Congratulations, you are headed to Universal Orlando Resort, where you can “Vacation Like You Mean It”! Thank you for trusting us with your vacation planning.
What to Expect From Us
Our travel advisors frequent the Universal Orlando theme parks, so we can stay up to date on all the latest information. We will put together a loose itinerary that includes dining reservations if you would like them, along with all of specific tips for YOUR family.
Please read on below to learn more!
Itinerary Planning
Below are the restaurants, tours and events that need to be reserved or tickets purchased for in advance.
If you are traveling during a slower season, you might not need to make a dining reservation. However, we say “might not” because you really never know how crowded a particular restaurant can get.
If you are staying at a Premier Resort, (Portofino Bay, Hard Rock or Royal Pacific) you have what is called “PRIORITY SEATING” at most restaurants. It is important to note that seating is always at the discretion of the staff and manager. When we talk about who gets seated first, there are no hard rules here. But, in theory, the hierarchy of who gets seated first is reservations -> priority seating -> walk-up. We have noted which restaurants do NOT offer priority seating, all others that are listed do.
So, it is a good idea to have a reservation if there is a particular restaurant you know you don’t want to miss out on.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
- Lunch & Dinner
- This traditional Irish-American pub is both a lively bar and a full-service restaurant.
- See menu HERE
Lombard’s Seafood Grille
- Lunch & Dinner
- Seafood is Lombard’s specialty with fresh favorites like clam chowder.
- See menu HERE.
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Mythos Restaurant
- Lunch & Dinner
- This award-winning, full-service restaurant offers exceptional modern cuisine in a mythical setting that sparks the imagination.
- See menu HERE.
Confisco Grille
- Lunch & Dinner
- This exotic Port of Entry establishment offers global fare influenced by Asian, Mediterranean, Greek and other cuisines.
- See menu HERE.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
- Lunch & Dinner (no priority seating) – MENU
- Indulge in classic dishes like steak and seafood, but save room for the grand finale.
Bigfire
- Dinner only – MENU
- Here, open fire cooking takes center-stage.
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
- Lunch & Dinner – MENU
- Dive into a custom-designed burger or saddle up to some sushi.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
- Dinner only – MENU
- You’ll think you’ve stepped south of the border when you step inside this lively cantina.
Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom
- Dinner only – MENU
- Incredible Caribbean-influenced dishes, live reggae music, and Bob Marley memorabilia define this unique open-air venue, a replica of the legendary musician’s home.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- Lunch & Dinner (no priority seating) – MENU
- Bubba said it best: “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea.” (no priority seating)
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
- Lunch & Dinner – MENU
- Crank up the volume and count on a one-of-a-kind meal when you step inside the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
- Lunch & Dinner – MENU
- Choose from an island-style menu featuring Grilled Fish Tacos, a Cheeseburger in Paradise, Crispy Coconut Shrimp, key lime pie, margaritas, and more.
NBC Sports Grill & Brew
- Lunch & Dinner – MENU
- Nearly 100 high-definition screens immerse you in a stream of sports coverage as you drink and dine.
Pat O’Brien’s
- Dinner only – MENU
- Get a taste of Bourbon Street at this bayou bar where dueling piano players accompany a menu of Cajun specialties.
VIVO Italian Kitchen
- Dinner only – MENU
- Celebrate the beauty of true Italian cuisine where heirloom family recipes are served up in a sleek, modern setting.
Islands Dining Room
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- All day – MENU
- Enjoy a meal as unique as the Pacific Islands themselves.
Jakes American Bar
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Lunch & Dinner – MENU
- This full-service bar pays homage to the fabled South Seas explorer, Jake McNally, whose seaplane floats in the lagoon.
The Kitchen
- Hard Rock Hotel
- All day – MENU
- You’ll feel like the center of your very own entourage when you head to this hot local hangout famous for amped-up American favorites.
The Palm Restaurant
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Dinner only – MENU
- This famous New York steakhouse is the place for a superb meal in an uptown atmosphere.
Bice Ristorante
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Dinner only – MENU
- Bice Ristorante offers Northern Italian cuisine and superb service in an elegant atmosphere.
Mama Della’s Ristorante
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Dinner only – MENU
- Take a seat and enjoy a menu of authentic dishes from Tuscany, Naples, and Piemonte, plus family dining house specialties like Insalata Mama Della and the best lasagna this side of Sicily.
