Universal Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando is the largest theme park in the world. This vast complex has everything you need for both children and adults to enjoy an unforgettable experience. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do in Orlando.

In this article I will tell you all the information you need to know to buy tickets: how to do it, what are the prices, what are the best options, etc. In addition, I also give you some tips for you to apply to your visit.

Universal Studios Orlando is the largest theme park in the world. For this reason, it is one of the best things to do in Orlando with children. Its facilities offer you a unique experience where you can relive your childhood like never before.

The park is made up of two parts: Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Aventure. In both complexes you will find all kinds of attractions and shows inspired by some of the biggest hits of the big screen.

The place has, of course, all kinds of services, so you don't have to leave its facilities unless you want to. You can have a drink in its many gastronomic establishments, as well as buy various souvenirs of your visit or even stay in its hotels.

Universal Studios Florida facilities

Universal Studios Florida is made up of two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Both provide different, but equally exciting experiences.

My recommendation is that you take advantage of your trip to visit both parks. It will probably have been a long drive to Orlando, so ideally you should leave after you've toured everything. Of all the times of the year, a visit to the park stands out as one of the best things to do in Orlando in spring.

Of course, I must also recommend that you go if you visit Orlando in December, as in every month of the year the place has its special and magical charm that will make you never want to leave.

The facilities at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is the original complex of this gigantic theme park. Its facilities are divided into different themed parts, which offer an immersive experience. The first of these is New York, where you can walk through the streets of the Big Apple. This area of the park has attractions for all tastes as well as amazing shows.

Another of the areas that most attracts the attention of visitors to the park is Hollywood. You will undoubtedly feel like you are inside some of your favourite films of the cinema giant. You'll also have the chance to ride rides based on the blockbusters.

Finally, another of the most famous areas of the complex is Diagon Alley, the part dedicated to the entire Harry Potter universe. If you and your family are fans of the saga, this will be your favourite experience of the visit. You'll be able to experience a unique adventure on a motorbike with the magical animals that Hagrid protects.

Of course, you'll also have the option of flying through the Forbidden Forest on a rollercoaster, as well as walking through Diagon Alley and meeting the main characters from the saga. In case you're not a big fan of thrill rides, don't worry, the park has plenty of other attractions for the adrenaline junkies.

The facilities at Universal Islands of Adventure

As with Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure also has several themed areas dedicated to the cinematic universe. One of the best known is Marvel Super Hero Island, where you can meet your favourite superheroes and ride rides that imitate scenes from the Marvel Universe films.

For the classics, Islands of Aventure also has a themed area dedicated to the famous Jurassic Park films. If you're travelling with young children and they're dinosaur lovers, get ready to see them enjoy themselves like never before.

In addition, like the park's other complex, Islands of Aventure also offers a Harry Potter-inspired area: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, where you will travel to the magical village of Hogsmeade.

What else will you find at Universal Studios Florida?

While what I've already told you may seem like more than enough, the truth is that the park has even more surprises in store. One of my favourites is that it connects the two complexes via the magical Hogwarts Express train. This way, you can travel with the whole family in total comfort and ease, and also enjoy an immersive experience.

Of course, there are also several hotels in the park's facilities. Depending on your needs and the treats you want to indulge in during your holiday, you can choose one or another of the packages on offer. The truth is that this option allows you to stay very close to the attractions and have all kinds of comfort. In addition, hotel guests have exclusive benefits at the complex.

If you want to visit Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, you have two options to buy tickets and enjoy the attractions of the theme park. One is to buy them at the ticket office directly at the theme park. The park has several ticket offices, which are located at the entrances of its two sections.

When you buy your tickets, the staff will inform you of the different options you can choose from, such as one-day tickets, multi-day tickets, tickets for only one of the complexes or combined tickets, which are the ones I personally recommend.

Although the information provided by the staff is a great advantage, the truth is that buying them at the ticket office is not the best option. Keep in mind that Universal Studios Florida is the largest theme park in the world and, precisely for this reason, it welcomes thousands of tourists. You will find long queues at the ticket booths.

This way, you will lose a great part of your time, which you could invest in other plans around the city, such as going to other of the best theme parks in Orlando or visiting the best beaches in Orlando.

Buy tickets online for Universal Studios Florida

While waiting to buy tickets at the box office means you risk long, endless queues, online tickets save you all that. To buy tickets online, you can do so either on the park's official website or on other ticket websites.

Whichever option you choose, the process is pretty much the same for all cases. The first thing you will need to do is to log on to the ticket sales page. First, consider whether you prefer combined tickets or tickets to visit just one of the parks. Then, choose the dates of your visit and the number of tickets you need. Be careful when selecting the dates! Some tickets are only available on certain days.

Once you have done this, you will need to provide certain information required to make the payment and receive your ticket, such as your email address, name or telephone number, as well as your payment details. Finally, complete the transaction and receive your e-ticket in your mailbox, which will have a barcode or QR code.

