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Planning to go to Common Resort Orlando however by no means been earlier than? You then’ve come to the appropriate place, as we’ve bought a few of the finest suggestions for visiting Common Orlando Resort to be sure you profit from your expertise.
With so many theme parks and sights to discover in Orlando, you’re going to need to be sure you’re nicely clued up on what to anticipate beforehand so that you don’t a) get overwhelmed and b) can benefit from the expertise.
Under you’ll discover all of the issues you could know earlier than you go to Common Orlando Florida.
This put up is sponsored by our accomplice Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Firm) and we now have obtained monetary compensation as ambassadors, nevertheless all ideas, opinions and concepts about Common Orlando are our personal.
Suggestions for Visiting Common Orlando Resort
1. Perceive It’s Three Theme Parks
To start with, in case you’re confused like I used to be earlier than visiting, Common Orlando Resort consists of three theme parks:
After which there’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is positioned in each Common Studios (Diagon Alley) and Islands of Journey (Hogsmeade).
No, it isn’t referred to as Harry Potter World, or Harry Potter theme park, or Common Studios Harry Potter World as I stored calling it pre-trip – however I quickly bought that out of my system.
So you’ve got three Common theme parks plus Metropolis Stroll. Don’t fear, it’s straightforward to get round all three by utilizing the Park Hopper Shuttle Bus which comes together with your tickets. You can find the best combo Park Hopper tickets here.
2. Put together for Pleasure!
You’ll most likely by no means see your youngsters extra excited than while you first stroll by means of the gates to Common Orlando, particularly once they enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter if they’re huge Harry Potter followers like our eldest daughter!
I’ll always remember the look on Kalyra’s face as we entered Hogsmeade on our very first day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. She’s learn all of the books and watched all the flicks, and I believe she might have cried.
In truth, all of us couldn’t consider how magical all of it made us really feel. It was like we had been moving into the film. Common has performed an unimaginable job bringing the Harry Potter collection to life.
However Universal Orlando Resort is rather more than Harry Potter! As adults, we count on it to be simply thrilling for youths, however it’s even thrilling for adults too.
On the finish of our journey, there was this sense of disappointment that it was throughout. After all, we adults bought over it and moved on, however our children nonetheless discuss our time there and take into account it a cherished reminiscence. Have this behind your thoughts when visiting as there could also be occasions the place you need to savor the second.
3. Plan for 3 Days, Minimal
Ensuring you spend the correct amount of time at every theme park could be certainly one of our prime suggestions for Common Orlando.
We had a 3 day park-to-park ticket so we might discover all the Common Orlando Resort parks, and I believe that was an ideal period of time (Undercover Vacationer present genuine attraction tickets at discounted prices!)
Coming from a household of 4 with youngsters aged 10 and 6, I extremely advocate you additionally plan for at least three days!
Basically, we spent sooner or later at every of the three parks!
Our children have completely different ranges of bravado in terms of what rides they are going to go on, and our 6 12 months outdated was restricted as a result of top necessities for some rides as nicely.
So three days gave us ample time to cowl all of the rides and sights for everybody to take pleasure in.
You understand what theme parks are like, they are often lengthy and tiring days, particularly if you’re dragging youthful youngsters round with you, so don’t attempt to do all of it in a dash.
We spent our first full-day at Common’s Volcano Bay, which was superior and one of the best water park we now have ever been too.
Then we had two days hopping between Islands of Journey and Common Studios on a Multi-Day Go (see suggestions down beneath).
4. Get a Multi-Day Ticket
As talked about, we had a 3-Park hopper ticket which allowed us to go to Volcano Bay + Islands of Journey + Common Studios at any time every day over 3 days!
There are a number of choices out there for Multi Passes. You may also get a 4 day ticket + 3rd park free, and a 5 day ticket + 3rd park free.
So in case you plan on visiting all three parks, I like to recommend you select certainly one of these tickets!
5. Experience Hogwarts Specific
Our eldest daughter Kalyra is a MASSIVE Harry Potter fan!
Our youngest Savannah is getting there, and certainly one of our children favourite Harry Potter experiences at Common Orlando was driving Hogwarts Specific.
By getting a Park-to-Park ticket, it permits you to experience the Hogwarts Specific between Hogsmeade Station (Islands of Journey) to King’s Cross Station in London (Common Studios) limitless occasions in both path.
