Universal Orlando 101: A Planning Guide
Here is everything you need to know to plan Universal Orlando vacation:
Table of Contents
Parks
There are two theme parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and a water park – Volcano Bay.
Both theme parks have “Harry Potter” lands.
| Park | Popular Rides | “Harry Potter” Land | “Harry Potter” Land Rides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios | Despicable Me Transformers Men in Black Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon E.T. Adventure The Simpsons Ride Fast & Furious – Supercharged | Diagon Alley | Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Hogwarts Express (must have park-to-park ticket to ride) |
| Islands of Adventure | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man The Incredible Hulk Coaster Jurassic Park River Adventure The Cat in the Hat | Hogsmead | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Hogwarts Express (must have park-to-park ticket to ride) |
Interactive Wands
To fully immerse yourself in the Wizarding World you can purchase an interactive wand and cast spells to create amazing magical experiences throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Night Shows & Parades
Nighttime shows are offered by both theme parks, however, only one park has a parade.
| Park | Show/Parade | Typical Event Time |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios | Universal’s Superstar Parade | 5pm or 7pm |
| Universal Studios | Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration | 8pm or 9pm |
| Islands of Adventure | The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle | Ongoing from Dusk to Park Close |
Tickets
Tickets length range from 1 to 5 days.
You can get one park a day ticket or park-to-park ticket that allows you to visit more than one park a day. You will need a park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express.
One day ticket starts at $115 plus tax for Universal Studios/Island of Adventure and $80 plus tax for Volcano Bay. The price depends on the season (value vs regular). The price per day decreases as you add more days to your ticket.
Express Pass
If you want to skip the regular lines at most of rides and attractions, you can add Universal Express pass to your theme park admission.
The price depends on the number of parks and date of use.
Note that currently Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is excluded from the Express Pass rides.
| Pass Type | Description | Price Range (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Express | Skip the regular lines one time per participating ride at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure | $70 – $160 plus tax |
| Universal Express Unlimited | Skip the regular lines an unlimited amount of times at participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure | $90 – $190 plus tax |
| Volcano Bay Express | Skip the Virtual Lines at SELECT participating rides and attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay. One use per participating attraction. | $20 – $50 plus tax |
| Volcano Bay Express Plus | Skip the Virtual Lines at ALL participating rides and attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay. One use per participating attraction. | $40 – $90 plus tax |
CityWalk
CityWalk is an entertainment and retail complex adjacent to the theme parks. It is offering multiple restaurants from quick service to upscale dining, night clubs, a movie theater, mini-golf course, a variety of stores, and more (including a tattoo shop!).
See the listing of everything you could experience at CityWalk here.
Hotels
Hotels Overview
There are seven hotels on the Universal property that fit every style and budget.
| Type | Name | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Endless Summer Resort | $ From $90/night |
| Prime Value | Aventura | $$ From $120/night |
| Prime Value | Cabana Bay Beach Resort | $$ From $120/night |
| Preferred | Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | $$$ From $170/night |
| Premier | Loews Royal Pacific Resort | $$$$ From $230/night |
| Premier | Hard Rock Hotel | $$$$ From $250/night |
| Premier | Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | $$$$ From $270/night |
Benefits of Staying on Property
- Early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the park opens
- Complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk
- Resort-wide charging privileges with room key
- Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel
- Complimentary club-to-club access to select Universal CityWalk venues for the length of stay
- Golf Universal Orlando program
Benefits of Staying at Universal's Premier Resorts
If you stay at Hard Rock, Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific, in addition to the benefits above, you will also get:
- Free Universal Express Unlimited (skip the line) pass
- Priority seating at select restaurants
On-Site Transportation
There are several ways you can get between the on-site hotels and the theme parks (see the table below). On-site transportation is complimentary.
