Guests staying in any of the on-site hotels at Universal Orlando get early theme park admission every morning of their stay. Not every park is open early every day, and not every attraction is open early, so it’s really important to have a plan so you’ll be ready to make the most of your extra hour in the park. This episode outlines my advice for making your Universal Studios Florida early admission plan of attack.

These are the show notes for episode 23. Listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Or listen on your favorite podcast app! Just search for the Go Informed Podcast.

Make sure you check the Universal website to find out which park will be open early during your stay. If it turns out that your early admission will be at Islands of Adventure, episode 26 is your Islands of Adventure early admission plan of attack.

At Universal Studios Florida early admission the attractions that are open are the Revenge of the Mummy ride and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley.

The hotels that give guests early admission to the Universal Orlando theme parks are: Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Aventura Hotel, Dockside Inn, and Surfside Inn. Consider staying at least one night in one of these hotels so you can enjoy early park admission.

Click here to read my guide to all the hotels at Universal Orlando Resort.

Decide your priorities for the morning BEFORE you get there. You can find out what’s in Diagon Alley on episode 5 of the Go Informed podcast.

For early admission, you need your park ticket and you need to bring your room key. Every guest entering the park must show a room key for early admission. The hotel will issue a personalized key card for every guest at check-in – even kids.

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Arrive at the park at least 30 minutes before the scheduled early admission opening time.

Get my tips for how to master your theme park morning here.

If this is your first day ever at the park, listen to episode 7 before you go to Universal Orlando.

Here’s our video of the walk into Diagon Alley at early admission.

Not sure if the Gringotts ride is right for your entire family? Here’s my tip for how to find out if a ride at Universal Orlando is too scary.

Yes, you can use your early admission to Universal Studios Florida to be one of the first guests in Hogsmeade Village in Islands of Adventure! Listen to the entire episode for lots of tips about this.

Click here to read my detailed post that outlines our typical plan for Universal Studios Florida early admission. This is the post with the information about the lockers you’ll find outside the main gate at USF.

Get the lay of the land at Universal Studios Florida on episode 3 of the Go Informed podcast.

Here are all seven episodes in the series 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation.

If you want to explore annual pass options that include early admission access, click here to view on the Universal Orlando website.

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Here’s a link to the Go Informed podcast on iTunes. Thanks for listening, and for your review!

Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

The Go Informed Podcast

Find all the episodes in the series 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation here.

Find all the episodes in the series 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation here.

Find all episodes of the Go Informed podcast here.

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Update January 2020: Express Pass is currently not available for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. If this is one of your top attractions, be sure to check out this post/podcast episode for my tips.

Skip the Lines on the Harry Potter Rides with a Universal Express Pass

As you already know from my 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando , I highly recommend touring the Universal parks with an Express Pass. But until now, the major attractions in the Wizarding World had no Express Pass access.

Similar to Disney’s FastPass system, Express Pass allows guests to enter a ride via a shorter queue. Express Pass wait times are usually in the 10-15 minute range even when the regular standby wait is an hour or more.

Unlike FastPass, Express Passes can be used any time during the day at all Express Pass rides. And unlike FastPass, Express Passes are an add-on to your park ticket. You can either purchase an Express Pass, or receive a complementary pass by staying at one of Universal’s participating hotels. (Check out tip #2 in my 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando post for more info about this).

Many guests visit Universal Orlando just to see the Harry Potter attractions. If this is you, I totally recommend getting an Express Pass. Especially if you get the Unlimited Express Pass offered through the hotels, this perk will give you way more ride time with a lot less wait time.

To learn more about how Express Pass works at Universal Orlando, be sure to check out this post and podcast episode.

Express Pass Queues in the Wizarding World

Early word is that guests entering the Express Pass queues still get the full experience of walking through Hogwarts castle, exploring Gringotts bank, and magically entering Platform 9 ¾.

I will have the opportunity to explore these changes later this summer and can report more to you after that (hooray!).

Have You Used Express Pass to Ride the Harry Potter Attractions?

If you’ve experienced any of the Harry Potter rides using Express Pass please leave a comment below and let us know about it.

