How Many Days You Need for Universal Orlando

How many days you need at Universal Orlando will depend on three things:

1. Who you’re travelling with
2. Which parks you want to visit
3. When you’re visiting

A day at Universal Orlando can be very full-on. There is a lot of walking, and Florida’s heat and humidity can be intense if you’re not used to it. For this reason, if you’re visiting with young kids or older people, add an extra day to what I recommend below.

The number of days you need at Universal Orlando will depend on the parks you want to cover. You can do both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida in one day. However, I’d always recommend at least one day at each park.

This means you need a minimum of four days to cover all four parks at Universal Orlando:

1. Universal Studios Florida
2. Islands of Adventure
3. Epic Universe
4. Volcano Bay

If you’re happy to skip the Volcano Bay water park, three days can be enough to visit all three theme parks. That’s again one day at each park.

Pro Tip: If you plan to spend three or more days at Universal Orlando, add a rest day. Volcano Bay offers a more relaxed experience than theme parks, making it a great option. Otherwise, a lazy day by the hotel pool can be just as refreshing.

You can cover all three theme parks if you only have two days at Universal Orlando. However, this isn’t for the faint-hearted.

• Day 1: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
• Day 2: Epic Universe

You will need a park-to-park ticket to go between parks on day one. However, I’d also suggest two things:

1. Staying on-site: This makes it quick and easy to access all of the theme parks. Plus, you’ll benefit from early park admission.
2. Universal Express Pass: This will help you reduce your time waiting in line for rides.

When you visit Universal Orlando can also impact the number of days you’ll need. Check a crowd calendar in advance of your visit.

If you’re visiting during the quieter months, the days suggested above should be fine. However, if you’re visiting during the peak season (Spring Break, Summer, Thanksgiving, etc.), you may want to add at least one extra day.

If you’re visiting during the peak season but can’t afford to add on an extra day, there are a couple of things to help you combat the crowds:

1. VIP Tour: An expensive experience with the best benefits to beat long wait times.
2. Universal Express Pass: This cheaper option reduces wait times by about 75%.
3. Staying on-site: You can enter the park one hour before the general public. Plus, if you stay in a selected Signature Hotel, you get Universal Express Passes free.