Things to know before going to Universal Studios

So, you’re going to Universal Orlando, and you’re looking for things to do. I’m here to help! Keep reading to find out my 20 things to know before going to Universal.

This post was originally written in 2019 but has been completely re-written for 2025, including Epic Universe information!

Do I need a rental car in Orlando?

If you need a car for your Orlando theme park vacation, we recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental.

They have the best rates from top rental car companies (Hertz, Budget, etc.) and free cancellation. Also, you don’t pay anything until you pick your car up!

Things to know before going to Universal Studios Florida

First and foremost, consider booking with a Travel Agent! If you haven’t been here before, I’m Amy. I’m a top travel agent, Universal Annual Passholder, Florida Resident, and mom of the Florida Travel with Kids-kids. I’d love to help you plan an Epic Universal vacation, contact me to get started.

Things to know before going to Universal Orlando

Now, let’s get to the things you need to know before going to Universal. They are listed in no particular order.

1. Consider Traveling outside of popular dates

If you’re traveling with children, you’re likely limited to school holidays. Unfortunately, many other people are also traveling with children on those dates.

If you can avoid popular dates like all summer and winter holidays, you will find fewer crowds and, often, better prices.

If you’re traveling without children (or, like me, willing to pull your child out of school for a couple of days), you will find that traveling outside of the popular dates will save time and allow you to do more things at the parks.

Are you traveling over the holidays? Don’t worry—there are more tips below!

2. Stay in an onsite resort

At first glance, staying at a Universal Orlando Resort seems more expensive. Well, it can be, but it’s also worth it! Some of the Universal hotels, like Endless Summer, are comparable to staying offsite. Check out our recent review of Surfside.

You may find a better deal at a Partner Hotel, but they don’t tell you that the shuttles from the Partner Hotels only run limited routes.

This means you’ll either have to pay to park, walk, or Uber back and forth between your hotel room.

It’s much easier to stay in a Universal Resort and enjoy free transportation throughout the day. You’ll also find Universal Resorts for almost any price range.

If you plan for any days you won’t visit the parks (which I recommend), you can enjoy things like the lazy river at Cabana Bay. You can also pool hop at all of the resorts no matter which one you’re staying, and enjoy the restaurants or spas at any other resort as well.

3. Consider renting a car

If you plan to do nothing but visit the parks or hang out at the resort, you may not need a car. If you plan to buy any groceries or do anything outside of the parks, it may be worth renting a car.

Car rentals are very affordable in Orlando, and it’s nice to come and go as you please.

It’s also worth noting that parking at Universal is free after 6 PM, so you can always drive back to the parks or City Park after six and not have to worry about parking regardless of where you are staying.

I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental.

4. Get a Park-to-Park ticket

If the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is part of what is drawing you to Universal Orlando, you need to get a Park-to-Park ticket!

The Hogwarts Express is not only how to get between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, but it’s also an amazing ride on its own! The only way to ride the Hogwarts Express is with a Park-to-Park ticket, so you will definitely want to get one.

 

Check out 25 Wizarding World Tips and Hidden secrets of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

5. Universal has something called “First Family.”

I didn’t know anything about this until it happened to us a few years ago! We were the first in line on our first day at Universal Islands of Adventure. We were approached by a staff member and asked if we would like to be the First Family. Clearly, this was a while ago, and he is much taller than I am now!

After we went in, we were given special pins and a free Photo Pass! More on the Photo Pass later. My son read off of a script welcoming everyone to the park.

It was a fun and memorable experience. I wish I had gotten a video, but I was too busy enjoying being present then.

Fortunately, they took one with our Photo Pass! I would recommend trying to be at the front of the line to increase your chances of being chosen.

6. Download the Universal Studios App

Download the Universal Studios App to check ride wait times, showtimes, and more. The app also has a map that will help you get wherever you need to go in the park.

Many Universal restaurants do mobile ordering, so having the app before arriving at the park is best.

7. Explore the parks from the back to the front

If you visit when the parks are busy, one of the best strategies is to explore them from the front to the back.

Even though the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located in the back of the park, many guests do stop at the large rides on the way through the park, so you may have better luck exploring from back to front.

If you stay at an onsite resort, you get early park admission, so check the app to find out which park opens early that day.

8. Single Rider Lines

If everyone in your group is 10 and up, this is one of the most important things to know before going to Universal! Most rides have a “Single Rider” line. Single Rider lines can be used with adults and kids over 10.

If you’re traveling without children or with older kids and don’t mind riding separately, you can even go through the Single Rider line and wait together until just before going on the ride. This is another great tip for the busy time of the year.

9. Take a break around lunchtime

Early afternoon is both the hottest and busiest part of the day. If you arrive early at the park, consider taking a break mid-day.

This is where it’s nice to be able to shuttle straight back to your resort. You can always grab lunch at the resort, take a quick nap, or rest your legs in some air conditioning.

