Ultimate Universal Orlando Guide: Plan Your Adventure

Seaworld, Tigris new roller-coaster. Busch Gardens.

Four Thrilling Theme Parks

Universal Studios — Break the barriers of cinema and reality at Universal Studios Florida. Take on mummies and aliens. Experience the mayhem of the Minions. Break out of the inescapable vaults of Gringotts. In between thrills, you can catch an iconic show, take advantage of fantastic dining options, pick up cinematic souvenirs at one of the local gift shops or practice your spells.
Universal Islands of Adventure — Bring prehistoric creatures to life, thwart supervillains with your favorite heroes, get in tune with the toons, learn the who’s Who with Dr. Seuss and find your inner sorcerer as you take on the Islands of Adventure.
Volcano Bay — Aquatic thrills abound at the 200-foot volcano Krakatau. Plunge into the depths, careen down the high-octane slides and face the ancient fire spirit Vol as you venture through the villages of Volcano Bay!

Epic Universe — Universal Epic Universe is your gateway to incredible new and familiar worlds. Traverse the Mushroom Kingdom with your favorite plumber in Super Mario World. Explore the past on the back of your own mythical winged reptile in the Isle of Berk. Get in touch with the wonders of the Wizarding World in the Ministry of Magic. Face your fears in the land of myths and monsters in the Dark Universe. At the heart of Epic Universe is Celestial Park, the proverbial world between worlds, where you can experience fine dining, sensory pleasures and cosmic thrills.

A Bustling Hub Between Parks

CityWalk — Universal’s self-proclaimed “Epicenter of Awesomeness” is an entertainment complex that acts as the gateway to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Devour delicious dinners and desserts, escape iconic movies, shop until you drop or stop in at the movie theater at the end of your day. There are so many things to do before or after you visit one of the parks.
Must-experience attraction: Universal’s Great Movie Escape — Use your keen eye and problem-solving skills to save the day in both Back to the Future: OUTATIME and Jurassic World: Escape. Up to eight people can work together to stop Biff from ruining the timeline or stop the Indominus Rex from wreaking havoc on Isla Nublar. No matter which adventure you choose, time is of the essence!

Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando

When to Visit — In order to avoid the crowds and make the most out of your Universal Orlando experience, it is best to avoid peak seasons. School vacations and weather tend to have a strong influence on crowd levels. For the best prices and fewest people, consider visiting September through January. February through April, and summer vacation tend to see larger crowds which means longer wait times and a slim chance of experiencing all the attractions on your list.
Guest Parking — Universal Orlando’s parking garage offers access to the parks via a short walk or by complementary shuttle. Be sure to arrive early to beat the lines. You can expect to spend $32.00 for regular parking and between $50.00-$60.00 for prime parking depending on the season. *Rates are subject to change at any time.
- Tip — Free parking is available after 6:00 pm or with the purchase of two or more matinee (11:00 am to 6:00 pm) movie tickets at Universal Cinemark located in CityWalk. Parking for movies is paid in full and then reimbursed after presenting a parking receipt. *Some exclusions may apply.
Volcano Bay Shuttle — While Universal and Islands of Adventure can be accessed directly from the parking garage, you will have to catch a free shuttle from the garage to the entrance of Volcano Bay.
Minimize Your Wait — Whether you are visiting during peak or off seasons, knowing how to mitigate wait times will make for a more enjoyable experience. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this.
Arrive early — Arriving at the park before rope drop allows you to take advantage of prime parking spots and less congestion at security and ticketing. If you are lucky the park will open before the official opening time, and you will be able to start riding your favorite or soon-to-be-favorite rides before the lines get long.
Download the practical Universal App — This app is a great tool for assessing wait times, mapping attractions, reserving dining time slots and more. By checking the app throughout the day, you can take advantage of a low wait time when you see them. Some rides even allow you to virtual cue which is also done through this app.
Express passes — The best way to ensure shorter wait times is by purchasing an Express Pass. These passes allow you to queue up in a separate line with shorter wait times. Not all rides are compatible with the Express Pass, so be sure to do your research.
- Unlimited Express Pass — The Unlimited Pass allows you to use the express lane as many times as you want on the day that your pass is valid. There are one-park and two-park options available for purchase.
- Universal Express Pass — The standard Express Pass allows you to use the express lane of participating attractions once per ride on the day that your pass is valid. As with the Unlimited Pass, there are one-park and two-park options available.
  
  Note: The two-park pass is not compatible with Volcano Bay. A separate Express Pass specific to the volcanic waterpark is required to use the express lane.

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For more detailed information on specific aspects of your Universal Orlando adventure,
be sure to check out our in-depth guides:

Discover the thrilling rides and magical experiences at Universal Orlando Theme Parks and Attractions
Find your perfect stay with our Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels: Where to Stay
Explore delicious dining options and unique shopping experiences in our Universal Orlando Dining and Shopping Guide

Ready to start planning your Universal Orlando adventure? Connect with a AAA Travel Agent to book your Universal getaway today!

Information is provided for planning purposes and should be verified with your AAA Travel Agent prior to departing for your vacation or Orlando theme park destination. Theme parks, attractions, rides, entertainment, passes, dates, park operations, hours and parking rates are subject to change at any time without notice.