Planning a visit to Common Orlando shouldn’t be practically as overwhelming as planning a Disney World journey, however there are nonetheless issues it helps to know earlier than you go. After visiting numerous occasions and helping others with their journeys, I’ve determined to share my high Common Orlando ideas with my readers.
We fell in love with Common Orlando and the wonderful theming within the parks, particularly the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Some households are die-hard Disney followers however for us, Common is our favourite! With three parks (plus Epic Universe opening in 2025) and eight inns (and two extra beneath building), there are a lot of selections to think about and choices to be made. Make sure to learn via the following pointers so you may get essentially the most out of your go to.
Prime Common Orlando Ideas and Tips
1. Keep on property
Staying on web site in a Common Orlando resort will get you free shuttle transportation to all of the parks, early entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Common’s Volcano Bay, and, relying on the place you keep, different perks like Limitless Categorical Passes.
Premier Resorts
The highest tier, or Premier, resorts are the Loews Portofino, Loews Royal Pacific, and the Onerous Rock Resort. The Premier resorts included Limitless Categorical Passes and Precedence Seating at choose eating places.
- Loews Portofino — understand that it is a high-end, extra elegant resort. Anticipate wonderful eating and opera in a extra hushed ambiance. Good for households that need a really feel of Europe and a relaxed, low stimulation ambiance.
- Onerous Rock Resort — the vibe on the Onerous Rock is way livelier, residing as much as the rock and roll repute with reside music on the pool (and even music beneath the water.) This lodge could attraction to Millennials, however children additionally love the waterslide and oldsters love the proximity to the parks.
- Loews Royal Pacific — the Royal Pacific gives the most important pool, however no slide, so extra for swimmers and loungers than these in search of poolside leisure. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to take the bridge over to Sapphire Falls and hop a water taxi or shuttle over to the parks.
Most well-liked Accommodations
The Most well-liked inns are the following tier, which now could be simply the Loews Sapphire Falls since Loews Royal Pacific was bumped as much as Premier. Loews Sapphire Falls does NOT embody Categorical Passes or Precedence Seating, however you’ll be able to nonetheless take a water taxi to the CityWalk and the Common Theme Parks as an alternative of a shuttle bus. With a definite Caribbean vibe, the pool on the Loews Sapphire Falls gives each a slide and sandy space. You may as well discover corn gap and desk tennis close by for entertaining little ones.
Prime Worth Resorts
Subsequent are the Prime Worth resorts of Cabana Bay and the Aventura Resort. Because the title suggests, these inns are extra worth oriented and don’t embody Common Categorical Passes. The bonus, nevertheless, is that each are inside strolling distance to Volcano Bay water park.
- Aventura – Aventura is a contemporary, trendy lodge inside strolling distance to the Volcano Bay waterpark.
- Cabana Bay — This 50s-themed lodge gives tons of leisure, from a number of swimming pools, water slides, a lazy river, a hearth pit and even a bowling alley. Simply don’t anticipate finding wonderful eating (however you may get a kitchenette!) (Learn my full Cabana Bay assessment.)
- Common Stella Nova Resort – is scheduled to open in January 2025
- Common Terra Luna Resort – is scheduled to open in February 2025
Worth Resorts
Common gives a Worth class with the opening of the Infinite Summer season Resort. This resort requires a shuttle bus trip to any of the parks or CityWalk. It’s divided into two sister properties.
- Surfside Inn and Suites – includes a relaxed surf vibe with a seashore really feel. Along with customary rooms, this lodge options 2-bedroom suites that sleep as much as six, making it the proper spot for bigger households wanting to economize.
- Dockside Inn and Suites – the Dockside is a bigger lodge with two towers and two massive swimming pools, but additionally options family-size suites and customary rooms.
2. Work out for those who want Categorical Passes
In the event you haven’t been to Common Orlando earlier than, let me first clarify what Categorical Passes are. Categorical Passes mean you can skip-the-line (or a minimum of be part of the shorter Categorical Move queue), much like Disney’s Lightning Lane system besides you don’t e book particular person trip passes upfront.
Categorical Move is utilized in Common Studios Orlando and Common Islands of Journey (Volcano Bay has their very own system.) Categorical Passes can be utilized on many — however not all — rides. They don’t provide you with an assigned time, you’ll be able to go everytime you need and be part of the shorter Categorical Move queue.
With a normal Categorical Move, you’ll be able to solely use it as soon as per trip. With an Limitless Categorical Move, you’ll be able to return and use it as many occasions as you want. See which rides present provide an Categorical Move queue.
Right here is my tip — undergo the web site and see what rides you assume your loved ones would need to trip. Then, obtain the Common Orlando cellular software. Begin to take a look at the typical wait occasions at completely different factors of the day for the rides you need to go on. If the traces are often longer than you need to wait, then an Categorical Move is the best way to go.
