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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | What’s Where | Planning
By Gary McKechnie and Joseph Hayes
Universal Orlando’s personality is revealed the moment you arrive on property. Mood music, cartoonish architecture, abundant eye candy, subtle and overt sound effects, whirling and whizzing rides, plus a throng of fellow travelers will follow you to nearly every corner of the park. For peace and quiet, seek out a sanctuary at one of the resort hotels.
At a breathless pace, there’s a chance you could visit both Universal parks in a single day, but to do that you’ll have to invest in an Express Pass. Without it, you’ll spend a good portion of that day waiting in line at the premium attractions. So allow two days, perhaps three; a day for each park and a “pick-up” day to return to your favorites at a leisurely pace. Which attractions are the main attractions? At both IOA and Universal Studios, it’s definitely the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. That pairing along with The Mummy and The Simpsons attractions are always popular.
Universal Studios appeals primarily to those who like loud, fast, high-energy attractions—generally teens and adults. Covering 444 acres, it’s a rambling montage of sets, shops, and soundstages housing themed attractions, reproductions of New York and San Francisco and London, and some genuine moviemaking paraphernalia.
When Islands of Adventure (IOA) first opened in 1999, it took attractions to a new level. Most—from Marvel Super Hero Island and Toon Lagoon to Seuss Landing and the Lost Continent—are impressive; some even out-Disney Disney. In 2010, IOA received well-deserved worldwide attention when it opened the 20-acre Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And in 2014 Universal Studios made another huge leap forward when it opened a full-scale version of Diagon Alley, complete with Gringotts Bank and a magical train that departs for IOA from Platform 9¾.
Top Reasons to Go
The Variety: Universal Orlando is much more than just a single Hollywood-themed amusement park. It’s also the fantasy-driven Islands of Adventure (IOA) theme park; the clubs and restaurants of the CityWalk entertainment complex; and the upscale, on-site Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacific resorts. Nearby Wet ’n Wild water park is also affiliated with Universal.
Theme-Park Powerhouse: Neither SeaWorld nor any of Disney’s four theme parks can match the collective energy at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Wild rides, clever shows, constantly updated attractions, and an edgy attitude all push the envelope here.
Party Central: Throughout the year, Universal hosts festive park-wide events such as Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, Grinchmas, the Summer Concert Series, and the Rock the Universe Christian-music celebration.
Getting Oriented
Universal Orlando is tucked into a corner created by the intersection of Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road (Highway 435), midway between Downtown Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort. Here you’ll be about 15 minutes from each and just 10 minutes from SeaWorld.
What’s Where
Universal Studios Florida. The centerpiece of Universal Orlando is a creative and quirky tribute to Hollywood past, present, and future. Overall, the collection of wild rides, quiet retreats, live shows, street characters, and clever movies (both 3-D and 4-D) are as entertaining as the motion pictures they celebrate. Another plus, they’re always adding something new—like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley.
Islands of Adventure. Certainly the most significant addition to any Orlando theme park came when IOA introduced an entire land dedicated to Harry Potter, which, in turn, sparked a s0ubstantial surge in attendance. Also at IOA are Spider-Man, the Hulk, velociraptors, the Cat in the Hat, and dozens of other characters that give guests every reason to head to the islands.
CityWalk. Even when the parks are closed (especially when the parks are closed), locals and visitors come to this sprawling entertainment and retail complex to watch movies; dine at theme restaurants; shop for everything from cigars to surf wear; and stay up late at nightclubs celebrating the French Quarter, Jamaica, and the coolest clubs of NYC.
Planning
Getting Here and Around
East on Interstate 4 (from WDW and Tampa), exit at Universal Boulevard (75A); take a left into Universal Orlando, and follow the signs. Heading west on Interstate 4 (from Downtown or Daytona), exit at Universal Boulevard (74B), turn right, and follow Hollywood Way.
Both Universal Studios and IOA require a lot of walking—a whole lot of walking. Start off by using the parking area’s moving walkways as much as possible. Arrive early at either park, and you may be able to complete a single lap that will get you to the main attractions.
Operating Hours
Universal Studios and IOA are open 365 days a year, from 9 am to 7 pm, with hours as late as 10 pm in summer and at holidays. Wet ‘n Wild is also open 365 days a year, weather permitting, but with widely varying hours. Usually it’s open from 9 to 6, with summer hours from 9:30 am until 9 pm. Call for exact hours.
Parking
Universal’s two garages total 3.4 million square feet, so note your parking space. The cost is $17 for cars and motorcycles ($5 after 6 pm and free after 10), $22 for RVs & buses, and $25 for preferred parking. Although moving walkways get you partway, you could walk up to a half mile to reach the gates. Valet parking ($15 for up to two hours, $35 for more than two hours) is much closer.
Admission
The at-the-gate, per-person, per-day rate for either Universal Studios Florida or IOA is $96 (ages 10 and up) and $90 for children (ages 3–9). Far less expensive are multiday passes.
