You’ve been planning the big family trip to Universal Studios for months now, and the time has finally arrived.
The kids are beyond excited, your flight to Orlando landed without any hitches, and you’ve checked into the hotel in one piece.
To make sure the trip of a lifetime is everything you and the kids hoped it would be, follow this essential checklist to get the most out of your holiday experience.
1. Check the best time to go
September is generally a good time of year to visit Universal Studios, as the parks will be busier around holidays and school break times.
2. Dress for the weather
It may be Florida, but it can still get chilly in January and February. Check Orlando’s weather forecast online before you make your trip. Even if it’s warm during the day, nighttime temperatures can drop significantly.
3. Invest in an Express Pass
An Express Pass will allow you to skip the long queues at the most popular rides and attractions. These are free for each person in your family if you stay at one of the three Universal Orlando Resort hotels.
4. Start from the back
Most guest generally arrive in the morning, so a good strategy is to start in the back of the park and make your way to the front. After 4pm, the park tends to clears out a bit. Also, most people tend to travel on Sunday, therefore Sundays are not as crowded and a great day to visit.
5. Meet the characters
There are several character meet and greets that occur throughout Universal Studios. Check the schedule inside the map to plan out your stops. The meet and greets can change depending on the time of year but generally include SpongeBob Squarepants, Shrek and Donkey, Star Toons, Madagascar characters, and Hollywood characters including classics like Marilyn Monroe. Each of the character will also sign autographs, so have a notebook and pen handy for each child to collect their signatures. It's a fun game and memory for young ones.
6. Shop smart
The park offers package pickup at the front gate. This means that you no longer need to carry any souvenirs or merchandise you pick up along the way. Also, if you are staying at one of the on-site hotels, you get an added perk of free package deliver to your hotel room.
7. Eating at the park
If you're planning on eating at least two meals at the park, then consider investing in the Meal Plan to save money. If you're planning to eat in one of the restaurants, make a free reservation early in the day at the booth outside of the restaurants to save time.
8. Wear comfortable shoes.
These are a must. You'll be doing a lot of walking around the theme parks, and you could be on your feet quite a bit more than you anticipate. Wearing flip-flops or heeled shoes to the park is probably not a good idea.
9. Sunscreen
They don't call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing. It doesn't take long to get sunburned, so make sure to cover up, and re-apply the kids' sunscreen during the day.
10. Prohibited items
To save the hassle and expense of having to bin certain things on arrival, follow this checklist of banned items.
- Picnic lunches
- Food that requires heating or refrigeration
- Alcohol and glass containers
- Hard-sided coolers
- Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep
- Suitcases, and bags with wheels
- Folding chairs
- Clothing with offensive language or content
- Clothing that represents someone as emergency personnel, for example 'Police', 'Lifeguard'.
Image via Pinterest.
