25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando
Below are my 25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando to help make your next vacation the best yet. Do you like to over-prepare like me? Don’t forget the downloadable guide and checklists of everything to see and eat while in the park below.
Are you pondering the idea of visiting Universal, but aren’t sure if you want to spend the money or take those vacation days? Well stop your pondering right this very moment. It is worth every single penny spent, every minute of time. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that you will not regret.
Now, I am going to give lots of insight to help you maximize your time in the park, but I am going to try and do this with minimal spoilers. I want to save you as much of the magic as possible. Enjoy the 25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando and I hope you have a magical vacation.
1. Prepare Yourself
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are incredible, but can be overwhelming. Make sure to take time to prepare yourself. Hydrate, pack clothing for the current season, download your tickets, look up rides and shows, make a bucket list etc. The more you prepare before your vacation, the more you can enjoy the vacation itself.
2. Try to go on the Off-Season
You can find information about the off-season dates for Universal Orlando online. My husband and I went to the park on December 10th and it was moderately busy. We also went a week before Spring Break and the crowds were more manageable. The weather was also nicer at the beginning of March. To make the most of your trip I suggest choosing an off-season, non-weekend day(s).
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothes
If you are anything like me, you are thinking of the perfect wizard-wear that will be equal parts practical and authentic. You are probably seeing photos of people in authentic cloaks or dressed all cute. After physically going to the park, here is my advice. Dress comfortably. The park is huge and you will be doing lots of walking. I walked a total of ten miles in one day at Universal, and I could have easily done much more. Keep in mind, Florida is humid. My suggestion: don’t wear too many layers.
4. Stay at a Universal Studios Hotel
Staying at a Universal Hotel will get you all sorts of perks, but most importantly it allows you into Universal Studios a full hour before the rest of the crowd. Shuttles are also convenient for transportation. It might cost more to stay in a Universal Hotel, but I promise it is worth every penny.
5. Do Not Over-Pack
My husband and I brought a backpack the first time we went to Universal and it was a mistake. A bag hinders your ability to quickly get on a ride or walk through crowds. If you need to bring a bag, because you have kiddos or want to save money on snacks by bringing food there are lockers available to rent.
6. Pack a Three Prong Fanny Pack
You can wear a fanny pack on most rides so long as it is on your waist. We heard that a three pronged fanny pack is best as it is more secure. You might be thinking a fanny pack is lame and weird looking, but there are literally hundreds of people in the parks wearing them. You will be in good company.
7. Enjoy the Detail
Slow down, soak it in. The detail is absolutely astounding. You will not want to miss out on any of it. Some of the highlights are on my checklists below. I’m sure there are a million more things I missed, but I hope my lists give you a head start.
8. Try the Rides in the Early Morning or Before Close
I would not suggest eating a big meal before climbing on a ride. Harry Potter World is notorious for having long lines, so in order to avoid the wait I suggest going on the rides first. Or you could try the lines right before closing. My husband and I were able to walk right onto the Forbidden Journey before closing. No wait at all! Remember to research what you want to do and go from there.
9. Soda is Not a Wizard Drink
You will not find any muggle food or drink in Diagon Ally, Hogsmeade or Hogwarts. My husband was slightly thrown by the lack of soda available, so if you are a Coca-Cola addict, keep in mind you will need to step out into the muggle world for that sort of drink.You can buy an unlimited refill cup in Universal as well that is definitely worth the money. Also an excellent souvenir! This cup does have to be reactivated each day, but for a lower cost.
10. Buy and Use a Wand in the Wizarding World.
You can use your wand to cast spells and create real magic all around Hogsmeade and Diagon Ally! Keep a sharp eye out for those opportunities. The interactive wand is worth quite a coin, but for a true Potterhead it’s worth the galleons spent.
11. You CAN do the park in one day.
Although, if you want to make the most of it without completely wearing yourself out OR you would like to see other parts of Universal, I suggest two or three days. If you choose to buy a two day ticket for the parks, check to see if a season pass is cheaper. We saved a few bucks buying a season pass, which gave us almost unlimited access for the year.
