Welcome to our ultimate Universal Orlando FAQ!
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort can feel overwhelming, especially with so many theme parks, attractions, hotels, and experiences to choose from. Whether you’re wondering about the newest park, EPIC Universe, or looking for insider tips to maximize your visit, this Ultimate Universal Orlando FAQ has you covered.
From must-know park strategies to hidden gems and expert tricks, we answer the most common questions travelers ask before their trip. Plus, we’ve linked to in-depth guides throughout so you can dive deeper into specific topics.
Whether it’s the best way to skip the lines, how to ride the Hogwarts Express, or where to send a postcard from Hogsmeade, you’ll find all the essential info right here. Get ready to plan the ultimate Universal Orlando adventure with confidence!
Bookmark this page so you always have it handy. Use the collapsable Table of Contents and the jump links to navigate your way around. And make sure to check out the links to our other guides.
Universal Unlocked Tips
We gathered all our best Universal Orlando tips and tricks from this Universal Orlando travel guide and put them all in once place. Just for you.
Stuff You Should Know Before You Go
UNLOCKED TIP: There are almost always promotional park tickets available where you pay for (usually) two days and get two or three days free. Look for them before you pay for four or five days!
UNLOCKED TIP: You must buy a park-to-park ticket between (at minimum) Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure if you want access to the Hogwarts Express ride that travels between the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
UNLOCKED TIP: If you’re going to book any kind of combo of hotels or tickets, you will need to call the booking number. The website is easy, but she’s a straight shooter. One hotel and one ticket type.
UNLOCKED TIP: As of now, during the initial launch of EPIC Universe, guests will only be able to purchase single day tickets to visit Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park. This includes multi-day park-to-park tickets, which will break off one of those days to allow entry to EPIC Universe. But they are releasing new products all the time.
UNLOCKED TIP: Like the year the Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened, we expect 2025 to be a bit unpredictable due to the opening of the “south campus,” including Universal EPIC Universe and the accompanying new on-site hotels.
UNLOCKED TIP: Policies can change on a dime. It’s always a good idea to check for any updates to policies or changes in procedures on the official Universal Orlando website or through the Universal Orlando app before your visit.
UNLOCKED TIP: Some features in the Universal Orlando app are GPS-enabled (e.g., ride alerts and mobile ordering) and will only work when you’re in the park. Don’t try them while you’re still at home. You can. It’s not dangerous or anything. Just … nothing will happen.
UNLOCKED TIP: Always take pictures of your park tickets so they can be replaced in case you lose them.
UNLOCKED TIP: On-site hotel check in is set at the standard 4PM. But don’t let this dissuade you from arriving at any point in the day that’s convenient for you. Your park ticket is valid for the day you check into the hotel and the day you check out, and you should feel free to arrive early to take advantage of a full park day if you want. Sometimes your room will be ready when you check in early, but if it’s not, luggage storage will keep your stuff while you enjoy the parks. You can settle into your room when you get back.
UNLOCKED TIP: Some bus companies offer direct service to or from popular attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
UNLOCKED TIP: Protect your feet. Do not get a pedicure before you leave for your trip. If you can, try not to get one for as long as possible before you leave. Fresh feet will get ripped up faster than anything when you’re trying to walk for hours at a time. Calluses are your friend! Wear tennis shoes or other shoes you know are broken in and can be walked in for long periods of time.
Rides and Attractions
UNLOCKED TIP: When planning around inclement weather, remember that Islands of Adventure attractions are mostly outdoor (read: will close), and Universal Studios Florida attractions are mostly indoor (read: will stay open).
UNLOCKED TIP: The wait times listed on the Universal Orlando app are for the main queue only. There is not currently a place to find single rider and express pass wait times, although if wishing made it so!
UNLOCKED TIP: Before you go on a ride for the first time, check whether the ride has a single rider option or an express pass option, or both, or neither. This info can be found inside the ride details on the Universal Orlando app.
UNLOCKED TIP: The express pass includes most major attractions. But as of now, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the major attraction that doesn’t accept the express pass.
