Universal Studios Step By Step Process

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

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. 

You'll get my FREE concierge vacation planing services at NO cost to you. 

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! 

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.