We are listing updates to The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando here. The author will submit updates as needed. Please check back often for the latest information, or subscribe to the Unofficial Guides newsletter to stay up-to-date on all the news for Universal Orlando, as well as Disney parks.

The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 Updates (as of 1/6/2025)

INTRODUCTION

PART 1 PLANNING BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

32-33 Multi-day tickets including 1 day at Epic Universe are on sale as of October 22, 2024. One-day Epic Universe tickets for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are on sale as of October 24, 2024.

35 All Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders can use the exclusive UOAP entrance at Islands of Adventure through the end of 2025. It is located to the far left of the front gates, and is open daily from the start of early entry until noon.

39 The 2025 Freedom Pass costs $210 for 2 parks ($245 with Volcano Bay).

41 Portofino Bay’s Mandara Spa has closed.

53 Islands of Adventure is testing a new Early Park Admission procedure. Separate queues form outside the park for guests with early entry privileges, and general admission, with only the eligible guests allowed through the gates before the official opening time.

56 Early Park Admission at Epic Universe will include Mario Kart, Yoshi, and Mine-Cart Madness inside Super Nintendo World, and Stardust Racers in Celestial Park.

57 Universal is testing the same photo validation system used for park entry at Universal Express attraction entrances.

PART 2 ACCOMMODATIONS

77 Waterslides at hotel pools will be closed if the temperature is below 60F. The pools themselves will be closed below 50F, and the entire pool deck will close below 45F.

81 Portofino Bay’s Mandara Spa has closed.

86 Portofino Bay’s Mandara Spa has closed.

87 Harbor Nights tickets are $99 for standing-only general admission and $144 for VIP.

99 Helios Grand Hotel opens May 22, 2025.

100 Terra Luna Resort will open March 25, 2025.

PART 3 ARRIVING & GETTING AROUND

135 change “Premier Pass holders are charged $42 ($52 for Preferred) if they don’t pick up from valet before 7 p.m.” to “Premier Pass holders are charged $40 ($50 for Preferred) if they don’t pick up from valet before 7 p.m.

145 A selection of over-the-counter medicines can be purchased from PharmaBox vending machines, located outside select restrooms around the parks (eg. Marvel Super Hero Island).

166 The Universal Orlando website is currently inaccessible for users in the United Kingdom. Use a VPN (virtual private network) and set your location to Bermuda.

PART 4 ESSENTIALS

147 Free swaps of older Fuelrods for the upgraded models are ending soon. 

165 An IAC from IBCCES is not mandatory for receiving an AAP, but guests with a case number get to skip the regular guest services line and use expedited pass pickup queues found inside and outside each park.

PART 5 UNIVERSAL AND KIDS

190 change “• Hello Kitty Hollywood at her store” to “Hello Kitty Hollywood near the park exit”

PART 6 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

200 Universal has confirmed that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close in September 2025. Permit filings indicate that it will be replaced by a new Intamin launched coaster.

206 Fast & Furious closes by 7 p.m.

214 change “type your name on a digital soda bottle” to “remix music using touchscreen controls”

219-220 Trollercoaster may not open until 10 a.m.

225 CineSational goes on hiatus during the Halloween season but returns in time for the holidays.

225-226 Universal Mega Movie Parade runs from early spring after Mardi Gras ends, until the start of Halloween Horror Nights.

227 Rock The Universe 2025 will feature Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, Bethel Music, Matthew West, and Rend Collective.

227 Mardi Gras will run February 1 through March 30, 2025.

229 The 2025 Mardi Gras Dine and Ride package costs $96 including tax and tip.

237 Universal no longer recruits guests to volunteer as balloon handlers for the holiday parade. 

238 Mannheim Steamroller did not perform live at USF in 2024, and is not expected to return in 2025.

PART 7 ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

264 Despite its limited capacity, wait times for Ollivanders in Hogsmeade rarely exceed the length of 2 or 3 shows, even on the busiest days.

266 The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle show did not run in 2024 but may return in 2025.

270 The VIP holiday tour ($85 and up, plus park admission) includes reserved seating for the Grinchmas show and a private after-hour viewing of the Hogwarts light show, plus one attraction, but not USF’s holiday parade. It is the only way to get a photo with Santa Claus and Max the dog, and the fastest way to meet the Grinch.  