UNLOCKED TIP: Most places, including the official site, will tell you that you have to use your park ticket to open a locker. But it’s just not true. Your room key card works just as well. What can we say? These are the extremely high level insider tips you find at Universal Unlocked.
UNLOCKED TIP: Send one (1) person from your party into the ride locker areas because they get really crowded. On busy park days, an attendant will usually prohibit more than one (1) person from entering the areas.
UNLOCKED TIP: Don’t waste your time on Fast & Furious: Supercharged. No ride has ever been so universally hated, and there are constant rumors that it will be replaced. (Rip Ride Rockit is another closure in the offing. Both rank at the bottom of our rides and attractions review. Coincidence??)
UPDATE: Rip Ride Rockit is now permanently closed to make way for a new attraction. Catch every update on the new experience on our News & Updates page.
UNLOCKED TIP: Skull Island: Reign of Kong has a 36-inch height requirement, and … we can sort of see why a kid could ride this ride, but don’t be so busy thinking about could that you forget about should. Do not take your small child on this ride. We don’t even ride it. It’s scary.
UNLOCKED TIP: Storm Force Accelatron doesn’t have a height requirement, but we find that weird to be honest! It’s the fast spinning one that every amusement park has a version of. The one with carts that spin while attached to three sets of circles that all spin while the whole thing spins. This doesn’t seem appropriate for a baby. But do you, Islands of Adventure.
UNLOCKED TIP: Every single ride at both theme parks (and we assume coming to EPIC Universe also—Volcano Bay does not offer child swap) are either kid-oriented or feature the child swap option. Our favorite child swap is at Jurassic World Velocicoaster. It is comfy. Like a little daycare center with TVs and toys back there.
UNLOCKED TIP: Hit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides at meal times. The lines are usually slightly shorter when most people are noshing.
What You Need at the Parks
UNLOCKED TIP: Go to your hotel Universal merch store (they all have one) and get a Universal Orlando lanyard before you hit the parks. Lanyards are also available at any shop at the resort and most of the kiosks. Store both your room key and your park ticket in your lanyard pouch(es). Back in the day the pouches were clear and you could store both in one pouch. Add it to the wish list.
UNLOCKED TIP: Protect your health at the parks. Drink enough water, limit alcohol consumption, remember to stop and eat, and remember to take breaks out of the sun.
UNLOCKED TIP: There is a first aid station at each of Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. There is also a Health Services main station in Universal Studios Florida. Ask the nearest park employee to guide you.
UNLOCKED TIP: In the Universal Orlando app, at the top right corner of each attraction or restaurant, there is a ❤️ to click on to add that attraction or restaurant to your “favorites” list. Then if you visit the “profile” tab and click on favorites, a curated map and list of just your preferred attractions and restaurants will populate.
UNLOCKED TIP: Given that our main author has severe food allergies, the mobile ordering feature in the Universal Orlando app made us very nervous at first. But there is an option to add an “allergen note” to your order before submitting it. When you do, someone from the kitchen staff will come and speak to you directly about how to make your order safe.
UNLOCKED TIP: Remember to search for and use park Wi-Fi on your phone. It’s reliable and will save you a lot of data usage.
UNLOCKED TIP: Make sure to bring credit/debit cards to the parks. Cards and ApplePay are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are cashless now.
Hidden Gems
UNLOCKED TIP: There is memorabilia from past Universal Orlando rides scattered throughout the parks. From Jaws, to Twister, to Back to the Future, they are always fun to stumble upon. Read about the evolution of Universal Orlando Resort attractions here.
UNLOCKED TIP: Postcards are available for purchase in most places. You can buy packs of specially themed Wizarding World of Harry Potter postcards and mail them back home from the Dervish and Banges Owl Post in Hogsmeade. They will even postmark your letters with the Hogsmeade stamp!
UNLOCKED TIP: Across the street from Ollivander’s in Diagon Alley is a place called Shutterbuttons. Drop in to pick up an unforgettable, one of a kind souvenir.
