Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is a sprawling resort with three theme parks, a water park, eleven hotels, and the CityWalk dining and entertainment complex. It’s huge. And it’s different enough from Walt Disney World that it requires its own set of planning tools, advice, and strategies for saving time and money. That’s what TouringPlans does. Universal Orlando is a sprawling resort with three theme parks, a water park, eleven hotels, and the CityWalk dining and entertainment complex. It’s huge. And it’s different enough from Walt Disney World that it requires its own set of planning tools, advice, and strategies for saving time and money. That’s what TouringPlans does.

January 2026

1

When should I visit?

Our Crowd Calendar shows when the Universal Orlando parks will have the lowest wait times. Our Crowd Calendar shows when the Universal Orlando parks will have the lowest wait times.

View the Crowd Calendar

2

Where should I stay?

With hotels ranging in price, theme, and location, there are a lot of options. Let us help you decide whether it’s worth staying on-site or off-site with in-depth overviews and photos of every on-site hotel, plus other ways to save money on your stay. With hotels ranging in price, theme, and location, there are a lot of options. Let us help you decide whether it’s worth staying on-site or off-site with in-depth overviews and photos of every on-site hotel, plus other ways to save money on your stay.

Benefits of Staying On-Site

Compare On-Site Hotels

Reviews of Universal Orlando Hotels

3

Which park should I visit?

With three theme parks and a water park, there’s so much to do! Want detailed reviews of every ride, show, and attraction? Want to know the best times to visit each attraction, whether an attraction is right for your child, handicap accessibility features, and ratings? Our 70,000 reviews include comments from other families, so you can get a wide range of opinions on every experience. With three theme parks and a water park, there’s so much to do! Want detailed reviews of every ride, show, and attraction? Want to know the best times to visit each attraction, whether an attraction is right for your child, handicap accessibility features, and ratings? Our 70,000 reviews include comments from other families, so you can get a wide range of opinions on every experience.

Universal Studios Florida

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Epic Universe Icon

Universal Epic Universe

4

How do Universal Orlando tickets work?

A Universal Park-to-Park ticket lets you move from one park to another on the same day and is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express attraction that connects the two parks. A Universal Park-to-Park ticket lets you move from one park to another on the same day and is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express attraction that connects the two parks.

Learn More About Universal Orlando Tickets

5

Universal Express

Universal Express allows guests to pay (or stay in particular hotels) to “skip the line” at park attractions by using prioritized "Universal Express" queues (similar to Lightning Lane queues at Disney World). You’ll usually wait less than one-fifth of the posted standby wait, and usually no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Universal Express has its own rules and best practices. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Universal Express allows guests to pay (or stay in particular hotels) to “skip the line” at park attractions by using prioritized "Universal Express" queues (similar to Lightning Lane queues at Disney World). You’ll usually wait less than one-fifth of the posted standby wait, and usually no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Universal Express has its own rules and best practices. We’ll tell you what you need to know.

How Universal Express Works

Get Free Universal Express At Your hotel

Comparing Universal Express to Disney’s Lightning Lane

What People Are Saying About Universal Orlando

All the Harry Potter stuff was, in fact, incredible.

All the Harry Potter stuff was, in fact, incredible.

K

Katie D

March 29, 2019

At Cabana Bay we had a spacious suite and a gorgeous pool area. We found Universal to be lots of fun and a great value.

At Cabana Bay we had a spacious suite and a gorgeous pool area. We found Universal to be lots of fun and a great value.

B

Beth E

August 30, 2022

Access to excellent, reasonably-priced dining at CityWalk was amazing; Vivo and Cowfish in particular were favorites.

Access to excellent, reasonably-priced dining at CityWalk was amazing; Vivo and Cowfish in particular were favorites.

R

Rob P

August 23, 2022

Universal's rides are superior, especially for an 11-year old who loves thrill rides.

Universal's rides are superior, especially for an 11-year old who loves thrill rides.

K

Katie V

April 27, 2022

One definite plus at Universal was the Express Pass included in our hotel stay.

One definite plus at Universal was the Express Pass included in our hotel stay.

C

Christina M

July 21, 2021

Having three days at Universal was a wonderful vacation for my family. When it was time to leave we felt fulfilled and grateful for the long time we had to enjoy the individual areas.

Having three days at Universal was a wonderful vacation for my family. When it was time to leave we felt fulfilled and grateful for the long time we had to...

K

Kate C

August 22, 2019

The Harry Potter areas are outstanding! Worth every single penny.

The Harry Potter areas are outstanding! Worth every single penny.

D

David D

February 14, 2019

We loved Animal Kingdom, particularly the architecture and artistry of Africa. We did the Wild Africa Trek and it was the highlight of our trip.

We loved Animal Kingdom, particularly the architecture and artistry of Africa. We did the Wild Africa Trek and it was the highlight of our trip.

J

John O

February 11, 2022

Your wait time estimates were more accurate than the park's.

Your wait time estimates were more accurate than the park's.

M

Meg F

May 13, 2025

I followed my optimized plan and it worked very well.

I followed my optimized plan and it worked very well.

J

J.C.

May 13, 2025

6

How do I make the most of my time?

Follow our Touring Plans (or create your own computer-optimized plan with our Personalized Touring Plan tool) to help you plan the best times to experience the attractions. Download our Lines app to your phone to help you build plans that let you experience everything the parks have to offer while spending the least amount of time waiting in lines. Follow our Touring Plans (or create your own computer-optimized plan with our Personalized Touring Plan tool) to help you plan the best times to experience the attractions. Download our Lines app to your phone to help you build plans that let you experience everything the parks have to offer while spending the least amount of time waiting in lines.

Select a Touring Plan

Personalized Touring Plans

Download the Lines UOR app:

Download the Lines app

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We’re sure that you’ll save time and money and have a better Universal vacation with TouringPlans.com. If you don't, at your request we'll provide a full refund within 45 days of purchase.* We’re sure that you’ll save time and money and have a better Universal vacation with TouringPlans.com. If you don't, at your request we'll provide a full refund within 45 days of purchase.*

*Money-back guarantee is valid only for purchases made via our website.

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Podcast

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with Len Testa of TouringPlans & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with TouringPlan's Len Testa & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com

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