Maximizing Your Time: How to Plan the Perfect Length of Stay at Universal Orlando Resort

I have a confession… I love Universal Orlando Resort, I’ve visited Universal Orlando Resort many times, I’m a Universal Orlando Resort Specialist and Universal Studios Hollywood Specialist, I have never spent enough time at UOR before this year. In my defense, I have 4 kids with an age span of 10 years from oldest to youngest. There were times I feel like I didn’t even spend enough time in my own home! The age span felt tough at UOR since the older kids love thrill rides and our youngest did not when he was smaller. However, Universal’s offerings for the younger crowd have since become more and more extensive.

This year, though, I went to UOR twice, once with each of our older daughters. For three days each. It was amazing. (Okay, I will admit, getting away from home with just one kiddo, who is essentially self-reliant, is really nice in and of itself.) I rode rides that we never had time for before. We stopped to actually enjoy the entire Blues Brothers show in Universal Studios Florida’s New York section. We enjoyed Mardi Gras events and food stands. We didn’t feel like we were racing against the clock. We went to Volcano Bay for the first time.

How long you need at UOR depends on a variety of factors, of course.

If you’re traveling with kids, how old are they? 

Little ones may not go on as many rides, but if the adults want to rider swap to do more thrilling rides, you will want to allow time for both parents to ride. Or you may want to build in time to go back to the resort for a midday nap for your kiddos, a cooling swim at the resort pool, or enjoying Volcano Bay.

There is so much to explore in DreamWorks Land! Trolls fans won't want to miss the Trolls-themed ice cream treats.

DreamWorks Land has opened in Universal Studios, featuring Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and Gabby’s Doll House. Not only does this land provide rides and interactive experiences, it is a great place to sit down in the shade while you keep an eye on your little ones romping through the play areas and water features. Younger kids could easily spend hours in DreamWorks Land, exploring all of the immersive fun.

Universal Epic Universe coming in 2025 is likely to add needed time for everyone, with new, immersive  attractions for every age group. Lands include Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park.

Is there anything that someone in your travel party is obsessed with?

Different parts of the Wizarding World can be found in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and soon in Epic Universe.

You know I’m probably referring to Harry Potter. If you need a good long time to soak in every marvelous detail of the Wizarding World, allow for that. You don’t want to skip an interactive wand stop with your Harry Potter-obsessed kid. Or spouse. Or bestie. Give yourself time to take it all in, not just the rides but the entire immersive experience. Go to Honeydukes. Browse through Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Get the Butterbeer.

Maybe Harry Potter isn’t your family’s thing, but dinosaurs are. (I have both Harry Potter and dino obsessed kids, personally.) Allow time to not only ride the rides, but explore all of Jurassic World. There’s so much for your dino-obsessed kids to explore, such as the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, with dinosaur fossils, dino egg nursery with a scanner to determine details about the dino to hatch, test dino DNA, and more. Meet a velociraptor. Let the adults sit for a hot second while the kids climb through Camp Jurassic.

What time of year are you traveling?

When we plan Universal trips to Orlando or Hollywood, we consult various sources to give our clients a sense of crowds during their travel time. If you are going over winter break, spring break, or summer, it may take longer to do everything you would like. That being said, we did go over spring break and Halloween Horror Nights. Each time, we utilized the complimentary Express Pass we received for staying at Loews Royal Pacific Hotel. We were able to zoom through most of what we wanted to without much wait.

Throughout the year, UOR offers many special events both after park hours and during the regular park day.

Also consider whether there will be any special events during your visit. You may want to have enough time to explore Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, Grinchmas, etc., and still do the “regular” attractions.

Similarly, will it be warm enough to enjoy Volcano Bay? I’m not a huge water park person but Volcano Bay changed my mind! You don’t have to lug tubes up and down and around to rides. The included Tapu Tapu band makes it so simple to enter virtual queues rather than wait on line. You can use it to rent lockers, make purchases, take photos, activate interactive features, and more. Amazing!

What is your budget?

Do you plan to stay at a premier resort (in Orlando, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, or the Hard Rock Hotel), which provides complimentary Express Passes? If not, are you willing to purchase them separately? (Pro tip: It often costs more to purchase them separately than to upgrade to a UOR premier resort.) Express Passes drastically reduce wait time for rides and allow you to experience more each day.

UOR's Royal Pacific Resort is beautifully themed and offers fantastic amenities.

How does where you are staying impact your travel time to and from the parks? Staying at a Universal Orlando Resort provides quick and convenient transportation via shuttle, water taxi, and/or walking paths to the parks. Additionally, guests of Universal Orlando Resorts are able to enter the parks an hour before they open to the public, providing an hour of reduced crowds to take advantage of shorter waits. Seriously, rope drop early entry, and run to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Velocicoaster and save yourself an enormous amount of wait time.

What is your travel style?

I tend to be go-go-go on vacations. Others (my husband?) may want to actually relax! If you want downtime but you still want to experience everything, allow for that. Don’t go home exhausted if that isn’t your style.

Do you enjoy taking time to meet characters? Character opportunities abound at UOR, whether you want to meet Spongebob or Beetlejuice, Captain America or Marilyn Monroe, and so many more.

UOR parades vary based on special events, but are always entertaining!

Does your family love parades and shows? Do you want to allow time to get a good spot and soak in all the Universal entertainment?

Lastly, do you prefer to relax at a table-service restaurant or are you equally happy with quick counter service meals? Universal Orlando Resorts offers an extensive variety of each, in the parks, at the resorts, and of course at Universal City Walk.

Given the coming Epic Universe park, I suspect many families will find that 4 days is the minimum they can spend at Universal Orlando Resort to enjoy everything. However, careful and experienced planning can also help narrow that time down. If you are interested in a Universal trip, reach out to me for concierge-level travel advisor services at no additional fee, but with amazing value added!

A model of Universal's Epic Universe Park, opening May 2025