• 
  This pass is really only for adults as the pass is good for admission to the CityWalk nightclubs, allowing for 1 night of club-to-club access (with some restrictions).
  
  You can even add on a movie at the Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC theater, for just a few dollars more (total ticket cost $15.00). Given that this particular ticket is strictly for adults, I only mention it as it may be a fun way to spend an evening out without the kids.
  
  If you’re staying at one of the Universal resorts, the kids can hang out at one of the really cool kids’ camps for the evening or you could simply get a sitter to come to the room (just click on Child Care for more information).
  
  Universal also offers a Meal & a Movie ticket ($21.95 ) good for 1 meal (at participating CityWalk restaurants) and 1 movie, and a Party and a Movie? ticket ($15.40 ) good for 1 movie and club-to-club access to the various Universal CityWalk clubs for a single evening.
  
  Universal’s Meal Deal Tickets:
  All in an effort to make dining just a bit easier on your wallet, Universal created the Meal Deal. Meal Deal tickets can be purchased either online or right at the parks and are good for a days worth of dining at participating eateries and restaurants throughout the theme parks.
  
  The 1-Day 2-Park Meal Deal Ticket:
  Includes 1 entrée and 1 dessert each time you go through the restaurant line (which you may go through as many times as you wish)
  
  *This ticket is only available for purchase at the park gate – NOT online.
  The Sipper Cup Meal Deal Ticket includes an unlimited amount of fountain beverages at participating eateries and restaurants throughout the day Keep in mind – the 1-Day 1-Park Meal Deal tickets are good at only 1 park…if you are hopping between parks you will only be able to use your Meal Deal tickets at 1 of them - you’ll have to choose which park to dine at - or, if you prefer, you could purchase the 1- day 2-park Meal Deal Ticket (however they are only available at the gate). Just click on Dining at Universal Orlando for more details regarding Universal’s unique dining options.
  
  Also – the Sipper Cup ticket is only available when purchased in conjunction with the Meal Deal tickets.
  
  As the prices for the various meal deal tickets vary by season, it would be best to check out Universal’s official website (www.universalorlando.com) for the latest and most up to date pricing information. Tickets are available both online as well as at the parks.
  
  Currently the participating eateries and restaurants include:
  At Universal Studios –
  Mel’s Drive-In
  Louie’s Italian Restaurant
  International Food and Film Festival
  
  At Islands of Adventure-
  Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous
  Comic Strip Café
  Captain America Diner
  
  So are the tickets worth the price?
  The average cost of 1 meal is approximately $9 for an adult and $7 for a child (not including a drink or dessert). If you eat only 2 meals at the park the total cost for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) would run approximately $72 for meals and another $16 for drinks (again not including desserts, second helpings, or any extras). If youpurchase the Meal Deal Ticket the cost for 2 adults and 2 children would run approximately $60- a savings of at least $12 (not to mention that if you choose to repeatedly go through the line for additional meals your increasing the amount you save exponentially). If you purchase the Sipper Cup ticket (for all 4 people in the family) it would cost approximately $36 – which would pay for itself if you were to purchase at least 4 drinks for each member of the family throughout the day – not at all a difficult task (though keep in mind that you will have less flexibility as you must purchase your drinks at the participating eateries not simply the drink cart or snack cart nearest you – however the savings can be substantial as the number of fountain beverages you are allowed are unlimited).
  
  The Cost: (keeping in mind that the pricing for Meal Deal tickets and Sipper Cup tickets changes by season)
  
  1-Day 1-Park Meal Deal Tickets currently cost $21.00 plus tax for Adults, and $11.00 plus tax for children (ages 3-9 and ordering only from the kids menu). A one day two park meal deal ticket currently costs 25.00 plus tax for adults and 13.00 plus tax for children.
  
  1-Day Meal Deal Sipper Cup currently costs $8.99 plus tax for all ages
  *keep the following in mind when purchasing Meal Deal Tickets:
  -kids must order off the children’s menu
  -prices change with the season
  -additional restrictions may apply and can change at any time
  -it’s best to check Universal Orlando’s official website for the most up-to-date and accurate pricing information prior to making your plans and prior to making your purchases.
  
