r/UniversalOrlando

Visiting from the UK for the first time in over 25 years for 8 nights. Splurged on a Park View Helios room because I was so excited about Epic.

Celestial Fountain looks like it's going to be drained for the foreseeable and Hogwarts is all covered in scaffold. 😫

Please help to temper my disappointment! It's unlikely I'll be returning for quite a while, I really splurged on this!

Just got back to Ontario after a few days at Universal Orlando and I keep thinking I did not go wild, but my final total says otherwise.

Tickets were already taken care of, so I told myself this would be a controlled trip. I am trying to be careful because I am still digging out of about $9,000 in credit card debt and I do not want a vacation to set me back.

It was not one big thing that did it. It was the drip of tiny purchases: a cold drink because it was boiling, a snack while waiting for the next ride, a themed trinket because it felt like a once-in-a-while treat, then another one because someone in the group wanted to try it. I also paid for a couple of lockers I did not expect and completely underestimated how often the gift shops would tempt me right after a ride.

I am not complaining about prices, just surprised at how fast it snowballed when you are in the moment.

Next time I plan to do two things: set a hard daily in-park spending limit in cash (or use a separate card with a low limit), and pick one planned splurge item per day so everything else is easier to say no to.

For people who go a lot, what rules do you use to keep in-park spending from quietly doubling?

Just got back from Universal Orlando and rode all the HP rides. Ranked worst to best:

5. Forbidden Journey (Hogwarts Castle). Cool castle queue, but the ride nearly took me out and I didn't think of myself as someone who gets motion sick.

4. Flight of the Hippogriff. Didn't ride it, but watched. Family coaster / for kids. Can only assume it's better than Forbidden Journey. But Hogwarts is under a giant brown tarp right now so the iconic view is gone.

3. Escape from Gringotts. Hybrid coaster/screen and way more tolerable than Forbidden Journey. Fun surprises! I might be an old man but I could not understand what they said at all tho.

2. Battle at the Ministry (Epic Universe). Best queue of any theme park ride. The ride itself is great too. Recommend the single-rider line; the regular is almost always 90+ min. Waited 15 mins with Express pass.

1. Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure. t's not close. So fun and exciting with a great surprise. Wait time was 170 mins - glad. I had express.

Honorable mention: Hogwarts Express is a fun photo op, but the line isn't worth it, the walk between parks is short if you're capable.

Does anyone have any arguments??

Does anyone know of any candles, room spray, incense, etc that is similar to the smell of the line inside the ET ride?

it always brings back childhood memories is why I ask.

Hello I’m looking to purchase my first annual pass (power pass) and my only concern is is there a time limit between purchasing the pass online and showing up at the park to activate it. I want to purchase now for the bonus 3 months but won’t be able to go to the park for some days.

In videos of raptor encounter every time someone’s done taking a picture it ends with blue acting up and scaring the visitor off. I’m kinda curious though, what would she do if you didn’t get startled and just stood there? Has anyone tried?

Side note, if it’s possible to pet blue I want tips for how to do it

Hi everyone, I got to thinking about my own comfort or at least able to get on the rides. I'm 6'4" weight 280, It's mostly upper body, I wear a 54 sports jacket, skinny arms and legs , . shirts are the xxxL and XXXXL depending on the shirt company, but a bit of belly but not like a large protruding one. Are there any rides I would get rejected from? Thanks

I've just made a change to my booking via the annual passholder website, as I saw the price had dropped by around $50 total, the deposit is now lower as a result!

Will they refund the whole amount back and take the new lower amount, or just refund the difference? Or keep the whole amount and just take it off the cost?

Has anyone tried Zenni's 3D movie clip ons in the parks? We have a trip scheduled for all 3 non-water parks in August and 2 of us are glasses only (never contacts), so they would be well worth it if they work instead of trying to hold the park provided ones over top regular glasses. I just don't know enough about 3D tech to know if they would be compatible. The photo is Zenni's product description. TIA

I bought some tickets amd express for hhn and behind the screams tour so all tickets are listed as vip pickup but have a trip to parks upcoming next week would I be able to pick up the express and hhn ticket from will call, as I'd like to be able to add to my universal wallet.

hello! i am going back to super nintendo world soon and was wondering if anyone knew if customizing my power up band (bedazzling it or painting it) would cause any issues with the games. any advice?

Anyone selling epic tickets?

How would you make all 4 parks happen? Staying at Adventura.

• Thursday May 21

• Friday May 22 (USF & IOA close at 6 PM)

• Saturday May 23

• Sunday May 24