Spring has sprung at the Universal Orlando Resort, and we’re accelerating into April with this latest installment in our monthly series of updates to The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021.
Since The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021 went to press, there have been a number of new closures, changes, and other adjustments to operations at Universal Orlando’s theme parks. You can find pages archiving all these updates at theunofficialguides.com/universal-orlando-updates and touringplans.com/unofficial-guide/universal-orlando-updates.
COVID-19 AND UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Universal Orlando’s theme parks reached their restricted maximum capacity before midday on multiple dates during spring break.
On-site hotel guests, those with date-specific tickets, and re-entering guests are granted priority admission over multi-day ticket holders and annual passholders when the parks approach their capacity limit.
Universal has resumed loading guests in all rows of ride vehicles at Transformers and Spider-Man.
Child swap rooms have reopened at Universal Orlando theme park attractions with minimum height restrictions.
PLANNING BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
Annual Pass prices have increased by $30-$80, depending on tier. Visit https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/annual-passes/promo for details.
ARRIVING & GETTING AROUND
Prime Self-Parking at Universal Orlando’s parking garages now costs $50. Preferred Passholders and guests with prepaid standard self-parking can upgrade to Prime for $24.
ESSENTIALS
A two-pack of FuelRods can be ordered from Amazon.com for $30, the price of one battery from kiosks around Universal.
DINING & SHOPPING
Coke Freestyle machines are now found at CityWalk’s Coke Kiosk.
The Comic Book Shop in Islands of Adventure’s Marvel Super Hero Island has removed the majority of its currently releases and now only stocks a small selection of trade paperback classics.
A new supersize Universal Studios Store has taken over a large swath of the retail space on the right side of CityWalk heading towards USF.
The previous Studios Store has been rebranded as the Universal Legacy Store, stocked with nostalgic throwback merchandise and museum-style displays of artifacts from extinct attractions.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA
On peak attendance days, the side exit in Universal Studios Florida may be opened during select hours to provide direct pedestrian access to and from Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure.
Mardi Gras 2021 was extended to run from February 6 through April 11.
Halloween Horror Nights 30 will take place on select nights from September 3 through October 31, 2021, with Beetlejuice as the featured headliner.
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Large paid lockers have been installed inside the lower level of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center.
Guests experiencing the upcoming VelociCoaster will be able to bring phones, wallets, and other loose objects into the queue; free small lockers may be accessed immediately before and after riding the attraction.
For all there is to see and do at Universal Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
