Top 10 Tips for First-Timers Visiting Universal Orlando — From a Seasoned Enthusiast

I will always remember leaving Universal Islands ofAdventure in 2022, completely soaked from top to bottom after the ride. Popeye & Bluto's Raft of Rats .

It had been many years since my last visit to Universal Orlando Resort, and during this return trip, I encountered several lessons the hard way. Eager to help others avoid similar pitfalls, I happily passed these insights along to fellow travelers, wishing them well. avoid my mistakes .

Since then, I've been able to go to the Florida resort multiple times each year. Even though I still agree with my previous advice, I've picked up some additional insights as well.

Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.

Here are my top tips for first-timers visiting Universal Orlando.

1.  Stay on property

Whether you choose an RV park or a vacation rental, Central Florida offers plenty of accommodation options. However, staying within the Universal Orlando resort premises often proves beneficial despite similar price points compared to outside hotels. Endless Summer Surfside and Dockside Starting at $99 per night, however, all of Universal’s resort hotels provide up to an hour of early entry To choose from various parks based on the time of year.

They offer complimentary shuttle service too, making it easy to return to your room swiftly after a lengthy day at the park or for some time off during the afternoon. This free transport can be really handy, especially early in the morning when prices are higher. Loews Sapphire Falls , Loews Royal Pacific , Loews Portofino Bay , and Hard Rock Hotel , providing water taxis that bring you nearer to the parks compared to what you'd reach by driving or taking a bus. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel Visitors have the option to stroll over to Sapphire Falls for water taxis; however, the additional time and effort required might make using the resort shuttle bus seem more appealing.

Walking paths connect each of the resort hotels to the parks with the exception of those at Endless Summer. Additionally, Cabana Bay has its own exclusive walkway leading directly to the parks. Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Guests staying at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock also get free Universal Express Passes , significantly reducing wait times for most attractions and typically starting at $79.99 per person. Free package delivery is also accessible for all resort hotels; this option allows guests to avoid carrying their park purchases throughout the entire day.

Epic Universe details revealed: What's set to arrive at Universal Orlando the following year?

2. Purchase a popcorn bucket

Eating snacks at the parks can be costly. Visitors are allowed to bring their own treats, yet there’s one popular option that remains budget-friendly.

A simple popcorn bucket is priced at just above $12, and you have access to unlimited refills during your visit. Each refill typically costs about $2, which makes popcorn one of the most budget-friendly and sharable treats available. During our recent vacation, we managed to get several refills for less than what a single pretzel with cheese dip would cost us.

3. Pack a lightweight, reusable water bottle

Being well-hydrated is crucial, especially when spending time at the park during warm weather.

You can refill your water bottles with cold water from any of the numerous Coca-Cola Freestyle stations throughout the area. Free cups of iced water are provided wherever you can purchase fountain sodas.

Keep large double-walled stainless steel cups at home. They'll be cumbersome to carry throughout the day due to their weight, and if they're not leak-resistant, tipping them sideways to store in lockers during roller coasters could create quite a spill.

4. Pack a mid-size bag to hold your belongings.

Numerous attractions, from Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Alien Assault from Men in Black , ask guests to keep loose items securely stored in the provided lockers throughout their time on the ride.

I had earlier suggested consolidating most of your belongings to prevent needing to search through each pocket individually. This advice remains valid; however, I should also caution you about considering the size factor.

The available lockers are quite small. They might accommodate a Loungefly-style mini backpack or an empty popcorn container if you compress them, but they won’t be spacious enough for fully loaded full-size backpacks. Remember this detail unless you're willing to shell out extra money for bigger storage options.

5. Bring ponchos

Ponchos don't occupy much space and can prevent you from getting drenched, unlike what happened to me on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge. Dudley Do-Right at Rip Saw Falls , and Jurassic Park River Adventure .

If you avoid water attractions, having ponchos can be useful during rainy days at the park.