It’s a enjoyable and handy solution to transfer between the parks. We park hopped a number of occasions utilizing Hogwarts Specific and it labored out completely.
I gained’t spoil it for you, however you by no means know who – or what – you would possibly see out the trains window throughout the journey. And it’s a unique expertise going from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley, and vice versa. So do each!
However you’ll want a park-to-park ticket.
To experience from Hogsmeade to London in Common Studios, head to Hogsmeade Station inside Islands of Journey. While you arrive in London, pop across the nook to search out the key entryway into Diagon Alley.
To experience to Hogsmeade, head to London in Common Studios and board the practice at King’s Cross Station.
6. Get a Common Specific Go
First off, a Common Specific Go is an Add-On ticket that mean you can skip the common strains at choose sights, together with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
So that you get “categorical entry”.
You might be conversant in a lot of these passes from different theme parks who name them Quick Passes and many others. At Common, they’re referred to as Common Specific.
Relying on the time of 12 months and day you go to, as an alternative of standing for hours within the common queue, with an Specific Go you might solely be ready 5-Quarter-hour (or much less).
Common strains will be something from 45+ minutes, and Common Specific Passes mean you can go in your favourite rides a number of occasions and maximize your time.
Various kinds of Specific Passes
- Common Specific Go – Skip the common line ONE TIME PER TIDE at taking part rides and sights every day that your cross is legitimate.
- Common Limitless Specific Go – Skip the common strains an UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TIMES at taking part rides and sights.
- Single Park Common Specific – You purchase certainly one of these Add-On passes just for both Common Studios, Islands of Journey, or Volcano Bay.
- 2-Park Common Specific – use at each Islands of Journey and Common Studios.
- 2-Park Park-To-Park + Specific Limitless – admission to Common Studios and Common’s Islands of Journey, plus Common Specific Limitless entry.
- 3-Park Park-To-Park + Specific Limitless – admission to Common Studios Florida, Common’s Islands of Journey, and Common’s Volcano Bay, plus Common Specific Limitless entry.
Are Common Specific Passes price it?
I consider Common Specific Passes are price it. I don’t like standing in lengthy strains, particularly with youngsters, and particularly within the warmth – you all know Florida!
Clearly, the additional prices of those passes on prime of your admission tickets and lodging provides to your funds, particularly if you’re a household of 4.
But when your funds permits, and that is your dream journey, having these passes can dramatically enhance your general expertise at Common so you’ve got the holiday of a lifetime!
Severely, I don’t know what number of occasions we stated to one another as we walked previous the lengthy common strains that we had been so glad we had these passes.
With out these passes there would have been plenty of treasured time wasted, and stressed and pissed off youngsters.
Discover a solution to reduce in different methods in your journey funds to unencumber cash for Specific Passes. What are your priorities?
- Staying in a 5 star lodge?
- Flying enterprise class?
- Consuming out thrice a day?
- Procuring on the shops?
- or having one of the best Common expertise?
While you actually take a look at your bills and take into account your priorities, you will discover a method. And I’ve extra recommendations on accessing these passes for higher worth down beneath!
7. Be part of the Single Rider Line
When you’re not visiting as a household, then it can save you time on queuing by becoming a member of the “single rider” line for some sights.
This can be a particular line for individuals who don’t thoughts driving alongside, or becoming a member of one other group.
8. Keep On-Web site at a Common Resort Resort
For many who need to maximize time when visiting Common Orlando, then our prime tip could be staying on-site at one of many Common Orlando Resorts.
There are key advantages to staying on-site as I’ll clarify beneath, and these advantages could make a world of distinction to your loved ones’s Common trip.
Staying on-site will be one of the simplest ways to expertise all that Common Orlando Resort has to supply.
Listed here are a few of the hottest Common Resort Resorts to select from (so as of Funds to Luxurious):
I do know, determining the place to remain on any household trip will be irritating, particularly in Orlando the place there are infinite choices!
The Common Orlando Resort Resorts are conveniently positioned and include some good perks:
- While you keep at any on-site lodge you get Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay one hour earlier than the theme park opens.
- Friends who select to remain at choose Common Resort Resorts get FREE Common Limitless Specific Passes! (be taught extra down beneath)
- Free transportation to the theme parks from every of the accommodations by way of both water taxi or shuttle bus. Cabana Bay and Aventura Resort are by shuttle bus solely!
