Ultimate First-Timer's Guide to Universal Orlando: Maximize Your Visit with Tips, Tricks & Secrets!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Check out my Universal Orlando Playlist for all videos - kzbin.info/aero/PLvEFYYSuXsG6qe19yqAJqRAerjlj6llyH Universal Orlando Hotel Tours Playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLvEFYYSuXsG50vgJ71kCNMM-4mNjVYbIt Universal Orlando Dining Reviews Playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLvEFYYSuXsG4hZK2n5V_7Jp3FwERRjRvW

[@stevec8612]

what a great overview & presentation! you should be in television!

[@MagicalHijinx]

That’s so kind! Thank you so much!

[@willawallace9236]

Based on my visits to Universal, this is a very comprehensive guide. I think you covered everything and did it so well.

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much! Share it with your friends if you can! 😊

[@kates7277]

My dude, you’re a magician as usual. Most vids would take an hour of droning on to convey all this info yet you manage to be succinct, informative and entertaining all at once. Mad props. 🌏🪄

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much Kate it means so much to hear!

[@kristyyoo9833]

I completely agree! First time watching her video, this was the most helpful of all I watched so far!!

[@jessicarobertson100]

this was super helpful and informative. we booked our first trip to Universal & Island of Adventure for February 2025 ❤

[@MagicalHijinx]

So glad I could help! Have fun!

[@candlesyo]

This video just made me so excited for my trip next week!!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Hope you have the best time!

[@dragonseahorse481]

Me and my roommates are going in September and your video actually helped me out a lot! I was able to take a lot of notes and I learned some new stuff I didn't know. This is my first time going to any major theme park(my roommates have both been to different disney parks) so while I'm super nervous I'm also super excited too!! Thank you for such an informative video!

[@MagicalHijinx]

I’m so glad I was able to help!

[@techpappee]

We’re booked for mid June visit on a 6 night stay at Hard rock. I originally was planning a mid tier resort with Express for our stay. That made just the express unlimited passes around 8k for 6 people. It was cheaper to book a suite for the entire party at a premium resort than a lower tier adding express unlimited for our stay. Plus we get all the perks of staying in a premium resort to boot. Always do the math, you can save $ by being frugal(ish) 🥴😉

[@MagicalHijinx]

Great job! Yes if you’re interested in Express, it usually makes sense to stay in what they are now calling “signature.”

[@nicoleshango475]

I’ve been multiple times but this is still sooo helpful! Thank u!

[@MagicalHijinx]

So glad I was able to help!

[@PeterSallada]

Sup Demi! Words cannot express how much I appreciate this! I’ll be going to Universal for the first time in March and this is such a big help. It’s also my first solo trip, so it greatly helps an introvert like me. I definitely will be rewatching this and all of your other great Universal videos to help get me ready. As always, thank you so much! You’re the best!💙

[@MagicalHijinx]

I’m so glad I was able to get this out before your trip!!

[@kates7277]

Some advice for whoever is picking you up at the airport: Time it out so they pull up at the terminal *exactly* 17 minutes after your flight is supposed to land. That gives you just enough time to get off the plane, pick up your bags and be walking *out* of the terminal as they roll up…I tell you, it's a thing of beauty. I can not express to you the feeling of a perfect airport pickup. 🛬

[@PeterSallada]

@@kates7277Unless they take the Long Island Expressway. I have it perfectly timed out: the Grand Central, the Van Wyck! Taking the Long Island Expressway will destroy my whole timing!

[@kates7277]

@@PeterSallada They say no one's ever beaten the Van Wyck...but I tell you this: I came as close as anyone ever has. Damn that five-car pile-up on Rockaway Boulevard!

[@hrnddwn]

My first and last time I was at Universal was back in 2010 and you have done a fantastic job explaining for someone out of the loop.

[@MagicalHijinx]

So glad I was able to help!

[@bryanthecelticsfan]

omg you and the frugal brit are the best universal youtubers. I love how u explain stuff so nice. I am going to universal, seaworld, islands of adventure, aquatica, and discovery cove from march 29- april 6. Thank you so much for being the best youtuber for me!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much 😊

[@luisbperez368]

My first Disney trip was in 1975; I was 14; yes, I am an old fart 😂. My first Disney Food and Wine Festival was in 1997, and from there on, I went with my wife every year to enjoy it until 2013. We decided that the Food and Wine had changed so much from the early days. We went to Disney on Jan 2024, and my God, so many changes. During all those years, we never went to the Universal Studios. I began saving $$$$ to take my wife for our 45 anniversary in November 2025. I already have the hotel picked up 😂, the Portofino. I love this video, but I will check your playlist to see if you have a video for seniors. Anyway, you gained a subscriber here. Thanks, stay safe.🙏

[@MagicalHijinx]

I hope you have the most amazing time!

