Complete Guide for your Universal Studios Orlando trip 2026 edition

by Maria Robles Díaz December 3, 2025

Planning a fantastic trip to Universal Studios Orlando? Yay! I’m soo excited for you! You’re in for a truly unforgettable experience.

Now, are you a Harry Potter fan? Are you a thrill junkie and can’t wait to ride Velocicoaster? Want to buy amazing and cute merchandise? Or are you going to try all the delicious food? Either way, this blog is for you.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Universal Studios Orlando and Island of Adventures quite a few times, and every single visit has left me even more amazed. Disney Orlando and Universal Studios (and now Epic Universe!) have my heart!

This blog is all about your complete guide for your upcoming Universal Studios Orlando trip 2026 edition.

Now let's plan your trip to Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Island of Adventures.

If you want to see your Ultimate Guide for EPIC Universe, please go HERE.

A little bit of a disclaimer, this blog is part of something really special I’m building: a dream of helping fellow theme park lovers plan magical, stress free, and joy filled vacations to Universal Orlando, Epic Universe and all Disney parks. I want to help you feel confident, excited, and so ready to make the most out of your trip.

So, if you’re feeling nervous and overwhelmed by which attractions to ride, tickets, park maps, wand choices, and which Butterbeer to try… stop! Take a deep breath. I. GOT. YOU.

Ready to start planning? Let’s dive in!

1. There are three theme parks (This blog doesn’t include Volcano Bay)

Okay, so let’s clear up the parks’ names. When you hear “Universal Orlando”, this actually means the whole resort that includes two separate theme parks, plus a new epic third one (Yayy!).

Here’s the breakdown:

Universal Studios Florida

This is the OG park, the one that started it all in Orlando. When you step into the park, you immediately feel like you just walked into a Hollywood set.

In Universal Studios you’ll find:

The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM (Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. Once you get inside it, is like being in THE Diagon Alley from the movies. This is where you’ll see the fire-breathing dragon, Ollivanders shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Borgin and Burkes, Magical Menagerie, The Leaky Cauldron, and more!)
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Springfield: The Simpsons area
Illumination’s Minion Land
DreamWorks Land
Hollywood
San Francisco
New York
World Expo

Diagon Alley - Universal Studios

This park is more chilled than Islands of Adventures and lets you geek out over the movie sets.

Islands of Adventure

The name itself tells you everything. This one is the adventurers dream land!

Here, you’ll find:

The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM (Hogsmeade village and Hogwarts Castle)
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (best ride ever!!! You’ll see)
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Port of Entry
Marvel Super Hero Island (The Incredible Hulk coaster!)
Jurassic Park (Velocicoaster!)
The Lost Continent
Toon Lagoon
Seuss Landing

I mean, talk about jaw-dropping rides!

As you may probably realize by now, The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM…let’s call it experience, is divided into the two parks. This means you can only ride the Hogwarts Express between the parks if you have a Park-to-Park ticket. (More on that later!)

The Hogwarts Express is a train (just like in the movie) that can take you from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventures and vice versa all day long but only if you have the Park-to-Park ticket.

The Hogwarts Express

AND! Epic Universe

Again, the name says it all. EPIC is the only way to describe this new theme park.

Here, you’ll find:

An entire new The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM themed around the Ministry of Magic
A How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
A Super Nintendo WorldTM
Celestial Park
Dark Universe
New rides, new restaurants, and an all-new hotel right by the park entrance

Epic Universe came to change the game, and I’m sooo here for it!!

So, yeah, Universal Orlando Resort is a multi-park universe of fun, thrills, magic, food, Butterbeer and incredible merchandise. And with Epic Universe now open, it’s the perfect time to start planning your first (or next!) visit.

**Volcano Bay is pure paradise if you love water parks (just not my vibe) it's all tropical vibes and water rides.

You’ll want a Park-to-Park ticket, trust me on this one

What’s a Park-to-Park ticket?

Universal sells different types of tickets. The two most common are:

Base Ticket (One single Park per day): You can only enter one park per day. No hopping.
Park-to-Park Ticket: You can move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on the same day.

Remember when I told you before that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split between the two parks?

Well, the only way you can ride the Hogwarts Express is with the Park to Park ticket. And trust me, riding the Hogwarts Express is not just transportation, it’s a full-on experience.

You get in a real train compartment, then when the train starts going, the window shows scenes like you're traveling through the English countryside. Oh! And the ride changes depending on which direction you're going (Universal Studios to Islands of Adventures and vice versa).