You even get these advantages the day you check-in and the day you check-out. You DO NOT should ebook instantly by means of the lodge when staying at one of many Common Studios Orlando accommodations to qualify for the free Common Specific Passes. You get these passes even in case you ebook by way of a 3rd occasion, like Reserving.com.
9. Make Use of Early Park Admission (and keep late)
As talked about, by staying at a Common Resort you get early park admission, one hour earlier than the theme park opens to different common paying company.
As quickly as we entered Volcano Bay utilizing early admission, we discovered solar lounges and a spot to base ourselves for the day.
Then we made us of early entry and headed for the most well-liked slides:
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Ko’kiri Physique Plunge
- Kala & Tui Nui Serpentine physique slides
- and Honu of the Honu Ika Moana
At Common Islands of Journey, we headed straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade) to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
That is the most well-liked experience on the park, and common strains generally is a lengthy wait, so head straight there.
At Common Studios we headed straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley) to experience Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Then we headed to Ollivanders to purchase wands (this retailer will get actually busy). See down beneath for extra recommendations on shopping for wands.
Each Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is a a lot nicer expertise in case you get there earlier than the crowds. Their retailers are a lot calmer and it’s simpler to take photographs and video.
On the flip facet, the crowds on the parks are inclined to die down later within the day shortly earlier than closing which suggests shorter wait occasions for rides and fewer crowded retailers.
At Volcano Bay, most individuals disappeared earlier than closing so we had the attractive Volcano and Waturi Seaside nearly to ourselves. It’s fairly at sundown, particularly with the volcano lighting up in rainbow colours.
Seize a cocktail, or elderberry cider from the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar and let the children swim and calm down with the views.
10. Arrive As Early As Attainable
Even in case you determine to not keep at a Common on-site lodge, one other certainly one of our vital suggestions for Common Orlando could be to nonetheless plan on arriving on the theme parks early earlier than opening time.
Site visitors in Orlando will be unpredictable and congested, so that you don’t need to be delayed and get there after park opening occasions.
Get there early so you may get one of the best out there parking spot, so that you just aren’t rushed, and in an effort to be near the entrance of the strains!
And generally, they really open the park gates 15-minutes early and you might be driving the favored thrill rides earlier than the plenty flip up!
Don’t begin off your dream go to flustered and aggravated – stand up and get going!
11. Purchase Tickets On-line to Save Cash & Time
I don’t suppose there’s such factor as low-cost Common Orlando tickets, however a number of suggestions right here to economize and time:
- While you buy your tickets online through Undercover Tourist there aren’t any hidden charges with free delivery and tax included!
- Print your tickets at house and go straight to the entrance gate to save lots of time!
- While you buy any multi-day ticket online, you get a Coupon Ebook with as much as $150 worth in financial savings at choose in-park eating places, retailers, on-site resort accommodations, and free admission to pick Common Citywalk venues.
By buying tickets on-line, you’ll keep away from ready in line on the gates to buy tickets. I like saving cash AND time.
12. Get an American Specific
Are you an American Specific Card proprietor? American Specific is the official card of Common Orlando Resort, and AMEX Card Members take pleasure in particular in-park privileges.
If you buy your Common Orlando tickets with an AMEX card, you get entry to the AMEX Lounge inside Common Orlando while you purchase any Multi-Park Ticket or Annual Go with any AMEX Card at UniversalOrlando.com or on the Common Orlando Resort ticket window.
Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in complimentary gentle snacks, drinks, a full-time concierge and extra.
The American Specific Lounge is open seven days every week from 12pm – 5pm and topic to availability. Entrance to the lounge is throughout from Shrek’s Ye Olde Memento Shoppe
Current your affirmation web page or authentic receipt plus your AMEX Card to achieve entrance. Good perk!
See all the present AMEX provides here.
13. Take Benefit of the Youngster Swap Program!
The kid swap system was superior! And one other nice solution to skip the lengthy strains.
Our children are aged 10 and 6, and while our eldest daughter Kalyra went on each experience, 6 12 months outdated Savannah was both too brief for grownup rides, or not courageous sufficient.
So, in case your youngsters are too small or don’t need to go on a selected experience, make the most of the “baby swap” program.
Every experience has a “baby swap room” the place one dad or mum (or member of your occasion) can wait with the little ones, whereas the opposite dad or mum and older baby goes on the experience.
As soon as they’re completed, the adults can merely swap roles.
The designated baby swap space is normally a room (or an space) proper close to the place you really board the experience, so that you don’t should go outdoors and are available again in once more.
