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Writer's pictureLaura Slinger

Universal Studios Tips!



The Universal Orlando Resort is split into two parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios is themed around the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. It allows guests to 'ride the movies' through its numerous live shows and attractions. It not only has rides based on Universal movies, but also rival studios such as Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Dreamworks Animation and Sony's Columbia Pictures.

It features 6 themed areas all situated around a large lagoon, the lagoon features a water/fireworks display '100 Years of Movie Memories'.

Production Central

Production Central is the area you first see when you walk into the park and walk straight ahead instead of right.

Attractions

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

Shrek 4-D

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Transformers: The Ride


New York

The New York area of the park features mainly food outlets as well as Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's.

Attractions

Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

The Blues Brothers


London/Diagon Alley

The newest area of the park is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it features two rides and several restaurants and signature shops. This includes Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys' Wizard wheezes and includes Knockturn Alley.

Attractions

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Hogwarts Express


World Expo

In the Simpsons area you can get photo opportunities with the characters of the show, you can also buy Flaming Moes from Moe' Tavern or a Krusty Burger.

Attractions

Fear Factor Live

Men in Black: Alien Attack

The Simpsons Ride

Kang & Kodos' Twirl'n Hurl


Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone

Here you can meet characters from Nickelodeon and it features child orientated shows and attractions as well as a play park.

Attractions

Animal Actors On Location

A Day in the Park with Barney

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster

E.T. Adventure


Hollywood

This area is close to the main entrance where you can walk around shops featuring classic Hollywood characters such as Betty Boop. The Terminator 2 exit is a shop featuring lots of The Walking Dead and comic book merchandise.

Attractions

Universal's Horror Make-Up Show

Terminator 2 3-D: Battle Across Time


Future Expansions

Inspired by the popular Tonight Show segment, an upcoming ride called “Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” will pit you against Jimmy in a race through New York City. Opens in 2017. Guests step right into Studio 6B where Jimmy will challenge them. On the adventure, they will twist, turn and laugh as they speed through the streets – and skies – of The Big Apple – encountering everything from iconic landmarks to the deepest subway tunnels – and anything else that comes to Jimmy’s mind.


Another new attraction will take you on a high-octane adventure into the world of underground racing. You will become part of the “Fast Family” – right alongside your favorite stars from the Fast & Furious films. As your specially designed ride vehicle takes off, every turn accelerates with non-stop action and high-speed excitement on this supercharged thrill ride, arriving at Universal Studios Florida in 2018.


Tip 1: Buy tickets in advance!

The easiest way to save time and money is to purchase your park tickets online. You can save $20 off the gate price as well as avoiding long lines by heading straight to the front gate of the park.


Tip 2: Avoid Long Lines!

Unlike Disney World, 'Fastpasses' at Universal Orlando or Express Passes, aren't included with your admission price and are $25 on top of your regular ticket price. Where you can ride the single rider or visit at quieter times of the year such as when kids go back to school in August or February after the Christmas rush. Anytime after 4pm gets quieter as well as Sundays


Tip 3: Don't wait for the dragon!

The dragon in Diagon Alley breathes fire throughout the entire day. You will first hear a grumble followed by a small roar before he breathes a fireball. When you hear the grumble this gives you enough time to get your camera out. He normally does it ever 25 minutes but also does it in random spurts. You will most likely be able to catch it without having to stand for half an hour.


Tip 4: The Park for rain!

I personally find Universal Studios to be the rain friendly park, more so than Islands of Adventure. With the exception of Rip Ride Rockit, all of the rides are indoor based. So if you had previously planned to visit a water park but theres a storm, check out Universal, although I would still suggest bringing a poncho.


Tip 5: Stay on-site!

For those that don't have a hire car you can spend $200 on taxi's too and from Universal for 2 days! If you get a hotel room at the Universal hotels you receive a complementary express pass. This saves so much extra money and it means saving on parking as the hotels have free transport to the parks. Although there are 5 Universal hotels only 3 offer this pass, all 5 though do offer early access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The 3 hotels are Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel.

Tip 6: Take in the sights!

Some guests rush from ride to ride, then dismiss Universal's theming as inferior to Disney's. Take time to relax in some of the parks' quieter pockets, like New York's alleyways, Central Park, and the London and Springfield waterfronts in Universal Studios. Of course, Potter fans will want to spend hours soaking up the Wizarding World's details, especially in Diagon's spooky Knockturn Alley. You can also splurge $47 on an interactive wand if you want to activate interactive effects, or just creep on kids using them.


Tip 7: Get the park hopper!

If you only have 1 day to spend at Universal definitely go for a 2 parks 1 day ticket with express pass. With this you can get everything done in each park and you can ride the Hogwarts express between the parks.


Tip 8: The busiest rides!

Check out Minion Mayhem, Rip Ride Rockit, and Escape from Gringotts, these rides are the most popular so either get on them at opening time or before closing as the wait times can reach over 2 hours!

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