I don’t necessarily recommend this if you’re staying off-property, but if you’re staying on-property and have tired kids, it’s a great way to take a break during the heat (and busy part) of the day.

If you want to stay at a hotel with Free Express Passes, check out which Universal Orlando hotels offer Express Pass.

10. Bring a refillable water bottle

Remember that it’s hot, and you’ll want to stay hydrated! While you can get small free cups of water, why waste the little cups when you can just bring your own?

Fountains are all over the park, so bring your water bottle and fill it up. I love the Hyrdroflask and use it to save $$$ and plastic.

You can get free ice and water at the Coca-Cola refill stations.

11. Parents, take advantage of the Child Swap system

The child swap system at Universal Orlando is fantastic. It allows both parents of young children to ride (sometimes siblings can ride multiple times as well!), and the waiting area usually has something for younger kids to do.

12. Purchase an Express Pass

My number one tip was visiting Universal during the “off-season,” but I realize that isn’t always possible or practical. If you have to visit during busy times, such as the summer, I highly recommend looking at the Express Pass.

If you only spend 1-2 days at the parks during peak travel times, this is my #1 tip for knowing things before going to Universal! Check out our guide: can Universal Orlando be done in one day?

I never recommend visiting Universal in one day, but if you do, an Express Pass is a must!

Three of the Universal Resorts offer a free Express Pass for each guest, so it can be worth checking the numbers and seeing if this is doable for your family! The resorts include Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacific Resort.

13. Don’t miss City Walk

City Walk is a fun place by itself, with many restaurants, bars, shops, a movie theater, and more. Don’t forget that parking is free after 6 p.m., so you can come and hang out at City Walk after the parks close. Check out a list of restaurants in CityWalk if you want to find a great spot for dinner.

14. Wear comfortable shoes

If you only take one thing away from this post about things to know before going to Universal Studios, let it be this! Wear comfortable shoes.

I tend to get about 20,000-30,000 steps per day at Universal. That’s a lot of steps, and you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. I love Teva sandals, and I wear them everywhere.

15. Don’t forget about Volcano Bay

I’m not a big “water park” person, but I love Volcano Bay. This waterpark is huge and has unique rides like the Krakatau water coaster.

I don’t like the Tapu Tapu system, but I do see what they are trying to do, and I don’t HATE it either. I’ll write another blog post about Volcano Bay soon, but for now, I’ll just tell you not to miss it! You can check out 15 Genius Volcano Bay Tips here.

16. Motion Sickness Warning

I get motion sickness very easily; if you do, this is one of the things to know before going to Universal Studios! Motion sickness happens. We have a blog post with the worst rides for motion sickness at Universal

I swear by my Emeterm motion sickness band. It uses TENS technology, one of the few things that works for motion sickness. If you have motion sickness, I can’t recommend it enough. I use the green one at theme parks because it’s also waterproof!

17. While there is a lot to do, Universal is a ride-heavy park

One of the things to know before going to Universal is that it is a ride-heavy pack. However, Universal is adding more things to do with younger kids, such as shows and attractions for all ages, all the time!

While Universal is considered a ride-heavy park for adults and older kids (and it is to an extent), a lot has been added in recent years for everyone! Don’t miss things like the Bourne Stuntacular or the new Dreamworks Land!

18. Get the Photo Pass

I will admit that I used to rarely get a Photo Pass. As someone who ran a successful photography business, I always think that I can take my own photos.

The problem is that I am rarely in them! This changed during our recent trip to Universal. Although the Photo Pass system isn’t perfect (we always end up with a few photos that weren’t us), it is fun, and now, we get a photo pass every year.

19. Arrive Early and Leave Late

One of the best things to know before going to Universal is that it’s busiest during the middle of the day. I’ve already touched on this, but the park is the least busy first thing in the morning and just before closing.

You can arrive an hour early by staying onsite, but staying late is another great option where you can walk onto many of the rides!

Plus, there are nighttime lights at the Hogwarts Castle and a drone show at Universal Studios on some nights. Check the app for showtimes and availability.

20. Things to know before going to Universal Studios: Plan for 4-5 days

I highly recommend the 3-day Park-to-Park pass. That said, three days in a row can be a little bit much, especially with younger kids. I recommend staying 4-5 days and enjoying at least one day at your resort.

Things to know before going to Universal Orlando

There you have it: 20 things to know before going to Universal. If you’re still in the planning stages, I’d love to help you! Contact me today to get started.

There’s so much more to know before going to Universal, but don’t worry! We have lots of Universal Orlando tips and trick on the blog:

• 20 Universal Orlando Mistakes to avoid
• A complete list of rides at Universal Orlando
• All the Universal Orlando Hotel Types explained
• How to Eat at Universal on a Budget
• Universal Orlando Planning Guide

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

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