UNLOCKED TIP: Purchase a Coke Freestyle Mug at your earliest convenience so you’re able to use the many locations for free refills throughout your trip. Access to ice and water at the refilling stations is always free.
A nice feature of the Coke Freestyle refillable mugs is that refilling stations with ice and tons of drink options—including water—are available all over the parks. But if you want to bring your own water bottle (or buy a plastic bottle of water and reuse), you can use the freestyle stations to get water and ice refills for free.
Beware of the downside of the Coke Freestyle Mug. It’s not a big one, but it is worth mentioning. The mugs are tall and will not fit in small ride lockers without turning them sideways. Each time you ride you will have to pour out the contents to store the mug, and then refill once you stop using the locker. There are multiple liquid disposal locations next to all locker stations for this express purpose.
UNLOCKED TIP: Make sure to visit the Universal Store at CityWalk. It has merch no other Universal store does. The Harry Potter merch is especially excellent.
On-Site Hotel Benefits
UNLOCKED TIP: Ask the cashier to send any purchases you make at any place in Universal Orlando Resort back to your hotel, and they will take them off your hands right there, for free. Your bags will usually show up in your hotel room the next day, unless you make a purchase super early in the morning. Given this, it’s inadvisable to use this service the day before or the day you leave. Your merch will not make it back to the hotel in time.
UNLOCKED TIP: The Universal Express Pass Unlimited is valued anywhere from $120–$330 per day. At certain times this can be the entire price of your stay per night. Totally worth it.
UNLOCKED TIP: You can—and should—hotel hop. Every hotel is its own highly immersive experience worth checking out.
UNLOCKED TIP: Every pool at Universal Orlando Resort is heated to 80 degrees throughout the year. Bring your suit year round.
UNLOCKED TIP: You do not have to show proof that you’re a guest of a specific hotel—or any on-site hotel—to traverse Universal Orlando via the river. Hop on at CityWalk and explore any of the four (4) hotels along the scenic waterway. (Six (6) if you count Aventura and Cabana Bay, and we think you should.)
UNLOCKED TIP: While the Aventura Hotel does not include water taxi service, Sapphire Falls Resort, which does, is right next door on the same property. And Cabana Bay is right across the street. (Remember that you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to ride their water taxi.)
UNLOCKED TIP: While the Aventura Hotel is not located along the river, it is a stone’s throw from Sapphire Falls Resort, which is. So add 3 to 5 minutes and it actually is on the walking path. Same with Cabana Bay Beach Resort, but add 5 to 10 minutes.
UNLOCKED TIP: If you’re staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, skip the bus and use the dedicated walking path between Volcano Bay and Cabana Bay.
UNLOCKED TIP: The Helios Grand Hotel is slotted in the Signature Collection, but it doesn’t quite fit in the premier or preferred categories. Like other premier hotels, it will feature a club level and luxury suites. But unlike other premier hotels, it does not include the unlimited express pass or restaurant priority seating. We’ll have a lot more details about the Helios Grand and EPIC Universe when we visit later this year.
UNLOCKED TIP: While it is true that the celiac safe options across Universal Orlando Resort are amazing, we are particularly fond of the dietary accommodations at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
UNLOCKED TIP: Despite having the most amenities between the two, Dockside Inn and Suites is consistently cheaper than Surfside Inn and Suites. In case you’re stuck choosing between the two Endless Summer Resorts.
The Ultimate Universal Orlando FAQ
All your questions about Universal Orlando, answered right here.
Theme Parks
Hmmm. Depends on what you mean by “do.” Read our thoughts here.
Read about them here.
Yes! Universal Orlando’s version is called the Universal Express Pass. Read about how to get one, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth it, here.
Yes. Read about them here.
Yes, with a park-to-park ticket.
Pricing starts at $310. Read more here.
Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando Resort allows guests to enter select theme parks up to one hour before the official opening time. This perk is available to Universal hotel guests and select ticket holders, such as Annual Passholders (depending on pass level) and certain vacation packages.
