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Planning to go to Common Resort Orlando however by no means been earlier than? You then’ve come to the proper place, as we’ve acquired among the finest suggestions for visiting Common Orlando Resort to ensure you profit from your expertise.
With so many theme parks and points of interest to discover in Orlando, you’re going to need to ensure you’re effectively clued up on what to anticipate beforehand so that you don’t a) get overwhelmed and b) can benefit from the expertise.
Beneath you’ll discover all of the issues you’ll want to know earlier than you go to Common Orlando Florida.
This put up is sponsored by our companion Allianz World Help (AGA Service Firm) and we’ve acquired 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 begin 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 may be The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is situated in each Common Studios (Diagon Alley) and Islands of Journey (Hogsmeade).
No, it’s not known as Harry Potter World, or Harry Potter theme park, or Common Studios Harry Potter World as I saved calling it pre-trip – however I quickly acquired that out of my system.
So you’ve gotten 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 along with your tickets. You’ll find the very best combo Park Hopper tickets right here.
2. Put together for Pleasure!
You’ll most likely by no means see your children extra excited than if you first stroll by means of the gates to Common Orlando, particularly once they enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter if they’re massive 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 Common’s Islands of Journey theme park. She’s learn all of the books and watched all the films, and I feel she might have cried.
Actually, all of us couldn’t consider how magical all of it made us really feel. It was like we have been getting into the film. Common has finished an unimaginable job bringing the Harry Potter sequence to life.
However Common Orlando Resort is rather more than Harry Potter! As adults, we count on it to be simply thrilling for teenagers, but it surely’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 acquired over it and moved on, however our children nonetheless discuss our time there and think about it a cherished reminiscence. Have this at the back of 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 quantity of time at every theme park can be certainly one of our high 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 feel that was an ideal period of time (Undercover Vacationer present genuine attraction tickets at discounted costs!)
Coming from a household of 4 with children aged 10 and 6, I extremely advocate you additionally plan for no less than three days!
Primarily, we spent someday at every of the three parks!
Our children have completely different ranges of bravado relating to what rides they are going to go on, and our 6 yr outdated was restricted on account of top necessities for some rides as effectively.
So three days gave us ample time to cowl all of the rides and points of interest for everybody to get pleasure from.
You already know what theme parks are like, they are often lengthy and tiring days, particularly if you’re dragging youthful children 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 the very best water park we’ve 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 obtainable for Multi Passes. You can even get a 4 day ticket + third park free, and a 5 day ticket + third park free.
So when you plan on visiting all three parks, I like to recommend you select certainly one of these tickets!
5. Journey Hogwarts Categorical
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 using Hogwarts Categorical.
By getting a Park-to-Park ticket, it lets you trip the Hogwarts Categorical 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 option to transfer between the parks. We park hopped a number of occasions utilizing Hogwarts Categorical 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 through 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 trip from Hogsmeade to London in Common Studios, head to Hogsmeade Station inside Islands of Journey. If you arrive in London, pop across the nook to search out the key entryway into Diagon Alley.
To trip to Hogsmeade, head to London in Common Studios and board the prepare at King’s Cross Station.
6. Get a Common Categorical Go
First off, a Common Categorical Go is an Add-On ticket that mean you can skip the common strains at choose points of interest, together with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
So that you get “specific entry”.
You might be accustomed to a lot of these passes from different theme parks who name them Quick Passes and so forth. At Common, they’re known as Common Categorical.
Relying on the time of yr and day you go to, as a substitute of standing for hours within the common queue, with an Categorical Go you can solely be ready 5-Quarter-hour (or much less).
Common strains will be something from 45+ minutes, and Common Categorical Passes mean you can go in your favourite rides a number of occasions and maximize your time.
Several types of Categorical Passes
- Common Categorical Go – Skip the common line ONE TIME PER TIDE at taking part rides and points of interest every day that your move is legitimate.
- Common Limitless Categorical Go – Skip the common strains an UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TIMES at taking part rides and points of interest.
- Single Park Common Categorical – You purchase certainly one of these Add-On passes just for both Common Studios, Islands of Journey, or Volcano Bay.
- 2-Park Common Categorical – use at each Islands of Journey and Common Studios.
- 2-Park Park-To-Park + Categorical Limitless – admission to Common Studios and Common’s Islands of Journey, plus Common Categorical Limitless entry.
- 3-Park Park-To-Park + Categorical Limitless – admission to Common Studios Florida, Common’s Islands of Journey, and Common’s Volcano Bay, plus Common Categorical Limitless entry.
Are Common Categorical Passes value it?
