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How much does a Universal Orlando vacation cost?

Dani | March 19, 2021 March 19, 2021

One of the biggest questions on someone’s mind when she is planning a trip to Orlando is, “How much does a vacation at Universal Orlando Resort cost?” Each guest and each family has their own desires and needs for their Universal trip, so the cost of their excursion will vary based on the type of experience they piece together.

There are some great tools available to help you calculate the cost of your Universal Orlando outing from the comfort of your own home. Let’s take a look at them and sketch out a few potential scenarios.

How much do tickets to Universal Orlando cost?

Tickets to Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks will represent a large portion of your total cost. Of course, your time there will represent a large portion of your exciting vacation memories, too. It is generally best to decide what admission type will most suit your family’s needs before any other component of your trip, as this will strongly influence how many days you spend in Orlando.

Both Universal and Disney have structured their tickets to “reward” you for spending more days in their respective parks. For example, a one-day ticket isn’t of much value, starting at $109 for adults (ages 10 and older), but this cost changes depending upon the day of the year you arrive; most dates during spring break, for example, will run you $140, while the two-week Christmas holiday jumps to $159. And that’s just for one park on one day.

To visit both theme parks – that’s Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure – on a single day, you will need a park-to-park pass, which starts at $164 and runs up to $214 per adult during the peak season. We actually don’t recommend taking this route at all – we maintain that two days is the bare minimum to spend at the resort, although four or five would be the ideal (you can read more in our guide on this very subject ). If you went with that bare minimum, two-day park-to-park tickets are $272.99, or $136.50 per day. To also include Volcano Bay , the water theme park, in those two days, you would need a three-park pass, and that costs $312.99, or $156.50 per day – just $20 more. And, finally, one-day passes to Volcano Bay only go anywhere from $70 to $85, depending upon the season.

How much does it cost to stay at a Universal Orlando hotel?

Universal Orlando hotels are operated by Loews Hotels and run the spectrum from value to premier. Value and prime-value resorts offer the convenience of being on Universal property (yes, even Endless Summer Resort , which is located just down the street from the main campus) and include all the standard benefits of Early Park Admission , CityWalk nightclub access, Universal Orlando charging privileges with your room key, and complementary transportation to the parks. The premier hotels also throw in unlimited Express Passes , which allow you to (mostly) skip the standby lines at many attractions, a feature that many guests find the higher room rates to be well worth.

Here are some good general starting points for all these different options, based upon a four-night stay at the time of publication:

• Value properties ( Endless Summer Resort ) start at $88 per night
• Prime-value resorts ( Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel ) – $132 per night
• Endless Summer’s family suites start at $132 per night; Cabana Bay’s, $172
• Preferred hotel ( Sapphire Falls Resort ) – $181 per night
• Premier properties ( Royal Pacific Resort , Hard Rock Hotel , and Portofino Bay Hotel ) – start at $252-$300 per night

How much does food and dining cost at Universal Orlando?

As you plan out your meals at Universal Orlando Resort, it is important to keep in mind the three categories of culinary options: snacks and then quick-service and full-service dining. Many families tend to have two snack periods, one quick-service meal, and then one full-service experience per day.

Here is a rough price range:

• Snack items (ice cream bars, popcorn, fresh fruit, etc.) – $3-$8 per item
• Bottled beverages – $3-$6
• Quick-service entrees – $9-$14
• Quick-service kids’ meals (includes kid-sized sides and beverage) – $7.00
• Full-service entrees – $20-$45 each

You can visit our OI Universal Center  to browse menus, see photos, and read reviews. The Universal Orlando app has menus, as well, and the ability to mobile order . Using these tools in advance will help your family plan out their dining budget. Plus, it can be fun to see what kind of mouth-watering tastes await you.

How much does parking at Universal Orlando cost?

Parking at Universal’s garages, which service the theme parks and CityWalk, is $26 per car. Preferred parking is $40, while valet comes in at $50 (when it’s available, which it isn’t right now due to COVID-19 ). Guests staying at one of the resort’s hotels do have to pay for parking, too, which ranges from $14 per night (for the value venues) to $22 (for the preferred and premier properties).

(You can read more in our guide to parking .)

How much do souvenirs and merchandise cost at Universal Orlando?

Universal Orlando Resort has some very creative merchandise and souvenirs, especially when it comes to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . They even make it easy to go overboard by offering package pick up and delivery: your purchases can be sent to the front of the park and wait for you there, or they can be brought right to your Universal hotel room – free of charge.

I recommend browsing the Universal Store site ahead of your vacation – some families find it helpful to purchase some items beforehand, especially when there are sales and promotions.

To give you an idea of pricing, here are some of the most popular merch and souvenirs:

• Adult graphic t-shirts – $24.99-$34.99
• Youth graphic t-shirts – $19.99-$24.99
• Medium-sized plush dolls – $24.99
• Ornament – $19.99-$24.99
• Autograph book – $8.99
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter interactive wand – $55
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogwarts robe – $125

So, let’s estimate a family of four buys one of each of the above souvenirs (aside from the robe!). That’s an estimated $230. This is a fairly low figure, considering the above items are just some of the more popular ones, and some families will most likely purchase additional mementos or merchandise. Still, this estimate gives a good baseline from which to start.

Example Universal Orlando trip calculator

In order to calculate how much your Universal Orlando vacation will cost, I recommend breaking down the cost per day and by category. This way, you can see how changing the number of days, and adjusting how much you plan to spend on each category, will change the overall total.

Let’s create two examples with a family of four. One scenario is a basic, value-focused estimation; the second allows for splurges.

Value-focused example vacation

This scenario is for a four-night trip in early September 2021:

• Park tickets (2 adults + 2 children): one-park-per-day (Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure) tickets for three days = $971.96
• Universal Orlando value hotel: four nights at Endless Summer in a standard room = $466
• Dining: one quick-service meal, one set of snacks, and one full-service meal each day ($160 x 3 days) = $480
• Parking at Endless Summer for four nights = $60
• Universal merchandise and souvenirs: $230

This makes for an approximate total of $2,207.96.

Deluxe-experience example vacation

Again, we’re looking at four nights in early September ’21:

• Park tickets (2 adults + 2 children): three-park park-to-park tickets for three days = $1,371.96
• Universal Orlando premier hotel: four nights at Hard Rock Hotel  = $1,444
• Dining: one quick-service meal, two sets of snacks, and one full-service meal each day ($250 x 3 days) = $750
• Parking at Hard Rock Hotel for four nights = $112
• Universal merchandise and souvenirs, including special Wizarding World merchandise: $850

This gives us a rough total of $4,527.96.

Other Universal Orlando considerations

Lastly, let’s just quickly dive into these other considerations:

• Look into packages and special offers (we can help you here )
• The Universal Dining Plan can sometimes provide some savings, if done correctly (read more in our complete dining guide )
• Factor in tips and gratuity (read over our guide here )
• And also be sure to include travel, such as airfare, to and from Orlando (learn how to save on flights here )

Have any tips or strategies of your own for Universal budgeting? Share them with 120,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our  Orlando Informer Community  on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram  for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Born and raised in the land of sunshine and dreams-come-true, Dani has always had a passion for tourism and hospitality. She is a proud Orlando native who loves sharing her hometown with others. With work experience in theme parks, hotels, and reputation management she brings this background to her freelance writing endeavors. Follow her adventures on Twitter at @thisfloridalife.

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Table of Contents

General costs of visiting Universal Studios

How much is a universal ticket, flight costs for universal studios, hotel costs for universal studios, universal studios parking costs, saving money on a trip to universal studios, universal studios costs, recapped.

Whether you live in Miami or Seattle, a trip to Universal Studios can be a great time.

Are you pining for a pint of Butterbeer and an exhilarating ride on the VelociCoaster? We don’t blame you — after all, everyone loves a good theme park experience. 

But when you consider pricing — between park tickets, airfare, lodging and parking — such a vacation may feel out of budget.

Let’s take a look at how much a trip to Universal Studios Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood will cost you and some tips for helping reduce those expenses. 

When considering a trip to Universal Studios, you’re going to want to consider multiple aspects of the vacation, especially if you live far away.

Say, for example, that you’re heading to Universal Studios Orlando for a week during the summer. Here are some common expenses you’ll encounter during your trip:

Accommodations.

Theme park tickets.

Rental car and parking.

Souvenirs. 

Food and drinks.

Miscellaneous. 

Obviously, these costs are going to vary based on how many people you’re traveling with.

If you’re a group of four adults, you may want to split two rooms, which could double your accommodation costs. But if you’re a family with two parents and two children, you’re probably all going to want to squeeze into a single room. 

» Learn more: Best Universal Orlando hotels

Ticket prices can vary widely based on when you’re visiting, how long you’re staying and where you buy your ticket. 

Universal Studios Orlando: At this Universal theme park, located in Florida, tickets start at $116.09 for a single day, single park visit for one adult. One-day tickets that grant you access to both parks, meanwhile, start at $174.66 for the day.

Universal Studios Hollywood: If you’re visiting Universal Studios Hollywood in California, you’ll still be subject to varying costs depending on the date and demand. Single-day tickets start at $109. 

Note that all of these prices are after-tax. 

Prices fluctuate

The Universal Studios ticket price can have some pretty huge fluctuations, so expect to pay a lot more during peak periods.

For example, a one-day, park-to-park ticket to Universal Studios Orlando during the winter holiday season comes in at $227.91 — over $50 more than the same ticket during the low season. 

Multiday visits can drop your per-day price

If you’re visiting for more than one day, prices will adjust. You’ll pay more overall, but the per-day price will be lower.

This is true whether you’re visiting Universal Studios Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood. 

» Learn more: T heme parks that are cheaper than Disney

If you’re flying to Universal Studios Orlando rather than driving, you’ll want to consider your budget carefully.

While it can be fairly inexpensive to fly to Orlando, especially on low-cost airlines such as Frontier and Spirit , you’ll want to watch out for extra fees that’ll drive up your overall cost. 

As an example, we looked at flights from New York-LaGuardia to Orlando in mid-April, a peak season trip to Universal Studios Orlando for spring break.

Although we found flights for less than $100 round-trip, you’ll have a stopover on the way home and will need to pay for add-ons such as seat selection and checked luggage. 

You can find similar cheap flights to Universal Studios Hollywood, which is located near a few different airports, including Los Angeles International Airport. This means you’ll have plenty of route options no matter where you originate.

» Learn more: How to travel to Orlando on points and miles

Happily, Orlando is rife with lodging options . This includes low-cost stays in hotels — some of which can be had for as little as $30 per night. 

Of course, you’ll also find all the usual suspects when it comes to hotels, including options from: 

» Learn more: The best non-Disney hotels in Orlando to book with points

If you’ve decided to drive to Universal Studios rather than take a shuttle or rideshare, you’ll want to account for the costs of parking.

At Universal Studios Orlando, you’ll pay $30 per day for general parking, though those with a bus or recreational vehicle will be charged $40. 

In California, parking charges will depend on when you arrive. Before 5 p.m., general parking costs $30. However, after 5 p.m., the price drops down to just $10. 

We’ve already talked about how much tickets are to Universal Studios, which can be pretty pricey. However, there are ways to save money on nearly all facets of a theme park vacation, regardless of which coast you head toward.

Universal Studios Orlando will often offer promotions allowing you to save money on multiday tickets. This can include promotions such as getting two days free when purchasing two-day tickets. 

Those who hold an eligible Chase card, meanwhile, can redeem their Chase Ultimate Rewards® for theme park tickets. The redemption rate you’ll receive will vary, but it can be as high as 1.5 cents per point for those who hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Hotels such as the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando include free unlimited Express Pass for guests, which allows you to bypass the regular line.

Finally, you can also save some money on theme park tickets by purchasing through a third party, such as Undercover Tourist. It’s not a huge difference in price, but every little bit helps. 

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Flights and hotels

Our next recommendation applies equally to both flights and hotels, which is to redeem points against these purchases. 

Flexible points currencies with hotel and airline transfer partners can help you get to Orlando for as little money out of pocket as possible. Partners include:

American Express Membership Rewards .

Chase Ultimate Rewards® .

Capital One Miles .

Bilt Rewards .

Citi ThankYou points .

If you’re paying with cash, you can also stack your savings by making sure you use a shopping portal for your purchases. Websites such as Cashback Monitor will show you the portals with the highest return for your spending. 

» Learn more: How to purchase theme park tickets with points

When trying to plan a trip, you’ll want to consider all the costs involved, including flights, tickets and accommodation.

Just note that if the cost looks to be a little high, consider taking advantage of some of our money-saving tips to help make that Universal Studios vacation happen. 

(Top photo courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-3x Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Universal Orlando Tickets: Prices, Discounts, and Where to Buy

Universal Orlando

Sure, Disney is the big cheese in Florida. But Universal Orlando has cast its own spell in the theme park capital of the world with highly lauded lands devoted to "Harry Potter ", world-class attractions , some truly kick-ass roller coasters and thrill rides, one of the best water parks anywhere, and more. You owe it to yourself to seriously consider adding a Universal visit to your Florida vacation itinerary. You also owe it to yourself to get the best deals on admission passes. Daily tickets start as low as $109 for the theme parks and $80 for Volcano Bay water park when purchased online. There are discounts available, including multi-day passes, as well as tickets and hotel packages to consider.

How Much Are Tickets to Universal Orlando?

Universal Orlando has two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure , and the Volcano Bay waterpark. The theme park resort uses variable pricing and charges more for tickets during high-attendance periods. Prices are as of 2021.

• One-park, one-day theme park tickets for adults (ages 10 and older) start at $109 and go as high as $159, depending on the date.
• One-park, one-day theme park tickets for children (ages 3 to 9) start at $104 and go as high as $154, depending on the date. (Children under 3 are admitted free.)
• Two-park, one-day tickets (also known as park-to-park passes that allow admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) for adults start at $164 and go as high as $214, depending on the date.
• Two-park, one-day theme park tickets for children start at $159 and go as high as $209 depending on the date.
• One-day Volcano Bay tickets for adults start at $80 and go as high as $85, depending on the date. Children’s tickets start at $75 and go as high as $80 depending on the date.

To receive the prices above, tickets need to be purchased in advance online at the official Universal Orlando website. Tickets purchased at the gate cost more (and require you to wait in line to buy them).

Discount Pricing

Multi-day passes.

It’s virtually impossible to experience everything at both of Universal’s theme parks in one day. The resort sells multi-day passes for up to five days. The more days you purchase, the less you'll pay per day. For example, adult two-park, three-day tickets start at $233.99, or $78 per day. You can save even more (on a per-park and per-day basis) if you purchase a three-park pass that includes Volcano Bay.

Hotel and Tickets Packages

With seven on-property hotels , all operated in conjunction with Loew’s Resorts and ranging from Value- to Premier-level, Universal Orlando almost always offers accommodation packages that include tickets to the parks. In addition to saving money, there are other compelling reasons to consider staying at Universal’s hotels, including early admission to the parks and front-of-the-line access to select attractions. Check out Universal Orlando’s site for the latest packages and other deals .

Other Universal Orlando Discounts

• Do you live in the Sunshine State? The resort offers special rates and deals exclusively for Florida residents .
• Universal offers members of the armed forces a discounted  Military Freedom Pass . There are also special hotel and vacation package offers for military members.
• Check the resort’s official site for  special deals and offers . The resort often has money-saving ticket offers and other promotions.
• Do you have an American Express or a AAA card? You can’t use them to score discounts on tickets purchased online at Universal Orlando’s site, but once you are at the parks, be sure to ask what discounts might be available on food and merchandise.
• If you are a member, you may be able to purchase Universal tickets at a slight discount directly from AAA.
• If you live in Florida or plan to visit the state often, consider getting an annual pass . Be aware of blackout dates.

Plan Your Visit

As noted above, Universal uses dynamic pricing, so you’ll pay less and face lower crowds if you plan your visit for an off-peak time. You’ll find the least amount of visitors (and the lowest hotel and ticket prices) during mid-January to mid-February. September and October would be a tad busier, but still fairly quiet (and you'd be able to experience the wonderful  Halloween Horror Nights ) as well as early November, mid-December, April, and early May. Expect bigger crowds and higher prices in late May, early June, and late August. The busiest times are during school vacations: late June to early August, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Universal Express

On days when wait times are likely to be long for the rides, consider purchasing Universal Express , the line-skipping pass at Universal Orlando. There are two options: Express lets you bypass the regular lines on most attractions once; the higher-priced Express Unlimited lets you skip the lines as many times as you wish. Costs for the passes vary depending on the day and the anticipated crowd levels. Note that Universal Express is included with the room rates at Universal’s Premier-category hotels.

Many of the dining choices at the parks, CityWalk, and the on-property hotels are great. Among our favorites are the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, Bigfire, and Vivo Italian Kitchen, all at CityWalk. Reservation info for table-service restaurants is available at  Universal Orlando’s Web site . Many quick-service restaurants offer  mobile food ordering  via Universal’s phone app.

It costs $26 to self park in Universal’s gargantuan garage. It is free after 6 p.m.

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How Much Is A Trip To Universal Studios Orlando?

A four-day (three-night) trip to Universal Studios Orlando costs between $684 and $2,539 per person. This includes flights, hotel (two people sharing), food, park tickets, ground transport and souvenirs.

You can save a significant amount of money on some aspects of a trip to Universal Orlando if you’re able to make some adjustments including;

• Driving instead of flying where applicable
• Visiting two parks instead of three
• Buying a limited number of souvenirs
• Staying in a budget hotel.

Of course, we realise these adjustments aren’t for everyone so I’ve broken down all the different aspects of a trip as well as the cost of each and ways to save money to help you make conscious decisions on how you plan to spend your money when visiting Universal Studios Orlando.

Depending on where you’re travelling from you may have to fly to Universal Studios in Orlando. Flights vary dramatically depending on;

• Where you’re coming from
• The time of year
• The airline you’re travelling with
• How far in advance you book

When we travel from the UK we generally aim to pay no more than £300 per person for a flight to Orlando. When travelling domestically within the US it varies dramatically depending on where you’re coming from.

The price of a round trip to Orlando starts from;

• New York – $40
• Atlanta – $50
• Dallas – $60
• Boston – $50
• New Orleans – $60
• Pittsburg – $60
• Denver – $70
• Minneapolis – $80
• Austin – $80

In both instances, we use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. We’re not tied to one airline so generally go for the cheapest provided it’s convenient for us.

How To Save Money On Flights To Universal Orlando

You may be able to save a significant amount of money on your flights by;

• Looking at different airlines
• Flying from a different departure airport
• Flying into a different airport in Florida
• Choosing different dates
• Booking in advance

If you have the means to do so you may also want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of taking a road trip to Universal Orlando.

Especially in the peak season when domestic flights can easily exceed $200 per person, a twelve-hour road trip for a family of four doesn’t seem like a terrible idea.

Of course, even if you don’t fly you’ll have to pay for gas and tolls. In most cases, the cost of this will be within the quoted $40 – $400 person that a flight costs. The cost of driving is significantly reduced per person the more people travel.

If you’re travelling solo consider using a website such as Jakes Kar. This website allows you to share your journey and pick up other riders along the way who will contribute to your costs.

How To Spend More Money On Flights To Universal Orlando

If you’re looking to add a little bit of luxury to your trip to Orlando then consider flying business class instead of economy.

Even just a premium economy seat or extra legroom can make a significant difference, especially on a long-haul flight.

Of course, all this comes at a cost and the exact price will vary depending on the airline and the distance you’re travelling.

Be sure to consider luggage, especially if you’re travelling for a significant amount of time or planning to buy souvenirs during your trip.

Not all airlines offer cabin baggage anymore, in some cases, you’ll be ‘hand luggage only’ which often means taking one limited-sized bag of between 5kg and 10kg (the exact weight varies between airlines) onboard with you.

Additional checked-in bags usually cost around $30 each way but can be shared between family members if you’re travelling together.

Flights Per Person: $40 – $400

There’s a wide range of hotels in Orlando, from budget motels to luxury resorts.

As discussed in the ground transport section there are some financial benefits to staying in one of the hotels near Universal Studios Orlando with free shuttle. However, much like flights you’ll find that the cost of a hotel room will vary significantly depending on the time of year you visit.

We’re never specific about a hotel in Orlando and instead use a hotel aggregator like Booking.com to find the best deals and refine our selection based on a number of preferences.

How To Save Money On Hotels Near Universal Orlando

With so many hotels in Orlando fighting for your business saving money is relatively easy if you know what to look for.

The first tip I mentioned above, using a search aggregator to find all the hotels in the area that meet your preferences whether that be an outdoor swimming pool, car parking or complimentary wifi.

Alternatively, consider exchanging credit card points or loyalty points for discounts or free nights.

In the UK you can look to use Tesco Clubcard Points, and worldwide you can use American Express membership points and other major chain hotel award programmes such as Marriot Bonvoy, Melia and IGH.

You can also save money by going down a star rating, there are still a number of fantastic two and three-star hotels in Orlando with great online reviews.

We check all the hotels we plan to stay at on TripAdvisor in advance to ensure they have good reviews from past guests.

However, it’s important to take these reviews with a pinch of salt, you get what you pay for after all. We tend to look for an average overall as many of the hotels have thousands of reviews.