A few things I’m curious about:

Was your wait much shorter than riding standby?

Did you feel the queue was immersive in its theming?

Do you think Express Pass was worth it for you?

Get Ready For Your Trip to Orlando with These Tips from goinformed.net

All About Universal Orlando Express Pass

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

Is the Harry Potter Ride Too Scary? Use Universal’s Child Swap to Find Out

The Go Informed podcast is loaded with tips to help you build a better vacation, including an audio tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Click here to listen now.

Go Informed recommends the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando

This post contains affiliate links.

The post Universal Orlando Extends Express Pass Access to All Harry Potter Rides appeared first on Go Informed.

There are two theme parks at Universal Orlando – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Find out the early admission schedule on Universal’s website here.

If you will have early admission to Universal Studios Florida, here are some tips to make the most of your special hour.

If your early admission is to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, check out my special tips here.

Hear more advice about using Universal Studios Florida early admission. Click here to check out  Go Informed podcast episode 23.

Be there early

Know that the gates usually open about 15-20 minutes before the posted time. So if your early admission is at 8:00, you may actually be able to enter the park at 7:45 or before. Do you want to be first in line? If you arrive 45-60 minutes before the posted time you will probably be first on a turnstile or maybe even first at the park. Arrive just 30 minutes before opening and you’ll already find a crowd.

One note of warning ~ when you are first at the gates you will be there before the Universal employees line up at the turnstiles. Check out my park hacker tip in this post: Weather at Universal Orlando: 5 Cool Tips for the Heat and Rain for advice about where to line up to be sure someone will be there to take your ticket.

Wondering how to get your family moving so you can be first at the park? Listen to episode 19 of the Go Informed podcast to find out how to Master Your Theme Park Morning.

The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2018 (The Unofficial Guides)

Travel light

No bags or backpacks are allowed on the Escape From Gringott’s ride in Diagon Alley. Free lockers are provided near the ride, but if you have a bag you’ll have to stop and drop it in a locker. For early admission, try to carry only what will fit in your (zippered) pockets so you can go straight from the gate onto the ride.

Goinformed.net park hacker tip: There are lockers just outside the entrance to Universal Studios Florida where you can stash stuff for later. As you head toward the turnstiles, take a right, walking in front of guest services, past the will-call kiosks, then left around the corner (you’ll see signs for restrooms). Pass the restrooms and turn left to the back of the building. The lockers are all-day rentals. Cost is $12 which includes unlimited open-and-close privileges.

Use Early Admission to See the Wizarding World

Here’s how we recommend you use Universal Studios Florida early admission hour to ride both Gringott’s in Universal Studios and Forbidden Journey in Islands of Adventure:

Get to the gate at Universal Studios at least 40 minutes before early admission scheduled opening.

At opening you will be guided to Diagon Alley, stay with the line, stopping at a locker if you need to. (Lockers for the Gringott’s ride are located to the right of the ride entrance, look for the mob).

Ride Gringott’s!

Read this post if you’re wondering whether the Gringott’s ride is too scary for your child.

Optional: Ride Gringott’s again through the singles line (door is just to the right of the main ride entrance door).

Then get in line for the Hogwart’s Express. Trains start running about 20 minutes before the other park opens. The sooner you get in line the more likely you’ll be on the first train, and into that park before it officially opens. If you ride Gringott’s twice as suggested above, you’ll probably get into Islands of Adventure right at park opening.

Go straight from the Hogwarts Express to the Forbidden Journey. If you want to get on right away, take the singles line here.

What can you expect when you enter Universal Studios Florida with the early admission crowd?  Click here to watch video from our recent trip.

Go Informed Podcast

Episode 23 of the Go Informed podcast is your Universal Studios Florida early admission plan of attack. Listen now here or on your favorite podcast app, including iTunes and Spotify.

More Orlando Touring Tips From goinformed.net

Get all of goinformed.net’s theme park touring tips here.

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

My recommended resources for planning your trip to Orlando

The Disney World hack that gets you first in line access to the Frozen ride

Click here to hear an audio tour of Universal Studios Florida on the Go Informed podcast.

