Grüße alle!
So I don't know if you
know this about me... but I love Universal Studios Orlando.
Now, I could write like ten novels
about Universal Orlando on about a hundred subjects, but for now I will settle
with this blog. This post, I'll walk you through how to survive a trip to
Universal Studios! I know, sounds strange... but trust me, it's easy to get
caught up and lost in there when you don't know what you're doing. Consider me
your survival guide for the moment, because I'm fairly familiar with Universal Studios and
Islands of Adventure, and by that I mean if I could live in this park (and maybe fix the freaking hot weather!), I probably would! 😜 Honestly though, who wouldn't want to live in Hogwarts?!
What I'll cover today:
Survival Tips for
Universal Orlando
-Fill your handy dandy rucksack & Trip Tips
-Fill your handy dandy rucksack & Trip Tips
Universal Studios: A
Guide
-Restaurants & Freestyle Machines, Shops, and Pathways
-Restaurants & Freestyle Machines, Shops, and Pathways
Survival Tips for Universal Orlando
I'll
start with just general survival tips for the parks. My first tip to survival
is to bring a bag. As I've said before: You can bring any bag you like, but my
personal preference is this one... Outlander
Lightweight Travel Backpack.
Honestly, my biggest tip here would be to bring a bag that won't hurt your
shoulders/back too much to carry around. Find something comfortable enough to
carry around all day - it can make or break your back!
Fill your handy dandy rucksack...
1- Wallet
It's pretty obvious, but
I'll say it anyways - you will need money at Universal! To eat, if you want to
wave around Dumbledore's wand (or indulge in the wand interactive experience at
Universal Studios), or upgrade your pass in any way, you'll need your hard
earned plastic cards! You'll also need to show ID for various reasons in the
parks - ex. wheelchair/scooter rentals, first park entry, some large purchases,
etc.
2- Park Pass!
Do not forget this baby!
Obviously you need it to get in, but if you have a park hopper pass and plan on
riding the "Hogwarts Express," you have to scan it to do so. *Bonus - If you have a Preffered or Premium Pass, you get a
discount at stores and restaurants (not including the stands on the streets).*
3- Portable Charger
If you plan on spending
the whole day at Universal, it can be exhausting - for you and your battery
life! When you're taking a break on your phone or playing a game while waiting
in line, you'll drain your power pretty quickly. It's a good idea to have a
backup! As I have said before: My personal favorite is the Anker
External Battery. And it's a given, but
don't forget the charger cord, either. Believe it or not, I've done it before.
It's frustrating to say the least!
4- Camera &
Batteries
If you plan on taking a
thousand pictures and don't want them all on your phone, you'll need a camera!
Bring batteries and backups for your batteries, because they drain faster than
you realize when you're trying to get that perfect shot of the dragon spitting
fire!
5-Map
If you've never been
before, grab a map at the front gate. (They have plenty in English, and I know
they also have Spanish & Portuguese. I think they are also available in
Japanese.) It's a good idea to keep one with you so you know where all of the
bathrooms and Freestyle Machine stops are.
6- Freestyle Cup (If
you have one)
Freestyle cups are a
system in place at Universal that I happen to love! On the first day you buy
the cup, you get free refills all day long. You can choose from anything in the
freestyle machines provided that you set down your cup on the reader first
(it's where you would normally set your cup). You are allowed to get refills
every ten minutes, but once you pick up your cup from the machine, that ten
minutes starts. So make sure it's what you want when you pour! After your first
day, if you bring back the cup to the park, you can recharge it for a few bucks
anywhere that will do this (most restaurants do), and you're off!
7- Extra Clothes
If you're planning on
getting wet and don't mind walking around wet all day, ignore this! If you get
super soaked on Popeyes (which you definitely will, I promise) and don't want
to walk around wet all day, it's good to have backup.
8- Ziploc Bags
This may sound strange,
but it has been a lifesaver. Any time it rains and on every water ride, I put
my electronics and anything else I don't want to get wet in gallon or quart
sized ziploc bags, and poof! Your objects are now waterproof. Well, not for
submerging. Don't try that.
9- Poncho
Bring a poncho! Florida
likes to have short rainstorms in bursts a lot, and people rush indoors,
crowding indoor rides, restaurants, and stores to their brim. They also shell
out a lot of money on ponchos. It's lightweight and can compact well, so I
would recommend bringing one if you can!
10- Don't
bring unnecessary items!
If your bag is too
heavy, your back won't be happy. If your bag is too big, it will be hard to fit
in the lockers. Try not to load yourself down!
Trip Tips!
1- Comfortable Clothes
Wear comfortable clothes
that you don't mind getting wet or a little dirty. Universal is a very clean
park, but you're likely still to get dirty and sweaty from a long, hot day.
Please don't wear something you're uncomfortable in or afraid to smudge!