If the overall review is four out of five, we’ll then check to ensure the reviews over the last 3 months mirror that (ensuring that the hotel hasn’t gone downhill recently).

If you’re flexible consider adjusting your dates of travel. Hotel prices tend to vary depending on availability, which is often mirrored based on previous years.

If demand is high then expect the cost of hotel rooms to increase, if demand is low then you can expect prices to be more reasonable. I suggest checking a crowd calendar for the park to see what the dates are like when you plan to visit.

How To Spend More Money On Hotels Near Universal Orlando

If you’re looking to add a little extra luxury to your trip to Universal Orlando then you may want to consider upgrading to a better hotel.

Universal Studios Resort in Orlando has eight on-site hotels divided into the categories of;

• Prime Value

While all hotels are above a three-star rating, the premier hotels are five-star and include water taxis as well as shuttle buses from the hotel to CityWalk where you can enter either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure.

If that wasn’t enough, these high-end hotels include a complimentary Universal Express Pass which allows you to skip the standby lines on the vast majority of the rides at the park.

We stayed at the only current preferred hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls shortly after it opened in 2016. A basic room here sleeps up to four people across two queen size beds and costs roughly $300 per night.

The vast majority of basic value hotels on-site and off-site allow you to upgrade rooms from standard double or queen rooms to luxury suites.

These upgrades often provide you with more square footage within the room, a better view and additional amenities.

For example, you can upgrade your room at Loews Sapphire Falls from a $300 per night standard two-queen room to a 2-bedroom hospitality suite that sleeps up to eight for a whopping $1,127 per night.

Hotel Room: $270 – $1,200 (price based on 3 nights with 2 people sharing)

Ground Transport

Of course, one of the advantages of travelling from your home to Universal Studios Orlando is that you’ll not need to purchase any ground transport either in the form of hiring a car, Ubers, Lyfts or shuttle buses.

If you do fly then you’ll need to consider how you plan to get from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the parks if applicable.

Some hotels offer a complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel and the hotel to Universal Studios which reduces the cost of ground transport down to zero.

While hiring a car provides you with some flexibility allowing you to go where you want, when you want the additional costs are a factor you’ll want to seriously consider.

Many hotels in Orlando don’t offer free parking, and you’ll also be required to pay for parking at Universal Studios (general parking starts at $25 per day).

A shuttle bus is certainly an affordable option with some companies offering one-way journeys for as little as $15 per person.

However, it can often add an additional one or two hours onto your journey as you go around dropping fellow guests off at different hotels in the region.

In most cases, we opt to get a Lyft or Uber. The journey costs around $30 for up to four guests one-way, however, it’s private and direct – exactly what we want after a nine-hour flight from the UK.

How To Save Money On Ground Transport At Universal Orlando

You’ll save the most money on ground transport if you’re able to find a hotel that offers both complimentary pick-up from the airport and shuttles between the hotel and Universal Studios.

However, this may increase the cost of your hotel significantly so you’ll want to compare the two.

The majority of hotels on International Drive offer a shuttle to Universal Studios in Orlando at a minimum.

However, not all of these shuttles are free (one we stayed at recently charged $3 per person each way so it’s still incredibly affordable) and many run a strict and relatively restricted service which will leave you arriving or leaving the park earlier or later than you’d probably like.

If you want to rule out getting a shuttle altogether then consider staying in one of the many hotels within walking distance of Universal Studios.

This means that you’ll only have to pay for ground transportation between the airport and the hotel rather than on a daily basis.

That said, be sure to consider the heat and humidity of Orlando during your visit, I once tried to walk half a mile in June and quickly found it was a terrible idea.

As I mentioned in the introduction to this ground transport section we tend to stick to Uber and Lyfts as they combine affordable transport with convenience allowing us to arrive at and leave the parks as and when we like.

The majority of journeys from hotels nearby to the parks cost between $8 and $10 each way although this can increase during peak hours you can reduce the cost by sharing your ride in the UberPool or LyftPool service.

How To Spend More Money On Ground Transport At Universal Orlando

One great way to spend more money on ground transportation at Universal Studios is to have a limousine to pick you up from the airport and drive you to the hotel. These private transfer services are really convenient and include a chauffeur.

Many of the vehicles can be split between up to six people which actually makes the additional costs relatively small if you’re travelling as part of a group.

In our case, we usually opt to upgrade our hire car. We only hired a car once during our trip to Orlando and that was for our wedding in 2019.

Being a special occasion we upgraded from a basic $30 a day hire car to a $100+ a day luxury sports car.

We did however bring the costs somewhat back down again by only hiring the car for a couple of days rather than during the full vacation.

If you are going to hire a car, whether it be a basic model or a luxury sports car be sure to compare the prices using an aggregator such as Skyscanner online in advance.

If you’re visiting the park for more than four days then look into the cost of purchasing an annual pass for free general parking instead of paying $25 per day as the benefits of having one person hold an annual pass may outweigh the singular costs over the course of your visit.

Ground Transport: $0 – $100 per person

Park Tickets

It’s incredibly difficult to save money on Universal Studios park tickets. I always recommend purchasing tickets directly from Universal Studios as you’re protecting yourself from any scams.

However, there are sometimes bundles on offer from reputable retailers such as FloridaTix if you’re also wanting to visit other parks such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Legoland during your visit.

The cost of Universal Studios park tickets will vary depending on;

the number of days you’re visiting

• Whether or not you’d like to visit all three parks or a selected one
• The age of the guests (children are slightly cheaper than adults)
• The time of year you’re visiting
• Whether or not you’re looking to purchase a Universal Express Pass

How To Save Money On Park Tickets

It’s incredibly hard to save money on Universal Studios park tickets without compromising your experience and time at the park.

While there are certain companies that provide you with free or discounted tickets it often means spending a day going around a timeshare property and looking interested.

Alternatively, you could only spend two days at the park instead of three, skip the park to park tickets or only visit the two main parks and skip Volcano Bay.

How To Spend More Money On Park Tickets

While it’s difficult to save money on park tickets, it’s incredibly easy to spend more and further enhance your experience. Without a doubt, the best investment is a Universal Express Pass which allows you to save up to 80% of the standby wait time for the majority of major rides.

We’ve found that this can save first-time visitors up to eight hours when looking to go on all of the rides at the park. If you do want to purchase a Universal Express Pass, then you’ll need to remember that it’s one Universal Express Pass per person, the pass can’t be shared.

However, if you stay in one of the premier on-site hotels then you’ll be able to get these passes for free for everyone who’s staying in the room.

As Express Passes generally start from $199.99 per person per day, the savings here can easily outweigh the additional costs of staying in one of the luxury hotels.

If you’re looking to take your Universal Studios vacation to the next level then consider booking a VIP Experience.

VIP experiences start from $189 per person plus tax, however, this is in addition to your standard park entry ticket. The benefits of a VIP experience include;

• Priority front-of-the-line access to all rides
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences
• A dedicated tour guide escorting you around the park
• Complimentary valet parking
• Reserved seating at shows
• Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch
• Universal Express Unlimited ride access
• Exclusive VIP Experiences lanyard and credential
• Universal CityWalk Party Pass
• Discounts at select Universal Orlando-owned and operated merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk

You can further enhance your experience with additional tickets for the on-site attractions such as the cinema and mini golf.

Alternatively, you can look at upgrading your park tickets to an annual pass so you can come back to the park a number of times over the course of a year.

There’s a lot of information to consume about annual passes so it’s worth reading more online if you’re interested.

Park Tickets: $339.99 per person based on visiting all 3 parks over 3 days

Universal Studios offers two dining plan tiers which start from $25.99 + tax. However, in most cases, I’ve found it’s more affordable and flexible to instead purchase the food at the park as you go.

The cost of food at Universal Studios is, as you might expect more expensive than at a food court in a shopping mall. That being said, I’ve never had a bad meal at the Universal Orlando Resort and the themes of the restaurants and dishes are an experience in themselves.

While the cost of the food varies between restaurants, the amount of money you spend on food at Universal Orlando is going to significantly increase the longer your vacation.

In most cases, we budget between $50 and $100 per person, per day when visiting Universal Studios.

How To Save Money On Food At Universal Studios

You can keep the cost of food at the lower end of the budget by having a quick-service lunch and a table service dinner instead of two table service meals, sharing meals as the portions are huge, and eating breakfast at the hotel instead of in the parks.

All the information about the restaurants including the menus with prices is available online at the Universal Studios website.

I suggest using this resource to get an idea of where you’d like to eat and when to understand exactly how much you’ll want to budget.

Keep in mind that you’ll also want to budget for drinks and snacks including incredible doughnuts from LardLad and Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

How To Spend More Money On Food At Universal Studios

With so many incredible restaurants to choose from it’s incredibly easy to spend more money on food during your vacation by visiting some of the best table service restaurants at the resort including;

• Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
• Hard Rock Café
• Bubba Gump Shrimp

Food: $50 – $100 per person, per day

There are some incredible souvenirs available to purchase at Universal Studios, like most theme parks the cost of which are significantly more expensive than you’ll find at shopping malls etc.

While you can go home without souvenirs, it’s unlikely that’s going to happen, so it’s important that you budget accordingly for an impulse purchase or two whether that be a photo frame, t-shirt or keyring.

You’ll likely find that if you’re travelling with children you’ll need to increase your souvenir budget further to accommodate things they might want to buy during the trip.

You’ll also likely find that you’ll purchase more souvenirs the longer you’re visiting the theme park, so while I’ve estimated between $20 and $200 I’d add on an additional 10% for every day over three days (i.e. 4 days budget $22 – $220 and 5 days $24 to $240).

How To Save Money On Universal Souvenirs

The easiest way to save money when purchasing souvenirs at Universal Studios is to purchase items that are more affordable such as keyrings and photos instead of expensive souvenirs such as the interactive Harry Potter wands and the official Universal Studios Hogwarts robes.

Prices for basic souvenirs start at $5.00, however, these prices can quickly increase to up to $100 for specialist items.

You could look at going elsewhere to purchase your souvenirs including International Drive and the outlets.

Here you’ll be able to buy both Universal-inspired and alternative souvenirs at a highly discounted price.

Of course, going to both of these is going to require you to pay for transport and in some cases parking, which may outweigh the savings.

How To Spend More Money On Universal Souvenirs

If you’re looking at spending more on Universal Studios merchandise then it may be worth investing in a Universal Orlando Annual Pass. The preferred annual pass offers 10% discount on Universal-owned and operated stores, and the premier pass offers a 15% discount.

While these specific passes start at $287.99 they also come with additional benefits including access to the parks throughout the year, a discount on hotel rooms, additional tickets and food alongside free parking.

Of course, the easiest way to spend more money on souvenirs at Universal Studios is simply to buy more and buy better and that’s very easily done at the resort with so many incredible souvenirs available.

Souvenirs: $20 – $200

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How Much Does it Cost to Go to Universal Studios? 

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios, really? It’s easy to think any trip to a theme park will be expensive, but the truth is many factors go into how much it costs to go to Universal. It’s one thing to look at the various options for tickets, hotel pricing, and deciding which Universal Express pass to get. However, prices range so drastically that it can be challenging to figure out a realistic budget for your Universal trip.

Below, we provide an overview of the typical costs associated with going to Universal, such as ticket pricing, lodging, and food costs. We’ll also put these costs into play with a few hypothetical trip scenarios to provide some real-life examples of what it costs to go to Universal. 

Universal Studios Orlando Ticket Pricing

One of the most significant variables when budgeting a Universal vacation is ticket pricing. Ticket pricing varies based on the time of year you visit, the day of the week, and how many days you plan to stay at the parks.

Universal has several pricing tiers that start at $119 for a one-day, one-park ticket during the slowest times of the year. However, prices can vary greatly based on expected crowds . Reference this table when estimating Universal ticket pricing in 2023. 

Factors that Affect Ticket Pricing

Many variables come into play when figuring out how much Universal Studios tickets will cost. Keep the following factors in mind when budgeting for your trip:

Day and Time of Year

Like other theme parks, Universal uses “surge” ticket pricing. This means ticket prices change based on the time of year, the day of the week, and expected crowds. Due to this, how much you’ll spend on tickets is directly linked to when you decide to stay at Universal. You will pay more for tickets if you plan to visit during the last week in December than you would if you came the week after Labor Day. Learn more about the <>.

Multi-Day Tickets

Universal rewards you for spending more time at the parks, so you’ll receive a larger ticket discount when you purchase multi-day tickets. As the number of days you buy tickets increases, so do the deals.

Purchasing in Advance

Purchasing tickets online in advance costs less than buying them at the gate the day you want to visit. This will save you tons of time and avoid waiting in a lengthy line at the ticket counter before your day has even started. There are many reasons to purchase your tickets in advance (including being turned away due to capacity limits) so saving money is just one reason.

Special Events

Keep in mind that the ticket pricing we’ve shown so far is for a regular day in the park. Universal has special holiday events and other specialty nights throughout the year. Some of them, such as Christmas celebrations, are included in your regular park admission. Others, such as Halloween Horror Nights , require a separate ticket just for the event. So be sure to factor that into your budget if applicable.

Images are courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Express Pass 

Another factor that goes into determining how much does it cost to go to Universal is the price of Express passes. Universal’s Express pass allows guests to skip attraction lines at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay .

Express Passes are beneficial if you’re visiting during peak times. They are also helpful if you want to experience many of the park’s most popular attractions in a single day or have a group that makes standing in a long line difficult.

Universal Express passes are priced per person, per day, and can be added when purchasing your park tickets. Attractions included in the Universal Express pass include some of the parks’ most popular attractions, like Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, The Incredible Hulk Coaster®, and Fast & Furious – Supercharged.  

There are two Express pass options at the main theme parks, and two at the water park.

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure

• Universal Express enables you to skip the regular attraction line once per ride (at participating rides)
• Universal Express Unlimited allows you to skip the regular lines an unlimited amount of times (at participating rides)

Volcano Bay Water Park

• Universal Express enables you to skip the virtual queues at select attractions , once per attraction
• Universal Express Plus allows you to skip the virtual queues at all attractions , once per attraction

Here’s the current pricing:

How Much Does Food Cost at Universal Studios?

The cost of food is another factor to consider when budgeting for your Universal trip. Arguably, it’s the cost that you have the most control over since where and what you decide to eat can change based on your budget. Even if you bring snacks and some refreshments, you’ll need to purchase a meal at some point.

Generally, a meal at quick-service locations throughout the parks will cost about $15 to 20 per person per meal (if you include an entrée and a drink). Sit-down restaurants (also called full-service) are slightly more expensive, anywhere between $25 – $50+ per person.

You’ll also want to factor in the costs of snacks, drinks, and treats like Butterbeer or alcohol (which can run anywhere from $8 to $20 each time). 

For a more complete estimate of how much you should budget for meals, check our our in-depth article on food costs at Universal Orlando Resort .

How Much Does it Cost to Stay at Universal Studios?

There are six options for staying at a Universal Studios on-site hotel. There are various pricing choices , from affordable, Value hotels to luxurious Premier resorts.

Benefits for staying on-site at a Universal Hotel include early park access for select attractions , free transportation to the parks, and even complimentary Express Unlimited passes (if staying at a Premier hotel). Like ticket pricing, hotel pricing varies based on the number of days you’ll visit, along with the time of year.

Below is a breakdown of the Universal Hotel and its base per-night pricing. (Don’t forget to factor in other costs such as the price of parking ).

Universal Studios Onsite Hotel Per Night Pricing

Value: start at $114 per night

• Endless Summer Resort —Dockside Inn and Suites 
• Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites 

Prime Value: start at $164 per night 

• Cabana Bay Beach Resort 
• Aventura Hotel 

Preferred: start at $229 per night 

• Sapphire Falls 

Premier: price varies 

• Loews Royal Pacific – starts at $339 per night 
• Hard Rock Hotel – starts at $379 per night
• Loews Portofino Bay – starts at $404 per night

Factors That Affect Hotel Pricing

Much like ticket pricing, hotel pricing fluctuates significantly based on the time of year you visit. The number of people staying in your room, the room type, and the selected sleeping arrangements (such as getting a room with a queen-sized vs. a king-sized bed or selecting a family-sized suite ) will also impact how much the room costs. A room with a particular view may cost more as well.  And if you’re bringing your pet with you, you’ll need to factor in additional fees (and the fact that only the higher-tier hotels allow pets ).

What is the Cheapest Universal Hotel?

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort is the cheapest Universal hotel. The resort is made up of two sister hotels, Surfside Inn and Suites, and Dockside Inn and Suites. A standard room starts at $114 per night and sleeps four people. The Endless Summer Resort is a five to ten-minute bus ride away from Universal Studios and CityWalk, with free shuttle service to the parks from the hotel. It’s the only Universal hotel not within walking distance to the theme park.

Need help planning your vacation to Universal Studios? Our friends at The Vacationeer can help! Get your free quote here . Their services are completely free and will give you a huge advantage over booking your own trip. We recently rank The Vacationeer #1 on our Best Travel Agencies for Universal page. 

When is the Cheapest Time to Go to Universal? 

The cheapest time to go to Universal is in September or January. Since Universal uses surge ticket pricing where busier days cost more, these are also the slowest times of the year to visit Universal. Most weekdays in September are priced at the lowest pricing tier, more than any other month. There are also several days in January priced at this lowest tier. Pick a weekday between Labor Day and October first to get the best deals on tickets.

See our Best Time to Visit Universal article for more information, or contact The Vacationeer to find how much your vacation package will cost.

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Universal Studios? Real-life Scenarios 

Let’s put all this pricing together with two hypothetical trip plans to get an estimated cost of a Universal Studios vacation. 

Real-life Scenario: A Family of Four

The following pricing is based on a four-day, three-night summer vacation in June for a family of four, made up of two adults and two children under ten years old.

The family planned to spend most of their time at the parks and wanted to save money on their hotel stay. They chose a standard room at the Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites for three nights. We priced their hotel stay at $174 per night for their vacation in June.

Hotel total: $587.25

The family wanted the flexibility to move freely between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure during their vacation. The family were also huge Harry Potter fans and wanted the ability to ride the Hogwarts Express™ whenever they wanted. To do this, they purchased three-day park-to-park tickets. 

Ticket total: $1,311.96

• Express Passes  

While the family wanted to save time waiting in line, they planned to hit all their must-do rides at both parks in one day. They added a one-day, regular Universal Express pass to their trip, costing $89.99 per person during a weekday in June. 

Express pass total: $360.36 

Food pricing varies greatly depending on an individual family. However, it is safe to budget to spend around $300 a day on food for a family of four. This would include a mix of quick-service meals, a few full-service dinners, and some snacks and treats. 

Food total: $900

• Transportation  

Since the family’s resort stay includes transportation to Universal Studios, CityWalk, and Islands of Adventure, they just needed a ride from and to the Orlando International Airport. There are several ways to travel from the Orlando airport to Universal , one of the most cost-effective ways is using a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft. These services typically cost about $55 for a trip from OIA to the Universal Hotel area. 

Transportation total: $110

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Total estimated trip cost:   $3,270

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Please note: this sample pricing is for informational purposes only. For an accurate quote for your trip, get with our friends at The Vacationeer . Pricing does not include tax or tips.

Sample Trip: Two-Day Honeymoon Getaway

Our next trip scenario is for a couple’s Honeymoon trip in January. The couple chose January because it is one of the slowest times of the year and thought it was the perfect time to visit after their December wedding.  

The newlyweds splurged on a nice hotel with a beautiful view. They chose to stay at Portofino Bay Hotel, one of Universal’s Premier-level hotels. Portofino Bay is modeled after the seaside village of Portofino, Italy, and has many romantic touches to it. They chose to stay in a Bay View King Room for two nights. 

Hotel total: $976.50

The couple chose to spend one day at Islands of Adventure and the other day bouncing between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. They each got one park-to-park ticket and one one-park ticket. 

Ticket total: 581.50

• Express Passes

Since the couple stayed at one of Universal’s Premier hotels, Unlimited Express passes were included with their stay. This allowed them to skip attraction lines for their entire trip! 

Express pass cost: $0

Again, food costs change greatly depending on each person. However, it’s fair to budget around $20 to $25 per person for each meal with this type of trip. In this scenario, a typical budget would be between $300 and $400. 

Food cost: $350

• Transportation

  The couple walked from their hotel to the parks most days, so they only needed transportation to and from the airport. They utilized a ride-share service, which costs $55 each way. 

Transportation cost: $110 

Total estimated trip cost: $2,020

Note: Pricing is approximate and for informational purposes only. Pricing doesn’t include tax or tips. 

The Cost of a Trip to Universal Studios: Final Thoughts 

The cost of visiting Universal can fluctuate significantly based on many factors. When you decide to visit Universal is the primary factor that will affect trip costs, as your vacation dates will influence your ticket pricing, express pass purchases, and the price of your hotel stay. There is also a lot of wiggle room with food costs—but it’s a cost that can add up quickly.

When looking to save on your Universal trip, you’ll be rewarded with cheaper per-day ticket pricing the longer you plan to stay. When deciding between Universal Hotels, you should factor in benefits such as complimentary Unlimited Express passes if you stay at a Premier resort.