I consider Common Categorical Passes are value it. I don’t like standing in lengthy strains, particularly with children, and particularly within the warmth – you all know Florida!
Clearly, the additional prices of those passes on high 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 total expertise at Common so you’ve gotten 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 have been so glad we had these passes.
With out these passes there would have been numerous valuable time wasted, and stressed and pissed off children.
Discover a option to reduce in different methods in your journey funds to unlock cash for Categorical Passes. What are your priorities?
- Staying in a 5 star lodge?
- Flying enterprise class?
- Consuming out 3 times a day?
- Buying on the shops?
- or having the very best Common expertise?
If you actually take a look at your bills and think about your priorities, you could find a approach. And I’ve extra tips about accessing these passes for higher worth down beneath!
7. Be a part of the Single Rider Line
In case 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 points of interest.
It is a particular line for individuals who don’t thoughts using alongside, or becoming a member of one other group.
8. Keep On-Website at a Common Resort Resort
For many who need to maximize time when visiting Common Orlando, then our high tip can 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 the easiest way to expertise all that Common Orlando Resort has to supply.
Listed here are among 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 hectic, particularly in Orlando the place there are infinite choices!
The Common Orlando Resort Resorts are conveniently situated and include some good perks:
- If 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.
- Visitors who select to remain at choose Common Resort Resorts get FREE Common Limitless Categorical Passes! (study extra down beneath)
- Free transportation to the theme parks from every of the accommodations through 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 e book instantly by means of the lodge when staying at one of many Common Studios Orlando accommodations to qualify for the free Common Categorical Passes. You get these passes even when you e book through a 3rd social gathering, 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 preferred 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 trip Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
That is the preferred trip on the park, and common strains could be a lengthy wait, so head straight there.
At Common Studios we headed straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley) to trip 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 tips about shopping for wands.
Each Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is a a lot nicer expertise when 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 virtually 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 chill out with the views.
10. Arrive As Early As Attainable
Even when you determine to not keep at a Common on-site lodge, one other certainly one of our vital suggestions for Common Orlando can 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 will get the very best obtainable parking spot, so that you just aren’t rushed, and as a way to be near the entrance of the strains!
And generally, they really open the park gates 15-minutes early and you can be using the favored thrill rides earlier than the lots flip up!
Don’t begin off your dream go to flustered and aggravated – rise up and get going!
11. Purchase Tickets On-line to Save Cash & Time
I don’t assume there may be such factor as low cost Common Orlando tickets, however just a few suggestions right here to save cash and time:
- If you purchase your tickets on-line by means of Undercover Vacationer there are not any hidden charges with free transport and tax included!
- Print your tickets at residence and go straight to the entrance gate to avoid wasting time!
- If you buy any multi-day ticket on-line, you get a Coupon E-book 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 Categorical
Are you an American Categorical Card proprietor? American Categorical is the official card of Common Orlando Resort, and AMEX Card Members get pleasure from 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 if 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 get pleasure from complimentary gentle snacks, drinks, a full-time concierge and extra.
The American Categorical 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 unique receipt plus your AMEX Card to realize entrance. Good perk!
See all the present AMEX affords right here.
13. Take Benefit of the Little one Swap Program!
The kid swap system was superior! And one other nice option to skip the lengthy strains.
Our children are aged 10 and 6, and while our eldest daughter Kalyra went on each trip, 6 yr outdated Savannah was both too brief for grownup rides, or not courageous sufficient.
So, in case your kids are too small or don’t need to go on a specific trip, benefit from the “little one swap” program.
Every trip has a “little one swap room” the place one mum or dad (or member of your social gathering) can wait with the little ones, whereas the opposite mum or dad and older little one goes on the trip.
As soon as they’re completed, the adults can merely change roles.
The designated little one swap space is normally a room (or an space) proper close to the place you truly board the trip, 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 “little one swap” space.
The kid swap room usually has a film enjoying to maintain the youthful ones entertained. Win-win!
14. Attempt ALL the Butterbeer choices
Whoever created the recipe for Butterbeer is a GENIOUS!! Discuss addictive!!
And simply in case you don’t know, it’s non-alcoholic so your children, and also you, can have a Butterbeer or three and it comes with a obligatory foamy mustache!
Butterbeer is a very talked-about 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 thought you can have Butterbeer in so many various kinds!
You may get:
- Chilly Butterbeer
- Frozen Butterbeer
- Sizzling Butterbeer
- Butterbeer ice cream
- Butterbeer potted-cream
The place are you able to get Butterbeer?
If you enter Hogsmeade you’ll see a big picket barrel that bears the phrase “BUTTERBEER” and you should buy it from the road cart.
