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How to make the most of Universal Orlando Resort
Ready for your best holiday yet? Here’s how to do it at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.
There’s never been a better time to visit Universal Orlando Resort. With Universal Epic Universe now part of the line-up, along with three new hotels, there’s more to explore than ever before. They join fan-favourite parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park – plus eight themed hotels. So, if you’re thinking of going, here’s how to make the most of your time while you’re there.
Once you’ve had a read, check out our Universal Orlando Resort deals.
Once you’ve had a read, check out our Universal Orlando Resort deals.
Feel like a film star at Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida brings all your favourite TV shows and films to life. We bet it’s the only place where you can save the world, make mischief with Illumination's Minions and become a wizard in one day.
Board the Hogwarts Express™ and travel between Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade™ in Universal Islands of Adventure – the experience is different each way, so be sure to do the journey in both directions. Cast some spells with your interactive wand and don't forget to taste some famous Butterbeer.
Universal Studios Florida is also the place Illumination's mischievous Minions call home – and now they've taken over the whole street!
Board the Hogwarts Express™ and travel between Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade™ in Universal Islands of Adventure – the experience is different each way, so be sure to do the journey in both directions. Cast some spells with your interactive wand and don't forget to taste some famous Butterbeer.
Universal Studios Florida is also the place Illumination's mischievous Minions call home – and now they've taken over the whole street!
Make a splash at Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park
Water park fans, get ready – you’re in for a treat. Head to the volcano at the centre of the park – it’s 200-feet tall, you can’t miss it – to ride the park’s tallest slide, AKA Ko’okiri Body Plunge. We don’t want to spoil the fun too much, but you might want to prepare yourself for falling through a drop door at a 70-degree angle.
If that sounds a little too much for you, pitch up on the huge beach surrounding the volcano for a sunbathing session instead. When you’re ready to cool off, head to Kopiko Wai Winding River to float around a waterway lined by tropical trees and flowers. Ah, bliss.
Just so you know, Universal Volcano Bay will begin a seasonal closure on 26th October 2026. Don't worry, it'll re-open on or before 24th March 2027.
If that sounds a little too much for you, pitch up on the huge beach surrounding the volcano for a sunbathing session instead. When you’re ready to cool off, head to Kopiko Wai Winding River to float around a waterway lined by tropical trees and flowers. Ah, bliss.
Just so you know, Universal Volcano Bay will begin a seasonal closure on 26th October 2026. Don't worry, it'll re-open on or before 24th March 2027.
Brave the rides at Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Islands of Adventure is home to some of the park’s biggest rides, including the iconic Jurassic World VelociCoaster, where you’ll race alongside Raptors at 70 miles per hour.
On Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, you’ll visit the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and fly above the castle grounds alongside Harry, Ron, Hermoine and Dumbledore. Plus, in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™, you can experience Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ – just keep an eye out for the Devil’s snare.
Marvel Superheroes can also be found at Universal Islands of Adventure. You can become a superhero at Marvel Super Hero Island and brave The Incredible Hulk Coaster® which reaches launch speeds of 60 miles per hour. After, you can join Spider-Man and battle to save the day as you come face to face with some of his best-known nemeses.
On Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, you’ll visit the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and fly above the castle grounds alongside Harry, Ron, Hermoine and Dumbledore. Plus, in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™, you can experience Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ – just keep an eye out for the Devil’s snare.
Marvel Superheroes can also be found at Universal Islands of Adventure. You can become a superhero at Marvel Super Hero Island and brave The Incredible Hulk Coaster® which reaches launch speeds of 60 miles per hour. After, you can join Spider-Man and battle to save the day as you come face to face with some of his best-known nemeses.
Explore immersive worlds at Universal Epic Universe
As if all of that wasn’t enough, the fourth theme park opened its doors on 22nd May 2025. Universal Epic Universe features five portals where you can enter different worlds. Get ready to journey through its cosmic heart, Celestial Park – a world between worlds where exciting rides await.
At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™ take a stroll through the streets of wizarding Paris before travelling to the British Ministry to join Harry, Ron and Hermoine in a race against time on the Battle at the Ministry™. You can also uncover a new way to play at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, where you’ll ride Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge and drive through Donkey Kong Country™ on Mine-Cart Madness™.
Prefer to fly? At How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, you’ll zip past familiar faces like Hiccup and Toothless on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders as you soar through a colourful land where Vikings and dragons co-exist. And we can’t not mention Dark Universe. This attraction features ground-breaking technology, where you can explore a village home to monsters created from the experiments of Dr Victoria Frankenstein.
At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™ take a stroll through the streets of wizarding Paris before travelling to the British Ministry to join Harry, Ron and Hermoine in a race against time on the Battle at the Ministry™. You can also uncover a new way to play at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, where you’ll ride Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge and drive through Donkey Kong Country™ on Mine-Cart Madness™.
Prefer to fly? At How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, you’ll zip past familiar faces like Hiccup and Toothless on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders as you soar through a colourful land where Vikings and dragons co-exist. And we can’t not mention Dark Universe. This attraction features ground-breaking technology, where you can explore a village home to monsters created from the experiments of Dr Victoria Frankenstein.
Stay right beside the action at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
All Universal Orlando Resort hotels come with free transport to and from the parks, so staying at a Universal hotel is a no-brainer if you want to get around easily. The brand-new Universal Helios Grand Hotel goes one step further, with an exclusive entrance to Universal Epic Universe just for hotel guests with a valid theme park entry ticket. It’s giving VIP, right? Also, all hotels come with free Early Park Admission – giving guests with a valid theme park ticket access to the park up to an hour early, plus first dibs on selected attractions before the crowds roll in.
Once you’re back from a busy day at the theme parks, kick back with a cocktail from the hotel’s rooftop bar and look out over Universal Epic Universe. And, for when you’re feeling peckish, there’s a restaurant featuring an open-style kitchen with live cooking, Mediterranean comfort foods, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating looking out over Celestial Park. Just what you need after a day making ground around the theme parks.
Once you’re back from a busy day at the theme parks, kick back with a cocktail from the hotel’s rooftop bar and look out over Universal Epic Universe. And, for when you’re feeling peckish, there’s a restaurant featuring an open-style kitchen with live cooking, Mediterranean comfort foods, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating looking out over Celestial Park. Just what you need after a day making ground around the theme parks.
Ready to go?
Take a look at our Universal Orlando Resort holidays.
For more on Florida, check out our Florida planning hub. Or, for more inspo, uncover the best hotels at Universal Orlando Resort or the top things to do at Universal Orlando Resort for kids.
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Author: Karl Taylor and Conor Braniff
Last updated: 22.05.2026