[@someoneout-there2165]

Some years back and I went to Universal and went through the single rider lines. I literally walked almost instantly on the rides. Wait time for the main lines were 45 - 60 minutes.

[@MagicalHijinx]

That’s amazing!

[@mcrm17]

I loved this video! I haven't been at Universal Orlando for +16 years and will stay there next July with the family. This will be like a first-time visit. So exciting!! Thanks!!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Oh for sure! It’s very different now!

[@kisim7088]

Thank you my daughter now 42 inch plus so we are looking at adding in universal to Disney trip in 2024

[@MagicalHijinx]

Definitely check out my kids guide then! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJTViKBpgs-dbKssi=U7eR3PfEgpIvqXgy

[@lakeashaunger9368]

Tysm so all the info!! We are making our first trip to Disney/Universal soon. And im a HUGE HP fan!!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Yay! I hope you have the most magical time!

[@TripBloggers]

We just went to Universal Hollywood this year so we plan to check out Universal Orlando next year.

[@MagicalHijinx]

That’s amazing! I went to Hollywood for the first time this year too, it’s so different!

[@paulphilippou656]

Thank you soooooooo much! Awesome information,

[@MagicalHijinx]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MeganMoves]

Great video Demi! This is a great comprehensive guide to Universal for a first time visitor! Thanks for sharing 🤩

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thanks Megan! Hope you’re having a great holiday season!!!

[@kathleenshortis5358]

You are always so thorough and informative 🎉

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much!

[@jameswiggs9655]

Very well done! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Eddytainment]

love the value and pace of the info! thanks for this :)

[@MagicalHijinx]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ShareaDreamComeTrue]

This is most helpful, thanks! Since I watch Price is Right everyday I was overly excited about Pricedown font used throughout this video. RIP to Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone.

[@MagicalHijinx]

I love that!

[@theycallmeorlando]

I’ve been to universal studios Orlando before I had the time of my life I went to both theme parks and the water park

[@MagicalHijinx]

That’s awesome!

[@kinkaly]

Thanks for the tips! Wish I had watched this prior to booking during Spring Break >.< hahaha fml....

[@MagicalHijinx]

Oh no! Well hopefully it won’t be too bad!

[@CoasterRob]

This video was very helpful it gave me a great insight what to expect what universal studios great Britain may be like but with some changes its rumoured to open 2030

[@MagicalHijinx]

I’m so glad I was able to help! I hope it happens!

[@dashdorjtumurchudur6412]

Thanks for the video. Quick question. I just bought my 1-day-1 parking ticket online and it has only a scan code. It seems I need to get the actual paper ticket once I entered by gate. Right? Hopefully I don't need to pay more to get paper ticket at door. right?

[@MagicalHijinx]

There’s no other fee. You can either scan it for a physical ticket or you can add it to your ticket wallet in the universal app and not have to worry about the ticket. But I recommend the ticket in case you go on a ride with a metal detector and can’t take your phone.

[@josephinejo1996]

We plan to be there 20-22 of October since it's during the start of the week will it still be SUPER crazy crowded? It's our first time and our 5th wedding anniversary. Super nervous and excited because I've never been on a roller-coaster in my life lol

[@thegerosful]

