Here’s how to plan a trip to Universal Orlando Resort in 2025

Universal Orlando has three theme parks, a water park, 11 hotels and a 30-acre shopping, dining and entertainment complex. If it’s your first visit to the theme park that lets you “ride the movies” or you haven’t visited in a while, this guide can help you determine where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Universal Orlando Resort.

How to start planning your trip to Universal Orlando

There are a few questions you will want to answer before you dig into the details of planning your Universal Orlando vacation:

• What is your budget? The amount of cash you have to burn will determine most other factors of your vacation, including where you stay, how many days you visit, where you dine and whether you will visit one or multiple parks per day.
• When will you go? The best times to visit Universal Orlando are similar to the best times to visit Disney World. It is busier on weekends and during school breaks, including spring break, the long summer break and the winter holiday season. You’ll see fewer crowds if you visit on a weekday when school is in session.
• Where will you stay? Universal Orlando has 11 hotels; they range from as little as $150 per night for Value Inns and Suites and climb as high as $800 per night for Signature Collection hotels. You can base your choice on budget, theming or where you plan to spend most of your time. Three of Universal’s hotels are closer to the new Epic Universe park, while the others are closer to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
• Which parks will you visit on which days? This will help you choose between purchasing one-park-per-day tickets or “Park-to-Park” tickets that grant access to multiple parks on the same day. You can also add access to Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park and Epic Universe, as well as Universal Express passes that allow you to skip the standby line on most attractions.
• What are your must-do rides and experiences? Review the rides and experiences at each of Universal’s parks to find your favorites. You can read about our favorite rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, or see what’s coming to Epic Universe.
• Where will you dine? If you are planning on one of Universal’s specialty dining experiences — like a Marvel character dinner, the Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort or Sapphire Falls’ five-course dinner with rum pairings — you need to make reservations early. Reservations for most other table service meals are easy to get within a couple of weeks before your vacation.

What type of Universal Orlando ticket should I buy?

Universal ticket types

Universal Orlando offers several ticket types, which you can purchase for entry for one, two, three, four or five days. Which ticket type you choose will determine which parks you can visit and whether you can visit multiple theme parks in one day.

The cheapest tickets allow access to one park per day. You can choose between Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.

If you want to visit multiple parks in one day, you’ll need to purchase Park-to-Park tickets. These tickets may be more expensive, but Universal’s parks are close enough to each other that it is easy to visit multiple parks per day. It’s also the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express train because it travels between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Related: From butterbeer to magic wands: Everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Only certain ticket types can get you into Epic Universe during the grand opening period for the new park. You can purchase a one-day ticket to Epic Universe, a hotel and ticket package that includes a visit to Epic Universe, or a park-only ticket with up to four days at Universal’s other parks and a one-day admission to Epic Universe.

If you visit for more than a couple of days or potentially twice in 12 months, consider a Universal annual pass.

Buying direct from Universal

Universal Orlando’s website almost always has special offers. Read the options carefully to see if any promotions make sense for you. You may get free park days, a discount on hotel and theme park ticket packages, or other special offers.

Buying tickets from other vendors

You can also buy tickets from reputable vendors like Undercover Tourist or an authorized vacation planner like our partner Mouse Counselors. One of our favorite things about purchasing through Undercover Tourist is that your theme park tickets will code as a travel charge on your credit card. If you have a card that earns bonus points for travel purchases or comes with an annual travel credit, you can utilize those benefits by purchasing your tickets through a third-party site.

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Using points to buy Universal tickets

You can use Citi ThankYou Rewards to purchase admission to Universal Orlando. At the time of this writing, Universal Orlando tickets are not available through any other credit card travel portal.

Best times to visit Universal Orlando

You may not be entirely free to choose the date for your visit to Universal Orlando. Of course, this year, we recommend waiting until Epic Universe opens May 22 so you can experience this groundbreaking new park.

If you are traveling with school-age children, you will probably have to come to Orlando during long weekends or spring or summer breaks. These can be busy times because most school breaks coincide, but this guide will share some ways you can save time in line.

Historically, Universal Orlando Resort’s slowest times are between Labor Day through the first two weeks of November (before Thanksgiving) and the first two weeks of December (before the holiday rush). Note, though, that if you visit close to Halloween, it will be busier because of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Most of January, except for the first week, is also relatively quiet, as is the first week of February. However, it quickly gets busy with spring breakers the closer you get to March. Crowds thin out a bit after Easter and through May, then ramp up again for the summertime.

You can check expected crowd levels at crowd calendars like Undercover Tourist, Touringplans or Orlando Informer.

What’s the best way to get to Universal Orlando?

Getting to Orlando and then to Universal Orlando Resort after arriving are two completely different things. Let’s look at each.

What is the closest airport to Universal Orlando?

The closest airport to Universal Orlando is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Most major airlines fly into MCO, and you can reach Universal from the airport in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you are flying Allegiant Air or Sun Country Airlines, you’ll fly into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). SFB is smaller than MCO and is farther from Universal. From SFB, it is about a 45-minute drive to Universal.