Simply understand that Categorical Passes are bought along with your ticket, the value varies primarily based on how crowded they count on the park to be on the day you might be visiting.
If you’re visiting throughout a peak time, like a vacation break or lengthy weekend, chances are high you’ll respect paying further to get Categorical Move entry. Nonetheless, for those who plan on spending just a few days within the park, you might not thoughts spreading it out a bit and ready some time longer.
One of the simplest ways to get Limitless Categorical Passes with out paying a bundle is to remain at both the Loews Portofino, Onerous Rock Resort, or Loews Royal Pacific. Then Limitless Categorical Passes in your entire household are included in your keep.
If you’re a household of 4 or extra, it is going to doubtless make sense to pay for the costlier lodge and get the included Categorical Passes for those who have been going to get them anyway.
If you’re a household of two or three, it might be cheaper to remain at a worth resort and simply buy the Categorical Passes — however make sure you worth out the variations.
3. Purchase The two Park, Park-to-Park Tickets (or not)
If you’re a Harry Potter mega fan, or for those who solely have in the future to spend in Common, the 2 park ticket is a should. The solely method you’ll be able to trip the Hogwarts Categorical between Common Studios and Common’s Islands of Journey is when you have a Park-to-Park, 2 park ticket.
And, a 2-park ticket enables you to go to each parks in in the future. Buy discounted Park-to-Park tickets from our affiliate companion Getaway At present.
4. Don’t over or beneath keep
For me, the best Common Orlando trip can be three days, 4 nights. I’d spend in the future at Volcano Bay and two days on the different parks.
If you’re probably not into rides, you are able to do Common Studios and Common’s Islands of Journey in in the future, particularly when you have an Categorical Move.
Nonetheless, the upcharge in ticket worth between a three-day, three-park move and a four-day, three-park move is such that you could be simply need to add on that further day.
5. Take into consideration when to go.
Summer season is HOT and crowded, however we don’t all have the flexibleness in going within the off seasons. I used to be shocked that it wasn’t crowded once we went at Thanksgiving and we bought the good thing about seeing the park embellished for the vacations.
There are additionally different particular occasions like Halloween Horror Nights.
In the event you do go to in the summertime, simply get there early within the morning, plan to chill off on the 2 water rides in Islands of Journey or among the indoor rides in Common Studios, and be ready for afternoon thunderstorms.
5. Guide a package deal
In the event you e book a package deal via a registered Common Orlando journey agent, you could possibly get package deal reductions that will not be out there reserving direct on-line. (Let me know for those who want a referral to a very good agent!)
There are additionally unique package deal add-ons you’ll be able to embody similar to transportation between Disney resorts and Common. Others add-ons embody eating plans, transportation, leisure tickets, VIP experiences and images.
6. Make eating reservations upfront
Sadly not all eating places take reservations however some do. It’s so good after a protracted day strolling round to NOT have to attend to eat. The eating places throughout the parks that settle for reservations on-line are: Mythos (Common Studios), Finnegan’s Bar & Grill (Common Studios), Confisco Grill (Islands of Journey), and Lombard’s Seafood Grill (Common Studios).
In CityWalk, the eating and leisure district that connects Common Orlando and Islands of Journey, you may make reservations at: Antojitos, Bigfire, Cowfish, Onerous Rock Cafe Orlando, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, NBC Sports activities Grill, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, and VIVO Italian Kitchen.
If you wish to be part of the Marvel Character Dinner, you might want to reserve it upfront by calling 407-224-7554 as much as 24 hours earlier than arriving to substantiate the desk or make a reservation on-line.
7. Reserve precedence seating or cabanas at Volcano Bay
I talked about this in my Volcano Bay ideas publish, however if you wish to reserve chairs or a cabana on the waterpark, you’ll want to do that a minimal of two weeks upfront as they promote out shortly.
8. Arrive early
On-site friends get early entrance to each Volcano Bay and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I like to recommend attending to the gates earlier than opening time. Many occasions they may allow you to into the park earlier than official opening and you may be lined up and at your trip when the park formally opens. It helps to have reviewed the maps of the parks earlier than you go so you recognize precisely the place to move.
I’d suggest lining up for the wand selecting ceremony at Ollivanders as the road will get actually lengthy later. Plus, in case you are one in all only some folks within the first demonstration, you should have nice odds that somebody in your group will get “picked” for the ceremony.
9. Obtain the App
I’d suggest downloading the Common Orlando cellular software to be able to verify wait occasions and set alerts for whenever you favourite rides attain a sure wait time threshold. You may as well be part of digital queues for rides just like the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and the Race By New York Starring Jimmy Fallon attraction.
