Universal Studios for Beginners

My concierge vacation planning services are available when you book an on-site Universal resort with a minimum of 2 days of park tickets. 

How I make Universal Orlando EASY for YOU:

• Resort, room selection & ticket selection — I'll help you pick the best fit for your family's budget and needs. 
• Dining & experiences — I recommend the hottest spots and can't-miss extras, then book it all for you — including the hard-to-get reservations — matching your dining to your park plans so everything flows together.
• Ongoing price monitoring — if Universal drops a deal after you book, I apply it automatically, saving you money with zero effort on your part! 
• Custom itinerary — all your important dates and links in one place, so you're 100% in the know before you go. You'll also get reminders prior to these dates to keep you ahead of the game. 
• "Universal University" access — my streamlined guide covering express passes, restaurants, rides, standby lines and and the most common touring questions
• Direct email access — for any questions, before your trip and while you're on-site

I get the exact same pricing and promotions as booking directly through Universal, and will automatically apply discounts to your reservation as soon as they become available. 

I'll help you decide on the best resort for your family, the ticket type, dining reservations and develop a park touring plan catered to your family's interests. 

I'll also make suggestions on extras that your family may enjoy and tips and tricks all along the way to make your Universal vacation even more magical! 

How My Research Fee Works: 

Are you a Legacy Client?
Once you've completed a trip with me, you're a Legacy Client — and you earn one complimentary quote for your next vacation. You'll get the same or better pricing than booking direct, ongoing service after the sale, and my full expertise across all things travel. I actively track and automatically apply any money-saving promos before you travel.

Are you a Non-Legacy Client?
If this is your first trip with me, a non-refundable research fee applies to your initial quote (pricing varies by destination and length of stay, listed for each vendor). You'll still get the same pricing advantage and the same after-the-sale service — and once your trip is complete, you become a Legacy Client, earning a complimentary quote on the vacation that follows.

Research Fee for Non-Legacy Clients going to Universal Orlando: 

I charge a separate, non-refundable research fee that does not apply toward your vacation cost. Research begins once this fee is paid. 

1-3 nights $150 

4-7 nights $175

8+ nights $200

No additional fees are charged for any other part of your vacation for both Legacy and Non-Legacy clients. I get the exact same or better pricing and add promos to save you money even after you're booked! 

When you work with me we will review crowd calendars to help you pick the best week to visit with your family.

There are 3 main parks

• Universal Studios
• Universal Islands of Adventure
• EPIC Universe

There is 1 water park

• Volcano Bay (closed select days during winter months) Expected to have a refurbishment Oct 2026-April 2027. 

There is 1 marketplace

• Citi Walk - it is free to enter but they do charge for parking

• Early Park Admission to the parks, typically 1 hour before general park open.
• Complimentary shuttle buses to and from both theme parks and CityWalk®, plus walking paths to make getting around the resort fast and easy 
• Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel

• Unlimited Express Pass (UEP) with SKIP THE REGULAR LINES for Universal Studios (US) and Islands of Adventure (IOA), from check-in until check-out date. 
• UEP is NOT included at Volcano Bay or EPIC Universe
• Complimentary water taxis along picturesque waterways directly to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk 
• Priority seating at select restaurants throughout Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal CityWalk™. 
• You can use the Express pass for every day that you have a park ticket and skip the regular lines as many times as you want from your check-in day to your check-out day at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. 
• Staying at a Deluxe resort is a great value for families of 4+ and gives your family a VIP feel as you breeze by the regular lines at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

Value

Cabana Bay

Endless Summer - Dockside Inn & Suites

Endless Summer - Surfside Inn & Suites

Prime Value

Aventura Resort

Stella Nova 

Terra Luna 

Preferred

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Helios Grand Hotel  

Deluxe

Loews Royal Pacific Resort (Includes Unlimited Express Pass (skip all the lines) from check in until check out dates at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure NOT at EPIC or Volcano Bay

Loews Portofino Bay  (Includes Unlimited Express Pass (skip all the lines) from check in until check out dates at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure NOT at EPIC or Volcano Bay

Hard Rock Hotel  (Includes Unlimited Express Pass (skip all the lines) from check in until check out dates at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure NOT at EPIC or Volcano Bay

Which parks do you want to visit and how many days do you want to be in the parks for?

• Universal Studios (US)
• Islands of Adventure (IOA)
• EPIC Universe (EPIC)
• Volcano Bay (VB) 

If you have the UEP for US and IOA, I still recommend at least 1 day in each park because the parks are LARGE and there is so much to do, even when you're skipping lines. If you don't have the UEP I suggest 1.5-2 days in US and IOA if you want to enjoy all the rides/shows. 

At EPIC, you can only purchase a date-based, separate Express Pass that allows guests to ride each of the included rides ONE time. If you purchase the Express Pass, I suggest 2 days at EPIC because there is a lot to do and it's the newest and busiest park. 

Base tickets (you can't ride the Hogwart's Express - 1 park per day) ONLY for 1 and 2 day tickets for 2026. All 3+ park day tickets will be park-to-park tickets. 

2-Day Ticket Options

• 2 parks (US/IOA), 2-days, Base (cannot ride the Hogwart's Express) NO EPIC
• 2 parks (US/IOA), 2-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) NO EPIC
• 2 park (US OR IOA) on 1 day and 1 day at EPIC, base (cannot ride the Hogwart's Express) 
• 2 parks (US AND IOA) on 1 day and 1 day at EPIC, park-to-park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) 

3-Day Ticket Options

• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 3-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) 
• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 3-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) with Volcano Bay

4-Day Ticket Options

• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 4-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express)
•  3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 4-days, base (can't ride the Hogwart's Express) with Volcano Bay
• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 4-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) with Volcano Bay

5-Day Ticket Options

• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 5-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express)
•  3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 5-days, base (can't ride the Hogwart's Express) with Volcano Bay
• 3 parks (US/IOA/EPIC), 5-days, Park-to-Park (can ride the Hogwart's Express) with Volcano Bay

EPIC Universe Express Pass - one ride (date based) 

Cost ranges $140-$330, but averages $250 per person, per day. This will sell out. 

The Universal EPIC Universe Express Pass entitles one (1) guest one (1) time express ride access at participating rides and attractions within Universal Epic Universe (Rides subject to change)

• Constellation Carousel
• Curse of the Werewolf
• Fyre Drill
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
• Le Cirque Arcanus™
• Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
• Stardust Racers
• The Untrainable Dragon
• Yoshi’s Adventure™Mine-Cart Madness™
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™ 


NOT Available on the Following Attractions (Subject to change):

• Dragon Racer’s Rally

Non-Private VIP Tour

If you don’t want to wait in ANY lines at EPIC, you can book a 4 hour non-private VIP Tour and ALL rides ARE included. Non-private VIP tours range from $380-$700 per person for the 4 hour tour which does give you access to all rides without a wait. The cost averages $690 per person. 

Multi-Day Express Pass for all 3 parks US/IOA and EPIC

• 3-day, 3 park Express Pass ticket minimum (can buy up to 5 day Express Pass ticket)
• 3-day, 3 park Express Pass averages $400-600, huge range based on travel dates. 
• Only good for 1 entry to express lane for each park, each day
• If you have a park-to-park ticket you could, in theory, visit each of the 3 park on the same day and use the express pass lane 1 time for every ride that offers it. 
• This is one of the many areas where I can help you navigate how to get the best value for YOUR family. All family priorities are different, and I'll help you get the best value for your travel dollar.