Harry Potter World- Universal Studios Orlando

20 Tips for Universal Studios Orlando

1. Stay at one of the Universal Hotels that offers FREE Express Passes. 

- These include Loews Portofino (review in separate post), Loews Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel.  This includes early entry (varies per day, Express pass onto many rides: they are listed separately).  The Hard Rock Hotel is the closest to walk, but there is an incredible boat system that will bring you to all hotels.  You can also walk to each hotel in about 15 minutes.

2. Use Early Entry but arrive 30 minutes BEFORE park opening.  They start letting people in before the official time and lines will form starting 1 hour prior to official opening time.

3. Express pass times are always 1/2 of the posted times so plan accordingly. Your express pass is valid on the day you check into the hotel through the day you check out.

4. Download the app, it will have wait times, maps, etc.

5. Buy park-to-park tickets if you want to ride on the Hogwarts Express (fun to do once)

6. For Harry Potter there are two areas (soon to be more!).  In Universal Studios there is Diagon Alley and London.  In Islands of Adventure you will find Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Hagrid's Motorcycle Ride. You will want to do both.

7. If you get motion sickness I strongly recommend wearing a scopolamine patch.  Most of the rides involve movement combined with video screens that cause extreme sickness in those prone.

8. People will be in costumes so come prepared.

9. Go to Olivander's Wand shop FIRST. They have a short presentation and one child gets picked to try out several wands.  Lily was picked when we went last month and it was amazing.

10. Second go to Escape From Gringotts (in Universal Studios) and then you can wander around and do magical spells with the interactive wand that you purchased ($65) at the wand shop

11. There are lockers for most rides but they are SMALL so don't bring too much stuff. You will not be allowed to bring backpacks, fanny packs, or even cell phones on some of the rides.

12. Buy the souvenir cup for free coca cola refills all day.

13. The shows are incredible. We loved live action show Bourne Stuntacular and animal shows were both hits with our family.

14. Hagrid's Motorcycle Ride: wait times of 120 to 210 minutes are normal.  You will have to wait.  If you don't want to wait I recommend early entry (get there at 7 or 7:30AM) and run to the ride.  I was able to walk onto the ride and by the time I got off the wait was up to 60 minutes (at 8:05AM).  There is NO express pass for this ride.

15. The best rollercoaster is Velocicoaster. Do it during early entry OR can try to do single rider line.  Also wait the extra 5 minutes for the front row.  If you dare.

16. Butterbeer is a fun treat! Kids loved hot and cold and ice cream; lines get long later so go early.

17. Go back in the evening for fireworks and shorter lines.

18. Little kids will love Dr. Seuss area in Islands of Adventure.

19. Favorite at City Walk (restaurant area) include milkshakes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

20. Have fun! NO need to over-plan like Disney World.













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