271 The Grinchmas breakfast is held inside Circus McGurkus. Whoville characters visit the tables during the plated meal, and you can meet the Grinch before or after eating with a 15-30 minute wait.

PART 8 EPIC UNIVERSE

273 Epic Universal officially opens on May 22, 2025.

283 The Paris facades in Epic Universe’s Wizarding World tower 65-70 feet high, and period jazz music fills the air.

285 You might find Cosme Acajor’s proprietor roaming around their wand shop, helping customers to cast spells.

PART 9 VOLCANO BAY

295 Vol, the spirit of Volcano Bay, has been silenced. Vol’s Caverns now rates 2 stars.

PART 10 DINING & SHOPPING

305 The Three Broomsticks’ vegan mushroom pie has been replaced by vegan shepherds pie. VIVO’s vegan sausage pasta has been replaced with spinach artichoke pasta.

324 Today Cafe has new rotating seasonal pastries (including kruffins and danishes) replacing the matcha cream puff.

326-327 Doc Sugrue’s now serves Greek salads topped with beef, chicken, or vegan kabobs.

328 The Three Broomsticks’ mushroom jackfruit pie has been replaced by veg

336-338 Helios Grand will have the following quick-service restaurants:

• Aurora Market – a contemporary market offering coffees, grab-and-go food items, snack and dessert options
• Lotus Lagoon – a poolside bar and grill with refreshing cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and casual fare like burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.

338 Portofino’s full-service Starbucks is now Cafe Espresso, but it still serves Starbucks coffee.

340- Helios Grand will have the following full-service restaurants:

• Bar Helios – A rooftop lounge offering creative tapas and handcrafted specialty cocktails, with 360-degree views of Epic Universe and beyond.
• Flora Taverna – a full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with a lobby bar and open-style kitchen with live cooking, serving Mediterranean comfort foods like Greek meat on spit, whole fish, and pizza. Al fresco seating overlooks Celestial Park. 

346 Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom no longer accepts reservations.

352 The Hemisphere Dancer seaplane was removed from the Lone Palm Airport bar for refurbishment, but it should return in 2025.

356 Pat O’Brien’s no longer accepts reservations.

361 Dining near Universal: add Ahi All-You-Can-Eat Sushi (4898 S. Kirkman Rd, 407-270-8500, ahisushiorland.com)

362 The UNIVRS, Hello Kitty, and Betty Boop stores in USF have been closed for a Wicked walkthrough experience and shop.

363 The Coca-Cola kiosk outside MIB sells Freestyle cups, and has interactive touchscreens that allow guests to remix the background music.

PART 11 CITYWALK

377 Classic Albums Live has relocated to Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.

The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2024 Updates (archived as of 10/17/2024)

INTRODUCTION:

10 NBCUniversal’s theme park division reported $2.3 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 (an increase of 12.2% and its highest adjusted EBITDA on record).

20 Epic Universe and Helios Grand Hotel officially open May 22, 2025. Multi-day tickets including 1 day at Epic Universe are on sale as of October 22, 2024. One-day Epic Universe tickets for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are on sale as of October 24, 2024. Reservations are now open for the Stella Nova hotel near Epic Universe, which will debut January 22, 2025; its twin Terra Luna opens February 25, 2025. Both are “prime value” properties with a starting nightly rate of $189, discounted to $119 on longer stays.

PART 1 PLANNING BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

24 Universal no longer offers printed park maps or show schedules; use the free smartphone app.

27 Volcano Bay is closed on select weekdays during the fall and winter off-season. Be especially wary of Gradventure and Grad Bash all-night events for graduating students each April and May, which crowd the parks with teens and tweens during the afternoon, and close them to regular guests by dinnertime.

30 During all seasons, the portion of USF from Central Park through World Expo (including the E.T., Simpsons, and MIB rides) may be blocked off from guest access until 10 a.m.

33 Volcano Bay is closed on select weekdays during the fall and winter off-season, typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays or Wednesdays and Thursdays.

33 Blue Man Group is returning to Orlando in a new 500-seat theater at ICON Park.

35 Universal Orlando ticket prices increased in October 2023. 1 Day single-park tickets are $119-$179. 1 Day Park-to-park tickets are $174-$234. 2 Day single-park tickets cost $233-339. 2 Day park-to-park tickets are $293-$409. (Prices are for online purchases before tax.)