What is the best way to get to Universal Orlando from the airport?

Because of its size and proximity to Universal, MCO offers several options for getting between the airport and Universal.

From Orlando International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. If you rent a car from MCO, you can forgo paying tolls through the car rental company (which often comes with an additional fee) and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass to save on tolls during your trip.

If you do rent a car, keep in mind that Universal’s on-site hotels charge a parking fee; you’ll have to pay for parking if you choose to drive to Universal’s theme parks, too. With Universal’s transportation options, though, there is no reason to drive between the parks if you stay on-site.

Your other option is the Universal SuperStar Shuttle. The shuttle can pick you up from MCO and drop you off at your Universal hotel. One-way service is $23 for adults and $18 for kids ages 3 to 9. Round-trip service is $39 for adults and $29 for kids. Reservations are required, and you can call 1-866-604-7557 to make one.

What is the best way to get around Universal Orlando?

If you are staying at one of Universal’s on-site hotels, you have several complimentary options for getting between your resort, Universal’s parks and CityWalk.

Shuttle bus

Because Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk are close to one another, there is only one bus stop near the main parking garage, regardless of where you are going. A separate shuttle will take you from the main parking area to Volcano Bay water park unless you stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Aventura Hotel. These hotels are close enough to Volcano Bay that guests must use the walking path.

Because Epic Universe is farther from the main campus, you will board a dedicated bus from your hotel or the main parking area to get to that park.

Water taxi

All of Universal’s Signature Collection hotels and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offer water taxi service to Universal’s theme parks. In addition to easy access to the parks, you go through security before you board the water taxi, so you’ll get into the parks without waiting in a long security line.

Drive and park

If you’re not staying in an official Universal hotel, you must drive and park in Universal’s main parking structure (6000 Universal Boulevard). After you park and go through security, you can walk to CityWalk or one of Universal’s theme parks. If you plan to visit Volcano Bay, you’ll be directed to a shuttle bus that can take you there.

Daily parking fees are as follows:

• Regular parking: $32
• RV/bus parking: $42
• Prime parking: $50 to $60

Valet parking is available for an additional fee. Free self-parking is available for guests who arrive after 6 p.m. except during select nighttime events.

Garden walk

If you don’t mind a few hundred extra steps, you can take a peaceful walking path from the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort to Universal’s main campus.

There is a separate security entrance at the end of the walking path that usually has a much shorter wait than the main security station in the parking garage. If you are staying at one of these hotels and want to arrive for early park admission, the walking path is often the best way to get there quickly and be near the front gates before they open.

Walking paths to Epic Universe are available at the three hotels closest to that park.

What’s the best place to stay on a Universal Orlando vacation?

Once you’ve ironed out when to visit Universal, you’ll want to determine where to stay. You have many options between Universal’s on-site hotels and several nearby points hotels. There are so many choices that TPG wrote an entire guide to choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip, but here’s a quick overview.

Benefits of Universal hotels

All Universal hotel guests receive early entry into the parks for specific attractions up to one hour before the official opening time. The parks that are open for early admission vary daily, and only certain attractions are available. There’s a helpful page on the Universal site to determine what’s available to on-site hotel guests.

It’s a nice freebie, and it’s the best strategy if your heart is set on riding an attraction that does not participate in the Universal Express pass skip-the-line program.

If you stay in one of Universal’s on-site hotels, you can use the park’s complimentary transportation options described above to get between the parks and your hotel. You can also charge shopping and dining purchases to your room and take advantage of package delivery to your hotel when you buy souvenirs in the parks.

Rates at Universal’s Value and Prime Value hotels align with other area hotels, but if you want to stay in one of Universal’s high-end Signature Collection hotels, you’ll pay considerably more.

Most of these (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel) come with complimentary Universal Express Unlimited skip-the-line passes for all guests in your room, adding up to significant savings to the cost of your vacation.

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can maximize your stay at Loews Portofino Bay and book via the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. This will not only get you Universal Express passes for all the guests in your party but also a full daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit, late 4 p.m. checkout and more.

Several Universal Orlando hotels are bookable through Capital One Travel, Chase Travel and the Citi Travel portal, allowing you to earn or redeem points and miles on your hotel stay.

Staying off-site

Universal is surrounded by plenty of points hotels, so if you’d prefer to stay off-site (using points or cash) and don’t mind missing out on the perks and proximity of staying on-site, you can easily do so. Some of TPG’s favorite nearby points hotels are within walking distance of Universal or have a complimentary shuttle.

How to save time in line at Universal Orlando

Like many other theme parks, Universal has its own version of a skip-the-line pass called Universal Express. There are a few ways you can get Universal Express passes.

As mentioned above, the best way is to get it included for free with your stay at select Signature Collection hotels. Another option is to buy an Express Pass for the day or days you wish to use it. How much you pay depends on the type of pass you buy, when you visit Universal and which parks you plan to visit.

