How to Visit Universal Studios Orlando

Purchase your Universal Orlando tickets online (or over the phone) before visiting the park, particularly if you are visiting from outside the US., Preview the attractions in the park before your visit., Pack water, snacks, money and most...

51 Steps 5 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Purchase your Universal Orlando tickets online (or over the phone) before visiting the park

    This will save you time when you arrive at the park
    - you won't have to wait in any queues at the ticket offices!
  2. Step 2: particularly if you are visiting from outside the US.

    Try previewing each ride on YouTube, or take a peek at the ride through photos from others.

    Learn from what others see.

    This can help decide which rides and attractions will take priority during your visit. , Food and water are expensive at the park, and easy snacks like graonla bars can fit into even the smallest section of your bag. , You are usually allowed in through the barriers before opening, however you won't have access to most rides unless you are staying at a Universal Resort hotel. (Guests staying at Universal Resort hotels have Early Park Admission privileges at different times throughout the year.) Getting through the barriers early will give you time to pick up a park map and plan your route to the first ride of the day. , Discuss some of your other options that exist for the other nearby Universal Resort area which include Islands of Adventure and CityWalk.

    If you'd like, you can also visit Walt Disney World with it's 4 parks or local attractions in the area including.

    Epcot, the Disney (Hollywood/MGM) Studios, the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

    There's also SeaWorld Orlando and the Aquatica water park to choose from., The address to the Universal Studios Orlando is located at 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 .The cost to park your car at the Universal Orlando resort will run you about $17 for cars and upwards from there (depending on complexity of vehicle).. ,, This area with the park globe and theatre area gate is what gives this park it's "remembered" appearance.

    If you have other members of your group, consider stopping here to take a picture, as this is a fun photo opportunity. ,, This park is divided into about seven lands spread sporadically behind the world-famous entrance.

    These lands include Production Central, New York, San Francisco, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, World Expo, Hollywoodand Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone .., This motion simulator animated adventure, if you like the movie Despicable Me will have your heart pumping.

    Hit this ride right when you enter the park, as wait times will most likely be super long throughout the entire day. , This experience is similar to "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem"

    and often has very short wait times, so this one is a good one to do if someone in your party doesn't enjoy minions, or right after the ride is over. , With a really steep incline towards the beginning, this ride can be terrifying but really fun.

    It's located in between the Despicable Me and former home of the Nickelodeon Studios building. , Strap on a pair of 3D glasses the movie provides and you'll be in for a thrill of your life. , The 20 minute show (at the Aquos Theatre in Universal Studios) that is put on there will have you in awe of wanting more Blue Man Group than what you'll see during this visit. ,,, This comical show will have you laughing non-stop for a few hours thereafter. , This live show is rather entertaining and, in non-Halloween times, is rather interesting to watch. ,,, Talk to the interactive shrunken head who is able to hear every word you say.

    Few people ever gather around, so there's little chance that you'll ever been more than a minute or two away from talking with the driver.

    The Knight Bus is across the walkway from the rest of the section near the far right corner of the park, and the entrance to this section is through the gate straight ahead of the front of the bus. , You'll find this train station just to your left as you enter into this land.

    Look out the rather-fake looking windows to watch the Harry Potter journey, or watch out the entryway door as you see people gather and talk about your journey.

    However, unless you have a park-to-park ticket, that allows you to cross into the other park, try not to even enter this attraction, as the other park is outside of Universal Studios ,,, It's gruesome to watch for some, but if you don't mind seeing other people try to face their fears, this attraction can be interesting to watch. , Similar to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, this ride is rather funny if you have someone playing next to you.

    Challenge the other player or challenge yourself to beat previous scores, if you've been at this ride before. ,, Much like it's Disney counterpart Dumbo The Flying Elephant Ride at Walt Disney World but with different ride design vehicles, this ride doesn't do much but twirl around a center pole in an endless fashion. , Even if you are an adult, this funny and comical show gets everyone to have a great time. , In this indoor show, you'll spend some time with Barney the big purple dinosaur.

    So whether you are trying to remind yourself of some of the moments you've missed in songs that Barney uses or something else associated to Barney, most of it is here., Although designed for kids to roam around, most often parents participate in the play and watch the kids play closer.