Click here to hear an audio tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.

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The post Harry Potter fans, here’s how to make the most of Universal Studios Florida early admission appeared first on Go Informed.

On this trip to Universal Orlando Resort we put our own advice to the test, this time with early admission at Universal Studios Florida. We got up early, beat the crowds, and walked directly through an empty theme park straight on to the Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringott’s ride. In fact, we were on the first car of the day on the ride two days in a row!

So this is what it looks like to be first in the park. (View on YouTube)

Early Admission is Available For All Guests Staying in a Universal Orlando Hotel

Get my advice about where to stay when you visit Universal Orlando on episode 2 of the Go Informed podcast.

On-site hotels at Universal Orlando are: Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, Aventura, and Cabana Bay.

Go Informed Podcast Episode 23 is all about how to plan for Universal Studios Florida early admission. Click here to listen.

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Theme Park Touring Tips and Advice on goinformed.net

Click here to read all of goinformed.net’s theme park touring tips and advice.

Including:

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

Harry Potter fans, here’s how to make the most of Universal Studios Florida early admission

Theme Park Rainy Day Tips: Xtreme Edition

Click here to hear an audio tour of Universal Studios Florida on the Go Informed podcast.

Click here to hear an audio tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the Go Informed podcast.

The post Here’s What It’s Like to Be First In Line At Universal Studios Florida appeared first on Go Informed.

You can gain early entrance to Universal Orlando’s Diagon Alley – even when only Islands of Adventure has early admission – here’s how.

Editor’s note: This post refers to early admission at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. If you will have early admission at Universal Studios Florida, click here to read my tips for that park. (Get Universal’s early admission schedule here).

Universal offers early admission to its theme parks for all guests staying at onsite hotels, and if you’ve read my 33 Things To Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando post you’ll know I highly recommend this.

The Islands of Adventure (IOA) park contains the Hogsmeade Village part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, site of Hogwarts Castle and the excellent Forbidden Journey attraction. It does not, however, contain the Diagon Alley area – Diagon Alley is located in the neighboring Universal Studios (USF) park, which often has no early admission access. However, you can leverage your IOA early admission to get into Universal Studios before that park opens too!

Listen to more of my Islands of Adventure early admission tips on episode 26 of the Go Informed podcast: Islands of Adventure Early Admission Plan of Attack.

Diagon Alley Early Admission via Hogwarts Express

The best way to get from Hogsmeade in IOA to Diagon Alley in USF is to ride the Hogwarts Express attraction. This is a train that takes you between the parks, while keeping you immersed in the Wizarding World.

If you enter IOA with your early admission, you can take the Hogwarts express to Diagon Alley before that park opens. On our recent trip, we found that with an 8:00 early admission time, the Hogwarts Express started running at about 8:30. (Meanwhile USF was not scheduled to open until 9:00).

Here’s our suggested method for maximizing your early admission to the Wizarding World:

Get there early

Get to the park well before early-admission opening (see my suggestions in this post: 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando)

Get my tips to help you Master Your Theme Park Morning and get ready to rock that rope drop on episode 19 of the Go Informed Podcast.

Ride Forbidden Journey

Once the gates open, likely earlier than the posted early-admission time, you will be herded to Hogsmeade Village. Go ride the Forbidden Journey – you will probably be one of the first riders, and will be off the ride by 8:15 or so. Click here if you’re wondering if the Forbidden Journey ride is too scary for your child.

Go to the Train Station

Head for the Hogwarts Express train station. There may already be some people queuing up outside the ticket gates but you should be among the first to ride. Pay attention, the actual queue line will probably not be open yet so it may be a bit of a mob just hanging around. When it’s time to queue up, the ticket checkers (they have to make sure everyone has a ticket to get into the other park) will instruct everyone to line up in front of their podiums.

Have Your Park-to-Park Ticket Ready

Once your park ticket is checked you’ll be in the queue for the attraction. Don’t panic if it’s a bit of a line – the Hogwarts Express can take a lot of people at once.

