Universal Studios
Two Parks, One World
What is the best bang for my buck?
Ticket Prices
One Park – One Day Ticket = from $109 + tax
Two Park – One Day Ticket = from $164 + tax
PLUS Express
Express Pass Unlimited = $99.99
Is a Two Park – One Day Ticket worth it? In my opinion, it isn’t! There is plenty to do in each park on its own to conquer one entire park in a day versus being overwhelmed by attempting to tackle two. The ONLY reason you would want to go with this option is if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express which connects the two parks together. As an adult who loves Harry Potter, I personally do not believe it is a ride worth $55. However, if I had kids or a young adult who was really in the spirit of believing, then I would reconsider. But, for just me it is unnecessary.
Is upgrading my ticket to an Express Pass worth it? 100% YES. After you spend money on your trip to the park, spirits can often be crushed when you are spending hours in line each day. If you don’t go often, upgrade. Your experience will be better, lines will be faster, and you’ll ultimately be able to do more. Do it all; that is the whole point of your trip, isn’t it?
Universal Studios Florida
Featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley
My Favorite Rides (in order):
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon {Virtual Line Pass via the App}
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Revenge of the Mummy {Virtual Line Pass via the App}
- ET Adventure
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Transformers: The Ride- 3D
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Fast & Furious Supercharged (SKIP IT)
- The Simpsons Ride (SKIP IT)
- Shrek 4-D [I wasn’t able to ride it!]
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack! [I wasn’t able to ride it!]
Islands of Adventure
Featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade
My Favorite Rides (in order):
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure {Virtual Line Pass via the App}
- The Incredible Hulk
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley’s Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls [I wasn’t able to ride it!]
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges [I wasn’t able to ride it!]
Why Universal (vs. Disney)
PSA: Universal Studios is NOT associated with Disney World. In fact, they are competitors. I thought this was well-known until multiple people were asking about my Disney vacation! There is more to do in Orlando then just Disney World! They are each great for their own reasons and are both very different experiences. Currently, Disney has cancelled character meets and shows in their parks due to COVID-19. Therefore, in my opinion, now is a great time to visit the Universal Studios parks. Which is exactly what I did! So, why Universal Studios?
- Harry Potter! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Watching magic come to life is priceless, whether you are a child or an adult. YOU’RE A WIZARD!
- Adult Park! Universal has some incredible roller coasters that are great for young adults. Disney has more rides specific to younger children. Another bonus in the Universal Studios park are the 3D & 4D rides. Someone who is older and no longer able to ride giant roller coasters that go upside down, are most likely able to ride these. As the majority of the 3D & 4D rides do not actually move or if they do, not in a dramatic way.
- Wide Variety! The attractions vary tremendously and there is something for everyone. From Jurassic Park to Transformers, from The Simpsons to Dr. Seuss, from Marvel’s Superheroes to Minions, and from King Kong to Shrek: the parks cater to a vast audience.
Food Reservations
BOOK DINNER RESERVATIONS IN UNIVERSAL’s CITYWALK IN ADVANCE!
If you get to the parks when they open and tackle one park, per day… then you will have time to leave the park for dinner. I initially did not make reservations because I thought I would want to stay in the park from open to close. However, by 6PM each day, my entire group felt done! Ideally, if you could snag a 7PM reservation at a Universal CityWalk restaurant that would be outstanding and great timing.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
COVID-19 & Universal Parks
Temperature Check: Universal will check your temperature before admittance to Universal CityWalk, prior to the security checkpoint.
Lines & Rides: Most rides are following social distancing, meaning half the amount of riders on a roller coaster (skipping rows or skipping a seat between parties that are not together). This means that your wait times are most likely longer than you’d expect! Seriously, upgrade to an Express Pass if you can afford it.
Virtual Line Pass: This is a new procedure for specific high traffic rides. You MUST have a virtual line pass via the Universal Studios App in order to ride certain roller coasters. These are *subject to change* but there were three during my weekend there: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy, and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. IF you do not obtain a virtual line pass, then you cannot ride these rides. It is VERY COMPETITIVE to get a virtual line pass to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure! Virtual Line Passes go “live” on the Universal App at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm. You have to be on Universal property to access them. My group was unsuccessful at getting a virtual line pass to Hagrid’s Motorbike at 8am, 11am, and 2pm! We were upset since we specifically came to Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We started asking employees what the trick was to solidify a pass. I am not sure which piece of advice did the trick because we did both, but everyone in my group was successful at obtaining a virtual pass when we did these these two pieces of advice:
- Be physically next to the ride you want at the times when the passes go “live”.
- Be on the Universal Studios WIFI!
Hand Sanitizer: You will never use more hand sanitizer in your lifetime. An employee will give you hand sanitizer prior to getting on every ride and the employee will watch you rub it in! I watched a young girl shake off the hand sanitizer onto the ground, so they gave her more! There isn’t a way to avoid this. I read on some blogs that they let you bring your own hand sanitizer, but that isn’t feasible when you are putting your bags in a locker. I also don’t think the employee’s would let you because they are taking their hand sanitizing job very seriously. I suggest packing a strong hand cream that you can put on your hands before bed at night since they will quickly dry out from the hand sanitizer!
Enter your email to be the first to know new updates from Moonchild Manifest!