Afraid of making mistakes when visiting Universal? This is a common fear! Most are terrified to end up waiting too long in a line, try the worst restaurant, to waste time on a not-so-great ride. So, to elevate your fears, I am giving you 10 of the biggest mistakes to avoid at Universal Orlando!
From not getting tickets in advance, to underestimating shows, and skipping CityWalk, we’ve got you covered. These tips for Universal Studios in Orlando will save you time and make your bang worth your buck!
Mistake #1: Not Getting Tickets in Advance or Arriving with Only Vouchers
Lines are long. We get it. Every park will require some form of waiting, but one line you can skip is the Universal ticketing line. Purchasing online before hand, or avoiding having vouchers will allow you to skip the first line you’ll see walking into the park.
This way, you can walk straight into the entrance, scan your ticket, check Face ID, and move on with your life. Even purchasing tickets via phone is better than waiting in that long line. You can purchase annual passes, day-deals, and even set up upgrades or EZPay without standing ticketing lines.
Mistake #2: Underestimating Water Rides
To be completely honest, the water rides at Universal are INSANE. Whether you’re hoping on Jurassic Park, Popeyes, or Dudley’s Ripsaw Falls, you’re going to get SOAKED.
If this if your first time to Universal Studios Orlando, you’ll notice that the only water rides are at Islands of Adventure too. So, I recommend hitting all three at once if you want to go on them. And avoid doing it in the morning– otherwise you’ll be wet all day. Plus, those “dryers” are expensive and make you feel like a rotisserie chicken, rotating in a heated box.
Mistake #3: Not Heading to Ollivanders First
Diagon Alley fills up quickly, and so does Ollivanders. If you’re in the business of getting a wand, I reccomend heading to the wand store first, and if you really want to do the experience, get there even faster!
This allows you to experience the show, and then purchase a wand, which then becomes interactive for the rest of your time in the parks. You can get character replicas our your own unique wand!
Mistake #4: Attempting to Do It All in One Day
When planning a trip to Universal Orlando, don’t try to do both parks in one day. People who believe you can do both parks in one day are sacrificing some of the best content just to say “they’ve done it all.”
I definitely say that it takes multiple days to enjoy all that there is to experience. One of the easiest solutions is to do one day at Islands of Adventure, and one day at Universal Studios. But if you stay longer you can also enjoy Volcano Bay, or even enjoy attractions multiple times and not be rushed on time.
Mistake #5: Not Getting a Park-to-Park Ticket
One of the top Universal Orlando Travel Tips is to get park-to-park tickets. Not only will this allow you to enjoy the Hogwarts Express (both to Hogsmeade to Diagon, and then Diagon to Hogsmeade), but it also allows you to change up your scenery and pace out the visit or day.
On the same vein, it is also a mistake to not become an Annual Passholder (which features park-to-park admission), if you live nearby, or if you’re staying for a while. It’s honestly cheaper, and you get accommodations such as free parking, merchandise discounts and more!
Mistake #6 Skipping Universal Studios Shows
It’s not all rides all the time. Sometimes sitting down and seeing the entertainment is 100% worth it, and by sometimes, I mean all the time. You can’t go to Universal and note see the shows.
When creating a Universal Studios vacation guide make sure to see the action of the Bourne Stuntacular. Or laugh along with classic monsters during the Horror Makeup Show. Better yet, say hi to furry friends with Animal Actors! All are worth it.
Mistake #7: Bringing Large Bags into the Park
One of the major things to avoid at Universal Orlando is bringing in a big bag. Unlike Disney, many of Universal’s rides are not bag friendly. This means you have to use your ticket to unlock a free locker, which has a time limit.
Otherwise, you have to purchase a locker! And the bigger lockers cost more money! Keep it simple with a fanny pack, or a small purse. Stopping at the lockers cause more chaos and time delays.
Mistake #8: Not Using Single Rider or Child Swap
Long lines? Not an issue! One of the major mistakes to avoid in Universal Studios Orlando involves not utilizing single rider or child swap. Although shorter wait times are not guaranteed, it is fairly common. Of all Universal Studios Mistakes to avoid, avoid those long lines when possible.
And the air-conditioned waiting rooms of child-swap is perfect for our little ones who aren’t tall enough for a ride. This saves on time, and even if you have a bigger party, sometimes it is quicker to split up and ride independently.
Mistake #9: Not Downloading the Universal Orlando Resort App
This app is a game-changer. Truly. Universal Studios Orlandos mistakes to avoid becomes avoidable thanks to this app! It is truly your best friend. It will: store your tickets, show wait times, allow your to join virtual experiences, access showtimes and more.
There is also interactive maps! And you can save where your car is parked! Better yet? Pre-order meals from select restaurants. When you add Universal Pay as well, you can pay on the app or just use contactless payments. I personally love looking at wait times to see what places to avoid at Universal Studios Orlando doing peak seasons/times.
And there you have it folks! Universal Orlando travel tip, and insight to the mistakes to avoid at Universal Orlando. Make your trip even more magical by avoiding falling trap to common mishaps. Keep those wait times short, those apps open, and see all you can in more than one day!
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