Universal Studios Florida

Visit Universal Studios Florida

A lot of moving parts keep Universal Studios fresh and exciting, and a great visit isn’t just about the roller coasters. Besides the rides and character interactions, there are live shows and music, an entire foodie subculture, and seasonal draws like Halloween Horror Nights. Highlights vary by guest, but Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the Blues Brothers show, and photo ops with roving characters often make the list.

If you want a taste of the classics, try a banana split at Schwab’s Pharmacy or a homemade tart from the Today Café. If you really want to feel like you’re a step out of reality, get a big pink donut at Lard Lad’s.

Remember that Orlando is in Florida, and besides being hot, there is inclement weather to consider. If you want to beat the crowds, wait until winter. Early fall is hurricane season though the worst has usually blown over by the end of October.

Ticket Information

Ticket prices depend on when you visit and how many parks you go to in a day. A single adult day ticket to Universal Studios starts at $109 and a child’s at $104. A two-park pass that lets you visit both Universal Studios and its sister park, Islands of Adventure, starts at $164 for a single-day adult and $159 for a single-day child. It’s worth buying tickets in advance and keeping an eye on the official Universal Studios website for sales.

Family-Friendly Options

Kids have lots to do at Universal Studios. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is one of the newest rides with a focus on children’s entertainment. The motion simulator experience isn’t rough and tough like a roller coaster and engages kids with interactions with their favorite characters from the franchise. Transformers: The Ride 3D offers similar thrills with a little more zip for slightly older children, and if your kids are old enough to handle a few scares, Revenge of the Mummy is a fairly gentle indoor coaster experience without loops or heavy G-forces.

Want a break from the movie action? Animal Actors – On Location is a great show to give everyone a break from standing in line. If your kids are animal lovers, they’ll be smitten.

The park also makes it possible for grownups to have fun without stranding someone in the sun with a fussy toddler. Most attractions too intense for small children have “child swap” rooms where one adult can wait with the children while the other adults ride and then swap with them to enjoy their own thrills. Strollers are also available for rent, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

Universal Studios works on a schedule. The first things to check as you plan your day are showtimes. If you really want to see or participate in "Fear Factor Live," you need to budget time to get there, find seats, or even arrive early to sign up as a contestant. The rides run all day, but once the show is over, you can’t jump in line to see it again. If you have to pick and choose rides, the Rip Ride Rockit is the biggest roller coaster and delivers a heady rush. Since most attractions are heavily themed, go for stories or genres that you enjoy outside the park. Try at least one of the simulator rides, like Transformers or Fast and Furious to round out your experience.

It’s a good idea to snap pictures earlier in the day. Don’t wait until you’re leaving to get a shot with the Universal Globe at the front gates. There are also lots of photo ops around the park, and many develop their own lines later in the day, like the hanging shark outside what used to be the Jaws ride.

Universal Studios Florida Accommodations

On Site Accommodations

Universal Studios Florida offers eight hotels on-site. Two value hotels, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites provide standard rooms, suites, and pools to relax in after a day in the park. The two prime value hotels, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort, step up the fun with features like a lazy river, a bowling alley, and thematic architecture. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offers lush landscaping and multiple dining options. The Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort each have unique features, ranging from waterslides and white sand beaches to exclusive restaurants.

Activities Near Universal Studios Florida

Weather, Safety & Accessibility

Weather & Packing

Spring and summer are by far the most popular months for the park, and the highs can be in the 90s. It also rains an average of 13 days a month in the summer. If you plan on visiting during peak season, light, breathable layers will help keep you comfortable. Single-use rain ponchos will also come in handy, but leave the umbrella at the hotel.

Universal Studios sees a bump in attendance for Halloween Horror Nights in October when temperatures are still mid-80s during the day but drop into the 60s at night. Layering with a light jacket can help you enjoy the shift from fun in the sun to terror in the dark.

To avoid crowds, January, February, and the first parts of November and December are your best bet. Orlando usually only heats up to the 70s, and these months see considerably less rain, typically four or five days per month, which is an advantage if you prefer to take showers indoors.

Whenever you go, bring plenty of bug spray with your sunscreen. The mosquitoes are scarier than the haunt actors.

Safety & Accessibility

Universal Studios has metal detectors at the entrance and may search bags, and you can’t bring in electronics like drones or hoverboards for both security reasons and the enjoyment of other guests. Apart from that, the primary safety concerns the park pushes involve loose items in your pockets. There are free small lockers before most of the large rides, where these items, including keys and phones, may become hazards.

In addition to the park’s general guidelines, each ride has its own rules. While the operators and cast members do their best to educate riders, there should be a sign with a list of safety precautions in the waiting area before you board.

Universal is dedicated to “making things work for everyone.” Guests with disabilities can request an Attractions Assistance Pass. This doesn’t replace line-skipping features like an Express Pass, but it gives guests access to other waiting facilities that better accommodate both physical and cognitive disabilities. A Quiet Room is available to help overstimulated guests, ASL interpreters are available for live performances, and rides provide special white cane storage options for the blind and visually impaired.