Express Passes
The Express Pass ranges in price from about $35 off-season to around $80 in peak season. This pass gets you to the front of most lines and saves a tremendous amount of time. Keep in mind, the pass is for one use only at each attraction—a more expensive “unlimited” pass takes you to the head of the line again and again and again. If you’re a guest at a Universal hotel, this perk is free; your room key serves as the pass.
Universal Dining Plan
If you prefer to pay in advance, Quick Service meals include one meal, two snacks, and a nonalcoholic beverage ($20). The kids’ version covers a kids meal, one snack, and a beverage ($13). Universal Studios locations include Mel’s Drive-In, Louie’s Italian, Beverly Hills Boulangerie, and the Classic Monsters Café. At Islands of Adventure, your choices are the Comic Strip Café, Croissant Moon, the Burger Digs, and Café 4.
Universal Strategies
Arrive early. Come as early as 8 am if the parks open at 9. Seriously. Better to share them with hundreds of people than with thousands.
Visit on a weekday. Crowds are lighter, especially fall through spring, when kids are in school.
Don’t forget anything in your car. Universal’s parking areas are at least a half mile from park entrances, and a round-trip hike will eat up valuable time. Consider valet parking. It costs $35 for longer than two hours before 6 pm (twice as much as regular parking), but it puts you much closer to Universal’s park entrances and just steps from CityWalk.
Know the restrictions. A few things aren’t allowed in the parks: alcohol and glass containers; hard-sided coolers; soft-sided coolers larger than 8½ inches wide by 6 inches high by 6 inches deep; and coolers, suitcases, and other bags with wheels. But if your flight’s leaving later, you can check your luggage at the parks (unless you just leave them in your car).
Look into the Express Pass. Jumping to the front of the line with this pass really is worth the extra cost on busy days—unless you stay at a resort hotel, in which case front-of-line access is one of the perks.
Ride solo. At Universal some rides have a single-rider line that moves much faster than regular lines.
Get expert advice. The folks at Guest Services (aka Guest Relations) have great insight. The reps can even create a custom itinerary free of charge.
Check out Child Swap. At certain Universal attractions, one parent can enter the attraction, take a spin, and then return to take care of the baby while the other parent rides without having to wait in line again.
Tours
VIP Tours.
Universal has several VIP tours that are worthwhile if you’re in a hurry, if crowds are heavy, if you’re with a large group—and if you have the money to burn (prices leapt in 2014). The tours include extras like front-of-the-line access (that is, the right to jump to the head of the line). You can also arrange for extras like priority restaurant seating, bilingual guides, gift bags, refreshments at check-in, wheelchairs and strollers, and valet parking. Prices cited here do not include sales tax or park admission, and may edge up in peak seasons (or may not be available in peak season, so call ahead).
Here’s what you’ll pay in off-peak/peak seasons: Nonexclusive one-day tours (i.e., you’ll tour with other park guests) cost $299/$369 per person for one park (five hours) and $329/$389 for two parks (seven hours). Then there are exclusive tours for your group only. If you’re traveling with up to 10 people, consider splitting the cost of an eight-hour tour customized to your interests, which includes a sit-down lunch at the park of your choice. The eight-hour one-park exclusive price is $2,599/$2,899; two parks in eight hours will cost you $2,899/$3,199. What does $4,799/$4,999 get you? How about a two-day tour of both parks with backstage access and discussions on park history, decorating, and landscaping? And lunch. | 407/363–8295 | www.universalorlando.com.
Universal Studios Top Attractions
Ages 7 and Up
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. On this super-wild coaster, you select the soundtrack.
MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack. The “world’s first ride-through video game” gives you a chance to compete for points by plugging away at an endless swarm of aliens.
Revenge of the Mummy. It’s a jarring, rocketing indoor coaster that takes you past scary mummies and billowing balls of fire (really).
Shrek 4-D. The 3-D film with sensory effects picks up where the original film left off—and adds some creepy extras in the process.
The Simpsons Ride. It puts you in the heart of Springfield on a wild-and-crazy virtual-reality experience.
Transformers: The Ride 3-D. Universal Studios’ version of IOA’s fantastic Spider-Man experience, but this one features a rough-and-tumble encounter with the mechanical stars of the film franchise.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Getting into the vault at Gringotts Bank can be a challenge, but it’s also a first-class adventure thanks to technology similar to that of The Transformers and IOA’s Spider-Man and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show. This sometimes gross, often raunchy, but always entertaining demonstration merges the best of stand-up comedy with creepy effects.
Ages 6 and Under
Animal Actors on Location! It’s a perfect family show starring a menagerie of animals whose unusually high IQs are surpassed only by their cuteness and cuddle-ability.
Curious George Goes to Town. The celebrated simian visits the Man with the Yellow Hat in a small-scale water park.
A Day in the Park with Barney. Young children love the big purple dinosaur and the chance to sing along.
Contacts
Universal | 407/363–8000 | www.universalorlando.com
Universal Dining and Tickets | 407/224–7840
Universal (Loews Resorts) Room Reservations | 877/819–7884
Universal Vacation Packages | 800/407–4275
Wet ‘n Wild | 407/351–1800 or 800/992–9453 | www.wetnwild.com