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Global Munchkins

Travel + Global Inspired Lifestyle

April 4, 2024

29 Incredible Universal Orlando Tips [Save Money & Time]

We just returned from a jam-packed whirlwind trip to Universal Orlando and it was absolutely incredible!!! One of the reasons the trip went so smoothly is because we have visited Orlando more times than I can count and over the years we have collected a lot of Unversal Orlando tips & tricks to help us avoid crowds, save money and have fun.

So, today I am sharing those secrets with YOU!

Read on to learn our best Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks for 2024. We love these parks as much as Disney World , if not more. This is truly a world-class resort.

Universal Orlando Tips

1. Stay on Property at one of these 3 Resorts! My Favorite Universal Secret

This is one of the best tips for visiting Universal Orlando (in fact, I have a whole post about it ) I have because staying on property makes all the difference in the world and is worth EVERY penny.

Let me explain. At first glance, you might notice that you can find cheaper hotels near the Universal Resort in Orlando. But, if you want Express passes, stay at these three resorts, because they come for FREE!

The three resorts on property ( Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel specifically) include FREE Universal Express Passes for each hotel guest (which gives you front of the line access to the most popular rides in the parks), early park admission, priority seating at many restaurants in City Walk and FREE transportation around the resort.

The Universal Express Passes alone would cost you a minimum of $89.99 per person and can go up to $379. With 4 guests in a room you can save $360 – $1200 per day in express passes

So, the $100 you are saving a night on your room is NOT worth it!

Staying on property at Universal Studios Florida also means you can take advantage of the beautiful walkways and boat rides available to hotel guests. It’s a convenient way to get around!

****Pro Tip**** Book your Universal Vacation with a Travel Agent Like Best Day Ever Vacations! They offer the same prices as booking direct but have extra incentives to make your trip even better!

2. Use a Travel Agent knowledgeable about Universal Orlando

When I first used to travel, we always booked everything ourselves, than I found out that a lot of travel agents work don’t charge a thing.

There is a lot to figure out when it comes to planning a Universal trip:

• How to get to the parks from the airport
• What are Express Passes
• How to travel from Park to Park
• Which hotels to stay at
• Where should you have dinner?
• Is the dining plan worth it?
• What about character breakfasts?

It’s honestly endless.

We reached out to Best Day Ever Vacations (they are seriously the best!) for our Disney Vacation and they did such an amazing job we asked if they handled Universal Orlando. Sure enough, they have Universal Orlando specialists who know everything about the parks, hotels, city walk and more. It made planning a vacation so much more fun! Pretty much 90% of the tips I have are from them.

3. Arrive Early & Leave Late

Another great tip for Universal Orlando is to take advantage of the early park entrance in the morning offered solely to guests staying on property.

But, even if you are not staying on property you will want to plan on arriving prior to the park opening hours and that is because they begin to allow guests to enter the parks early (up to a certain point) before the park officially opens.

If you are one of the folks who enter early you will be able to breeze through several wait times on the most popular attractions before the crowds arrive.

That said you will also want to stay late. Both Universal Orlando Parks tend to die down around 4pm.

Guests who stay later enjoy much shorter wait times which is why we like to get in early, then take a midday pool break at the hotel and return to the parks around 3-4pm. An easy schedule when you are staying on property.

Take a Peek Inside the Parks by watching our YouTube Video below.

Give us a thumbs up & subscribe for more great family travel videos!

4. Book the Concierge Level as it may save you money

I have a lot of kiddos, so when we stay in a concierge room, it is worth it. This means complimentary breakfast for the entire crew, snacks to take in the park, and some appetizers when we get back, so a large dinner isn’t quite needed. It is so worth it!

5. Plan for 4 Days Minimum

Now that  Volcano Bay  has opened we decided to up our recommended minimum number of days to 4 instead of 3.

You will definitly want an added full day to check out Universal Orlando’s amazing new water park. Volcano Bay has some of the BEST water attractions & slides we have EVER experienced.

The park itself is immaculate, the food is wonderful, they have two lazy rivers (one is a thrilling experience), and the kids splash areas are the best we’ve ever seen!!

I believe that 4 days is enough to conquer Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, AND the NEW Volcano Bay Water Park. That is ‘IF’ you have the Universal Express Passes for the dry parks.

If you do not have the express passes then you will want at least 5 days at the parks to be able to hit all of the popular attractions.

But, again notice that you need one less night at a hotel when you have the Express Passes which are included in the price of your stay at the on-site properties that I mentioned above. Another reason why it is actually cheaper and much better to stay at one of the hotels on the property!

6. If you are going to buy Express Passes Consider the VIP TOUR because it might be cheaper and includes A LOT MORE!!!!

People don’t know this but the Universal Orlando VIP Tour is the best deal in town. You get to the front of the line on every ride (including the ones Express pass does not cover) + it includes breakfast, lunch and valet parking and even more! Check out the details here!

7. Dates to Visit to Avoid Crowds

Avoiding the crowds is one of my favorite Universal Orlando Tips. There are three times a year where I feel like you can count on avoiding large crowds at the Universal Orland Resort.

One is the entire month of September as everyone is back in school and either just visited over summer or is planning to visit over the holidays.

The second is visiting between Dec 3rd- 15th. The closer it gets to the school winter breaks the more the traffic picks up.

The 3rd Date is the one week after January through the first week of February. Everyone has visited from the holidays and the next holiday is not til Presidents day weekend.

But, visiting Universal during the holidays is extra spectacular! In Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you can see The Grinch musical show which is a wonderful performance.

And, in Universal Studios you can witness authentic balloons and floats from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Plus, both parks are decked out with holiday lights too. It’s my favorite time of year to visit!

8. Use Child Swap

One way to breeze through the crowds when traveling with infants and toddlers is by utilizing the “child swap” program at Universal. The “child swap” allows families traveling with little ones to wait in the queue together once while allowing both adults a turn to ride.

How this Universal Orlando Tip works is one parent stays off the ride and waits in the designated “child swap room” with the child who is not tall enough to ride. While the rest of the family hops on the ride.

When they are finished the parents swap roles and the parent who initially stayed back is given a chance to ride without having to wait in line again. Instead, they simply walk to the front of the line in the “child swap” designated area.

*Pro-Tip-Another added benefit of using the “child swap” is the second parent can take up to 3 guests with them. So, several people in the family get to ride twice!

9. Single Rider

Guests 10 years or older, also have the option of a shorter wait by being a “single rider”. Since most people ride in groups of two or more, if there is an extra spot available the attendants will ask for a single rider and you’ll be able to skip ahead in the line.

At some queues, there is even a special line reserved just for “single riders”.

10. How to Make the Most of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Tip #1 : Avoid the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the AM!

I know this sounds contradictory to every other thing you might read BUT trust me. The first place every person heads to is the Harry Potter area in each of the parks making both of these lands complete madhouses in the morning… even for guests with early entry.

Unless you are going to be one of the first people in the park and you are going to run straight to one of the Harry Potter rides forget it.

You will have much better luck heading into these lands around 4 pm when everyone else in the park has already ‘been there, done that’.

Check out the photo above. That is my kids walking into Hogsmeade during early park entry on a non-holiday visit. Can you see the crowds in there- INSANE!!! I mean for good reason of course.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (both Hogsmeade & Diagon Alley) are the MOST INCREDIBLE themed lands I have ever visited.

Absolutely, spectacular in so many ways. However, if you can be smart and avoid the crowds I promise the experience will be even that much better.

11. Take Time to Really Explore the Harry Potter Lands

As I just mentioned, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absolutely amazing. And, I am not just talking about the main attractions. I urge you to really explore these lands as there are magical elements hidden all around you.

If you buy an interactive wand at Ollivander’s you can actually cast spells around Diagon Alley and make magic happen right before your eyes!

On our recent visit to Universal Orlando we waited in line at Ollivander’s for the Wand Chooses the Wizard  experience and Shea got picked!!! Check out his face in our YouTube video here .

*Pro Tip-   You can also ask the goblin in the Money Exchange any question and he will respond. Ask him about the dragon in Gringotts next time you visit 😉

Head inside the stores in Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade !

Our kids got a kick out of the crazy jelly bean flavors (some are actually really gross) and the chocolate frogs.

*Pro Tip- grab your Harry Potter costume supplies before leaving home. Capes at the park are really pricey. Find ones much cheaper on Amazon here.

12. Try a Butter Beer + Secret Menu

You can’t visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter without getting your kids a Butter Beer. Who can blame them with that tasty marshmallow topping?

But, if you really want to impress your kids, head to The Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head Pub and order a Pumpkin Fizz.

*Pro Tip- It won’t be on the menu because it is a secret item.

And, knowing that will make you the coolest parent alive!!

Don’t miss the Butter Beer Flavored Ice Cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, Fountain of Fair Fortune, and at select street vendors throughout Diagon Alley.

13. Take the train in between the parks

Don’t miss riding the Hogwarts Express between the parks. Not only is it a super convenient way to get around, but it is also one of my favorite Harry Potter experiences too!

I am not telling you why because I don’t want to spoil any surprises. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.

*Pro Tip- make sure to take the train from BOTH parks. The experiences are totally different.

14. Get a Coffin Full of Donuts to Start the Day

As I mentioned in our best things to do in Orlando Voodoo Doughnuts offers up one of the best fried creations in all of Orlando, at least that’s my opinion.

One of their six locations in all of the world is at Universal Citywalk in Orlando, meaning you won’t have many other opportunities to try one of these tasty and colorful pastries.

Trust me, these are not your average doughnuts. They are both extravagant in looks and in taste. You will find their shelves filled with raised yeast donuts, cake donuts, and specialty donuts of all kinds.

If you like peanut butter, you cannot miss out on the Old Dirty Bastard. Name aside, this doughnut is what dreams are made of. You can check out the full menu here!

And yes, like we said this involves a coffin. You can purchase a 3-foot wooden coffin filled with three We Pick ‘Em Voodoo Dozens.

It is a fun way to celebrate a special occasion or just do something unique while on vacation. Plus, you can never have too many doughnuts! 

15. Tips for Toddlers (height requirements)

We did notice that many of the rides had a 40-inch height requirement as our youngest is not quite that tall yet. But, that doesn’t mean there is not a ton of rides and shows available for smaller toddlers.

I recommend checking out Seuss Landing where multiple rides have lower height requirements, Shrek 4-D, Fievel’s Playground, Camp Jurassic, the Curious George Water area and a day in the Park with Barney- a live show and playground area. And, don’t forget to take your littles to hang out with the characters too!

Youngsters 34-inches tall can ride E.T. the ride which happens to be a favorite in our family. I was so sad when our CA park got rid of it and so I make sure we hop on it every time we visit the Orlando parks.

Once kids reach 36 inches tall they can test their thrill-seeking skills on Woody the Woodpecker’s Rollercoaster (above), Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Flight of Hippogriff & more.

Little ones who hit the 40-inch height requirement can ride the Seuss Trolley Train, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the Simpson’s Ride (although it is a little frightening), Transformers, Spiderman, and more. And, once youngsters reach 42 inches tall they can also ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Men in Black, Popeye and Bluto’s water ride, and Jurassic Park… The Ride just to name a few. Check out our experience on Jurassic Park below:

16. Buying souvenirs

It’s unavoidable your kids are going to want to take home a treasure to remind them of their incredible vacation at Universal. Be smart and use Universal Orlando’s package pick-up & free package delivery to on-site hotels.

Package pick-up sends your souvenir to the front of the park so you can pick it up on your way out versus lugging it around all day. If you are staying on-site they take it a step further and deliver it right to your hotel. Just one more reason staying on property is such a smart idea!

17. How to Save on Food… Dining Plans!

Universal offers several different dining plans that can help you save money and make life a little easier too. Choose from full service or quick service plans. With up to 100 dining locations to choose from inside both parks and in City Walk your family will have plenty of options to choose from.

The full-service plan includes two of our favorite restaurants at the Universal Resort- Mythos Restaurant and The Cowfish (yes sushi + burger fusion is a thing).

But, we do find the quick service plan a little easier on the pocketbook. View the plans, list of participating restaurants and pricing here .

Family Style- Louie’s Italian Restaurant

One of the munchkins’ favorite Universal Orlando tips is heading to the back of the park at Universal Studios for the BEST theme park pizza we’ve ever had. Feeding a large family at a theme park can cost an arm and a leg.

One way we save at Universal is by ordering a whole pizza pie from Louie’s Italian Restaurant. While a single slice will run you about $7 bucks, a whole pie so roughly $30 and comes with 8 slices.

*Pro Tip- Don’t forget ice water is always complimentary so drink up.

Cheap Shareable Treat- Lad Lard’s Pink Donut

Growing up The Simpson’s was one of those shows I would watch with my dad. Most jokes went right over my head but that didn’t stop me from laughing. Walking through the Simpson’s area brought back so many memories.

So, I was a complete sucker when my kids requested an enormous pink sprinkled donut from Lad Lard’s. Luckily, it was under $5 bucks and easily shareable! Don’t take our word for it check out this article from USA Today’s 10Best.

The Tacos at BumbleBee Man’s Taco Truck is a delicious, quick, and easy on-the-go lunch or snack too!

Just for fun… Moe’s Tavern

Not really a savings tip BUT something fun to do while in the Simpson’s area is to while in the Simpson’s area is to head to Moe’s tavern to try a Duff Beer. While you are there order the kids an alcohol-free, orange-flavored Flaming Moe. The dry ice makes it smoke and the kids will get a kick out of it!

18. If You are an annual passholder, turn your soda into a delicious slush.

If you are an annual passholder, there is a wonderful lounge to relax and cool off. The best part, you can buy a soda and turn it into a delicious slush.

19. Head to City Walk

Another Universal Orlando tip I have found that works well is to leave the parks and head into City Walk for lunch. Here you will find better tasting options in my opinion and a wider variety of eateries.

It may not save a lot of cash but at least you get better quality food for your money and at lunch its a ghost town so very little wait times too! 

I personally loved the Bread Box which serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads. It was a healthier option and the kids loved the bench swings  located at some of the booths.

The NBC Sports Grill & Brew is a favorite amongst the kiddos in our family. Who doesn’t love a working foosball dining table 😉

City Walk also has some fun photo opportunities and great shops and because it is so quiet during the afternoon you can get a bunch of fun shots.

*Pro Tip- if you stay at one of the hotels I mentioned previously your room key will also help you get priority seating at many of the restaurants in City Walk.

20. Skip dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Wait what?? You read that right. Dinner here includes a ridiculous wait time and your room key does not grant you priority seating at this hot spot.

However, the specialty here is clearly dessert and you can skip the long wait and head right inside and order your tasty treats at the counter.

Make sure you try at least one of their INCREDIBLE Artisanal Milk Shakes. Hands down the BEST flavor is Salted Caramel Pretzel but Chocolate Peanut Butter comes in close for second.

* Check out my top 10 foods you have to try at Universal

21. Don’t Miss These Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

You most likely know about all of the most popular attractions. But, there are a few things that most people are unaware of that we think are absolutely worth your time.

Live Raptor Photo Opportunity- I mean where else can you get a photo with a live raptor- ha! What makes this so incredibly fun is the employees are steadfast in the delivery of their character.

The kids were actually starting to question if the dino was going to be real. Check out the video:

Jurassic Play Area-  After you ride the Jurassic Park River Adventure, you can go to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Here you can relax in the air-conditioned room while kids check out all the cool dinosaurs. Make sure to wander over to the eggs. If you’re there when a baby dino breaks out of its shell, your kiddo might be lucky enough to name the newborn and get an official birth certificate!

Character Meet & Greet with Shrek & Donkey- who wouldn’t want to spend time with this hilarious duo. Make sure to check the guide for times so that you can hang out with these totally awesome and funny characters. Check out our experience below:

Fievel Playground- stop by this awesome play area to give the kids a chance to run wild. There is plenty for both little and big kids to do and it’s also a nice break for mom & dad. Liv loved playing in the ball pit and the older ones enjoyed the water slide and swinging from the giant rope.

Hello Kitty Shop – if you have young girls (or teens) they will LOVE the adorable Hello Kitty Shop located inside Universal Studios. They have every type of Hello Kitty product imaginable PLUS an adorable bakery/ candy shop too!

Free Coloring Station in Seuss Landing- little ones will love cooling down in the air conditioned stores in Seuss Landing. We found a coloring station in the store near the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!

22. Take a photo of your park passes

If you lose your park passes it can be a pain, but if you take a picture they can easily reprint them 

23. Pack some Ponchos

It’s Central Florida, which means there is a good chance of rain. Also, there are some very wet rides. So, pack some ponchos and save yourself the exorbitant costs of paying for a poncho at the parks.