6. Use single-rider lines

A lot of rides feature a single-rider line. Should you be going solo or okay with your group getting separated, utilizing this single-rider line could help cut down wait times, provided it’s available. These lines aren’t always an option though.

It isn't guaranteed to be brief, but typically it tends to be faster. During our last visit, even my middle school student had to wait around 45 minutes. The Incredible Hulk Coaster and an hour for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit That duration was similar to the usual waiting time for the Hulk ride but shorter compared to the wait for Rip Ride Rockit.

These attractions offer single-rider lines although their availability fluctuates.

Universal Studios Florida

• E.T. Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Breakout from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Alien Assault from Men in Black
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorcycle RideAdventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• The Incredible Journey of Spider-Man
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

7. Use child swap

If a member of your group does not qualify ride requirements For those who want to experience the attraction or prefer not to participate, you can request a child swap. This option is especially useful for families with young children as it enables one parent or caregiver to enjoy the ride while the other stays behind with the child, allowing them to switch places afterward.

During our latest journey, my little one wasn't interested in taking a ride. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorcycle Ride , so we all waited in line together, but then she and I peeled off to a designated waiting room while my middle schooler and mother-in-law went on the ride. When they were done, my mother-in-law stayed with my youngest while I went on the ride. My middle schooler lucked out, getting to ride it twice.

While not every attraction includes waiting areas, each of them provides swap options. Simply inform your team members that you require one.

8. Take breaks

Visiting theme parks can be tiring. Besides standing for long periods, these places tend to be noisy, packed with people, and overwhelming sensory experiences.

Whenever feasible, I prefer scheduling at least one leisurely dining experience into my daily plans. This allows me to unwind slowly inside an air-conditioned area, free from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. Usually, I opt for a more upscale seated dinner, yet numerous moderately priced fast-casual eateries are scattered throughout both amusement parks, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a casual bite while taking a breather.

Sure, really any neat place where you can take a seat will do. Knockturn Alley works just fine. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley remains unchanged as it is a proper noun referring to a specific place. At Universal Studios Florida, it remains consistently invigorating yet eerie. Jurassic Park Discovery Center Islands of Adventure is an excellent spot for children to discover new things as adults relax.

9.  Watch the shows

Many people shower rides with affection, yet Universal Orlando’s live performances stand out as exceptional. For show timings, you can check the schedule. free resort app Or just pause to observe shows you come upon as you wander through the parks.

The sole year-round productions featuring designated seating are hosted at Universal Studios Florida: Animal Actors On Location! , The Bourne Stuntacular , and Universal Orlando’s Comedy Horror Makeup Show, which leans more towards humor than fright.

10. Allow young children to move around and use up some energy.

Multiple playgrounds are scattered throughout both theme parks where small children can expend their energy.

A new DreamWorks Land Opened this summer at Universal Studios Florida were new play areas themed around "Kung Fu Panda" and "Shrek."

At Islands ofAdventure, children can discover new adventures. Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park, If I Were In Charge of a Zoo in Seuss Landing, and Me Ship, The Olive In Toon Lagoon, you'll find various splash pads and water features scattered throughout; remember to pack swimwear or an extra set of clothing for those areas.

Don't overlook Volcano Bay as a bonus.

You should certainly bring your swimwear if you're planning to visit Volcano Bay, as it consistently places among the top water parks in the nation and offers a uniquely different dimension to holidays.

It has a theme reminiscent of a tropical haven, complete with numerous trees and a distinctive volcanic structure containing several water slides. Although the water park can become quite busy, you don’t end up waiting in queues for long since each visitor receives a Tapu Tapu wearable wristband that allows them to enter one virtual line at a time.

Single-day tickets start at $80, which is considerably less than the $119 starting price for guests age 10 and up at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, but still not cheap. However, if you’re already planning to buy multiday tickets for both theme parks, tacking on Volcano Bay is not much more.

The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: I go to Universal Orlando multiple times each year. Below are my top 10 recommendations for newcomers.