Turn Left Outside the London Station in Universal Studios Florida

Once you get off the train and out of the station, head to the left (just follow the crowd). Depending on what time it is, you may see people coming from the Universal Studios entrance. Most theme parks open a few minutes before the posted time. It will still be WAY fewer guests than usual.

Watch for Park Attendants Directing Traffic

There may be a queue forming for the Gringotts Bank ride OUTSIDE of Diagon Alley. Watch for park attendants directing traffic. If you want to ride on Gringotts, get in that line, otherwise continue into Diagon Alley and enjoying having the place virtually to yourself.

The Line for Gringotts is Probably Shorter Than it Looks

If you are waiting to ride the Gringotts ride, don’t panic about the length of the line. The actual Gringotts queue won’t open up until around the official park start time. Until then, the queue may just extend from the Gringotts door, so it is probably a lot shorter than you think.

Know Where the Gringotts Ride Lockers are Located

Also note that if you are riding the Gringotts ride, you will have to store bags and loose items in a locker before you go into the building. If you’re looking at the Gringotts door, the lockers are located about 100 feet to the right. Have someone from your group get the locker while you stay in line. (Worst case if the line starts moving before your buddy comes back, just hang by the Gringotts door and let people pass you).

Zip Through the Queue Onto the Ride

Odds are you will be whisked straight through an empty queue and almost all of the pre-show (come back later for a longer wait and you can take it all in then). You should have virtually no wait for the ride, and even after you’re done riding you’ll find a quiet, nearly empty, Diagon Alley.

Don’t forget: You must have a Universal park-to-park ticket to get from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley.

Park Hacker tips to really jump the queue:

These hacks will help you be first on the Gringotts ride and allow you multiple rides before the crowds slow you down:

Skip the Lockers

Don’t bring anything that needs to go in a locker. (Make sure whatever you have is ZIPPED into a pocket. Both the Forbidden Journey and the Escape From Gringotts rides are definitely phone-losers if you don’t have them secured completely). If you don’t have to stop for a locker, you might even be able to ride Forbidden Journey twice before heading to the train station, and you won’t have to fuss with a locker when you get to Diagon Alley either.

Ride Single

There is a single rider queue for the Gringotts ride. Ask the attendant at the door. It’s a shorter path to the loading area so might even get you on the ride faster.

This post and podcast episode are all about how single rider works at Universal Orlando and Disney World.

Skip Forbidden Journey and Go Straight to the Hogsmeade Train Station

If you really want to be first in line for Escape From Gringotts don’t ride the Forbidden Journey at all. Just go straight from the IOA gate to the Hogsmeade station. We like the Forbidden Journey too much to have tried this trick, but my assumption is that if you’re on the very first Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley you will be first in the queue for the Gringotts ride.

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Click here for more Orlando theme park touring tips!

Including:

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

Weather at Universal Orlando: 5 Cool Tips for the Heat and Rain

Best Books, Websites, and Podcasts for Planning Your Orlando Theme Park Vacation

Five Things You Should Do The Night Before to Help You Wake Up Early On Your Theme Park Vacation

Universal Orlando Extends Express Pass Access to All Harry Potter Rides

Click here for an audio tour of the Wizarding World on the Go Informed podcast.

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Do you have questions or comments about these tips? Or have you tried this and did it work for you? Please comment below and share your insights.

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Here are some of my top tips for planning your visit to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort. Especially for Harry Potter fans, Universal’s theme parks are a must-see on your trip to Orlando. Here’s how to have the best vacation ever.

Universal Orlando is opening a brand-new third theme park, Epic Universe, in 2025. Learn more here.

Quick look at all 33 tips

1 – Get there early

The Number One Thing you can do to see the most popular attractions at Universal Orlando is to arrive early.

My advice is to get there BEFORE the park opens. How far ahead? About 30 minutes early should do it – if you want to be close to the front of the line, more like 45 minutes ahead will be required.

Yes, you will stand around for a while, but you will be rewarded – the park gates almost always open 15 minutes prior to the official opening time. Whenever we’ve been there for park opening we have actually sat down on our first ride at opening time.

If you need tips to help get your family up early for your park day, here’s how to Master Your Theme Park Morning.