24. GET A BIRTHDAY BUTTON (READER SUGGESTION!)

Here is one of the comments that I thought was a great idea.

“If it’s someone’s birthday, get a birthday button. When I went with my sister, we got backdoor access to a couple of rides and they sang Happy Birthday to her over the intercom at Men in Black!” -Crystal

25. There are 2 Lazy Rivers at Volcano Bay and one is absolutely not Lazy!

If you decide to hit up Volcano Bay you will for sure find yourself in the Lazy River, however some people do not realize there are actually two rivers.

One nice and mellow river and one that is more of a fast paced rapid ride. Everyone in the fast paced river is required to wear a life vest as the water does move quite fast, but it is super fun!

26. Download the Universal app beforehand

You can then link your tickets and credit card to the app. When you are in the water park you can use their special Tapu Tapu Tapu to pay for items. The app also gives wait times for the 2 main parks.

27. Save Hundreds of Dollars by renting a Stroller from an offsite vendor!

The strollers at Universal are expensive and not very comfortable. Kingdom Strollers has been around for over 20 years and they will save you a ton of money plus they deliver the stroller to your hotel or Airbnb!

You simply place your order and then meet them at your hotel at one of their 5 daily meetup times and grab your stroller.

It couldn’t be any easier Check em out here! In fact now you can pick up your stroller at the Orlando Airport. It is pretty convenient

28. Universal Tips for Adults – Visit During Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is one of the best times to visit the parks with or without kids, but especially without kids since Universal’s Mardi Gras events are going on.

You will enjoy, live concerts from top artists, amazing food, and plenty of celebratory drinks and parades. You can check out all the Mardi Gras details here.

29. Take the Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios and Disappear into the Wall!

Ever wanted to disappear into a brick wall like they do in Harry Potter. If you take the Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure you will enjoy all the whimsy of Hogsmeade station including an illusion which makes it seem like you disappear into a brick wall (check it out in the video above). 

Map of Islands of Adventures

Universal Orlando Tips FAQ’s

How do i get the most out of universal studios.

Stay in an onsite hotel for FREE Express Passes Arrive Early Go to Harry Potter’s World later in the day Allow 45 Minutes for Parking & Security Use Rider Switch Pass if you have kids that are too small

How can I save money at Universal Studios Orlando?

Pre-Purchase Tickets from Discount Ticket Sites Like Undercover Tourist Bring your own water Get Free Express Passes by staying at an onsite hotel Get a whole Pizza for the Family at Louise’s Visit during the off season for the best deals

What rides to go on first at Universal Studios?

Hollywood Rip Rock it Transformers Mummy the Ride Harry Potter Escape from Gringots

Is Express Pass worth it at Universal?

It depends on how much time you have to spend at the parks. If you are short on time, yes! The cheapest way to get Express passes is staying at an onsite hotel. You get 5 for 2 days for 1 night at a hotel.

Pin for later- 29 Amazing Universal Orlando Tips

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Reader Interactions

November 30, 2016 at 12:46 pm

You definitely need inside tips when you visit places like this! It can make all the difference for a trip! Great share!

November 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm

The concierge level sounds like a game changer! Will try next time!

November 30, 2016 at 9:27 pm

I love posts like these! I have never spent time in Orlando but it’s on my list. Pinning this for when I get to cross it off because it will come in handy with planning. Thank you!

December 13, 2016 at 1:10 pm

So many awesome tips! We stayed on site on our last visit and it was totally worth it! I’ll definitely pay with my AMEX next time to get access to the lounge.

February 19, 2022 at 6:25 am

I must have missed the benefit of using AMEX. Can you please fill me in?

December 13, 2016 at 7:21 pm

Man! You really are an expert! Great tips lady.

December 14, 2016 at 6:22 pm

I had NO IDEA about these great tips. I especially like the Child Swap scheme and analyzing hotels for whether they include passes! Brilliant.

March 9, 2017 at 4:51 pm

This helped me out a lot! We plan on going to City Walk for lunch, because I *need* to try that shake at that Chocolate place. I don’t even care if the food is crap. I told my kids we’re going because Mommy needs a gigantic shake.

March 10, 2017 at 10:22 am

I love that about you. You totally deserve the milkshake taking the kids by yourself. You won’t need to worry about the food at all. That shake is a meal on it’s own anyways.

April 20, 2017 at 5:13 am

I love the am ex tip & staying on property perks! Had no idea! Also love the moes tavern!

July 14, 2017 at 3:45 pm

Very detailed post! I didn’t realize that you get express passes staying at the resort, great idea!

July 15, 2017 at 7:11 pm

Yes, and those express passes are EVERYTHING! Makes the park experience SOOO much more enjoyable.

July 15, 2017 at 4:56 am

We always stay at the resorts in Orlando. Even though it can be a little more expensive at times, it’s worth it to maximize on time. A lot of the resorts we’ve stayed at come with snacks twice a day and you can grab an apple or orange to take into the park to make it stretch even longer! I can’t wait to get back to Disney and Universal! I haven’t seen any of the newer part of Wizarding World of HP.

July 15, 2017 at 7:10 pm

Exactly! And, yes you have to go back. Diagon Alley is SOO cool. The dragon is amazing.

July 15, 2017 at 3:33 pm

Great tips! My parents love Disney World and Orlando Studios. They go every couple of years and have a trip planned in the Fall. I will pass on these tips!

July 15, 2017 at 7:09 pm

Awesome, thank you!!

August 7, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Great tips for a first timer. One question, and maybe I missed it, did you mention anything about a pass that lets you park hope? I am using almost every one of your tips, thanks again!

August 8, 2017 at 6:50 am

There are multi-park tickets that allow you to go between parks in the same day. And, there are express passes that allow you to get to the front of the lines. Express passes are included when you stay on property at most of their resorts too.

September 29, 2017 at 11:04 am

Volcano Bay is a no-no as far as I could see from endless horrible reviews. Too crowded and bracelet system doesn’t work. Better off going to Disney’s or Sea World’s aqua parks.

September 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

Thank you for the comment. I definitely agree that Universal needs to limit the amount of people they allow in and work on their bands. But, now that it’s a quieter season (as opposed to a brand new park in the summer) I’m guessing things are slowing down. And, if that’s the case I don’t think the park itself with the rides it has can be beat by any of the other Orlando water parks. In fact I can confidently say that Volcano Bay had the best rides, slides, play areas and was the cleanest water park I had ever visited. They also had the best food. So when they get all the tweaks worked out I think it will be unstoppable ?

May 7, 2018 at 5:44 pm

We just went in April and the bracelet system was fantastic! They must have gotten all the hiccups worked out because it was flawless. We rented chairs too. Our attendant brought us our food and refilled our water bottles all day long. It was a great experience.

May 8, 2018 at 6:16 am

That is wonderful news!!! I absolutely LOVED the park and was only concerned with the lines. I figured they would learn and improve. Great news!!

July 9, 2018 at 6:11 pm

We have never been to universal, but would you say it’s a full day in each park? And how may parks are there?

July 9, 2018 at 9:00 pm

Hey Mandy, There are three parks. If you don’t have the express pass, it is definitely a full day in each park. If you do have the express pass you can possibly hit up two parks in one day. The parks are a good size and a ton of fun.

December 12, 2019 at 8:17 am

Also a fun tip: outside of Diagon Alley at Universal studios, if you knock on the door of 12 Grimmauld Place, you can see Kreacher peak out through the curtains.

August 20, 2019 at 6:41 am

Thanks Lucy for the sweet comments. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about your trip.

December 11, 2019 at 8:34 am

The BEST Universal Orlando Tips from a Pro [Over 20 Amazing Tips] – Great site. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!- calator.tel

February 9, 2020 at 5:57 am

If it’s someone’s birthday, get a birthday button. When I went with my sister, we got backdoor access to a couple of rides and they sang Happy Birthday to her over the intercom at Men in Black!

February 13, 2020 at 8:36 am

The pictures of your children in the park really made this list special. Thanks for sharing.

September 11, 2020 at 3:19 pm

I was surprised by the difference in the daily rates of a common hotel to a hotel in the Universal complex. Actually, even though it is a little more expensive, the advantages far outweigh the difference. Thank you for all this information.

June 6, 2021 at 5:45 am

We just visited the end of may and the parks we’re super crowded,that being said we purchased the unlimited express pass and it may be pricy but my family never had so much fun,we had no wait times and that makes a high difference compared to the other people I saw waiting over an hour on some rides. Also they do have a medical assistant pass for people with conditions that make waiting in line difficult , very helpful with two children with conditions that make it hard to wait in the heat. Can’t wait to go back ,I think we will definitely stay at one of the big three hotels to get express pass

June 6, 2021 at 6:23 am

Glad you had a great time. Yes, when it is crowded, those express passes are a game changer.

February 15, 2023 at 11:19 am

ANYONE HAVE A STRATEGY FOR ONE PERSON, AGE 20, WHO ONLY HAS ONE DAY, WANTS TO DO BOTH PARKS IN EARLY MARCH 2023 ? I SEE SINGLE RIDERS OPTIONS, SHOULD I STILL GET EXPRESS PASS? PLAN TO BE THERE WHEN PARK OPENS AND STAY UNTIL IT CLOSES! THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR INPUT!

February 24, 2023 at 5:44 am

With Single Rider you should be able to get on almost all the major rides in one day.

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Universal Studios Touring Plan | Tips + Complete 1-Day Itinerary

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Are you looking for the perfect 1-day Universal Studios touring plan to outsmart the crowds and get the most out of your experience?

Need a summary of Universal Express Pass tips, arrival and rope drop tips, as well as tips on how to plan your day in the park and minimize time spent standing in lines?

Our Universal Studios touring plan highlights all of these topics and offers a detailed, step-by-step morning and afternoon itinerary for spending 1-day at Universal Studios, Florida.

Be sure to stick around to the end for additional information and touring tips for the Harry Potter fans in your group!

*This post has been updated for 2023!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.  

Table of Contents

Universal Studios Orlando Resort

For those of you who are new to the Universal experience and are a bit confused like I was, Florida’s Universal Orlando Resort consists of:

• Two theme parks: Universal Studios and  Islands of Adventure
• A water theme park: Volcano Bay
• A shopping, restaurant, and entertainment complex: Universal CityWalk Orlando
• Six onsite Loews Hotels
• An upcoming theme park,  Epic Universe , expected to open in early 2025

Its gigantic size is one of the biggest differences when comparing Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood, as Universal Hollywood is much smaller.

Together, the Universal Orlando Resort covers 541 acres of land and welcomes over 11 million annual visitors from all around the world.

The following article is a sample 1-day touring plan for Florida’s Universal Studios theme park whose primary attraction is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

The best Universal Studios itinerary involves utilizing this practical touring plan and customizing your final ride and attraction choices based on your family’s interests.

*Look for a new ride titled Illumination’s Villain-con Minion Blast opening at Universal Studios Orlando in the summer of 2023!

Due to increased concern over safety and sanitation, the Universal theme parks have implemented a host of new measures that may impact your experience. Be sure to check the Universal homepage to review current considerations for your visit.

Universal Studios Touring Plan

Touring plans make it easy for you to get the most out of an experience by outlining the order you should visit rides and attractions.

In fact, having a game plan before heading into the park is one of our 45 Universal Studios tips that you absolutely need to read before your first visit.

Both our Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure touring plans were created for those visiting the Universal theme parks for one day each.

This itinerary also assumes that you are entering the park right at the opening time and staying into the evening.

Finally, although we utilized this Universal Studios Orlando touring plan while staying on-site (which granted us automatic Universal Express Passes), it may still be used by visitors who do not have an Express Pass – we’ll show you how!

Universal Studios Florida Hours

Universal Studios Florida hours vary, by the day, by the month, and by the season.

It is very important to check the Theme Park Hours schedule for the day that you plan on visiting Universal so that you can plan your experience accordingly.

The Universal Studios theme park hour calendar also includes information on what days offer Early Park Admission, as well as lists temporary attraction closure information.

Early Park Admission is a free perk when you book a Universal vacation package, stay at a Universal resort hotel, or use your Preferred or Premier Annual Pass.

This perk allows you to enter a designated Universal theme park 1-hour before the scheduled opening (select days only).

Additional planning tip: Take note that Universal and CityWalk hours, as well as daily showtimes, are not released until approximately 1 calendar month in advance.

Universal Studios Crowd Calendar

Our Universal Studios Orlando one-day touring plan assumes moderate to high crowds at the park when lines are expected to be long.

This exact plan was utilized when crowds were rated 9/10.

No matter when you visit, however, this 1-Day Universal Orlando touring plan is optimized and ordered so that walking and your wait in lines are minimized.

Universal Studios Express Pass

There is no denying that when the Universal Studios crowd calendar predicts moderate to high crowds, the waiting in lines can become incredibly draining and time-consuming.

To help offset time spent standing in lines, Universal Studios allows you to add Universal Express access to your theme park admission.

Universal Express is an all-day pass that allows you to skip the regular lines – and use a special Express Pass line – at select Universal attractions.

If you are staying on-site at one of  Universal’s premier resort hotels , Universal Express Unlimited is free for every day of your visit. (Your hotel keycard serves as your Universal Express pass.)

If you are not staying on-site and wish to purchase Universal Express passes, the cost varies by day and expected crowds. So during peak times, prices will be higher.

Current prices can be found on the Universal Orlando Resort website.

Additional planning tip: Universal Express is separate from regular admission. In other words, you must purchase BOTH a Universal park base ticket along with an Express Pass add-on.

It’s easiest to buy Express passes online. You can also buy them at the entrance gates and throughout all three parks at dozens of locations.

Read here to find out the qualifying rides, exact wait times, and an explanation of whether or not we think Universal Express Pass is worth it !

Universal Studios Orlando: One Day Touring Plan

Prior to visiting Universal Orlando, be sure to download the official Universal Orlando Resort app on the  App Store  or the  Google Play Store .

The Universal Orlando Resort app provides:

• An interactive park map
• Wait times and wait time alerts you can set
• Mobile food and drink ordering for select restaurants
• A virtual wallet where you can purchase and store your tickets and Express Passes
• Virtual Line experience selection queue

Universal Studios’ Virtual Line program allows you to use your phone app (or kiosks at the ride) to make a reservation for your entire travel party to visit various attractions.

The use of virtual lines and what rides offer it varies by the day.

To make a Virtual Line reservation, go to the Virtual Line Experience drop-down from the main menu on the Universal app and select “Virtual Line Venues”. Click on the ride and select the half-hour increment that is available in which you’d like to ride.

At your selected time, simply show your phone at the attraction and you will immediately be admitted into the ride/show.

Keep in mind that the Virtual Line reservation system only works if you are physically inside the park.

Also, you can only reserve two ride times at a time meaning that you may not add another attraction until a previous ride time has passed.

See the screenshot below for what it looks like to reserve Virtual Line times.

Universal Orlando Resort has a parking and transportation structure consisting of two gigantic multi-story parking lots and a centralized transportation hub that allows you to access Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and Volcano Bay.

The parking garage opens 2 hours before the official park opening to accommodate those eligible for Early Park Admission. ($27/day for regular self-parking, $60/day for prime parking.)

If you are driving to the resort and are not eligible for Early Park Admission, we recommend arriving at the Universal parking garage 60 minutes prior to the official opening.

It then takes approximately 15 minutes to walk from the parking garage to the park’s entrance turnstiles. This brings you to the entrance a perfect 45 minutes before the official opening.

Alternatively, Universal Orlando on-site resort transportation to the parks via water taxis and shuttles begins 2 hours before the official opening, or 1 hour before Early Park Admission.

Guests staying on-site during peak periods should catch the first ride of the morning in order to be the first into the Wizarding World during the early entry period.

Entering the Park

As of now, Universal Orlando does not require advanced reservations to get into any of their Orlando theme parks.

In addition, they are no longer limiting capacity as they had been during the pandemic.

With that said, we always recommend getting to the turnstiles 45 minutes prior to park opening (and 30 minutes before Early Park Admission), especially on projected busy days.

This act has long been known as ‘rope-drop’.

Rope drop involves getting to Universal Studios before it begins operating for the day so that you can be among the very first guests to enter and enjoy the attractions.

Rope dropping is the single most important key to an efficient touring plan in order to avoid long lines. First thing in the morning, there are no lines and fewer people.

The same four rides you experience in 1 hour upon rope dropping can take as long as 3 hours after 10:30 AM.

Additional planning tip: On days when Universal does not offer Early Park Admission, the gates typically open 30 minutes before the advertised opening.

Guests are restricted to the front of the park where Despicable Me Minion Mayhem often opens to all guests 10–15 minutes before the official opening.