Here is the tip I have not seen on any of the "tip" videos for Universal Orlando. Go after 6 pm! This tip is mainly for those that are not staying at the Universal Resort, and also bought the buy 3 days get 2 free (or you bought tickets for multiple days). (BTW, my cheapskate self found that paying extra for the multiple parks in one day is totally worth it.) So, why go at night? First, you pay $30 for parking each day, unless you arrive after 6, when it's free, and no line of cars backed up waiting to pay for parking, so that cuts out an initial wait time, which can easily be 20 minutes just waiting in line to pay to park. Next (#2), and the big reason, lines are waaaay shorter at night. Apparently, a lot of people tire out during the day and leave. The last hour the parks are open, I repeatedly found (in late July) that rides had less than a 5 minute wait, and several times no line at all. Be aware, to take full advantage of that last hour no-wait, that applies mostly to Islands of Adventure, which is open an hour later, till 10. I had zero waiting in line experiences on great rides like Spiderman, Kong, River Ride, and Harry Potter's ride (my favorite), and the Hippogriff coaster. Hulk coaster had a shorter wait time, but Hagrid & Velocicoaster still have long waits right up to closing. I didn't check the Velocicoaster at closing, but I can verify that you can get in line at Hagrid's right up to closing (10 pm) and as long as you are in line before closing, you get to ride (still had to wait an hour though). #3, At night, the Florida sun is gone and walking around is a bit cooler. #4, at 9 pm Universal park has a really cool drone show, and at 9, a light (lasers I think) show animates the walls of the Hogwart's castle. The show lasts an hour, but I was running around doing rides mostly. #5 Florida often has late afternoon showers, which were mostly done after 6, and those showers drive guests (riders) out of the park. #6 Some things look cooler at night, such as Hogwarts, and Diagon alley. With me having 5 days to go, I wanted to see everything, but not wear myself out. I only went one day-time visit, and rode about half the rides in 6 hours that I rode in 3 (Universal)/ 4 (Islands of Adventure) hours of 6 pm+ visit. So, for me, balancing out having some time to relax, see everything, and get to repeatedly ride the ones I liked, going at 6 was the answer. I will return to Universal, great parks, but I won't go back during the day again, as I prefer not to spend the majority of my day in line. Btw, those express passes speed things up, but don't cancel the wait entirely, and cost hundreds of dollars to add to a single ticket for most days of the year.

[@audramcwilliams76]

Mixed tips. On another video I saw someone say you pay more for express if you wait and sometimes express sales out . I also heard early Oct is a good time to visit

[@MagicalHijinx]

Early October is fine. But you will start to find horror nights crowds. I very rarely see express pass sell out. Maybe for busy seasons like the holidays, maybe. If you’re not going during the holidays I still say wait because sometimes wait times are very short and you can save a ton of money. But if you want to be extra safe then yes get express pass beforehand. But you just may not need it.

[@audramcwilliams76]

@@MagicalHijinx thanks. Looked up low crowd dates like mid Sept. you would not necessarily need express during those dates. Correct?

[@andreiarodrigues4768]

I have the QR codes for my tickets on my Universal app do I need to exchange those as well?

[@MagicalHijinx]

You can use that as your ticket, but if you do want to ride something that has a metal detector, you will need to either use a room key if you’re staying on property or you’ll have to go and get a physical ticket from the ticket booth.

[@julieloucks8623]

Great video.!!! Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teens) planning on coming early/mid November. Trying to figure out if staying on site is better or off site at a nearby hotel with a pool and breakfast. Do you happen to know how much the lanyards cost in the video. Thank you so much 😊

[@MagicalHijinx]

The pouches are like $8 and the Lanyards are like $14-$16.

[@philipmccoy1135]

Hello Demi. Great video! I'm going to the parks early June and have express passes. Do I need to still get to the park for rope drop if I'm not getting on Hagrids motorbike? Do you know how long typically the average wait is for express pass riders in June?

[@MagicalHijinx]

You should be fine without rope dropping! June it depends. Some days no one is there because not all schools have summer break yet. But with express pass you should be able to do everything easily.

[@taybrew211]

I’m going on Labor Day this year. Are the crowds light on that day or should I not risk it and grab an express pass. I have a family of 4

[@MagicalHijinx]

Labor Day weekend is also opening weekend on HHN. It’s definitely busier than normal but I can’t predict how busy the actual parks will be and tell you definitely yes you need it. But maybe consider it or try to see what it’s like without it and then buy it if you need it!

[@amrishajugmohan2220]

Where is better to purchase souvenirs? At the city walk store or in the parks itself? In terms of options and prices please. Thank you!

[@MagicalHijinx]

Prices will be the same and honestly it really depends on the day and what you’re looking for. If it’s specific to a land or ride like Simpsons or Harry Potter or even Fast and Furious, it’s best to get it in that land. For universal Orlando specific merchandise, best to check the stores at the front of the park and CityWalk because it’s never consistent.

[@Aimee-v2b]

I am going in just over a month and this super helpful, but if you have to scan your pass to put everything in a locker including your phone, how would it open back up if the pass is on your phone?