Trattoria del Porto
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- All day – MENU
- For family-friendly fare with a touch of Italian charm, head to this casual full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining.
You don’t have to be a celebrity to experience Universal Orlando Resort like a star. If you are interested in pricing for either of these options, please let your travel advisor know ASAP. They are on a first come, first served basis only.
VIP EXPERIENCE
With the VIP experience, you’ll be personally escorted by a Universal Orlando expert on a guided group tour through Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or both with a 2-park experience.
- Priority front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D and all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attractions
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences in the parks (subject to availability)
- Complimentary valet parking (one vehicle, based on availability)
- Reserved seating at shows (excludes live performances during Mardi Gras and Mannheim Steamroller during the holidays)
- Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch**. Dinner included in Private VIP Experiences only
- Universal Express Unlimited ride access at participating rides and attractions throughout the rest of the day (during normal park operating hours)
- Exclusive VIP Experiences lanyard and credential
- Universal CityWalk Party Pass™, valid only on date of VIP Experience (during normal CityWalk park operating hours)^^
- Discounts at select Universal Orlando owned and operated merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk
PRIVATE VIP EXPERIENCE
As the only guests on this all-day tour, your private group will get exclusive VIP treatment. Build your own itinerary and experience the parks your way with the tour guide’s undivided attention and unlimited front-of-the-line access to all participating rides and attractions. Enjoy the perks and benefits listed above plus, sample many of the destination’s most popular dishes with a full-service dinner at one of Universal Orlando’s award-winning restaurants. In addition, you will receive a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package
The World’s Premier Halloween Event happens on select nights in September & October every year.
This is a separately ticketed event, that sells out quickly once the tickets are released. If you are traveling during this time frame and would like tickets, please let your travel advisor know ASAP.
WARNING: EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR COSTUME MASKS ALLOWED.
See details HERE.
Tips from the Experts
There are no super convenient magical bands that hold your park tickets and such here at Universal Studios. You will receive a printed park ticket, and if you are staying in an onsite resort, a separate card for a room key, and if you have any of the dining plans (coming soon!), you will then get a separate card for that too. We HIGHLY recommend a lanyard to house these. If you are staying in one of the deluxe hotels OR purchased the Express Pass, you will have to pull that out to scan for each person every time you want to use it for an attraction.
Each morning, at least one of the parks will be offering Early Park Admission, which is when the park opens 1 hr earlier for onsite guests to get a head start on their day.
We will put notes on your itinerary for you to know which parks offer this each day, along with how we recommend to get the best use out of that time!
Created so that families with younger children that don’t meet height requirements can still enjoy the bigger attractions. Be sure that when you are first walking up to the line queue, let the attendant know you will be using the Child Swap. You will all stay in line together, but then take turns getting on the attraction.
There are several attractions that offer a separate line for single riders. This is a great way to save time on waiting in line, if you don’t mind being separated from your traveling party during the attraction.
Take advantage of the Universal Orlando’s Package Pick Up & Free Package Delivery services.
PICK UP YOUR PURCHASES ON YOUR WAY OUT
Universal CityWalk – Pick up for Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida will be at the Universal Studios Store™ located at CityWalk.
Volcano Bay – Pick up at Waturi Marketplace (located near the main exit turnstiles)
HOTEL DELIVERY
When you stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, we can deliver your purchased merchandise right to your hotel free of charge. It will be available the next day at luggage services or at the front desk for you to pick up.
Things To Know
- Package deliveries are made the following day between 9 am and 4 pm.
- You cannot use package delivery the day of your check out. Please use the pick-up services in the park.
- You are welcome to drop your purchases off at most stores throughout the theme parks and CityWalk in order to have them delivered.
- Don’t leave any personal items in your shopping bag.
- Home delivery is also available via FedEx for an additional fee. Ask the cashier about this service.
There are multiple types of lockers available both inside and outside of the parks for your convenience. However, you need to understand the difference and how to operate some of what I call the “user UNfriendly” options.
- Daily Rate Lockers – There are multiple locations for these, including inside and outside of the park. There are also different sized options. The rates are from $10 – $15 per day, depending on the size you choose. You are able to go in and out of these lockers and often as you wish.