Our recommended Universal Studios arrival times (during peak periods) with Early Park Admission:

• 6:00-6:15 AM: Leave the onsite hotel or arrive at Universal parking garage
• 6:30 AM: Arrive at park turnstiles
• 7:00 AM: Early Park Admission entry – head straight to Diagon Alley
• 8:00 AM: Regular park opening time

Our recommended Universal Studios arrival times (during peak periods) without Early Park Admission:

• 7:00 AM: Leave the onsite hotel or arrive at Universal parking garage
• 7:15 AM: Arrive at park turnstiles
• 7:45 AM: Guests typically let into the front of the park to ride Despicable Me Minon Mayhem
• 8:00 AM: Park opening time

Additional planning tip: Due to a strict bag and locker policy and the fact that personal belongings are not allowed on many of the rides, be sure to review what to bring to Universal Studios in your day bag as you prepare for your visit.

Likewise, be sure to have an understanding of the Universal Orlando locker system as you will need to store your belongings while riding most rides.

Universal Studios Touring Plan: Morning

Upon arriving at the park, use your Universal app to make Virtual Line reservations.

Once the park opens, walk directly to the Harry Potter area without stopping for anything.

In other words, if you want to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, you must arrive before everyone else does.

There’s no other way.

When you arrive at Diagon Alley, take it all in!

Browse the shops and enjoy the atmosphere of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This is a great time to buy a wand from Ollivander’s and let the kids cast spells without long waits or crowds.

Morning Itinerary

Similar to experiencing the best rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure , we recommend visiting the top rides at Universal Studios immediately upon park opening.

The following attractions typically experience the longest wait times if not done right away.

Likewise, visit these attractions in this exact order to decrease time spent zig-zagging around the park.

*Rides with (EP) listed after their names denote that the ride qualifies for Express Pass.

1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (EP). While in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, be sure to go to:

• Ollivander’s Wand Shop
• Gringott’s Money Exchange
• Knight’s Bus

Then, back-track to the front of the park and do these rides:

2. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (EP)

3. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (EP)

4. Transformers: The Ride 3D (EP)

5. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (EP)

6. Revenge of the Mummy (EP)

7. Fast & Furious: Supercharged (EP)

Additional planning tip: This plan does not assume you’re using child swap, which allows parents to swap supervising a child who does not meet a height requirement without waiting in line twice.

If you do use child swap, your day will move more slowly as you have to wait for two people to ride each ride.

Universal Studios Touring Plan: Afternoon

I recommend saving Universal shows for the afternoon and evening.

This includes the Bourne Stuntacular, Horror and Make-up Show, Shrek 4-D, Animal Actors on Location, and Fear Factor Live.

Daily showtimes vary and can be found on the app. Adapt your afternoon itinerary according to what showtimes are available.

1. Shrek 4-D (45 min.); Separate theater for those with Express Pass.

2. The Bourne Stuntacular (26 min); Despite a potentially long wait/line, don’t miss this one!

3. Horror & Make-up Show (25 min.)

4. E.T. Adventure (EP)

5. Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster (EP)

6. Animal Actors on Location (20 min.)

7. The Simpsons Ride (EP). While in the queue, be on the lookout for an appearance by an animated Doc Brown.

8. Kang & Kodos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl (EP)

9. Men in Black: Alien Attack (EP).

10. Fear Factor Live (20 min.)

11. Browse the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley again.

Next, ride the Hogwart’s Express (EP) if you have a park-to-park pass.

11. Watch Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration or other seasonal evening entertainment; these have scheduled showtimes so be sure to check the Universal app.

Additional planning tip: If you love theme parks, Walt Disney World is only 9 miles away from Universal Orlando! Check out our 7-day Orlando itinerary that includes both a Universal and a Disney World vacation!

Universal Studios Dining

Another one of the top tips for visiting Universal Studios is to skip the typical hot dogs and chicken tenders in order to indulge in the unique dining options that are exclusive to Universal Studios.

In fact, the best itinerary for Universal Studios Orlando includes eating at a themed restaurant, such as the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.

Its traditional British food and perfectly Harry Potter pub-themed atmosphere make for an experience that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Also, be sure to try a Butterbeer!

This iconic non-alcoholic drink, which comes in hot, cold, and frozen varieties, is sold everywhere inside the Harry Potter areas of the parks.

In addition, be sure to check out the best restaurants in Citywalk for another incredibly unique experience.

Additional planning tip: Keep in mind that you can make online reservations ahead of time for full-service restaurants and Universal CityWalk in order to avoid the lines during busy seasons.

If You Want More Harry Potter Fun

If you’re a Potterhead you will absolutely not be disappointed by the immersive theming of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter found throughout Universal Orlando.

Their amazing attention to detail is what makes a trip to Universal Orlando Resort a must-do vacation destination for most Harry Potter Fans.

If you’re a huge fan, you’ll also want to add additional time ( specifically related to Harry Potter ) to your Universal Studios touring plan in order to enjoy it to the fullest.

Next, be sure to purchase a Park-to-Park Ticket for Universal Orlando that will serve as your ticket to ride Hogwart’s Express.

In other words, a Park-to-Park Ticket is required in order to ride Hogwart’s Express, and you can’t ride it without one.

(In case you don’t know, Hogwart’s Express is an actual train that travels between Universal Studios and Island of Adventure, allowing you to visit both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in one day.)

Additional planning tip: Universal’s Harry Potter experience includes Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure ( home to Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure – a fan favorite! ).

You’ll find the famous Ollivander’s Wand shop in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Here, you can purchase both standard and interactive wizard wands as well as participate in a wand-fitting demonstration. 

Through a sensor in the tip of the interactive wands, wanna-be wizards and witches can perform 25 spells through both Diagon Alley  and  Hogsmeade.

This requires being on the lookout for gold medallions along the walkways signaling you when to cast spells.

Potterheads can look forward to lighting the chandelier in the window at Flimflam’s Lantern or to repairing a suit of armor at the blacksmith’s with a simple wave of their wand.

*Click here for our exclusive FREE Family Vacation Packing List and BONUS Theme Park Bag Packing List to complement your Universal vacation!

I am confident that you’re now off to a great start in planning your day at Universal Studios! What was the most helpful part of the Universal Studios touring plan? Jen

If you liked reading our Universal Studios touring plan, continue planning your Universal Orlando vacation here:

Universal Orlando Touring Plans:

• Islands of Adventure Touring Plan: Complete 1-Day Itinerary

Universal Orlando Tips:

• 45 Tips for your First-Time Visit to Universal Orlando
• What to Bring to Universal Studios (+Day Bag Tips)
• 9 Big Differences Between Disney World and Universal Studios
• Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando: 9 Reasons to Stay
• A Complete Guide to Understanding the Lockers at Universal Orlando
• 7 Best Restaurants in Universal Orlando Citywalk

Universal Orlando Rides:

• Top 7 Best Rides at Islands of Adventure
• Top 7 Best Rides at Universal Studios Florida
• Is Universal Express Pass Worth It? A Detailed Look!

* Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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12 Comments

We have never been to Universal Studios bt have been to Disney 20+ times. This is the perfect itinerary to dip our toes in!

You totally have to try Universal! We love Disney too…but now that the kids are older, they prefer Universal hands-down 🙂

Loads of very useful information here in this post. Last time we traveled to Orlando we only made it to the Disney parks and I’m thinking it would probably be a good idea to go back and visit Universal Studios. Thanks for sharing all these insights!

Yes, we started with Disney too! As the kids have gotten a little older, they absolutely LOVE Universal, although I haven’t had the heart to ask them which they like better 😉

Awesome tips and perfect itinerary, can’t wait to actually get out there and experience Universal again! thanks for the travel inspiration.

You’re welcome! It is definitely a place that we would love to return to year-after-year!

I dont know how this is possible, BUT I have never been to Universal Studios! Its very high on my to do list. I gotta get my kids to read Harry Potter first.

What?!?! I can’t believe that you haven’t been…but I am so happy that now you have a little info for when you do go! Yay! If the kids never get around to reading Harry Potter, no worries 🙂 It is so much more than that!!

You’re not going to believe this but I haven’t been to Universal Studios in 20 years! We really need to take the kids and this is the perfect one day touring guide!! So much detail- thank you Jen!!

Yay! You’re welcome! It’s really how amazing it all is! …It’s too bad that these awesome American theme parks have to be so expensive though. I feel like we’d go there way more if they were more affordable 🙂

The Universal studio is on my ‘must do’ and ‘must see’ places. I’ll like to compare it with Motiongate in Dubai. I’ll like to see Shrek in 4d. Thanks for a complete guide.

You’re welcome! It really is a truly amazing place! I was glad that we waited until our kids were a bit older to go there, for the rollercoasters and thrill rides are not-to-miss!

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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.

Disney to Universal Studios: How to get there, all transport options and more

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The incredible city of Orlando is home to both Disney World Resorts and Universal Studio Resorts, offering two extraordinary theme parks that guarantee a magical experience for everyone. That’s why we totally get it if you’re looking to continue your adventure from Disney Resort to Universal Studios, Orlando!

We’ve even got you covered with some hassle-free travel tips. Our comprehensive guide is here to ensure a seamless journey, allowing you to focus on creating amazing memories during your Orlando adventure.

We’ll provide all the essential information you need to know about reaching Universal Studios from Disney World. From transportation options to insider tips, we’ve gathered everything you need for an unforgettable trip.

Get ready for an extraordinary Orlando experience where the fun never stops!

Can you stay at Disney World and go to Universal?

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Yes! It is definitely possible for you to stay at Disney World and go to Universal Studios during your trip to Orlando. Let’s explore the different transportation options available:

Transport Options From Disney To Universal Studios

Ride shares (best option).

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are convenient options for traveling from Disney Resort to Universal Studios or the Universal Resort. These services can be booked through their respective apps on your cell phones, allowing you to select pick-up and drop-off locations and choose from various vehicle options.

Rideshares eliminate the hassle of driving and navigating unfamiliar areas, making them a popular choice. Just keep in mind that riders are required to be on time or incur a waiting fee! This option is ideal for a family or large group travel.

Remember to keep an eye on your belongings during the ride to avoid leaving anything behind. And, if you’re traveling with a child aged 5 or under, you can request or select a car seat (booster seat) as required by law in Florida. Alternatively, you can bring your own for added comfort.

Taxi Services

Taxi services such as Mears Connect , Orlando Taxi24 , and 24SEVEN , along with your hotel’s front desk and Disney World valet services, can help arrange a taxi for your journey. It is usually necessary to book in advance.

Similar to ride shares, you can customize your travel by choosing your preferred pick-up and drop-off points. 

Before departing from Disney, ensure that the taximeter in your taxi is reset and running. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance and credit card company to see if they offer free secondary coverage for rented cars.

Private Transfers

Private transfer services like GetTransfer and Orlando Limousine Fl are available for those who prefer a more personalized experience. You can request a transfer by choosing your preferred timings, pick-up point, destination, and type of vehicle.

GetTransfer can be booked using its app and allows 15 minutes of waiting time without charges. Their fees include taxes, tolls, and gratuity.

If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, services like Orlando Limousine Fl offer options such as limousines. Booking can be done through their website, and gratuity is included in their prices.

Both private transfer options also provide the choice of selecting car seats if you’re traveling with kids.

Renting a Car

Renting a car in Orlando gives you the freedom to set your own schedule and itinerary. This is particularly great for families with young children or infants due to the privacy that rentals offer.

It also allows you to enjoy the convenience of having your own space and the ability to bring essential items like a first aid kit, snacks, extra clothes, and your own booster seat. However, you should keep in mind that this comes at some additional costs, too, like parking fees, gas, and toll charges.

There are plenty of reputable rental services available in Orlando, including popular names like Lyft , Alamo , and National Car Rental . You can also seek out exclusive deals that are offered by local suppliers when you book accommodations through them.

Just make it a point to book your rental car in advance to secure availability and get the best possible rates.

Traveling in Your Own Car

Traveling in your car provides comfort and privacy,  just like with renting a car. If you have access to a vehicle, this can be a convenient option for transportation between Disney World and Universal Studios .

Bus (We would advise against this option)

Public buses like Lynx are available for transportation between Disney World and Universal Studios, but it’s important to note that transferring lines can be inconvenient. These buses operate at intervals of 15, 30, and 60 minutes, and their stops are marked with pink paw prints or bus logos. 

To track the bus in real-time, you can use the LYNX Bus Tracker app. For instance, the Lynx 302 route takes you from Disney Resort to Universal Studios, with the pick-up stop located at Seven Seas Drive And Floridian Way.

The drop-off location is at S Kirkman Road And Windhover Drive, which requires a 30-minute walk to reach Universal Studios. You can find information on other bus routes on Rome2Rio .

Keep in mind that bus timetables may not always be strictly followed, and walking to and from bus stops can consume additional time. So, while traveling by bus may be a suitable option if you have teenagers accompanying you, it can turn cumbersome with babies or younger kids.

For Large Groups Are Shuttle Services an Option?

If you are visiting with a larger group and don’t want to get separate Ubers or Lyfts, then a shuttle might be worth considering – but it will cost more.

e.g Disney Animal Kingdom Park – Walt Disney World to Aventura Hotel at Universal for 10 people is around $173, but this is a lot pricier than 2 Uber Xl (roughly $48 each)

When it comes to transportation between Disney World and Universal Resorts, there are several shuttle service options available. Companies like Magic Flight , Orlando Shuttle Service , and Orlando Limousine FL offer pre-booked shuttle services for your convenience.

Some of these shuttle services may even provide complementary booster seats upon request, which can be a helpful consideration for families traveling with young children.

Hotel Shuttles

Hotels do not offer shuttles between Disney and Universal or vice- versa but they often offer shuttles from the hotel to one or both of the main park resorts. It is quite possible to go to Disney on your hotels shuttle, make your own way to the Universal Resort and catch your hotel shuttle back – if the timings work for you. But sadly, you will not be able to go theme park to other theme park with this option.

Keep in mind that shuttle services may make multiple stops along the way, which can result in a slightly longer travel time. This aspect might pose challenges for families with infants and young children.

If you choose a public shuttle, most companies allow two pieces of luggage per person, and any extra luggage might incur additional charges. If you plan to bring a car seat, ensure that it is foldable for easy transport.

Arriving at Universal Resort, Orlando.

Arriving at Universal Studios, you have various options for drop-off. Rideshare services like Uber typically drop off passengers on the fifth floor of the Jurassic Park Car Park section of City Walk, providing convenient access to the park.

Buses, on the other hand, tend to utilize the spacious drop-off area near the transportation hub by City Walk.

Pro tip: Planning and making advance bookings can save time and contribute to a more relaxed experience.

How long does it take to travel between Disney and Universal?

The travel time between Disney World and Universal Studios varies depending on factors such as your family size, chosen mode of transportation, and traffic conditions.

But firstly, how far is Universal Studios from Disney World and how far is Disney World from Universal Studios? If you decide to drive or take a taxi, which is often the preferred option, the distance from Disney Resort to Universal Studios is approximately 9 miles on I-4E, and the reverse journey covers 8.9 miles on I-4W.

Under normal traffic conditions, the trip typically takes around 13.5 minutes. However, during peak hours, the travel time can extend to approximately 30.5 minutes. It’s important to note that travel duration may increase during holidays and rush hours due to congestion.

An exciting aspect of traveling on I-4 is that it passes through International Drive , an area filled with excellent dining options, tourist attractions, and other interesting things to do. This provides an opportunity to take breaks, explore the surroundings, and make the journey more entertaining.

Just be aware that these stops might add extra time to your travel, especially if traffic is heavy.

How much does it cost to get from Disney to Universal Studios?

To help you choose the most convenient transportation option for your journey from Disney to Universal, let’s take a look at the rates for each mode of transport.

Ride Shares

How much does an Uber cost from Disney Resort to Universal Studios? While Uber and Lyft are both popular choices, Uber is generally $4 cheaper than Lyft in most cities.

For a family of 4, you can expect to pay around $20 for an Uber trip or about $24 for Lyft to Universal Studios from Disney. It’s worth noting that Uber waits for 3 minutes before charging additional fees, while Lyft starts charging after 2 minutes based on time and location.

To get the best deal, avoid booking rides too close to park opening or closing times and compare prices between Uber and Lyft.

Taxis are typically more expensive than Uber, but they can be cheaper during peak hours when the demand for Uber rises. A one-way trip from Disney to Universal Studios in a taxi would cost around $34 to $50.

If you prefer private transfers, the cost can range from $28 to $106 depending on the occupancy of the vehicle. However, keep in mind that hiring a limousine can be quite expensive, with prices going up to $300.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. A mid-sized vehicle rental would cost around $45 per day.

At Universal Studios, standard parking charges range from $25 to $27 per day, while preferred parking charges can go up to $40 to $60 per day, depending on the season. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the costs of gas and tolls.

