal Studios, especially in the Wizarding World areas.
I highly recommend not skipping the queues. The thought process and detail that went into them are incredible.
Don’t miss seeing the talking picture frames in the Hogwarts Castle or the grand entry into the Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
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11. Use the Single Rider Lane
Waiting for rides can be such a drag, so why not make most of the single-rider lane. If you don’t mind splitting up, this can sometimes be the quickest way of getting on the ride without having to have an express pass.
12. Use the Virtual Lines
Skip the line altogether and use the virtual line instead. Use the Universal Studios App and see what rides have the virtual line option. Reservations for virtual lines can only be made inside the park, so be sure to do this as soon as you arrive.
13. Pack a small day bag
It’s always a good idea to bring a small day bag or fanny pack, just enough to carry your essentials.
Universal also has locker options if you wish to store your bags, as they won’t be allowed on the rides. Lockers are free for the posted wait time. After that, there is $3.00 every 30mins or $20.00 for the day.
14. Bring your own water bottle
While Universal isn’t as lenient as most parks, you can bring in your own water bottle. Keeping hydrated is a must, especially during those hot summer months.
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15. Download the app!
Be sure to download the Universal Studios Resort App. It’s super handy! It provides live wait times for rides, lists of attractions with descriptions, park maps, hotel dining information, and showtimes.
16. Don’t try and see everything in one day
Universal Studios is HUGE! Don’t try and squeeze everything in one day. You want to plan for 2 days at the park, minimum, and ride your top attractions first.
Devoting one full day to Universal Studios and then one full day to Islands of Adventure will definitely give you enough time to really experience the park.
17. Take a ride with ET
Steven Spielberg’s ET ride is one of the last remaining original rides at the park, and it’s just as cool as when it opened. You and your friends can help ET find his way back home by boarding your flying bike and escaping through the woods.
You then take flight over the San Fernando Valley, where Elliot & his family lived. Your journey soon ends when you reach ET’s home planet, where his family and friends are waiting to greet you.
This ride is such a classic. It truly feels like you’re flying through the stars!
18. Visit during the Halloween Horror Nights
Are you brave enough? If you plan to visit in the fall, don’t miss Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Halloween Horror Nights is a pretty popular event and the place to be if you’re up for a good scare. Please note that separate tickets are required for the Horror Nights Event.
19. Make the most of Citywalk
Enjoying the CityWalk just outside the park is just as fun and exciting. Don’t miss places like Voodoo Donuts or the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium for some seriously delicious treats. Also, be sure to check out the Universal Store, your one-stop shop for all the best souvenirs.
20. Have Fun!
Universal Studios Resort is regarded as one of the top theme park attractions in the world. It has everything from thrilling rides to eye-opening shows, from themed dining to walking the CityWalk.
There’s no escaping the fun. So make the most of your visit to the park and enjoy!
There you have it, guys! I hope you found these tips and tricks for Universal Studios, Orlando, helpful and hopefully allow for a more fun-filled adventure.
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Seymore buts
wow goodnes me I want to go to this place. who is the Goomba in the picture?
Ashlea Paige
You know you want to Drew, and that good looking goomba is me!
Gayle Laree
This sounds amazing thanx 4 the tips surely a to do experience !!!
Ashlea Paige
Your welcome! 🙂