Heading to Universal Studios Orlando? Make the most of your visit with my ten money and time-saving Universal Studios tips. They’ll ensure your trip to the theme parks goes brilliantly. Read on to find out more …
01. BUY YOUR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TICKETS BEFORE YOU GO
The best way to ensure you get a great deal on your trip to the parks is to buy your Universal Studios tickets before you go. I purchase mine from Attraction Tickets Direct as it means we don’t have to queue for tickets at the gate when we arrive, and we get to spend more time in the parks too. Websites like Attraction Tickets Direct often have special offers on as well, where you can buy ticket bundles that combine other nearby attractions in with your park tickets at a special discounted price, so it’s always worth checking them out before you go.
02. EXPLORE ONE PARK PER DAY
One of the best ways to divide up your time at Universal Studios is to tackle just one park per day. Spend one day at Universal Studios Orlando exploring Diagon alley, seeing the Simpsons attractions, and riding the Rip Ride Rockit. Then take on all the great rides in Islands Of Adventure the day after. Save your last day for the brand new Volcano Bay water theme park. You’ll have more time to spend on rides and enjoying the park if you avoid bouncing between them all during the day. Map out your plan of attack before heading to the park of your choice in the morning.
03. USE THE SINGLE RIDER LINES
If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t mind riding alone, you can save loads of time in the parks by using the single rider lines. Just jump in the single rider lines when you get close to the front and you’ll find yourself having a lot more time to ride all of the rides at Universal Studios. A bonus is that your friends won’t hear you scream this way either!!
04. DOWNLOAD THE UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT APP
Of course, there’s an app for that! Before you hit the park download the Universal Orlando Resort App. From there, you’ll have park maps, current wait times for rides, show schedules, dining options, and even the option to buy tickets directly from your phone. It’s most definitely worth downloading for your visit!
05. DON’T TAKE TOO MUCH STUFF INTO THE PARKS
Most rides at Universal Studios Orlando don’t allow you to take bags or backpacks on with you, so minimise what you take into the park. I’d suggest keeping it really simple and just taking along your phone, camera and wallet or purse. Anything else you might need can be found in the park.
06. PACK A BAG THAT WILL FIT INTO THE ON-SITE LOCKERS
If you really can’t get by with just your pockets for everything you need while in the parks then be sure to pack a bag that will fit into the on-site lockers. There are 3 locker sizes available to use at Universal Orlando:
- Mini -$8 a day
- Regular – $12 a day
- and Family-sized -$15 a day
And you can access your locker all day as many times as you need to.
07. RIDE THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS BETWEEN THE PARKS
Don’t just walk between the theme parks – have an experience while being transported between Universal Studios Orlando and the Islands of Adventure! The Hogwarts Express will take you between the two parks while entertaining you on your journey at the same time. It’s an absolute must-do for Harry Potter fans everywhere!
08. LOGIN TO THE PARKS FREE WIFI
Worried about staying connected while you’re in the parks? Don’t be! Universal Studios Orlando offers free wifi that works pretty much everywhere in the park. This means you can save your data while travelling and use their wifi to post your amazing holiday snaps to social media or face-time with the friends and family who stayed at home. Brilliant!
09. EAT AT CITYWALK
I think it’s safe to say the days of food at theme parks being overpriced and not really that great is over with. Good food can be found throughout the parks, but our favourite restaurants are found over in Universal’s CityWalk, which is located at the gates in front of both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando. CityWalk is open to the public, so there’s no ticket needed. CityWalk has loads of different restaurants to suit everyone, and some of our favourites have to be Voodoo Doughnut, The Cowfish, Hard Rock Cafe and Antojitos Authentic Mexican. Yum!
10. USE THE CHILD SWAP ROOMS IF YOU’RE THE PARENT OF A YOUNG CHILD
If you’re visiting Universal Studios with young children who might not be able to ride all the rides it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them either. Parents can use the child swap rooms to take turns riding the rides while the others wait with the little ones who aren’t able to ride. You might well have visited because of the kids, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun too!
Have you ever been to Universal Studios in Orlando before?
If so, what would your top tip for a brilliant day out be?
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Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2019 Louise Smith
My friends are heading to Orlando this summer for 16 days, I’ll be sure to pass this post over to them as it is so helpful – such a shame I’m not going with them
You have written some great tips here for everyone. Sometimes you go to a place like this and don’t know where to start, so these tips are really helpful.
Some handy tips. I hope to be able to visit one day!
Lots of really helpful tips here. We are heading to Florida this summer to see my inlaws and I know my lot want to do a least one park!
I really want to go to Universal but know it will be a big trip (and quite pricy) so I think it will be a while before I go. But some great tips x