A BIG Change Just Hit Universal Orlando Resort

A BIG change just hit Universal Orlando Resort, and it could impact your next vacation! Universal has made changes to its designated smoking areas, and we have all the details for you.

Universal Studios

Effective today, May 15th, 2025, Universal Orlando has made changes to the designated smoking areas at its parks. While previously, there were locations inside each of the parks that guests could smoke, going forward, there will only be smoking areas located outside of the park entrance (except for Volcano Bay, which is keeping its in-park smoking area for now).

Epic Universe will have its smoking area near the restrooms at the park exit. Universal Studios’ designated smoking area will be outside the park exit near the Studio archway. Islands of Adventure will have its designated smoking area outside the park exit opposite the lighthouse. You will find Universal CityWalk’s smoking area to the left of the Red Coconut Club. There will no longer be designated smoking areas inside these parks, so make sure to plan accordingly if you or someone in your group needs to stop for smoke breaks.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure

Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay, will be the only park to keep its designated smoking area inside the park. However, once TapuTapu is no longer in use, the smoking area will also be moved to outside the park entrance. TapuTapu is the wearable band that facilitates joining the virtual lines, contactless payments, and interactive experiences. So, while you will still be able to smoke at the Wave Village (East) for now, the smoking area will also be moved to outside the park entrance eventually. TapuTapu will no longer be used beginning October 1st, so we will likely see the smoking area move around that time.

©Universal Orlando

Disney World already made this change to its smoking policies in May 2019, when it moved all designated smoking areas to locations outside the park’s entrance. The policy is still in effect, and guests must exit the park to find designated smoking areas.