36 Annual passes can be scanned into your wallet inside Universal’s app and stored as a QR code that may be used for admission and benefits (including Express after 4 p.m. for Premiere passholders) but you should keep your physical pass and ID on hand for verification.  

37-38 In 2024, all Universal Orlando Passholders receive 10% off VIP tours, and 15% off regular or private tickets at Universal’s Great Movie Escape. All passholders get 10% off food and nonalcoholic drinks; not valid for special events or holidays. Discounts on merchandise at Universal-operated hotel stores are valid for Preferred (10% off) and Premier (15% off) passholders only. Premier passholders save 10%-15% off food and merchandise at select CityWalk locations.

39 Starting in 2025, Premier Passholders will need to make an advance online reservation to use their free Halloween Horror Nights ticket.

42 In 2024, eligible military service members can purchase a Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket, which is valid for admission through December 20, 2024, with two weeks of block-outs around Christmas and Easter; the pass starts at $210 for 2-park access, with 3-park upgrades available.

52-53 Universal has deployed new turnstiles that use “photo validation” (a.k.a. facial recognition) instead of finger biometrics at both USF and IOA. Guests scan their passes, then look into a screen-mounted camera until their image is identified. The process takes about 2 seconds (far quicker than Disney’s MagicBands), but guests can opt out and choose to display photo IDs instead. This technology will be deployed at the upcoming Epic Universe to provide a more frictionless entry experience. 52 Portable ticket scanners are no longer used at the parks, now that photo recognition has replaced biometric finger scanning. 

53 On days when USF does not offer EPA, the gates will usually open 10 minutes before the official time. Guests can enter the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts queue before official opening; rides may not begin running until park opening on non-EPA mornings. Rip Ride Rockit may not start running until 15 minutes after park opening, and the entire south side of the lagoon (including DreamWorks, Simpsons, and Men In Black) is inaccessible until 10 a.m.

55 Forbidden Journey doesn’t open until 30 minutes after early entry begins, and typically operates only about 25% of its ride vehicles during EPA. 

57 Two-Park Early Park Admission was offered only December 26-30, 2023.

60 change “Express Pass valid after 4 p.m. only for about $45” to “Express Pass valid after 4 p.m. only for about $60”

65 Remove Despicable Me Minion Mayhem from the Single Rider list.

PART 2 ACCOMMODATIONS

73 Universal is changing the classifications of their hotels. Helios Grand, Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls will be “Signature Collection”. Only PBH, HRH, & RPR will include free Express to USF & IOA. Aventura, Stella Nova & Terra Luna will be “Prime Value”. Cabana Bay & Endless Summer is “Value Inn & Suites”

78-79 Parking rates at onsite hotels have increased. Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, and Sapphire Falls charge a $33-per-night self-parking fee ($43 for valet) for registered guests; day guests pay $51 for self-parking and $48 for valet. Cabana Bay and Aventura charge $22 for overnight guests (self-parking only), and Endless Summer charges $18; all three bill $51 per day for day visitors. Royal Pacific is the only on-site hotel that accommodates overnight RV parking for $80. You must spend at least $40 on food or beverages to receive parking validation at onsite hotels.

79 Change “Attraction Ticket Center” to “Vacation Planning Center.” Desk is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

81 Portofino Bay has self-service laundry machines on the second floor of the west wing. They cost $6 per load. 

PART 3 ARRIVING & GETTING AROUND

128 SeaWorld shuttle departs from the parking garage hub, no direct service from the hotels. No reservation or boarding passes needed.

131 Self Parking costs $32 for cars and $42 for RVs, trailers, and other large rigs.

132 Prime parking upgrades cost $18 ($28 during peak season) for Preferred Pass holders or those with prepaid standard parking. Valet parking is available at CityWalk for $32 for a visit of up to 2 hours or $65-$75 for longer.

132 Prime parking upgrades cost $18 ($28 during peak season) for Preferred Pass holders or those with prepaid standard parking. Valet parking is available at CityWalk for $32 for a visit of up to 2 hours or $65-$75 for longer.

133 Valet: Automated kiosks to the right of the valet windows can cut your wait to retrieve your car, when they are working. Scan your parking ticket and annual pass or credit card for priority vehicle retrieval; you can also charge a gratuity, if you don’t carry cash, but check your receipt carefully for accidental overcharges.

