Always on the lookout for the biggest and best? You’ve come to the right place. Not only is Universal Orlando Resort the ultimate destination for your next-level vacation, but we’re about to tell you how to maximize your time here.
Stay on property to get free Universal Express Access
The biggest reason to stay on property: three of Universal Orlando’s Hotels offer free Universal Express access for everyone in your party. That means you’ll get to skip the regular lines at all participating rides and attractions. It’s an amazing value; you’re going to want to take advantage of this one.
Don’t ride the first thing you see
Most guests will enter through the front gates and head to the nearest attraction. Zig when they zag – head to the back, then work your way forward.
Eat outside of the 11 am – 1 pm lunch window
Most people head to the in-park eateries during this window of time. Plan to snack before or eat a late lunch and you’ll have a bit more of the place to yourself.
Enter Universal Studios Florida through the “secret entrance” (pending availability)
Did you know there’s a second park entrance to Universal Studios Florida near the Blue Man Group theatre? Head in that direction and get to the rides that much faster.
Use child swap
Those with kids who can’t or don’t want to go on specific rides can use child swap to keep from waiting in line twice. One parent stays with the child while the other rides, and then you switch. Ask the greeter at the front of the attraction to get you set up.
What hacks do you like to use when you visit Universal Orlando Resort? Tell us in the comments below!
See more Universal Orlando vacation hacks:
7 Vacation Hacks for Staying Stress-Free at Universal Orlando
7 Vacation Hacks for Getting the Most Out of Universal Orlando Attractions
48 Comments
New ride Kong skull island … avoid the long line , use “single rider” line . This hack will not work with most rides hoping to ride with your party . But this long ride is a large old school bus ride that seats a lot of people at one time , your chances of riding with your party from the single rider line is a 90% chance . This saved us 1.5 hrs of wait time
If you are in the single rider line don’t expect to ride with your entire family. I hate people that will argue with the attendant that they need to ride with someone else that is also in the single rider line. They do announce that if you are in the single rider line you will not be riding with another person in the single rider line. One guy insisted that he ride with his son. He held up the entire ride. He was finally told that either get on the ride or his son get on the ride or get in the regular line and wait again. He left the line and did not go on the ride and was applauded when he left. Know what each line is for. Single rider is not the express line.
Well single riders line is an express line for single riders.
Thanks Mike for making this point very clear. It only takes a couple of inconsiderate people to ruin it for everyone else. Considerate conduct is necessary anywhere that there are large crowds. Along with patience.
We used the Kong single rider line several times during a recent visit and were on the same car each time. Also a good option for Forbidden Journey and Gringott’s. Please, please, please don’t use this option if you’re with kids or if you are traveling with a non-English speaking companion. I’ve seen instances in both cases where the parties got separated and lost because of panic.
Go to guest services and tell them about an exceptionally great experience with one of their staff and name the member of staff. The staff member gets an award and you will get a pass to jump to the front of the queue on your next ride.
Huh?! When did that start? I give positives any time a Team Member goes above and beyond, and I’ve never once gotten a pass.
The staff member will get a kudos and maybe a free lunch.
I also did told guest service about someone who did something wonderful. I didn’t tell them to get anything because people rarely get commended on doing a great job. It’s usually the complaints you hear. They didn’t give me a pass.
If you plan on going for more than four days and want to stay at and on-site hotel buy annual passes. It cost just as much as 5 days at park but you will get an average savings of 10-30% off the on-site hotels with code APH (Annual Pass Holder), 10% off almost any universal store, and it’s good for a year! Blackout dates apply on the cheaper one but well worth the investment!
Can this be used with the FLO discount code?
No, it’s either/or. When you book online, Florida discount code is FLO and the annual pass holder is APH. However, they do check your license or annual pass.
Discounts can NEVER be stacked. If they could many would be paying half price or less. Choose the option available to you that offers you the best savings and go with that one.
We usually go end of August, that’s when most kids/families in the South go back to school. We literally went on revenge of the mummy 3 times back to back because there was no line at all what so ever.
we are travelling there at the end of august hope this is the same for us
That happened to us once on the Harry Potter quidditch ride! We were able to ride it three times right in a row!
True at the end of April also.
HA!! Been using the “secret” entrance for years but the last time we were there it wasnt there for some reason. Being a premier pass holder for years we have figured out other great things too when navigating the parks. We usually stay at Royal Pacific Resort and get the expresses but the last 3 times we stayed at Sapphire Falls and they dont have expresses and it didnt matter. not only did we go at a time when it wasnt super busy we figured out what time to go to certain attractions where there wasnt more than a 10 minute wait. That has proven to be tried and true for us
The secret enterance is still there, it only opens after 11am
Oh!!! I was wondering! We went and didn’t see it bc obviously way too early! They need to open it earlier!