  VIP Tours
  For a more personalized experience, in-depth guided tours are available and feature preferred seating at select attractions, express line access to the rides, complimentary valet parking, complimentary refreshments, private character meet and greets, discounts on select food and merchandise, and more (keep in mind that the perks may vary or change). The cost varies depending on which tour you choose ranges from $100 per person to $150 per person for a non-exclusive tour. Those of you with plenty of money to burn may prefer the exclusive tours – the price tag ranges from $1,400 per group to $3000 per group. None of the tours include your park entrance ticket.
  
  Additional Considerations:
  Vacation Packages
  Universal Studios Vacations offers a variety of vacation packages that include an array of options including airfare, rental cars, and tickets, to VIP tours, a stay at the beach, and special dining experiences, just to mention a few. If you’re booking a hotel with your package, you will have the choice of staying on-property at one of the 3 luxury Loews resorts or at select hotels located off-property too. For more details, go to www.universalorlando.com or call 877-801-9720.
  
  The Universal Credit Card
  Universal has joined forces with Chase to offer its very own credit card. Benefits include discounts on food and merchandise at select Universal Orlando shops and restaurants, as well as a point system for earning rewards such as VIP park experiences, tickets, and more, all in addition to the usual Chase card member privileges.
  
  Guest Services at Universal Orlando
  
  Parking
  Parking at Universal Orlando is an experience in itself. With the expansion of the resort came 2 gargantuan multilevel parking garages that connect to CityWalk, which then link to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The daily parking fee is $12, but if you arrive after 6:00 p.m. the fee is waived. Preferred parking is also available for $17, but the difference between the preferred parking and the regular parking isn’t particularly overwhelming.
  
  As with any large parking area, it’s important to write down your section, row, and, in this case, level number, or you may find that the last ride of the day is the elevator or escalator as you try to find your car with your very tired and very frustrated family in tow.
  
  Valet parking is also available at a rate of $20 for the day if you just don’t feel like walking any more than necessary. What the heck- it’s vacation, after all.
  
  From the parking garages, there are a series of walkways and moving sidewalks that will eventually lead you via the Hub directly to the entrance of Universal, or I should say to CityWalk, as the only way to enter Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure is to first make your way through the sprawling entertainment complex. Every walkway, no matter from which direction, leads to the Hub, a central plaza where you will find restrooms, wheelchair rentals, and some souvenirs to get you started, and from there it is on to CityWalk and finally to the parks. After passing by many of the unique shops, clubs, and restaurants that call CityWalk home, you will find yourself having to turn either left to head toward the Islands of Adventure, or right to Universal Studios.
  
  Free self -parking (in the universal Orlando parking garages) is available for guests who arrive after 6 pm. There are however exceptions – free parking is not available during designated special events.
  The walk from the parking garage to the actual theme park entrances is considerable, but with a stroller for younger children I found it to be a much better trade-off than the multiple forms of transportation often necessary to get to some of the Walt Disney World parks. There is no need to pack and unpack your children or your gear, fold and unfold the stroller to get on and off of anything. You can simply get out of the car, pack up the stroller, and go. As I mentioned, the walk is considerable, but there are plenty of moving walkways to help you along, and many of the walkways are covered, protecting you from having to walk out in the hot Florida sun (or even that occasional afternoon thunderstorm).
  
  Maps and Guides:
  Appropriately named the Adventure Guide and the Studios Guide, the guide maps for both parks, as well as the Times Guide (that includes show times and so on) are available at the turnstiles upon entering the parks, at the guest services windows, and at select restaurants and shops located throughout the parks. The guides are your best source of information and in my opinion an absolute necessity if you intend on surviving a day (or more) at any of the theme parks. They provide an array of essential information in addition to the locations of the rides and attractions. They tell you what food is served at what restaurants; where to find the restrooms, ATMs, and guest services; what the ride restrictions are, and so much more. I suggest picking up at least 2 or 3 copies of these invaluable guides just in case you lose one, get it wet, or if you intend to split up at any time during the day. The kids get a kick out of having their own to look at as well, to see what’s next or to help plan out the day.
  
