Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando Resort with our OBSESSIVELY UPDATED collection of Universal insider information and expert advice.
The OI Universal Center is home to our FREE next-generation ENCYCLOPEDIA of Universal Orlando vacation planning information. It contains over 200 pages covering Universal’s theme parks, hotels, and more. In addition, we offer our readers six extraordinary advantages over traditional guidebooks and other websites:
- Nearly same-day updates to our insider information as changes take place in the parks
- Immersive multimedia, including over 10,000 full-screen photos and hours of HD video
- Intense, first-hand coverage of annual events with advice written based on this year’s activities
- Comprehensive analysis of all construction projects and anticipated resort developments
- Live, in-park photo updates broadcast from Universal Orlando each and every week
- Direct access to Dan Hatfield for fast, professional answers to all OI Forum member questions
Thousands of families have used our service to plan the perfect vacation and gain complete confidence in their knowledge of the parks. As we now celebrate our biggest and busiest year ever, we are very proud to take our place as the premier independent resource for guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort.
First-time visitors, please read this page:
How to use our FREE online guide to plan your Universal vacation
OI Universal Center table of contents
Skip to…
The Script | The Set | WWoHP guide | Events | Touring plans | USF | IOA | CityWalk | Hotels | Archive
NEW: Links in green represent current construction projects.
We’re giving away a $300 Universal gift card – enter to win!
OI merchandise is now available
Join our forum / Renew / Cancel
How to log in, post questions & modify your profile
12-month Universal Orlando crowd calendar
Best day of the week to visit Universal Orlando
The Script: TICKETS, PACKAGES & PLANNING
- Maps, Rider’s Guide & vacation brochure
- Attraction Assistance & Guest Assistance Passes
- Universal Orlando ticket price comparison
- Universal vacation packages – an insider’s guide
- Top 12 easiest ways to save time & money at Universal
- Orlando FlexTicket & FlexTicket Plus
- Where to buy discount theme park tickets
- Ride wait times based on crowd levels
- Universal Express Passes – a complete guide
- The secret to getting UNLIMITED Express Passes
- Universal’s Q-bot Ride Reservation System
- Universal Meal Deal – everything you need to know
- Dining reservations at Universal Orlando
- Parking & Universal’s transportation hub
- International Drive’s I-Ride Trolley
- Shuttles, taxis & towncars: Transportation recommendations
The Set: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION
- Watch these movies before you “ride the movies”
- Top 5 thrill rides at Universal Orlando
- Universal Orlando’s best kept secrets revealed!
- Shopping & merchandise at Universal Orlando
- Visiting USF with kids – complete guide
- Visiting IOA with kids – complete guide
- Rental & ride lockers at Universal
- Characters at Universal’s theme parks
- Child Swap at Universal’s thrill rides
- MIB: How to max out your score at 999,999
- Refillable cups, popcorn buckets & Coke Freestyle
- Internet access at Universal Orlando
- Universal Photo Connect & ride photos
- Grocery stores, outlets & more around Orlando
- 20 ideas for free or inexpensive entertainment around Orlando
- Orlando average monthly temperatures
Insider’s guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- You really should see this before you go
- Only guaranteed ways to beat the crowds at WWoHP
- How to ensure your trip to the Wizarding World is a success!
- Early Park Admission at the Wizarding World – complete guide
- WWoHP reservation times & return tickets VERSION 3.0
- Forbidden Journey: Ultimate guide – book 1 – book 2 – book 3 – book 4
- The very best way to experience Forbidden Journey
- Ollivander’s: What is it, how long is the wait, and is it worth it?