Thanks Pam! We, too always stay at Royal Pacific because we love it so much and for the passes! We’ve been wanting to try Sapphire Falls but are scared we will regret not having the fast passes when we go with our 5 and 6 year old…you think it’s worth it??
No way. I am a local and trust me, you want the express passes. Besides, you can go over to Sapphire Falls and use the pools even if you stay at RPR.
Child swap is the best idea ever, and not many people know about it. It’s Great. Was wondering that about using the other resort pools, I guess you just use your hotel key card.
Great tips
I tried the Child Swap feature and couldn’t get anyone to swap their children for mine. Isn’t that the way it works? Ha Ha
Yep. I was joking with some friends that I’m glad they didn’t have that Child Swap when I was a kid. Then again, if it was a rich family… 🙂
As premier pass holders we avoid long lines getting to the park after 2:00. We walk around, eat, and after that we start using the express pass (which is after 4). We also use the Universal app. It is very helpful, because it tells you the wait times, what rides have express pass, single riders, the show times, etc.
When did they start the single rider line? I was there on Feb. 19 and I asked if they had a single rider line and I was told no. I have been a preferred annual pass holder since 2003 and that is very upsetting. Please answer my query!!!!
I went jan 2016 and they had it
We went in 2011 and again in 2014. Both times we used the single rider lines. New attractions won’t have it all the time.
Um they’ve had single rider lines for many of the rides for as long as I can remember. Certain rides don’t offer it, but I would definitely say 75% do. Maybe you just went to one that didn’t offer it.
Thank you That was helpful. Unfortunately, the hotels on property are so expensive that it’s better to stay at someplace close and pay for Express Passes. You will definitely save money. Unfortunate, but true.
Why people are giving this comment negative ticks I do not know. The comment is true. Their are off site hotels that are great accommodations and even after buying the Express passes it is still cheaper to stay off site if you are on a tight budget. I would think that everyone would like an on site Hotel property that offers free Express Passes but unfortunately not everyone can afford it. It’s more important to enjoy the park than not go at all because you just cannot afford the park and all it offers.
I agree with doing the budget stay. It is way better to stay off site then not to experience the parks. Also, if you get to go during school the Express pass may not even be needed.😀 But…
Staying off site and buying Unlimited Express will never cost less then staying on site at a hotel that includes Unlimited Express. The cost of Unlimited Express frequently adds over $100 to each persons daily ticket. Groups of 2 or more will find the cost quickly building beyond the hoped for savings. A family of 4 would be adding $400 or more to each day at the park. Add that cost to the off site room cost and on-site is a huge savings. Hence the down votes.
Remember this is only if you will be purchasing the Unlimited Express and going into the parks everyday of your stay.
Only going 2 days? Stay at an on-site for one night and it includes 2 full days of Unlimited Express then switch to an off-site hotel for the rest of your vacation.
We tried finding the secret entrance at the time the park opens for onsite guest and did not see it. We walked all the way back into the blue man entrance into that building. Where exactly is it? We were there right after Christmas and will be there again this year!!!
Head to the exit for Dragon Challenge (after placing your stuff in a locker) then hit the re-ride line and avoid the lengthy walk up the hill and around tons of winding pathways. 🙂
Best Rollercoasters ever !!
This one won’t matter since its closing soon…
Yep use the single rider line. Hardly need to wait in line. If u and your friends all do it chances are u may be on the same same ride just not together. Not like u can talk diring a lot of them anyway. Its much better then waiting in line for lime 2 hrs.
My family gets on the single riders line when available. It’s much faster!
I like to cut through the billabong store to get to Universal Studios quicker. I avoid the crowds in citywalk, look at clothes, and get to enjoy the AC for a little bit. It really helps. 🙂
Is there a limited sales of unlimited Express Pass everyday?
If you have a disability or are visiting with someone who is disabled, get a guest assistance pass. It helps us a lot with our disabled daughter so she doesn’t have to endure long queue lines. Makes it a much more pleasant visit.
Go to the park after 6pm. Most people go home at dinner time so it’s much quieter. Plus you don’t have to pay the completely ridiculous price of $20 for parking as it’s free to park after 6pm.
But they close at 8, don’t they? Maybe for someone who has annual passes, but $100+ for 2 hours is just not a good deal if you’re buying regular tickets.
I love the option on the Universal app that alerts you when rides you want to go on are down to the wait time you prefer. Such a huge time saver!
I like the VIP tour on the first day so those traveling with me get all the good stuff first. Last year Lindsay was my groups guide and she was wonderful. I have already reserved a first day tour and know that it will be phenomenal.
going in March 2019, st Patrick’s day weekend. Should I still get express passes?
Thank you for the tips, appreciate it.