  Stroller Rentals:
  Strollers are available for rental near the entrance to both parks. The fee is around $13-16 for a single or $21-24 for a double. I have very definite thoughts on renting versus bringing your own stroller, and I must say that in my opinion bringing your own is really the way to go if you have either small children or several children (with 1 or more of them under the age of 4). Between the gear (both your own and the kids’), the souvenirs (which will quickly add up), the snacks, and of course the kids themselves, you have plenty to hold onto, and I doubt if you really intend to carry it around all day long. If the kids are small enough, their little legs just won’t make it all the way through the park, and certainly not as quickly as yours can by the end of the day. Your own stroller (with the exception of the really cheap umbrella strollers, which are not to be confused with the nicer updated umbrella-style strollers) is a much more appropriate and comfortable choice for napping, riding, and storage in the end. You’ll also have it anytime you need it. If you intend to rent one at the park, you won’t have one anywhere else you may need one, like at the hotel, at a restaurant, or at any other smaller attractions.
  
  Wheelchair rental:
  Wheelchair rentals are available at either the Hub (on your way from the parking lot before you get to CityWalk) or at either park entrance for about $12 as well as a $50 deposit and a signed rental contract. Electric convenience vehicles (or scooters) are available as well, but only at the park entrances. They run about $45 for the day and also require an additional $50 deposit and a signed rental contract.
  
  Baby Changing:
  Baby-changing facilities can be found in all of the parks’ restrooms, but nursing facilities are located only at Family Services near the entrance to both parks. Remember, you’re not at Disney, and you will not find infant supplies like food, diapers, or formula readily available anywhere in the parks, so make sure you have packed enough of everything you may need for the day in your diaper bag or backpack. If you find yourself in a pickle and desperately in need of a diaper, you can stop by Family Services near the entrance and they will provide one free of charge, but only in an emergency.
  
  Lost Children:
  If you find yourself suddenly missing a child or two, immediately hail the nearest park employee, who will be more than happy to help you look for them. The Universal employees, upon finding a lost child, will take them to guest services if the parents do not seem to be in the immediate area where the child has been found. It’s always a good idea to speak with your kids ahead of time about what to do if they become separated from you, making a plan just in case it happens, and believe me, it does.
  
  ATMs:
  If you need some extra cash, ATMs are located near the park entrances. Just remember to use the ATMS on your way in, or you may find yourself having to walk back to them halfway across the park as these are the only ATM machines in the parks.
  
  Lockers:
  Lockers are available to rent for the day at both parks near the front entrances. The daily fee is around $8 for a small locker or around $10 for the larger ones. Small lockers are also available outside some of the rides (those that don’t permit you to carry anything when you ride) such as the Incredible Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and the Jurassic River Rides at the Islands of Adventure. These are free for the first 45 minutes (with the exception of those outside the Jurassic River Ride) as they are really intended as a courtesy for those riding, but after 45 minutes you will be charged at an hourly rate to retrieve your items. The lockers located outside of the Jurassic Park River Ride charge by the hour (about $2 per hour) from the minute you use them, but the most you can be charged there is around $14.
  
  Car Troubles:
  If you find that your battery is in need of a jump (or there is anything else wrong with your car), simply raise the hood of your car and an attendant will help you out.
  
  Pets:
  You can board your family pet for the day for a fee of $10, but keep in mind that you and only you are entirely responsible for feeding, watering, and walking them throughout their stay.
  
  All three of the Universal Orlando resorts welcome pets. They even go so far as to offer special amenities and services just for your four-legged friends.
  
  First Aid:
  First-aid stations can be found at both parks. They are staffed with registered nurses and paramedics. At the Islands of Adventure, you will find the main station next to the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad in the Lost Continent, and a smaller station at guest services at the Port of Entry. At Universal Studios, the main station is next to Louie’s Italian Restaurant in New York, with a smaller station at family & health services near the park entrance.
  
