What to Know Before You Go To Universal Resort, Florida
- Sep 30
- 7 min read
Top 10 Facts to Know Before You Go to
Universal Resort, Orlando Florida
First Facts to Know Before You Go to Universal Resort, Florida:
As popular as Disney Parks is, seemingly to those who may not be up on their theme park information, a Universal experience is actually older, in theory, that is. Universal Studios in Hollywood offered tours of its backlots as early as 1915, in the era of silent films, letting the public see movies actually being made. People were charged admission.
When the property was bought in 1914, it actually was developed with some amenities, including a farm and a zoo! Take that, Hershey Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens. It was called Universal City, then. Tours were stopped in 1930 because by then sound was being used and visitors weren't permitted on set.
Universal Studios continued being just that a film and television studios when Universal decided to start having tours again in 1964, using trams that took movie and TV fans by working sets. Instead of allowing visitors on set, the studios staged events and then the first attraction opened the next year. That was a good idea anyway because in 1968, SAG, the actors union, started forbidding visitors on set.
Meanwhile, back at the zoo, that kept expanding until, it too, was an attraction featuring animals. But, ironically, Universal struggled with what to offer for young children. It tried a petting zoo. And it expanded many of the staged events. Finally, in 1991, E.T. Adventure opened. By that time, Universal decided it was time for them to expand to Florida, especially to compete with Disney's Hollywood Studios which was called Disney-MGM Studios at the time and had opened in 1989.
Disney had its own staged events, backlot tour attraction and also, at that time, had a few productions that were happening in Florida. However, like Universal, many of the actual experiences that were interactive are simply rides with film themes (except for a few locations in Galaxy's Edge).
Universal Studios Florida in Orlando opened in 1990 as the first location for what would be Universal Orlando Resort.
The Universal Studios Hollywood location has a theme park, CityWalk, and the backlot tour. The theme park is actually part of the real Universal film studios, which is kind of cool. But the Universal Studios Florida recently has been renovating a lot (just like Disney) and many of their attractions which were actually about filmmaking or may have been more interactive have been removed. The rides are now mostly themed with Universal productions but they are your typical theme park rides and attractions, except for some shows.
For example, Earthquake: The Big One and Disaster! were theme park rides but the guests were actually part of a staged event, with special effects and everything. Animal Actors on Location is still there (and it's a cute show, too). The Bourne Stuntacular is more of a special effects show rather than a stunt show, but the technology is impressive. Finally, Universal Orlando's Horror Make-up Show is actually very good. And it's in a nice place to sit and get cool.
On the other hand Universal decided to expand in the Florida game when they saw Disney's success. Surely there is room for more, they thought, OK maybe 4 more locations plus hotels. They started with Universal Studios in 1990, followed by Islands of Adventure, and its own CityWalk in 1999 and Volcano Bay in 2017. Then, there's Epic Universe (2025).
So, here's what to know before you go to Universal Resort, Florida:
1. There are 5 basic areas: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe (theme parks), the water park Volcano Bay and the shopping-dining-restaurant area, CityWalk. CityWalk (after paying for parking) is free of charge but each park has an admission price. You can buy a combo ticket as well as annual passes (with different levels, including one pass that only includes the two theme parks).
2. There are 8 hotels operated by Loews Hotels, including the Hard Rock Hotel, which is not part of Hard Rock International. If you book lodging, your email and/or confirmation may come from Loews rather than Universal. They range, in descending order of price, in the categories of premier, preferred prime value, value. You get to them by walking, shuttle, car or even launch (boat). The two value resorts, Dockside Inn & Suites and Surfside Inn & Suites, are across the bridge on International Drive, near Interstate 4. There are plenty of buses to get you to the theme parks and CityWalk or you can walk.
3. There is one huge parking lot for Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk and thus, only one security check. They use airport-like scanners, making the process extremely easy compared to Disney (or Sea World). City Walk is the resorts' dining, shopping and entertainment district, with great restaurants, some with their own entertainment. Don't forget to go to the second level. And check to see how long City Walk stays open. The hours may vary depending on the time of year. However, Epic Universe is a few miles away, with its own parking and security checkpoint.
4. Unlike Disney World, whose resort sits on its own created areas of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, and therefore everything is within its borders, Universal Resort is spread out in the city of Orlando. As we noted, the Endless Summer Resort (Surfside and Dockside Hotels), is across I-4, at International Drive. Being so close to the Drive means there are plenty of places to eat, shop and there is other entertainment that might be within walking distance. And if you choose to stay on International Drive, you're close to the park, but you may have to drive, anyway. Check to see if your hotel offers a shuttle service but there may be a fee. And, there may be a resort fee for the lodging in that area. Choose your hotel carefully. As for Epic Universe? Don't look for it at the main campus. It has its own location.
5. Many families say their teens prefer Universal to Disney because it seems there are more thrill rides. In actuality, the two companies have almost the same amount of thrill rides but since there are 3 main parks, rather than 4, it's more concentrated; therefore it seems like more per park. It also depends on your definition of thrill ride. There are a few rides that will give you cause for a pause before getting on them: The Incredible Hulk Coaster (Islands of Adventure), and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster (Islands of Adventure). And Epic Universe adds to the fun with not only new rides but new themed lands (Mario Brothers). But never fear for the little ones: The Dreamworks area in Universal Studios and Seuss Landing in Islands of adventure have lots for the younger crowd.
6. The roller coasters are a lot of fun, especially because of the themes: Revenge of the Mummy, The Adventures of SpiderMan and Transformers: The Ride 3D will have you moving as well as Fast and Furious Supercharged and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
7. Unlike Disney's Hollywood Studios, which seems to have abandoned the very features of a film studio, Universal Studios has retained some of those features with the attractions, performances and shows related to the film industry, even if they don't have as many interactive experiences as they used to. Their attractions feature the films, series and franchises produced by Universal (and any acquisitions or mergers). Check out The Blues Brothers Show, Animal Actors on Location, Universal's Horror Make-up Show and The Bourne Stuntacular (based on the Bourne Identity franchise). Look for character greetings as well: Marilyn Monroe, The Scooby Doo Gang (complete with the Mystery Machine van) and Beetlejuice.
8. There are fabulous water rides in Islands of Adventures in case you don't want to spend the extra money or time in Volcano Bay. You will absolutely get soaking wet. That's reall all that needs to be said. Trust us. Check out Jurassic Park River Adventure, Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (a whitewater rafting type of ride) and the one absolutely guaranteed to have you drenched, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.
9. To skip the lines, you can pay for an express pass, which on certain days can cost more than admission to the park (seriously). In fact, on a particular day, two express passes cost more than an annual pass. Yet, mysteriously, they are often sold out. There are only a limited amount available per day, so if you want one, either buy it online or get to the park early and take your chances.
10. Harry Potter is a big draw with crowds surging to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You need the park-to-park ticket since two of the areas are in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Take the Hogswarts Express to travel back and forth between Diagon Alley-London (Universal Studios) and Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). You will be tempted to stay in both areas all day. Indeed, the total 4 rides (and the long lines) can keep you there all day. But resist the temptation to do so if you plan to visit Epic Universe on the same day! There's a Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic land just waiting for you.
Add Universal Resort Orlando to your Florida itinerary! Allow for either a very long day at the Studios and Adventures parks, with a third day at Epic Universe or be prepared to spend the outrageous fee for the express passes. Or, you could do the unthinkable and actually expand your vacation by a few more days. After all, what's better than more theme park experiences!
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