Sometimes it isn’t easy to find the answers to all your questions before your Universal Orlando Vacation. We have batched together your questions about Universal Orlando Resort, which you will not find elsewhere on Modern Life is Good. Our Universal Orlando Useful Information will answer many of your queries.
If you have a question about Universal Orlando, which you can’t find an answer to, please leave a comment below, and we will try to add it to a future version of this guide.
Most services have reopened at Universal Orlando, although Hotel Childcare Centers and Pet Kennels remain closed.
Universal Orlando Useful Information Contents
Do you have a question about Universal Orlando? The links will take you straight to the advice:
- Park Hours & Closures
- Stroller & Wheelchair Rentals
- First Aid
- Nursing Facilities
- Celebration Buttons
- Phone Charging
- Paying for Goods at Universal Orlando
- WiFi & The Universal Orlando Resort App
- Locker Hire
- Prohibited Items at Universal Orlando Resort
- Smoking at Universal Orlando Resort
- Car issues
- Tipping at Universal Orlando Resort
- Visiting Universal Orlando Resort with Disabilities
- Food Allergies at Universal Orlando
- Pregnant at Universal Orlando
- Lost and Found at Universal Orlando Resort
- Universal Orlando VIP Tours
- My Universal Photos
- Package Pick-Up and Delivery
- Pet care at Universal Orlando
Park Hours & Closures
Many attractions, including most outdoor attractions, will close during bad weather. Also, certain attractions will close during the year for planned maintenance.
Park Hours vary by season and are at their longest during peak periods. Check the Universal Resort App for the latest information.
Stroller & Wheelchair Rentals at Universal Orlando
We always recommend bringing your stroller or wheelchair or hiring in advance for the length of your vacation. However, day hire is available.
You can hire strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs inside Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The
ECVs are limited in quantity and are hired on a first-served basis. Universal recommends these are reserved in advance by contacting Guest Services at 407-224-4233.
ECVs and Strollers are unavailable to hire at Volcano Bay, but wheelchairs are available at concierge booths. ECVs are prohibited in lines within Volcano Bay, and guests must transfer into a wheelchair.
First Aid
Health Services & First Aid stations are available at all parks in Universal Orlando. They can be located on park maps, the Univeral Orlando Resort App, or ask any team member.
All centers are fully staffed with paramedics and nurses.
Nursing Facilities
Nursing Facilities are available free of charge at all parks in Universal Orlando. They can be located on park maps, the Univeral Orlando Resort App, or by asking any team member.
There are diaper stations in all restrooms.
Celebration Buttons at Universal Orlando
Like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando wants to know if you are celebrating.
Whether it is a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, or just your first visit, you can collect a Celebration Button from Guest Services. Once you wear your button, the staff will warmly greet you, and you might even get the odd special treat!
Phone Charging at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando now sells FuelRod charging packs. These packs cost $30 and come with a mobile charger and adaptors for the most popular mobile phones and tablets.
FuelRod charging stations are located in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Once your FuelRod is empty, you can replace it at the station for a fully charged replacement. However, there is a $3 charge for new packs.
Also, there is an option to hire a Go Puck charger in some locations in Universal Orlando.
However, bringing your charger to the parks is the easiest and cheapest option.
Paying for Goods at Universal Orlando
Major credit cards are accepted throughout Universal Orlando. There are ATMs throughout the parks and at City Walk. ATMs can be located on park maps. There is also an ATM at every resort hotel. Currency exchange is available at all hotels and guest services inside the parks.
Recently Universal Orlando introduced a new payment option called Universal Pay. This new option allows guests to make hands-free payments using the Universal Resort App. Guests store their credit or debit cards on the App. The app allows you to control your budget by setting a maximum daily spend.
WiFi & The Universal Orlando Resort App
Free WiFi is available at Universal Orlando, and we think it is now better than Walt Disney World WiFi. Park WiFi is available throughout Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay, and Islands of Adventure.
The Universal Orlando Resort App is available at the Apple App Store & The Google Play Store. You should download the App before you visit.
The Universal Orlando Resort App allows you to store tickets, access wait times, join Virtual Line Experiences, access showtimes, and more. There are handy interactive maps, and the app will even save where your car is parked. Using the Universal Orlando Resort App, you can now preorder food from select restaurants.
Locker Hire at Universal Orlando
Lockers are available to hire at the entrance to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Florida. Prices vary but start from $12 a day to $15 for a family-size locker. Family-size lockers are only available at Universal Studios.
There are compulsory lockers free of charge at attractions; you cannot take loose items on. These tiny lockers measure just 14 in x 5.5 in x 16.9. There are larger lockers available to hire, but these are expensive. Also, short-term hire lockers are available near the wet rides at Islands of Adventure, but these are not cheap.
There are three locker sizes available at Volcano Bay, which cost $10, $16, or $20, depending on the size.
Prohibited Items at Universal Orlando Resort
All bags are subject to inspection before entering Universal Orlando Resort. Also, all guests must pass through a metal detector.
The following items are prohibited inside the park:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Picnic lunches (small snacks, water, and food for medical needs are allowed).
- Food that requires heating or refrigeration
- Glass containers
- Hard-sided coolers
- Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
- Suitcases and bags with wheels
- Folding chairs
- Power-driven devices such as Segways., Hoverboards, Drones, or any other radio frequency-controlled device.
- Clothing with offensive language or content
- Clothing that represents someone as emergency personnel or as a Universal employee
- Weapons of any kind
Also, Universal will prohibit any additional item they consider inappropriate, disruptive, or harmful.
