Whether you’re a family of film buffs in thrall to the silver screen, a tribe of TV lovers keen to experience things first hand, or you simply love to ride the odd roller coaster with your relatives, Florida’s Universal Studios could be the holiday destination for you.
But with so much to see and do at this resort and theme park devoted to celebrating the bright lights of the US entertainment industry, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed, both by those bright lights, and the amount of thrilling (and sometimes frustrating) options here.
We’re here to help with that; here are 8 secrets to a successful family trip to Universal Studios, Florida.
Go In Shoulder Season
Because everybody needs a shoulder to lean on, right?
The sun shines all year round in Orlando, and Universal Studios are open for business every day. The fun never stops here, that’s for sure.
However, the four theme parks of The City Beautiful get especially biz-ZAY in both the winter and summer seasons. The former, in particular, is peak tourist season, as skies remain blue but humidity is lower, while summer sees scorching temperatures but still plenty of crowds as the school holidays in the US run from June to the middle of August.
One of the best times to visit Universal Studios to avoid the crowds, then, is in the shoulder seasons – the travel period between the peak and off-peak seasons. Shoulder season in Florida runs between April through to May and September through November. At this time, the weather is pleasant throughout the Sunshine State (hence the name) and the hotel rates are considerably lower than during the high season.
Do be aware that Hurricane Season runs from June to November, with September the peak month. By November, frequency has lowered, making the eleventh month an ideal one to visit Universal Studios Florida.
That said, If you’re travelling with kids, you’re likely locked into visiting during peak season. But that’s not the end of the world…
Stay Onsite
If you only have a few days to explore Universal Studios and the price isn’t too prohibitive, then consider staying onsite.
All guests of Universal’s hotels get access to exclusive perks, which mitigates the price somewhat. To get the best deal, book via a travel agent that has exclusive access to discounts and offers on package Universal Studios all-inclusive holidays.
A travel agent can get you fantastic deals for on-site accommodation at Cabana Bay, Hard Rock Hotel or one of Universal’s other resorts. Once installed, you can enjoy all the perks that come with it, such as early theme park admission and free Universal Express Unlimited ride access, meaning you get to skip the regular lines at your favourite rides and attractions. In other words; you can fit way more fun into your day, and with impatient kids, that’s hard to put a price on!
A handful of Universal onsite hotels also offer early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Some can also arrange priority seating at select restaurants throughout the resort. Moreover, all these hotels offer a shuttle that will take you back and forth to the park, something you’ll be thankful for after a long day with the little ones in step!
Download Universal’s App
There’s an app for everything these days, and one that will make your trip so much easier is the Official Universal Orlando App, helping you make every moment of your trip count.
Universal’s app has an interactive map so you know where you are in the park, meaning finding your way through the crowds is easy. You can also locate the park’s toilets, or ‘‘restrooms’’ as the Americans like to say, with ease.
Moreover, it has current wait times for popular rides, meaning you can make an informed choice before joining the queues. Be sure to bring a power bank; finding outlets to charge your phone at the park ain’t easy.
Oh, and you can preorder from select restaurants when you’re in Universal’s CityWalk, the self-proclaimed ‘’epicentre of awesome’’ and the hub of the dining scene here. For a very American experience, have a burger and shake at Mel’s Drive-In, a 50’s inspired drive-in diner featuring golden oldies on the jukebox and shiny vintage cars out front.
Speaking of ordering food…
Plan Your Meals
The key to eating well and with relative efficiency at Universal Florida is to plan your meals carefully. Breakfast has a reputation as being the most important meal of the day, even more so when visiting a theme park, we think, as a fully loaded one will give you the energy needed for a full day’s adventure ahead.
It’s a good idea to fill up on a big breakfast at your hotel; however, if you want to maximize your time at the theme park, then head to the aforementioned Citywalk and get a grab-and-go breakfast. We’re fans of Cinnabon, who serve up oven-fresh cinnamon rolls. Another fantastic, sugar-laden breakfast option here is Voodoo Doughnuts – well, it wouldn’t be a holiday to the States without some enthusiastic eating, now would it?
If you’re planning to eat at a themed eatery at Universal, be warned that the more popular restaurants, like The Leaky Cauldron, have a no reservations policy; it’s first come, first served, for better or for worse. However, breakfasts are something of an exception. Universal sells packages, which feature breakfast at both Hogsmeade’s Three Broomsticks and Diagon Alley’s Leaky Cauldron, which makes filling up on a big breakfast before heading out into the park a no-brainer.
Not all restaurants are directly owned and operated by Universal, though, and you can make reservations online by heading to Universal Orlando’s Reservations page .
Pack A Bag Of Snacks
Theme parks aren’t known for having the most affordable refreshment options, and if you’re on a tight budget, it makes sense to bring snacks with you into the site.
Although not as lenient as some theme parks – as stated on their website, they simply “understand that you may need to bring outside food and drinks into the parks” – acceptable items according to the park guidelines include:
- Bottled Water (maximum 2 litres) – Universal Studios has several water fountains throughout the park where you can refill your bottle for free.
- Small snacks that do not require heating – Think nutrient-rich snacks that are low in sugar and saturated fat to ensure your body has the fuel to keep going so you can make the most of the theme park and avoid that midday mood droop. Some of our favourite energy boosting snacks include trail mixes, wholesome granola bars and date balls.
- Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
- Any food required for special dietary needs
- Baby food/baby formula
- Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
That said, it wouldn’t be corporate America without a load of rules designed on encouraging you to spend more onsite. Prohibited items include:
- Glassware or glass containers
- Open containers or drinks containing alcohol
- Hard-sided coolers
- Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
- Picnic lunches; any food that requires heating or refrigeration; folding chairs
Ideal Tip: If your bag gets heavy from all those trail mixes you’re lugging around, you can rent a locker and conveniently store your backpack and valuables while you explore, ride the rides and navigate your way through the themepark.
Don’t Try To Do Too Much
There’s so much to see and do here, and spreading yourself too thinly across the park will result in plenty of stress and not much fun. Universal Studios is made up of several different areas, and it’s a good idea to choose to focus on a particular location. You could easily spend the whole day at Harry Potter World, for instance, and get much more out of the experience than if you’d rushed around trying to take it all in.
Skip The Official Souvenir Shops
In the amusement parks which Florida is so famous for, the price of souvenirs is massively inflated, including Universal. While it’s all too easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and end up splashing out on the sword of Gryffindor or Firebolt Broom, similar souvenirs can be bought much cheaper elsewhere. The message here is simple; skip the ‘official’ souvenirs and shop locally for some real bargains.
Rest & Relax In Florida
After a visit to Universal Studios, you may feel like you need another holiday. Let’s face it; waiting in hour-plus lines, getting inevitably a little sunburned, and spending your money on overpriced food can make the experience a little exhausting.
The best way to recover from a trip to any theme park is to spend some time in nature. Luckily, nothing quite beats the breathtaking natural beauty on offer in the Sunshine State. If you’ve had enough of the throngs and manmade grandeur that is Universal Studios, then the Everglades National Park is your best opportunity to get back to nature and recover a bit of zen. This is a national park where it’s impossible not to see alligators, dolphins, and manatees – wow!
Florida is also home to the third largest barrier reef in the world. Known as the Great Florida Reef, it’s protected by two underwater parks, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Biscayne National Park. Come here to snorkel, soak up the sun, admire the tropical vegetation, and forget all about the hustle and bustle back on terra firma.
To visit Florida and simply head to Universal Studios would be to overlook the gorgeous, untouched splendour of the place. Instead, make a visit to the world famous theme park just one part of your holiday to this wonderful corner of the world.