Universal Orlando™: Inside guide

The lowdown: Volcano Bay™ at Universal Orlando is a brand new water theme park centred around a staggeringly steep volcano.  Here you get a new kind of park – no standing in long queues – all thanks to the waterproof TapuTapu™ wearable you can hold your place in a Virtual Line™ at the rides. Paddle in it, wallow in it, splash it about. And allow a full day for all the rides and slides.

The lowdown: Based on the blockbuster films, Fast & Furious - Supercharged™ arrives in spring 2018. Join Dom, Hobbs and Letty as they escape danger on this action packed, high-octane new ride. A Virtual Line™ holds your place in queue whilst you enjoy the rest of the park, but you'll want to save time to check out the supercars on display inside.

Best for: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™ and blockbuster rides with The Simpsons™, TRANSFORMERS and the Minions.

The lowdown: At the studios, some of the best attractions are old favourites and evening screenings.

Know this… You have to try Butterbeer™. Non-alcoholic, the flavour’s like butterscotch and it will leave you with a foamy moustache, trying to guess at the secret recipe.

Best for: The Incredible Hulk Coaster® that’ll turn you green and Jurassic Park™ raptors who look alarmingly happy to see you.

The lowdown: Island-hop between Marvel-lous super heroes, dinosaurs and, now open, a giant ape called Kong. That’s King Kong to you.

Know this… The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® is still one of the best theme park rides in the world. Watch out for Stan Lee cameos throughout.

Best for: Both relaxing and thrill-seeking. Hang out in a cabana (additional fee applies) of one’s own or wave lazily from the winding river. Or take on tidal waves and the Ko’okiri Body Plunge™ – a 125 foot drop from the volcano summit.

The lowdown: Head straight to the back of the park, where you'll find shorter waits towards the start of the day.

Know this… Access the park with a Universal Orlando 3 Park Explorer Ticket². You can use the waterproof wearable, TapuTapu™, to hold your place in a Virtual Line™ at the rides.

The lowdown: Universal Orlando is the only place in the world where you can experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at two parks connected by the Hogwarts™ Express⁴. Diagon Alley™ is at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade™ is at Universal's Islands of Adventure. A lovingly detailed world, right down to the last shrunken head on Knockturn Alley, it’s got astonishing rides. You can even cast spells by buying an Interactive Wand (shout Meteolojinx on Horizont Alley and make it rain!).

Stay for: With tablets in every room, this modern hotel uses technology to makes things easy – and fun, too. There’s a VR games room and an underwater sound system in the pool. After a long day out at the parks, crack open a beer at the rooftop bar or toast yourself up some s’mores in the fire pits.

Book a stay at Universal's Aventura Hotel

Stay for: If you can pull yourself away from your inflatable ring (purchased at the hotel) on the lazy river, you’ll find a charismatically retro hotel with bowling alley (fees apply), two pools and dining… or in-room pizza delivery. Plus, you can comfortably sleep a family of six in one suite.

Book a stay at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Stay for: The biggest pool of any Universal Orlando hotel. You might be tempted to centre your holiday around the rum bar, but kids will centre theirs around the water slide.

Book a stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando

Stay at any of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels and enjoy special access to the theme parks with your Universal Orlando Explorer ticket, giving you Early Park Admission³ to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the park opens.

Stay for: This palmy green paradise is straight out of the South Pacific, but you can go Far East at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop restaurant. Get your loud shirt out and your aloha on at the special weekly Wantilan Luau night (fees apply).

Book a stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

Stay for: Live music from the Velvet Session concerts⁵, poolside cinema, and what’s more, underwater speakers in the huge pool – so you’ll be rock and rolling even when you’re wearing natty swimming goggles.

Book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel® at Universal Orlando

Stay for: Italian indulgence doesn’t stop at the cobbled streets and elegant Old World furnishing. Look beyond your crispy thin pizza and discover authentic cuisine, three pools and the Mandara Spa^® (fees apply).

Book a stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando

Stay at either Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel^®or Loews Royal Pacific Resort and enjoy FREE⁶ Universal Express Unlimited™ ride access to skip the regular queues in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure - a benefit worth $89 per person, per day⁷.