2- Comfortable Shoes
I see a lot of women
wearing heels in the park, and a lot of people that wear sandals and their feet
get worn out quickly. Each person is obviously different, so you do you! But I
do not recommend wearing heels all day - that can go south on your heels and
toes real quick!
3- Stay Hydrated
Universal offers free
water in their restaurants, and there are water fountains in many locations. So
if you don't want to pay for drinks, please stay hydrated!
My recommendation is to drink plenty of water, Powerade if you don't want
water.
4- Take a seat, rest
your feet!
You'll be walking - a lot. When you get a chance,
get off your feet and savor the moment!
5- Sleep well.
Zzzzzzzz... what? I
didn't hear you. I was too busy falling into my hotel bed and sleeping off the
exhaustion of today. For reals, sleep well, especially if you plan on getting
up early and/or staying out late!
6- Wheelchairs - Ankle
Bites!
Remember that there are
people in wheelchairs, too! It gets crowded, but try to stay aware of your
surroundings. It's a lot harder to stop suddenly if you're in a wheelchair, and
much easier to get out of the way (or suddenly stop) if you're bi-pedal. If you
cut off a wheelchair, you're likely to get a lot of ankle bites, so try to be
aware and nice! :)
7- Line Cutting
People do not like it when you
do this. To keep the lines shorter at the lockers outside of each ride (lockers
that are offered free for your line duration period), they ask you not to bring
your entire party to the lockers. So if you want to get in line and wait for
your designated locker person, that's fine! If you're just cutting to cut
though, please don't! Don't be a beef jerky, please! ;)
8- NO SMOKING
Universal Studios
Orlando is a smoke free place except for designated smoking areas, which you
can find marked on park maps and at the locations themselves. Please don’t
smoke outside of them! You never know what sensitivity someone around you has
to the smoke, and there are always pregnant women and children around! As
someone who has asthma, it can be very frustrating and painful to be around so
much smoke, so please don’t smoke in the middle of the crowd! Go to a zone! *This
rule also includes but is not limited to E-Cigarettes.*
9- For Disabilities -
ADA Pass
Upon entry to the park,
go to guest services and tell them that you need an ADA pass. You cannot get
this pass just because you are in a wheelchair like their old policy dictated,
now you must have a valid reason to need the pass even if you have a
wheelchair. If you get the pass, it lasts for up to two weeks, and you can have
up to 6 people on the pass to accompany you, but their passes must be scanned.
This is how it works - If the line is under 30 minutes long at any given ride,
go to the attendant standing in front of the Express Pass line, and they will send
you down the Express Pass line right away. (For some rides, they will also send
you to elevators.) If the line is over 30 minutes, hand them your pass, and
they will write down a time for you to come back. (I believe it is the current
wait time minus ten or fifteen minutes.) Come back at that time, and they'll send you down
the Express Line, same as before!
Universal Studios - A Guide
Freestyle Machines - Where to Find Them
-Classic Monster's Cafe
-Louie's Italian Restaurant
-Richter's Burger Co.
-Outside San Francisco
Pastry Company
-Beside the restrooms outside of
the Fear Factor Live Ampitheatre
-A stand outside of Men
in Black
-(Woody Woodpecker's)
Kid Zone Pizza
-Mel's Drive In *note: Powerade not available at this location*
*Want water? They offer free cups of water at food & beverage locations around the park, and they will fill your Freestyle Cup with water for free as well. The Freestyle Machines may or may not have water - I've seen that some have it back.*
*Want water? They offer free cups of water at food & beverage locations around the park, and they will fill your Freestyle Cup with water for free as well. The Freestyle Machines may or may not have water - I've seen that some have it back.*
Pathway Explanations
-Entrance/Exit:
Sometimes, this is used
as a park entrance. I can't guarantee that it always will be, but if it is a
ridiculous wait to get in or out, maybe try it out! Otherwise, this is a dead
end.
-Dead End (by the Mummy)
There's nothing here but
decorations unless it's Horror Nights! Turn around and head back!
-Pathways between
Finnegan's and Starbucks:
These are just small
little roads in between building blocks that cut through crowds easily! If you
want to easily get from Transformers to the Mummy, for instance, these are your
best friend! Not to mention that there are shops and awesome decorations in
these alleys!
-Pathway drawn with an
"X" towards Harry Potter Diagon Alley:
This is the entrance. It
is easy to miss, and it just looks like a brick wall until you look closer!
Think of Harry and Hagrid in Sorcerer's Stone when they first entered Diagon
Alley - it looks like that!
-Pathway in the middle of
Diagon Alley:
This is an alternate way
to Enter/Exit this section of the park. It isn't used as often as the other
entrance, so it's nice to cut through and use this!