- Dragon Challenge: Secrets of the queue
- Three Broomsticks & Hogs Head: Drink in the details
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter merchandise – compete guide
- Top misconceptions about the Wizarding World
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley (USF expansion)
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade train station (IOA expansion)
Annual events at Universal Orlando
- Summer Concert Series 2013
- Rock The Universe 2013
- Halloween Horror Nights 2013
- Thanksgiving 2013
- Holidays 2013: Macy’s holiday parade, Grinchmas & more
- New Year’s Eve 2013
- Mardi Gras 2014
Universal Orlando touring plans
- Universal Studios & Island of Adventure 1 day touring plan
- Ultimate Islands of Adventure 1 day touring plan
- Ultimate Universal Studios 1 day touring plan
- 3-day touring plan for on-site guests: Day 1
- 3-day touring plan for on-site guests: Day 2
- 3-day touring plan for on-site guests: Day 3
- OI Wizarding World of Harry Potter touring plan
Universal Studios Florida – the full tour
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories
- Production Central
- New York
- San Francisco
- World Expo
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
- The Simpsons Ride
- The Simpsons Springfield expansion
- Moe’s Tavern (Fast Food Blvd)
- Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror (Fast Food Blvd)
- Luigi’s (Fast Food Blvd)
- The Frying Dutchman (Fast Food Blvd)
- Cletus’ Chicken Shack (Fast Food Blvd)
- Krusty Burger (Fast Food Blvd)
- Flaming Moe’s (Fast Food Blvd)
- Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
- Hollywood
- Dining options at USF
- In-park dining experiences
- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill (full-service)
- Lombard’s Seafood Grille (full-service)
- Louie’s Italian Restaurant (Meal Deal)
- Mel’s Drive-In (Meal Deal)
- Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Cafe (quick-service)
- Beverly Hills Boulangerie (quick-service)
- Cafe La Bamba (quick-service)
- Richter’s Burger Co. (quick-service)
- In-park dining experiences
Islands of Adventure – the full tour
- Marvel Super Hero Island
- Toon Lagoon
- Jurassic Park
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Lost Continent
- Seuss Landing
- Dining options at IOA
- Confisco Grill (full-service)
- Mythos (full-service)
- The Burger Digs (Meal Deal)
- Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous (Meal Deal)
- Comic Strip Cafe (Meal Deal)
- Blondie’s: Home of the Dagwood (quick-service)
- Captain America Diner (quick-service)
- Croissant Moon Bakery (quick-service)
- Green Eggs and Ham Cafe (quick-service)
- Three Broomsticks & Hogs Head (quick-service)
- Thunder Falls Terrace (quick-service)
Universal CityWalk
- Restaurants
- Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- Emeril’s Orlando
- Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
- Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Orlando
- Latin Quarter
- NASCAR Sports Grille
- NBA City
- Pastamore Ristorante & Market
- Pat O’Brien’s
- CityWalk food court: BK Whopper Bar, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Panda Express
- Breakfast options at Universal CityWalk
- Shows & other entertainment
Our CityWalk section is a work in progress. But remember, if you have any questions whatsoever about CityWalk or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask us in the OI Forum!
Accommodations in and around Universal Orlando
On-site hotels at Universal Orlando
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Jet away to the Italian Riviera
- Hard Rock Hotel Orlando: Live the rock ‘n roll lifestyle
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Your South Seas escape is waiting
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Overview & construction updates
- Comparing Universal Orlando’s three on-site luxury hotels
- On-site hotel discount for Annual Passholders & the logistics of checking in
Universal Orlando Partner Hotels
- DoubleTree across from the entrance to Universal – discount
- Universal Orlando Partner Hotels within walking distance
- Walking from Holiday Inn or DoubleTree to Universal Orlando
- Walking from International Drive to Universal Orlando
OI Universal Center ARCHIVE
Universal Orlando Resort in the evening.
We are the world's leading independent resource for guests visiting the world's most exciting entertainment destination: Universal Orlando Resort. With more than 500 free pages & blog posts covering the resort, viewed over half a million times each month, we are proud to help thousands of families plan the perfect vacation to Universal's theme parks.
Dan is a former Universal Orlando team member, student at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and the OI guy who works full-time to bring you the very best Universal vacation planning information. Originally from St. Paul, MN, Dan now lives in Ocoee, FL (on the edge of Orlando) with his wife Rosie, their daughter Noa, and a new baby on the way!