10. Eat dinner early
In the event you can’t get reservations, the best way to beat the crowds (in two methods) is to eat early. For instance, we actually needed to go to the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium however knew it will be mobbed throughout prime dinner hours.
So, we had a light-weight breakfast (we have been in a rush to get the park early), early lunch, after which an early dinner. We arrived round 4pm and needed to wait about quarter-hour for our desk. By the point we ordered and our meals was served, it was practically 5pm.
After we bought again to the parks, the crowds had thinned and the wait occasions have been a lot shorter than early within the day.
11. Go to Diagon Alley early (and late)
Diagon Alley can really feel REALLY crowded in the midst of the day. Additionally, among the interactive spells don’t work as properly in full daylight (just like the water characteristic over the loos).
I wish to be there both early within the morning and/or within the night. I discover there’s a actually particular really feel to Diagon Alley within the night. The sunshine provides to the magic and when the dragon breathes fireplace, it’s much more spectacular.
12. Journey Hogwarts Categorical each instructions
If in case you have a 2 park ticket, you need to trip the Hogwarts Categorical in each instructions as they’re two completely different experiences. And don’t miss the visible impact when folks strolling via the wall to Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross.
13. Be sensible about your souvenirs
I’ve written a publish in regards to the greatest Harry Potter souvenirs (and a few fan favorites to purchase earlier than you go), which you need to make sure you try. Simply understand that they actually add up (try my finances publish). I’d suggest giving every child a memento finances to allow them to make sensible selections.
14. Retailer your stuff
On most of the “massive ” rides, you’ll be able to’t deliver on backpacks, purses, and so on (like Gringotts and Forbidden Journey.) Common gives free lockers for in regards to the period of time it ought to take you to get via the trip.
It is advisable retailer your stuff BEFORE you queue up and word that these locker rooms could be mad homes. First you might want to go to a locker rental station and use your fingerprint to open a locker. You solely have just a few seconds to establish the locker and retailer your stuff. Chances are you’ll want two lockers when you have greater than two day luggage so two folks ought to line up on the rental station. If you come off the trip, you might want to return to the identical locker rental station to open your locker so bear in mind the place it’s!
For rides like Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey, you can be dipped and tipped and jostled round so make sure you stow your hats, telephones and different free gadgets. It’s actually tempting to deliver your cellphone to take photos inside Hogwarts and Gringotts however you’ve gotten two choices.
Both be sure you can later safe it in a zipped or buttoned pocket, or after the trip, seize your stuff and return via to take a more in-depth look (and simply skip the trip.)
There are additionally paid lockers in several spots, like conveniently close to Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (the place you’ll get completely soaked by the best way!) However word that on the Barge trip, there’s a storage space beneath a fixed down tarp to retailer telephones, wallets and small luggage so don’t pay for the lockers for those who don’t want them.
15. Don’t put on sneakers on water rides
That appears apparent proper? However on rides like Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges you’ll get soaked and it’s important to put on footwear. So even for those who simply deliver an inexpensive pair of flip flops in your bag, change out your footwear earlier than the water rides. Oh, and there are “folks dryers” if you actually need them.
17. Not only for massive children
I do know the Common Orlando promoting targets households with “massive children” however even youthful children — or chickens like me that don’t like rides very a lot — can nonetheless have a good time. So whereas folks assume Disney is for younger children and Common is for teenagers, each work for each.
First, Seuss Touchdown is like stepping right into a dreamland, or the pages of a Dr. Seuss e book. Little ones can get pleasure from time taking part in right here whereas the “massive children” head off to the Hulk or King Kong.
Plus, the “massive” rides provide a baby swap choice so the remainder of the household can trip the trip whereas one waits with the youthful one after which change locations once they get off with out ready within the lengthy line once more.
After all, in my case it’s extra of a mother or father swap and I simply stroll via and benefit from the options of the queue after which anticipate the children to get off the trip. I additionally make a superb bag holder.
17. Carry your personal meals?
If somebody in your get together has a meals intolerance/allergy symptoms, you might be allowed to usher in your personal meals in a soft-sided cooler bag in plastic containers (no glass.) Excellent news for allergy households! You simply want to inform the guard at safety that you’ve a member of the family with a meals allergy.
18. Different methods to skip the road
One other approach to “skip the road” is to affix the no movement queue on among the simulator rides (like Minions.) You received’t really feel any movement in these seats however you’ll be able to nonetheless expertise all of the 3D results of the trip, with out the lengthy wait.
Some rides may provide single rider traces so in case you are the one one that wishes to trip the road, hear for them calling out for single riders and leap to the entrance of the road.
19. Take a Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt
My final tip for Common Orlando is don’t overlook to obtain your Harry Potter picture scavenger hunt for Common Orlando!
SaveSa
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Professionals journey podcast.