The specific park(s) and attractions available for Early Park Admission vary daily but typically include major rides like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios Florida) and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Islands of Adventure). Guests should check the official Universal Orlando website for the latest schedule and eligible attractions.
Read about Universal Orlando parking here.
Find out here.
Find out here.
Of course! Explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ here.
Universal EPIC Universe is the newest theme park coming to Universal Orlando Resort. It opens May 22, 2025, along with a new on-site hotel located within the theme park. Two (2) new on-site hotels have already opened in 2025. EPIC Universe and the three (3) new on-site hotels are located on the new Universal Orlando south campus.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes. CocaCola Freestyle stations litter the parks. Ice and water is free.
Yes. It’s encouraged!
No. Unfortunately that is not part of the Wizarding World experience. But there are voluminous other wonderful things to do, including participating in a wand ceremony at Ollivander’s if you want.
There is a test seat outside every ride with size restrictions. We highly recommend ensuring you can safely fit on the ride, so that you don’t waste time in the queue if you can’t.
Yes. There are designated smoking areas inside the parks and at the on-site hotels.
The Resort
Yes. You may find some completely sunny days. We definitely have. But it’s best to always expect scattered showers.
Yes.
No.
Universal Orlando Resort spans approximately 735 acres. The resort includes three (3) theme parks—Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay—along with the Universal CityWalk entertainment district and eight (8) on-site hotels. While smaller than Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando continues to expand, with the upcoming EPIC Universe theme park set to open in 2025, adding hundreds of additional acres to the resort.
Universal Orlando consists of two (2) theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and one (1) water park, Volcano Bay. A third theme park, Universal EPIC Universe, opens May 22, 2025. Read more here.
Universal Studios Florida first opened as a single theme park in 1999. Read more about how it became the Universal Orlando Resort of today here.
Turns out we have some thoughts on that, too.
Yep. Halloween Horror Nights is globally iconic and draws the biggest crowds, but the resort also celebrates Christmas and Mardi Gras. There are other various special events throughout the year. Read more here.
Of course. It’s Florida. The weather is perfect in the winter. Plus Universal Orlando celebrates the holidays in November and December, and Mardi Gras in February and March. But bring a jacket because it does get nippy at night.
All types. Some places are cashless, so make sure you have cards or touch pay. But cash is accepted some places, and you will need it for traditional tipping. So it’s a good idea to have that with you as well.
Theme park tickets, once purchased, are non-refundable. But extreme weather (e.g., hurricanes) may allow for rescheduling hotels and ticket bookings and waived change fees. Read more here.
Yes. And you should! Each on-site hotel is its own immersive experience worth exploring.
A better question might be “what shouldn’t I eat at Universal Orlando?”
Yes! Great ones.
Dining reservations are not strictly necessary, but if you can manage it they are always a good idea. Especially for The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen.
Yes. Alcoholic beverages are for sale throughout the resort, including the theme parks, CityWalk Orlando, and all on-site hotels.
Yes. Both Volcano Bay attractions and on-site hotel pools are heated to 80 degrees year round.
On-Site Hotels
Signature Collection hotels all have luxury suites and kid-themed rooms, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Read more about on-site hotels here.
Every north campus hotel is within walking distance of the north campus parks. Every south campus hotel will be within walking distance of EPIC Universe.
Yes. You can pick up packages either at the front desk or at the business center.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Universal Orlando FAQ
Universal Orlando Resort offers endless thrills, immersive experiences, and unforgettable moments, whether you’re visiting for the first time or are a seasoned theme park pro. With this Ultimate FAQ and insider tips, you’re now equipped to navigate the parks like a pro, from understanding Express Passes to discovering hidden gems like mailing a postcard from Hogsmeade.
Thanks for reading! We tried to cover everything you could possibly need to know, along with lots of helpful links. However, if you have any remaining questions or notice topics that we didn’t cover, please reach out to us! Our contact info can be found here, as well as at the bottom of this page, and you can also reach out to us on our Instagram page! We hope you have the best time at our favorite place on earth!
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