Universal Studios is on many people’s bucket lists. It is a world-renowned theme park with rides and attractions based on some of the most popular movies and TV shows.
As many people begin planning their trip to Universal Studios Orlando, Florida, they are confused about how much time to spend at the park. It would be a tragic shame to go on your dream trip to Universal Studios only to miss out on some of the best attractions and rides.
Have no fear. This article has you covered. This article deepens the various factors you should be aware of before traveling to Universal Studios. It will also give you four sample trips to know precisely how long you need to stay at Universal Studios to get the most out of your journey.
By the end of the article, you will know exactly how many days you need to spend at Universal Studios Orlando.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios Orlando is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It is one of the most popular things to do in Florida.
The park was opened on June 7, 1990, and since then, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2017, Universal Studios Orlando welcomed over 20 million visitors.
The park is divided into Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Islands of Adventure is the newer section, having opened in 1999.
There are many rides and attractions at Universal Studios Orlando, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, one of the park’s most popular sections. There is also a water park called Volcano Bay. It opened in 2017.
In addition to rides and attractions, there are live shows, movie screenings, and various dining options.
Ticket Prices
There are a few different ticket options for Universal Studios Orlando.
A one-day, one-park ticket to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure costs $110 for adults and $104 for children ages 3-9. A two-park, one-day ticket, which gives access to both parks, costs $165 for adults and $159 for children ages 3-9. If you want to visit the water park at Volcano Bay, that is an additional $80 per day.
There are also ticket options for multiple days. A three-day, two-park ticket costs $235 for adults and $225 for children ages 3-9. A four-day, two-park ticket costs $265 for adults and $255 for children ages 3-9.
If you want to add the Universal Express Pass, which allows guests to bypass the regular lines at most rides and attractions, it costs an additional $50-$80 per day, depending on the ticket type.
Price Considerations
In addition to the cost of tickets, there are a few other price considerations to consider when planning your trip to Universal Studios Orlando.
There are various options if you want to stay at one of the on-site hotels. Prices start at $200 per night and go up from there.
There is also the cost of food. Universal Studios Orlando has various dining options, from quick-service restaurants to sit-down dining experiences, and prices for meals range from $10-$50 per person.
Finally, there are souvenirs. Universal Studios Orlando has many stores selling various items, from clothes to toys to home decor. Prices for souvenirs start at $10 and go up from there. Consider all these price considerations when planning your trip to Universal Studios Orlando.
How Much Time Should You Spend at Universal Studios Orlando?
Now that we’ve gone over the background information and ticket prices for Universal Studios Orlando, it’s time to answer the question: how much time should you spend at the park?
I’ve broken down the options below.
Two Days: The Minimum
Two days is the bare minimum that you should spend at Universal Studios Orlando. Two days give you one day at Universal Studios and one at Islands of Adventure.
If you only have two days to spend at Universal Studios Orlando, it’s essential to make the most of your time.
On the first day, I recommend starting at Universal Studios. Ride all the major rides and hit up all the must-see attractions, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Then, head over to Islands of Adventure for the second day. If you want to visit Volcano Bay, you can do that on either day.
Remember that you will feel rushed if you only spend two days at the park. So be prepared to skip out on some rides, especially during the high season when the park is busy.
Three Days: Rushed
Three days is a slightly better option. Three days gives you one day at each of the three parks. If you have three days to spend at Universal Studios Orlando, I recommend spreading your time evenly among the three parks.
On the first day, start at Universal Studios and ride all the major rides. Then, head over to Islands of Adventure for the second day. Ride all the major rides there and hit up all the must-see attractions. Finally, spend the third day at Volcano Bay. Even with three days, you will still feel rushed, but it is a better option than two days.
Five Days: The Best
Your best option when visiting Universal Studios is to spend five days at the park. Five days gives you plenty of time at each location, plus you won’t have to rush to skip certain rides if the lines are long. Additionally, five days gives you time to go back and ride your favorite a second time.
Suppose you have five days to spend at Universal Studios Orlando. In that case, I recommend spending two days at Universal Studios, two days at Islands of Adventure, and one day at Volcano Bay.
Five days will give you plenty of time to experience everything each park offers without feeling rushed. The slower pace will allow you to enjoy the experience more than running through the park.
Wrap Up
I hope this article has helped you answer the question, “how many days do you need at Universal Studios Orlando?”
Remember, the time you spend at the park depends on your interests, budget, and the time of year you visit.
No matter how much time you have, enjoy your time at Universal Studios Orlando!