If you take a bus, you will be dropped off at the CityWalk. I highly recommend to use the water taxi, if your hotel offers it, as the drop off point is closer to the parks. Plus you will go through security at the hotel, before getting on the boat, instead of the CityWalk. Basically, no security line vs 100s park-goers long line at the CityWalk (during the busy times) as it is the main entry point for the visitors not staying on-site.
| Hotel Name | Options |
|---|---|
| Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | Water taxi Bus Walking path |
| Hard Rock Hotel | Water taxi Bus Walking path |
| Loews Royal Pacific Resort | Water taxi Bus Walking path |
| Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | Water taxi Bus Walking path |
| Cabana Bay Beach Resort | Bus Walking path (you can also walk to Sapphire Falls next door to take water taxi from there) |
| Aventura | Bus Walking path (you can also walk to Sapphire Falls next door to take water taxi from there) |
| Endless Summer Resort | Bus |
Dining Plan
Universal offers two dining plan options: regular and quick service.
Not all on-property restaurants are participating in the dining plan.
You are unlikely to save much money by purchasing a dining plan (unless you always go for the most expensive option at the dining locations), so make sure to check out the menus before making a decision on whether to purchase it or not.
| Plan | Cost | What Is Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Dining Plan | $23.99 plus tax/adult $15.99 plus tax/child (9 and under) | 1 Quick-Service Meal (1 entree, 1 non-alcoholic beverage) 1 Snack 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage | Can be purchased any day, at any time |
| Universal Dining Plan — Quick-Service | $51.99 plus tax/adult $17.99 plus tax/child (9 and under) | 1 Full-Service Meal (1 entree, 1 non-alcoholic beverage, 1 dining plan dessert) 1 Quick-Service Meal (1 entree, 1 non-alcoholic beverage) 1 Snack 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage | Can only be purchased as part of a vacation package |
Character Dining
Just like Disney, Universal Orlando is offering an option to combine meeting your favorite characters with filling up on the delicious food.
| Name | Characters | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Despicable Me Character Breakfast | Despicable Me characters including Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the Minions | Loews Royal Pacific Resort | Every Saturday at 8.30am, 9.30am and 11am | $34.99 plus tax per adult, $20.99 plus tax per child |
| Marvel Character Dinner | Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm and Rogue | Cafe 4 Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure | Thursday-Sunday, beginning at 5:00pm | $49.99 plus tax per adult, $24.99 plus tax per child |
| Halloween Horror Nights Scareactor Dining Experience | Halloween Horror Nights scareactors | Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Cafe | Select nights during Halloween Horror Night, 1st seating begins at 5 pm. | $49.99 plus tax |
| The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast | Grinch, the Whos | Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure | Select days in November and December, seating between 8am-10am | $34.99 plus tax per adult, $20.99 plus tax per child |
Special Events
Universal offers several seasonal events throughout the year, some of which require a separate admission ticket.
| Name | When? | Typical Event Hours | Separately Ticketed? | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mardi Gras | Select days February – April | 4 pm – park closing | No | “Florida’s Biggest Party”. Enjoy nightly parades with outrageous street performers, colorful costumes and countless beads flying through the air. Catch some of the biggest names in music live in concert on select nights. |
| Halloween Horror Nights | Select nights September – November | 6 pm to 1 am | Yes Starting at $68 plus tax | This event, featuring multiple themed haunted houses and scare zones, takes Halloween scare to the next level. It is not recommended for kids under 13 as it may be too intense for younger guests. |
| Holidays at Universal | Select nights November – January | Park hours | No | Experience Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are transformed with wondrous spirit. Treat yourself to Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. And watch the live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday tale starring The Grinch™ in the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. |
| Rock the Universe | Select nights in January | 6 pm to 1 am | Yes Starting at $68 plus tax | Florida’s biggest Christian music festival. Concert performances will take place on three stages inside the park. |
See our list of personally tried and tested Universal Orlando tips, tricks, and secrets here:
Need help planning a wizarding adventure? Contact me for free, no-obligation quote.
My travel planning services are always FREE.
Heading to Universal? Save money by getting your wizarding essentials at AliExpress:
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