PART 4 ESSENTIALS

136 ATMs are marked in the app’s digital map. The ATM near USF’s Lost and Found has been relocated outside the nearby restrooms. The ATM in Springfield has been removed. The two ATMs in CityWalk are next to Guest Services and Fat Tuesday. The ATMs in Marvel Super Hero Island and Lost Continent have been removed. 

137 Credit Cards: The Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature card gives 4% back on purchases at Universal, 2% on other travel & dining purchases, and 1% on everything else. There is a $99 annual fee, but you get a $100 credit for spending $100 during your first billing cycle. It also includes 0% financing on Universal vacation packages, a free one-day/one-park park ticket each year if you spend $6,000, and access to a new cardholder lounge inside Universal Studios. The Universal Rewards Visa has no annual fee, but you only get $50 first-statement credit and 2% back on Universal purchases (1% on everything else) and no lounge access or other perks. Visit https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/universal-rewards-visa to apply. At signup desks inside the parking hub and theme parks, Universal Visa card is now offering $100-$200 in gift cards, plus $100 statement credit after spending $500 dollars, with instant approval.

143-144 Fuelrods cost $35 at Universal. They are available in a two-pack for $35 from Amazon.

144 Change “coin vendor” to “kebab house seating area”

146 Paid all-day lockers in the theme parks cost $20 for large or $25 for family size.

147 Larger short term lockers [at dry rides with free short-term lockers] cost $3 during the posted wait time, and an additional $3 per 30 minutes after, up to a daily maximum of $25.

147 Cross-body bags worn across the chest (rather than around the waist) cannot be taken on rides that require lockers.

148 Paid short-term lockers at water rides: smaller ones cost $5 for the first 90 minutes and the larger ones are $6; both cost $3 for each additional half-hour after that, with a $25 daily maximum.

148 Universal is discontinuing free package delivery from the theme parks to CityWalk. Packages can still be delivered for free to an onsite hotel, or shipped home for a fee.

151 under Smoking change “in Gramercy Park in USF’s New York area” to “in USF’s Central Park behind the Back to the Future train”

151 The satellite Vacation Services booths around the parks can’t issue disability assistance passes; you must retrieve those at the main guest service locations.

154 A temporary wheelchair rental location can be found outside the CityWalk cinema while the one in the parking hub is under renovation.

154 ECVs cost $75 per day (tax inclusive), with no deposit required. An upgraded model with a sunshade canopy is $95.

156 Family restrooms and Service animal relief areas are marked in the app’s digital map; tap the magnifying glass icon in the lower right corner to search for them.

160 The website autismattheparks.com is no longer active.

161 An IAC from IBCCES is not mandatory for receiving an AAP, but guests with a case number get to skip the regular guest services line and use expedited pass pickup queues found inside and outside each park.

162 Universal Orlando offers digital park maps in Spanish and Portuguese as PDF files. Paper maps are no longer available. Scan the QR codes posted near the park entrances to download. 

PART 5 UNIVERSAL AND KIDS

168 Change “coin vendor” to “kebab house seating area”

184 IOA’s Citizens and Storytellers have been retired, along with USF’s Cabbie the NYC Taxi Driver. Marilyn Monroe appears only in Hollywood, not New York near Macy’s. The Madagascar penguins no longer regularly appear. King Julien & Tigris still appear in Lost Continent, but Po is only in DreamWorks Land.

184 delete “• Hello Kitty Hollywood at her store”

PART 6 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

186 USF’s “Front Lot” has been completely absorbed by Hollywood; replace all references.

191 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Delete “single rider line available.” 

192 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Delete “Note that the posted standby time is just the wait to enter the building; you’ll be watching preshows for an additional 10 minutes before you actually ride.”

192-193 Move Motion Sickness Wuffo from Villain-Con Minion Blast to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

193 Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is rumored to be closing in 2025, possibly to be replaced by a new Intamin roller coaster like USH’s Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.

193 The statue of Lew Wasserman in New York has been removed.

195 The Ragtime Gals only perform inside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon during peak seasons.

198-199 Fast & Furious Supercharged will be closed from August 14, 2024, through the end of Halloween Horror Nights.

202 Herminone’s voice has been updated on the Hogwarts Express and now sounds like Emma Watson. (Delete reader quote.)

203 Hogwarts Express touring tips: When the queue swells, the wait for Express may be as long as ⅓ of the posted standby estimate.