If you already have access to a car, traveling in your own vehicle would be comparable in cost to renting a car, excluding the rental charges. At Universal Studios, standard parking charges range from $25 to $27 per day, while preferred parking charges can go up to $40 to $60 per day, depending on the season. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the costs of gas and tolls.

Lynx buses offer an affordable option, charging around $2 for a single one-way ticket. If you plan to use buses for more than two trips, it would be more cost-effective to opt for day passes.

Shuttle Service

For resort to resort transfers, both Magic Fligh t shuttle and Orlando Shuttle service are available. They typically charge around $50 for a one-way trip and $163 for a two-way trip for an average family of 4.

These fees include taxes, parking, and toll charges, but gratuity is not included. Orlando Shuttle service also charges an additional $15 for an infant safety seat.

Many hotels provide complimentary shuttle services as part of their package, allowing guests to travel to parks, although not park-to-park. It’s advisable to check with your hotel’s shuttle schedule and arrive early at the designated departure point.

Please note that charges may increase for large groups.

Does Disney have a shuttle to Universal Studios?

While Disney doesn’t have a shuttle service directly to Universal Studios, there are more than a few companies in the area that can help you out. You’ve got options like Magic Flight, Orlando Shuttle Service, and Orlando Limousine FL. but they can be pricey and better suited for larger groups.

It’s worth mentioning that Mears Connect used to be a popular choice for shuttles between Disney and Universal. However, they’ve recently made some changes to their services.

Now, they focus solely on shuttles from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World Resorts. This switch is probably because of the changing dynamics and increased competition between the two parks.

Disney To Universal Studios FAQs

Where is it best to stay at universal studios or disney world.

Choosing between staying at Universal Studios or Disney World depends on your personal preferences. Let’s break it down!

If you value free parking, balcony rooms, and a comprehensive transportation system, Disney might be your best bet. They offer these perks to enhance your stay.

On the other hand, if you prioritize reliable Wi-Fi, diverse entertainment choices, and a vibrant atmosphere, Universal may be more appealing to you.

Both Universal Studios and Disney World are conveniently located near the Orlando International Airport (MCO), around 17.3 miles away. However, Disney World tends to have slightly shorter travel times compared to Universal Studios.

No matter which park you choose, staying on-site or in nearby hotels/villas offers easy access to both parks. This adds to the overall convenience of your visit, making it easier to explore and enjoy all the attractions.

Can you purchase tickets from Universal Studio’s website if you live outside the U.S.?

Absolutely! You can purchase tickets for Universal Studios from their official website, even if you live outside the U.S.

Use a VPN to get direct access to the Universal website. You can also buy tickets through the Online Ticket Store or by calling 1-407-224-7840. Just make sure to be cautious and verify that you’re on a genuine website when purchasing from third-party sources.

If you prefer, you can also buy tickets at the gate when you arrive. However, it’s a good idea to check the online ticket store beforehand to ensure availability for the specific day you plan to visit.

Purchasing your tickets in advance not only saves you time but also allows you to choose your preferred travel time during non-peak hours. This can help you save even more money.

How many parking spaces does Universal Studios Orlando have?

Universal Studios Orlando offers approximately 10,200 parking spaces, making it one of the largest parking lots in the world. To facilitate a smooth parking experience and avoid confusion, the entire parking area is divided into easily identifiable sub-lots.

Each sub-lot is assigned a unique character to help visitors remember where they parked their vehicles, so remember to make a note of yours!

How do I avoid paying for parking at Universal Studios Orlando?

If you want to avoid paying for parking at Universal Studios Orlando, there are a few options available. You can purchase an annual pass, which includes free parking, or opt for the Power Pass which gives you a 50% discount on parking charges for a single visit.

Alternatively, if someone in your group already has a pass, you can borrow it to enjoy free or discounted parking. Another option is to buy two movie tickets for the matinee showtime (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) at Universal Cinemark and get reimbursed for the parking fees at the ticket counter. 

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Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood

Families visiting Los Angeles no doubt have a visit to Disneyland and Universal Studios at the top of their list – however, you may be surprised that these two popular theme parks are nowhere near each other.

So if you’re planning on visiting both parks, you’re going to want to know the best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood or vice versa?  This is where this guide comes in handy.

In this guide, we’re going to cover all you need to know to decide what is the best way for getting from Anaheim to Universal Studios – and vice versa.  In particular, we cover:

• How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland?
• The best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios
• Disneyland to Universal Studios shuttle options
• Getting from Anaheim to Universal Studios on public transport

After reading all of that, you’ll easily be able to decide which is the best way to get from Anaheim to Universal Studios for your family.

Talk to other families about their tips on visiting Los Angeles and join our Thrifty Family Travel Facebook Group  o r get inspired on our Thrifty Family Travel Instagram Feed .

This post may contain compensated links.   Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

Page Contents

• 1 How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland?
• 2.2 Renting a Car
• 2.3 Ride Share
• 2.4 Best time to Drive to Universal Studios from Disneyland
• 3.1 Renting a Charter Bus
• 4 Train or Bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios
• 5 Final Tips

How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland ?

In terms of how far from Disneyland to Universal Studios – it’s really not that far at only 35 miles / 56 km.  However, the main problem is a lack of good public transport options and the crazy, crazy Los Angeles traffic.

As we explain in more detail below, you’ll see that getting from Disneyland to Universal Studios by car can take anywhere from 35 minutes to a whopping 90 minutes!  By train or bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios , it’s even worse at around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Please note that all prices mentioned were correct at the time of writing and are in local currency.  To check the rate in your currency, click here.

Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios

With so much traffic, you’d think the best way to get from Disney to Universal Studios would be public transport – but as you’ll see in the section below – this is not the case. Instead, the easiest and most convenient way for getting to Universal Studios from Disneyland is by car.

Below we outline how to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios by driving your own car, renting a car or via ride share.

If you have your own car with you while staying in Los Angeles, driving from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland (or vice versa) is the fastest and easiest way between the two parks.  Both parks are close to freeway exits, so the journey is fairly straightforward.  

It’s recommended you use Google Maps to map out your best route.

Of course, with driving, you’ll need to allow for parking costs at both Universal Studios and Disneyland.  Parking at both theme parks starts at around $30 per day.

Renting a Car

If you don’t have your own vehicle while in Los Angeles but still wish to drive, then you can rent a car just for the day while driving to either Universal Studios or Disneyland.

From Disneyland, it’s easy to rent a car, with many car rental companies in the area.  Most companies open from 7.30 am or 8 am and allow you to return the car after closing time.  So you could easily hire a car for just the day while driving to Universal Studios.

From Universal Studios, renting a car is a bit harder, with most car rental companies located in and around Hollywood, which is about a 10 minute drive from the theme park.  However, you could easily take an Uber or Lyft to the car rental in the morning and back to your hotel after dropping off the car in the evening.

You’ll probably need to allow around $100 for hiring a car, plus gas.  And then you’ll also need to pay parking fees as well.

If you don’t have your own car with you and are not comfortable driving in Los Angeles, then your best option will be to use ride share such as Uber or Lyft.  There are plenty of drivers between Anaheim and Hollywood and you shouldn’t have too many issues finding a driver.

Expect to pay around $60-$100 each way for Uber or Lyft.  However, keep in mind that costs depend on demand and traffic, so it is possible that the rate could be much more than this, or even less.  The good thing with ride share apps is you’ll get a rough idea of the cost before booking.  So if it’s too much at any particular time and you have some time up your sleeve, just try again in 30 minutes or so and see if the price has reduced.

Taking the Anaheim to Universal Studios Uber or Lyft option will be more expensive than renting a car. Still, at least you don’t have to mess around with picking up the vehicle or dropping it back or any parking fees.  You also don’t have to worry about driving in the insane Los Angeles traffic.

The downside with ride share is that the maximum number of passengers in most cases is four people – so not ideal for larger families, and if travelling in LA with small kids, you may struggle to find an Uber or Lyft with a child car seat.

Best time to Drive to Universal Studios from Disneyland

If you decide to drive your own car, hire a car or take a ride share, you’ll need to consider the Los Angeles traffic.  If you leave at the wrong time, you could be stuck on the freeway for hours!

Unfortunately, the drive between Universal Studios and Disneyland is a popular commute for Los Angeles workers. So it really does pay to plan your trip outside peak hour traffic to avoid long lengthy delays.

Traffic is worse on weekdays between 7.30 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6.30 pm.  So if possible, avoid these times at all costs.  During these times, expect the Disneyland to Universal Studios drive time to be at least an hour or more.

So from a traffic perspective, the weekends would be the best time to drive to Universal Studios or Disneyland, but that’s also when the parks will be the busiest.  Some families like to go on a weekday but leave early before peak hour traffic and have breakfast outside the parks.  Then you can stay inside the park until after peak hour traffic in the evening or hang around the downtown areas outside the parks. 

Shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios

Given Disneyland and Universal Studios are so popular among tourists to Los Angeles, you’d think there would be a shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios – but there isn’t.  However, you can book a private Disneyland to Universal Hollywood shuttle with a private vehicle and driver.

A private Disney to Universal Studios shuttle is probably the best option for those families that want to lock in a price and not have to worry about price surges Uber and Lyft sometimes experience.  The price will be what it is, no matter what.

Another benefit of booking a private shuttle service from Disneyland to Universal Studios is that for families with young children, you can hire the necessary booster seats required.  If using an Uber or Lyft, you’d need to provide these yourself.

You can also book a private shuttle well in advance and feel secure knowing the driver will turn up at the arranged time.  

With companies such as Xpress Shuttles or Anaheim Town Car Services expect to pay around $150 to $200 each way for a private shuttle for up to 4 passengers or about $220 to $250 for seven or more passengers.

Renting a Charter Bus

Depending on how big your family is, or if you’re travelling with other families in a group, going in on a charter bus could be a more affordable option than renting a car or a private shuttle. 

Both parks accommodate tour groups and have bus parking available, and you typically have options for a minivan for up to 25 or a full charter bus of up to 57 (though that’s a large family reunion!). 

Hourly rates for charter buses in California can vary between $99 – 110 depending on who you choose, and usually, there is a minimum hour/spend. It can be a fast and affordable option if you’re travelling with enough people. 

Train or Bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios

If you’re after the cheapest Disneyland to Universal Studios transportation option, you can take the bus and train.  However, getting from Disney to Universal Studios without a car can take around 2.5 to 3 hours one way!

The time of day you travel between Disneyland and Universal Studios will depend on your route; however you’re likely to need to take a combination of buses and trains with multiple transfers along the way.  There is no direct route between the two theme parks.

I’d recommend using Google Maps to plan your route, but expect your journey to be something like this:

• Take the 460 Bus near Disneyland from the closest stop near your Anaheim accommodation . 
• Get off the bus at Figueroa and 7th
• Walk about 3 minutes to the 7th Street and Metro Center Subway Station
• Take the Metro Red Line towards North Hollywood
• Get off the subway at the Universal/Studio City Station
• Take Universal Studios’ free shuttle to the park (it runs about every 15 minutes) or walk for about 15 minutes to the park

However, the good news with this option is it’s by far the cheapest way to travel

To ride the train and bus, you’ll need a TAP card, which can be purchased for $2 USD from vending machines at the station. You can also download the TAP LA app and purchase cards there.

Now in terms of fares.  The standard fare is $1.75 USD per 1 way trip on a bus and train with multiple transfers within 2 hours.  Given this trip will take you more than 2 hours,  $7 USD will get you a one day pass.

Hopefully, you’ve decided which is the best way to get to and from Disneyland to Universal Studios.  However, my other tip would be to get your tickets to each theme park in advance.  You can purchase Disneyland tickets here and Universal Studio tickets here.

We also have a range of other guides to help plan your trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios, including:

• Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids
• Best Hotels in Los Angeles for Families
• Best Family Hotels Near Disneyland
• Is Genie+ Worth the Money?
• Is the Universal Studios Express Pass Worth the Money?

____________________________________________________________________________

We hope you enjoyed this guide on all the best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood.  We also have guides on where to stay in LA with kids,   how to plan your LA itinerary  and a more general guide on  things to do in California with kids.   Plus if you decide to head North and explore San Francisco, check out  things to do in San Francisco with Kids . Alternatively, if you decide to head South, here is  things to do in San Diego with Kids  or our guide on  things to do in Mexico with kids. 

1 thought on “Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood”

Just curious if you know when they stopped offering shuttles? I haven’t been for 12 years but the last two times I went there were shuttles from Anaheim to Universal, as well as Anaheim to Sea World.

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Universal Studios Hollywood

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Now–Aug. 11 Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Studio Tour. Step off the tram and onto the studio backlot to visit an iconic film set, join immersive photo-ops, enjoy new themed food and merchandise, and much more.

Now–Aug. 11 Join the 60th Anniversary celebration of the world-famous Studio Tour. Don’t miss the all-new experience that lets you step off the classic tram and onto the studio backlot. Explore an iconic film set, take part in immersive photo-ops, experience tour enhancements, and enjoy new themed food with collectible merchandise. Limited Time Only.

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Jurassic World - The Ride

The secret life of pets: off the leash.

Join Max, Duke, Gidget, Snowball, and all your favorite Pets characters for a thrilling ride through the streets of New York City.

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Make your way through Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on an unforgettably thrilling adventure, coming face-to-face with magical creatures.

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Attractions

Universal studios hollywood planning guide: tips for a perfect visit.

Known as the “Entertainment Capital of Los Angeles,” Universal Studios Hollywood offers a diverse array of attractions, from the immersive worlds of Super Nintendo World to the magic-infused streets of Hogsmeade, appealing to guests of all ages.

This Universal Studios Hollywood planning guide can not only help you save money and time but can also enhance your experience by avoiding common pitfalls such as long lines and crowded attractions.

Visitors can benefit greatly from insider knowledge on the best times to visit, ticket options, and the wide range of rides and attractions. Strategies for planning your day, coupled with useful tips, can be the difference between an average visit and an extraordinary adventure.

» You might be interested in reading about the other theme parks in the area.

Table of Contents

Best Times to Visit

When planning a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, timing is crucial both for experiencing seasonal events and managing crowd levels.

Seasonal Events

Universal Studios Hollywood hosts several seasonal events throughout the year. January is generally quiet, making it an ideal time for guests who prefer a more relaxed visit. In September , the park celebrates Halloween with its popular Halloween Horror Nights, providing a unique experience. Conversely, December is festive with Christmas celebrations, offering holiday-specific entertainment and decorations.

Crowd Levels

The crowd levels at Universal Studios Hollywood vary significantly throughout the year. Low crowd periods tend to be in January and February , right after the holiday season, and in the weeks following Labor Day in September . For guests aiming to avoid longer wait times, these periods are optimal. On the other hand, summer months , weekends, and holidays typically observe high crowd levels , so guests seeking a less crowded experience should plan accordingly.

Tickets and Passes

Choosing the right ticket or pass for Universal Studios Hollywood is essential. Prices may vary by season and demand, and guests should consider the benefits of each option to best meet their needs.

Ticket Types

Universal Studios Hollywood offers several ticket types to cater to different preferences:

• One-Day General Admission : The price begins at $109, but varies based on the date of the visit. Weekends and holidays typically have higher pricing due to increased demand.
• Two-Day General Admission : Starts at $159 and allows visitors to explore the park over two days within a seven-day period. It offers a greater value for guests who wish to take their time experiencing the park.

» Buy your Universal Studios Hollywood general admission tickets here through Viator.

Express Passes

• Universal Express Passes grant guests one-time (per day) express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show. The cost varies starting at $209 depending on the day. They cannot be used for the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction. Investing in an Express Pass can be beneficial on crowded days or for visitors with limited time who wish to experience as many attractions as possible.
• VIP Experience Ticket includes 1-Day Park admission and unlimited (per day) express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show. This ticket also includes a guided tour including the backlot, light snacks, refreshments, complimentary valet parking, and special VIP dining experience. These tickets start at $379 per day.
• Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket starts at $20 and gives you a chance to enter the park one hour before the theme park opens. A theme park admission ticket is required and availability is limited.

Rides and Attractions

Universal Studios Hollywood offers a diverse range of rides and attractions, catering to thrill-seekers and families alike. Visitors can expect cutting-edge technology and immersive themed experiences within each attraction.