The increased hotel pricing may be more cost-effective than adding Universal Express passes to your trip. Packaging your tickets and hotel together will also help you save money.

Budgeting for your Universal Vacation

Pricing your Universal trip can be tricky, especially with the number of variables at play. Do you want a park-to-park ticket? Or stay at a Premier hotel with Unlimited Express passes? How do ticket prices differ between June and January?

If the thought of figuring this out on your own seems overwhelming, using a Universal Travel Agent like the ones at The Vacationeer could be beneficial. Just enter a few details about your family, your desired travel dates, the tickets you want, and they’ll figure out the best package rates for you. Click HERE to get your quote today ! 

We hope this was helpful Enjoy your trip!

Get more Universal planning tips by checking out our Ultimate Planning Guide for Universal Orlando Vacations , Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , Universal Studios Orlando maps , and our list of the top Universal rides . We also have some relevant blog posts including our Universal Orlando Transportation ,   How to Get from Disney World to Universal ,   How Much do Wands cost at Universal Studios , Is the Universal Express Pass Worth It , and How to get the Universal Express Pass for Free pages.

Related Posts:

Accommodations

As you can imagine, the cost of hotels can vary quite a bit depending on where you stay. If you’re looking to save as much money as possible, it won’t be difficult to find a cheap motel or hotel within a short drive. However, staying at a Univeral Orlando Resort hotel comes with extra perks that may appeal to you. Here’s a breakdown of some of the options available.

Universal Studios Orlando hotels are generally regarded as hotels that are on-site or directly associated with Universal Orlando. They can range anywhere from $100-$300 a night depending on which hotel you book and they come with additional perks.

Universal Studios Orlando hotels – Value 

• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

Universal Studios Orlando hotels – Prime Value

• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort 
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Universal Studios Orlando hotels – Preferred 

• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Universal Studios Orlando hotels – Premier 

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel 
• Hard Rock Hotel 
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort

All Universal Studios Orlando hotels give you the following perks:

• Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay
• Free transportation to the theme parks and CityWalk
• Resort-wide charging privileges
• Delivery of purchased merchandise right to your room
• Complimentary club-to-club access to select Universal CityWalk venues

If you’re staying at one of the premier hotels, you also get a free Universal Express Unlimited that has a value of $129 per person, per day. This perk alone greatly offsets the cost of your room. You even get priority seating at select restaurants.

Another perk when staying at a Universal Studios Orlando hotel is that you can get big discounts if you’re staying at least 5-nights or if you’re booking a vacation package.

Staying at hotels near Universal Studios Florida can be a great way to save money as there are many 2-3 star hotels in the $60 – $100 a night range. These hotels will likely have a pool and a free shuttle to Universal Orlando, so you don’t need to worry about the parking fees. Some of these hotels also offer free breakfast so it’s another way to cut down on your costs. Here are a few recommended Universal Orlando hotels with a free shuttle:

• Best Western Plus Universal Inn
• Four Points by Sheraton Orlando International Drive
• Super 8 by Wyndham Orlando International Drive
• La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Orlando International Drive North

Check out my full guide of the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando with a free shuttle for more inspiration.

If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. Americans should strongly consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card since you can earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and $300 back at U.S. restaurants as a welcome bonus . Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express , which gives you up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That’s enough points for a few free nights at some hotels, which could easily have a value of over $500.

Universal Studios ticket prices

Universal Studios ticket prices depend on when you’ll be visiting, how many days you plan on visiting, how many parks you’ll be visiting and if you’re going to add on the express pass option. Here’s a quick look at Universal Studios Florida theme park tickets (as of May 17, 2022).

1-Day – 1 park ticket

• Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure – From $109 for adults, $104 for children (3-9)
• Volcano Bay – From $80 for adults, $75 for children (3-9)

1-Day – 2 park ticket (park to park)

• Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure – From $164 for adults, $159 for children (3-9)

2-Day – 2 park ticket (1 park per day)

• Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure – $214 for adults, $204

2-Day – 2 park ticket (park to park)

• Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure – $274 for adults, $264 for children

2-Day – 3 park ticket (park to park)

• Access to all three parks – $`4 for adults, $304 for children

3-Day – 3 park ticket (1 park per day)

• Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure – $275 for adults, $265

3-Day – 3 park ticket (park to park)

• Access to all three parks – $335 for adults, $325 for children
• Universal Express  – From $69.99 – Skip the lines one time at participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
• Universal Express Unlimited  – From $89.99 – Skip the lines unlimited times at participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
• Volcano Bay Express  – From $19.99 – Skip the virtual line one time per participating ride at Volcano Bay

I realize the above list may seem overwhelming, but here’s how to look at it. One-day admission tickets are the most expensive. If your time is limited and you want to see as much as possible, getting the 1-Day – 2 park ticket with the Universal Express Unlimited option is your best choice. 

Since this how much does it cost to go to Universal Studios guide is for three days, your best option will likely be the 3-Day – 3 park ticket (1 park per day) ticket. This will allow you to spend one entire day at each park. You also won’t need an Express Pass as you’ll have time to wait in the lines. That said, paying for the upgrade is worth it if you love rides.

There’s also a Universal VIP Experience where you get a personal guide. To purchase this option, you would pay an additional $189 on top of your gate price. However, you also get to bypass the line on up to five rides per park, so there’s still some value here. 

For reference, Universal Orlando Resort day tickets are similar in price to Walt Disney World. 

Here’s the thing, all the Universal Studios ticket prices I listed above are the regular price. Rarely will you have to pay that much since it’s easy to find  Universal Studios discount tickets . It’s not like there’s some kind of secret hack, Universal Orlando runs promotions a few times a year so it’s worth checking the site on a regular basis if you plan on going to Orlando in the near future. In other words, don’t stress about getting the lowest or best price.

For example, one of their best promotions is where you get 2 days free when you buy 2 days. That means if you buy the 2-Day – 2 park (park to park or one park per day) ticket, you get two additional days at no extra charge. There is a surcharge if you want to add Volcano Bay to this promotion, but it’s still cheaper than if you had paid the regular price.

Assuming you take advantage of the Universal Studios discount tickets, you’re looking at $274.99 for adults and $264.99 for children. Remember, this gives you access to the parks for 4 days so it could be worth your while to spend an extra day here.

Car rental, gas & parking

Getting a car rental in Orlando is crazy affordable. If you get a compact car, it’ll cost you about $35 a day. If you need a mid-size car, SUV or mini-van, you’re looking at about $45-55 a day.

I strongly recommend booking with a car rental agency that has a location at the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Every major car rental agency has a location there, but the cheapest ones are usually off-site.

Like many other car rental agencies, you book your vehicle based on class, and then you pick what you want based on availability when you arrive. It’s worth doing a little bit of research in advance to see what cars are good on gas as it could save you some money. For example, I once rented a Toyota Prius and only spent $4 on gas. Another time I rented a Nissan Rogue and ended up spending $25 on gas (the daily rate also costs more).

Be sure to check the prices of adding a car rental when you book your airfare. One time I booked my flights on Expedia and then adding a car was only $20 a day. That was half the price compared to had I booked the car rental separately.

I should also mention that it’s possible to see Universal Studios without a rental car. If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando partner hotel or nearby, they may have transportation to all the theme parks. Some even offer airport pick up (at a cost).

If you end up driving to Universal Studios, regular parking is $26 a day while prime parking is $36. Prime parking just gets you closer to the entrance. If you’ve rented a car from Avis or Budget from their Orlando International Airport, you can get a complimentary upgrade to prime parking when paying for regular parking (a voucher is required).

If you’re visiting after 6pm, free self-parking is available to all guests, but it’s not valid during Halloween Horror Nights. There’s also valet parking, but if you can afford that, you probably won’t care about the price.

Keep in mind that Volcano Bay guests should also use the Universal Orlando parking garage. There’s a dedicated section for people headed to Volcano Bay so be sure to follow the signs. Once you’ve parked, there’s a free shuttle to the park entrance.

Since you’ll be in a theme park, you can expect to pay higher than normal prices for food and drink. The good news is that the quality of the food is usually good and there’s quite a bit of themed food that is worth trying.

For example, the Three Broomsticks and The Leaky Cauldron are Harry Potter inspired restaurants where some of the staff never break character. You can also get butterbeer which is a staple in the Harry Potter universe. Over in Springfield, you can go to Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger or Lard Lad Donuts.

Sometimes you’ll see lines to get into some of the restaurants, but don’t let that throw you off. Those lines are for crowd control and once you get inside, the food is served quickly as it’s counter service. You might spend a little more at these restaurants, but I find the meals to be more filling than the ones at kiosks found throughout the park.

Generally speaking, this is what you should budget for your meals:

• Breakfast –  $8 (at your hotel or on the way to the parks)
• Lunch –  $20
• Snacks –  $15
• Dinner –  $15 (after departing)

That works out to $58 a day, per person which may seem like a lot, but I think it’s a reasonable estimate. As mentioned, theme parks are expensive, but they’re a lot of fun. Getting a turkey drumstick as a snack or a giant milkshake with your lunch is part of the experience. I don’t typically spend money on snacks, but I do whenever I’m at a theme park. There’s also a good chance that you’re not hungry when you leave so you won’t need a full dinner.

Here’s one tip if you want to save money. There are a few fast food/casual restaurants located in City Walk which is found directly between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This would require you to backtrack a little, but you can also think of it as a break.

Universal Orlando Resort allows you to bring in outside food, but there are a few rules.

• You can’t exceed 2L of bottled water
• Only food that doesn’t require reheating is allowed
• No hard-sided coolers (use soft insulated bags)
• No glass containers
• No open containers or drinks containing alcohol

Some families will bring their lunches and drinks but spend money on snacks which I think is a good strategy since there are more people in their party. If it were just two of you, I’d just enjoy the food the theme parks have to offer.

When looking at the cost of Universal Studios Orlando, you need to budget a little extra money for random spending. In most cases, this budget will be used for merchandise. Theme parks have a lot of merchandise for you to choose from but generally speaking, adults don’t typically buy anything. That said, it’s still an important thing to factor in, just in case.

If you’re a big Harry Potter fan, you’re likely going to be interested in the official wands that you’ve read about. I’ll admit that I’ve been tempted to buy stuff after getting off the Transformers ride since I grew up watching the cartoon. For those travelling with kids, you better believe that they’ll want to leave with something.

Orlando is busy at all times of the year, but I would argue the following dates are the best time to go to Universal Studios:

• Late April / early May
• After the U.S. Spring Break
• Late August / early September
• Before Halloween Horror Nights begin and after it ends
• Early November before holiday celebrations begin

The above are general recommendations as traffic within the parks can vary every year. Weekdays are usually slower than weekends but it also varies depending on the time of the year.

So how much does it cost to go to Universal Studios Orlando? I recommend budgeting $2,101 for two adults. This will cover you for three days and give you access to all three parks. You can easily reduce your costs by a few hundred dollars but it really depends on your flights, what accommodations you choose and how much you want to spend on food.

That might seem like an insane price to pay for theme parks, but that’s one of the main reasons people go to Orlando. Check out my guides on  Disney World ,  Disneyland  and  Tokyo Disney  for more ideas.

This is a bit subjective as it depends on how much time you have and how much you love rides. If you only have one day, but want to see as much as possible, getting a 1-day, 2-park ticket with Universal express passes upgrade is arguably worth it. This will allow you to skip the lines on almost every ride. I’ve personally been able to do both parks in a single day with an express pass upgrade.

Now, let’s say you just love rides and want to go on as many times as possible, then an express pass upgrade is obviously worth it. For example, one time when I was at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the regular wait time for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was 75 minutes. With my express pass, I was able to go on four times in 75 mins. Yes, I like Harry Potter a lot.

I personally prefer Universal’s Islands of Adventure a little bit better, but it’s really a personal opinion. Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls is one of my favourite rides, and I quite enjoy Hogwarts at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter/Hogsmeade and the Incredible Hulk Coaster. Jurassic Park/Jurassic World also just introduced the Velocicoaster which I’m very excited about. That said, Universal Studios also has some great attractions such as Transformers: The Ride 3D, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride at Diagon Alley, and Revenge of the Mummy. You really can’t go wrong with either park, so choose the one that has more rides you’re excited about.

About Barry Choi

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. You can find him on Twitter: @barrychoi

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How Much Is It To Visit Universal Orlando?

This article is your guide to the question how much does it cost to go to Universal Studios in 2024 ?  We typically recommend about $200 per person per day for Universal Studios costs, or around $4,820 for a family of 4 planning to stay for 4 days! But, we’ve put this article together to help you come up with the average cost to go to Universal Studios in 2024, which will include your Universal Orlando tickets, hotel room, and daily meals.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

So if you’re ready to answer the question, how much is Universal Studios?… read on! 

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation be sure to check out our Universal crowd calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

How Much Does a Universal Orlando Vacation Cost in 2024?

Planning your adventure to Universal Orlando Resort? A family of four can expect to budget around $4,820+ for a magical four-day stay , encompassing park tickets to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and even Volcano Bay if you choose, as well as accommodations, dining, souvenirs, and various expenses like travel and parking. This guide offers a starting point for budgeting, with the understanding that actual expenses can fluctuate based on your travel dates, choice of on-site or off-site hotel, dining preferences, and the types of Universal Orlando memorabilia you decide to take home. Whether you’re riding the movies, exploring magical lands, or making a splash, we’ve broken down the costs to help you plan a trip that’s as unforgettable as it is budget-friendly

The Basics of Budgeting a Universal Orlando Trips

• Park Tickets: A crucial expense is the park admission. Universal Orlando Resort offers tickets to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. For a family wanting to explore both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, you’ll need park-to-park tickets to enjoy the flexibility of visiting multiple parks in a single day. A 4-day, park-to-park ticket starts at about $285 per adult and $275 per child , with prices subject to change based on seasonality.
• Accommodations: Staying at an on-site hotel like Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers benefits such as early park admission and complimentary transportation. The cost for a moderate stay at Cabana Bay for a family of four can average around $150 to $250 per night, depending on the season and room type.
• Food and Dining: Universal Orlando Resort hosts a variety of dining options from quick service to full-service restaurants across its theme parks and CityWalk. Budget approximately $20-$40 per person per meal for a mix of dining experiences. Remember to include snacks and drinks in your budget, with prices varying widely based on preferences.
• Merchandise and Souvenirs: From themed apparel to collectibles, merchandise expenses can vary. Budget $100 to $300 for souvenirs to ensure you can bring home a piece of the magic.
• Travel and Miscellaneous: The cost of travel to Orlando, whether by plane, train, or car, and any associated rental car or parking fees should be considered. Additionally, plan for miscellaneous expenses such as locker rentals or photo packages.

Sample Budget for a Family of Four (2 adults, 2 children) for 4 Days:

• Park Tickets: $560 (adult) + $550 (child) x 2 = $2,220 (based on average park-to-park ticket prices)
• Accommodations: $200 x 4 nights = $800 (Moderate Stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort)
• Food and Dining: $300 x 4 days = $1,200 (mix of quick-service and sit-down dining)
• Merchandise: $300 (a few souvenirs per person)
• Travel and Miscellaneous: Budget at least $300+, varying greatly based on mode of transportation and miscellaneous expenses.

Total Estimated Budget: $4,820+ (excluding major travel costs to Orlando) for a family of 4.

This guide aims to help you plan a financially savvy trip to Universal Orlando Resort, ensuring a balance of adventure and affordability.

Related page: Best Deals and Promotions on Universal Orlando Hotel Packages 

How Much Are Tickets to Universal Studios 2024?

The average cost of a one-day, one-park ticket at Universal Studios Orlando currently stands at $134 for adults and $129 for kids. This is a critical factor in understanding the overall Universal Studios Orlando cost. It’s worth noting that Universal Orlando tickets are da te-based, meaning the specific date or start date you choose will affect the Universal Studios costs you incur.

Fortunately, Universal Orlando excels in offering pricing information well in advance, aiding in the planning process. This allows you to start exploring the Universal Studios Florida cost and Universal Studios tickets cost up to a year ahead of time. By having this foresight, you can effectively plan and budget for your visit, ensuring that your Universal Orlando experience remains both enjoyable and financially manageable.

Guests can also bundle their Universal Orlando tickets with an on-site Universal Orlando hotel, which starts at less than $99 per night for the cheapest prices possible.

How much are Universal Studios tickets in 2024?

For one adult, your ticket will cost:

• 1 park, 1 day: $109-159
• 2 parks, 1 day: $164-214
• 2 parks, 2 days: $111-176 per day

For one child, your ticket will cost:

• 1 park, 1 day: $104-154
• 2 parks, 1 day: $159-209
• 2 parks, 2 days: $110-171 per day

A family of 4, your tickets will cost:

• 1 park, 1 day: $518-626
• 2 parks, 1 day: $738-846
• 2 parks, 2 days: $1099 – 1383

Below, we’ll explain your options so you can figure out the Universal Orlando admission price that will apply during your vacation.

Related Page: The Cheapest Universal Orlando Ticket Prices

How Much Do Universal Studios Tickets Cost – 1 Day, 1 Park in 2024?

So, what is the cost of 1 day-1 park Universal Studios tickets ? Universal Studios offers a variety of ticket options to suit different budgets and itineraries. For a single day of adventure, you can choose a one-day, one-park ticket. Prices typically range from $110 to $135 for adults and $105 to $130 for children, depending on the season. If you plan to spend more time exploring the parks, multi-day tickets provide better value. Starting around $215 for adults and $210 for children, these tickets allow you to enjoy the Universal Studios experience over multiple days, immersing yourself in all the excitement and attractions the park has to offer.

• Adults – $109 – $159
• Children – $104 – $154

If you are only visiting one park, the one-day ticket price for Universal Studios Orlando 2024  for an adult starts at $109 and goes all the way up to $159  (tax not included). A child’s ticket is $5 lower, from $104-154 (tax not included). As a note – a child’s ticket only applies to children 3-9 years old.

Related Article: The Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando

How Much Do Universal Tickets Cost: Park-to-Park Option

If you want to see both parks in one day, your best option is to purchase a Universal park-to-park ticket . Adults will pay between $164 and $214 (plus tax), and children will pay $159 to $209 (plus tax). For Harry Potter fans, this gives you the chance to ride the Hogwarts Express from park to park. So how much is it to go to Universal Studios in 2024 and Islands of Adventure on the same day? Like above, it depends on when you go.

How Much Are Tickets To Harry Potter World Orlando?

The other big question most people have about visiting Universal is the price of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter . You’re in luck! The Harry Potter world cost is included in your ticket. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure each have their own Wizarding World within the park. Once you’ve paid the admission cost to Universal Studios Orlando, you’re all set to enjoy the Harry Potter world, too.

Related post:  How Much Should I Budget for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

How Much Would it Cost to Stay at a Universal Orlando Hotel?

The Universal Orlando hotels start at $99 and can go up to as high as $500 for a Premier hotel. If you’re on a budget, we would recommend staying at a Value Resort like one of the Endless Summer hotels to keep costs down. There are also Prime Value family-friendly options like Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which is always a win for big families who want to visit Volcano Bay.

Prices of onsite Universal Orlando Hotels:

• Endless Summer (Dockside and Surfside) – Starting at $99 /night

Prime Value:

• Universal Adventura – Starting at $145 /night
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Starting at $145 /night
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Starting at $222 /night

Premier (Free Express Pass Included) hotels:

• Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Starting at $337 /night
• Hard Rock Hotel – $386 /night
• Loews Portofino Bay – $393 /night

What are the perks of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel?

All of the Universal Orlando hotels offer:

• Early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter  
• Complimentary transportation to and from the parks
• Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key
• Complimentary delivery of purchased merchandise to your hotel room
• Club-to-club access at Universal City Walk.

When you consider the Universal ticket prices (Orlando), getting into the park for an hour adds real value to staying at the resort. During that extra hour, only hotel guests are at the parks, meaning you’ll have shorter waits for rides and will get more out of your day.

Related Page: Which Universal Orlando Hotels Include Express Passes?

How Much Does Universal Studios Cost: Dining Options

Before we discuss the dining options below, Universal has put its dining plan on hold for the time being. We will continue to keep this page updated as more information is released. Now that we’ve answered your main budget concern – how much does it cost to get into Universal Studios? – it’s time to look at other areas of your budget. So, one of the next biggest concerns families have is how much they should budget for food at Universal Studios in 2024.

For a family of four, we recommend planning for at least $60 for a quick service type meal and around $100 for a sit-down meal.

When you’re at the theme park all day, food can be a big part of your Universal Studios trip cost . You aren’t allowed to bring food into the park (with some exceptions, such as baby food or small snacks). And there are plenty of dining options on-site, so it will depend on where and what you eat.

Unfortunately, one of our favorite cost-saving dining options, the Universal Dining Plan , has not returned yet. However we would say it’s still absolutely possible to budget for meals throughout the parks and also some ways to take advantage of some discounts.

Universal Dining Budget

• Price per adult: $22.00 per person, per meal
• Price per child: $15.00 per person,  per meal

Universal refillable Coke Freestyle Cups

Another way to save money is to try out the Universal refillable mugs . We love the refillable mugs so much that we have an entire article outlining these budget-friendly theme park drink options.

