How Many Days Do You Need at Universal Orlando? 

Leaders at Universal Orlando Resort have not been shy about their ambitions to turn the vacation spot into a weeklong destination. With the addition of Epic Universe, it’s possible to spend a very entertaining, full week at Universal Orlando. How many days do you need at Universal Orlando? You can do all of Universal’s Orlando theme parks in as little as four days. You will need more time if you want to revisit your favorite attractions, take your time shopping, enjoying the details or dining at additional restaurants.

How Many Days: Universal Orlando Example Itinerary and Resort Information

What is there to do at Universal in Florida?

To decide how many days you’ll want to visit, let’s go over what there is to do.

There are three theme parks:

• Universal Studios Florida (1990)
• Islands of Adventure (1999)
• Epic Universe (2025)

Depending on the season and crowds, it’s possible to finish at the parks in the late afternoon or early evening. However, if it’s your first trip and members of your travel party want to experience all rides and shows, you may need to go back to a park to see something you missed.

There is also one water park that can be included depending on the time of year:

• Volcano Bay (2017)

Universal Orlando Vacation Example Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day, pool and resort fun, evening at CityWalk

Day 2: Start at Islands of Adventure and end at Universal Studios Florida, enjoy nighttime spectacular

Day 3: Start at Universal Studios Florida, end at Islands of Adventure, have dinner at CityWalk

Day 4: Full day at Epic Universe

Day 5: Resort pool day and evening at CityWalk

Day 6: Full day at Epic Universe

Day 7: Departure day

How many days do you need at Universal Orlando for Harry Potter?

The Wizarding World has a land in each of Universal Orlando’s three theme parks. You will need to plan a visit to Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe to enjoy all of the Harry Potter rides, restaurants and shops.

If you are only interested in the Harry Potter parts of the parks, you can visit both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida in one day. This will include Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade village at Islands of Adventure and Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. The Hogwarts Express train connects the two theme park lands and takes you from park to park with special entrances.

Some Considerations to Include While Planning a Universal Orlando Trip

• Universal’s theme parks have quite a few thrill rides and motion simulators that may not be suitable for everyone in your party. You may not include everything in the park on your day.
• Weather can greatly impact your trip, especially during the summer months when afternoon showers delay outdoor attractions. You may need additional time in a park to do everything outdoors.
• If you have visited other Universal theme parks, you may have experienced some attractions already. For example, if you’ve been on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, you may choose to pass on it at Epic Universe.
• Some Universal hotels include complimentary Express Passes for everyone on your hotel reservation. These can be a helpful time saver, lowering your waits at each eligible attraction.
• Depending on the time of year you visit, special events may also impact your trip. Halloween Horror Nights may close Universal Studios early. Holidays at Universal Orlando include additions like Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and Grinchmas with Whos in Suess Landing and a show inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Universal Orlando Ticket Types: Multi Day vs Single Day

For a full experience at Universal Orlando Resort, you will need multiple days at the theme parks. There may have been a time where a single day, multi-park ticket was enough to experience the greatest hits at Universal. With all of the Harry Potter offerings, and newer additions like Jurassic World VelociCoaster, you’ll need to dedicate a full day in each park to do it all.

Ticket Types at Universal Orlando: Does Universal Orlando have parkhopper tickets?

Universal does have tickets that allow you to go from park to park in the same day. These park hopper style tickets are called Park-to-Park tickets at Universal. This gives you the flexibility to revisit favorite attractions or do something you missed by just visiting for a few hours. The Park-to-Park ticket is a must to do all of the rides at the parks.

Epic Universe is not included in the Park-to-Park ticket option until 2026.  Until then, multi-day tickets include just one visit to this park. Epic Universe is about a 20 minute bus ride from the other two parks at Universal Orlando.