  Package Delivery:
  If you don’t feel like carrying around all of your purchases, you can have them delivered (at no extra charge) to the Universal Studios Store near the main entrance of Universal Studios. If you are at the Islands of Adventure, they will have it sent to the Islands of Adventure Trading Company in the Port of Entry. This is a great service that frees you from lugging everything around or worrying that it may get stolen while you are on one of the rides. Just don’t forget to pick up your purchases before you leave. If you are a Universal Orlando resort guest, you can even have your purchases sent directly back to your room (at no extra charge).
  
  Forget Something?
  If by chance you forgot to buy that really great t-shirt at Islands of Adventure or that neat toy at Universal Studios, Universal will come to the rescue. The mail-order department may very well be able to help you shop by phone. If the merchandise is available at the parks (at official park stores, not the little vendor stands), just call 407-224-5800 and let them know what you’re looking for. I have to say, I love this service. On our last trip we had intended to go back a second day and I thought in my infinite wisdom that I would hold off on souvenir shopping until then - unfortunately, I didn’t expect Charley (the hurricane, not my husband) to interfere, but he did, and we never made it back for our second day at the parks, leaving me somewhat empty-handed. Some of the shops offer
  such neat t-shirts and toys that I was really quite annoyed with myself for not having purchased them the day before, but Universal saved the day and I was able to order the items I’d seen by phone. Now granted, not all of you will be faced with a hurricane to stop you from coming back, but you may arrive home or at your hotel wishing you had purchased something (and a lot of the items are available only at the parks). FYI, they also handle mail order from the California Universal Studios.
  
  Mail:
  If you need to mail a postcard or that bill you forgot to pay before you left home, mail drops are available at both parks near the main entrances.
  
  Guest Services:
  Located just inside the main entrance of both parks is a guest services window. If you need to make dining arrangements, ask a question, pick up an extra map, or need just about anything at all, the helpful staff manning the fort at guest services can be of help.
  
  Priority Seating:
  If you decide that you want to dine at one of Universal’s super cool restaurants (either at the parks, the resorts, or at CityWalk) head to the information booth just inside CityWalk or the Guest Services window near the park entrances, and they will help make the arrangements. If you prefer, you can call yourself (407-224-3663) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., but you have to call on the day you intend to dine; advance requests aren’t accepted. If you’re a guest of one of the Universal Orlando resorts, the concierge will be happy to make arrangements for you.
  
  Remember, priority seating is not actually a reservation; it simply means that you will get the next available table that will accommodate your family at or as close to the time you requested as possible. You will still most likely have to wait, but usually not for as long.
  
  An exception to the no-reservation rule is Emeril’s (located at CityWalk), Mythos (at Islands of Adventure) and a handful of the resort restaurants. They do accept actual honest-to-goodness reservations, and Emeril’s actually accepts them up to 6 months in advance. Because of Emeril’s popularity, I would definitely suggest calling ahead and making reservations as popping in the day you arrive will probably leave you looking elsewhere to eat. Call 407-224-2424 to make your arrangements.
  
  A Word Regarding the Rides and Attractions:
  Many of rides and attractions at Universal Orlando come with height restrictions, and in the case of some shows, PG-13 ratings. The restrictions on the rides are for the safety of the riders and are strictly enforced throughout the parks, while the ratings on the shows are to let you know that the show may not be appropriate for children, although whether your children see it is at your discretion.
  
  The Lines:
  -“Singles” lines are offered at select rides throughout the parks and tend to move much faster than regular lines. If you are willing to split up and ride separately (which may or may not work, depending on the ride), this is a great way to ride that much more quickly.
  
  -Child Swap is a fabulous feature - while the rest of the family rides the ride, one parent can stay behind at the Child Swap area with those too small to ride. As soon as your family gets off the ride, the parents can switch off, and you can ride (with the rest of the family) yourself. You not only get a chance to ride, but you don’t have to wait through the entire line again to do it, and the entire group that rode before will get to ride again with you. This is especially important at a park like Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure since the rides are a bit edgier and more intense. You shouldn’t have to deprive yourself of all the fun just because you have younger children, and Universal makes sure that you don’t have to. Child Swap is available at each and every ride, so if you’d like to take advantage of this, let the ride attendant know.
  
