Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission from those purchases.
Our family loves Universal Orlando Resort. We are regular visitors to the parks, waterparks, and hotels. You can catch our YouTube playlist with 30+ videos from 2021 on Universal Orlando Resort.
On every visit, we see BIG mistakes that other guests make on their Universal Orlando vacation. These mistakes cost families time and money on their vacation.
We share the most common Universal Orlando vacation mistakes and how you can prevent them on your family vacation.
Table of Contents
Top Universal Orlando Vacation Mistakes & How to Prevent Them
Let’s jump into the top Universal Orlando vacation mistakes and how you can prevent them on your family getaway.
Pay Rack Rate
Visiting Universal Orlando is expensive. The first mistake is DO NOT pay rack rate. So, what is the rack rate? This is the regular price of a hotel room (before discounts). This rate is always given to you, if you call Universal Orlando or Loews Hotels directly or walk into the hotel.Â
You have to search for the discounts (called rate codes) or ask Universal Orlando or Loews Hotels for the specific discount. If you are not familiar with all of the discounts this could cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars on your vacation.
We recommend using a U-Preferred Travel Agency like Destinations to Explore. They work for you, not Universal Orlando. Destinations to Explore will be able to find you the best price for your family and vacation. Be sure you tell them Jones Family Travels sent you.
Choosing the Wrong Resort
The next big mistake is choosing the wrong resort. Universal Orlando has 8 hotels. It is hard to pick the best resort for your budget and your family. You could miss out on free Universal Express or the ultimate family pool for your family vacation. How do you know that you picked the best resort for your trip?Â
You can check out the eye in the sky for our ranking of the Universal Orlando hotels.
Sleeping In
I know it is your vacation, but a big mistake is sleeping in. If you are staying at a Universal Orlando Resort you want to take advantage of the Early Park Admission. You get into Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure an hour before the gates open to the general public.
If you do not have access to Early Park Admission, you want to arrive to Universal Parks right at opening. You will be amazed how much of the park you can enjoy, before the crowds hit. I know it is your vacation, but get up early!
Purchasing Your Tickets at the Park
Another big Universal Orlando mistake is purchasing your tickets when you arrive at the park. This is such a waste of time and you will always pay more money! Order your tickets before you leave for your Universal Orlando vacation. You will save money with pre-order prices AND time waiting in line. Click here to order your Universal Orlando tickets. Plus, get FREE Early Park Admission with your ticket order.
Not Getting the Park to Park Ticket
The next big Universal Orlando mistake is not getting the Park to Park ticket. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is divided into two sections. One section is Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and the other section is Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.
To see all of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you need a Park to Park ticket. This includes the ride called Hogwarts Express. This train takes you between the parks to both sides of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can only ride the Hogwarts Express when you have a Park to Park ticket.
Not Downloading the Universal Orlando App
I know we have talked about the Universal Orlando app in a lot of our videos. The Universal Orlando app is a key part of your experience at the Universal Parks. You can book a virtual queue, check wait times, and book dining on the Universal Orlando app. Be sure you download before your vacation to help create a better family vacation.
Forgetting Where You Park
There are a ton of parking garages at Universal Orlando. Once you park, pull out your smartphone and take a picture of the location and aisle.
That way you will remember where you parked at the end of your busy day.
Wearing Comfortable Clothes & Shoes
During your days at Universal Orlando, you will do a lot of walking. In addition, the Universal Parks have a lot of water rides that will soak YOU. Be sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can dry quickly. It also gets really hot in Florida, so breathable clothes make your days at the parks more enjoyable.
Visiting During the Wrong Time of Year
When planning your Universal Orlando vacation, it can be tough to pick the best time of year for price and crowds. Did you know if you visit a few days before Christmas you can save almost a thousand dollars vs arriving the day after Christmas? You want to visit during the best times of year for the price and crowds.
So, when is the best time of year for both? The slower times of the year for price and crowds are September, 1st and 2nd weeks in December, and January. In addition, visiting during the weekdays are always less crowded than the weekends.
We hope these help you plan your Universal Orlando vacation like a pro. Are you planning a Universal Orlando getaway?
