A trip to Universal Orlando Resort is the kind where you can turn the brain off and say with full confidence that you are indeed “just vibin’” as you scream on roller coasters, laugh at shows, cast some spells, meet your heroes and travel around the cosmos — hopefully, with a little treat in-hand. But before you arrive, there are a few things you should take care of to make the experience even smoother:
- Universal Orlando offers a wide range of ticket options to choose from, including 3-, 4-, and 5-Day Park-to-Park tickets that let you explore each of our four amazing theme parks at your own pace.
- Once you’ve secured your tickets, you’ll want to book a Universal Orlando hotel and start planning your must-dos. The Universal Orlando Resort App makes it easy!
- Before you arrive, book your add-ons and make your dining reservations to make sure you experience everything on your Universal Orlando bucket list.
TL;DR: There’s no need to feel overwhelmed! We’ve broken down everything you need to know before you go to Universal Orlando Resort in this article.
BUY TICKETS | PICK A HOTEL | DOWNLOAD OUR APP | PICK YOUR MUST-DOS | MAKE RESERVATIONS | BOOK ADD-ONS | PACK ACCORDINGLY
Buy Your Tickets to Universal Orlando Resort
Step one might seem obvious, but it’s a biggie: Before you arrive at Universal Orlando Resort, you should purchase your tickets online! You can choose from 3-, 4-, and 5-Day Park-to-Park tickets to experience all of the immersive thrills of our four theme parks. Prices and availability vary by date and are subject to change at any time, so I recommend doing this in advance if you can.
Pick a Time to Visit Universal Orlando Resort
Not quite sure when you want to purchase those tickets for? Good news: Any time of the year at Universal Orlando Resort rules! Check out our season guides here for more details:
WINTER | SPRING | SUMMER | FALL
We also have three seasonal events at Universal Orlando that you can plan around: Universal Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and the Holidays at Universal. From park-wide decor, special performances, unique parades, diverse food and beverage options, and so much more, if you visit Universal during one event, you pretty much need to come back for the other two — aaand you might as well visit in the off-season as a palate cleanser.
Click below to learn more about each seasonal event at Universal Orlando Resort:
MARDI GRAS | HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS | HOLIDAYS
Book Your Universal Orlando Hotel
Want to go to sleep to the soft glow of coaster lights coming through your window? Perhaps wake up and not know if you’re still dreaming because your eyes are met with the sight of a larger-than-life volcano? With Universal Orlando Resort’s 11 unique hotel offerings, these dreams can become reality.
All Universal Orlando hotels offer Early Park Admission, which lets you experience select attractions up to an hour early. Plus, as a guest at a handful of the hotels, you get complimentary Universal Express Unlimited to breeze through those queues. And if you want to live, breathe, eat, and sleep [insert fandom here], you’re in luck with one of the themed Kids’ suites at select Universal hotels.
OK, so you’re on board for a Universal hotel stay? Read here for how to choose the best one for your visit.
Download the Universal Orlando Resort App
If you’re reading this on your phone, pause, open the app store, download the free Universal Orlando Resort App, make an account, and log in. Believe it or not, this does function as more than just a dopamine hit every time you see that pretty little globe on your homescreen; it’s actually your key to the Universe.
As your new partner-in-fun, our App is equipped with tons of features to help bring ease to your day. It has the typical easy access to theme park maps, wait/show times, parking reminders, and park hours, while also letting you explore and make reservations for dining options, link tickets, and mobile-order food and drink.
Click here to read more about the Universal Orlando Resort App.
Set Up Universal Pay
Carrying around a wallet is old news. The only things you need to keep track of when you’re at Universal are 1) your kids 2) your high score on MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack.
With Universal Pay, you can store your preferred payment methods in your Universal Account wallet to make transactions in-app and around the resort extra efficient. A note of caution: This does make purchasing souvenirs a little too easy, so pack some self-control –– or don’t and just buy the trinket anyways.
For my 21+ readers, do make sure your driver’s license makes it into your fanny pack. It would be quite the bummer to pass by spots like Chez Alcatraz and Celestiki without it!
Pick Your Universal Orlando Resort Must-Dos
When planning your vacation, you and your travel party will likely start drafting a list of all of your must-do attractions with a back-to-back line-up of coasters, motion simulators, dark rides, gamified attractions and more. Fabulous idea — in fact, go ahead and favorite these attractions in our App while you’re at it.
When it comes to our incredible slate of shows and live entertainment, our App comes in handy again! You can check showtimes throughout the day for maximum planning efficiency.
Explore the attractions and experiences at each of our theme parks in more detail:
Universal Studios Florida | Islands of Adventure | Volcano Bay | Epic Universe
While you likely don’t want to spoil any of the shows you may watch, sometimes the attractions engineered to require a hefty dose of courage as a prerequisite are a little easier to brave with a heads-up for what’s around the corner. So if you’d like to build some courage to face even the tallest of tophats without hesitation, click here to prepare for the thrills with some POV ride videos.
