Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando is a trip of its own now.
Three theme parks, a water park and a whole resort's worth of hotels. How many days you give it, and which ones, is the first thing worth getting right.
Universal Orlando Resort now has three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Epic Universe — plus Universal Volcano Bay, its water park, and the restaurants and nightlife of Universal CityWalk. That's a lot to fit into a few days, and the right plan depends far more on who's travelling than on anyone's list of must-dos.
Some families give Universal a long weekend of its own. Others fold a few days into a longer Florida trip. Both can work beautifully — the trick is deciding the days before you buy the tickets.
Epic Universe changed the calculation on a Universal add-on. Often worth two or three days alongside the rest of your Orlando trip.
How I plan a Universal trip
Decide how many days it deserves
Three theme parks and a water park don't all need the same amount of time, and not every family needs all of them. I'll help you work out which parks earn a full day, which can be shorter, and which you can skip without regret.
Choose the right hotel
Staying on site comes with perks like early park admission, and the hotels differ in the things that shape your day: how you get to the gates, how much room a family actually gets, and whether line-skipping is included in your stay. I'll check exactly what comes with each option for your dates.
Match the tickets to the plan
Universal tickets come in more combinations than most people expect: one park a day or park-to-park, with or without Epic Universe, with or without the water park. I'll price the one that fits the days you'll actually spend in the parks, not the biggest one on the page.
Be honest about line-skipping
Universal sells a paid way to skip the regular lines, and whether it's worth the money depends almost entirely on your dates. In a busy week it can change the whole day. In a quiet one you may not need it at all. I'll tell you which kind of week you're booking.
Check who can ride what
Universal leans toward big thrill rides, and many of them have height requirements. If you're travelling with younger children, I'll look at what they can actually ride before we decide how many days to spend in each park.
Small things, big difference
Worth knowing before your first park day.
None of it is complicated. All of it is easier to know before you're standing at the gate.
- Lockers — many of the big rides ask you to leave loose items in a locker before you board, so a small bag beats a big one
- Getting wet — a few rides will soak you. A cheap poncho or a change of clothes in the bag saves the rest of the afternoon
- Afternoon storms — Orlando summers often bring short afternoon thunderstorms, and outdoor rides pause when lightning is nearby, so the big outdoor rides belong in the morning
- Early mornings — the first hour or two in the parks is usually the calmest, and the best time to head straight for the most popular rides
I'll fold all of this into your plan, so you're not learning it on the day.
Getting there from Connecticut
From Fairfield County, the realistic choices for Orlando are LaGuardia, JFK, Newark and Bradley, and the lowest fare isn't always the easiest trip once you count the drive and a week of airport parking. I'll compare them for your dates and your party.
No planning fee
I'm paid a commission by the supplier, not by you, so planning your Universal trip with me costs you nothing extra.
Often, it costs you less, too. When I book, I often have access to promotions and savings, and I pass them along. In many cases I can book the exact same trip you'd book yourself, still be paid my commission by the supplier, and get you in for less than booking it on your own.
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Where to next?
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LaGuardia, JFK, Newark or Bradley? The fare is only one of the numbers that matter.
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