Admission Fees & Hours

Ticket Prices

A 1-day ticket costs $67 (plus 6.5% sales tax) for adults, $56 for children 3 to 9. At press time, Universal was also offering a 3-day/two-park pass for $122.95 (adults) and $112.95 (kids ages 3-9), as well as an Earlybird Exclusives ticket (available online only) good for unlimited admission with park-hopping privileges for 7 consecutive days ($85.99 for all ages -- the best bargain by far). Note that the type of tickets offered (and the various special offers associated with them) often come and go, so be sure to check Universal's website (www.universalorlando.com) when planning your vacation -- and, more importantly, your budget.

All multiday passes let you move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Multiday passes also give you free access to the CityWalk clubs at night. Because the parks are within walking distance of each other, you won't lose much time jockeying back and forth, which is not the case at Disney. Nevertheless, it's a long walk for tykes and people with limited mobility, so consider a stroller or wheelchair.

There are also 5-hour VIP tours at either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, which include a guided tour, free valet parking, refreshments, and line-cutting privileges at a number of high-profile attractions among other perks, for $100 to $120 per person. A 7-hour, two-park VIP tour covers both parks and costs $125 to $150 per person. Prices for both tours do not include 6.5% tax and do not include admission to the parks! For more information on the VIP tour, call tel. 407/363-8295 or send an e-mail to viptours@universalorlando.com. Tours start at 10am and noon daily. If you plan on visiting during peak season, money isn't an issue, and you aren't staying at one of the Universal resorts, this is a good way to experience the best of the park without having to spend most of your day in lines.

The Flexticket -- The most economical way to see the various "other-than-Disney" parks is with a multiday pass that counters Disney's Park Hopper add-on. With the FlexTicket, you pay one price to visit any of the participating parks as many times as you want during a 14-day period. A four-park pass to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Wet 'n Wild, and SeaWorld is $194.95 for adults and $160.95 for children 3 to 9. A five-park pass, which adds Busch Gardens in Tampa, is $239.95 for adults and $199.95 for kids. Both passes also include entrance to Universal CityWalk. The FlexTicket can be ordered through Universal (tel. 407/363-8000; www.universalorlando.com); SeaWorld (tel. 407/351-3600; www.seaworld.com); or Wet 'n Wild (tel. 800/992-9453 or 407/351-1800; www.wetnwild.com). Note: There's a round-trip shuttle available to Busch Gardens that's free for FlexTicket buyers (it's $10 for other guests).

Universal Express Plus Pass -- This is Universal's answer to Disney's FASTPASS; however, at Universal, you'll pay a price (literally) to skip the long lines. Single-day and multiday ticket buyers not staying at a Universal resort can purchase an Express Plus Pass that's good for either 1 day at one park ($15-$40) or 1 day at two parks ($25-$50). The downside (other than having to fork out the extra cash): Express Plus Passes are only good on select dates (for a complete list see Universal's website) during the year, and they are only valid for a single entry to each ride featuring an express line. In other words, you can only wait in the express line for the Hulk once; if you want to ride a second (or third, or fourth) time, you'll have to head to the regular line with everyone else. And if you are a multiday ticket holder, the Express Pass is only good for a single day -- you'll have to purchase an additional Express Pass if you want to skip the long lines for more than just a single day.

The plus in Express Plus: Waits are usually 15 minutes or less. Be aware, passes are not unlimited and can run out during busier times. If you're at the parks during peak season, really can't stand waiting in line, and have plenty of cash to spare, the pass may be worth your while; otherwise, don't bother.

A family of four would be far better off spending the extra bucks ($60-$200) to stay at one of Universal's resorts. Guests of the Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific hotels need only show their room key to skip the long lines. And the best part: Resort guests are allowed unlimited express line access for the length of their stay. Call tel. 407/363-8000, or go to www.universalorlando.com for more information.

Hours

The park is open 365 days a year, usually at least from 9am to 6pm, though it's open as late as 8 or 9pm, sometimes later, in summer and around holidays. The best bet is to call before you go so that you're not caught by surprise.

Shorter Days -- Like Disney, Universal juggles park hours to adjust for varying attendance due to seasonal shifts and holidays. The hours listed in this chapter are generally accurate, but sometimes the parks close earlier, or some rides or shows open later. To avoid disappointment, check the park's website at www.universalorlando.com or call tel. 407/363-8000 for up-to-the-minute schedules.