Alongside Disney World, the Universal Orlando Resort is one of the most famous theme parks not only in the state but in the entire country. In fact, it is one of the major reasons why Orlando is a prime tourist destination in the United States.
This world-renowned theme park is Hollywood inspired. All the attractions, rides, and restaurants found inside the amusement center are based on Hollywood movies. Islands of Adventure is a common favorite among kids. The much-loved attractions include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Toon Lagoon, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park Discovery Center, Pteranodon Flyers, Poseidon’s Fury, The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show, Caro-Suess-el, and The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.
If you’re going to visit this park, one of the most important things you have to know is that the park is often crowded with tourists from different parts of the world. This is why it is imperative that you strive to save time during your stay here so you will be able to make the most out of your vacation. You can save time by arriving early in the park to avoid the crowds that arrive usually in the late afternoon. You can also shave hours if you bring your own food and drinks. When you go hungry, you no longer have to fall in line to buy your munchies or beverages. This tactic will also save you some money. And in case you’re wondering if the park allows you to bring food in, check out Universal’s main site here that outlines the policies for you. The short answer is you’re allowed.
Those who have been to this amazing theme park may agree that if the day is not properly planned it could be overwhelming. There are many rides, attractions, and shows to see, and you won’t be able to see it all. Not only that, Universal in Orlando encompasses two parks – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. So how do you get the most out of those parks? This article will give you some very important tips on how to have more fun spend less money, and most importantly enjoy more attractions.
1) Get an Express Pass
Express passes will allow you to go on many rides without standing in long lines. They are sold all over the park, so there is no shortage of them. However, if you want to get more value for your dollar, get a Premiere Pass. This pass already has a built in express pass. On top of that, a Premiere pass includes Preferred Parking, water coupons, and some other perks like saving up to 10% on food. So if you are planning to stay at Universal for more than a week or if you are planning to come back to the park – hands down this is the pass that gives you the most value for your dollar.
2) Skip long lines while entering Universal Park
Is there a secret entrance to the park? Yes there is. This entrance is located by Blue Man Group right under Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster. It is a very small booth and not a lot of people know about it. This booth is an entrance point to the park just like the main entrance. However, there is a huge difference between main entrance and secret entrance – Less people! Less people equal faster access to the park, which in turns equal faster access to the attractions, which in turn equals to better experience. You get the idea.
3) Be aware of the height limit
If you are traveling with kids research height limits for each ride and/or roller coaster. The last thing you want is to get your kids all excited about the ride only to find out that he/she in not tall enough. This is serious. Orlando Universal Studio’s staff is very strict on enforcing this rule. More than that, you can wait a 2 hour wait only to find out at the very end that your child does not meet the height requirement. Who wants to waste 2 hours and turn a perfectly fun day into a day of disappointment and tears? Do your research first!
4) Check out Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Depending on how much time you have at your disposal you absolutely must check out Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This goes for the folks who are roller coaster freaks like we are. There are tons of rides at both parks but this one tops them all. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the worlds largest roller coaster of its kind (x-type). You can select your own music, experience being on top of the loop, and even burn the whole experience onto a DVD. Be sure to secure your electronics or else you will have a very professional and yet highly sympathetic staff member hand you it in a plastic bag.
5) Get a Meal Deal and a Refillable drink Cup
It’s no secret that food and drinks can be expensive. A bottle of water could be over $2.50 and even more for soda. You could literally exhaust your vacation fund on food and drinks alone, especially when you have little kids. So the best way to deal with this situation is to buy a Meal Deal. You can purchase one online or inside the universal studios. Either way it will save you tons of money. When it comes to drinks, the solution is simple – buy a refillable drink cup. You might pay around $9 for it but it is way worth it and will save you more money in the long run. Not only that, you can use one or two cups for the entire family for the whole day. Refill it as many times as you like.
There are simply hundreds of other things to do in and around Orlando: slightly older children may enjoy the Florida Music Festival, a visit to the Cirque de Soleil, the huge Orlando Science Center or the John F. Kennedy Space Center, the working NASA spaceport on Merritt Island where visitors can view flight-ready and used space craft and rockets. On a less technological note there are stunning sights at the World of Orchids and the beautiful Harry P. Leu gardens – an oasis in the city with lakes, a butterfly garden and historical museum.
Unsurprisingly for such a popular destination, there is also a huge range of accommodations in Orlando and the surrounding areas, from hostels to 5 star hotels and private villas – in fact, the only place in the country with more hotel rooms is Las Vegas. It’s also a fantastic area for shopping, with everything from Tiffany’s to the specialist Asian shops and restaurants of ‘Little Saigon’, and food including traditional Cajun, Cuban-style and round the world cuisine Of course, with all these fun entertainments, you can expect to do a lot of walking. If you need help renting an electric scooter, then check out our Universal scooter rental page for more information.