Want to see what an empty park looks like first thing in the morning? Here’s video of our early admission to Universal Studios Florida.

60-Second Quick Guide to Universal Orlando

2 – Stay in a Universal Express Pass hotel – Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay

Not only are the Universal Express Pass hotels convenient and nicely appointed, but your booking includes TWO fabulous perks that will more than double what you can see in the parks. As a guest at the Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, or Hard Rock, you’ll not only receive early admission at one or more parks each day, every guest in your room will also get a free Unlimited Express Pass.

You get these perks for every day you are at the hotel – this means including the day you check-in and the day you check-out.

Express Pass hotels

To get the free Express Pass, you’ll need to stay at either the Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay. Universal charges other guests up to $379 per day for the same pass.

Rooms at these hotels aren’t cheap, but if you have 3 or 4 people in your room, do the math. The cost of your room might be LESS than the value of the Express Passes! Think twice about “saving money” by staying at the Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, or Aventura Hotel – you’ll still get early admission if you stay there but no free Express Passes.

Want to learn more about hacking your way to free Universal Express Passes? Check out this post/podcast episode to get started.

Why you want a Universal Express Pass

The Universal Orlando Unlimited Express Pass is AWESOME. It gets you into an “Express” line on almost every ride at Islands of Adventure and at Universal Studios.

Even on busy days you usually won’t wait in the Express Pass line longer than 15 minutes, while the regular standby line could be 45 minutes or more. Using the Express Pass you can really maximize your touring, and feel free to go on the same ride multiple times with minimal wait.

Want to know how Universal Express Pass compares to Disney’s Genie+? Check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter for a quick look.

Stay on-site and get early park admission at Universal Orlando

Guests staying at any of the on-site Universal Orlando hotels get an extra hour in the parks each morning. Even hotels that don’t include Express Pass offer this perk to guests.

Here’s my guide to all the Universal Orlando hotels.

Early admission is for the Wizarding World at one of the parks each day. As mentioned in tip #1, you can use this early admission to be on the Forbidden Journey, Hagrid’s Coaster, or the Gringott’s Bank ride an hour before anyone else is let into the park. Especially if you have an Unlimited Express Pass or ride single, you can use this hour to ride these attractions as many times as you like.

Another good use of this early entry is to visit Ollivanders in Hogsmeade. The line here can get long very quickly – being early in line will save you a lot of waiting. Plus the shops and town of Hogsmeade are much calmer and more photogenic when you’re there before the mobs. And Diagon Alley is totally different when it’s empty compared to the usual crowds.

Seriously consider taking advantage of early admission to ride the Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure coaster. This is one of the few Universal Orlando headliner attractions without Express Pass, so getting to it early will give you the chance to ride with minimal wait. Here’s my post all about Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure.

Click here for my simple tip that can save hundreds on your stay at Universal Orlando Resort.

3 – Wear good shoes and get ready for lots of walking and standing

It’s the reality of theme-park touring – you’ll spend a ton of time on your feet. Before you go, get yourself some good walking shoes and put some miles on them. Go for long walks at home – 3 miles at a time is probably a good regular walk – and try to work up to where you can walk 5-6 miles in one stretch. And don’t forget to bring some good socks too.

Unlike many of the Disney parks, there’s really no transportation inside the Universal parks (except the recently opened Hogwarts Express which saves you from walking to the front of one park to get into the other one). Expect to do a lot of walking, along with plenty of standing in line if you don’t have an Express Pass.

Here’s my post, with maps, detailing just how far you’ll walk at Universal Orlando.

4 – Buy a Universal Orlando park-to-park ticket

If you plan to ride the Hogwarts Express to visit both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, you’ll need a park-to-park ticket. Shrewdly, Hogsmeade (home of the Forbidden Journey ride) is in the Islands of Adventure park, and Diagon Alley (home of Gringotts Bank) is in Universal Studios. There are ticket booths at the train stations in both parks, but you’ll save money and time if you purchase your tickets for both parks ahead of time.

If you have the time and are a water park fan, you’ll want a 3-park park-to-park ticket that includes Universal Volcano Bay.

