Universal Orlando – Trip Review + Tips!

Part Two of My Florida Theme Park Getaway

After two magical days at Disney World, it was time to switch gears and dive into the thrills of Universal Orlando—and the much-anticipated opening of Epic Universe!

Disney vs. Universal – Key Differences You Should Know

Before I jump into my trip highlights, here are a few important ways Universal differs from Disney that are helpful to know before you go:

1. Freestyle Cups & Refill Stations – One of my favorite Universal perks! For about $16, you can purchase a Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup with a sealed lid and handle (perfect for clipping to a bag). Refills are unlimited for the day at machines throughout the parks and CityWalk. On future days, you can reactivate your cup for $10–$12/day. A huge win for staying hydrated in Florida’s heat.

2. Paper Tickets & Lanyards – Unlike Disney’s MagicBands and app-based entry, Universal uses physical tickets that you pick up at your hotel, guest services, or will call. Because you’ll need them for park entry, lockers, and certain rides, I highly recommend using a lanyard with a ticket pouch so it’s always accessible.

3. Lockers for Rides – Many Universal rides require you to store loose items before boarding. Some attractions, like VelociCoaster, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Stardust Racers, are stricter—you can’t bring anything, including phones, keys, etc. You’ll go through metal detectors, so keep your pockets empty except for your ticket/lanyard.

4. Compact Layout – Universal’s parks are all in one area. After security at CityWalk, you can access both theme parks and Volcano Bay with just a short walk, making park hopping quick and easy, and honestly the parks are much smaller.

   
   

Checking Into Stella Luna & First Day Fun

We packed up at Disney, grabbed breakfast, and took a 25-minute Uber to Universal’s Stella Luna Resort. To our surprise, our room was ready early, so we dropped our bags and got park-ready.

Like Disney, Universal offers free buses between its resorts and parks. I love that everything funnels through one main security checkpoint before entering CityWalk. With park hopper tickets in hand, we started at Universal Studios Florida.

First stop? Freestyle Cups. With the heat pushing into the high 90s, they were a lifesaver. After filling up, we jumped into rides and shows before heading over to Islands of Adventure via the Hogwarts Express—a must-do for Harry Potter fans. We met a velociraptor (so fun!), sipped frozen butterbeer (MUST TRY), and explored before heading back to the hotel for travel agent training, swag pickup, and a relaxing evening.

Islands of Adventure & My Favorite Ride

The next morning, we rope-dropped with early entry to Islands of Adventure to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This ride is pure magic—so immersive that you truly feel like you’re in the Wizarding World. We rode it twice, once in the morning and again at night (my personal recommendation—riding it after dark is incredible).

We spent most of the day in the Harry Potter areas and hit all the big thrill rides. The heat was intense, so we took a midday break for a swim at Stella Luna. I also loved that the resort has a small splash pad area for families with little ones. One of my biggest tips for long lines and maximizing your time: BRING SNACKS & throw away drinks into long lines with you!

The Big Day – Epic Universe

Finally, it was Epic Universe day—the highlight of our trip and the reason 60+ travel agents gathered for this event. Stella Luna is just steps from the new park, so we walked/bussed over for early entry at 9 AM - it's about an 8 minute walk and equally equivalent bus ride.

While only select lands are open during early entry currently, we headed straight to Dark Universe and rode Monster's Unchained (amazing, but intense—skip if you have little ones who scare easily). Next stop was Isle of Berk—hands down my favorite land. We met Toothless, rode a few attractions, and soaked in the details of this life-like setting.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of exploring, dining, and hitting Nintendo World, which might just tie Berk for my favorite, though, the Battle of the Ministry is also INCREDIBLE. My favorite snack here was the butterbeer ice cream and the ice cream shop, it's an absolute must. Even without Express Passes, we managed to ride everything on our list (all but two rides), take a break, and even re-ride a popular attraction before close. We never felt rushed or like we were missing out on things. We had time to stop for snacks, drinks, pictures, etc! Again! One of my biggest tips for long lines and maximizing your time: BRING SNACKS & disposable drinks into long lines with you! I snagged a heavenly cinnamon pretzel with chocolate sauce at the end of the night just before getting into the 75 min line at Stardust Racers. The snack was everything I needed at 9:45PM.

If you plan your day with a few must-do rides, work with a knowledgeable travel agent, and keep realistic expectations for weather or ride delays, you can have an EPIC day at Universal—especially at Epic Universe.

✨ If this sounds like your kind of adventure, reach out using the contact form here or at the top of the page. My planning services are completely free—I’ll help you create a Universal vacation that’s just as unforgettable as mine!