It is more expensive…

Yes, the Park-to-Park ticket is a bit pricier than the base ticket but let me tell you, it’s %100 worth it.

Not only if you’re a Harry Potter fan, but it also gives you flexibility, allows you to dodge crowds better by hopping parks throughout the day.

To buy your tickets please visit Universal Orlando Resort official site: https://www.universalorlando.com/web-store/en/us/park-tickets

Alright, so when to visit?

The timing of your visit to Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe will make a huge difference in you and your family’s experience.

Here’s what you should know:

When’s the best time to visit Universal Orlando?

So it depends on what you prefer. If you want lighter crowds, shorter wait times, and cooler weather, these are the sweet spots:

Mid January to early March
Late April to mid May
Mid September to mid November

During these months, kids are usually in school, the holiday rush is over, and the weather is a lot more bearable. Ticket prices and hotel rates are often cheaper too!

Holiday Seasons

If you're a holiday lover, Universal goes all out during:

Halloween Horror Nights (September - October): A lot of Haunted Houses and spooky vibes (not for little ones though, it’s intense!)
Holidays at Universal Orlando (late November - December): It’s tiiiimeeee (sorry, I had to do it) for Christmas trees, the Grinch doing meet and greets, and magical decorations everywhere. I LOVE this season.

These seasons are beautiful, spooky and magical, but they do get crowded, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

Some things to keep in mind…

Summer (June to August) is busy and hot. Super hot. There are also daily afternoon rain showers. If you go during summer, pack ponchos, sunscreen, appropriate shoes (to wait in line and walk in the rain), stay hydrated, and plan lots of breaks!
Spring Break (March - April) nothing more to say than long lines and big crowds. Be prepared!
Major Holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day are also crowded.

What I would advise you is to visit during weekdays, Tuesday through Thursday. You may encounter smaller crowds.

Next decision: Where to stay?

Universal Hotels

Honestly, it’s the best option if it fits your budget because you’ll get exclusive perks!

Early Park Admission! This means you can enter Universal Orlando theme parks up to one hour before the official opening time. Available if you stay at any Universal Orlando Resort hotel.

Free transportation, buses and boats to the parks

FREE Universal Express Unlimited Pass!! But this perk is only if you stay at their Premier hotels. Premier hotels in Universal Orlando are Hard Rock Hotel®, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Universal has hotel options for every budget:

Value: Endless Summer Resort

Prime Value: Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Aventura Hotel

Preferred: Sapphire Falls Resort

Premier: Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Helios Grand Hotel.

Personal tip: Sometimes staying at a Premier hotel and getting the free Express Pass is actually cheaper than buying Express Pass separately

Staying Off-Site (Other Hotels)

It is often cheaper than staying in Universal or Disney on site hotels. You’ll have definitely more options but please make sure to check how close your hotel will be and if they offer free shuttle service to the theme parks.

If not, then you’ll have to include in your budget either Uber/Lyft or the cost of parking in the theme parks. Usually Regular Parking is $32 per vehicle per day. This is the standard option for most visitors.

Prime Parking is $50 to $60 per day, depending on the season. Prime Parking spots are closer to the security hub, so if you want to be closer to the park entrances, this is your option.

Prime Upgrade: If you've opted for Regular Parking but wish to upgrade to Prime Parking upon arrival, the upgrade fee goes from $18 to $28.

How Early Should You Book?

How far in advance should you book your hotels (on site or off site)? Please don’t hate my answer but you should really book as early as you can. Especially if you want a good rate or if you’re traveling during holidays or peak times. Start checking rates as early as 10 months before and keep checking them back until you’re ready to book.

For park tickets, it may be a little different. You can buy them 4 to 6 months before your trip, but again, as early as you can is always the answer.

Plan your must do rides and attractions

Now THIS is the fun part! I’m soo excited for you.

It’s time to plan the rides, shows, and experiences you don’t want to miss at Universal Studios Orlando.

There’s a lot to see and do, so believe me when I say, a little planning goes a long way to make sure you don’t miss the magic.

Here’s how to do it:

Make a list of your top priorities and what you like.

Think about what really gets you excited! Are you going for: thrilling roller coasters? Super Nintendo World? Everything Harry Potter? Meeting your favorite movie characters? Water rides? Epic shows and performances?