-Pathways from Harry
Potter/Fear Factor Live (Bill & Ted's Excellent HWeen Adventure during HHN) leading to Men In Black/The Simpsons
These are just here to
show you the many different ways to get out of Harry Potter. One is a direct
path to the Simpsons, one a direct path the to Men In Black, and one leads by a
restroom/Freestyle Machine stop. The choice is yours!
-Pathway from Moe's Tavern
to E.T.:
This exits the building
and puts you by bathrooms, not to mention bypasses a lot of foot traffic, and
it's more in the shade. Take it, trust me!
-Dead End by the
Children's Area:
No, technically this
isn't a dead end, especially if you have a child with you. But for adults, who
aren't allowed on the playground, it's pointless! After you ride E.T., head back, trust me there's
nothing for you!
-Pathway (seemingly) in
the middle of a building by the front of the park:
This actually cuts
straight through from that main street to the Entrance of the park or Guest
Services, and there's a shaded area there with bathrooms as well. I make good
use of it, but you can't really see it on the map, so here you go!
Hidden Gems
-Point by "B" on the map:
The Park Plaza Holiday Shop is an awesome
year-round Christmas shop, and it shouldn't be passed over but often is! Check
it out! It's the Universal answer to the Christmas shop near the entrance of Islands of Adventure.
 |
| Photo credit: http://attractionsmagazine.com/photo-finds-film-vault-store-universal-disney-springs-construction-update-august-19-2014/ |
-Point near "D"
on the map:
The Film Vault is a Universal
Movie shop covered in memorabilia from classic Universal Studios films, and it is amazing, but passed over a lot. It includes seasonal merchandise sometimes and it has things from movies like Jaws and Back to the Future, both of which used to be rides at Universal Orlando, and things from movies like their classic monster films, which are featured just down the street at the Classic Monsters Cafe & at the Horror Makeup Show.
Restaurants - Where to Go
*Disclaimer: I haven't been to every restaurant in Universal
Studios, so I can't review them all. Every opinion is my own. I also did not
include things like Starbucks, which is not specific to only Universal.*
Beverly Hills Boulangerie🍳🍰
This place has food similar to that of the San Francisco Pastry Company. I have had some extremely delicious dessert there, and the sandwiches look equally as appetizing.
From the park map: Breakfast, Sandwiches, & Pastries
Classic Monsters Cafe🍗🍟🍖🍔🍕
This place has food similar to that of the San Francisco Pastry Company. I have had some extremely delicious dessert there, and the sandwiches look equally as appetizing.
From the park map: Breakfast, Sandwiches, & Pastries
Classic Monsters Cafe🍗🍟🍖🍔🍕
The menu here is varied
and not all items can be found in other places around the parks. I have only
ever eaten chili cheese fries here, but for the record, they're pretty awesome!
What I absolutely know I love about this place is the decor. Each room is
filled with decorations that reflect classic horror films, from the Creature of
Black Lagoon to Dracula, and it is awesome. I take tons of pictures every time I go in
there, even though I probably already have a picture of every bit of the
place!
From the park map: Ribs, Hamburgers, Pizza, Turkey Legs, Rotisserie Chicken, Hot Dogs, Salads, & Shakes
*Note: This is where the Halloween Horror Nights 26 Scare Actor Dining was, and if this is continued I highly recommend it! The food is delicious (and is a different menu than is regular here) and the experience is awesome.*
From the park map: Ribs, Hamburgers, Pizza, Turkey Legs, Rotisserie Chicken, Hot Dogs, Salads, & Shakes
*Note: This is where the Halloween Horror Nights 26 Scare Actor Dining was, and if this is continued I highly recommend it! The food is delicious (and is a different menu than is regular here) and the experience is awesome.*
*Freestyle Machines
are found here*
Louie's Italian Restaurant🍕🍝
This restaurant features
Italian food, obviously! They have things like Pasta, Pizza, and
Chicken Caesar Salad, and most of the time there are desserts out. The food here is the same as the food in the Islands of Adventure Cafe 4 Restaurant, and I have had it many times. It's pretty good Italian
food, and it's very good considering that it's theme park food!
From the park map: Pizza, Salads, Pasta
From the park map: Pizza, Salads, Pasta
*Freestyle Machines are
found here*
Richter's Burger Co.🍔🍟🍗
This restaurant features
American food, particularly burgers. More than Burgers, they also offer a
Chicken Sandwich and a Chicken Caesar Salad amongst other things. You walk
straight up to the register and order here, and you wait in another area for
them to call your ticket and hand you your food. After you have your food, you
can go to a bar with Hamburger toppings (lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes,
ketchup, mustard, mayo) and you're all set! The food here is the same as the
food in the Islands of Adventure Burger Digs Restaurant. It's not as good as the
Italian food to me, but it's still pretty good food for an amusement park.
