How to Survive Universal Orlando with a Large Family in 2024

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Visiting Universal Orlando Resort with a big family can come with its challenges. Everyone in the group will have a different levels of interest, different preferences on rides and food, various height requirements and more.

With a little extra planning and patience, your family will have a great making memories at Universal.

Here’s 7 tips to stop you from getting stressed out when planning your dream family vacation to Universal Orlando Resort in 2024.

1. The Chosen One

Pick an organized person to keep track of all the details such as Dining Reservations, confirmation numbers, your daily park plans.

Talk to the children in your group about rules. Set expectations for them about the day, and why you have those rules. The parks will be busy and it is important for them to know why you want certain things to happen.

The night before each park day, communicate what time the group wants to leavethe hotel by, and what time you all need to be at the turnstiles by.

2. Stay On-Site If You Can

• Allows everyone to tap out when needed.

  • Some in your group might like to go hard in the park all day.

  • Others might need more R&R by pool. 

• Transportation to & from park 

• In park souvenir purchases can be sent to your hotel room 

• If staying at a Premier hotel, you’ll get Unlimited Express Pass for up to 5 people per room for free

• Access to Early Park Admission

  • Great for doing more in the morning when its cooler and less crowded.

3. Get a couple of must-dos from each person

• Knowing ahead of time, you’ll know where in the parks to spend the most time, & you’ll save tired legs from backtracking 

• Also Select a few things you can experience ALL together

  • Ex: Riding the Hogwarts Express

4. When in the Park—Don’t be Afraid to Split Up

• Don’t try to force an itinerary when the group has different interests.

• Use the buddy system

  • Pair up with those sharing same must-do’s 

• Utilize single-rider! Y’all can talk about the ride afterwards when walking around 

5. Plan 1 Group Activity

• Maybe it’s staying late one night to watch the Hogwarts Castle light show in Hogsmeade. The Cinematic Celebration in Universal Studios Florida, or everyone grabs a Butterbeer before catching a Celestina Warbeck show in Diagon Alley.

6. Plan Meals + Snacks in ADVANCE!

• Instant Cart groceries to your hotel for breakfasts, snacks, etc.

  • Pack and plan your snacks and water. 

  • Pack 3-5 snacks for each child + adult.

• Share a freestyle cup for ALL day refills

• Choose quick service mealtimes at off peak meal times

  • Aim to eat lunch by 11:30 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m.

• Want sit down dinning?

  • Make reservations EARLY

  • Be prepared to be split into different tables. 

7. Know the Child Height Requirements

Here are all the height requirements for attractions at Universal Orlando.

• Make sure kids know what your children can ride before arriving.

• Pro tip: make a ride checkoff list. 

  • You can laminate it, & turn them into fun lanyard tags for your visit

  • They can check off their rides while waiting in line.

In the Park Strategy

If you want to get a good amount of the rides done, before the parks get really crowded- Your best bet is to be in the parks for Rope Drop + Early Park Admission. With a large group, it’s especially important.

It may be hard to get everyone on board with rope dropping on vacation, but it’ll make for a more experience as opposed to waiting in long long lines.

Knock out your priority rides first each morning.

• Ex: Hagrid’s.

Have a plan B, in case one of your priority rides is down or unavailable in the morning. Hagrid’s in particular is known for having issues in the morning

Double check the show times for entertainment.

Take breaks. Managing a large group can be exhausting! If you need a break, arrange a time to meet up with the group later.

Bonus Tip:

• Make a group chat for planning, and for to staying in touch while vacationing at Universal Orlando.

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Related Posts:

• Theme Park Bag Essentials- What To Pack for a day at Universal Orlando Using a Fanny Pack.

For more Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World news + tips, follow MissWizardingWorld on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Twitter.

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