Prices start at $119 per person, per day for the Universal Express pass, and it allows you to skip the line once per day on most attractions. For Universal Express Unlimited, which allows you to skip the line multiple times per day, the price starts at $149.99.

There are separate Express Pass options that include Volcano Bay or Epic Universe. You can compare all available options on Universal’s website.

Take a VIP tour

Another way to avoid the lines is to take a VIP tour. Universal offers both small group and private VIP tours, and both options can help you cut the line. A private tour will cost your group a few thousand dollars for the day, but small-group VIP experiences can be much less expensive, averaging around $400 per person.

The primary difference between the two tours is the amount of access. The group tours are less private but only guarantee that you’ll experience front-of-the-line access for eight to 10 rides. A private VIP tour is charged by the hour and operates faster or slower as you prefer.

Use child swap

If you travel as a family, you know that not everyone will want to go on every ride. Plus, some of your kids may not yet be old or tall enough to ride some attractions your other kids are dying to try.

Related: More than just thrills: There’s big fun for little kids at Universal Orlando

Universal’s child-swap program solves the problem of the entire family having to choose between experiencing a ride or waiting in line twice for both adults to ride. Most attractions have air-conditioned waiting areas with televisions showing whichever movie the attraction is based on, and parents can take turns waiting there with their children.

Just ask the attraction attendant to point you toward the designated waiting spots.

How to plan a Universal Orlando trip on a budget

All the extras like Universal Express and top-tier hotels are fun. However, if those perks aren’t in your budget, there are ways to save money on your visit to Universal Orlando. Here are some of the most important things you can do to make your Universal vacation budget manageable:

• Stay at a Universal Value resort like Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside or Surfside resorts, or use hotel reward points to stay at one of the Hilton or Hyatt hotels mentioned above. Here are the best cards to earn Hilton points and the best cards to earn Hyatt points.
• Purchase groceries for meals and snacks, and only buy one or two meals in the parks daily.
• Don’t visit the parks every day you are at Universal, and stick to one park per day. You’ll save money by skipping a Park-to-Park ticket.
• Swim at your hotel or visit CityWalk during your day off from the parks. If you stay at a resort like Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, you’ll have a lazy river and waterslide at the pool, making it almost like a water park.
• Don’t forget to periodically check Universal’s website for discounts. Even after you book, you may be able to apply a hotel or vacation package discount that can save you even more money.
• Visit during less busy times of the year. Ticket prices are the cheapest in September, with one-day tickets starting at $119.

Universal Orlando pre-trip checklist

Now that you’ve determined your budget, purchased your tickets, booked your hotel and made a rough itinerary, your trip is nearly planned. You’ll just need to consider a few other details to make your trip as memorable as possible.

Here’s our ultimate Universal Orlando pre-trip checklist:

• Pack accordingly: Depending on when you visit, you could be dealing with heat, humidity, afternoon showers, chilly temperatures or a mix of all of the above. It’s important to pack comfortable shoes and clothing no matter when you visit, but you may also want rain gear, sun protection or a warm jacket, depending on the weather.
• Download the Universal Orlando app: This app is an invaluable tool that you will use daily during your visit. You can use it to check wait times and show times; plus, you can mobile-order meals and snacks from quick-service dining locations. You can also link your ticket to the app. Or, if you save a credit card to your account, you can use the app’s Universal Pay feature to make contactless payments at shops and restaurants throughout the park.
• Check the park hours before your visit: You can view the park hours on the Universal Orlando website or the Universal Orlando app. Each park has separate opening and closing times, and parks occasionally close early for special events like Halloween Horror Nights.
• Check the height requirements for attractions: If you are traveling to Universal Orlando with young children, you can check the height requirements for attractions on the park’s website or app. There are also measuring stations at all attractions with a minimum height requirement, but it’s better to know ahead of time to avoid tears if your child isn’t quite tall enough.
• Know where to find your favorite characters: Most characters have designated meeting times and locations, which you can find in the Universal app under “shows.” You should see a filter for “character” that will bring up shows and meet-and-greets with your favorite characters.
• Decide if you want to purchase a My Universal Photos package. In addition to on-ride photos, professional photographers are available around Universal’s theme parks to help you capture your vacation memories. You can purchase one-day or three-day photo packages and save $20 by purchasing ahead of time. If you think you will want this option, it’s best to purchase it before your vacation.
• Plan for downtime: One of the biggest mistakes people make on a theme park vacation is overscheduling their trip and leaving no time for rest and relaxation. If you are visiting for more than a few days, try and schedule a day away from the parks where you swim, explore the other resorts or lounge around the hotel. It’ll help rejuvenate you for the rest of your trip. For shorter trips, you may want to schedule a slow morning or return to your hotel early one day instead of being at the parks from opening to closing every day.

Bottom line

Universal is packed with rides, attractions, character meet-and-greets and more. Yet it’s compact enough that you can cover a lot of ground in just a few days. With this guide, you can choose where to stay and what to do, as well as where to spend and where you can save. This way, you can have the best Universal Orlando vacation.

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