The Universal Coca-Cola Freestyle price is:

• 1 Coke Freestyle cup – $17.99 plus tax

After you purchase your  Universal Studios refillable cup , you can take it to any participating location and pay $1.49 for a beverage refill. The $1.49 can be used on soft drinks, but you can also receive a discount on other Universal beverages like Iced lemonade, tea, and slushies. Just note that the discount price may change depending on the beverage, and the only thing that is $1.49 is soda.

Related post: Guide to Travelling From Orlando International Airport to Universal Orlando

How Much Does The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Cost?

The estimated cost of a visit to Harry Potter World is approximately $1,260 for four adults with 2 park-to-park tickets. This allows for a full day of exploration in Hogsmeade and another day in Diagon Alley. While this may be slightly higher compared to other online budgets, it includes the park-to-park option at an additional $60 per person.

This is necessary to ride the iconic Hogwarts Express, an absolute must-do for any Harry Potter fan. On the other hand, families planning a budget-friendly trip to Harry Potter World may only require a two-night hotel stay, as opposed to the typical three or four nights for a comprehensive visit to Universal Orlando. We do have an entire guide budgeting out a trip to the Wizarding World, which you can read right here !

Related post:   Complete Guide to Butterbeer at Universal Studios Parks

Cost of Universal Orlando FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios?

A: The cost of visiting Universal Studios varies depending on ticket type, time of year, and additional experiences. One-day, one-park tickets range from $110 to $135 for adults and $105 to $130 for children. Multi-day tickets start around $215 for adults and $210 for children. Park-to-Park tickets, allowing access to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, range from $170 to $195 for adults and $165 to $190 for children.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!

Who We Recommend

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* Your magic rewards program points are automatically calculated into all theme park ticket prices!

Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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Universal Orlando Tickets and Discounts

Ticket types.

Universal Orlando sells tickets that range from one to five days in length. Regardless of the length of the vacation, however, the tickets can be broken down two major ways.

One Park per Day Tickets

These are your basic tickets that allow you to visit either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, or the Volcano Bay water park. If you have a Single Day, One Park per Day ticket, you must choose one park. If you have a Multi-Day, One Park per Day ticket you must choose either park on any given day. Within that day you may leave and return to the same park, but you cannot switch parks.

Park-to-Park Tickets

These are your basic tickets that allow you to visit either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure (or the Volcano Bay water park, if you get a 3-park ticket). If you have a Single Day, One Park per Day ticket, you must choose one park. If you have a Multi-Day, One Park per Day ticket you must choose either park on any given day. Within that day you may leave and reenter, but you cannot switch parks.

Additional Information

Universal Orlando tickets expire 7 days after the first use and children under 3 are free, but child tickets for ages 3-9 are only a few dollars discounted from the adult prices, despite the large number of rides with height requirements at Universal.

Buying Admission to Universal Orlando

One of our big gripes about Universal is that there are never enough ticket windows open in the morning to accommodate the crowds. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you buy your admission in advance. Passes are available direct from Universal at universalorlando.com or by phone at (800) 711-0080; at the concierge desks or attractions box offices of many Orlando-area hotels; and through Guest Services at the DoubleTree Universal hotel (407-351-1000), at the intersection of Major Boulevard and Kirkman Road.

Many hotels and some ticket brokers that sell Universal admissions don’t issue actual passes. Instead, the purchaser gets a voucher that can be redeemed for a pass at the theme park. Fortunately, the voucher-redemption window is separate from the park’s ticket-sales operation. In addition, tickets bought online can be printed at home and contain a bar code that can be read at the turnstiles.

Universal Orlando Ticket Discounts and Deals

Universal's admission discounts change too rapidly to cover comprehensively here. The best online clearing-house for keeping up with the latest available offers is MouseSavers.com's Universal Orlando discounts and deals page . There are often deals for Florida residents, deals where you get a day or two "free" with the purchase of certain tickets, etc.

The lowest prices on electronically delivered one-day Universal tickets is through Orlando Ticket Connection , which undercuts Universal's online prices a couple of bucks. We'd love to hear from readers who have had experiences (good or bad) with Orlando Ticket Connection.

Multi-day tickets sold through travel agencies generally cost the same as the Universal Orlando website but often include access to Early Park Admission , even if you are not staying in a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel .

Universal charges $14 for domestic FedEx shipping of tickets ($19 for international delivery). If you want physical tickets mailed to you for the cheapest price and can order at least two weeks before your trip, consider using an online ticket wholesaler, such as The Official Ticket Center . Official Ticket Center advertises all their prices inclusive of tax and USPS Certified shipping, and has the lowest bottom-line cost on physical Universal Orlando tickets that we've found.

Universal Orlando Ticket Prices

This table displays the price ranges for Universal Orlando tickets purchased online in advance . For discounted tickets from third-party vendors, please see that section above. All these prices include tax. The tickets listed as 3-Park include the Volcano Bay water park. Note that prices are date-specific, with higher prices corresponding to more popular travel periods.

In addition, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tickets are available.

Universal Orlando Annual Passes

All Universal Orlando annual passes include park-to-park admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, including discounts on events that cost extra, like Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe. All annual passholders also receive up to 30% room rates at on-site hotels, and a number of other discounts as detailed below.

Here are the four types of annual passes offered by Universal Orlando:

Seasonal Pass

• Admission with many blackout dates . This pass cannot be used during Christmastime, Easter, or all summer.
• 2-Park Seasonal Pass: $424.99 (not including tax)
• 3-Park Seasonal Pass: $524.99 (not including tax)
• Fewer blackout dates and a few more amenities. This pass cannot be used during Christmastime or Easter.
• Includes admission to select special events like Mardi Gras.
• 50% off regular daytime self-parking.
• 2-Park Power Pass: $474.99 (not including tax)
• 3-Park Power Pass: $584.99 (not including tax)

Preferred Annual Pass

• No blackout dates for regular admission.
• Early Park Admission, although there are many blackout dates for early admission.
• Free self-parking
• Discounted food, merchandise, and specialty items.
• 2-Park Preferred Pass: $629.99 (not including tax)
• 3-Park Preferred Pass: $739.99 (not including tax)

Premier Annual Pass

• Early Park Admission with no blackout dates.
• Free valet and self-parking
• One free Halloween Horror Nights ticket on select nights.
• Free Universal CityWalk club access.
• 2-Park Premier Pass: $904.99 (not including tax)
• 3-Park Premier Pass: $1,094.99 (not including tax)

Is a Universal Orlando Annual Pass Worth It?

So, should you buy a Universal Orlando annual pass, and if so, which one? If you are making only one trip to Universal within the year, are staying off-site, and plan to spend four days or fewer in the parks, then you should stick with standard tickets. If however you plan to spend five or more days at Universal's parks, anticipate returning to Universal within the year, or want to stay at an on-site hotel for more than one night, it is well worth your while to run the numbers on an annual pass.

As for which one to buy, first double check the current Power Pass blockout dates on Universal's website to ensure they don't conflict with your trip. Even if you're in the clear, at least one member of your party will want to pick up at least a Preferred Annual Pass for its discounts, especially if you are driving to the resort; 5 days of self-parking at $30 per day adds up to $150, which is about the difference in price between the Power Pass and Preferred. (Note that free parking only applies after your first visit; you must activate your annual pass at a park gate first before receiving free parking.)

If – and only if – you take advantage of all its amenities, the Premier Annual Pass is an amazing value. At up-charge of under $300 from the Preferred pass, you can get more than your money's worth in free valet parking alone, and the free Express after 4 p.m. is especially useful when the parks are open late. (Even though it's officially only valid only once per attraction per day, we've rarely been denied a re-ride, and can usually bring a companion along.) The free Halloween Horror Nights pass isn't valid Fridays or Saturdays, and can't be upgraded, which limits its value, but once redeemed it can be transferred to another person.

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Universal Orlando guide: Tips from frequent visitors

When I was a kid, we went to an Orlando theme park at least once a year. You had to plan a few things in advance, but visiting an amusement park wasn't what it is today. With all the apps, reservation timelines and rules, planning the "perfect" trip to any major theme park has become a massive endeavor.

Just thinking about planning the trip is enough to give me hives. The stakes are so high — pricey admission, reservation deadlines for everything from character breakfasts to dinners at popular restaurants and all sorts of add-ons to get into the theme parks before the masses and skip the lines. There's so much to know.

However, we really wanted to visit Universal Orlando on a family vacation , so I needed to overcome my planning paralysis. I'm happy to say that — with some strategic decisions upfront — we were able to execute an awesome visit to Universal with a minimal amount of advance planning.

If you're a first-time visitor to Universal Orlando, here's what you need to know to plan your own vacation.

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When to visit

The date for your visit to Universal Orlando may not be entirely up to you.

If you're traveling with school-age children, you're likely locked into visiting during school vacations, long weekends and summer break. If that's the case, you'll probably visit Universal when it's at its busiest. That's not the end of the world, though, since there are ways to reduce the waits for lines. More on that in a minute.

You can check expected crowd levels at crowd calendars like the ones at Undercover Tourist, Touringplans or Orlando Informer .

The slower times of the year are Labor Day through the first two weeks of November (before Thanksgiving) and the first two weeks of December (before the holiday rush). Note, though, that if you visit close to Halloween, it will be busier because of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights .

Most of January, except for the first week, is also relatively quiet, as is the first week of February. But then it gets crazy with spring breakers. Crowds thin out a bit after Easter and through May, then ramp up again for the summertime. June, July and August are always busy. Always. And, as an added bonus, it's extremely hot.

For our first visit in a zillion years, I picked a quiet time in early November so any planning blunders on my part would be minimized by the lack of intense crowds.

Related: 10 things no one tells you about Orlando

Where to stay during a Universal Orlando vacation

Once you've ironed out when you plan to visit Universal, you'll want to determine where to stay.

You have a ton of options, from hotels right on Universal property and nearby points hotels to rental homes and Airbnbs . There are so many choices that TPG wrote an entire guide to choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip .

Let's recap the high points here.

Benefits of Universal hotels

If you only have a few days to explore Universal and don't mind the cost, an on-site property may be your best bet. That's because guests of all Universal hotels receive early entry into the parks for specific attractions.

Which parks open for early admission vary by day and only certain attractions are available. However, they tend to be the popular rides with lines that grow once the gates open to regular parkgoers. There's a helpful page on the Universal site to figure out what's available to on-site hotel guests. With some rides in each of the two parks available, that should also help spread out the crowds just a bit.

It's a nice freebie, and it's the best strategy if you have your heart set on riding Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure without spending hours in line. Currently, this ride does not participate in Universal's Express Pass skip-the-line program.

If you stay in one of Universal's on-site hotels, you can take advantage of the park's complimentary transportation options to get between CityWalk, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and your hotel.

Some hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel , Loews Royal Pacific Resort , Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offer complimentary boat shuttles.

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort , Universal's Aventura Hotel and the above-mentioned hotels have peaceful walking paths and all resorts, including Universal's budget-friendly Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites, have complimentary shuttle buses.

The downside of staying at a Universal hotel is often the price. Rack rates are usually relatively high, though Universal's Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites — have rates that start at $91 per night on off-peak dates.

The mid-tier resorts, Aventura and Cabana Bay, start at closer to $130 per night.

Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

But if you prefer to stay at one of Universal's top-end Premier hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay), you're probably looking at starting rates around $325 per night. However, you'll also get complimentary Universal Express skip-the-line passes for every guest staying in your room.

We'll explain that in more detail down below, but it's a huge timesaver and may be worth the extra per-night cost of staying on-site.

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum® Card from American Express , a great way to maximize a stay at Loews Portofino Bay is to book via the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts collection .

This will get you not only the Express Passes for all guests of that hotel but also full daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit, late 4 p.m. checkout and more.

Staying off-site

Universal is surrounded by plenty of points hotels, so if you'd prefer to stay off-site — on points or cash — you can easily do so. Some of TPG's favorite nearby points hotels are even within walking distance of Universal.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

Here are a few points hotels within walking distance of Universal:

• Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort (Category 2, from 6,500 World of Hyatt points per night).
• Hyatt House Across From Universal Resort (Category 3, from 9,000 World of Hyatt points per night).
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando (Around 30,0000 Hilton Honors points per night).

And some great points hotels that are just a short drive away:

• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Category 4, from 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night).
• Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld (From 34,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes (From 52,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• JW Marriott Grande Lakes (From 40,000 Marriott points per night on standard dates).
• Hilton Orlando (40,000 to 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night).
• Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (40,000 to 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night).
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando (63,000 to 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night).

Related: Choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip

All about Universal tickets

Visitors have a lot of options when it comes to buying Universal tickets, from the type of ticket to how you'll pay for them. Here's the skinny.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT UNIVERSAL VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S THEME PARK BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Universal ticket types

There's a variety of ticket types at Universal Orlando. You can buy tickets that get you into one, two or three theme parks (i.e., Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park).

You can purchase tickets for one, two, three, four or five days. The cheapest tickets allow access to one park per day. So, if you start your day at Universal Studios, you can't use the same ticket to get into Islands of Adventure in the afternoon. You're limited to one park per day. This sounds good but isn't always a great choice.

Alternatively, you can buy the pricier Park-to-Park tickets that allow you to bop between the theme parks as you wish. These tickets may be more expensive, but they give you the greatest amount of freedom to visit more than one park on the same day.

Related: From Butterbeer to magic wands: Everything you need to know about Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and Kings Cross Station, you need a Park-to-Park ticket or an Annual/Seasonal Pass.

There's no way around that requirement since Hogsmeade Station is in Islands of Adventure and Kings Cross Station is in Universal Studios. Basically, Universal's got you cornered on this one.

If you're going to visit for more than a couple of days or potentially twice in 12 months, consider a Universal annual pass .

When I planned our trip, Universal was running a promotion that would have given us extra days in the parks for free. But when I crunched the numbers, a Florida resident annual pass was only $8 per ticket more expensive than the tickets for one trip, so we went with the annual pass.

Buying direct from Universal

Universal Orlando almost always has ticket specials on its website. Read the options carefully to see if any of the promotions make sense for you. The special may throw in a free day at the park(s), an Express Pass or discounted admission to the Volcano Bay water park .

Related: How to get the most out of one day at Universal Orlando

Buying tickets from other vendors

You can also buy tickets from reputable vendors like Undercover Tourist . What's great about Undercover Tourist is that it often has some older tickets available so when prices increase each year, you can often still buy a cheaper ticket from them.

It's worth bookmarking their site to comparison shop. Purchases from Undercover Tourist code as travel for the purposes of using a travel credit card or earning extra points.

Related: Best credit cards to use for Universal Studios

And although you can't typically purchase stand-alone Universal tickets at Costco, Costco Travel does sell Universal vacation packages that include tickets and on-site hotel nights.

You'll even get a Costco Shop Card after your visit. Check out pricing for your dates to see if it represents a better deal versus booking through other methods.

Using points to buy Universal tickets

Historically, it was possible to use Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points to purchase your Universal Orlando theme park admission , though our most recent searches didn't turn up any availability.

Upgrade to skip the lines

Like so many amusement parks around the world that have skip-the-line passes , Universal has its own version called Universal Express. There are a few ways you can get Universal Express passes.

Related: Is Universal's Express Pass worth it? TPG tested how much time it really saves you in line

The best way is often to get it included in your stay, as mentioned above. Guests staying at any of the three top-of-the-line Universal Premier hotels — Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort — get Universal Express Unlimited for free as registered guests.

This is huge as the starting cost if purchased separately is more than $100 per day, per person. For a family of four, getting it with your room rate is almost certainly a better deal than buying it.

Note: The Premier level of the Universal annual pass includes Express Pass access beginning at 4 p.m.

Another option is to simply buy an Express Pass when you need it. How much you pay depends on the type of pass you buy and when you visit Universal, as passes cost more when crowd levels are high. Here are the three types of Express Passes you can buy:

Universal Express: This is the base version of the skip-the-queue pass. It allows you to skip the regular line one time per participating ride at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. Prices start at $79.99 per person, per day for one park and go up from there — sometimes as high as $279.99 per day.

Universal Express Unlimited: The unlimited pass lets you skip the regular lines at participating rides as many times as you wish at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Passes for that privilege start at $109.99 per person, per day. Pricing for the unlimited passes seems to be running about $30 more per day than the normal express passes, which may make them the better value (assuming you can afford a second mortgage).

Volcano Bay Express: This pass is solely for use at Volcano Bay water park, where it allows you to skip the regular line one time per participating ride. The pass starts at $19.99 per person, per day, but you won't find that rate very often.

Participating rides and attractions are subject to change, so it's best to consult Universal Orlando's website before your visit.

When I visited, just about every ride we wanted was included in the Universal Express Unlimited, with the exception of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Hagrid's is an incredible ride that has also seen some incredible wait times since opening. Alas, unless you purchase a VIP tour, your anticipation of rides that aren't included in Universal Express like Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be rivaled only by your time waiting in line.

Take a VIP tour

Another way to avoid the lines is to take a VIP tour. There are small group and private VIP tours at Universal and both will help you cut the line.

Summer Hull, a director at TPG, took her family on a private VIP experience at Universal and it included walk-on ride access during the tour, as well as Express Passes and dining credit after the official tour was over.

A private tour will cost a few thousand dollars for the day for your group, but small group VIP experiences can be much less expensive, starting at less than $200 per person.

The primary difference between the two tours is the amount of access. The group tours are obviously less private but also only guarantee that you'll experience front-of-the-line access for eight to 10 rides. A private VIP tour is charged by the hour and operates at a faster or slower pace as you prefer.

Whether you decide to purchase an Express Pass or take a VIP tour will likely be determined by how crowded the park is during your visit, as well as your budget.

If it's off-season, you may be able to get away without a skip-the-line pass. But if you're visiting during a holiday week or school vacation, be prepared for long lines without a pass. On those dates, having an Express Pass will allow you to ride more attractions in less time.

Universal's child-swap policy

If you travel as a family, you know that not everyone will want to go on every ride. And some of your kids may not yet be old or tall enough to ride some attractions that your other kids are dying to try.

Universal solves the problem of the entire family having to choose between experiencing a ride or not with its child-swap program.

In fact, Universal's child swap is the best in the business as there are (air-conditioned) waiting areas in some key attractions. Most even have televisions showing whichever movie the attraction is based on.

This allows one member of your party to watch over small children while the rest of the gang waits in line and rides. Then you can swap places so the other member can enjoy the ride too, without another long wait. Just ask the attraction attendant to point you toward the designated waiting spots.

What's at Universal Orlando?

Although it's not as large ( yet ) as Walt Disney World , Universal Orlando has plenty for your family to see and do for several days. There are two theme parks, a water park and an entertainment, dining and shopping complex.

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk are arranged in a triangle around a small lake. The Volcano Bay water park is separated a bit from these three destinations.

Universal Studios

One of Universal's two theme parks, Universal Studios has eight sections. You enter through an impressive arch and, if you walk straight, are immediately in Production Central with attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Transformers: The Ride-3D.

If you take a right after you enter the park, you're in Hollywood, where you'll find the NBC Media Center, Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show, the Bourne Stuntacular and the Character Party Zone.

A lot of the attractions in both Production Central and Hollywood are better saved for when the day starts getting hot. You get to sit in blissful air-conditioning at these shows: Minion Mayhem, the Bourne Stuntacular and the Horror Make-Up Show.

If you've got little kids, turn right upon entry and walk through Hollywood so you can start immediately at Woody Woodpecker's KidZone.

From there, enjoy Springfield: Home of the Simpsons. I'm no kid, but I loved Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl ride!

If your kids are older, bypass those kid-centric areas and make Men in Black Alien Attack in World Expo your first ride of the day. After you ride, you are perfectly positioned to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley first thing in the morning.

Get in line for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts before the line gets too long.

Then, explore Ollivanders and Gringotts Money Exchange and see a few shows (we saw The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees). Kids love talking with Stan and the Knight Bus conductor. Don't miss a meal at the Leaky Cauldron or ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.

If you have a Park-to-Park ticket, you can decide to take the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station (next to Leicester Square) to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure.

If you have a one-park ticket, you won't be able to ride the Hogwarts Express and will instead continue your exploration of Universal Studios.

As you depart The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley, keep to the right to enter San Francisco.

If you didn't opt for a butterbeer in Hogwarts, this is a fantastic spot to stop for lunch or a snack since most of what you'll find here are restaurants, including the city's famous seafood restaurant, Lombard's. There is also one ride here: Fast & Furious — Supercharged.

From San Francisco, continue on to New York, where you don't want to miss Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (another great get-out-of-the-heat, rest-your-feet experience) and Revenge of the Mummy. Hang around, too, to see some shows like the Blues Brothers or Marilyn & the Diamond Bellas.

Once you've had your fill of the Big Apple, continue back along the main thoroughfare to Production Central and Hollywood, if you skipped those in the morning.

In the evening, don't miss Universal Studios' nighttime extravaganza. Called the Cinematic Celebration and centered at the theme park's lagoon, it combines music, films, water and light.

You can also see a daytime fountain and music show at this same lagoon. Check the daily program or official Universal Orlando app for times.