You merely stroll to the entrance of the road within the “baby swap” space.
The kid swap room sometimes has a film taking part in to maintain the youthful ones entertained. Win-win!
14. Attempt ALL the Butterbeer choices
Whoever created the recipe for Butterbeer is a GENIOUS!! Speak about addictive!!
And simply in case you don’t know, it’s non-alcoholic so your youngsters, and also you, can have a Butterbeer or three and it comes with a obligatory foamy mustache!
Butterbeer is a highly regarded wizarding beverage that tastes a bit like butterscotch, or icecream soda.
The drink is drawn from a faucet, similar to a beer, and the dense, whipped topping is added from a separate faucet.
Apparently two of the substances are in fact butterscotch and marshmallow cream. Unsure what else is in it, however I’m guessing serving of sugar – be warned!
Earlier than our journey to Common Orlando, I had no concept you might have Butterbeer in so many various types!
You will get:
- Chilly Butterbeer
- Frozen Butterbeer
- Sizzling Butterbeer
- Butterbeer ice cream
- Butterbeer potted-cream
The place are you able to get Butterbeer?
While you enter Hogsmeade you’ll see a big wood barrel that bears the phrase “BUTTERBEER” and you should purchase it from the road cart.
Different locations you may get it in Hogsmeade:
- Hog’s Head (Hogsmeade)
- Three Broomsticks (chilly or frozen is $6.99, as ice-cream it’s 45.49, and as potted cream it’s $5.29)
In Diagon Alley:
- The Hopping Pot (walk-up counter)
- The Fountain of Truthful Fortune
- Leaky Cauldron
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor (butterbeer ice-cream in a cup, in a waffle cone, in a memento glass)
My favourite model was chilly (on a scorching day) and scorching (when the climate bought cool. Kalyra liked it scorching, Savannah and mommy frozen!
15. Go to throughout the winter
We visited in mid November 2017, simply after the craziness of Halloween had died down at Common.
The employees at Cabana Bay Seaside Resort stated they went from being fully full over Halloween, however after its certainly one of their quietest occasions to go to Common Orlando.
Mid-January is outwardly a much less crowded time to go to too, however in fact it will likely be cool in case you’re contemplating Volcano Bay!
Clearly the parks will probably be crowded round fundamental holidays and faculty break occasions.
Traditionally, September is without doubt one of the higher months to go to Common Orlando as a result of the children have simply returned to high school and households have both visited Orlando over summer time.
16. Keep away from the Vacation Interval (Until You Don’t Thoughts Loopy)
Thanksgiving, we had been advised, is the worst time to go to. The identical goes for the weekend straight after Thanksgiving – it’s simply nuts.
However it all comes right down to your needs and tolerance for crowds degree.
I’m certain visiting Common over one of many fundamental vacation durations like Thanksgiving and New Years could be spectacular with vacation lights and parades and many others.
However in fact peak durations imply excessive costs for flights, lodging and different journey associated bills.
17. Obtain the Official Common Orlando App
In case you are a fan of utilizing apps, obtain the Universal Orlando app which will help you propose your journey, and while you’re contained in the park:
- See the newest wait occasions for rides
- Discover present occasions and eating venue hours
- Set alerts for when wait occasions are low and for present begin occasions.
- Find restrooms
- Entry maps
- Buy and redeem choose theme park tickets and Specific passes
- and extra.
Out there on Google Play and within the App store.
18. Take Time to Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Like I stated, Common has performed an AMAZING job with each sections of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Each Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are magical and the element they’ve gone into creating them makes it really feel like you’re a part of the film.
And I say that with out having even seen all the flicks but, or learn the books!
Disgrace on this daddy, I do know! However I too was blown away with how particular all of it was, and bought impressed seeing households dressed up in the home gear.
So in case you, or your youngsters are huge Harry Potter followers, you need to allocate loads of time for these lands. I’m certain my youngsters might have spent all day simply in right here.
19. Get Your Children a Wand
Kalyra had her coronary heart set on getting a wand. She’s a BIG Hermione Jean Granger fan and so needed a Hermione wand.
And Savannah needed a Luna Lovegood wand.
They bought their very own distinctive wands at Ollivanders Wand Store in Diagon Alley, makers of advantageous wands since 382 BC.
Ollivanders is a cool store with towering partitions stuffed with 1000’s of containers of wands stacked to the ceiling, however it will get tremendous crowded inside with not plenty of room to maneuver!
