How to Save Time and Money in 16 Smart Ways Inside Universal Studios
Theme parks are fun BUT expensive, but this guide will help you can save time and money at Universal Studios.
Theme parks one of my absolute favorite places to visit. The thrills of the rides, the food, the drinks, and the entertainment. It’s all the perfect formula for a memorable fun date for adults and children.
But looking at the cost of this fun can be intimidating and make you rather stick to something local.
I am here to tell you that your vacation to Universal Studios does not have to be as expensive as you think. I compiled a list of tips to make your visit to Universal a lot more affordable and make the most out of your time.
Note that these money-saving and time-saving tips are for when you are inside the park. I also have guide to save time and money at Universal Studios before visiting such as how to save money on tickets, wands, food, and more here.
Ways to make Universal Studios affordable inside the Park:
Save money on water
Free water is available throughout the park
Ask any quick-service counter for a cup of water or use your water bottle to refill it at the Coca-Cola refillable machines available throughout the park.
Save money on soft drinks with a Coke Freestyle cup
Purchase a refillable Coke freestyle cup for everyone to share for $17.99.
The Coca-Cola freestyle machines are similar to the ones at the movie theater; they are self-serve and have many flavors to choose from. And you’ll get unlimited refills at any of the three parks for that day.
Save money on butterbeer
Unless you’re sitting down and taking a break, save money and share a butterbeer.
1. If you walk around with an open cup and big crowds, you might end up spilling it.
2. You can finish it quickly and get in line for another ride.
Tip: Order it frozen, so it’s not too sweet and it keeps you cool.
Use your Harry Potter bucks
Experience getting promissory notes issued by Gringotts Wizarding Bank at the Gringott’s Exchange Bank (read Gringotts Money Exchange section in this article to learn where they’re issued) AND actually use them to pay for something. Instead of paying with your card (like a regular mogul) or having your note get lost.
You will enjoy two experiences at the price of one.
The Wizarding money can be used in selected locations throughout the park. Examples of things you can pay for with your Gringotts money: butterbeer, Harry Potter merchandise, or Lard Lad’s Pink Donut.
Tip: Fill in the note with your information and take a picture of your banknote before handing it to an associate.
Save money on a Simpson’s Lard Lad’s Pink Donut
For $9.99, it’s a great treat to share.
You’ll get a massive donut. Seriously. It’s almost the size of a head.
Tip #1: Finish it before the glaze melts
Tip #2: Use it as a prop for your pictures (check out ‘The Simpsons’ section for picture ideas).
Save money on Popcorn
Another great cheap snack available at the park is Popcorn! For $12.29 and $2.19 per refill, you can snag a bucket of popcorn to munch while you wait in line.
Ways to make the most out of your time at Universal Studios:
Whether you’re visiting for the first time, it has been a few years since your last visit, or you visit regularly, you always want to make the most of your time before the park closes. Here are a few tips to avoid peak times, save time using the Universal Studios Mobile App, and tips to use at the Park.
Save time by skipping lunch hour
Opting for a later time to grab lunch will help you reduce wait time on rides. Ride wait times will decrease slightly because people will head out to eat.
This is also convenient because when you do decide to get food, the lunch rush will also die down.
Save time with the Universal Studios App
If you decide to take lunch during lunch time or want your food to be hot-and-ready, skip the wait time for food by ordering ahead.
This also includes The Simpson’s Lard Lad’s Pink Donut and Harry Potter’s Butterbeer.
Avoid the crowds and have more food options at City Walk
Save time and money outside Universal Studios by going to City Walk (this is the path you take to the park) has tons of restaurants such as Mexican Antojitos, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, and even Cold Stone and Voodoo Donut (if you need a quick sugar pick me up).
Pricewise it’s relatively the same as inside the park, but you get a chance at a table, a wider food selection, and just a break from the crowd.
Check ride times in the Universal Studios Mobile App
Download the Universal Studios app and find a list of all the rides and their wait times.
You’ll also have access to a digital map, so you don’t waste time getting lost. Both of these will help you prioritize and strategize what ride you want to get on next.
The app also informs you when there are ride delays or it’s out of service.
Save time by using the ‘Virtual Line’
The ‘Virtual Line’ is a concept that is activated (for free) when the park has a high volume of attendees.
Universal will ‘close down’ its in-person lines and open virtual reservations through the app.
Click on the ride to see if the ‘Virtual Line’ has opened.
Note: This is only available for some rides.
Save time with the Express pass
The Express Pass is similar to the Flash Pass at Six Flags. For $80, the pass helps you skip the line once per ride.
Note that this is only for selected rides, this does not include, for example, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (an extremely popular ride and worth it).
For a full list of rides and different Express pass packages visit their site here.
Tip: Do not buy these passes online.
To make your Express pass worth it, wait until you are inside and get a feel for how big the crowds are that day. Unless you know it’s a popular day like a weekend.
Pack lightly
Save time and money at Universal Studios by avoid spending time at the lockers by packing lightly.
Fanny packs are allowed on most rides. Bookbags, as thin as they might be, if they are on your back, they will be asked to be put in lockers. We saw someone get pulled out of the line because of this. Wands will also be asked to be placed in a locker.
Rides like the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Rip Ride Rocket do not permit any loose items. You will be asked to put them in a locker at no charge for the duration of the wait time + ride.
Someone at the lockers station will hand you a free card to scan and store your belongings. Leave everything behind. You will be scanned by a metal detector before going in line.
Use the Single Riders lane to cut wait times
If you don’t mind riding by yourself, the lines on the Single Riders lane are typically much shorter, and you can save yourself a lot of time there.
Note this feature is available for select rides.
Everyone stays together with the Child Swap program
The Child Swap program is a reserved space in each ride, where an adult and child can wait while the rest of their party finishes their ride and then swap.
Ask an employee where this space is located as it changes with each ride.
This program is great because it lets everyone wait in line together, including children who do not meet the height minimum. This way, groups don’t have to split up and then try to find each other when they get off the ride. We know how messy that can sometimes get.
If you take advantage of this, you can also ask for a ‘height certificate’. This is a rain check given to kids, so they can use it when they come back and meet the height requirement. Instead of waiting in line all over again, they can use the Express lane.
Stay hands-free with Package Pickup and Free Package Delivery
You won’t have to waste time leaving souvenirs in lockers because Universal has two convenient options to get souvenirs out of your hands:
Package Pick-up: Purchase a souvenir from any of their stores and pick it up by 5 pm
Or
Delivery to home or hotel: Free shipping on any of your purchases to your residency or Universal Orlando hotel (only).
Bonus Tip:
Use one card to pay for all the expenses incurred during the trip. This is helpful when reviewing total spent compared to budget.
It’s also an easy pull if you have to split expenses with someone else.
For more easy tips to save time and money at Universal Studios visit HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IN 12 GREAT AND EASY WAYS
Let me know in the comments which tips to save time and money at Universal Studios you plan to use or share any others you have used.