Plan for Rest
I suggest using our App to familiarize yourself with the theme park maps and make close note of where you can take your family to rest and recharge. Each theme park has their own Family Services center, with the utmost attention to inclusivity and courtesy.
Click here to read more about ways to take a break at UOR.
Just as important as rest: hydration! I’ll cover packing recommendations further down, but I strongly suggest bringing along a refillable water bottle for free water at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines throughout the theme parks.
Plus, with the purchase of a souvenir refillable Coca-Cola Freestyle cup, you can get refills of over 100 drink choices from machines scattered across Universal Orlando Resort — all discoverable in our App. All the laughing, screaming, and walking will build up some thirst, so stay hydrated!
Make Your Universal Orlando Resort Reservations
Between your hotel, Universal CityWalk, and the theme parks, delectable food options at Universal are endless, but if you wait until your stomach starts growling to make a call… you might miss out. Start browsing your differing dining options, scan their menus, and make dining reservations for a restful sit-down meal on your day of adventuring on the Universal Orlando Resort App. Because any time spent waiting for a table is time you could be spending on a roller coaster.
Universal CityWalk has no shortage of dining experiences where you could reserve a meal, but did you know there are also fun interactive experiences you can lock in ahead of time, too? At Universal’s Great Movie Escape, you’ll be thrust into the movies you love and work together through your choice of movie-themed escape rooms. If the time travel talk has you wanting more retro fun, Hollywood Drive-In Golf is a ‘50s sci-fi themed putt-putt experience with two interactive 18-hole mini golf courses for you and your crew to take a swing at.
Click here to explore our complete Guide to Universal CityWalk.
Book Your Universal Orlando Resort Add-Ons
If you’re thinking of booking any add-ons for your Universal Orlando Resort vacation, you can do so in advance! (And I highly recommend you do, since these products can sell out in advance.)
- My Universal Photos
- Because “pics or it didn’t happen” is basically law, booking a My Universal Photos Package ensures that your memories are documented, easily-downloadable, and marked safe from an uncoordinated stranger’s shoddy attempt at getting the shot. Choose from one- or three-day packages to have quick access to all the fun photo ops scattered around the parks and those mid-ride-AHHHHH faces you’ll want to laugh at over and over.
- Consider a VIP Experience
- By booking a VIP Experience for Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Epic Universe, you can live the red-carpet life on an up-to-8-hour VIP experience that starts as soon as you hit the parking lot. With valuable extras included like valet parking, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special discounts at select merchandise locations throughout the day, it’s an experience like no other.
- Book a Darkmoor Monster Make-Up Experience
- In the Darkmoor Monster Make-Up Experience, Dr. Pretorius’ old lab continues the spirit of his demented experiments –– this time on willing participants, i.e., you. Skilled artisans will use their powers to transform you into the Universal Monster of your choosing, be it the Wolf Man, Dracula, or another legendary monster. Or, you can opt for a more subtle option and get a temporary tattoo of your favorite monster.
- Book a Private Cabana
- By booking a private cabana at Volcano Bay — available for an additional charge — you can relax, unwind and enjoy the stellar views from your own serene spot in the middle of the water theme-park action. With extra-comfy seating, concierge service, and complimentary snacks, you and 6–16 people (depending on the cabana) can enjoy the best of island life.
Pack Accordingly for Your Vacation
Turns out Florida’s tropical climate transcends cosmos, worlds, and lands making the need for sunscreen Universal.
Aside from your typical active wear, comfortable shoes, bathing suits (hello Volcano Bay), sunglasses, etc., I suggest you grab luggage that has that extended zipper to pack some more niche items for your trip.
A few suggestions:
- Water bottle. This is essential no matter the forecast.
- Weather protection. Think sunscreen, umbrellas, and ponchos.
- Light sweater. Wait, didn’t I just say it can get hot? Yes, which is why the AC is often BLASTING in interior venues.
- Portable charger.
For a full packing list and specific suggestions, check out What to Pack for Your Universal Orlando Resort Vacation.
What About Interactive Merchandise?
You’ll want to leave room in your luggage for all of your souvenirs, but you should especially plan to take home some interactive merchandise. With the purchase of an Interactive Wand at Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll have access to over 30 spell-casting locations spread throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and Ministry of Magic. With icons on the ground at each location displaying how to properly cast each spell, you’ll get to play a part in bringing the magic to life.
The interactivity continues with the purchase of a Power-Up Band, allowing you to participate in Key Challenges around SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. After collecting digital keys from three of the five different challenges, you’ll get a chance to confront Bowser Jr. to recover the Golden Mushroom in a final Shadow Showdown. Your Power-Up Band keeps track of your score on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, helps you collect digital coins and stamps, and shows how you rank against your friends, family, or even other guests!
Click here to learn more about Second Generation Wands, or click here to check out our guide to Power-Up Bands.
Visiting the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks can be as simple or action-packed as you want it to be. Knowing just a few tips to help maximize the fun is great, but if you want to go in blind and experience all of the fun just flying by the seat of your pants, do it! After all, you won’t be able to resist coming back again and again.
Do you have any tips you’d add to my list? Leave them in the comments below!