One of the questions I get asked a lot is if the park-to-park ticket is an absolute must when coming to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. My answer is always YES! Universal’s Park to Park Ticket is the best option for visitors that frequent Orlando or if you are limited on time and want the opportunity to experience everything. The Park to Park ticket allows guests admission to Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay theme parks. Enjoy unlimited admission to all three theme parks on the same day. Choose between a 2 Park or 3 Park, Park to Park ticket. The 2 Park Park to Park ticket allows guests access to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure only. The 3 Park Park to Park ticket gets you into Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure AND Volcano Bay Water Park.

Before I further explain the park to park ticket, I want to break down each park and show you the highlights for each park. Islands of Adventure is one of two theme parks at Universal Orlando known for thrill rides but also offering great areas for little kids. Since 2010, it’s been home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

If your family loves the movies, you will also love Universal Studios Orlando, one of two theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. This park brings you “behind the scenes, beyond the screen” to experience rides and attractions based on blockbuster films and TV shows from NBC/Universal.

Love Harry Potter? Diagon Alley comes to life at Universal Studios Florida. Diagon Alley features shops, dining experiences, and a marquee ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

Just like in the Harry Potter books and films, you can travel aboard the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogsmeade, where you disembark at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. (Note: This trip requires a dual-park ticket.)

At Volcano Bay, this water theme park meets thrills and relaxation. It is the perfect place to step back into summer or cool off in the afternoon after a morning in the parks. Here, the TapuTapu wearable lets you hold your place in the ride lines all with just a wave of your wrist.

Why should I purchase park to park tickets? With a park to park admission ticket, you can board and ride the Hogwarts Express from either King’s Cross Station in London at Universal Studios and travel to Hogsmeade Station in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or ride the other way around for a different experience. Onboard, you’ll see characters and creatures featured in the films. Not only are you riding this amazing train, but you also get to experience walking through Platform 9 3/4! This is not your everyday train ride! The only way to experience the train is with the park to park ticket! This ticket makes it all worth it!

Another great reason to have the park to park access ticket is that sometimes park hours can vary for Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The parks don’t always close at the same time due to special events, etc, which then allows you the opportunity to leave one park and enter the other park to give you a full day at both parks, therefore maximizing your time at Universal Orlando! For example, if Universal Studios closes at 5 p.m. and Universal’s Islands of Adventure closes at 7 p.m., the Park-to-Park ticket allows you to leave Universal Studios Florida and have two hours to enjoy the rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

I often get asked, if you only have one day to spend at the parks, which Universal park is best?. If you only have one day, I highly recommend the park-to-park ticket so you can experience both parks. Remember, the only way to get to ride the Hogwarts Express is with the park to park access ticket!

You might be wondering, how in the world do I see and do everything in both parks in the same day to get my money’s worth with the park to park ticket? Well, with a little help of butterbeer first (😉) another great addition is to add Universal’s Express Pass to your ticket package. This allows you to bypass regular lines and receive Express Access to participating attractions at Universal Studios Florida and/or Islands of Adventure theme parks. Express Access is actually a separate line with a shorter wait time at each valid attraction which really helps you maximize your time in the parks. If you are staying at an on-site Universal property at a premier resort (Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Portofino Bay), this is already included with your resort stay!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly