Universal Orlando Guide Overview
Welcome to our free Universal Orlando Vacation Planning Guide. With over 10 years of experience visiting the resort, we created this guide to help you have the best trip ever and maximize your vacation time.
Enjoy all the resources below completely free with no annoying internet ads. Does it get any easier than that?
Guide Contents: Resort Overview | Key Vacation Resources | Explore the Resort | Tips & Recommended Reading | Stay Connected
Universal Orlando Resort Overview
Universal Orlando Resort is home to two world-class theme parks, one water park, a dining and entertainment district, and eight on-site hotels.
The theme parks feature lands themed to Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park, Marvel, and more. Plus, the resort boasts a variety of guest favorite attractions from high-speed roller coasters like Jurassic World VelociCoaster to indoor dark rides like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Key Vacation Resources
Avoid the Crowds
Theme Park Vacation Planning Guides
- Universal Studios Florida Planning Guide
- Islands of Adventure Planning Guide
- Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Event Guide
Daily Touring Plans
- 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan
- 1-Day Islands of Adventure Touring Plan
- 1-Day Universal Park-to-Park Touring Plan (Both Theme Parks)
Navigate the Parks
- Guide to Universal Express Passes
- Guide to Single Rider Lines at Universal Orlando
- Guide to Lockers at Universal Orlando
- Guide to Child Swap at Universal Orlando
Explore the Resort
Please see below for in-depth information and planning resources for each theme park and key area of Universal Orlando Resort. Click on any blue underlined text to visit the appropriate guide on our site.
Universal Studios Florida
Experience the movies at Universal Studios Florida, the original theme park at Universal Orlando. Visit our free Universal Studios Florida Vacation Planning Guide for in-depth park information and recommendations.
View Universal Studios Florida Guide
Park highlights include:
- Explore the Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and break out of Gringotts bank.
- Save New York City from an alien invasion on Men in Black Alien Attack.
- Test out your skills as one of Gru’s minions on Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Let the adventure begin as you journey into Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Visit our free Islands of Adventure Vacation Planning Guide for in-depth park information and recommendations.
View Islands of Adventure Guide
Park highlights include:
- Join the Raptor pack on Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the park’s newest roller coaster.
- Explore Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Hop aboard a soaking wet rafting adventure on Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges.
Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park
Escape to an island oasis and find the heart of Krakatau at Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Stay tuned for our free Volcano Bay planning guide coming in the future.
Park highlights include:
- Twist and turn through the depths of the volcano on the Krakatau Aqua Coaster.
- Face your fears and plunge 125 feet down on the Ko’okiri body slide.
- Float the day away in two lazy rivers and the Waturi Beach wave pool.
Universal CityWalk
Dine, shop, and dance the night away at Universal CityWalk. Located at the center of Universal Orlando, this is where your day at the theme parks begins and ends.
CityWalk highlights include:
- Enjoy a sweet treat at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium or Voodoo Doughnuts.
- Take the stage and sing your favorite Karaoke songs at CityWalk’s Rising Star.
- Step into a 50’s horror flick and aim for a hole in one at Hollywood Drive-In Golf, starring two miniature golf courses.
Universal Orlando On-Site Hotels & Resorts
Universal Orlando boasts eight on-site hotels so that you can stay where you play. Also, stay tuned for our free on-site hotel guides coming in the future.
Value On-Site Hotels ($)
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
Prime Value On-Site Hotels ($$)
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Preferred On-Site Hotels ($$$)
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Premier On-Site Hotels ($$$$)
- Loews Royal Pacific
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Hard Rock Hotel
Seasonal Events
Universal Orlando hosts a selection of highly popular seasonal events throughout the year. Also, most guests find these events the best times of the year to visit due to the extra entertainment offerings.
Seasonal Events Include:
- Rock the Universe (upcharge event)
- Universal Mardi Gras (included with admission)
- Halloween Horror Nights (upcharge event)
- Universal Holidays (included with admission)
Tips & Recommended Reading
We are still actively creating this guide, so please enjoy a few general tips below as we create additional vacation planning content to put here in the future.
- Guests need a “park-to-park” ticket to ride The Hogwarts Express between parks.
- Butterbeer is served four different ways including regular, hot, frozen, and as ice cream.
- The water inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands (labeled “Gillywater”) is more expensive. Gillywater costs $5.50 while Niagara bottled water, found in most other places, costs $2.00 less at $3.50.
- Guests may bring two sealed water bottles into the park with them.
- Hotel guests, and some annual passholders, qualify for Early Park Admission to enter the parks before normal guests and experience select attractions with little to no wait.
Stay Connected
Thank you for using our Universal Orlando Resort Vacation Planning Guide! Stay connected with us by liking our Facebook page or following us on Twitter to learn when big new additions are added to this guide.
Also, if you’re a fan of Universal Orlando trivia, we recommend checking out our Quiz Corner page featuring a handful of trivia quizzes about the resort.