Islands of Adventure

The second Universal theme park is Islands of Adventure. Your best call here is to arrive as soon as the gates open and walk quickly to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Both are at the opposite end of the park from the entry gates, so it will be a walk but enjoying the busiest rides in the park without crushing crowds is worth it.

If roller coasters aren't your thing (and you aren't prone to motion sickness), get in line instead to see Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is where you'll ride a broomstick and it really is a fantastic attraction.

After that, ride Flight of the Hippogriff, a gentler roller coaster. (If you can ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World, Flight of the Hippogriff will be no big deal). Or you can simply walk around Hogsmeade for some fun photos without throngs of other guests in the background.

After you've done the ride, explore Hogsmeade itself and see some shows (we saw the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally) and watch a wand choose a wizard at Ollivanders (if you didn't see the same experience at Diagon Alley already).

Grab a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks or adjacent Hog's Head and then continue on to the other lands of Islands of Adventure.

When you leave The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can go in either direction. For our purposes, let's pretend you walk to Jurassic Park first. Here you'll visit Camp Jurassic where kids will enjoy the Pteranodon Flyers. You can also take the Jurassic Park River Adventure and have a "raptor encounter."

There are plenty of places to pick up fast food here, from pizza and ribs to burgers and nachos.

Next up, you can ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong before hitting Toon Lagoon, where your kids can cool off in some sprinklers, or you can all ride Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls flume (warning: you will get very wet).

As you dry off from that heart-pounding experience, head to Marvel Super Hero Island, where you can meet Marvel characters and ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster (it's an intense one).

If you have some daredevils in the family — or Marvel fans — you'll spend a good amount of time here.

Beyond the Incredible Hulk coaster is the entrance to the park. Continue from there to Seuss Landing.

Even though we didn't have any kids in tow, we still enjoyed walking through this bright and cheery land and we even rode the Caro-Seuss-el merry-go-round and The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.

There's also a Seuss character zone and plenty of other rides and attractions that are specifically designed for the little ones.

The Last Continent is just beyond Seuss Landing. There's a neat interactive experience called The Mystic Fountain. Seriously, start talking to it and you'll be mesmerized.

You can also take on Poseidon's Fury in a special-effects guided tour or stop to dine on Mediterranean-style food at Doc Sugrue's Kebab House, Fire Eater's Grill or Mythos Restaurant.

Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is Universal's water park. This park can close because of chilly weather or during lightning storms. Check Universal's schedule to see if it is slated to be open during your visit. Volcano Bay has everything you'd expect of an exceptional water park, like Waturi Beach with a fantastic lagoon for swimming and Kopiko Wai Winding River.

There are also some incredible waterslides and drops and the Ko'okiri Body Plunge that features a 70-degree fall through a drop door and 125 feet of what Universal calls "white-knuckle fun."

Thrillseekers love the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, where you plunge right through a waterfall, and TeAwa The Fearless River whitewater ride through churning rapids and waves.

COVID-19 restrictions are pretty limited at Volcano Bay. Masks are required when entering and exiting the park, as well as in restaurants (when you're not actively eating) and in retail locations. They're not permitted on the water rides themselves.

As if two theme parks and a massive water park weren't enough, Universal also offers CityWalk.

This complex of restaurants, shops and clubs is open during the day, but it really heats up at night with free self-parking after 6 p.m. You don't need tickets to enter, but you can buy tickets for shows at the Hard Rock Cafe.

You'll also find restaurants such as Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, Bob Marley — A Tribute to Freedom and Pat O'Brien's that offer live (and recorded) music. There's a movie theater (free parking with the purchase of two movie matinee tickets), karaoke club (CityWalk's Rising Star), miniature golf and the Red Coconut Club and The Groove for dancing.

There are plenty of spots to dine too. You can grab snacks like pizza, hotdogs and Panda Express Chinese food and sweets from Voodoo Doughnuts.

Or you can have a more substantial meal at restaurants like the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, VIVO Italian Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and more.

We had a fantastic dinner at Bigfire, where the pork chop was the juiciest I've ever eaten.

Universal's boat shuttles that take you back to its resorts are right at CityWalk so it's convenient to spend the day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure and then have dinner at CityWalk and go shopping before heading back to your hotel for the night.

And a third park coming …

Universal Orlando announced a new theme park, a third gate at Universal Orlando, back in 2019. A massive 750-acre tract of land located not far from the two existing theme parks was to be the site for the new park.

Dubbed Epic Universe , the new park is rumored to house franchises like Fantastic Beasts, a Harry Potter spin-off, Super Nintendo World and Universal Classic Monsters. Construction was delayed due to the pandemic, but the new park is on track to open sometime in the summer of 2025.

The best credit cards to use at Universal

Now we get to a hot topic for points-and-miles travelers who are planning a trip to Universal Orlando. Which credit card should you use? That depends.

For example, how and where you purchase your theme park tickets will dictate how the charge will be coded. Historically speaking, Universal theme park tickets and VIP tours purchased directly from Universal have coded as "entertainment."

However, tickets purchased at an on-site Universal hotel and charged to the hotel have coded as "travel." Depending on how you purchase your ticket, you'll want to select either a card that rewards you for entertainment spend or travel purchases.

If you think your purchase will code as entertainment, two good credit card options are:

• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card — 4% cash back.

If, however, you know your charge will code as travel, you're better off using:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve — 3 points per dollar spent.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — 2 points per dollar spent.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — 2 points per every dollar spent.

The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Universal is packed with rides, attractions, character meet-and-greets and more. Yet it's compact enough for you to cover a lot of ground in just a few days.

Universal Orlando can be a pricey but incredible adventure for your family. If it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you're seeking, you may be best waiting until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

However, if you're more "go with the flow," Universal Orlando has plenty to offer for fans of Harry Potter, Marvel and so much more.

Additional reporting by Edward Pizzarello.

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Universal Studios?

Planning a trip to Universal Studios can be an exciting adventure, but it’s essential to understand the costs involved to make the most of your experience. Universal Studios offers a range of ticket options, accommodations, and packages to cater to various budgets and preferences.

In this article, we’ll explore the factors influencing the cost of visiting Universal Studios, including ticket prices, accommodation options, and tips for saving money on your trip.

Universal Studios theme parks are located in Florida, Hollywood, and other places worldwide, offering a thrilling mix of exciting rides, attractions, and immersive experiences.

The cost of admission varies depending on the park, the type of ticket, and the time of year. It’s important to research and plan to make your visit both enjoyable and budget-friendly.

Key Takeaways

• Universal Studios offers various ticket options, accommodations, and packages.
• The cost of admission depends on the park, ticket type, and time of year.
• Planning and research can help you save money on your trip.

Table of Contents

Overview of Universal Studios

Universal Studios is a popular theme park that offers visitors an exciting and immersive experience. With parks in various locations, such as Universal Orlando, guests can expect a thrilling adventure filled with movie magic, thrilling rides, and entertaining attractions.

One of the main draws of Universal Studios is the amazing selection of thrilling rides and attractions that cater to a wide range of age groups and interests.

Guests can explore themed areas like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Jurassic World and also enjoy shows and attractions like the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the Transformers: The Ride 3D.

Visiting Universal Studios can be a memorable experience for the entire family, but it’s important to know the costs associated with a trip. Universal offers various ticket options, including:

• One-Park, One-Day Tickets : Starting at $109 for adults and $104 for children, these tickets provide access to either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure .
• 2-Park, 2-Day tickets (Park to Park) : Priced between $276 and $370, they grant access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure over two days.

These ticket prices may vary depending on the date, so plan your visit accordingly. In addition to admission fees, guests should also consider other expenses, like parking, which may add to the overall cost of their visit.

When planning a trip to Universal Studios, keep in mind the park’s operating hours, seasonal events, and any possible ride closures to ensure the best possible experience. With proper planning, a visit to Universal Studios can be a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.

Cost of Tickets

At Universal Studios, there are various ticket options available to cater to different needs and preferences. Ticket prices can vary depending on the location, season, and the type of ticket purchased. Here, we’ll provide an overview of the ticket prices and the available options.

Universal Orlando Resort

When visiting Universal Orlando Resort , you can find one-park, one-day tickets for adults starting at $80 and going up depending on the date, while for children (ages 3 to 9), the starting price is $104. One-day tickets that allow access to both parks in Orlando start at $174.66. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change based on the season.

Universal Studios Hollywood

For those planning to visit Universal Studios Hollywood , the one-day ticket prices start from $199; these vary by day and season as well. A two-day general admission ticket starts at $149, giving visitors more time to explore the park at a lower daily cost.

Here are popular ticket options and their benefits:

• Park-to-Park Access : This option allows guests to visit more than one park per day, providing a more comprehensive experience. Park-to-park tickets can be ideal if you are limited on time and want to explore multiple areas of the resort.
• Universal Express : With Universal Express, visitors can experience shorter wait times for popular attractions. This add-on option is available for both one-day and multi-day tickets, offering unparalleled convenience and maximizing your park experience.
• Add-ons : Additional ticket options such as early access to the Super Nintendo World and the VIP experience provide new levels of fun and excitement. These special add-ons can enhance your visit but will come at an extra cost.
• Annual Pass : For visitors who plan to return to Universal Studios multiple times throughout the year, an annual pass might be a cost-effective solution. Offering varying levels of access and benefits, annual passes extend the fun of the park through the entire year.

Remember, when planning your trip to Universal Studios, it’s essential that you carefully consider your desired experiences, budget, and the available ticket options. No matter which ticket type you choose, you’ll be sure to enjoy a friendly, unforgettable adventure at Universal Studios.

Accommodation Options and Costs

When planning a trip to Universal Studios, considering accommodation options and costs is essential. There is a variety of on-site and off-site hotels to suit different budgets and preferences.

On-site Hotels at Universal Orlando Resort:

Staying on-site offers some added benefits, such as Early Park Admission and free transportation between the parks and hotels. Some of the popular on-site hotels include:

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: A premier hotel with an Italian-inspired atmosphere, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining options, and luxurious amenities.
• Hard Rock Hotel: This upscale hotel appeals to music enthusiasts, offering rock ‘n’ roll themed rooms, excellent dining options, and the famous Rock Royalty Lounge.
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort: A tropical paradise that transports guests to the South Pacific, complete with island-style rooms, lush gardens, and a lagoon-style pool.
• Endless Summer Resort: Comprising Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites, these value hotels provide affordable accommodation options with a beach-inspired atmosphere.
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort: A retro-themed, family-friendly resort with spacious rooms, an expansive pool area, and multiple dining options.

Prices for these on-site hotels vary, with value resorts like Endless Summer Resort typically starting at lower rates, while premier hotels like Loews Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel command higher prices. Discounts may be available during selected times, so it’s worth checking for seasonal promotions.

Off-site Hotel Accommodations:

For visitors who prefer staying off-site, there are several reputable hotels nearby Universal Orlando Resort. Some popular off-site hotels include:

• Marriott: A renowned hotel chain offering various properties close to the theme park, ranging from moderate to upscale accommodation options.
• Wyndham: Another well-known hotel chain, with properties near the theme park that cater to different budgets and tastes.

Staying off-site may result in a more budget-friendly experience, but guests should factor in transportation costs, as free shuttles to the theme park may not be available.

Still, discounts on accommodation are frequently offered by these hotel chains, so it’s worth checking for special offers when making a reservation.

Whether opting for an on-site or off-site stay during a visit to Universal Studios, accommodation options and costs vary to suit every traveler’s needs. It’s essential to research and compare hotel features, amenities, and prices to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience within one’s budget.

Ticket Packages and Deals

Planning a visit to Universal Studios can be exciting and budget-conscious when exploring the available ticket packages and deals. From family vacation packages to VIP experiences, there’s a combination that suits everyone’s needs.

For a family of four, a popular option is a vacation package that includes park tickets, hotel accommodations, and other perks.

These packages often provide the best overall value and can include exclusive early park admission and complimentary transportation to the parks.

The best packages can be easily built at GetAwayToday .

When looking for deals, keep an eye out for discounts on multi-day park tickets and online purchases. Some ticket options may offer reduced prices for children, adding an extra layer of savings for families. Also, group discounts may be available for larger parties.

One way to enhance your park experience is by upgrading to the VIP Experience, which gives you exclusive access to guided tours, preferred seating at shows, and more. This option is perfect for those looking to make their visit truly memorable.

If you’re interested in skipping the lines at popular rides, adding a Universal Express Unlimited pass to your ticket could be the right choice. This pass allows you unlimited express access to participating rides and attractions, reducing wait times and giving you more time to enjoy the park.

To sum it up, when planning your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to explore various ticket packages and deals to find the best option that suits your budget and preferences.

Don’t forget to factor in additional savings, like multi-day passes, online discounts, and group rates. With a little research, you’ll be well on your way to an enjoyable and budget-friendly Universal Studios experience.

Additional Costs

When planning a trip to Universal Studios, it is important to consider additional costs beyond the price of admission. These costs can include food, drinks, parking, souvenirs, and other amenities.

Food and Drinks: While visiting the park, guests will likely need to budget for meals, snacks, and beverages. Prices can vary, but it is reasonable to expect to spend approximately $15-$30 per person per meal.

Snacks and drinks can also add up, with items like butterbeer costing around $8 and pre-packaged snacks ranging from $3-$10.

Parking: Parking at Universal Studios can be an additional expense to factor into your budget. Daily parking rates range from $25 for regular parking to $40 for prime parking. If you plan to leave and return to the park the same day, make sure to keep your parking receipt for re-entry.

Souvenirs: Part of the fun of a theme park visit is bringing home souvenirs to remember the experience. Universal Studios offers a variety of merchandise, from clothing and accessories to collectibles.

Budgeting for souvenirs will depend on personal preferences, but setting aside some funds specifically for this is a good idea.

Amenities: In addition to the costs mentioned above, you might want to consider some extra amenities to enhance your visit. For example, there is an option for visitors to purchase the Express Pass , which can help save time by bypassing regular lines at popular attractions.

Prices for the Express Pass range from $50 to $150+, depending on the day and the number of rides included.

By keeping these additional costs in mind when planning your visit to Universal Studios, you can have a better understanding of the overall budget needed for an enjoyable experience.

Travel Expenses

Visiting Universal Studios can be an exciting adventure, but it’s important to plan for the various travel expenses that come with the trip.

The costs can vary depending on factors such as transportation, flights, rental cars, and more. In this section, we will provide a brief overview of these expenses to help you budget accordingly.

Transportation is an essential aspect of any trip and plays a role in the overall costs. To get to Universal Studios, you may need to book a flight, depending on your location.

The average flight cost to a destination near Universal Studios is around $200 per person. Keep in mind that this number can fluctuate depending on airline, time of year, and how far in advance the ticket is booked.

Once you have arrived at your destination, you’ll need a way to get around. This is where rental cars and other modes of transportation come into play.

Renting a car can provide the freedom and flexibility to explore the area, and prices vary depending on the type of vehicle and duration of the rental. On average, you should expect to spend about $10 per day on transportation, excluding rental car costs.

If a rental car isn’t your preferred mode of transportation, consider taking advantage of the local shuttle services. Many hotels near Universal Studios offer complimentary shuttles to the parks, which can help save on transportation costs.

Planning Your Visit

Planning a trip to Universal Studios can be an exciting experience for both adults and kids. With a variety of attractions, including Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the ever-popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

To make the most of your vacation and create unforgettable memories, consider the following tips when planning your visit.

Before you begin your journey, research the various ticket options and pricing for Universal Studios. Prices start at $109 for a one-day, one-park ticket during the slowest times of the year. However, prices can vary greatly based on expected crowds.

If you’re planning to visit multiple parks, such as Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay , it’s worth looking into three-day passes or other multi-day ticket options.

Once you have your tickets sorted out, it’s time to think about accommodations. Staying on-site at a Universal Studios preferred hotel can offer perks like early park admission and convenient access to CityWalk.

Plus, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, choosing a hotel with easy access to the Hogwarts Express train ride is a must. Alternatively, if you’re also visiting Disney during your trip, consider staying at a hotel that provides transport to both destinations.

When it comes to planning your days at the parks, it’s important to prioritize the attractions and experiences that are most important to you and your group.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Is often a top destination for fans of the series, so make sure to allow ample time to explore both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, as well as ride the thrilling Hogwarts Express between the two areas.

For thrill-seekers, the new Velocicoaster roller coaster at Islands of Adventure is a must-try. To minimize wait times, try arriving early in the day or using a wait-time app to strategize your visit to popular attractions.

As you plan your visit, keep in mind that Universal Studios also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options beyond the rides and attractions. CityWalk boasts a great selection of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Plus, with a one park per day ticket, you can easily spend a full day at each park, with a third day devoted to making the most of CityWalk and any other experiences you may have missed.

With careful planning and consideration of your group’s interests, a trip to Universal Studios can be a fantastic and memorable experience for everyone involved. So go ahead, pack your bags, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

Overall How Much Does it Cost to go to Universal Studios

When planning a trip to Universal Studios, it’s essential to factor in the various costs associated with the visit. Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the time of year and expected crowds.

Generally, one-day, one-park tickets start at $109 for adults during the slowest times of the year. However, prices can range from $110 to $135 for adults and $105 to $130 for children. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change based on demand and time of year.

For those interested in experiencing multiple parks or extending their trip, multi-day ticket options are available. These tickets typically start around $215 for adults and $210 for children, providing a cost-effective way to enjoy all that Universal Studios has to offer.

Also, consider the various park locations, such as Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay, which features attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Krakatau Aqua Coaster™.

In addition to ticket prices, there are other costs to consider when planning a trip to Universal Studios. Expenses such as flights, accommodations, dining, and transportation should be factored into the overall trip budget. To make the most of your visit, look for special discounts, bundles, or packages that can help save on costs. Booking in advance and comparing prices can also help secure the best deals for your trip.

In summary, the cost of a trip to Universal Studios can vary greatly based on factors such as ticket type, time of year, and additional experiences. By considering these elements and planning accordingly, you can make informed decisions and enjoy a memorable experience at Universal Studios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price range for tickets to universal studios.

Ticket prices for Universal Studios can vary depending on the location and the time of the year. One-park, one-day adult theme park tickets (ages 10 and older) start at $109 and go as high as $159, depending on the date.

For children (ages 3 to 9), one-park, one-day tickets start at $104 and go as high as $154, depending on the date. Children under 3 are admitted for free.

Are there different costs for various Universal Studios locations?

Yes, ticket prices may differ across the various Universal Studios locations. It is recommended to check the specific location’s website for their individual pricing structure and potential discounts. Keep in mind that prices may also fluctuate based on seasons and special events.

What is the average cost for a family visiting Universal Studios?

The average cost for a family visiting Universal Studios can be influenced by several factors, such as the size of the family, the time of the visit, and additional expenses like accommodations, dining, and transportation.

With ticket prices ranging from $104 to $159 per person, the cost for a family can quickly add up. Remember to consider factors like hotel stays, meals, and transportation when calculating the overall cost of your visit.

Are there any additional expenses, like parking or food?

Yes, there are additional expenses to consider when visiting Universal Studios. Parking fees, for example, can vary depending on the location of the theme park and the type of parking you choose (general, preferred, or valet). Food and beverage costs also need to be factored into your budget as meals and snacks can add up throughout your visit.

Do special attractions, like Harry Potter World, require extra fees?

Fortunately, special attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are typically included in the general admission tickets for the park.

However, there may be other opportunities within these attractions for unique experiences or merchandise that may require an additional fee, such as interactive wands, exclusive dining experiences, or limited-edition merchandise. It is important to review the specific location’s website for details on what is included and any additional costs that may apply.

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How Much Does It Cost To Go To Universal Studios Orlando?

Have you ever ventured outside of the Disney Bubble during your vacation to Walt Disney World ? There are many attractions and activities to do in the Orlando area. The most popular place to visit besides Disney World would have to be Universal Orlando . But have you wondered how much a day at Universal Orlando costs?

The Universal Orlando Resort has two theme parks and one water park: Universal Studios Florida , Islands of Adventure , and Volcano Bay . At Universal, you'll find rides and attractions that are themed around popular movies and shows such as Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons, Marvel Comics, Minions, and more! Universal also has meet and greets, shows, entertainment, events, dining, and shopping to enjoy.

On many of my trips to Walt Disney World, I have taken time to go and enjoy a day at Universal Orlando. In this article, I'm going to talk about how much it costs to visit Universal Orlando for a one-day visit. We'll look at ticket prices, discounts, Universal Express Pass, transportation methods, and hotel costs.

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Plan Your Day at Universal Orlando

For the absolute best prices on tickets to Universal Orlando , head over to Get Away Today . As an approved re-seller , Get Away Today can provide tickets at the lowest price possible. Get Away Today also has a fantastic and knowledgeable team. Their customer service can't be beat. Rest assured that you and your order will be taken care of with the attention that you deserve.

If you need help planning a vacation that includes both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, Get Away Today can help you with that too! With an amazing team of agents, Get Away Today provides concierge-level vacation planning services. They will take the stress away from vacation planning and take care of every detail of your trip. You can sit back and relax even before you're on your trip when Get Away Today is taking care of your vacation needs.

