If you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando for the first time in 2023, you’re probably looking for information about the various attractions, hotels, dining options, and events that the park has to offer.

Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll be sharing everything we know about Universal Studios, including some fun guide, tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way, to make your visit to Universal Studios Orlando a success.

Experience the Thrills and Magic of Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando is a world-renowned theme park that offers a variety of exciting attractions, thrilling rides, and magical experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of blockbuster movies, popular TV shows, or beloved book series, Universal Studios Orlando has something for everyone. With two amazing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, as well as the fantastic Volcano Bay water park, there is plenty to see and do for everyone in the family. In this post, we’ll share our tips and recommendations for making the most of your visit to this amazing park.

First things first, before we even set foot in Universal Studios, there’s an important step that we can’t overlook – research and planning. It’s crucial to investigate and plan ahead of time. It’s essential to plan your visit in advance to ensure you get the most out of your time at the park.

For us, we’re only in Florida for a few days and we want to be able to visit other places too, like SeaWorld and go shopping. This means we have to be strategic with our time and money, especially since the tickets for Universal can be expensive.

First tip, plan ahead and determine how many days you’ll be visiting the park. Make a list of all the rides you want to ride, consider other activities you want to do and plan your time accordingly. And if you can, we highly recommend staying at least two to three days with the park-to-park ticket to get the full Universal Studios experience, including the Hogwarts Express ride.

Our Must Rides List:

Our first stop was Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which is one of the most popular rides in the park, then Velocicoaster. Other Rides that we did: The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hogwarts™ Express, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™, and Revenge of the Mummy.

Rides that we want to do but didn’t get chance to ride: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™, E.T. Adventure, TRANSFORMERS The Ride 3D, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, The Bourne Stuntacular

Another tip that we have learned from experience is to measure your children before you travel to Universal Studios. This is important to find out if your child meets the height requirements for certain rides. In our case, my youngest is only 53 inches tall, but he loves extreme rides. So, to help him reach the height requirements, we have a trick – he wears tall and comfortable shoes to gain a few extra inches. This way, he can enjoy the rides he loves without any issues. It’s a simple tip, but it can make a big difference in your child’s experience at the park.

Tip #3: PACK SNACKS and drinks, especially if you’re on a budget. Food and drinks inside the park can be quite expensive, so bringing your own can help you save money. (The park has FREE water!)

Finally, take breaks and pace yourself throughout the day. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and adrenaline of the rides, but it’s important to rest and hydrate to avoid exhaustion or dehydration. Take advantage of the many shaded areas, water fountains, and rest spots throughout the park.

TICKETS:

So, when it comes to tickets for Universal Orlando, there are several options to choose from. The first option is the Base ticket, which allows you access to one park per day. The second option is the Park-to-Park ticket, which grants you access to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. If you’re looking for the ultimate experience, you can opt for the three-park ticket, which includes Volcano Bay.

Example Ticket price per May 4, 2023:

We recommend purchasing your tickets online to avoid the long lines and save time at the gate. Additionally, you may want to consider getting the Universal Express Pass, which allows you to skip the regular lines at most rides and attractions. There are two types of Express Passes available. The first is the regular Express Pass, which allows you to skip the line once per ride. The second is the Express Unlimited Pass, which lets you skip the line as many times as you want throughout the day.

It’s important to note that this pass is an additional cost on top of your park admission ticket, it can be expensive but it can be worth the investment if you want to maximize your time at the park and well worth it if you’re looking to experience all the park has to offer in a single day (But remember, not all rides has an express ride, especially the Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure).

Second, use early park admission if it’s available to you. Early park admission is a perk for annual pass holders and Universal hotel guests, and it gives you a head start of about an hour before the rest of the park’s guests. If you’re looking for even more perks, upgrading to a Premier Resort is another option. Some of them offers free Express Passes and other benefits such as early park admission and transportation to the park.

You can also take advantage of the Single Rider lines, which can significantly cut down on wait times for certain rides. I recommend staying at Universal for at least two or three days with a Park-to-Park ticket to ensure you have enough time to experience everything. Plus, with the Park-to-Park ticket, you can ride the Hogwarts Express, an experience you won’t want to miss.

ATTRACTION:

Universal Studios Orlando is known for its thrilling rides and attractions, like Jurassic World Velocicoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hogwarts™ Express,The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers: The Ride-3D, and The Simpsons Ride. Do your research ahead of time and decide which attractions you want to prioritize. Check the wait times using the official Universal Orlando Resort app or the wait time board near the attraction entrance.

Our favorite ride at the Islands of Adventures were Jurassic World Velocicoaster, this attraction features 2 launches, 4 inversions, and 12 airtime moments) and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. And at Universal Studio were The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Hogwarts™ Express, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™.

Let’s talk about our itinerary for the day. How did we spend one day at Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure and How many ride did we do?

First, We have breakfast before we go, because we got to fuel up!

As soon as we arrived, we headed straight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Island of Adventure, pass through the port of entry and taking a right through Seuss Landing, and then kept left, walking behind the restaurants and shops at the Seuss Landing (don’t walk on the main road) and then passing the Lost Continent. This is by far the quickest route to get to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter . 

