59 GUIDES
Universal Orlando Resort is the destination I cover in the most depth. My guides are based on first-hand visits to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe and Volcano Bay, with detailed advice on tickets, Express Pass, on-site hotels and ride strategy.
Epic Universe opened on 22 May 2025 and instantly raised the bar for theme parks across North America. There are 11 rides here, and I went on 8 of them during my trip in May 2026. Stardust Racers is the best ride at Epic Universe, with Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry a…
Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s water park. It opened in 2017 and spans roughly 28 acres of South Pacific theming with: I’ve been to Volcano Bay more than five times, most recently on Saturday 24 May 2026 during Memorial Day weekend. This guide is built on those visits. Volcano Bay is worth it if you’ve…
📝 Update reference (delete this block when update is complete) Target word count: ~2400 · Primary keyword: volcano bay vs typhoon lagoon Distinguishing move: Cora can frame the post around a same-week 2026 visit to Volcano Bay during her press trip, comparing it against her most recent Typhoon Lagoon trip with UK perspective on whether…
📝 Update reference (delete this block when update is complete) Target word count: ~2500 · Primary keyword: disney springs vs citywalk Distinguishing move: Cora’s May 2026 trip lets her file fresh on-the-ground photos and prices from both districts in the same week, with Bar Helios rooftop access at Epic Universe as a third option no…
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando now covers three lands across all three Universal theme parks: I’ve been to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley multiple times across previous Universal Orlando trips, and first visited Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe in May 2026. To visit all three Wizarding World lands, you’ll need at…
I’ve been to Islands of Adventure multiple times. I’ve stayed on-site, off-site, and visited with babies, kids and elderly parents. I’ve visited during peak and off-peak seasons, so I know first-hand how to visit this theme park in just one day. The itinerary I’m showcasing here does not include Express Passes. If you’re visiting during…
Universal Studios Florida is the easiest of the three Universal Orlando theme parks to do in one day. If you arrive 20 minutes before opening and start in Diagon Alley, you should be able to do all of the rides before 4pm. This itinerary assumes a standard summer day with 9am opening and 9pm closing,…
Parking at Universal Orlando is more complex than you might think with several different options available and even the most basic can be expensive. There are two parking garages at Universal Orlando: Each complex offers three parking tiers. Full 2026 rates are in the table below: Parking type 2026 cost Self-parking, standard $35 ($32 pre-paid…
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando can be exciting, but knowing when to go can make a real difference to crowds, weather, and the price you pay. The short answer is that the best months to visit Universal Orlando in 2026 and 2027 are mid-January after the first week, late April to early May, September,…
If everyone in your party is going on rides at Universal Orlando, or you’re visiting the resort’s water park Volcano Bay, you’ll likely need a locker during parts of your visit. Universal Orlando runs four distinct locker systems across the resort, and they don’t all work the same way. Methodology: I’ve visited Universal Orlando more…
I’ve visited Islands of Adventure more times than I can count, both with and without kids. To help you choose where to eat, I’ve listed the best restaurants below, along with their menus, prices and seating options. Methodology: I’ve eaten at every venue inside Islands of Adventure across multiple visits as a Universal Orlando annual…
CityWalk is the dining and entertainment district between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. You do not need a park ticket to eat here, and most restaurants stay open until midnight. Methodology: As a CityWalk regular since 2018, I have eaten at every venue in this guide across multiple trips, including my May 2026…