Universal Orlando Resort

CityWalk at Universal Orlando is a free to enter entertainment space between the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks. There are a range of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment activities to choose from here and the space is family-friendly until around 9pm, after which the atmosphere tilts more towards adult nightlife. We…

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weeks at Universal Orlando with wait times for popular rides regularly exceeding 90 minutes. The Holidays at Universal Orlando event is already running by Thanksgiving week but I still don’t recommend visiting at this time of year unless you have no other choice. The crowds are so extreme it…

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando for the first time, what you should see and do can be overwhelming. So, I’ve broken down the most popular experiences and organised them by area to make planning your Universal Orlando trip easier than ever. Methodology: This guide combines first-hand experience from over 50 visits to Universal Orlando across…

Universal Orlando has four water rides, split across two of its three theme parks. Three are at Islands of Adventure and the fourth is at the newest park, Epic Universe. Water Ride Park Min Height How Wet You Get Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges Islands of Adventure 42″ Soaked. The wettest, with no dry seat….

Universal Orlando now has three theme parks, but Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are the two originals. If you’re trying to prioritise one over the other for a short trip, which park should you visit? Methodology: This comparison is based on my May 2026 press trip where I walked both parks back-to-back via…

I took my eldest son Oliver to Universal Orlando twice, once as a baby (6 months old) and again as a toddler (18 months old). This was the first time I’d taken a baby to Universal Orlando and I learned a lot. From which rides are suitable, going through security with milk and baby food,…

A trip to Universal Orlando is not cheap. A family of four staying on-site for four days can easily spend $4,000 to $6,000. Some of that spend is fixed, but a lot of it can be trimmed with a bit of planning and preparation. Having been to Universal Orlando several times over the past decade…

The only thing I buy on every single visit to Universal Orlando is a refillable cup, because they are incredible value for money. There are three different cups available and it’s important you know the difference because they work in different places and cost different prices: BEST VALUE IN THE PARKSFreestyle Cup$19.99plus tax, day one…

Universal Orlando is home to plenty of toddler-friendly rides, with 15 gentle attractions across its parks that little kids can actually go on. From Yoshi’s Adventure and the Hogwarts Express to the Seuss Landing classics, there is far more for under-fives than most families expect. Up until about five years ago it seemed like Universal…

Staying on-site at Universal Orlando is worth it for most 2-plus night trips, especially if you’re visiting Epic Universe (Helios Grand’s private hotel entrance is the single biggest perk in the industry) or spending 3+ days in the parks (free Express Unlimited Pass at the three Premier hotels can pay for itself in a single…

You can leave and re-enter the Universal Orlando theme parks as often as you want in a single day in most cases. When you enter one of the Universal Orlando parks for the first time, your photo will be taken as part of Universal’s facial-recognition system, Photo Validation. To re-enter, you’ll need your park ticket…

When budgeting for a trip to Universal Orlando, most people focus on park tickets, flights, and accommodation, but one major expense that often gets overlooked is food. The cost of dining at Universal Orlando Resort can be one of your biggest expenses – but it doesn’t have to be. As a longtime Universal Orlando annual…