Thrill Rides

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ : This ride places guests in the middle of thrilling scenes from the Harry Potter series. (Upper Lot)
• Jurassic World – The Ride : Featuring realistic animatronics and a thrilling drop, this ride puts visitors in the land of dinosaurs. (Lower Lot)
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride : A high-speed roller coaster that sends guests racing through a world of ancient curses and mummies. (Lower Lot)
• Transformers: The Ride-3D : Combines 3D media and flight-simulator technology for an action-packed experience. (Lower Lot)

Family-Friendly

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem : This motion-simulator ride is a family-friendly adventure with Gru and his Minions. (Upper Lot)
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash : A ride that brings to life the characters from the movie Pets, suitable for younger guests. (Upper Lot)
• Silly Swirly Fun Ride : An aerial carousel that offers a gentle flight over Super Silly Fun Land.(Upper Lot)
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ : Although it features a thrill ride, it also includes child-friendly areas like Ollivanders™, where one can witness a wand pairing ceremony. (Upper Lot)
• World-Famous Studio Tour: A behind the scenes tour of the back lot where many of your favorite films and tv shows were filmed. (Upper Lot)
• DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda: Enter a theatre and watch Po, Mr. Ping, and Master Shifu embark on a perilous mission. (Upper Lot)
• WaterWorld : A live-action performance that includes stunts and special effects, showcasing an epic battle on water. (Upper Lot)

Each attraction has specific operating hours and show times. It’s advisable for guests to check the Universal Studios Hollywood official app for the most accurate scheduling.

Planning Your Day

Efficiently planning your day at Universal Studios Hollywood is a good way to make the most out of every moment. Visitors should consider the park’s layout and attraction wait times, and whether the additional cost of an Express Pass is a worthwhile investment for their needs.

Universal Studios Hollywood App

One of the first things you should do is download the theme park app on your phone. This will be one of the best tools to help you navigate the park. You can buy and store your tickets, but it will also show you ride wait times, dining options, and give you an easy to use map of the park.

The Upper Lot & The Lower Lot

The park is broken into 2 parts, the upper lot where you will enter the park and the lower lot. The 2 lots are accessed by escalators like the one below. It can take 10 to 15 minutes to make the trek between the 2 lots.

When planning your day you may want to take into account which attractions are in each area. I have noted above on the attraction list which lot you can find them in.

Itinerary Suggestions

To help navigate to park its important to have an idea of the popular attractions. It’s best to take advantage of those areas first while park attendance is still low. In this case you might want to start with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the upper lot or make your way to the lower lot to Super Nintendo World .

In between major attractions, consider scheduling time for shows and smaller rides to ensure a well-rounded day.

Make Time for a Show

WaterWorld is an action packed stunt show that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a great chance to rest your feet and relax, or in our case, get out of the rain. I remember watching a Miami Vice show here when I was a kid.

Beware, you might get wet! The bleachers are marked to show where the splash zone is.

Super Mario World

For anyone who has grown up playing Nintendo, this land is for you! Walk through the tunnel and emerge into the world of Super Mario where you can meet your favorite characters, play games, and more.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Experience Mario Kart as the driver! As you walk through the queue you will see different stages and props from the games. As you near the front of the line you will be handed special goggles that will pair with a 3-D visor in the car.

Drive alongside your favorite characters while collecting coins and throwing shells.

Toadstool Café

When you are hungry and ready for a break check out the Toadstool Café where Chef Toad is cooking up tasty food.

Because of limited capacity you may need to join the wait list. Just scan the QR code at the entrance and schedule a time to return.

Interactive Experience

Get more out of your visit to Super Nintendo World with a Power-up Band. It will keep your score as you complete challenges, defeat Bowser Jr, collect digital coins, and more.

Find the blocks and stations throughout the land like the yellow question mark block above and wave your power-up band under it to collect coins and more.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of Harry Potter as you enter Hogsmeade village and journey past the iconic Hogwarts Express.

For aficionados of the series, this is the ultimate fantasy fulfilled. Don’t miss the chance to explore every corner of this magical domain, where even a trip to the restroom might conjure the ghostly presence of Moaning Myrtle. And before bidding farewell, be sure to savor a taste of butterbeer, the quintessential beverage of the wizarding world.

Visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop for a fun interactive show and then choose a want, or should we say let the want choose you!

For a magical interactive experience while in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, use your wand to cast spells around Hogsmeade. Watch for markers like the one above to cast spells.

It’s essential to check the times for interactive shows within the park to make the most of these engaging experiences.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Enter Hogwarts Castle and see familiar corridors and classrooms from the Harry Potter movies. Then strap into this ride that takes you through the Forbidden Forest, high above Hogwarts, and has you fly with Harry.

Flight of the Hippogriff – As you wind your way through the line for this ride Hagrid will teach you the proper way to approach a Hippogriff. This family-friendly rollercoaster lets you ride this magical creature.

The Three Broomsticks

This is our favorite place to eat. Enjoy the details that are straight out of the movie. There are plenty of tables, butterbeer, and English fare. We had the fish and chips and weren’t disappointed.

This legendary sweet shop is a must-stop. You can find wizarding favorites such as chocolate frogs, every flavor beans, and fizzing wizzbees.

The World-Famous Studio Tour

This tour takes you behind the scenes of a real working movie studio. The tour runs about for approximately an hour so make sure to plan that into your day.

Board a tour tram, sit back, and relax as your tour guide takes you through past and present movie sets. You will experience some intense 3-D movie rides within the tour. Visit Jupiter’s Claim from the movie Nope, as well as the sets of Fast and the Furious, Kong, and Jaws.

Check out the daily filming schedule board at the entrance the the studio tour to see what shows are filming that day.

Pro Tip: Sit in the middle tram on the right side for a great view of Jaws.

Dining Options

Universal Studios Hollywood offers an array of dining options to cater to various tastes and preferences, from themed restaurants to quick bites and accommodating dietary restrictions.

Restaurants

Universal Studios Hollywood features several sit-down restaurants where guests can enjoy a themed dining experience. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has the Three Broomsticks, offering British pub food. For a touch of Hollywood glam, guests can dine at NBC Sports Grill & Brew . A notable favorite for its immersive atmosphere is Toadstool Café , themed after the world of Super Mario.

Snacks and Quick Bites

Those looking for a quick snack can head to various restaurants throughout the park that are designed for a fast stop. Springfield , the area themed after The Simpsons, includes places like Krusty Burger for fast-food options, Duff Brewery Beer Garden for beverages, and Suds McDuff’s Hot Dog Stand . Visitors can also find Voodoo Doughnut for unique sweet treats.

We saw so many people with donuts from Lard Lad Donuts. Their most popular donut is The Big Pink. It is a giant donut with pink frosting and it is served in a 12 inch box.

Accommodations

When planning a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, selecting the right accommodations can change the overall experience. Visitors can choose between staying on-site for convenience and immersive themes or opting for nearby hotels that offer a range of pricing and amenities.

Nearby Hotels

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood: Affordable rates with essential amenities, including free breakfast and Wi-Fi.
• Comfort Inn & Suites Near Universal: Offers free shuttle to Universal Studios and a complimentary hot breakfast.

Mid-Range Options:

• Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City: Directly adjacent to the park with spacious rooms and excellent facilities.
• Sheraton Universal Hotel: A short shuttle ride from the park, known for its good service and comfortable accommodations.

Premium Selections:

• The Garland: A boutique option that provides a free shuttle to the park and has a stylish, retro-Hollywood feel.
• Loews Hollywood Hotel: Features upscale rooms and is located within close proximity to Universal Studios Hollywood, with luxury amenities and service.

Transportation and Parking

Planning your trip to Universal Studios Hollywood requires understanding the transportation options available and knowing the best parking tips.

Getting to Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is accessible by various modes of public transportation. Metro trains and buses frequently service the area, with a Metro pedestrian bridge facilitating easy access from the station. For personalized travel routes, potential visitors can utilize the Metro Trip Planner or call Metro directly to find the most suitable transportation option.

Parking Tips

When driving to Universal Studios Hollywood, choosing a parking option that best suits your needs is a good idea. General Parking can vary cost-wise throughout the day, and Preferred Parking offers closer proximity to the park entrance. For an even more convenient option, Front Gate Parking is located right at the entrance.

• Before 5pm: $32
• After 5pm: $10
• Cost: $70 per day
• Before 5 pm: $50
• After 5 pm: $20

Drivers should remember that parking rates and policies are subject to change, and it’s advisable to check the most current information before the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best strategies for maximizing a single day visit to universal studios hollywood.

To make the most of a single day, visitors should arrive early before the park opens. It is advisable to prioritize the attractions with the longest wait times first, such as those in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Super Mario World. It is also helpful to download the Universal Studios app, check ride waiting time boards throughout the park, and be familiar with the park layout before you go.

Which attractions should I prioritize if I have limited time at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Prioritize unique and popular attractions such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Jurassic World – The Ride, and the Studio Tour. These experiences offer a quintessential Universal Studios Hollywood experience.

Are there any restrictions on bringing food or drinks into Universal Studios Hollywood?

Guests are allowed to bring small snacks and bottled water into the park. However, full meals, glass containers, and alcohol are not permitted. Universal Studios also offers various dining options on-site.

What are the typical hours of operation for Universal Studios Hollywood throughout the year?

The park’s hours vary throughout the year, typically opening at 9 or 10 AM and closing between 6 PM and 10 PM. Extended hours are common during peak seasons and holiday periods. Make sure to check the website for park hours during your visit.

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Complete Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Transportation

This article is your complete guide to 2024 Universal Orlando transportation! Whenever booking a Universal Orlando vacation, you might be wondering how you’re going to get around the resort when going back and forth from theme parks. In this article, we will talk about all of the various Universal Studios transportation options and where you can find them, so keep reading if you’d like to learn more.

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 the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Universal Orlando Transportation

One of our favorite parts about staying on Universal Orlando Resort property is the ease of traveling from the hotel to the parks. Universal Studios transportation is a free amenity offered to all of those staying at an on-site hotel, or visiting one of the two theme parks or water parks. There are different options for transportation between the Universal Orlando parks and hotels depending on what tier of hotel you have booked with.

There are 4 different tiers of hotels ranging at Universal Orlando, with more convenient options of transportation to the parks.

• Bus – Shuttle busses that pick up guests at designated stops and drop off at the CityWalk entrance
• Water Taxi – A small boat that picks up guests at certain resorts and drops them off near the theme park entrance
• Garden Walkway – Scenic walkway that connects a few Universal Orlando Resort hotels to an exit near Islands of Adventure

What are the hotels with free transportation to Universal Studios Orlando?

If you’d like to learn about all of the hotels near Universal that offer a free shuttle, we suggest reading our Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando with Free Shuttle . For now, we are going to just show the Universal Orlando on-site hotels, and what their transportation options are to get into the theme parks or CityWalk.

• Universal Endless Summer Resort – Universal Studios Shuttle Bus
• Aventura Hotel  – Universal Bus, Garden Walkway
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort –  Universal Bus, Garden Walkway
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Water Taxi, Universal Bus, Garden Walkway
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Water Taxi, Universal Bus, Garden Walkway
• Hard Rock Hotel – Water Taxi, Universal Bus, paved walkway
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Water Taxi, Universal Bus, paved walkway

Related post:  Complete Guide to Universal Disability Pass

Universal Orlando Shuttle Bus

The Universal Shuttle Bus is one of the most popular of Universal Orlando transportation options and can be used at any of the on-site hotels. Each hotel has Universal Studios free shuttle stations, where guests can pick up one of the rotating busses that stop periodically throughout the day. So no matter if you’re staying in the lower tier hotels, like Endless Summer Resort, or a Premier tier hotel like Hard Rock Hotel, a Universal Bus will be there to pick up guests consistently.

The Shuttle Bus to Universal Studios Orlando will pick guests up to take them either to the entrance of CityWalk, or to Volcano Bay, the Universal water park.

What is the Universal Bus schedule?

All Shuttle Busses begin picking up guests starting one hour prior to park open and run until CityWalk closes. The Universal Orlando park hours change and should be checked on the day of your trip to ensure you don’t miss your bus.

• Universal Endless Summer Resort (Dockside and Surfside Inn and Suites) – Shuttle busses arrive every 15 minutes
• Aventura Hotel – Shuttle busses arrive every 15 minutes
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Shuttle busses arrive every 15 minutes
• Portofino Bay Hotel – Shuttle busses every 30 minutes
• Hard Rock Hotel – Shuttle busses every 30 minutes
• Royal Pacific Resort – Shuttle busses every 30 minutes
• Sapphire Falls Resort – Shuttle busses every 30 minutes

As you can see, the four hotels that offer the water taxi service have busses that come only every 30 minutes. That’s mostly because the water taxis do move faster, and more guests opt for taking those over the busses. But, that could be a major con if it is the preferred Universal transportation option and you’re staying at one of those hotels.

Related post:  Guide to Spending One Day at Universal Islands of Adventure

Universal Orlando Water Taxi

The Universal Orlando Water Taxi is a Universal Orlando transportation option. It’s only for guests at Preferred hotel tiers or higher. Many guests prefer this method of transport. Travel time is usually less than ten minutes. It drops off near the entrances of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure at CityWalk. This is the closest drop-off point in Universal Studios transportation. The water taxi operates during Early Park Admission hours. This is a big advantage for those using EPA.

Which Universal Orlando hotels have the Water Taxi?

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

Each Universal Orlando Resort hotel has their own water taxi dock, where guests will have to be subjected to a security screening before they board the boats. Each Universal Orlando water taxi can fit about 50 guests and move quickly between the hotels and CityWalk.

Related post: Guide to Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando

Can You Walk to Universal Orlando from the Hotels?

Yes you can! And it’s only about a 20 minute walk from the farthest resort to CityWalk . One of the only hang ups with Universal Orlando transportation is that, it can be slow! Some guests prefer to walk to the theme parks because of either crowding when loading the bus, or it just taking too long. Luckily, you can walk to the parks if you don’t want to take a boat or bus to Universal Studios Orlando with designated walkways.

Where are the Universal Orlando walkways to the theme parks?

The most popular walking path is the Garden Walkway, which starts at Cabana Bay Beach Resort and passes Aventura, Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls on its way to CityWalk. The total walk will take you about 20 minutes, if you’re starting at Cabana Bay and brings you into CityWalk, right by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. There are signs all along the Garden Walkway, so you won’t get lost. On top of it, there is beautiful lush landscaping along the whole trail, making for a gorgeous walk.

If you opt out of using Universal transportation for either Portofino Bay or Hard Rock Hotel, there is a paved sidewalk that brings guests right by the entrance of Universal Studios Florida. As for Endless Summer Resorts, they are the farthest from the parks, and you can use public sidewalks to cross the I-4 and head into the parks.

There is also walking paths that connect Cabana Bay, Aventura and Sapphire Falls hotels right to Volcano Bay water park.

Related post: Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Resort Guide

What is the Best Universal Orlando Resort Transportation Option?

While that is completely up to you, it looks like the water taxis are among guest’s favorites, as they are quick and convenient. The only downfall to the water taxis is that they are only offered for hotel guests staying in the Preferred and Premier hotels.

Second to that, we would probably recommend walking over using the Universal Orlando bus transportation if you are able. While you can’t control how quickly the busses move, you can control how quickly you can walk. With every single Universal Walkway taking 20 minutes or less, you can get into the parks quickly, as both walkways exit very close to the theme parks.

If you’re looking for Cabana Bay transportation to the parks , we would use the walkway for Volcano Bay , but it might be smart to consider the bus for the parks. The Garden Walkway starts at Cabana Bay, making it the farthest from the theme parks.

With that being said, on hot days the walkways can be unbearable in the Florida sun. Whereas, the Universal Shuttle Bus will always be reliable and have air conditioning. Just note you will have to walk from the entrance of CityWalk into the parks, which is about a 5-10 minute walk.

Related post:  Complete Guide Inside Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

What is the Transportation from Orlando Airport to Universal Studios?

If you are coming from the airport and looking to get to Universal Orlando Resort, there are a few ways to get there, but unfortunately they are not free. You can always book a ride with the Universal Orlando Superstar Shuttle. The SuperStar Shuttle  picks you up from the airport and can take you to any of the Universal on-site hotels. You can also book with Mears, who offers a variety of options for paid transportation from Orlando Airport to Universal Studios. There are also a number of rideshare apps that are popular in the Orlando area that can take you to any Universal Orlando hotel.

Related post:   Complete Guide to the Universal Superstar Shuttle

Universal Orlando Transportation FAQ

Q: How long is the walk from Cabana Bay to Universal?

A: The walk from Cabana Bay to Universal is about 20 minutes long. You can find the Garden Walkway at the edge of Cabana Bay property, and it passes Aventura, Sapphire Falls and Royal Pacific Resorts.

Q: Do Universal Orlando hotels have bus transportation?

A: Yes, there is a Universal Studios Shuttle that picks up guests at designated bus stops at every single Universal Orlando hotel. Guests are shuttled from their hotel to the entrance of CityWalk, where you can walk to either theme park.

Q: Does Universal Orlando offer transportation between parks?

