Are you planning to visit Universal Orlando during Spring or the Summer months? If so, these tips are for you! Really, these tips can really apply to visiting Universal all year long since Florida’s weather has a mind of its own and can be hot any time during the year, but when the weather is hot in the Summer and sometimes late September and October months and you are trying to beat the crowds, these tips can help you as well!

1. Get to the Parks Early

Orlando’s theme parks generally open at 9 am. IF you have bought your tickets through a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent (like me!) or you are staying on Universal property, you will receive Early Park Admission and can enter the park an hour before the general public. Early Park Admission allows Universal Orlando Hotel guests and other select groups to access either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure (depending on the month and what park is offering Early Park Admission that month) available attractions an hour before the scheduled opening.

When Universal Studios has Early Park Admission, Available Attractions Include:

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Ollivanders

When Islands of Adventure has Early Park Admission, Available Attractions Include:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Flight of the Hippogriff

Ollivanders

When Volcano Bay has Early Park Admission, Available Attractions Include:

Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Honu of the Honu Ika Moana

ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana

Krakatau Aqua Coaster

Ko’okiri Body Plunge

If you will be arriving at park opening after early park admission, plan to walk through the gates right on time and head straight to the most popular attractions like any rides in Wizarding World of Harry Potter including Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Hulk. Have a game plan so you don’t waste your time traveling across the park to figure out what to do next. Starting early will help you with the heat as well. Remember, when getting to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, you must first get through security at City Walk, so you’ll need to factor in this time as well if you are coming from a resort besides Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, or Portofino or are staying off-site.

Don’t Wait In Line

When it’s 90 degrees outside with 90-percent humidity, standing on the hot concrete for an hour to get on a ride sounds terrible and no fun at all. (Especially if you are a line snob like me!) Make sure to take advantage of  Universal’s Express Pass option. Universal Orlando Resort offers an Express Pass Unlimited option, which allows you to mostly skip the regular lines, maximizing your time in the parks and minimizing your time waiting in line. The Express Pass is good for almost all rides, except for Hagrids Motorbike Adventure. If you stay at a premier resort like Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific, or Loews Portofino Bay, you will automatically receive the Express Passes when staying at these resorts, which is a great added benefit and so worth the extra money when staying on-site, especially when the parks are busy and the temperatures are high.

Stay On-Site at Universal Orlando

When you stay on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, this helps you beat the heat by allowing you to take a break during the day. You can start your day early at the parks, take a quick walk or boat ride back to your Universal resort, enjoy your air-conditioned room for a nap or enjoy the pool and then return to the parks when it has cooled off and the sun has set. Hard Rock Hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Universal Studios and makes it really convenient to come and go to the parks as you please.

Purchase a Park to Park Ticket

Having a 2-Park Park-to-Park ticket allows you to the option to go between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as you please. If you’re looking to catch a little break from the heat , you can enjoy a 15-minute ride between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios riding the airconditioned Hogwarts Express between the parks. It leaves from both Harry Potter areas of both parks, so you can ride in either direction and each direction shows is a different experience on the train. A 3-Park Park-to-Park ticket allows you to visit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, AND Volcano Bay all on the same day. Meaning you can start your day at Islands of Adventure or Universal and then cool off at the water park in the afternoon. This is just one more way to beat the summer heat and spend time enjoying the theme parks, even if you have to be outside.

Cool Off with Water Attractions

If you aren’t able to leave the parks or don’t want to leave the parks for a break, cool off with some of Universal’s water attractions. Popeye and Bluto Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal Islands of Adventure will totally get you soaked. Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls at Island of Adventures gives you one major drop and a huge splash. Islands of Adventures’ If I Ran the Zoo is a great splash area for little ones. Jurassic Park River Adventure is another great water ride if you are looking to cool off for a bit. I suggest bringing a change of clothes and wear Crocs or other waterproof shoes. Make sure to leave your valuables with a friend or inside a locker if you plan to ride any of these rides. The parks do have the large clothing dryers that you can stand in to dry off that require a small fee, but I personally don’t think they get you as dry as you’d like. However, if you are coming during the Summer or while it is still really hot outside, you will dry in no time1

Enjoy Volcano Bay Waterpark

Volcano Bay Water Park includes a major volcano towering over a beach. Palm trees line the path to give it an island vibe. It’s a South Seas oasis right in the heart of Universal. From thrilling water slides to relaxing water features, Volcano Bay is a water theme park like no other. The park’s Virtual Line system means you have the freedom to spend more time with your family, doing the things you want to do instead of spending all day standing in lines. Volcano Bay is the perfect place to take a break from standing in long lines in the hot sun and enjoy some downtime relaxing and having fun at the water park!

Stay Hydrated

You can bring water in to the parks and I definitely recommend it! This is a major tip and very important to remember when visiting the parks. You can also visit o quick service food locations and ask for a cup of ice water and they will give them to you without a charge. While it’s not water, frozen butterbeer at Universal’s Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade is a great way to cool off too. Remember, it gets super hot and humid in Florida, and really is important to remember to drink water both in and outside of the parks in order to keep from overheating and becoming hydrated.

Plan Indoor Attractions

For every outdoor attraction, schedule an indoor attraction for a much-needed break. Both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure offer fun and unique indoor attractions with one awesome amenity, especially during the summer: air-conditioning. Some great indoor attractions include Shrek 4D, The Revenge of the Mummy, and Minions at Universal Studios along with Spiderman and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure.

Visit the Parks at Night

I really think that theme parks are magical at night, not to mention they are less crowded and less hot. Universal’s entertainment district CityWalk remains open until 2 AM and while the parks aren’t open that late, riding outdoor attractions in the parks is super fun because it’s an entirely different experience than riding during the day. The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure is a celebration in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. On select nights, watch from Hogsmeade village as a light display unfolds against the backdrop of the castle. It is an awesome way to end your day at Islands of Adventure, and not to mention, not as hot!

This is the fan I use from Amazon!

Purchase & Bring Items to Help Keep Cool

Some items I recommend bringing: A refillable water bottle that you can fill with free cups of water from most quick service locations or from the water fountains. You’ll just want to make sure that it fits in the lockers when storing it before you go on rides that require locker storage. Wear sunscreen. This is MAJOR. Florida heat and sun can be brutal, and it’s important to make sure you wear it all day. Even on cloudy days, you can get sunburnt. Bring a handheld Fan. I ordered one off Amazon and I bring this fan with me everywhere. It is handheld and has 3 different power levels and can be charged with a cell phone charger.  If anyone is interested in seeing which one I use, just let me know and I can get the link for you. You can purchase a squeeze breeze type fan which includes water and sprays mist. These can be ordered online or bought at Walmart, especially at the ones around Orlando. Another great way to relieve heat is the cooling towel that you wear around your neck and is reusable. You can buy these at most stores or on Amazon and I highly recommend these as well.

Yes, it will be hot in the parks during the Summer and early Fall, but no matter when you go, you will have the best time, regardless of the weather! It really is all that you make of it. If you plan and prepare accordingly, you and your family will enjoy your time at the parks, whatever the season might be!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly