Where To Stay At Universal Studios Orlando?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Universal Orlando has three stunning on-site hotels that offer complimentary Express access:

Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel

. For any number of reasons, many guests visiting Universal’s parks don’t consider the option of staying on-site at one of these properties, but they should!

Which is better Universal Studios Orlando or Islands of Adventure?

The easiest way to tell the difference is that

Universal Studios is based more on movies and TV shows, whereas Islands of Adventure is where the fantasy and thrill rides are

. The most unique park of the three is Volcano Bay, which is a fully themed water park that feels like you’ve discovered your own paradise island.

Is 2 days enough for Universal Studios Orlando?

For that reason,

we recommend devoting a minimum of a full day to each Universal Orlando theme park

, especially if this is your first visit. Three days is ideal, particularly with a park-to-park pass, as it will allow you to fully explore each park and revisit your favorite attractions.

Is it cheaper to stay at Disney or Universal?

With that said,

Universal is less expensive than Walt Disney World in most ways

. Park tickets and food prices are not particularly noticeable, but the big one is hotel rates. Not only is Universal significantly cheaper, but its resorts include perks that would cost additional money at Walt Disney World.

What is the cheapest month to go to Universal Studios?

While

January and February

are the cheapest times to visit Universal Orlando, September is also an extremely affordable month, with Cabana Bay standard rooms starting at $154 per night during sample dates from September 13 to September 16.

How far in advance should I book Universal Studios?

As long as we’re not prepaying and there is no cancellation penalty (longer than 2 or 3 days before arrival)…it’s not a big deal. If rates go down, we can always change reservation and if they stay the same then we know we have the accomodations we want.

Not more than 6 months ahead

.

Is Universal Island of Adventure worth it?

Overall, we think that

the Islands of Adventure are a little better for kids

. There are more kid-friendly rides, and both the shopping and eating options will probably be more fun. The Islands of Adventure are also a little more interactive than the main Universal Studios area.

Which wizarding world of Harry Potter is better?

When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal,

Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure

is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes.

Is Universal or Disney better?

Decision: Disney World has lots of fun rides and some do pack a thrill, both with action and tech, but ultimately

Universal Orlando has more and bigger thrills and coasters

.

How far is Disney from Universal?

In fact, Disney World is only about

9 miles

away from Universal Studios, which means, if you are driving the most direct route in good traffic, the journey time is only approximately 15 minutes.

Is the Hogwarts Express worth it?

But the Hogwarts Express is

a grand-scale attraction and one of the 12 best rides at Universal Orlando

. It will delight both Potterphiles and more casual fans and immerse them to an impressive degree in The Wizarding World.

Can I do Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day?

Can Universal Orlando Be Done in One Day? The simple answer is:

Yes! it’s toadally possible to fit Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure into one day

. What makes park hopping easy at Universal Orlando is the fact that the two parks are right next to each other.

What is the best month to go to Universal Studios?

  • The second half of August.
  • Most days in September (minus Labor Day)
  • Most weekdays in October (minus Columbus Day)
  • Weekdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
  • Weekdays in December (minus the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

Can you stay in the Hogwarts Castle?

Well, no, not exactly a night in Hogwarts, but

you can spend a night in a castle

, just a few minutes from the Universal Orlando Resort! The Castle Hotel by Holiday Inn features a castle theme, much like Hogwarts, The Castle combines the magic of a medieval themed palace with Orlando’s vibrant fun.

Is Universal expensive?


Universal Studios Hollywood was named the most expensive theme park in the world

while Disneyland was ranked the most affordable theme park in California in a new international study that looks at the price of fun based on the average cost per amusement ride.

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios for 2 days?

A two-day pass into Universal Studios Orlando will cost about

$120 per adult and $110 for children

. Three-day single-park tickets cost $136 per adult and $124 for children, while a four-day pass costs about $146 for adults or $133 for children. A family of four may pay $460-$558, depending on number of days chosen.

What is the slowest day of the week at Universal Studios Orlando?

Best Day of the Week to Visit Universal Studios Orlando 2022

We also find

Thursday

to be one of the least busy days of the week at Universal Studios, with Sunday being a great weekend option.

What day of the week is least crowded at Universal Studios Orlando?

Surprisingly,

Saturdays

are a relatively good choice for visiting Universal as well. Wait times on Saturdays are 5% lower than average. So a general rule of thumb for crowds at Universal Orlando is that weekends are a good time to visit.

Can you leave Universal Studios and come back in the same day?

If you have a Single Day, One Park per Day ticket, you must choose one park. If you have a Multi-Day, One Park per Day ticket you must choose either park on any given day.

Within that day you may leave and reenter, but you cannot switch parks

.

Do you need park reservations for Universal Orlando?

Unlike Walt Disney World, where are Park Pass reservation system is used to manage capacity,

Universal Orlando does not require advance park reservations to visit

— but the parks do reach capacity, especially on weekends and during peak travel times like spring break.

Why does Universal close so early?

Re: Why does universal studios close so early?

Because that really is the normal time it closes in the off-season

(not really designed for events after “dark”. But it also will be one of the Halloween Horror Nights special events, which require a special ticket, and starts at 7 PM.

Which Universal park is better for adults?

Q: Which Universal park is best for adults? We find

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

to be the best Universal Studios park for adults. It simply has the most exciting roller coasters and newest attractions.

Which Universal park has Hogwarts?

At

Islands of Adventure

, you can visit HogwartsTM castle and explore HogsmeadeTM village. And at Universal Studios, you can enter Diagon AlleyTM and enjoy a mind-blowing thrill ride, magical experiences, and more.

Which Universal is the best?


Orlando Has More (and Arguably Better) Rides

— Especially for ‘Harry Potter’ Fans. Now for the important part: the rides! More attractions within the park means more time needed to enjoy them all, but if you have the time and/or are a ride fanatic, Orlando comes out on top.

Should I go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley first?

Should I go to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade first?

Hogsmeade should definitely be your first destination

. Not only does it have more rides, but it also has the most popular rides. In order to beat the rush, you should get there as soon as possible and check it off your list!

How many days do you need for Harry Potter world?

You Need to Visit Both Parks

And you will need

at least two days

to see it all. Hogwarts Castle and the surrounding Hogsmeade environs are located inside Universal Studios Florida; Diagon Alley and its shops and rides are located in the Islands of Adventure.

Where is Diagon Alley in real life?


Leadenhall Market in the City of London

was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The entrance to wizard’s pub, the Leaky Cauldron, is in real life an optician in Bull’s Head Passage in Leadenhall Market.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.