A: While there is transportation to and from Universal Orlando hotels, the two Universal theme parks are so close together that there is no transportation between them. Universal Orlando has been known to open up a shorter walkway between the parks in Seuss Landing and by Rip Ride Rockit, but there is no monorail or bus between them.

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 breakdown 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’re ready to plan your trip to   Universal Studios ,  be sure to check out our  Universal Orlando Tickets! All multi-day Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets will get you into the park one hour before regular park guests with   Universal Early Park Admission!   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!

Nik Chapman

Nik Chapman is the executive editor and one of the main content creators for The Park Prodigy blog and social media pages. With a lifelong love for Disney and Universal, Nik immersed herself in the Orlando area for three years to fully indulge in the magic of the theme parks. In between going to the parks and creating content for The Park Prodigy, Nik also hosted a Disney themed podcast with her two best friends and helps run multiple Disney-themed social media accounts which help over one million people per year. Drawing from their experience as a local Florida resident, Nik brings a unique perspective to the world of theme parks.

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A First Timer’s Guide to Universal Orlando

Jun 15, 2015

See recent posts by Gina Vercesi

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort is exciting, but daunting, even for the savviest of travelers. This guide will streamline the process by answering a first-time visitor’s most common questions about accommodations, ticket options, timing and more.

What’s the Difference Between Each Park?

Universal Orlando Resort is comprised of three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park. Another component of the resort is CityWalk, an expansive entertainment, shopping and dining promenade.

Universal Studios Florida Movies and television come to life at this action-packed theme park. Universal Studios Orlando features seven distinct areas, and each one feels like a film set with rich detailing. Diagon Alley, part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is the most popular area here — obviously.

Islands of Adventure Islands of Adventure caters to the young bunch with attractions featuring favorite super heroes and cartoon characters. Little ones will especially love Seussland, while Potter fans will delight in the snowcapped village of Hogsmeade. Make no mistake, though — Islands of Adventure still caters to teens and tweens with iconic thrill rides. The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall are at the top of the list.

Volcano Bay Opened in 2016, Volcano Bay might as well be an island in French Polynesia. The water park features rides and attractions for all ages — including the now-famous Krakatau Water Coaster, a waterslide inside the park’s centerpiece “volcano.”

When Should We Go to Universal Orlando?

School vacation times dictate the crowd levels at Universal Orlando Resort. The resort’s location in Florida means many looking to escape the cold will flock to the parks during the winter and early spring, with mid-February through April seeing higher crowds and pricing. The summer months see similar crowd levels and rates, with the addition of heat and humidity. Visit September through January for the fewest crowds and best prices.

Where Should We Stay at Universal Orlando?

Offsite Accommodations Several Orlando hotels are considered Universal Partner Hotels and many of these are located just a mile from the parks. Some of these offer complimentary shuttle service to the parks, but will probably not get you to the parks as early as you’d like. Booking a stay at a Universal Partner Hotel directly through Universal as part of a package that includes park tickets entitles you to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour early on select days.

However, the complimentary transportation to the parks will not begin running early enough to allow you to take advantage of that benefit, requiring you to drive to the parks or take an Uber or taxi. Also, booking a package via Universal may not always be the most cost-effective option, and staying at an offsite hotel may not actually save you money in the end.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (Moderate/Value)

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Moderate/Value)

Hard Rock Hotel Orlando (Deluxe)

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (Deluxe)

Loews Royal Pacific Resort (Deluxe)

Without question, the biggest perk of staying at one of the onsite hotels is early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which allows guests to enter Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village an hour earlier than the general public.

For guests of Universal Resort’s Deluxe Hotels, Universal Express Unlimited Passes are included in the price of the stay; guests of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort do not receive this benefit. If you are considering a stay at an offsite hotel at a similar price point, this perk alone can make it worthwhile to opt for one of these hotels instead. The proximity of the onsite hotels to CityWalk and the theme parks is another benefit of choosing to stay at one of these properties. All five hotels provide easy access to the CityWalk promenade.

What’s the Best Way to Get Around Universal Orlando?

Everything at Universal Orlando Resort feels centrally located, and getting from the parks to the hotels and everywhere in between is a breeze. From the entry point of CityWalk, both theme parks are only about a 5- to 10-minute walk. A water taxi transports guests from the Deluxe Hotels and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort to a dock in CityWalk. Cabana Bay provides its own shuttle bus to CityWalk’s main entrance. Shuttles are also available to transport guests between the Universal Orlando Resort hotels.

How Much Time Do We Need at Universal Orlando?

The answer to this question largely depends on how much you want to see during your visit. Ideally, three-day park-to-park tickets will allow you to experience most of what the parks have to offer while leaving room for much needed down-time to relax by the pool or enjoy a leisurely meal. Of course, you can also visit the parks in one day — just know that you’ll need a play-by-play strategy, particularly for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. See 24 Hours in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for our best tactics.

If you are staying in an onsite hotel and have the privilege of early entry, start your day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — either Hogsmeade Village or Diagon Alley. After riding the Forbidden Journey (in Islands of Adventure) and/or Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios), head to the parks’ other headlining attractions — substantial waits tend to build early and quickly at Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, Transformers the Ride: 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios Florida, and at the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and the Toon Lagoon water rides (Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges in Islands of Adventure.

Which Ticket Options Are Best at Universal Orlando?

Tickets are available for one to four days of admission and come in three forms:

• Multi-Day: These tickets allow guests entry into one park, two parks, or all three parks over the course of four days (or less), depending on your preference.
• Single-Park: These tickets allow guests entry into one park or all three parks for one day; they can be upgraded at any time.
• Volcano Bay: This ticket provides one-day access to the water park.

The price difference for a park-to-park ticket over a single-park ticket is about $50 regardless of how many days of tickets you have. It is highly recommended that you purchase your park tickets in advance. Doing so through Universal’s website offers you a savings over the gate price, as well as time savings. Tickets purchased online can be printed at kiosks located at all of the Universal Orlando resorts and theme parks.

Note: A ride aboard the Hogwarts Express requires that guests purchase park-to-park tickets. Multi-day park-to-park tickets are available, too.

Is Universal Express Pass Worth It?

Unlike lines at Disney World, front-of-the-line access at Universal is a perk that typically comes at a price. There are two types of passes available — the Universal Express Pass, which entitles guests one express queue entry per participating attraction, and the Universal Express Pass Unlimited, which entitles guests unlimited access to the Express queues at participating attractions. Guests staying at Universal’s Deluxe Hotels receive Unlimited Passes as an added benefit. Guests at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort other area hotels may purchase the passes a la carte.

If you are staying at either of the park’s Moderate hotels, have access to early park entry and are willing to arrive at the park’s turnstiles prior to park opening, you will stay ahead of the masses and the Express Pass will only be of minimal benefit, even during peak periods. If you are staying at an offsite hotel or would prefer to sleep later in the mornings, Express Passes will reduce your wait times significantly.

Volcano Bay offers Tapu Tapu bands that automatically help families avoid waits with technology that notifies them how long lines are so they can plan their next move accordingly. Anyone with tickets to the water park receives a Tapu Tapu (to be returned upon departure).

More Hacks for Universal Orlando

Don’t Prolong Breakfast To save time, plan on eating breakfast in your room before heading to the parks. If this is too early for your stomachs, plan a breakfast break after your first attraction.

Rent a Stroller To lighten your load, strollers can be rented in both parks immediately after you pass through the turnstiles. Family Services areas are centrally located and provide everything caregivers need for diaper changing and bottle warming. Rocking chairs are available for nursing moms or for resting quietly with a tired toddler.

Take Advantage of Rider Swap If you’re traveling with young children who don’t meet the height requirement for an attraction, or someone in your party isn’t interested in coming along for the ride, Universal’s Rider Swap program is for you. Rider Swap allows the whole family to go through the attraction’s queue together. At the loading area, one parent takes the non-riding kids to a special waiting area while the other parent boards the attraction with the other kids. After the ride, the family is reunited and the other adult may ride without having to wait in line. Any member of the family may ride again so the second adult doesn’t have to ride alone.

Download the Universal Orlando Resort App Be sure to download the resort’s official app, which is free. The app provides wait times, which are very accurate, lists of attractions with detailed descriptions, park maps, dining and hotel information and show times.

Know Which Foods You Can Bring The parks allow the following items: bottled water; small snacks; any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements; any food for special dietary needs; baby food/baby formula; and soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5 inches wide, 6 inches high and 6 inches deep. Full picnic lunches and food that requires heating or refrigeration are not permitted.

Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.

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Your Ultimate Amusement Park Guide

Navigating from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the enchanting worlds of Disney and the thrilling universes of Universal Studios, you’re not alone. But how do you get from the enchanting Disneyland to the electrifying Universal Studios Hollywood? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various transportation options, travel times, costs, and the best times to make this magical journey.

Transportation Options

One of the most flexible and comfortable options for traveling from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is to rent a car. This mode of transportation gives you complete control over when you depart and allows for a personalized journey. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that parking at Universal Studios Hollywood can be a bit pricey. So, while you’re in control, your wallet might feel a little less magical.

Another convenient option is to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. This choice can save you the hassle of driving, but it can also be expensive during peak hours. If convenience tops your list, rideshare might be your ticket to a seamless transfer from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Public Transportation

For the budget-conscious traveler, public transportation offers an economical option. While it might save you some cash, it does come at the cost of time. Multiple transfers are often required, and the journey can take 2-3 hours. But if you’re looking for an adventure within your adventure, public transportation can be an interesting choice.

Private Shuttle

Private shuttles offer another level of convenience for those willing to spend a bit more. While they may be more expensive, they can provide a comfortable and swift journey. If you want to travel in style without the hassle of driving, a private shuttle might be the way to go.

It’s important to note that neither Disneyland nor Universal Studios Hollywood provides a shuttle transfer between them, so you’ll need to consider these transportation options carefully.

Travel Time

Driving from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is the easiest way to reach your destination. The driving distance is approximately 35 miles, and under ideal conditions, it should take just over 35 minutes. However, Los Angeles traffic can be unpredictable, and during peak hours, that pleasant drive can quickly turn into a two-hour ordeal.

If you opt for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, your travel time will depend on traffic conditions. On a good day, the journey could take as little as 40 minutes, but heavy traffic can easily double that time.

Taking public transportation from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood can be a cost-effective option, but it comes at the expense of time. The need for multiple transfers can make this journey take 2-3 hours.

It’s important to remember that Los Angeles traffic can vary widely based on the time of day and the day of the week. Planning ahead and considering factors like cost, convenience, and travel time is crucial.

Best Time to Travel

If you’re driving from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood, it’s crucial to understand the traffic patterns. Weekdays from 7:30 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6:30 pm are notorious for heavy congestion. So, if you can, avoid these peak hours at all costs. During these times, expect your drive to be at least an hour or more.

If you prefer to visit on a weekday to enjoy lighter park crowds, consider leaving early before the peak traffic hours, and enjoy breakfast outside the parks. Spend your day inside the park and return after the evening rush to avoid the traffic.

For rideshare services, it’s essential to avoid peak traffic hours as well. The journey can take as little as 40 minutes during off-peak times, but during traffic-heavy periods, that time can easily double. If you want a smooth ride, timing is everything.

If you opt for public transportation, it’s crucial to avoid peak traffic hours to minimize your travel time. The 2-3 hour journey can feel even longer during traffic gridlock. Plan your trip strategically to make the most of your time.

Cost of Public Transportation

Taking the bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is the most budget-friendly option. The cost is approximately $2 per person each way. While it’s easy on the wallet, it’s important to remember that it might be less convenient and take more time.

The cost of taking the train from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood can vary depending on the route and time of day. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per person each way. While it might be more expensive than the bus, it can provide a more straightforward journey.

Frequency of Buses

Anaheim resort transportation (art).

The Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) Route 15 operates every 20 minutes, and the bus trip takes about 30 minutes from the Anaheim Resort area to Disneyland. This provides a convenient and regular option for your journey.

Metro Los Angeles

Metro Los Angeles operates buses that connect Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood. Buses run approximately every 30 minutes and the journey takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. While it might be a longer trip, the frequency of buses makes it an accessible choice.

The walking distance from the bus stop to Universal Studios Hollywood takes on average 5 to 10 minutes, so you won’t have to trek far to start your adventure.

One piece of good news for travelers is that there are no tolls on the route from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood. Your budget can remain untouched in that regard.

Cost of Taxi

The cost of a taxi from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland can vary depending on the source and the time of your search. Here are some estimated costs from different sources:

• According to the Los Angeles Taxi Fare website, the cost is approximately $97.
• According to the World Taximeter website, the estimated cost is $124.84.
• A TripAdvisor forum post mentions a fare of $180 for a round trip.
• TaxiFareFinder estimates a cost of $125.33.
• Mickey Visit states the cost is about $125 for a one-way trip.

Remember that these are only estimated fares. Actual fares can vary based on traffic, weather, and other unforeseen conditions. While taxis can provide a door-to-door service, it’s essential to be prepared for potential variations in cost.

Route Options

If you have your own car, driving from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is the most straightforward way. Both parks are conveniently located near freeway exits, so you can rely on GPS navigation to guide you. However, with driving comes the need to consider parking costs at both Universal Studios and Disneyland, which can start at around $30 per day.

For rideshare options, the key is to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure a smooth and timely journey. While you won’t have to worry about parking fees, your overall cost might be higher, especially during surge pricing.

If you’re taking public transportation, the L.A. Metro bus from Anaheim to Universal Studios is the most budget-friendly choice, costing only a few dollars. However, it’s the most time-consuming option, with the journey taking 2-3 hours due to multiple transfers. If you prefer a more straightforward route, consider taking Amtrak or Metro link trains from the Anaheim ARTIC train station, which can get you to Union Station in Los Angeles. From there, an Uber driver can get you to Universal Studios Hollywood in approximately 10 minutes.

In your quest to journey from the magical world of Disneyland to the thrilling universe of Universal Studios Hollywood, you have several options at your disposal. Your choice of transportation depends on factors like budget, convenience, and time.

Remember that traffic in Los Angeles can be unpredictable, and travel times can vary widely depending on the time of day and the day of the week. Planning ahead and avoiding peak traffic hours is crucial for a smooth transfer.

So, whether you opt for the freedom of a rental car, the convenience of rideshare, the economy of public transportation, or the luxury of a private shuttle, your adventure awaits. Make your choice, plan your trip, and get ready for a day filled with magical moments and thrilling experiences at two of Southern California’s most iconic destinations.

For gerenal information about Disneyland Resort and further navigation please refer to: Magical Marvels: Disneyland Resort Unveiled .

For gerenal information about Universal Studios Hollywood and further navigation please refer to: Universal Studios Hollywood: Where Movie Magic Comes to Life

Is there a shuttle service between Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood?

No, neither Disneyland nor Universal Studios Hollywood provides a shuttle transfer between the two parks. To travel from one to the other, you’ll need to explore the transportation options available, such as rental cars, rideshares, public transportation, or private shuttles.

What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood?

If cost is a significant factor in your decision, taking a bus, specifically the L.A. Metro bus, is the most budget-friendly option. The cost is approximately $2 per person each way. However, keep in mind that it may be time-consuming and involve multiple transfers.

What is the quickest way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The quickest way to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is by driving in your own car or using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. However, travel times can vary depending on traffic conditions. To minimize your travel time, it’s essential to avoid peak traffic hours.

What are the peak traffic hours to avoid when traveling by car?

Peak traffic hours for car travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood are typically on weekdays between 7:30 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6:30 pm. If possible, avoid these times to prevent your journey from turning into a traffic nightmare.

Are there any tolls on the route from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood?

No, there are no tolls on the route from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood. You can enjoy a toll-free journey.

How far is the walking distance from the bus stop to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The walking distance from the bus stop to Universal Studios Hollywood is relatively short, typically taking 5 to 10 minutes. It’s a convenient and accessible option for those choosing public transportation.

Are taxi fares fixed, or can they vary?

Taxi fares can vary depending on factors such as traffic conditions, time of day, and taxi service providers. The estimated taxi fares mentioned in the post are rough averages. Actual fares may differ based on these variables.

Can I use my Disneyland admission ticket to return to the park after leaving during peak traffic hours?

Yes, you can leave Disneyland during peak traffic hours and return later without needing a new admission ticket. This allows you to make the most of your day while avoiding heavy traffic both in the morning and the evening.

Are there any discounts available for transportation services to Universal Studios Hollywood from Disneyland?

Transportation service providers may occasionally offer discounts or promotions. It’s a good idea to check the official websites of companies like Uber, Lyft, and local public transportation services for any ongoing offers or special deals.

What should I consider when choosing my transportation option?

When choosing your transportation option, consider factors such as cost, convenience, travel time, and your personal preferences. Whether you prioritize flexibility, affordability, or avoiding the hassle of driving, there’s a choice that can suit your needs.

Hey there! Hope you love the rides as much as I do 😉

Born and raised in FL, I love traveling, enjoying life and new places, visiting amusement and theme parks while on the go. Hope my tips can be helpful to others too!

Drop me a line [hello {@} tayloredtripsblog.com] should you have more questions/suggestions/topics, etc.

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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.

Dream Island: Moscow’s multi-brand, mega indoor theme park

Words:  Owen Ralph

| 10 min read

Dream Island offers rides and attractions , alongside a large shopping mall, multiplex cinema, concert hall, restaurants and more

After the launch of a new Hotel Transylvania attraction this spring, Europe’s largest indoor theme park , Dream Island in Moscow, is almost complete.

The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the park’s launch ceremony last February signalled the cultural importance of this privately backed, $1.5 billion project. However, it traded for just 18 days before a COVID-19 enforced closure. The park reopened last July with limited capacity and now Dream Island’s operators are planning future expansions.

The ambitious project was realised by businessman Amiran Mutsoev . Chairman of the board at Dream Island, he made his money in shopping malls and real estate with the Regions Group. But these are both crowded markets, especially in Russia. So Mutsoev set out to find another sector in which he could develop a niche.

To find out more about Dream Island, we speak to the park’s Technical Director, Ivan Scholl .

Entertainment, retail and more

Dream Island offers more than just a theme park. Beneath its seven glass domes, the 300,000 square metre building also houses a large shopping mall, multiplex cinema, concert hall, restaurants and cafés. The split is roughly 50:50 between entertainment and retail . In addition, the wider 100-hectare site features an outdoor promenade with family recreation zones.

A 4-star hotel, children’s yacht school, plus some more teen-friendly attractions are on the way in phase two.

One feature of Dream Island is a striking castle-like facade. According to the UK-based architects that designed it, Chapman Taylor, the look is based loosely on historic Kremlin architecture found in various Russian cities. It is also inspired by imposing Gothic buildings of Western Europe.

Bringing themed entertainment to Russia

“The market here is empty,” says Scholl. “There is no concept of a theme park in the minds of most [Russian] people. Some travel to Spain, to PortAventura. Maybe some travel to Disneyland Paris . But it’s not more than 5% of the people from our area.”

Now, Dream Island aims to change this.

Mutsoev was previously quoted as saying Dream Island, “Opens an entirely new chapter in the history of entertainment and commercial real estate market. Not only in Russia but the whole world!” Meanwhile, “Russia gets its Disneyland,” was how The New York Times described the park’s opening.

International IP and style guides

Dream Island has its fair share of intellectual property. After abandoning earlier plans to build a DreamWorks theme park in St Petersburg, Mutsoev turned his attentions to the Russian capital instead and adopted a multi-brand approach to IP. But his earlier efforts in St Petersburg had not all been in vain:

“Once we’d we signed the agreement with DreamWorks, it opened the doors to other IPs,” says Scholl. “They saw that if we were working with DreamWorks, we were serious.”

Dream Island offers visitors nine themed zones. Four of them are dedicated to globally recognised brands: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hello Kitty, The Smurfs and Sony Pictures’ Hotel Transylvania . Other areas include the Snow Queen and Dream Race.

Then there’s Mowgli in Dino Land, which combines a Russian telling of the Jungle Book with a tried and tested Jurassic theme. Guests can also encounter Buratino, a local twist on the tales of Pinocchio.

“There were many cartoons made in Soviet times,” says Scholl, “but they are very abstract and there are no style guides. For the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we received a very bold album of pictures and stories from ViacomCBS. It explained why the characters are like this, who are their enemies, how the place should look. With this, it’s much easier to create a good place that really feels like you are in their world.”

Dream Island – not just another shopping mall

Moscow, of course, is known for its harsh winters. In fact, says Scholl, “It is relatively cold most of the year. And it is raining quite often; more and more I would say as the planet changes .”

Whatever the weather, recreation and retail are available 12 months a year at Dream Island. Guests can also stroll through its wide aisles unencumbered by bulky outdoor clothing thanks to what is claimed to be the largest coat check in the world.

Before they get to the theme park, visitors must pass through the shopping mall at the front of the building. The architectural facades, including replicas of the Colosseum in Rome and Gaudi’s ‘House of Bones’ in Barcelona, were also inspired by two mixed-use developments in Los Angeles, The Grove and Americana at Brand.

“The idea was not to do another shopping mall, because we are full of shopping malls [in Moscow],” says Scholl. “We wanted to create streets replicating different areas of the world. All under the glass roof so, regardless of the time of year, people can enjoy natural light.”

Urban regeneration and a new era of entertainment 

Walking distance from the Tekhnopark metro station and 10 minutes drive from the Kremlin, Dream Island is located inside Moscow’s third ring road, set on a bend of the Moskva River.

“The location is very good,” says Scholl, who began his career in the amusement industry at the Russian ride manufacturer Pax back in 2007. “When we were selecting the site, southeast of the centre, Universal Studios Moscow was announced, located on the same route but further out of the city.”

The Universal project seems unlikely to happen any time soon. The capital does already have some family entertainment centres and small outdoor amusement parks. Yet nothing on the world-class scale strived for at Dream Island. Themed projects are still few and far between in Russia, says Scholl. He cites Sochi Park, built for the Winter Olympics in 2014, as one of the few exceptions.

A strong vision for Dream Island

Phil Taylor from Team Leisure worked with the development team at Dream Island during the project’s early days:

“From the beginning, they had a strong vision to create a unique indoor park anchored by a range of international movie-based IP,” he says. “Given the complex licensing negotiations required to deliver that vision, it’s great that they’ve been able to pull it off, in such difficult market conditions.”

The theme park at the heart of Dream Island was designed by Cuningham in the USA, whose previous credits include projects for Disney and Universal. Land Milano provided landscaping, whilst guest throughput was calculated by the Italian company MIC (Mobility In Chain). Theming was provided by Russian companies including Iolla and Art Berendeevo Studio.

In total, Dream Island features around 35, rides, shows and attractions. Thrill-seekers can get their coaster fix on Shred The Sewers from Intamin , as seen in action above. This 559m long and 25m high LSM launch coaster features four inversions and reaches a top speed of 80km/h as it races through a New York City landscape inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie franchise.

Also featured in this area of the park are Baxter Stockman’s Hammer of Doom (SBF/Visa swing ride) and Kraang Prime’s Abyss (Fabbri freefall tower).

Dream Island’s rides and attractions

A second roller coaster is located in the Dream Race area. Named Race Of The Future, the spinning ‘mouse’ style ride by Fabbri features added VR content. Close by, Dream Grand Prix features 20 drivable cars by SB International.

One of the largest concentration of rides is within Mowgli In Dino Land. The selection here includes a Suspended Top Spin ( Huss Park Attractions ), Sky Fly (Gerstlauer), Cobra ( Zamperla Disk’O), City of Monkeys (Zamperla Magic Bikes) and Lianas ( Sunkid interactive tower).

Opening soon will be a flying theatre called On The Wings of the Wind. This will feature a 72-seat Movie Base XS system from Huss, supported by AV from Kraftwerk Living Technologies (KLT).

KLT was also responsible for the 4D theatre Snow Queens Library. Twirling its passengers over the same area of the park is the Ice Carousel (wave swinger) by Preston & Barbieri. The Italian manufacturer also supplied a teacup style ride called Sweet Carousel. This is located in the Hello Kitty area, together with a children’s beauty parlour.

In Smurfs Village, families can walk between colourful giant toadstools as they seek out attractions including a custom-themed Polyp from Gerstlauer and Gargamel’s Tower – as seen above. Based on the evil wizard of the same name, this features an enclosed Drop ’n’ Twist tower ride from SBF/Visa with added interactive elements from Lagotronics Projects .

Dark ride and holographic shows

Opened this spring, Hotel Transylvania is the first large scale dark ride of its kind in Russia. The attraction had been due to debut along with the rest of Dream Island last year but was ultimately delayed by the pandemic.

Unable to enter Russia for several months, representatives of ETF Ride Systems and animatronic specialist Heimotion had to commission the ride under remote supervision. The results are worth the wait, says Scholl, and it’s quickly become one of the park’s most popular attractions. 

“There’s no height limit, anyone can do this. We wanted to create not only a ride but a story, starting from the moment you enter the castle. There is continuously something happening around you, immersing you into the haunted theme. The ride itself lasts about three minutes. But together with the pre-show, you receive something like 10 minutes of entertainment.”

Holographics are used in two of the park’s shows, featuring the characters Buratino and Mowgli respectively.

Dream Island’s attendance goals

In addition to the theming, lighting, colour and sound provide each area of the theme park with its own ambience.

When repeat visitors to the theme park, shopping mall and supporting facilities are taken into account – and the pandemic has subsided – Dream Island is expected to generate as many as 70 million visits a year. Or 7.5 million for the theme park alone.

Daily capacity is currently capped at under 50%, but attendance has come close on several occasions. Helping swell the numbers were the roughly 300,000 medical workers who have enjoyed free park admission over the past year.

“We were doing relatively good numbers until the second [COVID] wave came,” says Scholl. “Now we are recovering quite well. I am not sure about attendance by the end of the year. What we can say is we will not be the top in Europe, but we will appear in some charts.”

Tweaking the ticketing

In February, the park introduced a new pricing system. This replaced the previous fixed price model, which worked out at around $150 for a family of four. “They were not ready to spend this money without knowing the product,” says Scholl.

Now guests can choose from an all-day ticket, a premium fast pass option, or an entrance ticket/card, on which can they pay for rides or upgrade as they go. The system was provided by Infomatika, which provides metro/subway ticketing in various Russian cities and also worked on the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The entrance card is available for just 500 rubles ($6.85), or 700 rubles ($9.50) at weekends. This has significantly increased footfall inside the park. Buyers of these tickets do not do as many rides as those who buy the all-day option. But they do come back.

“We are learning,” says Scholl – and so are his guests. “This market is not like the UK, Germany or France. “They are not used to queues , and they do not understand rides in ‘boxes’. They are used to flat rides, where you can first see the experience and then pay for it.”

Dream Island’s expansion plans

Scholl describes Dream Island’s overall ride offering as “family thrill ”. To address a lack of attractions for those between 0.9 and 1.1 metres in height, management has already begun adding rides. This includes an evergreen that was missing from the line-up at launch: bumper cars.

Scholl won’t give a firm date for the expansion of the park’s outdoor area. However, it would be understandable if plans were derailed somewhat by the pandemic.

“At the moment we are in pre-masterplan, working with our art director to define the rides and spaces. We see the necessity to build demand during warmer periods. We would like to offer more thrilling attractions to widen the audience to teenagers and young adults.”

What about Amiran Mutsoev’s plans, reported elsewhere, to develop further theme parks and entertainment facilities elsewhere in Russia? “Let us first build this expansion,” says Scholl.

Images courtesy of Dream Island, Intamin and Lagotronics Projects

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23 First Timer Tips for Universal Studios Hollywood (2024 Complete Planning Guide)

Going to Universal Studios Hollywood is such a fun thing to do , whether you have one day, three days, or more at this theme park.

However, if you are going, you want to make sure that you have the best time possible and get to do everything you want to do.

If you are new to theme parks, or just new to this park, you don’t want to miss out on some awesome opportunities.

Through this article, you will find all the tips and tricks you need to know to get the most out of your day or days in Universal Studios Hollywood .

Ready? Let’s go!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

What to Expect at Universal Studios Hollywood

Before we get into the tips, let’s go over a few of the most common questions.

What time does Universal Studios Hollywood open?

Universal Studios Florida is  open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  in the regular season.

Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios Hollywood?

The  cost of admission starts at $109 , but I like discounts so I use  Groupon.com  to find cheap Universal Studios tickets that sometimes include Express Passes to skip the lines.

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What should I do first at Universal Studios Hollywood?

One of the best Universal Studios tips that I can give you is to start in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first.

This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the three attractions ( Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and the Ollivanders wand experience ) extremely long.

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How much does it cost to park at Universal Studios Hollywood?

If you’re wondering how much is parking at   Universal Studios Hollywood ,  general parking is the cheapest option at Universal Studios Hollywood but also means that these garages are further from the park entrance.

General Parking Cost at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Before 5 p.m.:  $32
• After 5 p.m.:  $10

How far is general parking at Universal Studios Hollywood?:

• General Parking is a 5 to 10 minute walk depending on the garage you park at

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New Safety Measures in Place at Universal Studios Hollywood

• Face coverings are strongly recommended for all guests indoors
• Proof of vaccinations is NOT required
• Universal Studios Hollywood will remain focused on maintaining the highest cleanliness and sanitization standards

You can read Universal’s full policy here.

23 Easy Tips to Do Universal Studios Hollywood Like a Pro!

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s go through the best tips for you upcoming trip.

1. Buy Tickets in Advance

While it is always an option to show up the theme park day of and buy admissions right there, this is not your best bet for a couple of reasons.

First of all, you will end up spending more money on your actual ticket price.

Purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood ticket online you will allow you to find the top-notch deals to help you get your tickets at the best price possible.

If you wait to buy your ticket at the park gates , then it is very rare that you will not pay full price.

This is one of the Universal Studios Hollywood tips you’ll want completed before your trip.

Secondly, you will waste time. If you buy your tickets at the park, you are just giving yourself one more line to stand in instead of trying the food, watching shows, and riding rides.

Watch: My Full First Time Visit to Universal Studios Hollywood HERE!

2. Pick the Perfect Day(s) to Go

Just like any other amusement park, there are days when Universal Hollywood Studios is almost guaranteed to be completely packed with people.

There are a few different sites you can use to check out which days are the best.

Of course, it is understandable that there are times when you and your group can only go on certain days.

As a general rule, some of the busiest times are the first week of the year, MLK Jr Day, Spring break, 4th of July, pretty much all of the summer, and the week of Christmas.

Hipster Power Tip: If you want to see special holiday attractions, you can still see them, but maybe avoid going the week of the actual holiday.

3. The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Get to the park early (at least thirty minutes) and make sure you include time to park.

The earlier you get to the park, the closer to the front of the admissions line you will be and the quicker you will get in to start your day, ahead of the crowds.

Take advantage of the first couple hours after the park opens to ride some of the busier attractions.

Like I hinted before, this does not include parking, and you should save yourself additional time to find a parking spot and get to the entrance of the park.

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4. Universal Express Passes

Getting a Universal Express Pass can save you lots of time and allow you to make the most out of your day.

It’s kind of like Disney’s Genie+ system. The regular Universal Express Pass lets you bypass the lines once for every attraction that participates.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

5. Bring What You Can

You cannot take anything you want into the park (obviously), but you should take advantage of what you can take in.

You are allowed to take in 2 liters or fewer water bottles, baby food (which sometimes can equate to grown people food), small snacks, and fruits and veggies (a staple when most of what you buy in the park is junk food.)

Taking in these items can help you save money and time because you do not have to buy as much food and can snack while you are waiting in line: multitasking!

What can I bring to Universal Studios Hollywood?

Acceptable items:  

• Bottled water (maximum 2 liters) 
• Small snacks 
• Any food required for special dietary needs 
• Food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements 
• Baby food/baby formula 
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

Prohibited items: 

• Glass containers
• Open containers
• Large coolers of food
• Hard-sided coolers Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
• Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels

What to Wear to Universal Studios Hollywood? Fun Outfit Ideas for You!

6. Single Riders Can Save Time

Sometimes part of the fun is riding a ride with the people you came with, but if you do not mind splitting up, some of the rides offer a Single Rider Line which is perfect for us solo travelers.

They will take people from this line for the one or two seats leftover that bigger groups do not want to take.

Often, the Single Rider Line goes pretty fast, so it can allow you to get in and out faster.

Single Rider Lines at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Jurassic World – The Ride
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
• Transformers: The Ride 3D
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Please Note: Single Rider Line options change frequently and may not be available during your visit.

7. Eat at Weird Times

If you are eating your meals in the park (whether it is all three or just one), consider eating at weird times. This can save you time in a couple of ways.

When you eat at a weird time, you will not have to stand in as long of lines to get your food.

Sometimes lunch rush lines at the most popular spots can be just as bad as the ride lines.

Additionally, you will get to spend the normal meal times riding rides, and the lines will be shorter.

Think about it, while everyone is getting food, they won’t be in line. You’ll thank me later for this Universal Studios Hollywood tip.

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8. Book The VIP Experience

If you really want to get the most out of your experience and have the money for it, consider buying the VIP experience.

You will get a personal tour guide to take you around the park (including areas that other people do not get to see), and they will take you to the front of lines and front seats at shows.