While you're planning your Universal Studios Florida trip, you should refer to our various planning guides. I have shared our complete guide to Universal Orlando with tips for taking advantage of everything offered at the entire resort and the best information on saving money with discount Universal Orlando tickets .

You'll also want to dive into our specific guides on the hotels at Universal Orlando , celebrating Christmas at Universal Orlando , tips for Universal Orlando park touring , Express Pass at Universal Orlando , and more.

Single Day Ticket Prices for Universal Orlando

Ticket prices for Universal Orlando vary depending on the date which means the cost of Universal Orlando will vary. You can choose a 2-Park – 1-Day Ticket (valid for Universal Studios Florida AND Islands of Adventure), 1-Park -1-Day Ticket (valid for Universal Studios Florida OR Islands of Adventure), or a 1-Day Volcano Bay Ticket.

• Adult Ticket: $174 – $234 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $169 – $229 (Depending on the Date)
• Adult Ticket: $119 – $179 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $114 – $174 (Depending on the Date)
• Adult Ticket: $80 – $110 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $75 – $105 (Depending on the Date)

Florida Resident Single Day Universal Orlando Offers

When Florida Residents go to purchase Single Day Tickets, Universal Orlando will provide a few different special offers which helps to lower the cost. Some of these offers would extend the visit by more than one day. However, they are great deals for Florida Residents! You could consider taking advantage of these offers and breaking up your Walt Disney World vacation with multiple days at Universal Orlando (see how far Universal is from Disney in our guide). Possibly at the beginning and end of your trip. You could even consider starting your vacation off at Walt Disney World and finishing it at Universal Orlando or vice versa. There are so many possibilities!

Here are the offers that are currently available:

• Adult Ticket: $194 – $224 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $189 – $219 (Depending on the Date)
• Adult Ticket: $219 -$249 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $214 – $244 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $114 -$174 (Depending on the Date)
• Adult Ticket: $70 – $110 (Depending on the Date)
• Child Ticket (Ages 3-9): $65 – $105 (Depending on the Date)

Universal Orlando Express Pass

Express Pass is Universal Orlando's version of a FastPass system. I would highly consider purchasing Express Pass if you're only planning on visiting Universal Orlando for one day. Universal Express Pass is available to use on many of the rides and attractions at Universal Orlando. Since you will have limited time at the park(s), Express Pass would be an extremely useful tool to use to get as much done as possible during your time there.

Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay all have Express Pass options available. Each one has a standard Express Pass as well as another Express Pass that comes with additional perks. Let's go over the different options that are available as well as their prices. Just like tickets, the price of Universal Express Pass varies based on the date.

• With this pass, you will be able to skip the regular lines ONCE per ride at participating rides and attractions.
• With this pass, you will be able to skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions as many times as you'd like.
• With this pass, you will be able to skip the virtual lines at SELECT participating rides and attractions one time per ride.
• With this pass, you will be able to skip ALL virtual lines at participating rides and attractions one time per ride.

Participating Rides and Attractions

Each of the parks has participating rides and attractions for Universal Express Pass. This list is subject to change at any time. Currently, these are the participating rides and attractions for each park.

• The Bourne Stuntacular
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• E.T. Adventure
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
• Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast
• Kang & Kodos' Twirl ‘n' Hurl
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Simpsons Ride
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Caro-Seuss-el
• The Cat in the Hat
• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Storm Force Accelatron
• Honu of Honu ika Moana
• ika Moana of Honu ika Moana
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Punga Racers
• Taniwha Tubes

Additional rides available with Express PLUS:

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
• Ko'okiri Body Plunge
• Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Transportation to Universal Orlando

Due to the convenience of free Disney transportation , it's easy to forget about planning for transportation when you're on a Walt Disney World vacation. There are quite a few different ways that you can get to Universal Orlando from Walt Disney World. I have used multiple different transportation methods for my Universal visits.

We'll take a look at a few different options, but the method of transportation that's best for you will depend on your party size, needs, and preferences. Prices will vary for each transportation option depending on your pick up location and vehicle size and type.

The first option, of course, would be to drive your own vehicle to Universal Orlando. While this would be a free ride (minus the cost of gas), you would still need to consider the cost of parking . The cost of parking for standard sized vehicles at Universal Orlando is $30 per vehicle. If you're driving a larger vehicle, such as an RV, the cost to park is $40.

Another transportation option, and my personal preference, is a rideshare. While I generally find Lyft to be cheaper, Uber is another option that you could use. Overall, for my party size, I find a rideshare to be the most affordable transportation option. You can even schedule your rideshare in advance if you'd like, but it does tend to make the cost go up in comparison to securing your ride right when you need it.

A popular transportation service in the Orlando area is Mears . With Mears, you will have multiple different options of services available to you. From Black Car Services, to Taxis, Shuttles, and Bus Charters. While you wouldn't need a very advance option just to go from Disney World to Universal Orlando, the options are still there and you can use whichever service you prefer!

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

If you decide to visit the parks at Universal Orlando Resort for more than one day, or if you want to visit Universal Orlando before or after your Walt Disney World vacation, there are multiple hotel options available. Universal has eight hotels that are split amongst four different tier levels: Value, Prime Value, Preferred, and Premier.

All of the Universal Resort Hotels come with standard Universal benefits. These benefits include early park admission, free transportation to the parks, merchandise delivery, and room key charging abilities.

• Starting from $99 per night
• Starting from $145 per night
• Starting from $212 per night
• Starting at $328 per night
• Starting at $377 per night
• Starting at $392 per night

Visit Universal Orlando

Sometimes it's nice to break up the standard routine and add in another fun activity. A one day visit to Universal Orlando can be a great addition to your Walt Disney World vacation. Don't forget that you can get the best prices possible on your Universal Orlando tickets by purchasing them through Get Away Today . Not only can they provide you with the best ticket prices, but they can also provide the best assistance with your vacation planning. At no additional cost to you, their agents will handle all of the details of your trip. No matter how big or small!

Plan Your Universal Orlando Vacation

We have all the tips and advice you need to plan an awesome Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World vacation. Be sure to join our newsletter for the latest information on planning your Universal and Disney vacations. Click the form below to sign up.

Here are some of our other key planning resources…

• When to Visit Walt Disney World 
• Discount Disney World Tickets  – Where to Buy
• Best Cheap Disney World Hotels
• Walt Disney World Genie Plus Tips
• New Guardians of the Galaxy Rollercoaster at Disney World
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel Review

Universal Orlando Cost Q&A

The the cost of Universal Orlando varies depending on the date. However, tickets to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure start at $119. Tickets for Volcano Bay start at $80.

It's somewhat difficult to say specifically if Universal is as expensive as Disney. To put it simply, it CAN be as expensive as Disney, but it doesn't have to be. Ticket prices to both locations vary depending on the date, but Universal's don't reach the price point that Disney's do. Universal also has more affordable hotels. Furthermore, while Universal does offer Express Pass at a higher rate than Disney offers Genie+, you may be able to get more rides and attractions done at Universal and more conveniently so, which may make it more worth it to you.

In order to fully enjoy all of the offerings without rushing, I would suggest at least two days at Universal Studios Orlando. You may need even more if you are there during peak times.

No, it is not cheaper to buy Universal tickets at the gate. For the best price possible on Universal tickets , head over to Get Away Today . They are an approved ticket re-seller and they are able to offer Universal tickets at the lowest price around.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Rebekah Brown

Rebekah's love of Disney and passion for writing is what led her to Mickey Visit and Disney Dose. Her first visit to Walt Disney World was when she was a young child. Now she enjoys her Disney vacations with her own two children, husband, and parents. Rebekah will keep you up to date on all things that have to do with Walt Disney World. As a frequent visitor, Rebekah will share both her knowledge and personal experience with you through her articles.

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I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top 10 tips for first-timers.

I’ll never forget walking out of Universal Islands of Adventure in 2022, drenched from head to toe after riding Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge . 

It was my first trip back to Universal Orlando Resort in years, and I learned some things the hard way, which I gladly shared with fellow travelers, hoping that they’d avoid my mistakes .

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Florida resort several times a year. And while I stand by my earlier tips, I’ve learned a few others.

Here are my top tips for first-timers visiting Universal Orlando.

1.  Stay on property

From RV parks to vacation rentals, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Central Florida, but it can pay to stay on property when visiting Universal Orlando. Not only are prices comparable to off-property hotels with Endless Summer Surfside and Dockside starting at $99 a night, but all of Universal’s resort hotels offer 30 minutes of early entry to select parks, which vary depending on time of year. 

They also provide free resort transportation, so you can get back to your room fairly quickly after a long park day or for a midday break. That free transportation can be clutch in the mornings, particularly at pricier Loews Sapphire Falls , Loews Royal Pacific , Loews Portofino Bay , and Hard Rock Hotel , which offer water taxis that drop you off closer to the parks than you can get arriving by car or bus. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel guests can walk over to Sapphire Falls for water taxis, but the extra time and steps added may make it not worth skipping the resort shuttle bus.

Walking paths are also available to the parks from every resort hotel except the Endless Summer ones. Cabana Bay guests also have a dedicated walking path to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Guests staying at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock also get free Universal Express Passes , which dramatically cut waits for most rides and normally start at $79.99 per person. Free package delivery is also available to all resort hotels, if guests don’t want to lug park purchases around all day.

Epic Universe details revealed: What's coming to Universal Orlando next year

2. Buy a popcorn bucket

Snacking at the parks can get expensive. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, but there’s one crowd-pleaser that won’t break the bank. 

A plain popcorn bucket costs a little over $12, and you can keep getting refills throughout your trip. Refills cost around $2 each, making popcorn among the cheapest, most shareable snacks on property. On our last trip, my family and I got multiple refills for the price of one pretzel with cheese dip.

3.  Bring a light, refillable water bottle

Staying hydrated is always important, particularly on hot park days. 

You can fill water bottles with free ice-cold water at any of the many Coca-Cola Freestyle machines across the property. Cups of ice water are also available for free anywhere dispensed soft drinks are sold.

Leave big double-walled stainless steel tumblers at home. Not only will they feel heavy, carrying them around all the day, but if they aren’t leak-proof, they’ll make a mess when you tip them on their sides to fit in lockers for thrill rides.

4. Bring a medium-sized bag to carry your stuff

Numerous attractions, from Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Men in Black Alien Attack , require guests to store loose articles in lockers provided for the duration of the ride. 

I previously recommended keeping most of your things together to avoid having to empty every pocket each time. That’s still true, but I want to add a caveat on size. 

The free lockers aren’t very big. They can fit a Loungefly-style mini backpack or empty popcorn bucket, if you squish them down, but they’re not large enough for packed full-size backpacks. Keep that in mind unless you want to pay for larger lockers.

5. Bring ponchos

Ponchos don’t take a lot of space and can save you from getting soaked like me on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge, Dudley Do-Right’s Rip Saw Falls , and Jurassic Park River Adventure .

Even if you skip water rides, ponchos are good to keep on hand for rainy park days.

6. Use single-rider lines 

Many attractions have a single-rider lane. If you’re traveling alone or don’t mind your party being split up, you can save time using the single-rider lane, if it’s open. They’re not always offered.

It doesn’t guarantee a short wait, but it’s usually shorter. On our latest trip, my middle schooler still waited at least 45 minutes for The Incredible Hulk Coaster and an hour for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit . That was about as long as the regular standby wait for Hulk but shorter than the standby wait for Rip Ride Rockit.

The following attractions have single-rider lanes, though availability varies.

Universal Studios Florida

• E.T. Adventure.
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
• Men in Black Alien Attack.
• Revenge of the Mummy.
• The Simpsons Ride.
• Transformers: The Ride-3D.

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall.
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
• Jurassic Park River Adventure.
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

7. Use child swap 

If someone in your party doesn’t meet ride requirements for an attraction or simply wants to sit it out, you can ask for a child swap. It’s particularly helpful for families with young children because it allows parents and caregivers to take turns riding the ride and staying with whoever is sitting it out.

On our most recent trip, my youngest didn’t want to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , so we all waited in line together, but then she and I peeled off to a designated waiting room while my middle schooler and mother-in-law went on the ride. When they were done, my mother-in-law stayed with my youngest while I went on the ride. My middle schooler lucked out, getting to ride it twice.

Not all attractions have waiting rooms, but they all offer swaps. Just let team members know you need one.

8. Take breaks

Theme parks can be exhausting. Not only are you on your feet all day, but they can be loud, crowded and overstimulating. 

When possible, I like to plan for at least one sit-down meal in the day. This way, I can take my time and recuperate in air conditioning away from crowds. I’ll typically splurge on one table-service meal, but there are several medium-priced, quick-service restaurants across both theme parks where you can grab a lighter snack and relax.

Really, any cool spot where you can sit down works. Knockturn Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida is always refreshing, though dark. Jurassic Park Discovery Center in Islands of Adventure is a great place for kids to explore while adults unwind. 

9.  Watch the shows

Rides get a lot of the love, but Universal Orlando’s live entertainment is top tier. You can find showtimes on the free resort app or simply stop to watch performances you stumble across while roaming the parks.

The only year-round shows with dedicated seating are at Universal Studios Florida: Animal Actors On Location! , The Bourne Stuntacular , and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, which is more funny than scary.

10. Let little ones stretch their legs

There are several play areas across both theme parks for little ones to burn off energy.

This summer, a new DreamWorks Land will open at Universal Studios Florida with a “Kung Fu Panda”-themed play area.

At Islands of Adventure, kids can explore Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park, If I Ran a Zoo in Seuss Landing, and Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon. There are also splash pads and water features across Toon Lagoon; just make sure to either bring swimsuits or backup clothes for those.

Bonus: Don’t sleep on Volcano Bay

You’ll definitely want to pack swimsuits if you’re heading to Volcano Bay, which regularly ranks among the best water parks in the country and adds a completely different experience to vacations.

It’s themed like a tropical paradise, with plenty of trees and an iconic volcano that houses multiple water slides. The water park can get crowded, but you never spend too much time standing in line because every guest gets a Tapu Tapu wearable bracelet that lets them join one virtual queue at a time. 

Single-day tickets start at $80, which is considerably less than the $119 starting price for guests age 10 and up at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, but still not cheap. However, if you’re already planning to buy multiday tickets for both theme parks, tacking on Volcano Bay is not much more.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Destinations
• United States

How To Plan A Trip To Universal Studios Florida

Published: December 7, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Doris Loper

• Family Travel
• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Essentials & Accessories
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Universal Studios Florida is a magical destination that offers thrilling rides, captivating shows, and unforgettable experiences. Situated in Orlando, Florida, this world-renowned theme park attracts millions of visitors each year. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of movies and TV shows or simply seeking a fun-filled adventure, Universal Studios Florida is the perfect place to indulge in your love for entertainment.

From the iconic Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the adrenaline-pumping attractions like The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster and Revenge of the Mummy, Universal Studios Florida offers something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the magical world of Hogwarts, fly with superheroes, encounter dinosaurs, and enjoy live performances by talented artists.

In this article, we will guide you on how to plan an amazing trip to Universal Studios Florida. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a seasoned visitor, these tips will help you and your family make the most out of your vacation.

Getting Started

Before diving into the details of planning your trip to Universal Studios Florida, it’s essential to take a few initial steps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The first step is to decide on the best time to visit. Consider factors such as weather, crowd levels, and special events. Orlando’s weather is typically warm and sunny, but it’s important to be aware of hurricane seasons and peak tourist times. Booking your trip during off-peak seasons can help you avoid long lines and enjoy shorter wait times for attractions.

Next, set a budget for your trip. It’s crucial to determine how much you’re willing to spend on accommodations, transportation, tickets, food, and souvenirs. This will help you make informed decisions throughout the planning process and avoid overspending.

Once you have a budget in mind, start researching and comparing accommodation options. Universal Orlando Resort offers on-site hotels that provide convenient access to the theme parks and exclusive benefits. If you prefer to stay off-site, there are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in the surrounding areas. Consider factors such as proximity to the park, amenities, and guest reviews when making your decision.

After securing your accommodation, it’s time to research the attractions and shows available at Universal Studios Florida. Take note of the must-see shows and rides that align with your interests. Whether you’re a fan of thrilling roller coasters or prefer immersive 3D experiences, Universal Studios Florida has a wide range of options to cater to all preferences.

Finally, it’s time to book your tickets. Universal Studios Florida offers various ticket options, including single-day tickets, multi-day tickets, and park-to-park tickets that allow you to hop between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Keep an eye out for any promotions or discounts that may be available during your planned travel dates.

With these initial steps, you’re well on your way to planning an unforgettable trip to Universal Studios Florida. In the following sections, we will delve into more specific details regarding itinerary planning, transportation options, and tips for navigating the park. So let’s get started!

Choosing the Dates

Choosing the right dates for your trip to Universal Studios Florida can significantly impact your overall experience. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on the best dates for your visit:

Seasonal Considerations: Orlando experiences a subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Summers tend to be the busiest time at the theme parks, with peak crowds during school vacation periods. If you prefer to avoid large crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring or fall. The weather during these times is still pleasant, and you can enjoy shorter wait times for attractions.

Special Events: Universal Studios Florida hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Mardi Gras. These events can add an extra layer of excitement to your visit. If you’re interested in attending any of these events, make sure to check the official Universal Orlando Resort website for event dates and plan your trip accordingly.

Park Hours: Universal Studios Florida typically operates from early morning until late evening. Be sure to check the park’s operating hours for the dates you are considering to make the most of your visit. Planning your schedule around these hours can help you maximize your time in the park and experience as much as possible.

Personal Preferences: Consider your own preferences and interests when choosing your travel dates. If you’re a fan of a particular movie franchise or TV show featured at Universal Studios Florida, find out if there are any special events or exhibits showcasing your favorite characters or storylines. Additionally, take into account any personal celebrations or milestones occurring during your desired travel period.

Once you have determined the ideal time frame for your visit, it’s time to move on to the next step of planning: setting a budget. By considering these factors and aligning them with your personal preferences, you can choose the dates that will provide you with the most enjoyable and memorable experience at Universal Studios Florida.

Setting a Budget

Setting a budget for your trip to Universal Studios Florida is an important step in planning. By establishing a budget, you can ensure that you allocate your funds wisely and have a clear understanding of your financial constraints. Here are some key factors to consider when setting your budget:

Accommodation: Start by determining how much you can afford to spend on accommodation. Consider staying at on-site hotels within the Universal Orlando Resort, as they offer convenient access to the theme parks and often provide exclusive benefits such as early park admission and complimentary transportation. Alternatively, explore off-site options that may offer more affordable rates while still providing close proximity to the park.

Tickets: The cost of tickets to Universal Studios Florida will vary depending on the type of ticket and the duration of your visit. Single-day tickets are available, but it’s often more cost-effective to opt for multi-day passes if you plan to explore the park for more than one day. Additionally, consider whether you want the flexibility of park-to-park tickets, which allow you to visit both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in the same day.

Food and Dining: Food expenses can add up quickly during your visit to Universal Studios Florida. Determine how many meals you plan to eat in the park versus dining outside of the park. Consider creating a budget for meals and try to balance dining experiences between quick-service options and sit-down restaurants. Bringing snacks and refillable water bottles can also help save money on food expenses.

Souvenirs and Extras: Universal Studios Florida has an array of tempting souvenir shops where you can find merchandise from your favorite movies and TV shows. Budget for souvenir purchases or consider setting a limit for yourself. Additionally, factor in any optional extras such as photo packages or express passes if you wish to enhance your experience while in the park.

Transportation: Determine how you plan to get to Universal Studios Florida and factor in the cost of transportation. If you’re flying in, consider the cost of flights and airport transfers. If you’re driving, calculate gasoline expenses and parking fees at the park. Public transportation or rideshare services may also be options to consider.

Remember to budget for any additional activities or experiences you may want to have outside of the theme park, such as visiting other attractions or exploring the local area.

By setting a budget and sticking to it, you can enjoy your trip to Universal Studios Florida without any financial stress. Be sure to research pricing beforehand and take advantage of any discounts or promotions available to stretch your budget even further.

Booking Accommodation

When planning your trip to Universal Studios Florida, finding the right accommodation is crucial for a comfortable and convenient stay. Here are some tips to help you book the perfect place to stay:

On-Site Hotels: One of the best options for accommodation is to stay at one of the on-site hotels within the Universal Orlando Resort. These hotels offer a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. By staying on-site, you’ll enjoy perks such as early park admission, complimentary transportation to the theme parks, and the convenience of being just steps away from the action.

Off-Site Options: If you prefer to explore off-site accommodations, there are numerous hotels and vacation rentals available in the surrounding areas. The International Drive area, just a short drive away from Universal Studios Florida, is home to many hotels offering a range of prices and amenities. It’s important to consider factors such as proximity to the park, access to transportation, and guest reviews when choosing an off-site option.

Research and Compare: Before making a reservation, take the time to research and compare different accommodation options. Check websites, read guest reviews, and compare prices to find the best deal that suits your needs. Consider the amenities offered by each hotel, such as pools, fitness centers, and dining options, and determine which ones are important to you.

Special Offers and Packages: Keep an eye out for special offers or packages that may be available when booking your accommodation. Universal Orlando Resort often runs promotions that include discounted rates, dining credits, or added benefits. Signing up for the resort’s newsletter or following their social media accounts can help you stay updated on these offers.