Smoking at Universal Orlando Resort
Unlike Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando has not prohibited smoking completely inside its parks. However, smoking areas are strictly limited and are now limited to just one location in each park.
- Universal Studios Florida’s area is located in Gramercy Park.
- Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s area is located in the Port of Entry lower landing.
- Universal’s Volcano Bay’s area is located in Wave Village (East).
All restaurants and bars that serve food are smoke-free areas.
The smoking ban extends to e-cigarettes.
Car Issues
There is one gas station on Universal Orlando property. The Hess Express is located at 5981 Turkey Lake Road.
Universal offers complimentary vehicle assistance if you should be unlucky to suffer a breakdown in the parking lot. If you need help, ask a parking assistant.
Tipping at Universal Orlando Resort
Tipping when visiting Universal Orlando or anywhere in the US can cause guests confusion, especially for guests visiting countries where tipping isn’t customary. However, tipping is expected in several situations and should be budgeted for in your vacation planning.
We have created a Guide to Tipping at Walt Disney World, and most of the advice is the same for Universal Orlando.
Visiting Universal Orlando Resort with Disabilities
Universal Orlando Resort provides extensive support for guests visiting with disabilities. You can get the latest information for guests visiting with hearing and vision impairments, cognitive disabilities, and those using wheelchairs, prosthetics, oxygen tanks, and service animals here.
Universal has created Guides for Rider Safety and Accessibility which you can print out before you visit:
Food Allergies at Universal Orlando
Most dining locations throughout Universal Orlando Resort can cater to food allergies. We have found that staff at some sites are not as knowledgeable as at Walt Disney World. However, getting a safe, good-quality meal at most locations isn’t challenging.
Many restaurants have allergy-friendly menus available on the Universal Orlando website. However, we recommend speaking to a staff member before ordering at all locations. There are often additional dishes available that are not on the menus. Unfortunately, Universal does not have separate food preparation areas, so there is always a cross-contamination risk.
If you have additional queries, email Guest Services at FoodServiceCUF@universalorlando.com before you visit.
You are also able to bring your own food into the parks. If there are any queries from security staff, tell them that a party member has a food allergy/intolerance.
Kosher or Halal menus are available. Email food.allergy@universalorlando.com to arrange at least 72 hours in advance. You must book your dining reservation before contacting Universal.
Pregnant at Universal Orlando
Being pregnant is not a reason to stop a visit to Universal Orlando. However, you can ride only a very limited selection of attractions. Signage posted at every attraction highlights if the attraction is unsuitable for expectant mothers.
Check the Universal Resort App for the latest information.
Lost and Found at Universal Orlando Resort
Items are commonly lost at Universal Orlando, but amazingly they are often found.
Chargerback, a third-party specialist, handles Lost and Found queries for Universal Orlando Resort. Once you have completed the Lost Item Report, you will receive a notification indicating the status of your lost item. Chargerback will keep you informed if your item is found.
To complete a report click the Universal Orlando website.
Universal Orlando VIP Tours
If you want the Ultimate Universal Orlando Experience, and money is no object, you can’t beat a Universal Orlando VIP Tour.
There are two types of VIP Tours available:
- VIP Experience Your party(maximum of 6 people) is paired with another party to tour the park. Your group will consist of a maximum of 12 people. Your tour will last 5-7 hours, and you will experience at least eight attractions if doing one park or ten if touring two parks.
- Private VIP Experience lasts 8 hours and is the ultimate experience. You set your own plan and start time. Your private guide will ensure you have the Ultimate Universal Orlando VIP experience. You can only book the Private Tour option if your group has more than six guests.
In addition to your guided tour, you will get a number of perks during your visit. The regular VIP Experience includes:
- Priority Front of line access during the tour.
- Behind-the-scenes experiences
- Valet parking
- Reserved show seating
- Complimentary lunch and breakfast
- Universal Express Unlimited to enjoy after your tour
- Universal CityWalk Party Pass
- Discounts in many shops
In addition, the Private VIP tour comes with the following additional perks:
- My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package
- Two full-service meals at one of Universal Orlando’s popular restaurants
Universal Orlando VIP Tours are fantastic, but they are not cheap. A one-park non-exclusive tour starts at $189 per person in the off-season. During peak season, expect to pay $329 for one park and $349 for two parks. Also, you must still purchase a park admission! These tours are available to book online.
Private tours are expensive and will cost over $5000 for a two-day two-park experience during peak season. Plus, you still have to buy a park ticket! You can not book a Private Tour online but must contact Universal Orlando at (866) 346-9350 for more details.
My Universal Photos
Universal Orlando sells various photo packages which are cheaper to buy before you visit.
All My Universal Photos packages include unlimited digital downloads plus discounts on photo prints. Current costs are $69+ tax for one day and $89 + tax for three days.
Package Pick-Up and Delivery
Complimentary Package Pick-Up is available at all parks. Package Pick-Up prevents you from having to carry your packages all day. When purchasing, ask the staff member to deliver your item to package pick-up. It will be available to collect later at Universal Studios Store in CityWalk. At Volcano bay you collect from Waturi Marketplace.
Guests staying in a Universal Orlando Resort are able to get their purchases delivered to their hotel room the next day.
Pet & Cat Care
Universal Orlando provides day kennels for pet cats and dogs. However, at the time of writing, this service isn’t available. Check the Universal website for the latest information.
Read More
Our Guide to Universal Orlando Resort, updated for 2023, has information on all the attractions available at Universal Orlando Resort. We have useful information, tips, hacks & tricks to plan your vacation.
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