You should buy character wand replicas or purchase an Interactive Wand for $50 like our children and forged spells like a wizard to create superb magical experiences all through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
This was certainly one of our children favourite issues to do at Common Studios, as they introduced facets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter park to life.
There are plaques on the bottom spaced out across the park displaying learn how to forged the spell and the place to intention your wand, plus useful park wizards on to assist – a number of of them had been somewhat tough!
Get your wand very first thing on the primary day, so you’ve got time to play.
20. Know What To Pack
Comfortable sneakers are a should. When you do all three parks, you’ll be spending plenty of time in your toes strolling from experience to experience and ready in strains. Heels are most likely not a good suggestion, and it could be finest to put on sneakers that may deal with getting moist.
Florida climate can change typically, relying on time of 12 months. It might be heat throughout the day, then you definitely encounter a day bathe within the spring and summer time. Or a night chill within the fall and winter.
When you plan on getting moist on rides, or doing Volcano Bay, or hanging by the lodge pool, don’t overlook your swimwear. You possibly can even put on your swimsuits below your garments on the parks.
And in case you plan on eating out at a pleasant restaurant, or sneaking away to a membership in Metropolis Stroll, pack one thing somewhat dressy.
Pack solar safety – it’s Florida and so they get plenty of solar down there. Don’t overlook your hat, sun shades and sunscreen.
21. Have a Plan, However Keep Versatile
Your youngsters will probably be stuffed with power and pleasure while you stroll by means of the gates and so they’ll need to race round and do EVERYTHING directly.
I do know our children did. And it’s laborious to include their pleasure and know what to do and when.
So have a tough plan of what you need to do.
Prioritise the rides and sights you MOST need to do and concentrate on these first.
- Use the Common Orlando app to control wait occasions and to determine the place to go subsequent
- Buy Common Specific Passes
- Have a plan, however be versatile
22. Deliver Your Personal Snacks and Water
There’s a restrict on what you’ll be able to take with you into the park, however acceptable gadgets you’ll be able to take inside embrace:
- Bottled water
- Small snacks that don’t require heating
- Meals required for medical functions
- Meals required for particular dietary wants
- Child meals/child components
Pack small snacky issues to eat all through the day so it can save you money and time by avoiding the eating places and eating choices.
23. Listing The High Rides and Points of interest at Common Orlando Resort You Need To Do
Be sure you decide what rides you need to see and do upfront, so you’ll be able to tick them off when you discover Common Orlando Resort.
Listed here are a few of the finest rides and sights that we liked!
- The Unbelievable Hulk Coaster (Islands of Journey)
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Journey)
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Common Studios)
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster (Volcano Bay
- Butterbeer (each parks)
- Revenge of the Mummy (Islands of Journey)
- Ko’kiri physique plunge, Kala & Tui Nui Serpentine Physique Slides (Volcano Bay)
- Rip Experience Rockit Coaster (Islands of Journey)
- Shopping for wands and being a wizard (each parks)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Islands of Journey)
- One Fish, Two Fish, Crimson Fish, Blue Fish (Islands of Journey)
- The Simpsons Experience (Common Studios)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Common Studios)
- Transformers: The Experience – 3D (Common Studios)
Ultimate Ideas
So there you’ve got it, these are our prime suggestions for visiting Common Orlando Resort. We hope this information helped you propose your go to and gave you some inspiration for visiting.
Common Orlando Resort was certainly one of our favourite theme parks in Orlando and one which we now have cherished recollections of visiting.
We hope that you just take pleasure in it as a lot as we did!
Don’t Overlook Journey Insurance coverage
As we all the time say…“When you can’t afford travel insurance, then you’ll be able to’t afford to journey”. It’s that easy.
Not having journey insurance coverage isn’t well worth the danger, and that is certainly one of our vital suggestions for Common Orlando.
What occurs if:
- You have to cancel your journey unexpectedly
- A hurricane damages your vacation spot
- There’s a terrorist occasion
- You get sick or injured in your journey
- Your baggage is misplaced or stolen
Travel insurance is designed to cowl sudden medical emergencies and occasions akin to these.
Something can, will, and generally goes unsuitable. If it does and you aren’t insured, you will be up for some huge cash AND inconvenience.
Common Orlando Movies
Watch our video for extra recommendations on visiting Common Orlando Resort!
Watch our record of favourite issues to do at Common Orlando Resort!
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