203 Ollivanders: scope and scale is Minor attraction.

203-204 Interactive wands cost $69 with tax. Noninteractive wands are no longer available.

206 Shutterbuttons: Photos are 1 for $32 or $106 for 5 with a Photo package. DVDs are not discounted. The shop closes at 5 p.m. daily.

207 delete “type your name on a digital soda bottle”

207 World Expo doesn’t open until 10 a.m.

208 Springfield doesn’t open until 10 a.m.

209 The Simpsons Ride is 3 ½ stars, Remove from “not to be missed” list. Go in the first 2 hours the ride is open or after 4 p.m.

210-212 DreamWorks Land opens June 14, 2024. E.T. and Animal Actors are now part of Hollywood. Attractions in DreamWorks include Shrek’s Swamp, the Trollercoaster, and Panda Village. Guests can interact with Shrek and Donkey, Po from Kung Fu Panda, and Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse. The new DreamWorks Imagination Celebration is a multisensory live show featuring favorite DreamWorks characters. Guests can purchase interactive bubble wands, which activate special features around the area.

215 The new Mega Movie Parade runs daily in USF starting July 3, 2024. It features nearly 100 performers and 13 floats celebrating iconic Universal Studios films like E.T., and Back to the Future, along with Illumination’s Minions and Sing, and DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. Highlights include a 16-foot-tall Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man atop the Ghostbusters float, a marching band drumline playing the Jaws theme, and a Jurassic World finale featuring a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex. The interactive bubble wands sold in DreamWorks Land also react to select parade floats. The parade makes a left out of Esoteric Pictures gate towards the park entrance, then travels clockwise (same as the Holiday parade). UOAP viewing area is located at Mel’s, ADA at Macy’s in NY, Universal Visa Cardholders at Brown Derby. The parade should run daily (6 p.m. during the summer) except during the Holiday season.

216 Sing It! has ended its run at USF, and Drive-In and Dance closed after January 26, 2024. Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bellas have moved their show to outside Mel’s Drive-In in Hollywood. A cat-tastic interactive dance show with Gabby (from Gabby’s Dollhouse) was briefly held in front of Mel’s (rated 2 ½ stars) and may return in DreamWorks Land.

216 The new CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular nighttime lagoon show debuts June 14 at Universal Studios Florida. The show celebrates musical scores and scenes from blockbuster films that inspired Universal Orlando attractions of yesterday and today, – including the Wizarding World series, Jurassic World, Jaws, Shrek, Ghostbusters, Trolls, Back to the Future, Universal Monsters, Transformers, How to Train Your Dragon, E.T., Fast and Furious, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, The Mummy and King Kong. The 22 minute production utilizes 228 fountains installed in the park’s central lagoon, with 16000 individual nozzles capable of launching water over 130 feet in the air, along with 4K projection mapping and a fleet of 660 remote-controlled aerial drones.

217 Rock the Universe was held January 26-27, 2024. We The Kingdom, Dove, Casting Crowns, LECRAE, Phil Wickham, and Brandon Lake headlined. Individual single-night tickets start around $90, while two-night tickets cost about $133; groups get discounted rates, and can buy Rock Your Weekend tickets that combine both event nights with daytime park tickets. Three-park access Friday–Sunday goes for about $161 ($209 for park-to-park). Universal Express Passes run an additional $32 per night for one-time use per ride, or $43 for unlimited use. (Prices include tax.) Rock The Universe 2025 on Jan 24-25, 2025 will feature Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, Bethel Music, Matthew West, and Rend Collective.

217 Mardi Gras will run from February 3 through April 7, 2024.

218 Mardi Gras tasting cards cost $65 for $75 worth of credit; UOAPs pay $120 for $150.

218-219 The 2024 Mardi Gras parade features an “elements” theme with  floats based on earth, wind, fire, water, and the sun and moon. The parade direction was reversed along its usual route, running counter-clockwise around the park, but is expected to resume its previous clockwise direction in 2025. Annual Passholder float riding spots sold out within an hour in 2023. If you purchase a Dine and Ride package, be sure to check in at Animal Actors at least an hour before the parade begins or you may lose your spot. There is no physical standby line for free same-day float riding spots but they may be distributed sporadically during the day through the app’s Virtual Line feature. Unclaimed float riding spots are released about 45 minutes prior to step off through the Virtual Line system, and must be redeemed within a few minutes; hang around the Animal Actors check-in area to hear when availability is announced. There is no restroom access for about an hour when riding the floats.