    This little village features several buildings housing things devoted to some of the Curious George stories over the years. ,,,,,,, This informative show is creative and popular, so expect to arrive at it early.

    It's viewing area is near the entrance to the Hollywood Blvd and KidZone areas of the park. ,
  3. Step 3: Preview the attractions in the park before your visit.

  4. Step 4: Pack water

  5. Step 5: snacks

  6. Step 6: money and most importantly your park tickets before you leave for the park that day!

  7. Step 7: Plan to arrive at the park before it opens.

  8. Step 8: Decide if you truly want to visit the Universal Studios Orlando.

  9. Step 9: Drive and park at the parking garage located at Universal Studios Orlando.

  10. Step 10: Take the moving walkway towards Universal Studios Orlando (as opposed to either Islands of Adventure or CityWalk).

  11. Step 11: Look at the entry area.

  12. Step 12: Enter through the turnstiles.

  13. Step 13: Look at the set up of Universal Studios Orlando.

  14. Step 14: Enter into the park's first section called "Production Central" and take in the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction.

  15. Step 15: Take in Shrek 4D.

  16. Step 16: Head right for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

  17. Step 17: upon entry if you love roller-coasters.

  18. Step 18: Look for Transformers The Ride 3D if you aren't into any of those few rides.

  19. Step 19: Take a look at the Blue Man Group replica concert at the former home to the Nickelodeon Studios.

  20. Step 20: Bypass the Music Plaza Stage as this stage has very little to do nowadays.

  21. Step 21: Pass by the building Revenge of the Mummy at the very back of the park and either take in this thrilling rollercoaster/movie

  22. Step 22: if you don't really like rollercoasters

  23. Step 23: then you can pass it by and go towards The Blues Brothers Show.

  24. Step 24: Take in at least one showing of The Blues Brothers Show.

  25. Step 25: Watch a showing of Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue.

  26. Step 26: Watch a showing of Disaster if you'd like to learn more about how disasters are created for the big screen in the building next door to Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue.

  27. Step 27: Pass into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley if you enjoy J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books.

  28. Step 28: Talk to the bus driver to the standing exhibit in front of the Knight Bus.

  29. Step 29: Ride the train at the Hogwart's Express station at the Kings Cross location (if you have the proper authority on your park ticket to cross into the other park).

  30. Step 30: Visit Ollivanders (Wand Shop) and learn about Harry Potter's wands that were used in the making of the movie.

  31. Step 31: Take a ride on the attraction called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

  32. Step 32: Take in a showing of Fear Factor Live

  33. Step 33: if time permits a showing.

  34. Step 34: Shoot aliens with a laser blaster in the game called Men in Black: Alien Attack.

  35. Step 35: Try riding The Simpsons Ride if you like the Simpsons or like the entertainment some midways at amusement parks offer.

  36. Step 36: Pass on Kang & Kodos Twirl n' Hurl.

  37. Step 37: Take in a full showing of Animal Actor's on Location.

  38. Step 38: Take in some of the other shows in this area including A Day in the Park with Barney.

  39. Step 39: Participate in some of the activities in the Curious George Goes to Town area.

  40. Step 40: Ride Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster

  41. Step 41: if this would be a kids first ride on a roller coaster.

  42. Step 42: Let your kids play in Fievel's Playland

  43. Step 43: if you can still have a careful eye on them.This attraction can be a diversion

  44. Step 44: but in times when nothing seems to keep kids amused

  45. Step 45: this can let your kids run off some steam.

  46. Step 46: Ride on ET Adventure if you'd like to see and take part in ET's ride in the sky.

  47. Step 47: Learn how Hollywood casts makeup on actors in Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show.

  48. Step 48: Try to ride or watch a showing of Terminator 2:3D.

  49. Step 49: Learn a little more about Lucille Ball in the Lucy - A Tribute exhibition building.

  50. Step 50: Watch the nighttime spectacular on the lake called Universal's Cinematic Spectacular - 100 Years of Movie Memories.