Write down your personal (and your family’s) "must-do" list. That way, you’ll know what you have to fit in to make your trip and vacation worth it. Write your "Absolutely must do or I’ll cry" rides, pick 2 to 3 "would love to ride but it’s okay if I don’t have the time" rides. And well the rest is if you have extra time to spare.

A tip from my heart: Don’t skip the Universal Orlando single rider line! Some attractions have a separate line for “single riders”, usually (always) that line is shorter than the regular one so if you’re riding that specific attraction or rollercoaster alone, get on that single rider line and save some time!

Top Must-Do Rides at Universal Studios Orlando

In my humble opinion, you shouldn’t miss:

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (at Diagon Alley). A 3D/4D adventure through the vaults of Gringotts Bank.
Revenge of the Mummy: surprising drops and scary mummies but fun!
Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. 3D motion-simulator ride.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

And if you or any of your family members are a Harry Potter fan, don’t miss exploring Diagon Alley. Just walking and indulging in the experience is soo fun and magical.

Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Top Must-Do Rides at Islands of Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. My favorite ride, hands down!!!! Yes, all those exclamation points are necessary. It's part coaster, part story, all fantastic.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It’s immersive and a little wild, don’t go right after you’ve eaten. You may get dizzy.
VelociCoaster. Ayayai…this one is the craziest roller coaster. If you love adrenaline, this is a must.
Jurassic Park River Adventure. Classic water ride ending with a massive T-Rex surprise. Warning, you will get wet…a little.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

Again, if you or any family member is a fan of Harry Potter, get some Butterbeer (frozen is the best!) While you walk through Hogsmeade, see all the stores even if you’re not going to buy anything. It’s worth the hype.

If you buy an interactive wand at Ollivanders, don’t forget to cast spells around both parks (in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter part of course).

And if you have a park to park ticket, ride the Hogwarts Express!

If you can, get to the Wizarding World early in the morning for the least crowded magical experience! In the morning, King's Cross Station (Universal Studios) tends to have shorter waits. In the afternoon, Hogsmeade Station (Islands of Adventure) can be less crowded.

You can also watch the Shows!

Universal has awesome shows too!
A few worth squeezing into your day:

The Bourne Stuntacular: an action-packed stunt show that will seriously blow your mind Animal Actors on Location: cute animals doing adorable tricks
Ollivanders Wand Experience: magical little show where a wand chooses a wizard!

Ollivanders Wand Experience

Get Your Park Bag Ready

Okay, let’s talk about essentials because you want to be prepared... but you also don’t want to carry around a 50 pound suitcase on your back. So let’s pack smart!

Here’s my advice on everything you’ll need to bring:

ID, tickets (make sure they are in your email or app) and your preferred payment method. Save screenshots of your tickets/barcodes just in case email or app glitches.

You’re going to be in Florida so please please please pack your sunscreen, reusable water bottle, a hat, sunglasses, poncho or umbrella especially in summer or rainy season. Florida weather is pretty…let’s say unpredictable.

Pack snacks, a portable phone charger, wipes, and wear your comfortable shoes.

Download the Universal Orlando App

Yes, you have to download the Universal Orlando app. Seriously, don’t even think about stepping foot inside the parks without it.

With it you can check wait times of your favorite (must do) attractions, shows and character meet and greets. The app gives you real-time updates on ride wait times.

This means you go head straight to the shortest lines. The app’s interactive map shows you exactly where you are and how to get to your next attraction.

Get to the Parks Early (Seriously, Early)

Okay, listen. I know you’re on vacation and your bed feels extra cozy and the idea of sleeping in sounds amazing...BUT getting to the parks early is one of the best decisions you’ll make for your trip.

Why? Shorter wait times, cooler weather, better photos because there’s fewer people.

How early? Be at the park entrance at least 45 minutes before opening time. And if you have early park admission, plan to be at least 45 minutes before that admission.

Double check the park hours the night before. They sometimes change!

You’re Ready for an Epic Universal Orlando Adventure!

You’ve got everything you need to plan the ultimate Universal Orlando trip: tips for getting around, the essentials to pack, and the best ways to enjoy the parks attractions.

Let the excitement begin!! I’m excited for you, oh! And don’t forget to savor every magical moment!

Stay Connected!

I hope you found this guide helpful in planning your trip to Universal Orlando! Don’t forget to follow along for more tips and tricks to make your park experience even more amazing.

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to see you in the parks soon!

-Mary.