12. Ride the Hogwarts Express Both Ways
Yup, you heard me right. The parks are connected by Hogwarts Express, and you get to ride an actual train. Be sure to ride it in both directions as each is a different experience. Even the walk through Kings Cross Station is authentic. You can ride the train as many times as you want for free. It also saves your feet from walking miles back and forth.
13. Purchase a Dining Plan
A dining plan includes 1 meal, 1 drink and 1 snack. I was skeptical about the plan saving us money, but it came in handy and did save money. There are also a few places in City Walk that accept these cards.
14. Take Time to Watch the Shows.
Don’t like roller coasters? There are shows happening in both parks throughout the day. You can see everything from a Trash Can Band to Frog Choir, the Blues Brothers to The Tales of Beetle the Bard. Research what shows you would like to see before you arrive. There is some serious talent at Universal!
15. Enjoy All the Eats and Treats
Indulge a little! Sure, you could bring your own snacks to save a little money, but you are at Universal Studios and on vacation. Why not make the most of it? (If you do prefer to eat healthy, there are excellent options available as well.)
16. Shop and Ship to Your Hotel
Thinking of stocking up on Christmas gifts or loading up on merch, but don’t want to carry around a bag of goodies? Staying at a Universal Hotel comes with another perk. You can have the items you buy shipped to your hotel. Amazing, right? The convenience of it all.
17. Go During the Christmas Season
There is an extra joyful air about the parks at Christmas time, as well as various special holiday productions, foods, decorations and surprises. Like I mentioned before, we went at the beginning of December and it was especially magical.
18. Don’t Forget the Light Show
At the end of the day there is an outstanding light show outside Hogwarts. Be sure to snag a front row spot to witness the magic. The show begins at dusk, so there is not a particular time. I suggest asking someone working in the park for that days timeline.
19. Bring You Own Water
Not only is this more sustainable, but bringing your own water bottle will save you money. Theme park water is very expensive. I highly recommend filling your reusable bottle of water and bringing it along throughout the day. It’s also important to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Especially if you are indulging in pop or alcohol. The sun will suck all the energy out of you, and the one way to overcome the baking heat is by being hydrated.
20. Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Again, the sun will suck the energy right out of you. Universal is incredibly fun, but don’t allow the fun to make you forgetful. No one likes to have a sunburn on the first day of vacation. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, and drinking water.
21. Consider Additional Entertainment
The line for Hagrid’s Magical Adventure was four hours long. No joke. This was during the off-season and we were in line by 9:22am. If you are planning to conquer multiple roller coasters in a day, consider downloading the Heads Up app on your phone to play with your group, a crossword in your fanny pack or even a Nintendo Switch if you don’t mind the extra weight.
Or make new friends in line. My husband met a very kind and interesting parts engineer in line one day. You never know who you will meet in a long line!
22. Download the Universal Orlando App
The Universal Orlando App will give you show times and interactive maps as well as ride times and delays. It even stores second copies of your tickets. Download it before you go and get familiar.
23. Take a Break
If you are staying at the park for multiple days, don’t be afraid to take a break. Go to your hotel and take a nap, get a snack, reapply sunscreen and return to the park in the late afternoon.
24. Don’t Bother with an Express Pass
This might be a controversial opinion, but I suggest not wasting your money on an Express Pass. At no point did I wish I had it. There are some rides that don’t allow you to use it, so that’s also something to remember. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure is one of those rides. Track wait times on the app, research rides before you arrive, and utilize early admission. If you do those things, you won’t need the express pass.
25. Utilize the Single Rider Lane
My husband enjoys roller coasters much more than I do. When he wants to try a ride he uses the single rider lane and gets on the coaster much faster than if I were with him in line. You can utilize this lane even as a couple or group, so long as you are okay with being separated. (This tip does not necessarily apply to Hagrid’s ride, however. Single rider lane on that particular coaster takes longer.)
I hope you have enjoyed these 25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando. If you are organized like me, don’t forget to download the checklists below. For extra vacation prep, check out these additional blog posts:
21 Practical Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando
15 Must-Have Foods at Universal Studios Orlando
40 Day Harry Potter-Themed Devotion Series HERE
8 Delicious Eats and Treats Near Tampa, FL
As always, if you have any questions feel free to send me an email or message me on Instagram. Follow @bestillandhygge on Pinterest for more travel tips and tricks and subscribe below for new content every week.
Love Always,