  51. Step 51: Watch the Universal Superstar Parade with it's classic tune and playful theme that is similar to the Pixar Play Parade in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Detailed Guide

This will save you time when you arrive at the park
- you won't have to wait in any queues at the ticket offices!

Try previewing each ride on YouTube, or take a peek at the ride through photos from others.

Learn from what others see.

This can help decide which rides and attractions will take priority during your visit. , Food and water are expensive at the park, and easy snacks like graonla bars can fit into even the smallest section of your bag. , You are usually allowed in through the barriers before opening, however you won't have access to most rides unless you are staying at a Universal Resort hotel. (Guests staying at Universal Resort hotels have Early Park Admission privileges at different times throughout the year.) Getting through the barriers early will give you time to pick up a park map and plan your route to the first ride of the day. , Discuss some of your other options that exist for the other nearby Universal Resort area which include Islands of Adventure and CityWalk.

If you'd like, you can also visit Walt Disney World with it's 4 parks or local attractions in the area including.

Epcot, the Disney (Hollywood/MGM) Studios, the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

There's also SeaWorld Orlando and the Aquatica water park to choose from., The address to the Universal Studios Orlando is located at 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 .The cost to park your car at the Universal Orlando resort will run you about $17 for cars and upwards from there (depending on complexity of vehicle).. ,, This area with the park globe and theatre area gate is what gives this park it's "remembered" appearance.

If you have other members of your group, consider stopping here to take a picture, as this is a fun photo opportunity. ,, This park is divided into about seven lands spread sporadically behind the world-famous entrance.

These lands include Production Central, New York, San Francisco, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, World Expo, Hollywoodand Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone .., This motion simulator animated adventure, if you like the movie Despicable Me will have your heart pumping.

Hit this ride right when you enter the park, as wait times will most likely be super long throughout the entire day. , This experience is similar to "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem"

and often has very short wait times, so this one is a good one to do if someone in your party doesn't enjoy minions, or right after the ride is over. , With a really steep incline towards the beginning, this ride can be terrifying but really fun.

It's located in between the Despicable Me and former home of the Nickelodeon Studios building. , Strap on a pair of 3D glasses the movie provides and you'll be in for a thrill of your life. , The 20 minute show (at the Aquos Theatre in Universal Studios) that is put on there will have you in awe of wanting more Blue Man Group than what you'll see during this visit. ,,, This comical show will have you laughing non-stop for a few hours thereafter. , This live show is rather entertaining and, in non-Halloween times, is rather interesting to watch. ,,, Talk to the interactive shrunken head who is able to hear every word you say.

Few people ever gather around, so there's little chance that you'll ever been more than a minute or two away from talking with the driver.

The Knight Bus is across the walkway from the rest of the section near the far right corner of the park, and the entrance to this section is through the gate straight ahead of the front of the bus. , You'll find this train station just to your left as you enter into this land.

Look out the rather-fake looking windows to watch the Harry Potter journey, or watch out the entryway door as you see people gather and talk about your journey.

However, unless you have a park-to-park ticket, that allows you to cross into the other park, try not to even enter this attraction, as the other park is outside of Universal Studios ,,, It's gruesome to watch for some, but if you don't mind seeing other people try to face their fears, this attraction can be interesting to watch. , Similar to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, this ride is rather funny if you have someone playing next to you.

Challenge the other player or challenge yourself to beat previous scores, if you've been at this ride before. ,, Much like it's Disney counterpart Dumbo The Flying Elephant Ride at Walt Disney World but with different ride design vehicles, this ride doesn't do much but twirl around a center pole in an endless fashion. , Even if you are an adult, this funny and comical show gets everyone to have a great time. , In this indoor show, you'll spend some time with Barney the big purple dinosaur.

So whether you are trying to remind yourself of some of the moments you've missed in songs that Barney uses or something else associated to Barney, most of it is here., Although designed for kids to roam around, most often parents participate in the play and watch the kids play closer.

This little village features several buildings housing things devoted to some of the Curious George stories over the years. ,,,,,,, This informative show is creative and popular, so expect to arrive at it early.

It's viewing area is near the entrance to the Hollywood Blvd and KidZone areas of the park. ,

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