I know what you are saying – kids, crowds, time, and did I mention those long lines? Well I have a few tried & tested tips that will make your visit painless, and more importantly, enjoyable for everyone in your party…

1. Stay onsite at any of the Universal resorts that provide the VIP benefit. This benefit allows you into parks early and you get to access the rides much quicker. It cuts your wait time by more than half. Yes, the resorts are a bit costly, but you get quicker entrance, a great family setting and the room cost is really offset by the cost of what you would have paid to upgrade to the VIP pass – you cannot put a price on peace and sanity.
a. The VIP Pass is a fast track entrance to most of the rides that allows you to go to the front of the line!
2. Purchase tickets through a discounted site. I use Plum Benefits and I highly recommend them. A majority of companies and government agencies provide a free membership for employees.
a. I try to make sure that all park tickets, excursions, car rental, and hotel (where possible) are paid in advance. This way, I know what my trip budget will be and can keep to it – don’t want any surprises at the end of the trip that a cost came up that I forgot about
3. Pre-purchase all Harry Potter/ Universal gear via the beautiful thing call Amazon prior to your trip. My son wakes up to each morning to a little surprise. Purchasing items on amazon is much more cost effective than buying at Universal. In addition, it prevents them from constantly asking you to buy stuff at the stores.
4. Magical Hidden Secrets at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
a. Research the hidden secrets prior to arrival using Pinterest. We missed a ton our first trip however made it up our second.

5. A quick stop at the grocery store en route from the airport to the hotel saves us a bundle of time in the morning. We purchase some quick breakfast food, fruit, snacks and a case of water. Not only does it save time it subsides my children’s hunger needs when all is closed down. And it is vacation, so some “bad” treats are allowed in moderation
6. The more the merrier – we have done the trip where we get a larger room/suite that allows us to invite our neighbors with their kids. The importance – you know that it will keep the kids occupied and you can split the room costs.
7. Set park Rules… You have to make boundaries about purchases and dining options prior to entering Universal.
a. I allow one Butter Bear a day or AKA Fancy drink of choice per day.
b. Breakfast in room, Lunch super casual and Dinner is a nice civilized sit down.
c. One splurge item per child per trip… Ex Harry Potter Wand!
d. Set a meeting point in case someone gets lost or you want to divide and conquer.
e. All phones charged before leaving the hotel
8. Everyone has a say. It is only fair and keeps all smiling if everyone gets the option to choose what is the next ride you will go on. This holds true for kids and adults – while we are there for the kids to enjoy, if we don’t get a bit of fun out it you may be faced by a grumpy look.
9. Pre-plan your non park activities. As mentioned in my other blogs, I look through Viator, TripAdvisor, etc. to look for other activities or excursions for the trip. Do things like a baseball game, gator park, go to I-Drive to play mini golf, dinner spots (it does get tiresome eating at hotels all the time.
a. Print out a big list of other things to do….there is life outside of the park