Top Things to Know Before Visiting Universal Orlando

Purchase Tickets in Advance

We advise purchasing your tickets in advance to save time and money. If you purchase tickets at the gate as opposed to online, you’ll waste valuable time at the ticket counter that could otherwise be used riding attractions. Additionally, tickets purchased at the gate are typically more expensive. You can buy tickets online directly from Universal Orlando or from a trusted agency. If you choose to purchase from a third-party seller, be wary of possible scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Early Park Admission is Available

Universal Orlando on-site hotel guests and other select groups can take advantage of early park admission, which provides early access to the parks. This benefit allows you to get a head start on your day so that you can hit up more attractions in the parks. Universal Orlando’s parks follow a schedule for early park admission. To view when early park admission is available and for which parks as well as additional information, such as participating attractions, click here.

You Can Skip the Lines

You can purchase Universal Express passes to bypass the regular lines at participating attractions. The pass can significantly reduce your time in lines so that you can do more throughout the day. If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando Premier/deluxe on-site hotel, Universal Express is available to you at no additional charge for the duration of your stay.

There’s an App

Universal Orlando has a free app on the App Store and Google Play Store. With the app, you can view maps to easily navigate the parks, view attraction wait times and showtimes, browse restaurant menus, and more. It’s a great resource to use in the parks.

There’s a Parking Fee

If you’re planning to park a vehicle at Universal Orlando, you’ll have to pay a parking fee unless you’re visiting after 6 pm on a non-Halloween Horror Nights event night or have an annual pass that offers free parking. The parking fee varies based on the type of vehicle you’re parking and the parking option you select. For more information, click here.

Mobile Order When You Can

You can mobile order food and beverages at various dining locations using the Universal Orlando app. It’s a convenient, easy-to-use feature that can help you avoid the long lines of guests ordering food.

There’s a Child Swap Service

Universal offers a free child swap service to accommodate guests traveling with children. If a guest chooses not to ride an attraction or does not meet an attraction’s boarding requirements, all other members of the party can still experience the attraction with no hassle. To learn more about this service, click here.

Some Attractions Don’t Allow Loose Articles

Some attractions at Universal Orlando—typically the more intense rides—don’t allow loose articles, such as bags and phones, on board. Complimentary lockers are available at these attractions during the duration of your ride; however, the lockers do not fit oversized bags and items. These items must be placed in a larger locker which must be rented for an additional fee.