Universal Studios Tips and Tricks

Destination Map Pad.jpg

General Tips

  • purchase a refillable popcorn bucket for around $12 plus tax and enjoy refills for only $1.99 plus tax

  • purchase a classic refillable souvenir cup enjoy discounted refills (not valid at on-site hotels).  

  • start the day from the back of the park working your way to the front. When the parks close for the day, they begin closing the rides starting from the back of the theme parks & close the ones towards the front of the theme parks last. This way you can enjoy the most rides possible

  • Rainy season: Start your day at Islands of Adventure where more rides tend to be outdoors. When it starts drizzling head over to Universal Studios where more of the rides are indoors. 

  • pick up the park map with schedule available at the front of both theme parks. The schedule will help you plan your day and advise you of all show times and character appearances. 

  • Get complimentary cold water fills at any freestyle coke machine with any liquid container

  • General questions while on site? Test 32281 between 10AM to 7PM to get answers from an Universal agent!

  • Celebrating a special occasion? Stop by Guest Services and pick up a free celebration button and let everyone know it’s your special day!

  • Too short to ride a specific ride? We have height certificates for the kids. Available at Guest Services, height certificates allow younger riders who don’t meet the height restrictions to bypass the line anytime in the future when they are tall enough to ride. They even get to bring three additional people with them! And it helps children feel included on the bigger attractions while also creating a special vacation moment for them.

  • Staying On-Site: Don’t forget that you get admission into the parks 1 hour early! Check your app for more information on this!

  • Staying On-Site Check In: If you are taking the Superstar shuttle from MCO, you will receive your vacation documents at the Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Transportation Desk at MCO. If you did not take the Superstar Shuttle, after you check into the hotel, you will need to visit the Vacation Documents Kiosk. 

  • Be sure to check your app for current show times!

  • Halloween Horror Nights Tip: Guests visiting Universal Studios and holding a HHN ticket for the same evening can wait in one of the designated holding areas while other guests are exiting the theme park for its transformation to HHN.  One popular holding area is Finnegan’s Bar & Grill.  Guests should arrive at Finnegan's by 4:30 before it reaches capacity.  HHN ticketed guests usually are allowed to exit Finnegans between 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm as the haunted houses begin to open.   Other Hold Zones are Springfield Area, by Moes Tavern & Duff Brewery and outside the Universal Studios Store near front gate entrance. HHN General Admission is usually around 7 pm.

  • Mardi Gras Tip: If you’re traveling during Mardi Gras (usually early Feb to early April), you have the chance to be a stand-by for one of the Mardi Gras floats! Note: All riders must be 18 or accompanied by an adult AND at least 48” in height. at 4pm, the guests who were invited to participate that have not signed in, lose their spots. Depending on how many of those spots are abandoned will determine if Universal staff needs to go to the “Stand-by” system. Waiting just outside of the check-in area, near Barney’s Backyard play area. At some point, if there is a need for additional participants, a Universal staff member will offer spots to people waiting in stand-by. Just like flying on an airplane, this is a complete “by chance” opportunity.

  • September/October Travelers: If you’re traveling a Halloween Horror night, be aware that Universal Studios will close early as it transforms from theme park to Halloween Horror Nights. Start your day at Universal Studios and complete your day at Islands of Adventure to maximize your day at the parks.

Child Swap

In addition to being a waiting room for adults wanting to sit-out a ride, parties with a small child may take advantage of our Child swap program. This allows one member of a party to wait with the child while the rest of the party rides.  They then change places so all may enjoy the ride.

This amenity is located at most major rides within Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios have a waiting area which parties with small children, seniors, or customers who wish to sit the ride out, may take advantage of this benefit.

Child Swap / Family Rooms are available at all rides that have a minimum height requirement

How it Works: For parties with small children, one member of a party can wait with the child while the rest of the party rides, then the adults change places so all may enjoy the ride. The second adult and party are not required to re-enter the beginning of the queue line.  Most Child Swap / Family Rooms are indoors, air-conditioned, with seating and some offer video entertainment.

The service is complimentary and allows all guests to enjoy as much time with family and friends while they experience the storytelling that occurs while walking through the queue lines of the attractions.  Guests are unable to bypass the queue line and go directly to the Family Room / Child Swap Room.

 When the guest reaches the ride, they can choose to sit-out the ride and wait for their group to complete the ride.