- Ride Lockers – two types:
- Complimentary for the duration of your ride – the attractions that will not allow you to bring on bags or loose articles require you to use the locker system. It is complimentary, and hooked up to the attraction wait time estimate with a lot of fluff time built in. You will be charged $3 for each additional half hour past what they system has built in for “ride time” for that attraction. Here is what you need to know. These lockers are the ones I call user UNfriendly. You go the the screen (which sometimes is hard to see with the glare of the sun), scan your finger (don’t press too hard, there is an art to this, you will get the hang of it) and you will have a locker selected for you. Place your items, but be sure to remember your locker number! The issue I have is that the screens are not very “responsive” some times, and many times there can be a line waiting to get to the screens. The attractions with theses lockers:
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Men in Black: Alien Attack
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Prepay Ride Lockers – These cost $4 for the duration of the ride with the same $3 for each additional half hour. These are available at the attracations that don’t require you to use a locker, but you will likely want to! That’s right, the water attractions which include:
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Jurassic Park: River Adventure
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
- Complimentary for the duration of your ride – the attractions that will not allow you to bring on bags or loose articles require you to use the locker system. It is complimentary, and hooked up to the attraction wait time estimate with a lot of fluff time built in. You will be charged $3 for each additional half hour past what they system has built in for “ride time” for that attraction. Here is what you need to know. These lockers are the ones I call user UNfriendly. You go the the screen (which sometimes is hard to see with the glare of the sun), scan your finger (don’t press too hard, there is an art to this, you will get the hang of it) and you will have a locker selected for you. Place your items, but be sure to remember your locker number! The issue I have is that the screens are not very “responsive” some times, and many times there can be a line waiting to get to the screens. The attractions with theses lockers:
Universal is doing a phenomenal job of letting you “meet” characters from a safe distance. You can take photos with them, and even have a conversation with them as well!
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
SCHEDULED ENCOUNTERS: These characters are typically listed on the park map with scheduled times they will appear.
- Shrek, Donkey & Fiona – between Shrek 4D and Monster Cafe
- Spongebob, and sometimes Patrick & Squidward – in SpongeBob StorePants
- Hello Kitty – inside her store in Hollywood area
- Trolls, Madagascar, Puss in Boots & Kung Fu Panda – Dreamworks Destination
FLOATING ENCOUNTERS: We call these characters “floaters”, as they have no scheduled time or place to show up. Here is a list of who you MAY see, and possibly where. (locations subject to change since they float)
- Knight Bus Driver – next to the Knight Bus outside Diagon Alley
- Hollywood Character Zone – Meet Betty Boop, Curious George, Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Doc Brown, Woody Woodpecker, Lucy Ricardo, Marilyn Monroe, Men in Black
- Character Party Zone (next to Mel’s Diner during the daily parade): Meet the Minions, Gru, Edith, Agnes, Margo; Dora, Diego, Boots and Baby Jaguar: SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward
- Transformers (between Shrek 4D & Monster Cafe): Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron
- The Simpsons Character Zone – various members of the Simpson family
- BeetleJuice – usually around Monster Cafe
- Mummy Guards – in front of the Mummy Ride
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
SCHEDULED ENCOUNTERS: These characters are typically listed on the park map with scheduled times they will appear.
- Raptor Encounter – Meet Blue by the Jurassic attractions
- Marvel super Heroes & Villains – on Super Hero Island: Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm & Rogue, Dr. Doom, The Green Goblin
- Spider-Man – in the Marvel Alterniverse Store
- Dr. Seuss Characters in Dr. Seuss Character Zone: Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, Thing One and Thing Two, Lorax, The Grinch (only in mask and fur form. See him in human form at Grinchmas only)
FLOATING ENCOUNTERS: We call these characters “floaters”, as they have no scheduled time or place to show up. Here is a list of who you MAY see, and possibly where. (locations subject to change since they float)
- Hogwarts Conductor – in Hogsmeade, just next to the hogwarts Express replica
- Olivander – Olivanders in Hogsmeade
- Classic Comic Book Characters at Toon Lagoon: Betty Boop, Popeye, Olive Oyl
- Woody Woodpecker – near the park entrance
Review the maps just to become familiar with the park layouts before you travel.