220 2024 Mardi Gras concerts include The All-American Rejects, KC and The Sunshine Band, Barenaked Ladies, Queen Latifah, Luis Fonsi, and Zedd.

220-221 Halloween Horror Nights will run from August 30 through November 3, 2024. Advance online tickets cost $88-$131. Express costs $138-$256. HHN multi-night passes are sold online only for $192 to $426. Adding Express costs an additional $458-$586, and quickly sold out in 2024. One night express passes start at $160 per person. Scream Early costs $59.

222 RIP tours cost $394-$501. Unmasking the Horror tours cost $106-$170 for 3 houses, $192-$224 for 6.  A Premium Scream Night event is held the evening before HHN officially opens, with limited attendance and staggered entry for the haunted houses, plus unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks. Tickets cost $350+tax ($325 for passholders).

223 Change “Central Park and the adjoining Springfield…four or five haunted houses before 8 p.m.” to “World Expo and the adjoining Springfield section offer priority access to the haunted houses behind MEN IN BLACK and The Simpsons Ride. Stay & Scream guests can check in near Lombard’s at 4 p.m., and should be released into the first two houses by 5:45 p.m., with the remainder of the mazes opening around 6 p.m.; you can enjoy a selection of food and drink for purchase while waiting for daytime guests to exit. By using this Stay & Scream location, you should be able to enjoy four or five haunted houses before 8 p.m.”

Change “Guests here are released around 5:15 p.m” to “Guests can check in across from Minion Cafe by 4 p.m. and are released around 5:15 p.m.”

Change “The San Francisco holding area is located at Richter’s” to “A San Francisco holding area may be located at Richter’s,”

After “Fast & Furious Supercharged queue.” insert “(This area may not be available.)”

bold not in ”Diagon Alley is not a holding area”

224 Change “Houses that don’t open until 6:30 p.m.” to “Houses that don’t open before 6 p.m.”

Change “before they begin operating” to “before early entry ends”

Change “the end of the night” to “later in the night”

Change “enjoy short waits at the mazes that are operating” to “spend Stay & Scream enjoying mazes that are operating”

Change “CENTRAL PARK/SPRINGFIELD HOLDING AREA: If you’re among…followed by the house at Fast & Furious.” to “WORLD EXPO/SPRINGFIELD HOLDING AREA: If you’re among the first inside the World Expo holding area, queue up for the house with the biggest buzz. If one of the houses already has a long line by the time you get there, grab a snack and wait in the shorter queue instead. After experiencing your first house, get in line for the other World Expo haunts if the wait is less than 25 minutes; otherwise, save them for the end of the night. Next, move on to the house entrances near The Simpsons Ride and Fast & Furious.”

Change “ones near MIB and DreamWorks before crowds build.” to “ones in World Expo before crowds build. (This area may not be available.)”

225 change “15-20 minutes in advance” to “30 minutes in advance”

change “head toward Springfield immediately afterward” to “head toward World Expo immediately after”

change “to the houses outside MIB Gear.” to “to the houses in World Expo or San Francisco.”

change “arrive 15–20 minutes before the last performance on peak nights (or 5–10 minutes before showtime off-peak)” to “arrive 20–30 minutes before the last performance on peak nights (or 15–20 minutes before showtime off-peak)”

226 change “just be aware that most rides shut down an hour or two before the event ends” to “just be aware that some rides (including Gringotts) shut down at 11 p.m.”

227 Holidays at Universal runs from November 17 through December 31, 2023.

PART 7 ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

233 The Haystack people dryers outside water rides cost $7 (tap-to-pay and credit cards accepted, not cash).

234 delete “on all-terrain vehicles”

239-240 Storm Force Accelatron opens at 10 a.m.

243 Reign of Kong has removed its 3D effects and disabled the outdoor portion of the ride track. As long as these changes persist, the ride is rated 3 ½ stars and should be removed from the “not to be missed” list. Reign of Kong starts running 30 minute after park opening. When to go: change “or just before closing” to “or after 4 p.m.” 

245 Jurassic Park Discovery Center: Raptor hatchings generally occur hourly on the half-hour.

249 chocolate frogs are now also available in white chocolate.