Flexible Cancellation Policies: Given the unpredictable nature of travel, it’s wise to select accommodation with a flexible cancellation policy. This will provide you with peace of mind in case your plans change unexpectedly. Confirm the cancellation policy before making your reservation, and consider purchasing travel insurance for added protection.

Book in Advance: Accommodation near Universal Studios Florida can fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist seasons. To secure your desired hotel and get the best rates, it’s advisable to book your accommodation well in advance. This will give you more options to choose from and ensure availability during your preferred travel dates.

By following these tips and considering your preferences and budget, you can find the perfect accommodation to enhance your experience at Universal Studios Florida. Whether you choose an on-site hotel or an off-site option, a comfortable and convenient place to stay will provide a great foundation for your adventure in the theme park.

Researching Attractions and Shows

One of the most exciting parts of planning a trip to Universal Studios Florida is researching the attractions and shows that the park has to offer. By familiarizing yourself with the various experiences available, you can make the most of your time and create a well-rounded itinerary. Here are some tips for researching the attractions and shows:

Official Website: Start your research by visiting the official Universal Orlando Resort website. This is the best source of information for all the attractions and shows available at Universal Studios Florida. The website provides detailed descriptions, photos, and videos that can give you a glimpse into the immersive experiences you can expect at the park.

Interactive Maps: Utilize the interactive maps available on the official website or through the Universal Orlando Resort mobile app. These maps provide an overview of the park layout and can help you plan your route, navigate between attractions, and prioritize what you want to see and do.

Guest Reviews and Recommendations: Look for guest reviews and recommendations online to get a sense of which attractions and shows are highly praised by visitors. Reading about other guests’ experiences and opinions can help you gauge which experiences align with your interests and preferences.

YouTube and Social Media: YouTube is a great platform to find videos of attractions and shows at Universal Studios Florida. Watching ride-throughs and show clips can give you a better understanding of what to expect. Additionally, following Universal Orlando Resort’s official social media accounts can keep you updated on any new attractions, shows, or special events.

Must-See Attractions: Make a list of the must-see attractions and shows that you don’t want to miss during your visit. These might include iconic rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride 3D, or Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Prioritize these experiences and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Age and Height Restrictions: Take into account any age and height restrictions for certain rides and attractions. Not all experiences are suitable for all ages or meet specific height requirements. Plan accordingly if you’re traveling with younger children to ensure that everyone in your group can participate in the attractions they desire.

Show Schedules: Check the show schedules in advance to plan your day accordingly. Some shows have limited showtimes or specific performance times, so you want to make sure you schedule your time in the park to catch your favorite shows without conflicts.

By conducting thorough research on the attractions and shows available at Universal Studios Florida, you can create an itinerary that ensures you make the most of your visit. Remember to consider your interests, preferences, and any restrictions when deciding which experiences to prioritize and plan your schedule accordingly.

Getting Tickets

Getting tickets to Universal Studios Florida is an essential step in planning your trip to the theme park. Here’s what you need to know to secure your tickets:

Official Website: The official Universal Orlando Resort website is the best place to purchase tickets. It provides up-to-date information on ticket options, prices, and promotions. The website also offers convenient online booking, making it easy to secure your tickets in advance.

Ticket Options: Universal Studios Florida offers several ticket options to cater to different needs. Single-day tickets are available if you plan to visit the park for just one day, while multi-day tickets allow you to extend your time and explore the park over multiple days. Park-to-park tickets are recommended if you want the flexibility to visit both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in the same day to experience all the attractions.

Package Deals: Consider package deals that include both tickets and accommodation. Universal Orlando Resort often offers special packages that provide discounted rates and additional perks. These packages can be a cost-effective option if you plan to stay at one of the on-site hotels and want to bundle your tickets with your accommodation.

Annual Passes: If you’re a frequent visitor to Universal Studios Florida or plan to visit multiple times within a year, an annual pass might be a worthwhile investment. Annual passes provide unlimited admission to the park for a year, along with various benefits and discounts on dining, merchandise, and special events.

Special Offers and Discounts: Keep an eye out for any special offers, promotions, or discounts available when purchasing your tickets. These may include seasonal promotions, resident rates, or deals through travel agencies. Checking the official Universal Orlando Resort website, signing up for their newsletter, or following their social media accounts can help you stay informed about any ongoing promotions.

Ticket Upgrades: If you initially purchase a single-day ticket but decide during your visit that you want to extend your stay or upgrade to a different ticket type, such as a multi-day ticket or a park-to-park ticket, you can do so at the park’s Guest Services or Ticket Sales locations. Keep in mind that upgrades may be subject to availability and additional charges.

Mobile Tickets or Will Call: When purchasing your tickets online, you will have the option to choose between mobile tickets or will call pick-up. Mobile tickets allow you to have your tickets on your phone, eliminating the need for physical paper tickets. Will call pick-up is available at the park’s ticket windows if you prefer to collect your tickets in person.

It’s important to note that Universal Studios Florida has implemented capacity limits and advanced reservations may be required during peak times or special events. Be sure to check the park’s official website for any reservation requirements or updates.

By acquiring your tickets in advance, you can save time and avoid potential long queues at the park’s ticket windows. With your tickets in hand, you’ll be ready to immerse yourself in the excitement and adventure that awaits at Universal Studios Florida.

Planning the Itinerary

Planning your itinerary is an essential part of ensuring that you make the most of your trip to Universal Studios Florida. Here are some tips to help you create a well-thought-out and enjoyable schedule:

Research and Prioritize: Start by researching the various attractions, shows, and experiences available at Universal Studios Florida. Make a list of the must-see attractions and shows that you and your group are most interested in. Prioritize those experiences to ensure that you allocate enough time for them in your schedule.

Consider Wait Times: Take into account the potential wait times for popular attractions. Some rides may have longer wait times, especially during peak hours or busy seasons. Use the Universal Orlando Resort app and the posted wait times in the park to gauge when it is best to visit each attraction, and plan your schedule accordingly.

Include Breaks and Rest Time: A day at Universal Studios Florida can be physically demanding, so it’s crucial to include breaks and rest time in your itinerary. Schedule time for meals, snacks, and relaxation to ensure that you have the energy to fully enjoy the park. Keep in mind that taking breaks can also help you avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Allow Flexibility: While it’s important to have a planned itinerary, leave room for flexibility. Unexpected events or changes may occur, and having some free time in your schedule allows you to take advantage of spontaneous opportunities or revisit attractions you enjoyed. It also helps to manage any unexpected weather conditions or ride closures.

Consider Height and Age Restrictions: Take into account any height and age restrictions for attractions when planning your itinerary, especially if you are traveling with children. Make sure to select rides and shows that everyone in your group can enjoy, and plan alternative options for those who may not meet the requirements.

Utilize Early Park Admission: If you are staying at one of the on-site hotels within the Universal Orlando Resort, take advantage of the early park admission benefit. This allows you to enter the park before it opens to the general public, giving you the opportunity to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times.

Check Show Schedules: Consult the show schedules in advance to plan your day around live performances. Some shows may have limited showtimes or specific performance times, and you’ll want to ensure that you don’t miss the ones you’re most interested in.

Be Realistic: While it’s exciting to try to fit in as much as possible, be realistic about what you can accomplish in one day. Be aware of your group’s energy levels and pace yourself throughout the day to avoid burnout. It’s better to fully enjoy a few key attractions than rush through everything and feel overwhelmed.

Remember, your itinerary is a guide, and it’s important to have fun and go with the flow. Be open to unexpected experiences and enjoy the magic of Universal Studios Florida. With proper planning, you’ll be able to make the most out of your visit and create unforgettable memories.

Preparing for the Trip

Preparing for your trip to Universal Studios Florida is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some essential steps to take before embarking on your adventure:

Review Park Information: Familiarize yourself with essential park information such as operating hours, park rules and regulations, and any special guidelines or restrictions due to COVID-19. Visit the official Universal Orlando Resort website for the latest updates and guidelines.

Check Weather Conditions: Keep an eye on the weather forecast for Orlando during your planned travel dates. Florida’s climate can be unpredictable, so be prepared for different weather conditions and pack accordingly. Bring sunscreen, hats, ponchos, or lightweight jackets as needed.

Make Dining Reservations: If you plan to dine at any table-service restaurants within the park, consider making advance dining reservations. This will help you secure a desired time slot and avoid long waits. Check the Universal Orlando Resort website or call their dining reservations line to make your reservations.

Pack Essentials: Pack essentials that will enhance your experience at Universal Studios Florida. These may include comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, refillable water bottles, ponchos, and a small backpack to carry your belongings. Also, consider bringing portable phone chargers to keep your devices powered throughout the day.

Download the Universal Orlando Resort App: Download the official Universal Orlando Resort app to have easy access to park maps, showtimes, attraction wait times, and virtual line reservations. The app also provides real-time updates on the park’s activities and allows you to make dining reservations on the go.

Plan Transportation: Consider your transportation options to and from Universal Studios Florida. If you’re driving, ensure you have directions and parking arrangements. If you’re relying on public transportation or rideshare services, familiarize yourself with the available options and plan accordingly.

Arrive Early: To make the most of your day at Universal Studios Florida, plan to arrive at the park before it opens. This will give you a head start and allow you to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times during the early morning hours.

Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks: Florida’s heat and humidity can be intense, so it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Take advantage of the drinking fountains and refillable water stations available in the park. Additionally, remember to take breaks and rest when needed to avoid exhaustion.

Check COVID-19 Guidelines: Given the ongoing pandemic, it’s crucial to stay updated on the COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols in place at Universal Studios Florida. Follow social distancing measures, wear masks in designated areas, and adhere to any specific instructions provided by the park.

Double-Check Your Tickets and Reservations: Before heading to Universal Studios Florida, double-check that you have your tickets and any necessary reservations. Ensure that your tickets are easily accessible, either in physical or digital form, to expedite entry into the park.

By following these preparation steps, you’ll be well-equipped and ready to enjoy your trip to Universal Studios Florida to the fullest. Keeping yourself informed, packing the essentials, and planning ahead will help you have a stress-free and memorable adventure at one of the world’s most beloved theme parks.

Packing Essentials

When planning a trip to Universal Studios Florida, it’s important to pack the essentials to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Here are some items you should consider including in your packing list:

• Comfortable Clothing: Opt for lightweight and breathable clothing that will keep you cool throughout the day. Choose comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking long distances, as you will be covering a lot of ground in the park.
• Sun Protection: Florida’s sun can be intense, so pack sunscreen with a high SPF rating to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Don’t forget to bring hats, sunglasses, and consider wearing lightweight, long-sleeved clothing for added sun protection.
• Refillable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially in the hot Florida weather. Bring a refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Universal Studios Florida has water fountains and water bottle refill stations located throughout the park.
• Poncho or Raincoat: Florida is known for its sporadic rain showers. Be prepared for the possibility of rain by packing a lightweight poncho or raincoat. This will keep you dry without weighing you down.
• Small Backpack or Bag: Bring a small backpack or bag to carry your essentials, such as sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, and personal items. Make sure the bag is comfortable to wear and has enough room to hold your belongings.
• Portable Phone Charger: With the constant use of your phone for photos, accessing park apps, and keeping in touch with your group, it’s important to have a portable phone charger to prevent your phone from running out of battery.
• Identification and Tickets: Don’t forget to bring your identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, and your Universal Studios Florida tickets or passes. Keep them in a safe and easily accessible place.
• Medications and First Aid Kit: If you take any medications, be sure to pack an ample supply for the duration of your trip. It’s also a good idea to bring a small first aid kit with essential items like band-aids, pain relievers, and any other necessary medications or medical supplies.
• Snacks: While there are plenty of dining options available in the park, bringing your own snacks can be convenient and help keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Pack some granola bars, trail mix, or other portable snacks to enjoy between meals.
• Camera or Smartphone: Capture your memories by bringing a camera or using your smartphone to take photos and videos. The park’s vibrant attractions and shows provide excellent opportunities for memorable snapshots.

Remember to check the park’s guidelines for prohibited items to ensure that everything you need to bring is allowed. It’s also a good idea to pack a positive mindset and a sense of adventure to fully immerse yourself in the magical experience that Universal Studios Florida has to offer.

Transportation Options

When planning your trip to Universal Studios Florida, it’s important to consider your transportation options to ensure a seamless journey to and from the park. Here are some transportation options to consider:

Driving: If you prefer the convenience and flexibility of driving, you can rent a car or use your own vehicle to reach Universal Studios Florida. The park is easily accessible from major highways, and parking facilities are available on-site for a fee. Be sure to factor in traffic conditions and parking costs when planning your trip.

Shuttle Service: Many hotels in the Orlando area offer complimentary shuttle services to Universal Studios Florida. Check with your hotel to see if they provide transportation to and from the park, as this can be a convenient option that saves you the hassle of driving and parking.

Public Transportation: Orlando has a public transportation system, Lynx, which operates bus services throughout the city. You can use Lynx buses to reach Universal Studios Florida, but it’s important to plan your journey and check the bus schedule in advance. Keep in mind that using public transportation may take longer than other options and may require transfers.

Rideshare Services: Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available in the Orlando area. They provide a convenient and reliable option for transportation to and from Universal Studios Florida. Simply request a ride through the app on your smartphone and wait at the designated pick-up area. Be aware that rideshare services may have dedicated drop-off and pick-up locations at the park.

Walking: If you are staying at one of the on-site hotels within the Universal Orlando Resort, walking to the park may be the most convenient option. These hotels are located within walking distance of the park entrance, allowing you to skip the hassle of transportation altogether.

Biking: Biking to Universal Studios Florida is an eco-friendly and active transportation option if you are staying in the vicinity of the park. Some hotels may offer bike rentals, or you can use bike-sharing services available in Orlando, such as Juice Bike Share and Lime.

Combination of Transportation Methods: Depending on your location and preferences, you may choose to utilize a combination of transportation methods. For example, you might take a hotel shuttle or public transportation to a designated drop-off point near the park and then use a rideshare service for the remaining part of your journey.

Consider factors such as cost, convenience, and the size of your travel group when choosing the transportation method that best suits your needs. Keep in mind that the park may have specific pick-up and drop-off locations for certain transportation options, so be sure to follow the designated areas provided by Universal Studios Florida.

By selecting the right transportation option for your trip, you can ensure a stress-free and efficient journey to and from Universal Studios Florida, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the excitement and magic of the park.

Arriving at Universal Studios Florida

Arriving at Universal Studios Florida is an exciting moment, and careful planning can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable start to your day. Here are some tips for when you arrive at the park:

Arrival Time: Plan to arrive at the park before it opens to make the most of your day. By arriving early, you can take advantage of shorter wait times and experience popular attractions with less crowd. Check the park’s official website for the opening times on your planned visit day.

Parking: If you are driving, follow the signs to the parking facilities at Universal Studios Florida. The parking is located adjacent to the park’s entrance. Be aware that parking fees apply, and it’s advisable to bring cash or a credit card for payment. Utilize the parking reminders or take note of your parking space to easily locate your vehicle at the end of the day.

Security Checks: Upon entering the park, be prepared to go through a security check. Universal Studios Florida has enhanced security measures in place to ensure the safety of all guests. Be ready to present any bags or backpacks for inspection and cooperate with the security team.

Tickets and Admission: Have your tickets or passes readily available for scanning at the entrance gates. If you have mobile tickets, ensure that your phone is charged and the tickets are easily accessible. Verify that you have all the necessary tickets or passes for admission into the park.

COVID-19 Safety Measures: Universal Studios Florida has implemented specific safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include measures such as mandatory face coverings in designated areas, physical distancing guidelines, temperature checks, and enhanced sanitization procedures. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and comply with them during your visit.

Universal Orlando Resort App: Prior to entering the park, make sure to download the official Universal Orlando Resort app if you haven’t done so already. The app provides valuable information about park maps, attraction wait times, show schedules, and important updates. It can also help you navigate the park and locate restrooms, dining options, and guest services.

Park Maps: Grab a park map at the entrance or use the digital map available on the app. Familiarize yourself with the layout of Universal Studios Florida to plan your day effectively. Highlight the attractions and shows you don’t want to miss, and map out a rough itinerary to guide your adventure.

Early Park Admission: If you are staying at one of the on-site hotels within the Universal Orlando Resort, take advantage of the early park admission benefit. This allows you to enter the park before it opens to the general public, giving you the opportunity to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times.

Enjoy the Experience: Once inside Universal Studios Florida, immerse yourself in the magic and excitement of the park. Take your time exploring the attractions, shows, and themed areas. Don’t forget to enjoy the food, get your hands on some souvenirs, and create unforgettable memories along the way.

By following these tips and being prepared for your arrival at Universal Studios Florida, you’ll be well-equipped to kick off your day of adventure and make the most of your visit to this incredible theme park.

Exploring the Theme Park

Exploring Universal Studios Florida is an exhilarating experience filled with incredible attractions, immersive shows, and memorable moments. To make the most of your time in the park, here are some tips for navigating and enjoying the various areas and offerings:

Plan Your Route: Use the park map or the Universal Orlando Resort app to plan your route and navigate between attractions efficiently. Consider starting with the attractions or shows that are most popular or have longer wait times to minimize wait times and maximize your enjoyment.

Single Rider Lines: If you don’t mind riding separately from your group, take advantage of the single rider lines for certain attractions. These lines offer a shorter wait time, allowing you to experience more rides in a shorter period. It’s a great option for solo travelers or groups looking to save time.

Virtual Line Experience: For select attractions, Universal Studios Florida offers a virtual line experience through the Universal Orlando Resort app. This feature allows you to reserve a specific time slot for popular attractions, minimizing wait times and maximizing your time in the park. Utilize this feature to your advantage.

Showtimes and Wait Times: Check the show schedules and wait times for attractions throughout the day to plan your itinerary effectively. Some shows may have specific showtimes or limited performances, so be sure to plan accordingly and factor them into your schedule.

Explore Themed Areas: Universal Studios Florida is divided into distinct themed areas, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hollywood, and New York. Take the time to explore each area and immerse yourself in the carefully crafted environments. From the detailed architecture to the themed shops and dining options, each area offers a unique experience.

Character Meet and Greets: Keep an eye out for character meet and greets, where you can meet and take photos with beloved characters from movies and TV shows. Consult the park’s schedule or inquire with park staff to find out where and when your favorite characters will be available for meet and greets.

Show and Parade Viewing: Arrive early for popular shows and parades to secure a good spot for viewing. Some shows may have specified seating areas or designated viewing locations, so check the park’s guidelines to ensure the best viewing experience. Consider bringing a light snack or a drink while you wait, and enjoy the lively ambiance.

Dining Options: Universal Studios Florida offers a variety of dining options, including quick-service restaurants and sit-down dining experiences. Plan your meals in advance to avoid long waits or consider making dining reservations for table-service restaurants. Don’t forget to try some of the park’s specialty snacks and treats!

Take Breaks and Rest: As you explore the park, take breaks and find designated seating areas or quiet spots to rest and recharge. This will allow you to relax, catch your breath, and appreciate the atmosphere of Universal Studios Florida.

Savor the Magical Atmosphere: Universal Studios Florida is designed to transport guests into a world of movie magic and wonder. Take the time to soak in the immersive environments, vibrant colors, and intricately detailed sets. Appreciate the attention to detail and marvel at the creativity that has gone into creating this extraordinary theme park.

Remember, exploring Universal Studios Florida is not just about rushing from one attraction to another, but also about savoring the experience, creating lasting memories, and embracing the magic. With a well-planned itinerary and an open mind, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in all the excitement and wonder this incredible theme park has to offer.

Dining and Snacks

Universal Studios Florida offers a wide range of dining options, from quick-service restaurants to unique dining experiences. Here are some tips for making the most of your dining experience in the park:

Plan Your Meals: Before you arrive at Universal Studios Florida, consider planning your meals in advance. Take note of the park’s dining options and their locations to ensure you don’t miss out on any must-try restaurants or snacks. Knowing where and when you’ll be dining can help you make the most of your time in the park.

Table-Service Restaurants: If you prefer a sit-down dining experience, make reservations for table-service restaurants in advance. Universal Studios Florida offers a variety of dining experiences, ranging from themed restaurants to fine dining. Reservations can be made through the Universal Orlando Resort app or by calling the restaurant directly.

Quick-Service Options: For a more casual and convenient dining experience, try the park’s quick-service restaurants. These establishments offer a variety of options, including burgers, pizza, salads, and international cuisines. Quick-service restaurants are scattered throughout the park, allowing you to easily find a place to grab a meal or snack.

Snacks and Treats: Universal Studios Florida is known for its delectable snacks and treats. Indulge in a Butterbeer from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, try a giant donut from Lard Lad Donuts, or indulge in a classic churro. Make sure to sample some of the park’s specialty snacks and treats to enhance your dining experience.

Special Dietary Needs: Universal Studios Florida accommodates various dietary needs. Many of the restaurants offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. If you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, inform the restaurant staff, and they will assist you in finding suitable options. It’s always a good idea to communicate your dietary needs in advance if possible.

