5-Step Plan to Park Hopping Like a Pro at Universal Orlando
You’ve scored your discounted Universal park-to-park tickets by staying at our Universal Partner Hotel, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, now let us help you make the most of these valuable tickets.
Universal Orlando Resort is huge but not impossible to tackle with park-to-park tickets.
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are right next to each other. You could walk between each one as it’s about a five-minute walk. But go the fun way and give your feet a rest. A Park-to-Park ticket gets you a seat on the Hogwarts Express, which tells you an exciting story as it takes you to a new park.
That was a bonus tip to park hopping like a pro, so let’s dive into our five-step plan!
Step 1: Be Aware of Park Hours
When it comes to park hopping, the first thing you’ll need to do is check the operational hours of both parks. On certain days, one tends to close earlier than the other. Depending on what day you go, you’ll want to make sure you visit the park that closes earliest first. You don’t want to miss out on experiencing your favorite attractions because the park is closing.
Step 2: Arrive Early
They say the early bird gets the worm, and the saying is true. If you want to maximize your day of park hopping, be sure to get there bright and early.
Waiting in line to park at Universal’s parking garage can be killer, and going through security is even more time consuming. Planning to arrive a little before the park opens can save you both time and stress.
The earlier you get there, the more time you’ll have to split between exploring Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Plus, it’s a lot less crowded during the first two hours of opening; take advantage while you can and use your time wisely.
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando is a Universal Partner Hotel that has great perks, like discounted park-to-park tickets. The most important benefit that helps you arrive early is the free shuttle rides to and from the parks. Skip the hassle of parking by hopping onto the shuttle.
Step 3: Download Universal’s Mobile App
The Universal Orlando mobile app has live updates on the rides and attractions, including their wait times and if they are closed or temporarily down for routine maintenance.
The app goes beyond just listing dining options and their full menus. You can order your food ahead of time so you can spend more time having fun! It also has park maps so you can chart the path that hits every Universal attraction you want to see, which leads us nicely to the next step.
Step 4: Prioritize Your Favorite Attractions
It’s crucial to establish what attractions you want to see the most. The parks are only open for so many hours; don’t waste too much time on rides or attractions you aren’t that excited about. This is the one time when “saving the best for last” doesn’t help.
If you find yourself having excess time after doing everything on your itinerary, then shoot for the stars and climb aboard all the rides Universal has to offer.
Step 5: Work Backward
When you’re working with a limited amount of time, the best thing you can do is start your Universal adventure off at the back of the park and work your way up to the front.
As soon as you walk into the park, you may want to rush and save your spot in line for the first ride you see. The only problem with that is that everyone else likely has the same idea as you, leading to long lines.
You’ve already established which rides you want to tackle first, so as you make your way toward the back, tackle the ones in that direction and avoid those extra-long lines.
BONUS: Hop to 3 Parks
Depending on how long you’re staying in Orlando for, you may even want to explore Universal’s third theme park: Volcano Bay. Unless you have magical powers, however, it’s pretty difficult to fit all three parks into one day.
If you’ve got some time to kill in the City Beautiful, a three-park park-to-park ticket might be a good fit for you, which we also offer discounted rates on. Plus, you’ll need somewhere to cool off after spending all day in the warm, Florida spring weather.
Your Go-to Hotel for Park Hopping at Universal
Planning a fun-filled vacation in Orlando is easy when staying at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, a Universal Partner Hotel. With our exclusive theme park deals, free shuttle services, and convenient location on International Drive, our hotel is the place to be when you’re vacationing in Orlando.