From the park map: Burgers, Garden Burgers, Chicken, & Shakes
From the park map: Burgers, Garden Burgers, Chicken, & Shakes
*Freestyle Machines are
found here*
San Francisco Pastry Company🍰
I have not personally
eaten here, but a close friend has. They offer deli type food here, and it's
perfect if you want a quick, smaller option to take with you versus a full
meal. This person said they enjoyed the food a lot and that they have varying
options of size and type for people in there, so I thought I would include it
here!
*They serve similar items in the Simpson's Restaurant (Fast Food Boulevard) from Lisa's refrigerated section.*
From the park map: Sandwiches & Pastries
*They serve similar items in the Simpson's Restaurant (Fast Food Boulevard) from Lisa's refrigerated section.*
From the park map: Sandwiches & Pastries
*Freestyle Machines are
found here*
Leaky Cauldron⚡
*My personal favorite!*
This is my absolute
favorite restaurant here. The food in this restaurant and the Harry Potter
restaurant in Islands is amazing, and not just for theme park food. The menu is
varied and the items on the menu cannot be found in any other restaurants, and
of course the scenery is completely awesome! Taste, service, atmosphere
(including music that is always playing) are all two thumbs up! For dessert, I recommend the Sticky Toffee Pudding (with no ice cream on it to harden the yummy sauce!), and for the main course I suggest my personal favorite, the Specialty Chicken Sandwich (with an extra cup of the amazing apple-butter mayo sauce, which sounds gross but believe me... it's so not.)
From the park map: Cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers & mash, fisherman's pie, Ploughman's (a platter including Scotch eggs and cheeses), plus alcoholic beverages, including Butterbeer.
From the park map: Cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers & mash, fisherman's pie, Ploughman's (a platter including Scotch eggs and cheeses), plus alcoholic beverages, including Butterbeer.
*Note: Freestyle
Machines are not in the Harry Potter section of the park at all.*
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor⚡🍦
So this isn't for meals,
but oh my goodness this stuff is good! I have tried a few flavors on the menu,
including Chocolate Chili (strange, but chocolate lovers seem to like it!) and
Strawberry & Peanut Butter flavor (which sounds disgusting to me but it
was actually really good!)... but the best flavor on the menu is their
trademarked Butterbeer Soft Serve Ice Cream. I don't know how to tell
you how good this is, but trust me, try it. *Bonus: You can buy this
in the Butterbeer shop next door if it's the only ice cream flavor you are
getting, and that shop usually has a wayyy shorter line.*
From the park map: Scoop and soft-serve ice cream in a variety of unique flavors, such as Butterbeer, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Salted Caramel Blondie as well as other delicious treats.
From the park map: Scoop and soft-serve ice cream in a variety of unique flavors, such as Butterbeer, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Salted Caramel Blondie as well as other delicious treats.
Fast Food Boulevard (Building attached to Moe's Tavern)🍩🍔🍟🍕🍗
This is a really great
place to go for variety! There is a deli section, pizza, chicken, seafood,
burgers, and there's a taco truck right outside! The food here is really good,
and some of my personal favorites are the Krusty Burger (with extra secret sauce) and
the Chicken and Waffle sandwich (the sauce on this is also really good!). The
burger comes with curly fries and the chicken and waffle sandwich comes with
tater tots, both of which rock the casbah. There are options for everyone in
here, and if you're a fan of The Simpsons, then it will be awesome for you - clips from the show play in
the room as you eat, and every inch of the building is covered in decorations!
From the park map: Featuring all your favorites from the Simpsons - Krusty Burger, Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, Fried Seafood, Pizza, and more...
*Note: Freestyle Machines are not in the Harry Potter section of the park at all.*
From the park map: Featuring all your favorites from the Simpsons - Krusty Burger, Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, Fried Seafood, Pizza, and more...
*Note: Freestyle Machines are not in the Harry Potter section of the park at all.*
Mels Drive-In🍔🍟🍗
The food here is very
similar to the food you'd find in Burger Digs or Richter's. It's burgers,
chicken tenders, fries, shakes... typical diner food. It's good for theme park
food, but not my first choice. Something I love that has no relevance is that
during Halloween Horror Nights, the sign reads Mel's DIE In, and that is
amazing. My personal favorites here are the chicken fingers & seasoned fries, and their chili cheese fries!
From the park map: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Salads, Shakes, & Fries
From the park map: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Salads, Shakes, & Fries
*Freestyle Machines are found here*
Coming to you next about UO:Islands of Adventure: How to Survive Once You Get There!
All of the opinions listed here are my own, I am not sponsored or paid, and I wasn't given admission to the park for free. I found all of my photos on Google, the Universal Website, edited them myself, or elsewhere as credited. If I used a photo of yours and did not give credit, please contact me and I will credit you or remove the photo if you want me to.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them here!
Bis zum nächsten Mal!
Ray Kay
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