Mobile Food Ordering: Take advantage of the mobile food ordering feature available through the Universal Orlando Resort app. This allows you to place your order ahead of time, minimizing wait times and ensuring a swift dining experience. Simply select your desired restaurant, browse the menu, customize your order, and pay through the app.

Water and Refill Stations: Stay hydrated throughout the day by taking advantage of the water fountains and refill stations available in the park. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it in these designated areas to save money on purchasing bottled water and reduce waste.

Dining Shows: Consider combining a meal with entertainment by dining at one of the restaurants that offer live shows or character interactions. From character dining experiences to interactive performances, these dining shows provide an extra layer of entertainment while you enjoy your meal.

Schedule Breaks for Meals: Plan your itinerary to include dedicated meal breaks. This will allow you to sit down, relax, and recharge while enjoying a delicious meal. Utilize these breaks to rest, reflect on your day, and make memories with your travel companions.

Remember that dining experiences in Universal Studios Florida can be popular, especially during peak times. To ensure a smooth dining experience, make reservations or arrive early to beat the crowds. By exploring the diverse dining options and savoring the delicious snacks and treats, you’ll have an opportunity to replenish your energy and enhance your overall enjoyment of the park.

Souvenir Shopping

Souvenir shopping is an essential part of the Universal Studios Florida experience, allowing you to bring home lasting memories and keepsakes. Here are some tips to make the most of your souvenir shopping:

Explore the Shops: Universal Studios Florida is home to numerous shops offering a wide range of merchandise. Explore the themed shops scattered throughout the park to find unique and exclusive items related to your favorite movies, characters, and attractions. From apparel and accessories to collectibles and toys, there’s something for everyone.

Iconic Merchandise: Look for iconic merchandise representing Universal Studios Florida’s most popular franchises. Whether it’s a wand from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a Minion plush toy, or a Jurassic Park T-shirt, these items act as cherished reminders of your visit. Don’t forget to browse the selection of Universal Studios-branded merchandise as well.

Character Meet and Greets: If you have a favorite character, consider meeting them and purchasing character-themed merchandise during their meet and greet. It’s a fun and interactive way to engage with your beloved characters and obtain autographs or photographs to accompany your souvenir purchases.

Collectible Items: Universal Studios Florida offers various collectible items that make for memorable souvenirs. Look for limited-edition pins, artistic prints, trading cards, or exclusive artwork. These items not only hold sentimental value but can also act as valuable keepsakes over time.

Personalization Services: Some shops within Universal Studios Florida offer personalization services for select items. Take advantage of this opportunity to add a custom touch to your merchandise, whether it’s getting your name engraved, a specific design added, or having an item autographed by a featured artist or actor.

Sale and Clearance Sections: Don’t forget to browse the sale and clearance sections within the shops. You may find discounted items or promotions that can help stretch your budget, allowing you to bring home more souvenirs without overspending. Keep an eye out for special deals or bundle offers as well.

Plan Your Budget: Souvenir shopping can add up quickly, so it’s essential to plan your budget in advance. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on souvenirs and stick to your budget. This will help you make informed decisions and prioritize the items that hold the most value to you.

Shipping Services: If you’re concerned about the bulk and weight of your souvenir purchases, take advantage of the park’s shipping services. Many of the shops offer shipping options, allowing you to send your purchases directly to your home or hotel. This ensures that you don’t have to carry around heavy bags throughout the day.

Make Memories: Souvenir shopping is not just about the items themselves, but also about the memories and experiences they represent. Take your time to browse through the shops, interact with the staff, and enjoy the ambiance of each store. Embrace the spirit of discovery and find that perfect memento to encapsulate your time at Universal Studios Florida.

Remember, the most valuable souvenir is the experience and memories you create during your visit to Universal Studios Florida. Have fun browsing, select meaningful items that resonate with you, and cherish the tangible reminders of this incredible adventure for years to come.

Safety Tips

Ensuring your safety while visiting Universal Studios Florida is of utmost importance. Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind during your time in the park:

Follow Park Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the park’s guidelines and regulations. These may include safety protocols related to COVID-19, rules on appropriate attire, and restrictions on certain activities or behaviors. Adhere to these guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for yourself and others.

Stay Hydrated: Florida’s climate can be hot and humid, especially during the summer months. It’s essential to stay hydrated throughout the day. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at the water fountains or designated refill stations located within the park.

Wear Sunscreen and Protect Yourself: Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays by applying sunscreen with a high SPF rating, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing. Consider taking breaks in shaded areas to avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Watch Your Step: Some areas of Universal Studios Florida may have uneven surfaces or steps. Pay attention to where you are walking, especially in crowded spaces. Be mindful of any signage indicating caution or potential hazards.

Keep Your Belongings Secure: Take precautions to keep your belongings safe. Use lockers provided in the park to store any valuables you don’t want to carry with you. Keep an eye on your bags and personal belongings at all times, especially in crowded areas.

Stay with Your Group: It’s always safer to move around the park in a group. Stay together with your travel companions, particularly when exploring different attractions or areas of Universal Studios Florida. Have a designated meeting point in case anyone gets separated.

Be Mindful of Height and Age Restrictions: Universal Studios Florida has height and age restrictions for certain rides and attractions. Follow the posted guidelines to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Make alternate plans for individuals who do not meet the requirements of specific attractions.

Listen to Ride Instructions: Pay close attention to ride operators and follow their instructions when boarding and disembarking from attractions. Follow the safety restraints and guidelines provided by the rides to ensure a safe experience.

Take Breaks and Rest: Listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Universal Studios Florida can be physically demanding, so take advantage of designated seating areas or restrooms to rest and recharge. Pace yourself throughout the day to avoid exhaustion.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious activity or have concerns about safety, report it immediately to park staff or security personnel. Your vigilance can contribute to maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

Follow Health and Safety Measures: Abide by the health and safety measures implemented by Universal Studios Florida, including social distancing and mask-wearing requirements. Follow the instructions provided by park staff and respect the well-being of fellow visitors and employees.

By adhering to these safety tips, you can ensure a secure and enjoyable visit to Universal Studios Florida. Stay vigilant, take care of yourself and your belongings, and prioritize the well-being of everyone in the park. Remember, safety is a collective responsibility, and by following these guidelines, you contribute to a safe and fun experience for all.

Planning a trip to Universal Studios Florida can be an exciting and memorable experience. By taking the time to plan, research, and make informed decisions, you can ensure that your visit to the park is filled with joy, adventure, and unforgettable moments. Here are some key takeaways to remember as you conclude your trip planning:

From the moment you arrive at Universal Studios Florida, be prepared to immerse yourself in the magic and excitement of the park. Follow the park guidelines, stay hydrated, and protect yourself from the sun to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Plan your itinerary, prioritize the attractions and shows that interest you the most, and utilize tools such as the Universal Orlando Resort app to maximize your time and minimize wait times.

Take advantage of the unique dining options within the park, whether it’s enjoying a quick-service meal or indulging in a themed dining experience. Also, don’t forget to explore the shops and indulge in some souvenir shopping, bringing home mementos to forever remind you of the magic you experienced.

Throughout your visit, be respectful of others, follow ride instructions, and consider the safety of yourself and those around you. Stay together with your group, report any concerns promptly, and prioritize your well-being by taking breaks and resting when needed.

Ultimately, the goal of your trip to Universal Studios Florida is to have a fantastic time, creating lasting memories with your family and friends. By combining careful planning, wise decision-making, and a sense of adventure, you can make the most of your visit and ensure that it becomes an unforgettable experience.

So, get ready to step into a world of movie magic, thrilling rides, and captivating shows at Universal Studios Florida. Embrace the excitement, savor the moments, and let the park’s enchanting atmosphere transport you to a world of wonder. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter, superheroes, or classic films, Universal Studios Florida offers an unforgettable adventure for everyone. Enjoy your trip and create memories that will last a lifetime!

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, from the best rides and restaurants to seasonal events and more.

Did you know that in the heart of Los Angeles you can sip on Butterbeer , come face to face with terrifying dinosaurs, and have an epic journey with adorable Minions? No acting experience required.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park like no other, connected to a working movie and television production lot that's been around since the early 20 th century. The film studio first got into attractions with a tram tour in 1964 but has since evolved and grown into a bonafide theme park with thrilling rides, live entertainment, immersive lands, and thematically pleasing (and delicious) foods.

The theme park may be compact compared to its East Coast sibling, but it makes up for its smaller stature with top-notch attractions. Unlike other parks, it offers a welcomed level of flexibility requiring minimal pre-planning for visitors, appealing to both solo travelers and families alike. The park can be accomplished in one day for those short on time but looking to get a taste of what Tinseltown's only theme park has to offer.

Related : 20 Best Amusement Parks in the World

Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Types and Prices

The ultimate Hollywood experience is surprisingly more affordable than you may have imagined. One-day general admission begins at $109, with two-day general admission beginning at $149. Using a dynamic ticket pricing system, the cost depends on the date of your visit, with weekends and holidays tiered higher. Front gate purchases will cost significantly more, and advanced online purchases are suggested.

Universal Express offers expedited access to almost every attraction and show with ticket packages beginning at $189. Guided VIP experiences begin at $349 and offer small group expedited access to rides and complimentary refreshments.

Luckily, when you inevitably fall in love with the park, it won't require a mortgage payment to visit again. Universal Studios Hollywood has one of the most affordable annual pass programs in the country, with the value of your park ticket able to be used towards the upgrade. Perks include free parking and discounts on food and merchandise, with the pass program starting at $159 for California residents and $199 for general guests.

Universal Studios Hollywood Layout

Comprised of two different levels, the upper lot and the lower lot, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the easiest parks to navigate for first-time visitors. Guests enter on the upper lot and a series of escalators, known as the Starway, travel a quarter mile down to the lower lot.

The upper lot is the largest, comprised of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons -inspired Springfield U.S.A., the World-Famous Studio Tour, live shows, and more. The lower lot is home to Revenge of The Mummy — The Ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D, Jurassic World —The Ride, and several eateries and shops.

Universal Studios Hollywood Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has a little something for everyone, from thrill junkies to young children, with attractions featuring your favorite characters, movies, and television series.

The park has experienced a period of growth over the last decade, including the milestone addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While the land is smaller than its counterpart in Florida, it brings along its greatest hits, including e-ticket attraction, Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey, and the popular wand-choosing experience, Ollivanders.

The newest attraction, Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash! (exclusive to the Hollywood park), opened in 2021 and is a marvel of a dark ride seamlessly mixing industry-leading screen-based technology with animatronics. Located on the upper lot's Manhattan-inspired streets, the colorful area immerses guests in the loved movie franchise through playful character interactions.

On the lower lot, Jurassic World — The Ride is a water-based attraction that shines as one of the biggest thrills offered with pioneering feats in audio-animatronics since its refurbishment in 2021.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is a unique 60-minute journey that includes behind-the-scenes access to working sets while intermixing themed attraction experiences , all while sitting aboard a tram. With ever-changing production schedules, no two rides on this iconic attraction are ever the same. Through the theme park's commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly, the trams are being given an upgrade and will soon utilize all electric vehicles.

Other rides include a family-friendly Minions attraction, a Harry Potter -themed coaster for all ages, and interactive playscapes.

The first Super Nintendo World in the United States is slated to open in 2023, bringing new attractions.

Where to Eat at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood's dining options are quick-service, but that doesn't mean you'll sacrifice taste thanks to multitudes of globally inspired bites served in highly themed locations.

The popular eatery, Three Broomsticks, transports guests to the fantastical world of Harry Potter inside a dining hall straight out of the blockbuster franchise. British delicacies are the menu's focus, with traditional dishes like fish and chips and a standout English breakfast. No meal is complete without fan-favorite Butterbeer ice cream.

The whimsically themed Super Silly Fun Land houses a Minions-themed cafe with approachable eats, like a homestyle grilled cheese and tomato soup. In Springfield, beloved eateries from The Simpsons come to life, including Krusty Burger and Lard Lad (serving up giant pink donuts). On the lower lot, Jurassic Café offers unique bites, like slow-roasted mojo pork, and it is steps away from Isla Nu-Bar, a tiki outpost pouring tropical cocktails.

For those looking to imbibe during their park visit, there's no shortage of highly themed bars, including Moe's Tavern, Hog's Head in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Mulligan's Irish Pub.

Those seeking a caffeine fix should avoid Starbucks and head straight to the French Street Bistro, a charming hidden gem with coffee drinks, breakfast, and snacks served throughout the day.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

The property's dining and entertainment district, CityWalk, is adjacent to the theme park, where you can find the destination's table-service dining options. NBC Sports Bar & Grill is your go-to spot for sporting events and offers surprisingly excellent pub food, while Antojitos Cocina Mexicano has a wonderful patio and sprawling bar with Mexican eats and handcrafted cocktails. For casual options, the recently opened Chick Chick Chicken dishes out authentic Nashville-style hot chicken while the legendary Pink's Hot Dogs has an easy-to-access outpost of their iconic eatery.

No park ticket is required to visit CityWalk.

When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood

Given its location in sunny Southern California, visitors can enjoy pleasant weather almost year-round. Weekdays between holiday seasons are the best time to visit for shorter lines at attractions and restaurants.

Visits during the theme park's two annual events, Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas, tend to be the most crowded. Halloween Horror Nights, a separately ticketed event, is the country's leading haunt event where Universal's soundstages are transformed into frightening walk-through experiences themed to the biggest horror franchises. Grinchmas, included with general theme park admission, sees gleeful holiday-inspired upgrades. Universal Express proves to be invaluable during these times.

How to Get There and Where To Stay Near Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in the heart of Los Angeles, approximately 20 minutes from nearby Hollywood Burbank Airport and 40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport.

Daily parking rates for theme park visitors begin at $30 if entering the lot before 5 p.m. For those visiting a full-service restaurant at CityWalk, valet parking is available for up to 2.5 hours for $10.

Unlike Orlando's version, they do not have on-site, Universal-operated hotels, but hotel partners. Hilton Universal City & Sheraton Universal Hotel are located within walking distance of the park, with guests receiving perks like complimentary shuttles and discounted ticket packages.

Entertainment at the Theme Park

It's of no surprise that entertainment is a cornerstone of the theme park, including some of the most impressive displays of free-roaming characters that interact with guests, like Beetlejuice, Dracula, and Lucille Ball.

The theme park's live shows also shine, like "Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular." Inspired by the cult-favorite film, the stunt show is celebrating over 25 years and uses actual pieces from the movie's sets along with large-scale pyrotechnics and captivating live actors. Other shows include the hilarious Universal's Animal Actors featuring real-life, Hollywood-trained pets.

Their nighttime offerings may be more scaled back than other parks, but the Harry Potter -themed evening spectacular is worth staying for. "Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle" combines music, lights, and projections all set to the stunning backdrop of the towering school of wizardry.

Universal Studios Hollywood Planning Tips

Download the official app, where you can quickly access the most up-to-date wait times, showtimes, maps, and more.

Many guests enter and begin their day at the upper lot's attractions. Instead, work backward by beginning at the lower lot to possibly relieve wait times.

The World-Famous Studio Tour typically embarks on its last ride of the day over an hour before park closing, so it is best to plan ahead for this experience.

How Much Does a Trip to Universal Studios Cost?

Universal Studios is one of the most popular theme parks worldwide, so it’s unsurprising that many people dream of visiting it.

However, a trip to Universal Studios is a bit expensive, and without proper planning, you’ll spend more than you can afford.

But how much exactly does a trip to Universal Studios cost?

What are the expenses you can expect?

Let’s find out about that and more here.

It would be best to consider several factors regarding the average cost of a trip to Universal Studios. These include the tickets, hotel accommodation, and dining expenses.

A family of four can spend around $180 per person per day. This already includes dining, tickets, and hotel stays. If you compute it, it would be around $720 per day and will only go up from there, depending on how many days you plan on staying.

Of course, this can vary depending on how much you’re willing to spend and how much you can afford. Fortunately, there’s always a Universal Studios package for every budget. This can save you lots of money, provided you do some research.

Remember that the longer you stay in Universal Studios, the bigger the budget you need to prepare. In this case, you might as well look for packages if you plan on staying more than two days .

The Cost of Visiting Universal Studios

As mentioned, the average cost of a trip to Universal Studios is affected by three major factors: the tickets, your hotel accommodation, and dining expenses.

While you can spend around $180 per day per person on average, it can quickly increase depending on how much you’re willing to spend.

To get a more specific computation, we will look at the three factors and figure out how much each costs on average.

For the most part, your ticket will take up a huge portion of your total budget. On average, a one-day ticket will cost you around $109 up to $159, not including taxes. It’s $5 cheaper for kids but only applies to those 3-9 years old. Meanwhile, younger kids are entitled to free admission.

Ticket prices can also vary depending on which day you decide to visit. They will increase a bit during special events, holidays, and Saturdays. For example, if you visit the park during the Christmas holiday, you’ll have to pay around $150 for a ticket, and that’s just for a single day.

During peak season, however, it can get even more expensive, reaching up to $214. If you don’t want to spend that much on a ticket, we recommend postponing your trip until the peak season is over.

2. Hotel Accommodation

Aside from your tickets, your hotel accommodation will also take up a huge portion of your budget. There are two options to choose from: either you stay on the property, or you stay in a hotel outside of the park.

While it might be a bit more expensive, we highly recommend staying on the property for several reasons, which are as follows:

• You can get early admission to the attractions.
• Various privileges come with your stay.
• You can enjoy complimentary transportation from park to park.
• They’ll even deliver your purchased merchandise straight to your room.
• You can get access to Universal City Walk’s clubs.

As you can see, many exciting perks are included in your hotel accommodation. Even the most affordable ones, like Universal Cabana Bay, can give you access to such perks.

Lastly, Universal Studios tend to offer some sweet vacation package deals from time to time. If you’re lucky enough to find a deal during your planned visit, you could enjoy massive savings on your vacation.

But how much exactly does hotel accommodation in Universal Studios cost?

Well, that would depend on which hotel you plan on staying at. It’s worth noting that Universal Studios has four types of hotels based on their price. These are the Value, Prime Value, Preferred, and Premier hotels. Let’s look at each of them!

Value Hotels

If you’re looking for the cheapest accommodation within the property, then Value hotels are your best option.

There’s the Endless Summer Resort which starts at $91 per night. You even have the option to stay in the Surfside or the Dockside Inn.

As the most affordable accommodations in Universal Studios, they also offer the least perks and amenities.

Prime Value Hotels

Then there are the Prime Value hotels which start at $132 per night. Hotels that belong to this tier are the Aventura Hotel and the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Both hotels are right on the main campus, providing quick access to almost everything Universal Studios offers. The best part is that you can get to them on foot!

Preferred Hotels

Meanwhile, if you can afford to spend a bit more for your accommodation, you can go for the Preferred hotels with a rate starting from $181 per night. Only one hotel falls under this category: the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Unlike the previous two, Preferred hotels are moderately priced and feature more upscale accommodations, strategic locations, and amenities.

In particular, you can easily access theme parks by walking from the hotel.

Premier Hotels

As the most expensive category, Universal Studios’ Premier hotels offer the highest comfort level during your stay.

They start at $262 per night, with the most expensive at $312 per night.

Three hotels belong to this category: the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel.

3. Dining Expenses

Regarding the cost of dining in Universal Studios, you have to remember that there are three different categories of dining: snacks, quick-service, and full-service.

Most families spend money on two snacks, one quick service, and one full-service meal daily. However, since there are over a hundred dining options throughout Universal Studios, it can be tough to pinpoint an average cost of dining during your stay.

For quick-service meals, you can expect to spend around $25 per day for adults and $18 per day for children. Meanwhile, full-service dining costs around $34 for adults and $27 for children.

How To Save Money on Your Trip to Universal Studios

Now that we’ve talked about the average costs of a trip to Universal Studios let’s cover some useful tips that will help you save money during your vacation.

Our best recommendation is to devise a solid plan before your scheduled visit. Research, compare ticket prices, look for discounts, check waiting times, decide where to eat, and more.

You can even make reservations ahead of time if you want. As much as possible, set a budget during the planning phase and estimate how much you can spend during your trip.

Lastly, be mindful of your expenses so you won’t spend more than you should.

Ideally, you’d want to set aside at least $2,000 as your budget for your planned Universal Studios vacation.

But to be safe, add more to account for any unexpected expenses depending on how many you are in your family.

The cost of a trip to Universal Studios will depend on where you plan on staying, what food you want, and whether or not you can get hold of ticket discounts in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i save more if i purchase universal studios tickets online.

Yes, you can. You can save a lot of money if you purchase your tickets beforehand. You can save up to 20% on multi-day or single-day admissions.

Are Meals at Universal Studios Expensive?

That would depend on which restaurant you choose to dine in. Quick-service meals cost around $15 to $20 per person per meal. Meanwhile, full-service meals are expensive at around $25 to $50 per person per meal.

Alternatively, you can bring food and beverages if you want to save some money. This way, you can spend the extra money on other expenses or more expensive dining options.

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Cheapest Times To Visit Universal Orlando

What Can You Not Bring to Universal Studios?

How To Get from Disney World to Universal

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Leah is an expert on Disney World and Universal Studios, and she loves sharing her tips and tricks for visiting the parks with others. She knows both parks' ins and outs and can help you make the most of your visit.

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