Or consider purchasing a Universal Orlando annual pass. Annual passholders receive substantial discounts on the on-site hotels, often enough to more than cover the cost of the pass.

Get familiar with the layout of Universal Orlando’s two theme parks before you go. You can listen to my audio tours on the Go Informed Podcast:

• Episode 3: Universal Studios Florida audio tour
• Episode 4: Universal Islands of Adventure audio tour
• Episode 5: Wizarding World of Harry Potter audio tour
• Episode 46: Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure audio tour

5 –  Explore the Universal Orlando park ticket options early

Find out how ticket prices work at Universal Orlando and watch for promotional discounts. Universal frequently offers extra days and other bonuses for guests who purchase tickets online in advance.

How many days you’ll plan to spend in the parks, where you’ll stay in Orlando – even which hotel you choose – can be influenced by the tickets you purchase. Be sure to read my step-by-step guide to Universal Orlando park tickets early in your planning.

Wondering how Universal Orlando compares to Universal Studios in Hollywood? Here’s my detailed comparison.

6 – Wash hands frequently

There is no way to avoid touching railings, seat belts, and restraints that every other rider has touched that same day. Do yourself and the rider behind you a favor and wash your hands as often as you can. I also like to carry a few individually wrapped antibacterial wipes for when soap and water is too far away.

7 – Know your park-related apps

Universal has a very useful app that includes wait times, maps of the parks, mobile ordering, and a lot more. Be sure to download it and create an account before you head to Orlando.

There are lots of third-party apps that can also help you figure out what to do next, plan for the day, and make your trip more fun and efficient. Be sure to check out my post Eight Essential Apps for your Universal Orlando Trip to get all my suggestions.

Want more Universal Orlando trip-planning resources? Be sure to check out these 5 websites.

8 – Have fun

It can be so easy to get overwhelmed by the crowds, the choices, your tired feet; so remember – this all about having fun with your friends and family. Slow down and take in the fantasy worlds the amazing designers have created. Smile and enjoy!

Universal Orlando is so big that there are a bunch of cool things you could easily overlook. Check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter to find out about 9 of my favorite Universal Orlando hidden gems. And don’t forget to subscribe!

9 – Bring a backpack

A backpack is a convenient way to keep all your stuff together and I think it’s easier to carry than the plastic shopping bags you’ll get when you buy souvenirs.

If you’ll be traveling around Christmas or Easter, consider adding some park-related supplies to an Easter basket or stocking. Get my suggestions for what to put in a Universal Orlando themed Easter basket, gift basket, or Christmas stocking here.

Click here for my ultimate Universal Orlando traveler gift guide.

10 – Get a wand

One of the coolest elements in the Wizarding World is the interactive wands that allow ordinary muggles like us to do spells all around Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The wands cost about $60 each, and you can choose from character wands or wands with themes based on your birthday.

Not only do you get a unique souvenir, but walking around casting spells is truly a magical experience that made me feel like a wizard. Look for plaques on the ground showing how to do the spell and where to aim your wand. Helpful park wizards are also on hand to help you get the spells just right.

You can purchase the interactive wands at Ollivanders in either Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure) or Diagon Alley (Universal Studios). Purchase your wand right away – once you start using it, you’ll want to try all the spells. You can also purchase your wand online ahead of time, but it’s way more fun to have the experience of buying a wand from the shops in the Wizarding World.

Is this your first time visiting Universal Orlando? Be sure to catch this post and podcast episode loaded with more Universal Orlando first-timer advice.

11 – Give tired kids a break

If you think you’re overwhelmed by a theme park, imagine how your ten-year-old feels. I know you spent a lot of time/money/effort to get here, but please cut your kid some slack.

If you’re touring with a younger child, know that you will probably not see everything in the park. Do some research ahead of time to see what attractions will most appeal to your kid, and use the child-swap or ride single if there’s a ride you want to do but your child doesn’t.

And just be patient – if you’re lucky one day you’ll have another trip to Universal with your teenager and they will be dragging YOU to delirious exhaustion.

The post 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando appeared first on Go Informed.