15 Brilliant Universal Studios Hacks for your Best Vacation Yet

If you are planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando in Florida then I’ve got some amazing universal studios hacks for you! I’m all about saving money, time, and effort. If you are, too, then you are going to love these tips for maximizing your time, dollar, and energy while at the park. Find out what Universal Studios secrets are hiding from the public too!

What is Universal Studios?

The Universal Studios Orlando Resort, which you may know as Universal Orlando is in Orlando, Florida. It consists of Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk Orlando. Additionally, there are five on-site hotels including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Learn the Universal Studios hacks, tips, and tricks on how to avoid long lines, save money and stay sane at the park here.

How To Plan a Cheap Trip To Universal Studios Orlando

I am putting together my best insider tips on how to plan a cheap trip to Universal Studios Orlando. Know what to plan ahead, tips on how to save money, what to know before you go, tips about Universal Studios rides, Universal Studios hotels, and even Universal Studios secrets!  Big thanks to Family Forward for hosting an annual retreat that gets my family there!

1. Use an app to plan your trip. Download The Official Universal Orlando Resort™ App to get you started on how to plan a cheap trip to Universal Studios Orlando. In this app, you can buy and redeem tickets, see wait times in real-time, plan your day with a Universal Studios Map, secure your Virtual Line™ pass, get alerts to get in line, find out what’s going on in the parks, and best of all, connect to their WiFi for FREE. Seriously! This app has so much functionality, and it’ll save you so much time and frustration.

2. Avoid weekends and holidays. First, Universal Studios secrets – weekends and holidays are going to be more crowded so it’s going to take you longer to get on rides and you’ll simply get to see and experience less of the Universal Studios Islands of adventure!

3. Use an app to track wait times on rides at Universal Studios Orlando and including all parks. I mentioned using the app above, and I can’t stress it enough. Not only will the app tell you the wait times in real-time, but it’ll also alert you 5 minutes before it’s time to get into line.

Save Money while enjoying Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

4. Bring water and snacks. You can bring water and snacks to the park. If you don’t feel like lugging them around all day, you can rent a locker. Camelback’s are great if you want a hands-free option for water.

5. Kids Under 3 are Free! Second of Universal Studios secrets! Well, I should revise that by saying that you don’t have to purchase a ticket for kids under 3. We all know that in all likely hood you are going to have to shell out some cash for a treat for your sweet little one while in the park. However, you don’t have to break the bank by buying them souvenirs and snacks. Bring snacks from home be mindful of your wallet when you do get them something fun!

6. Plan Park Restaurants in Advance. Don’t wait until everyone is having a break down to eat so that you have to eat at the closest restaurant you can find. Before you go, check out menus and prices so that you know what to expect. If the food at the park is not in the budget for every meal, then pack snacks and lunches so that you can enjoy the meal that you really want. Universal Studios Islands of adventure has a Universal Dining Plan that may work for you!

7. Purchase tickets online rather than at the gate. The savings for purchasing online is about $20. That’s like getting Universal Studios Discount Tickets for nothing! To me, that’s huge, especially if you are buying multiple tickets. Also, the more days you “play” at the parks, the less you pay per day.

Research and Know Before You Go

Theme parks are a great way to have fun with the family. But there are some things you should be aware of before day. Learn about what to expect when visiting Universal Studios, Orlando.

8. September, as well as mid-January-March are good times to visit. Another Universal Studios secrets – shhh. Don’t tell. I don’t want everyone to know. Count on the parks being busier around holidays and school break times.

9. Arrive early. I’m sure you are groaning hearing this since you want to sleep in while on vacation. I do, too. However, so do most people while on vacation which means that the park is less crowded in the morning right when they open. Do you see where I’m headed? If you get to the park early, you’ll get to enjoy the park before it fills up. I even recommend getting to the park an hour early so that you are the first at the gate. Then, head to the back of the park and make your way to the front.  

It’s best to hit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter either at 8 am if you have early park admission by staying at an on-site hotel or after 4 pm when the park clears out a bit. The areas of the park for younger children are going to be less busy when younger children are less active, e.g. nap time and closer to their earlier bedtimes.

10. Head to the busiest areas of the park right when you enter and before closing.

If you have kids that are interested in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it is generally recommended to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter later in the day – mid to late afternoon. Note: reservations are not available for Ollivander’s in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter {to watch the wand-choosing ceremony} and lines fluctuate based on time of year and weather.

Remember, the areas of the park for younger children are going to be less busy when younger children are less active, like during their nap time and closer to their earlier bedtimes.  For instance, I noticed that Seuss Landing is packed during lunch, but not so much in the late afternoon. Also, most people tend to travel on Sunday, therefore Sundays are not as crowded and are a great day to play at the parks.

11. Eat lunch in the late afternoon when the ride waits are the longest. This allows you to avoid long ride wait times AND long lines at restaurants.

12. Bring a cross-body purse, cinch sack, or fanny pack for your belongings. You don’t want to lug around a huge purse if you can avoid it.

Universal Studios Rides

The best of Universal Studios Secrets – there’s no shortage of excitement at Universal Studios Island of adventures! Learn about some of the rides here.

13. Get express ride access and SKIP THE REGULAR LINES at each of your favorite participating rides and attractions in the theme parks.  These are FREE for each person in your family if you stay at one of these three Universal Orlando Resort hotels including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.  It’s just one of the many hidden values, you can see all of my Top 5 Perks of a Hotel Key in my quick video here.

14. If you are 10 years or older, then you have the option of grabbing a quicker spot as a “single rider“. Since most people ride in groups of two or more if there is an extra spot available the attendants will ask for a single rider and you’ll be able to skip ahead in the line.

Universal Studios Hotels

The Universal Studios Hotels are a perfect getaway for families traveling together or vacationing together with friends. Learn why the Hotels resort is a great place to stay in Orlando, Florida, here.

15. Stay at one of the on-site hotels. I can’t stress enough what a good idea it is to stay at an on-site hotel. Not only are they really nice, but the exclusive perks also make them well worth it.

All of the hotels are within walking distance or a shuttle bus ride to all three theme parks and Universal CityWalk™, which is really nice. A little about the 5 Loews on-site hotels:

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel includes the Universal Express passes and early park admission.
• Hard Rock Hotel includes the Universal Express passes and early park admission.
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort includes the Universal Express passes and early park admission.
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort includes early park admission.
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort includes early park admission.

More Fun Universal Studio Hacks To Discover from Tip Junkie:

• Take the Best Insider Tips to Universal Islands of Adventure to make your vacation even better.
• Know the best Islands of Adventure tips and tricks to maximize your time in the park.
• Your vacation doesn’t have to revolve around rides and shows. Check out these insider tips to make the most of your trip to Universal Studios Orlando.
• Here’s a ride and some insider secrets of Universal Studios Theme Park that all tourists should see.
• Learn how to prepare for Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
• See the best tips for visiting Universal Studios when it’s hot, crowded and you have kids.
• Personalize your luggage by making some inventive DIY luggage tags to make your bags more fun and easier to identify.