[@MagicalHijinx]

Yes, that is definitely a flaw in the system. If you have to put your phone in a locker and that is your locker key. So if you plan on doing those rides, you do need to have either a room key or a physical ticket to use the locker.

[@Aimee-v2b]

@@MagicalHijinx thank you for your reply, would that be a print out of my ticket? Or how would I get physical ticket if got through e-ticket

[@BeagleMom80]

Do they have park exclusive lanyards and such? I didn’t see a lot of those on the Shop Orlando site.

[@MagicalHijinx]

Hmm great question. I know there are Universal ones, not sure if I have seen Islands ones, but there could be! There’s so many lanyards, I don’t know them all.

[@airborne1501]

What is rope dropping? I may have missed the explanation.

[@MagicalHijinx]

Rope dropping is getting to park before it opens so when they open the doors (or drop the rope) you’re one of the first ones in!

[@ilovelegos2000]

Hi Demi! I just came across your channel and am new to it. So I have a question. Last year I had an injury in my SI joint area, it has healed, but I'm wondering are there any rides at Universal or Islands of Adventure that are less intense that will not trigger it?

[@MagicalHijinx]

Welcome to the channel! So happy you’re here! Since I don’t know the limitations of your recovery, I don’t want to advise you on what to ride. At Islands for example, the 3D spider man is less intense than the hulk coaster, but it does shake, so that might not be great for you. Same thing with Kong and Forbidden Journey or the drop on Jurassic Park River Adventure or the other two water rides Popeyes and Dudley’s. The rides at Seuss landing are definitely the least intense at Islands, but I’m also not advising you to ride them, that is your judgment. Sorry I couldn’t be more help, but I hope you can understand that I don’t want to advise you wrong and then you possibly get re-injured ❤️‍🩹

[@ilovelegos2000]

@@MagicalHijinx I complete understand. Thanks for the info

[@D4RKMIND3D]

So it's not all just one big park? I didn't realize that. I thought you would just buy a ticket and go anywhere in the park. So if I want to go to another park, there's checkpoints ro check my ticket?

[@MagicalHijinx]

There are two parks. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Two separate entrances and you scan your ticket to get in.

[@shatakshiagrawal3062]

Hi I have a question, I’m a US resident on a valid US visa, can we get the promotion available at universal 3 days plus 2 days free. As in the description it says for US and Canada residents only.

[@MagicalHijinx]

I honestly have no idea. I would call universal and ask!

[@kelseynicole9051]

Please give me exact date that we could hit that it seems like there is nobody there 😂 Seriously... 🙏

[@javiel2260]

Can I purchased the express line at the park ??

[@MagicalHijinx]

Yes 2:37

[@sandroramirez9692]

Hello. Is June 15-25 really crowd?

[@MagicalHijinx]

Summer fluctuates, so it’s hard to say. You get good days and bad days.

[@Parkhopper1985]

Hi Demi

[@MagicalHijinx]

Hiii!!

[@christinedaae7323]

Has anyone seen The Universal Classic Monsters in Universal Orlando Resort? Or are they laying low and waiting for their Land at Epic Universe?

[@MagicalHijinx]

I haven’t seen them so that’s probably what they are doing!

[@christinedaae7323]

I wrote a reply to you, but, I accidentally wrote it as a new Comment. So, go read my intended reply.

[@saddybarr4551]

Buuu we are going in march for spring break 😅😅😅

[@MagicalHijinx]

Hopefully it will be okay! 🙏

[@christinedaae7323]

The Universal Classic Monsters should be around Universal Orlando Resort this Year! It is getting close to Epic Universe’s opening! Universal should get everybody excited for Dark Universe, the Land themed to The Universal Classic Monsters within Epic Universe! See if you can talk to the Characters. See if they can all pitch in and get The Universal Classic Monsters into The Parks this Year. I will try and make it down for Mardi Gras and other Special Events within The Parks this Year. But, please, help me set the stage for The Universal Classic Monsters!

[@MagicalHijinx]

That’s a good idea to have them out!

[@christinedaae7323]

I think so, too! I was hoping that Guests and Team Members can work together to bring The Universal Classic Monsters to Universal Orlando Resort sometime during Mardi Gras this Year!

[@brianbrewer2909]

They charge $35 for renting a phone charger?!?

[@MagicalHijinx]

It’s a 3rd party company and you get to keep it and then swamp for charged ones and the have swap machines all over the country.