Now is the perfect time to start planning your trip to Universal Orlando!

The other big theme park resort in the Central Florida area is a hot ticket right now, with the newly added Epic Universe having opened in May 2025. Plenty of people are adding Universal to their 2026 vacation lineup, and if you’re in that boat, we’ve got some top tips to share for your trip!

Spend More on Your Hotel to Save in the Parks

One of the best tips for Universal Orlando is one that has been around a while, but we just keep coming back to it! If you stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Hard Rock Hotel, you’ll get Universal Express Unlimited included with your stay for everyone in your hotel room. These are three of Universal Orlando’s most expensive resorts, but the value of this perk is pretty high.

Express Unlimited allows access to any of the attractions with Express entrances as many times as you want. It can save you a ridiculous amount of time in your day! If you purchased Express Unlimited outright, the cost STARTS at $129.99 per person, so that could add up quickly for a group.

Why Does Everyone Say Universal’s Express Pass Is Better Than Disney’s?

Stay as Late as Possible

If you want to get the most bang for your buck and the lowest wait times, the trick when visiting Universal Orlando’s parks is to stay as late as possible. Visitors often exit these parks earlier in the evening since their nighttime shows aren’t quite as popular as the ones in Disney parks, meaning the crowds die down after dark.

In the past, we’ve been able to walk directly onto rides in the last hour of the day at the Universal theme parks, and this even goes for the new park, Epic Universe. There, the main things to note are that the Celestial Park attractions get longer waits at night (because they have special lighting effects), and that Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry can sometimes close early because it hits capacity in the evening.

Click Here to Learn About Early Mornings in Epic Universe!

Invest in a Fanny Pack

Perhaps one of the most important tips for visiting Universal Orlando is one that seems incredibly simple — invest in a fanny pack. Most of Universal Orlando’s thrill rides operate with a complimentary locker system for storing your belongings. Instead of using a pouch on the back of the seat or sitting your backpack at your feet, you’ll likely have to stow it in a locker before you board.

But in many cases, if you have a fanny pack that is strapped to your body and won’t interfere with the seating/safety restraints, you’ll be allowed to wear it on the ride. That can save you quite a bit of time in your day! The three exceptions to this rule are The Incredible Hulk Coaster, VelociCoaster, and Stardust Racers, all of which have metal detectors before you board.

A Word of Warning About the Ride Lockers at Epic Universe

Download the App!

Before you head to Universal Orlando, make sure you download the resort’s app! You’ll be able to link your tickets, mobile order food, navigate around the resort with maps, check wait times, and more.

However, there are two big features that really stand out with the Universal Orlando app. First, you’ll have access to UniversalPlay, which lets you keep track of Wizarding World spells when using a 2nd-generation wand, track your progress when using Power-Up Bands in Super Nintendo World, or customize your gameplay on Villain-Con Minion Blast.

The other big perk of the Universal app is that you can set wait time alerts. If the wait time for a ride you want to do is too high right now, you can set an alert for, say, 45 minutes, and when that wait time drops to 45 minutes, the app will send you a notification. Pretty handy!

We’re Begging You to STOP Sleeping on Universal Orlando

Stay Hydrated With…Coca-Cola?

If you’re a soda goblin like we are, then you need to take note of this last tip! Around Universal Orlando Resort, you can purchase refillable Coca-Cola Freestyle cups. You’ll be able to take that cup to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and soda stations around the park to get beverages all. day. long.

But the best part? You can reactivate the mug for each day of your trip, using it again and again. You can even bring it back to the parks months or years later to use! It’s a really great way to save on beverages and stay hydrated.

There you go — some of our most useful tips for heading to Universal Orlando. Especially for those who are typically Disney fans, these could come in handy during your travels.

Stay tuned to DFB for more tips on theme parks!

I Stayed at a Universal Value Hotel…and Suddenly I’m Mad at Disney!

Are you planning a trip to Universal Orlando soon? Tell us in the comments!