The price of tickets to visit Universal Studios Florida is around 190 euros. This depends on several factors, such as the number of days, the resorts you want to visit and the age of the visitors. In addition, special discounts are also available for certain groups, such as students residing in Florida or members of the Armed Forces.

For example, a one-day combined ticket for both resorts costs around 200 euros per adult. Children between the ages of 3 and 9 receive a discount of about five euros. Please note that the cost of the ticket also depends on whether you are travelling in high season or low season.

If you want to visit the park for several days, for example on a 7-day trip to Orlando, the price is somewhat higher and can reach 350 euros. If, on the other hand, you only want to visit one day, but only one of the complexes, the ticket will cost a little less than 200 euros.

The first thing I advise you to do is to book your tickets well in advance. In fact, it is advisable that you do it from the very first moment you have secured your trip to Orlando. This way, you can take advantage of discounts and special offers.

In addition to this, you can also make use of some of the best tourist passes in Orlando to save money on your tickets to the big theme park. Sightseeing passes always save you money, as they allow you to buy tickets to several attractions together. So if it's your first time in the city and you want to see everything that's relevant, my recommendation is to get a tourist pass.

Of course, the key to saving money on your visit, but not on the entrance fees, is to bring your own food. Try to bring something to drink and quick snacks, such as sandwiches. That way you won't have to spend your money on lunch at the resort's food outlets.

Without a doubt, a visit to Universal Studios Florida is pretty much a must if you're going to Orlando, no matter what time of year you're planning your trip. However, depending on your needs and preferences, there are better and worse times. For example, you may find that you can't stand the heat the worst, or that your big nightmare is the crowds.

The off-season, which runs from January to March, is great for avoiding large crowds. The park at this time of year is less crowded, so you won't have to queue for long rides. However, it is true that some of the rides may be closed for maintenance. It is also the cheapest time of the year to go to the theme park.

Regarding the mid-season (which runs from April to the first half of June and from September to December), in my opinion it is the best time to go to the park. During these months, the weather in Florida is very pleasant, much better than in the low season. Also, it is still not as crowded as in the high season.

Finally, the high season coincides with the summer months, as well as during Christmas. For my taste, this is the worst time to go to the theme park, as you will have to wait in queues for most of the services offered. However, it is also true that during peak season there are special shows and exhibits.

As you might guess, the visit to Universal Studios Florida lasts as long as you want it to last. That is, it's not the same if you're a big fan of the rides and want to ride all of them or if you're a little wary and just want to ride a few. Nor is it the same for large groups as it is for small groups.

If you are wondering whether it is possible to visit the park in one day, the truth is that it is. One day in the complex will be more than enough to visit all the themed areas, go on the most emblematic attractions, have a drink in some of the establishments and explore the shops. But make sure you get there as early as possible.

If you want to visit the park at your leisure and not miss a single detail, then my recommendation is to plan a visit of at least two days. This way, you'll even be able to visit the attractions you liked the most, as well as stop at the shows you find along the way. Finally, if you stay more than one day in the park, you will be able to enjoy the night show 'Cinematic Celebration'.

Of course, one of the factors that most affect your visit time are the queues for the attractions and the rest of the services. In the case of the restaurants, you should know that you have the opportunity to reserve your meal, so that you can arrive and eat directly.

Yes, children must pay for their admission to the theme park. In fact, the park considers children to be those between the ages of 3 and 9 years old. From the age of 10 onwards, they are considered adults and will have to pay the corresponding price for their ticket.

As for the price difference between children's tickets and adult tickets, the reality is that it is not much. In the case of adults for combined day tickets, the cost is around 198 euros, while for children it is around 193 euros.

In addition to this, I have to warn you, as the park usually asks for some kind of document verifying that the child is of the required age for this type of ticket. So don't try to go against the rules and carry some documentation with you, such as a passport.

• Organisation: The first and foremost tip when visiting Universal Studios Florida, and any tourist attraction in general, is to plan ahead. It may happen that, for not having made an itinerary in advance, you may find that certain attractions are closed or shows are not available. Therefore, check the opening times on the resort's website.
• Arrive early: It is also advisable to arrive early, to avoid long queues and enjoy the park more peacefully than at rush hour.
• Express Pass: The Express Pass allows you to save a great deal of time by avoiding queues. However, it is not available for all attractions.
• Don't miss the live shows: Universal Studios Florida is a magical universe that proposes an immersive experience, which goes far beyond roller coasters and other types of attractions. One of the great attractions of the park are the shows, which in some cases are interactive.
• Water and sunscreen: This tip is even more important if you are visiting the park in the summer months.
• Download the park's mobile app: The complex has its own mobile app where you can find interactive maps so you don't get lost in the park, show times and even real-time waiting times for the rides.