It’s one of THE best things to do at Universal Studios Hollywood! Trust me, it’s that good 🙂

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9. Take a Break and Get More Done

People who want to do a theme park in a day , or who just want to make the most out of a single day, usually want to get to the park before it opens and stay until it closes.

This is a great strategy, but believe it or not, you may want to consider taking a break in the middle of the day.

If you’re staying at a hotel nearby , return in the middle of the day when it is hottest and most grounded for a nap or just a short break period.

This will allow you to avoid the crowds and become refreshed again to get more done in the evening.

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10. Get the App, Use the App

Universal Hollywood Studios has an app that you can download and use all over their park (with their free Wi-Fi. )

With this app , you can do lots of different things.

A few of the most helpful is the ability to make plan out your own itinerary , stay up-to-date with the latest wait times, access to the park map and so much more.

No more carrying around pesky paper maps that take up space and get lost way too easily.

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11. If You Are Taking the Kids

If you are taking the kids, take advantage of the Child Switch Program that the park offers.

This program allows one parent or group of adults to wait with a child that is too short or cannot ride a ride for some other reason.

The other adults can then switch out and not have to wait in line again.

Of course, there are plenty of things you can do with your little ones, but sometimes there are rides you want to ride even if your kids can’t.

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12. Complete Sections at a Time

There are two main sections of Universal Studios Hollywood, the Upper and Lower Lots.

It is best to do one lot at a time, in entirety, as the escalator ride from one to the other is about 7 to 10 minutes long.

It is generally recommended that you start with the lower lot before it gets too busy, but the main goal is to complete one before starting the other.

This is one of the TOP Universal Studios Hollywood tips you should do.

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13. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Creative has done a spectacular job of bringing the novels of J.K. Rowling to life.

As you approach the “Please Respect the Spells Limits” Hogsmeade sign, you’ll feel like you have officially made it home.

You do not want to miss out on all the amazing fun that is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this is one of the busiest parts of the park.

So, it is a good idea to do the rides in this section in the morning before it gets too busy.

Additionally, do not forget some of the other magical attractions like getting a wand or trying some butter bear (yes, your kids can have it too.)

You will be sure to have a mystical time!

What the best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade itinerary?

• Jump on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Stop by Ollivanders for your wand
• Ride Flight of the Hippogriff
• Enjoy breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
• Have a Butterbeer
• Explore the shops inside Hogsmeade Village
• Enjoy the Hogsmeade entertainment
• Come back later to watch the nighttime show over the castle

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14. More People, More Fun, Less Money

A solo trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is what we’re all about here on ThemeParkHipster, but going to Universal Hollywood Studios with all your friends or family can be so much fun.

It can actually save you money.

The park offers discounts for big parties (of ten or more people), and it is worth a call to the park if you are planning to buy that many people.

Take more people, have more fun, and actually spend less money (in comparison).

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15. Go on the World-Famous Studio Tour

Sometimes people skip out on the Studio Tour because it is time-consuming and may not sound that exciting, but you must do it!

Especially, on your first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The whole tour is packed with movie magic that will leave quite happy.

Plus, it’s a nice break to rest your feet just in case you don’t have hotel to go back to in the middle of the day to take your break since it lasts for about 60-minutes.

What to expect on the Studio Tour?

On this real Hollywood set, you’ll get to visit 13 city blocks on four acres of historic studio lot.

You’ll also get to come face-to-face with Norman Bates himself, the destruction left behind from War of the Worlds, the shark-inspired film set of Jaws, the monstrous King Kong, and more!

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16. Take a Snapshot of Where You Parked

This next tip is known by most theme park regulars but is very important , especially if you do not have a photographic memory. When you park, take a picture of the section sign.

It will help you can get back to your car after a long day of adventure and fun.

Plus, it’s not fun at all when you are leaving a theme park exhausted from a day of fun only to spend hours wandering around the parking lot looking for your car.

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips you must do!

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17. Save Shopping at the End of Your Visit

If you are getting souvenirs, buy them at the end of your trip.

This way, you do not have to carry them around with you and can save time by entering the shops as they empty out at the end of the day.

As you make your way back to the park entrance, stop into your favorite shops and buy all the things you’ve had your eyes on throughout the day.

This is one of the top Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

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18. Share Food to Try More

There is so much food to try at Universal Studios , and you will probably want to try it all.

So, get one or two of each thing (depending on how big your party is) on the menu, and all try it.

This way, you can try all the specialty foods you want.

Even if you could eat that entire donut from Springfield , you may not want to because then you cannot try all the other delicious foods.

Plus, it’s like you’re creating your own foodie tour around the park.

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19. Get Photos not Signatures

At Universal Hollywood Studios, the characters rarely sign autographs; they just take pictures. While this is a bummer, I think that photos are the better souvenirs.

Just remember to print them out from your phone once you get home.

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20. Know How to Conquer Universal Studios Hollywood in One-Day

You may be asking if it is possible to do it in a day, and yes, it is, to an extent.

While you may not get to try all the foods, see all the shows, and ride all the rides, it is possible to experience the majority of Universal Studios in a day.

If you are trying to accomplish this, though, you want to follow most of the tips above and map out a plan of attack beforehand.

Remember to prioritize and do things by location!

This is one of the best Universal Studios Hollywood tips to remember.

Universal Studios Hollywood Itinerary for One-Day

• Arrive Early
• Enjoy the Attractions of the Lower Lot
• Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Go Back Up to the Upper Lot and Do the Attractions
• Have Lunch in Springfield
• Do the Studio Tour
• Watch the Shows
• Meet Characters
• Re-do Your Favorite Rides
• Do Some Shopping
• Have Dinner in CityWalk

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21. Experience the Must-Do Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has some of the top theme park attractions in the country. So, be sure to put these experiences on your must-do list!

Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Hollywood

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Upper Level)
• Jurassic World — The Ride: Must be 42″ (107 cm) tall. Children 42-48″ (107-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
• Revenge of the Mummy ℠ — The Ride: Must be 48″ (122 cm) tall. (Lower Level)
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash: Must be 34″ (102 cm) tall. Children 34-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Must be 40” (102 cm)
• The Simpsons Ride: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Upper Level)
• The World-Famous Studio Tour (Upper Lot)
• TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D: Must be 40″ (102 cm) tall. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Lower Level)
• WaterWorld (Upper Level)

22. Go Solo!

Now you know that I had to drop this tip in just for you.

If you have never thought about going to a theme park alone , then Universal Studios Hollywood should be one of the parks you consider making that solo trek.

Why go solo?

Going solo allows you to do Universal your way! This is the MAIN PERK of going to Universal Studios alone.

Plus, you can take advantage of the Single Rider Line , making it one of my favorite Universal Studios Hollywood tips!

Read: 5 Amazing Benefits of Going to Theme Parks Alone (Solo Travel for Women)

23. Have Fun!

Your Universal Hollywood trip will be what you make it, so please try to enjoy yourself. Sometimes the unexpected or annoying points of your vacation make for the best stories.

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

Let’s Wrap this Up!

Now you are armed with all the tips and tricks you need to conquer Universal Hollywood Studios and have an amazing day or days.

Make sure to have fun with all the experiences you can have!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

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(Original Article Date: April 16, 2020/Updated on March 4, 2024)

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2024 Ultimate Guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood: Tips, Rides, and more!

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Universal Studios Announced The Opening Date For DreamWorks Land And Other Exciting Summer 2024 Events

The only thing more fun than staying up late, swapping manly stories, and making waffles the next morning? Visiting Universal Studios Orlando this summer. The Florida-based resort announced that DreamWorks Land , a new area featuring characters from DreamWorks movies like Shrek , Puss in Boots , and Kung Fu Panda , will open on June 14. There will be coasters (sorry, “Trollercoaster”), play areas for the young ones, and themed foods and drinks. Also, you can finally — finally — visit Shrek’s toilet.

Other summer 2024 highlights coming to Universal Studios Orlando include CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, a nighttime show featuring scores and scenes from movies like Harry Potter , Jurassic World , Jaws , Ghostbusters , Back to the Future , E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , and Fast and Furious ; and on select nights, Hogwarts Always, a castle projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Both begin on June 14.

Universal has one more event in store: the Universal Mega Movie Parade, which is described as “Universal Orlando’s biggest daytime parade to date” that combines “13 brand new floats, nearly 100 performers – including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, poi performers, and more – and special effects.” Beginning July 3, there will be a 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and a Tyrannosaurus rex aboard the Jurassic World float. No word on whether Jimmy Buffet will be immortalized on a Margaritaville (rum) float(er).

You can see photos from the experiences below:

CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular

Hogwarts Always

DreamWorks Land

You can learn more, including how to buy tickets, on Universal’s website .

Universal Destinations & Experiences

• View history

Universal Destinations & Experiences , formerly Universal Parks & Resorts , also known as Universal Studios Theme Parks or solely Universal Theme Parks , is the theme park division of NBCUniversal , a subsidiary of Comcast . The division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the various Universal Studios resort properties around the world. The division is headquartered in Orlando, Florida , United States , while its parent company, NBCUniversal, is headquarted near Universal Studios Hollywood . According to Comcast's annual report, the theme park division is NBCUniversal's strongest performer with a 24% increase in revenue; in comparison, NBCU gained 4% overall.

In 2011, approximately 30.8 million guests visited the Universal Studios theme parks, making it the third-largest amusement park operator in the world.

On March 8, 2023, Universal Parks and Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury announced that they would be rebranding the division to "Universal Destinations and Experiences". Woodbury stated "Universal Destinations & Experiences aligns with our aspiration to be the Destination of Choice in the markets where we are today and the markets we enter in the future. We are thrilled to expand how we bring the Universal brand to life in new, immersive and compelling ways for fans around the world using our rich collection of stories, characters and franchises." [1]

• 1.1 Current
• 1.4 Reported
• 2 Theme Park Attractions & Lands
• 3 Reference

Properties [ ]

Current [ ].

• Universal CityWalk
• Universal Studios Florida
• Islands of Adventure
• Universal's Volcano Bay
• Universal's Epic Universe (Opening in Summer 2025)
• Universal Studios Singapore  ( Resorts World Sentosa ,  Singapore ; run by  Genting Group )
• Universal Studios Beijing
• Unnamed second theme park (Opening in 2025)
• Unnamed water park (Opens TBA)
• Universal Citywalk
• Wet 'n Wild (1977-2016)
• Costa Caribe Aquatic Park ,  Salou ,  Spain  (2002–2004)

These projects have been announced or are currently under construction. As such, this information may change as the projects move forward.

• Universal Horror Unleashed (Area15, Las Vegas) (Opening in 2025)
• Universal Kids Resort (Frisco, Texas) (Opening in 2026)
• Universal Studios Great Britain (Bedford, United Kingdom) (opens TBA)

Reported [ ]

Other locations have been reported for future Universal Studios theme parks. However, it was cancelled the projects in throughout the years. These include:

• Universal Studios South Korea ,  Hwaseong ,  South Korea  (Cancelled)
• Universal Studios Dubailand ,  Dubai ,  United Arab Emirates (Cancelled)
• Universal Studios India,  Mumbai  or  New Delhi ,  India (Cancelled)
• Universal Studios Moscow , Moscow , Russia [2] (Cancelled)
• Universal studios Bahrain in the Bahrain and saudi Arabia bridge Bahrain (Cancelled)

Theme Park Attractions & Lands [ ]

• List of attractions at Universal Theme Parks
• List of lands at Universal theme parks

Universal Studios incorporates many replicas of attractions and lands in multiple parks around the world. The pages linked to above contain comprehensive list of the attractions and lands at Universal theme parks.

Reference [ ]

• ↑ White, Abbey (March 8, 2023). " Universal Parks Rebrands Division Name As It Broadens Focus ". The Hollywood Reporter .
• ↑ http://www.inparkmagazine.com/moscow-city-government-approves-construction-of-universal-studios-moscow/
• 2 Dax Mallard
• 3 Migration

Floridians can get 2 free days with this Universal Orlando ticket offer. Here’s how much it is

Ahead of the summer season, Universal Orlando is helping Florida families with ideas on how, or where , to go.

The Orlando theme park is offering a “ Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free on a 2-Park 2-Day ” deal exclusively to Florida residents.

"Plenty of thrills, fun and excitement await guests at Universal Orlando. With more than 60 immersive experiences across its theme parks, this new ticket offer gives guests plenty of time to enjoy all that the destination has to offer," Universal Orlando said in its press release.

The company also noted residents can use the offer to experience the all-new DreamWorks Land that's opening up this summer. The new land will host new attractions and beloved characters from “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda" will welcome guests.

What is the “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free” offer from Universal Orlando?

The exclusive “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free on a 2-Park 2-Day” offer gives guests four days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Guest must present valid proof of Florida residency at time of purchase, ticket pickup and redemption.

Florida residency requirements:

• Valid Florida driver's license

• Valid Florida-issued state ID or government-issued ID with a Florida address
• Valid Florida voter registration card with corresponding photo ID
• Valid college ID from a Florida college or university

Guests also have the option to upgrade their ticket to include Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay water theme park for an added fee.

How much is the “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free” offer?

Ticket prices for the deal vary by day. According to its website, adult tickets start at $234.99 plus tax and a children's ticket starts at $226.99 plus tax.

You can purchase the “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free on a 2-Park, 2-Day Ticket” offer here .

When does Universal Orlando's Florida resident deal expire?

“Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free” tickets are valid through Dec. 18, with some block-out dates including Nov. 25-30.

Universal Orlando's DreamWorks Land will open in Florida. What will be inside the new land?

According to its website, DreamWorks Land is the new themed environment inspired by DreamWorks Animation films and characters.

"As soon as guests step into the spectacular new land, the vivid world and imagination of DreamWorks Animation will surround them as they embark on exciting adventures like exploring Shrek’s Swamp just outside of his 35-foot-tall cottage, taking a ride on a dazzling Trollercoaster, interacting with Po in the Panda Village and meeting favorite characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse," Universal Orlando Resort said in a press release last year.

"Guests will also discover unique treats, photo-op-worthy murals, interactive play areas, splash pads and entertainment offerings themed to popular DreamWorks stories and characters."

When does Epic Universe open in Florida?

In addition to DreamWorks Land, Universal Orlando will see some other exciting additions to its resort — a brand new theme park . Universal hasn’t yet announced an opening date for Epic Universe, only that it will open in 2025.

Epic Universe will feature five lands guests can explore. Altogether, it will have “more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences,” according to a press release from the resort.

• Celestial Park  - The first world guests enter at the park, featuring relaxing gardens, a “wet play area,” a grand carousel and Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing roller coaster with 5,000 feet of track and speeds up to 62 mph. Celestial Park will also serve as the gateway to Epic Universe’s four other worlds, which will be accessed by themed portals.
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk  - Gives fans of the “ How to Train Your Dragon ” franchise a chance to finally soar with dragons like Hiccup, Astrid and their fellow Dragon Riders do on screen.
• Dark Universe  - Guests can expect to “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.”
• Super Nintendo World  - Bring guests into the fan-favorite video game franchise for adventures with Mario, Princess Peach and more. Made its  U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood  last year.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic  - Seeks to blend the 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series,” according to Universal Orlando, which is already home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley.

Universal Studios Marks 60th Anniversary of Backlot Tram Tours

T he famed Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tram tour took a step back in time Friday as the attraction marks its 60th anniversary, and for a limited time it will include a chance for people to step off the tram and wander onto a movie set and snap photos with some iconic props.

“The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and celebrating its 60-year milestone pays homage to its indelible impact,” Scott Strobl, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a statement earlier this month announcing plans for the anniversary tribute.

“The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests. We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way.”

The celebration began Friday and will continue through Aug. 11, marking the anniversary of an attraction that began in 1964 and has been experienced by an estimated 200 million people over the years.

The park will harken back to its original “Glamor Trams,” which were colored red and white and featured ruffled awnings as they carried visitors through the backlot. Visitors on the anniversary tours will get the chance to disembark from the tram and step onto “a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram awaits,” according to the park.

The disembarkment area also includes a King Kong backdrop and the park’s original hanging “Jaws” shark.

Also included on the tour is a revamped version of its “Earthquake — The Big One” attraction, which officials said has “undergone a top-to- bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.”

The tour also passes by the Courthouse Square — best known for its appearances in the “Back to the Future” films. An original time machine picture car will be on display in the area for photos, along with a Doc Brown character.

Also back on display will be a Tyrannosaurus Rex display originally used in promotion of the film “Jurassic World.”

In partnership with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the park will also have on display a scaled-model replica of the Hollywood Sign nestled on a hillside for photos.

More information on the anniversary attractions — and accompanying food and merchandise offerings — is available online at www.universalstudioshollywood.com .

–City News Service