Getting Your Ticket
- Purchase your tickets online in advance to save time and money.
- Buy your tickets either directly from Universal Orlando or through a trusted agent.
Where to Stay
- If your budget permits, consider staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel. Each hotel offers a range of accommodations, expansive pool areas, various activities, and a distinct theme. Staying at an on-site hotel grants you early park admission, extended evening theme park hours depending on the hotel, and complimentary transportation throughout the property. To learn more about early park admission, click here.
- If a Universal Orlando on-site hotel is beyond your budget, explore nearby hotels and check online reviews. Some of these hotels may offer complimentary shuttles to Universal Orlando.
What to Pack
- Bring a small bag to the parks to pack your belongings, including personal items, snacks, water, and other necessities. Ensure that the items you pack comply with Universal Orlando’s policies and restrictions. Click here to learn more about items prohibited in the parks.
- Bring an empty reusable bottle to refill with free water in the parks. Insulated bottles are even better as they keep your drink cold all day long.
- Always pack a poncho when visiting. Ponchos offer better overall coverage than umbrellas and are easier to use in crowded areas. Although Florida is known as the sunshine state, thunderstorms are common, particularly in the summer, and the weather can be unpredictable. It’s wise to be prepared; otherwise, you might end up spending money on costly ponchos in the parks.
- Bring a portable fan to stay cool in the heat, especially during the summer.
- Carry sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s effects.
- Florida doesn’t often experience cold weather, but if you’re visiting during winter, monitor the area’s weather at least a week before your trip. If cold weather is expected, pack warm clothing.
- Make sure to bring comfortable shoes as you’ll likely be walking all day throughout your trip. Comfortable footwear is essential to getting through the day.
- Bring a portable charger to keep your phone powered throughout the day.
- Adults should always carry their passport or other government-issued ID when visiting Universal Orlando. Identification may be required for park entry or purchasing alcoholic beverages.
- If you’re heading to Volcano Bay, be sure to bring towels, swimsuits, and flip-flops. If you’re going on a water ride at a regular theme park, such as Islands of Adventure, bring towels, flip-flops, and a change of clothes if you don’t want to stay wet all day. You can always wear shoes and use the flip-flops just for the water ride.
Avoiding the Lines
- Use our FREE Universal Orlando crowd calendar to find the best days for your trip.
- Take advantage of our FREE touring plans and resources to maximize your trip experience.
- Download the official Universal Orlando app from the App Store or Google Play Store to view wait times for attractions, showtimes, a resort-wide map, and more. By checking wait times, you can better decide which attractions to ride.
- The Universal Orlando app lets you mobile order your food and beverages at select quick-service restaurants. Utilize this feature to skip the long lines at the ordering counter.
- Arrive before park opening to be among the first to enjoy the attractions and shows. If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel, you can benefit from early park admission. Our touring plans indicate how early you should arrive at each park.
- Consider using the Single Riders line, if available, to enjoy shorter wait times. Although you may be separated from your group, it can significantly reduce your wait time for popular rides.
- Consider purchasing Universal Express on busy days to skip the regular lines at participating attractions. If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando Premier/deluxe-priced on-site hotel, Universal Express is available to you at no additional charge for the duration of your stay. To view all Universal Express options and pricing, click here.
Saving Money
- Certain annual passes are eligible for discounts at various stores and dining locations throughout Universal. If your pass includes such discounts, simply show your card at a participating location.
- If you’re on a budget, bring a small snack to avoid purchasing one when you’re hungry. Ensure that the items you pack comply with Universal Orlando’s policies and restrictions. Click here to learn more about items prohibited in the parks.
- If you enjoy soft drinks, consider purchasing a Coca-Cola Freestyle cup at select stores and dining locations throughout Universal Orlando. With an activated cup, you can enjoy refills for an entire day. To use the cup on another day, you can reactivate it for a fee to receive additional refills.
Getting Through the Day
- Try to limit the number of items you bring to the parks; it can be a hassle to carry them all day. If needed, consider renting a locker for a fee. Free lockers are available only at attractions that prohibit loose articles; however, these lockers may not accommodate oversized items.
- Dress comfortably for the day and ensure your shoes provide ample cushioning and are not too tight.
- Take short breaks throughout the day if needed. Walking and standing all day can be tiring, but sitting down and stretching can help relieve discomfort.
- Drink cool beverages throughout the day to stay hydrated. If you didn’t bring a bottle with you, you can get free cups of water at any dining location. However, bottled water is an additional charge. You can also purchase a Coca-Cola Freestyle cup for refills of soft drinks throughout the day.
Traveling with Children
- Choose a designated meet-up spot that your child is likely to remember and find. If your child gets lost, you can reunite at that location.
- If you and your child become separated, either of you can alert a Universal Orlando team member for assistance.
- Take advantage of Universal Orlando’s Child Swap service, designed for those traveling with younger guests. If a child doesn’t meet an attraction’s boarding requirements or doesn’t want to experience it, other members can still enjoy the attraction without hassle. With Child Swap, at least one guest waits with the non-rider while the rest of the group experiences the attraction. When they return, the supervising guest(s) can then enjoy the attraction without waiting in the regular line again while the other members watch after the non-rider. Child Swap is available at select attractions. Check with a team member at the entrance to your desired attraction to see if this service is available. If so, inform the team member that you’d like to use it, and they will provide additional information.
- Explore the various kid-friendly areas available at all parks. These areas offer experiences designed specifically for children.
Going on a Water Ride
- If you have a lot of items with you or want to ensure certain items don’t get wet, consider renting a locker when visiting a water ride, if available. Lockers will keep your valuables safe and prevent water damage.
- For smaller items, you can use waterproof sealable bags to prevent them from getting wet. Simply place your valuables inside the bag and seal it.
- Bring a towel to dry off afterward.
- Wear flip-flops on water rides to avoid soaking your shoes all day. You can switch back to your shoes afterward.
- Consider bringing extra clothes to change out of your wet ones.
Have a tip you’d like to share with our readers? Submit it to [email protected] with the subject titled “Universal Orlando Tips.”
