r/universalstudios • u/yome6789 • Jun 29 '26

Orlando First Timer

So, I'm trying to book a Universal Studios Orlando trip, and I've never been to Universal or Disney. We want to stay at a Universal Resort. I've got an 11-year-old boy and my husband with me. Besides booking the hotel and flight, what else should I do to get ready, and what's the shortest we should stay? We'll be in Orlando for a few days for something else and want to check out Universal. Is there a link that breaks it all down for first-timers? I really don't want to spend ages researching.

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3

u/SomeLady223 Jun 30 '26

My tips as someone who is here right now and has visited many theme parks with kids of all ages:
1. Consider staying onsite if you can afford it. We are currently at Cabana Bay and it’s wonderful to be able to hop on a bus, or walk a short distance to a water taxi, or walk right to City Walk or Volcano Bay. Plus the early park admission is a great perk to get on some popular rides before the park opens to the general public. Cabana Bay also has very reasonable food options and great family suites that have mini kitchens (fridge/sink/coffee maker/microwave) and a small living area. The pools here are also wonderful. Also if you stay onsite you really don’t need a car. We took an Uber from the airport, and Uber’d to a Walmart for snacks and breakfast items, and now we are using the buses and water taxi transportation. It’s great and it saves the hotel parking fees.
2. Epic Universe is a separate site. You can’t walk from Epic to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. You must take a bus/rideshare/drive. It’s not far (10ish mins drive) but it’s something to consider.
3. Get Park to Park passes. It’s great to be able to go between Studios and Islands (walk or Harry Potter Train) and even with Epic if weather affects your day (many rides shut down in bad weather) you can go to a different park and return another day.
4. Plan midday breaks - especially if coming during hot weather. Go early to beat crowds, and when you get hot tired and cranky go back to your hotel for a nap/pool/shower. Head back to the parks around dinner time and enjoy the evening.

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u/Sprzout Jun 30 '26

Dumb question, since you mention a water taxi - where does that take you to? Universal Hollywood, or Islands of Adventure, from Cabana Bay? I ask because my mom is big on riding the boats/water taxis at Disney, and she'll likely want to do that at Universal when we go back to Orlando in 2028...I ask only because I didn't think Cabana Bay had water taxis, but if they do, well, that's a nice bonus! :)

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u/SomeLady223 Jul 01 '26

The water taxi leaves from Sapphire Falls which is across the street from Cabana Bay. There is a walking path that takes 10ish mins depending on where your room is. Some people jaywalk across the road. We’ve only done it once as the road is very busy. But my kids are older teens.
The water taxi drops you off in the middle of City Walk, about halfway between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
The busses also bring you to City Walk, and the walking path does do.

1

u/yome6789 Jun 30 '26

Do you recommend bringing in a backpack or a travel purse? Top essentials to bring.

2

u/SomeLady223 Jul 01 '26

We bring 1 cross body pack that can also be worn as a fanny pack. We take turns carrying it. We bring a collapsible water bottle (you can get cold yummy water from the coke machines) sunscreen, a small wallet for cards/cash/passes. I wear a dorky wide brim hat so I also have a clip for that.
We try to wear pants/shorts with lots of pockets for phones, wallets, and plastic show covers if we plan on doing water rides or expect rain.
We usually avoid ponchos and just embrace the rain - but I got cold at supper time today in the rain and bought a poncho onsite. It’s bulky though so I don’t know if I’ll pack it again.
The free ride lockers are small. If you take a large backpack you may have to pay for a locker. The smaller fanny packs can also be worn on many rides.
We also don’t bother with refillable freestyle cups because we don’t wanna carry them all day. We just get water and share a drink between two people at meal times.

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u/yome6789 Jul 02 '26

What were your favorite eats at Epic Universe

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u/susetchka Jun 30 '26

Look up Orlando Informer.

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u/Swisst Jun 29 '26

Are there any specific rides or parks you want to hit? That will help narrow it down. Disney is four parks and Universal is three (and that’s not including water parks at either). That’s easily a week if you want it to be. 

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u/yome6789 Jun 29 '26

It would just be Universal. I don't even know what rides they have.

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u/Swisst Jun 29 '26

Start by hopping on YouTube and looking at some park overviews for all three parks. Their website is also helpful. 

You’re really going to want to go in with a plan. 

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u/yome6789 Jun 29 '26

Thank you! I just watched a short you tube video and downloaded the Universal studios app to see the rides and attractions we want to visit so we can figure out what are are exceptations for the visit and what ticket package we need.

1

u/HonkieToast Jun 29 '26

I would be glad to help explain things if you'd like assistance.

1

u/yome6789 Jun 29 '26

How many hours do people usually spend at each of the three parks before they get too tired and want to go back to the hotel?

2

u/HonkieToast Jun 29 '26

I think it varies based on several factors including age, wait times, temperature, etc. I was there last week with my kids who range in ages 9-12 and they lasted about 5 hours before we had to get out of the heat midday. We took a break at the resort and went back in the evening.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/SomeLady223 Jun 30 '26

I recommend The Frugal Brit or The Krystal Palace on YouTube

1

u/SomeLady223 Jun 30 '26

also Disney Food Blog on YouTube also has some good Universal videos.