  So You Know: Universal has gone to painstaking lengths to ensure that their queues are as bearable as possible for park goers. Protective coverings extending over a majority if not the entire area can be found at practically every ride and attraction. Some are actually equipped with spritzers, fans, misting equipment, water fountains, and even an occasional drink cart along the way to help guests survive the wait on some of those hot and steamy Florida afternoons. Many are lined with videos that create a diversion in the form of a pre-pre-show, entertaining you while you wait--after all, entertainment is their specialty. Elaborately designed sets and waiting areas where audiences are amused by pre-shows, some as unique as the rides themselves, are practically a signature of Universal Orlando, and I have to say that while I I have tried to include as much information as possible regarding what might scare your kids and why so that you can make an informed decision. My oldest, who has once too often found himself jolted back into reality after insisting that he ride a particular ride because it seemed like the thing to do for a kid his age, has learned the hard way from
  some of his experiences. His rule-of-thumb now is that if you can hear screaming, that should be a pretty good indication as to whether he should ride. Screaming can be a pretty good warning. Toddlers, however, can be especially difficult to read at times. There is a very fine line between when they don’t understand enough to be scared or frightened and when an experience can absolutely terrify them. Remember, just the overall experience of making their way through the theme parks is enough to cause sensory overload, not to mention sheer exhaustion, and the heat of the sun just adds insult to injury. This is all in addition to the stress of traveling to a strange place and sleeping somewhere far from the comfort of familiar surroundings. Some handle it remarkably well; others . . . well, let’s just say I have seen (and experienced) my share of utter meltdowns along the way. Try out a few less intense rides and build up to the bigger ones as you go if you have any trepidation.
  
  You can always upgrade to the next level of rides, but if you try one that’s too intense the first time around, you may not get them to step a foot near another ride, no matter what it is. Always remember to be as understanding as possible when the kids just don’t want to ride. have no love lost for long lines, it’s much better waiting in them at Universal Orlando than anywhere else around.
  
  The Ratings
  While all of the rides and shows are certainly worth experiencing at least once, some of them are simply better than others, and the rating system will alert you to which ones stand out. Everybody has their own tastes, likes, and dislikes, and tolerance levels with regard to the rides, and I hope the descriptions and ratings that follow will prove informative and helpful in making your decisions.
  
  The ratings indicate how great (or not so great) the overall experience is, taking into account everything from the queue area to the pre-show to the ride or show itself. Explanations of the ratings have been included since what is a great experience to one person may not be so great to another. The explanations are far more revealing than the age recommendations of how appropriate a ride or show may be for your kids. How they will react depends more on their personality, maturity level, and fears than on their age.
  
  An important note: the rides and attractions listings include recommended ages, and the rating applies only to that age bracket. For example, if the ride has ”fantastic” rating and is recommended for ages 10 and over, then most likely kids 10 and over would find it to be…well, Fantastic, those under 10 however may not have as an enjoyable an experience.
  

Decisions, Decisions…
Before diving into the listings, parents should consider the following: When considering whether to allow the kids to ride some of the rides or see some of the shows offered at either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure, bear in mind the restrictions placed on the rides by Universal itself. The height restrictions on some are imposed to prevent accidents, but what you really need to consider are your children’s personalities, and you know them best. The rides have a “best for” rating that suggests an approximate appropriate age, but these are only guidelines. For example, on a recent visit to the parks I discovered that our 7-year-old is a closet thrill-ride junkie and absolutely loved rides that I never would have thought a 7-year-old could handle (the Incredible Hulk Coaster was just one of many), while my 11-year-old stays as far away as possible from some of the very same rides. My 5-year-old absolutely loved Men in Black, but I would never even think of ever letting her see the Universal Horror Make-up show, knowing full well that it would give her nightmares.

Different aspects of the rides and shows affect kids in very different ways. Kids react very differently to motion simulators than to roller coasters, as do they to darkness, loud noises, pyrotechnics, 3-D, and sensory effects. Monsters and characters cause alarm in some, while others welcome them with open arms (and open autograph books). A good motto to follow is that just because they can doesn’t always mean they should. I have often had my own kids watch the ride for a while, then make their decision.