Different locations you will 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 Honest 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 sizzling day) and sizzling (when the climate acquired cool. Kalyra liked it sizzling, Savannah and mommy frozen!
15. Go to through the winter
We visited in mid November 2017, simply after the craziness of Halloween had died down at Common.
The workers at Cabana Bay Seaside Resort stated they went from being utterly 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 when you’re contemplating Volcano Bay!
Clearly the parks will likely be crowded round most important holidays and college 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 highschool and households have both visited Orlando over summer season.
16. Keep away from the Vacation Interval (Except You Don’t Thoughts Loopy)
Thanksgiving, we have been instructed, is the worst time to go to. The identical goes for the weekend straight after Thanksgiving – it’s simply nuts.
Nevertheless it all comes all the way down to your wishes and tolerance for crowds degree.
I’m certain visiting Common over one of many most important vacation durations like Thanksgiving and New Years can be spectacular with vacation lights and parades and so forth.
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 Common Orlando app which may help you propose your journey, and while you’re contained in the park:
- See the most recent 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 Categorical passes
- and extra.
Accessible on Google Play and within the App retailer.
18. Take Time to Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Like I stated, Common has finished 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 films 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 acquired impressed seeing households dressed up in the home gear.
So when you, or your children are massive Harry Potter followers, you need to allocate loads of time for these lands. I’m certain my children might have spent all day simply in right here.
19. Get Your Youngsters a Wand
Kalyra had her coronary heart set on getting a wand. She’s a BIG Hermione Jean Granger fan and so wished a Hermione wand.
And Savannah wished a Luna Lovegood wand.
They bought their very own distinctive wands at Ollivanders Wand Store in Diagon Alley, makers of fantastic wands since 382 BC.
Ollivanders is a cool store with towering partitions crammed with hundreds of packing containers of wands stacked to the ceiling, but it surely will get tremendous crowded inside with not numerous room to maneuver!
You should buy character wand replicas or purchase an Interactive Wand for $50 like our children and solid 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 features of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter park to life.
There are plaques on the bottom spaced out across the park exhibiting how one can solid the spell and the place to purpose your wand, plus useful park wizards on to assist – just a few of them have been a bit of tough!
Get your wand very first thing on the primary day, so you’ve gotten time to play.
20. Know What To Pack
Cozy sneakers are a should. In case you do all three parks, you’ll be spending numerous time in your ft strolling from trip to trip and ready in strains. Heels are most likely not a good suggestion, and it is perhaps finest to put on sneakers that may deal with getting moist.
Florida climate can change typically, relying on time of yr. It could possibly be heat through the day, then you definitely encounter a day bathe within the spring and summer season. Or a night chill within the fall and winter.
In case 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 when you plan on eating out at a pleasant restaurant, or sneaking away to a membership in Metropolis Stroll, pack one thing a bit of dressy.
Pack solar safety – it’s Florida they usually get numerous solar down there. Don’t overlook your hat, sun shades and sunscreen.
21. Have a Plan, However Keep Versatile
Your children will likely be stuffed with power and pleasure if you stroll by means of the gates they usually’ll need to race round and do EVERYTHING without delay.
I do know our children did. And it’s arduous 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 points of interest you MOST need to do and deal with these first.
- Use the Common Orlando app to regulate wait occasions and to determine the place to go subsequent
- Buy Common Categorical Passes
- Have a plan, however be versatile
22. Convey 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 embody:
- 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 Prime Rides and Sights at Common Orlando Resort You Need To Do
Be sure to choose what rides you need to see and do prematurely, so you’ll be able to tick them off when you discover Common Orlando Resort.
Listed here are among the finest rides and points of interest 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 Journey 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, Pink Fish, Blue Fish (Islands of Journey)
- The Simpsons Journey (Common Studios)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Common Studios)
- Transformers: The Journey – 3D (Common Studios)
Closing Ideas
So there you’ve gotten it, these are our high 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’ve cherished recollections of visiting.
We hope that you just get pleasure from it as a lot as we did!
Don’t Overlook Journey Insurance coverage
As we at all times say…“In case you can’t afford journey insurance coverage, then you’ll be able to’t afford to journey”. It’s that straightforward.
Not having journey insurance coverage just isn’t definitely worth the danger, and that is certainly one of our vital suggestions for Common Orlando.
What occurs if:
- You could 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
Journey insurance coverage is designed to cowl sudden medical emergencies and occasions reminiscent of these.
Something can, will, and generally goes flawed. If it does and you aren’t insured, you will be up for some huge cash AND inconvenience.
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