251 change “the track is the longest of any coaster in Florida” to “the coaster’s track is among the longest found in Florida”

256  replace “On select evenings throughout the year, The Nighttime Lights AT HOGWARTS CASTLE (★★★½)…capped with a quick burst of pyrotechnics.” with:

On select evenings throughout the year, HOGWARTS ALWAYS (★★★½) brings the Forbidden Journey facade to life with colorful spells and magical creatures, all thanks to the Muggle miracle of digital projection mapping. The images evoke iconic milestones from a year in the life of a Hogwarts student, from shopping for school supplies in Diagon Alley, to celebrating the winner of the House Cup; with four different rotating endings, each house gets its chance to shine. The 7 minute show, which also features vocal cameos from Dumbledore and Hagrid, is capped with a quick burst of pyrotechnics.

256 The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle show did not run in 2024 but may return in 2025.

257 Change “coin vendor” to “kebab house seating area”

260 Holidays at IOA runs from November 17 through December 31, 2023. The Grinch meet and greet does not use a Virtual Line, but it has a standard standby queue that often exceeds three hours. If meeting the Grinch is a priority, get in line as soon as the park opens. Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular is rated 4 ½ stars.

261 In 2023, the Grinchmas breakfast is a plated meal held inside Confisco Grille. It costs $63 (plus gratuity) for adults and $35 for kids age 9 and under.

262 Forbidden Journey opens 30 minutes after EPA begins.

PART 8 VOLCANO BAY

269 Volcano Bay lockers outside the park cost $20 (medium) or $25 (large). Inside the park, $14 (mini), $20 (medium), or $25 (large)

PART 9 DINING & SHOPPING

278 Plant Based Dining

add Vegan Garlic Knots (Louie’s)

Change “Double chocolate brownie” to “Double chocolate chunk brownie”

After “superfood salad” delete “humus,”

Delete “Chocolate silk ice cream (Cold Stone Creamery)”

Change “Field roast dog” to “Vegan field dog”

Change “dark chocolate fudge cake” to “dark chocolate mousse cake”

279 Cafe 4’s vegan eggplant Parmesan was replaced by vegan fettuccine Alfredo. Change “Vegan brownie (Front Lot Snack Stand” to “Vegan hand pie or brownie (Hollywood Snack Stand)”.  Add Vegan Jambalaya at Pat O’Brien’s (CityWalk), Vegan Chili Field Dog at Mel’s Drive-In (USF). Replace Irish stew with Vegan curry (Leaky Cauldron). Delete Vegan brownie (Front Lot Snack Stand). Add “Cinnamon Sugar Donut Stick (SF Street Treats)”. Add Vegan Garlic Knots (Louie’s). Change “Double chocolate brownie” to “Double chocolate chunk brownie”. After “superfood salad” delete “humus,” Delete “Chocolate silk ice cream (Cold Stone Creamery)”. Change “Field roast dog” to “Vegan field dog”. Change “dark chocolate fudge cake” to “dark chocolate mousse cake”.

281 Delete “(including potato barrels and curly fries)”

284-285 Mobile Order at Pickup Window locations is usually very efficient, but at Table Delivery restaurants you may wait 20-30 minutes after scanning in before your food arrives.

285 Bottled Butterbeer can be ordered for delivery in the USA from harrypottershop.com. Vegan butterbeer topping is available at Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks (but not Hog’s Head). Butterbeer costs $10, or $15 in a souvenir mug.

287 Leaky Cauldron, Hopping Pot, and Hog’s Head serve two additional beers, Dark Forest Ale (a traditional brown ale) and Daisyroot Ale (a Stella-style lighter ale). Dragon Scale is available in both Wizarding Worlds, but Hog’s Head Brew is exclusive to Hogsmeade. Wizarding world beers in a souvenir mug cost $16.75 plus tax. Fire Whisky in Strongbow costs $17.

288 Refillable hotel drink cups: at CBBR & Aventura, 3 days/$19, 4-7/$25, 8+/$30 (plus tax). At Sapphire Falls & RPR, 1 day/$10.50, 3/$16.50, Length of Stay/$19. Remove “Sonic Fill” name.

292 City Snack Stands: The Studio Snack stand in Hollywood sells Belgian waffles.

293 Reader scores for Fast Food Boulevard have dropped significantly in recent surveys.

294 Hopping Pot now serves vegan pasties.

294 Kidzone Pizza Company is closed; it may reopen with a new name and menu.

295 Mel’s Drive-In has a new menu featuring the Big Bopper burger, California Cobb salad, and an excellent Vegan Chili Field Dog. Milkshakes and pies have been upgraded, but the burgers and chicken are still pretty bland.

