Your vacation is booked, and now it’s time to plan out the details!
Here’s a quick guide to everything that you need to know to plan the perfect Universal Orlando vacation!
Click the link below + use the code VACATION to download your free daily planner that includes:
• day planner for park hours, dining, + must see items
• all attractions with height requirements + full dining list sorted by park
• full dining list for City Walk + all resorts
*use code VACATION for discount*
Universal Orlando Website + App
The Universal Orlando App is incredibly easy to use for all ride info, wait times, mobile ordering, dining options, and virtual queues!
Once you’re in your Universal Orlando account, within the wallet you will want to add in a credit card to use for onsite purchases through Universal Pay. Using Universal Pay makes it easy to pay for food and purchase souvenirs throughout the theme parks!
You can read all about the app + tips on how to use it here.
Payments
45 days before check in
Your deposit has been paid, and your final payment just has to be paid 45 days before check in. You can make as many payments as you’d like between now and then. To make a payment, you can submit your payment authorization through your Tern trip profile!
Travel Insurance
45 days before check in
This plan covers you and your family for certain unexpected circumstances. The Travel Protection Plan is optional and available for purchase up until final trip payment. Learn more about what is covered and fill out our Travel Insurance Acknowledgment Form here:
Universal Orlando Resorts
Signature Collection
Prime Value Hotels
Value Inns and Suites
Dining Reservations
180 Days Before
There are literally hundreds of dining options available at Universal Orlando, so there’s guaranteed to be a little something for everyone! Universal Orlando has tons of dining options that don’t require or even offer reservations, but there are a few popular restaurants that you’ll want to book ahead of time. Check out dining options + see if there are any reservations that you’d like!
Express Passes
When you add Universal Express Passes to your theme park admission, you get to skip the regular lines at most of your favorite rides and attractions so you can fit way more fun into your day! You can choose between Universal Express (one use per ride) or Universal Express Unlimited (unlimited uses per ride).
If you are staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel®, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort, your Express Unlimited Passes will be automatically linked to your room + ticket reservation, and you have to check in at the resort to get the activated ticket card/room key before you can use it.
Express Unlimited Passes for Epic Universe are not currently included with your Premiere Resort stay. If you would like to add Express Passes for Epic Universe, that is available at an extra cost.
You don’t have to do this, but you can link your tickets once you get them at the resort so you can scan in with your app. You can link your tickets by going to the “My Account” tab and selecting “Wallet” > “Purchases” > “Link a Ticket”, and then “Add Tickets & Passes” function at the bottom to scan in physical tickets for every member of your party. If the other adults in your party have their own account or want to link their tickets within their account, make sure they scan their ticket to their own app account – tickets cannot be scanned to two accounts at the same time.
Most people bring a lanyard (or buy one there) to keep their tickets in for easy scanning for park entry, Express Pass line, opening their room, etc.
If you want an even more exclusive experience, I can’t recommend a VIP Tour Experience enough! You get front of the line access to rides in a non-private or private VIP Tour starting at under $200 per person!
Lockers + Bags
Some of the rides at Universal Orlando do not allow bags, cups, phones, etc on the ride with you for safety reasons. Single-time use lockers are available at the attractions listed below. The standard-sized lockers (14 in x 5.5 in x 16.9 in) for small loose articles are free while you ride. Larger lockers (12 in x 13 in x 16.9 in) for oversized items can be rented for an additional fee. I would HIGHLY recommend using a fanny pack or small crossbody bag while in the parks because they fit well in the free lockers provided.
These lockers are available at the entrance of the following attractions:
Universal Studios Florida
- Revenge of the Mummy™
- MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster®
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
The following water-based attractions offer single-time use lockers an additional fee. Visit locker location for pricing information.
- Jurassic Park River Adventure™
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®
- Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls®
Universal Epic Universe
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Monster’s Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
Transportation
We have a few recommended options for getting to and from property including a rental car, Universal Orlando’s SuperStar Shuttle, Away We Go Transportation, Uber/Lyft, or private car service. Let’s talk about which mode of transportation would be best for your family!