We started off in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter where we rode Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which is one of the newest and must-try rides at Universal Studios Orlando (use the lockers to store our belongings before getting on the ride) and wandered through the shops of Hogsmeade village.

We got in line at around 10:30 am and waited for three hours before finally experiencing the thrill of the ride! (Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure don’t have express lane, unless you are disable!)

Next, we headed to Jurassic Park to ride the Velocicoaster, the waiting time was about 105 minutes, so we took a quick break to refuel with some snacks we brought along (beef jerky and chips). We only bought 1 refillable cup between us for around $17.99+tax.

While the boys took the Velocicoaster ride, I was exploring the restaurant for lunch, since I couldn’t get the table on Mythes Restaurant, we decided to get burger instead at The burger Digs in Jurassic Park.

After eat we just explore the Jurrasic Park for awhile, We then made our way over to Marvel Super Hero Island, where we had a blast on the Incredible Hulk Coaster (the line was pretty quick).

At this point, we have completed the loop of the park and have come full circle back to Universal Studios Park. We took another quick break to enjoyed Cinnabon classic cinnamon rolls and coffee (yum!)

With our energy replenished, we headed back to Seuss Landing to explore and then rode the Hogwarts Express train (wait time was around 25 minutes) from Hogsmeade Station to King’s Cross Station (keep in mind that you need a Park to Park admission or Annual Pass to ride the train)

Once we arrived at King’s Cross Station, we had a bit of trouble finding Diagon Alley for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride, so we went to the MIB (man In Black Alien Attack)

It turns out Diagon Alley was just behind the wall next to the train station (the purple bus point directly to the entrance across the street)

As the day started to get darker, we skipped the Mardi Gras show and focused on riding Revenge of the Mummy (35 minutes wait time) and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (30 minutes wait time) before the park closed.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR OUR EXPERIENCE AT ORLANDO

Universal Studios Foods/Guide to restaurant options at Universal Studios

Universal Studios Orlando has a wide variety of dining options, including restaurants, from quick-service restaurants and cafes to full-service restaurants, and bars. Visitors search for information about the best places to eat and drink in the park, as well as reviews of specific restaurants and menus.

First, let’s talk about the popular Mythos Restaurant. Situated in the Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure, Mythos is known for its stunning cave-like interior and delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. However, due to its popularity, getting a table can be difficult, especially during peak hours. If you can manage to get a table, we highly recommend the grilled lamb burger or the Mediterranean chicken salad.

But what if you can’t get a table at Mythos? Don’t worry, there are plenty of other dining options available. For a quick and easy option, we choose The Burger Digs, located in the Jurassic Park section of the park. This fast-food style restaurant offers classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads, as well as sides like fries and onion rings. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something cheap and filling, especially after riding the thrilling Velocicoaster.

Next, let’s talk about something a little more unique: The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. This restaurant, located in Universal CityWalk, offers a whimsical steampunk-inspired atmosphere and a menu filled with decadent chocolate desserts and savory dishes like burgers, pasta, and sandwiches. We highly recommend trying one of their milkshakes, which come in a variety of flavors like salted caramel flan and red velvet.

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, consider making a reservation at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, also located in Universal CityWalk. This restaurant offers a unique fusion of sushi and burgers, with menu items like the “Burgushi” and “All-American Bacon Double Cheeseburgooshi.” It’s a great option if you’re looking for something different and adventurous.

Finally, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you won’t want to miss the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. This restaurant offers a cozy, rustic atmosphere and serves up classic British pub fare like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash. Don’t forget to try the famous Butterbeer while you’re there!

That’s it for our guide to restaurant options at Universal Studios. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a fancy sit-down meal, there’s something for everyone. So go ahead and indulge in some delicious food during your visit to Universal Studios!

Hotels/accommodations

When it comes to accommodations, Universal Orlando has several on-site hotels to choose from, including the luxurious Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the family-friendly Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and the retro-themed Universal’s Aventura Hotel.

Staying at an on-site hotel comes with several perks, such as early park admission, free transportation to the parks, and the ability to charge purchases to your hotel room. Plus, some hotels even offer complimentary express passes for their guests. However, staying on-site can be expensive, so if you’re looking to save some money and don’t intend to spend money on express Lane, consider staying off-site or in a nearby hotel. Just make sure to research transportation options to the park beforehand, as some hotels may offer shuttle services or you may need to use public transportation or ride-sharing apps.

Check here for post on our affordable Airbnb in Orlando Florida, off Universal Studios Orlando and Disney property lodging option for your next Florida vacation. This beautiful home is located in The Cove at Storey Lake Resort – Kissimmee, which is very close to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Walt Disney World. Average from $100-$200 per night, this Airbnb is the best bang for your buck vacation rentals in Orlando Florida.

And there you have it, everything you need to know for your visit to Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Overall, we had an incredible time at Universal Orlando Resort, even though we didn’t get to ride everything we wanted to. We hope our tips and experiences will help you plan your own adventure at this amazing theme park.

In conclusion, Universal Studios Orlando is an incredible vacation destination that should be on every family’s bucket list. From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the thrilling rides and delicious dining options, this park has something for everyone. So start planning your visit today and get ready for a magical adventure that you’ll never forget!

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