296 San Francisco Pastry Company has some new selections, including grilled cheese with tomato soup, as well as chilled Asian noodle salads.

297 Blondie’s is currently Mobile Ordering only.

298 Circus McGurkus has reopened with an all-new menu featuring roast beast sandwiches (meatloaf and ribeye with cheddar and onions on a pretzel bun), garlic bread cones filled with pasta marinara and meatballs (real or Gardein), chicken tenders with hot honey biscuits, and burgers. Pescatarians can pick Red Fish Blue Fish Poke, with ahi tuna and edamame on blue glass noodles, or fried shrimp on popcorn; vegans can enjoy a colorful red quinoa salad with dragonfruit, raspberries, and baby spinach. For dessert, Green Eggs and Ham-inspired chocolate cheesecake or caramel popcorn cupcakes. This restaurant uses mandatory Mobile Order with table delivery, similar to Minion Cafe. Pickup orders are available from an exterior window to the right of the main entrance, which is the only place to get a spicy sausage and cheese corn dog.

300 Skull Island’s Mess Tent serves pizza skulls, a fan favorite from Halloween Horror Nights.

300 Moose Juice does not have pizza.

302 Bend the Bao: Under Selections, add “boba tea”. $5 each additional Bao (default 3, can request 2).

302 BK Whopper Bar: burgers are served with single patties, but include large drinks and sides.

304-305 Bayliner Diner: add seared Ahi tuna 

306 The Starbucks in Portofino Bay has closed.

312 Valet parking at Portofino Bay is $11 with validation from Bice

313 BigFire: Change Creekstone Farms cowboy ribeye to Florida-raised boneless ribeye. 

315 Cowfish: replace “sushi rolls made with lobster and filet mignon (The Prime Time) or barbeque pork” with “sushi rolls made with buffalo chicken, bacon cheeseburgers, or barbecue pork”. Delete “but avoid the What’s Shakin’ Tuna Bacon Sandwich”

316-317 Galaxy Bowl: Open noon-11 p.m. Bowling prices: Mon-Fri, noon-5pm, $18.50+tax; Mon-Fri 5pm-close & Sat-Sun all day, $21+ tax. Reservations required through Resy.

321 Leaky Cauldron: change “vegan Irish stew” to “mildly-seasoned vegan curry”

321 Lombard’s house specialties: Replace shrimp cocktail and filet mignon with calamari and ribeye steak.

322 Valet parking at Portofino Bay is $11 with validation from Mama Della’s

323 Minion Cafe: We also recommend the herbaceous grilled cheese sandwich, dipped in tart green tomato soup.

325 NBC Sports summary & comments: change “The grilled chicken wings are underwhelming” to “The slow-cooked birria-style chicken wings and Cajun deviled eggs are both pleasingly piquante (but not excessively spicy)”

330 Valet parking at Portofino Bay is $11 with validation from Trattoria del Porto

332 Add Ahi All-You-Can-Eat Sushi (4898 S. Kirkman Rd, 407-270-8500, ahisushiorland.com) to Kirkman & Conroy restaurants. Add Sushi Yama (6748 Grand National Dr., 407-420-0666, sushiyamaorlando.com) to I-Drive restaurants.

333 The UNIVRS, Hello Kitty, and Betty Boop stores in USF have been closed for a Wicked walkthrough experience and shop.

335 Custom Gear: Change “personalized toy car” to “personalized driver’s license or dog tags”

335 Five and Dime offered a Monster Makeover with a professional airbrush artist for $65 (half face) or $125 (full face), with 38 different horror-inspired looks to choose from. The experience was available through April 7; reservations were available at shop.universalorlando.com/sho/monster-makeover.

PART 10 CITYWALK

338 CityWalk’s Legacy Store has closed and will become a preview center for Epic Universe. Quiet Flight surf shop and its iconic surfboard photo op have been removed.

343 Remove Cinnabon & Quiet Flight Surf Shop

344 Rising Star Cuisine: Pizza from Red Oven. Change “pizza, sliders, and sweets” to “pizza delivery from Red Oven”

346 The Cineplex’s automated kiosks are located inside the lobby.

347 Classic Albums Live has relocated to Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.