✨ Introduction
Yesterday was a full Universal Orlando day, and honestly… it was one of those days that perfectly shows why I love being a passholder. Between getting so much done in a short amount of time, filming content, and a little bit of chaos (yes… I did scrape my knee), this day was the perfect mix of fun, fast-paced, and real.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Express is worth it, how much you can actually get done in one day, or how to plan your park time—this recap is for you.
🎟️ My Passholder Background
(Why This Matters)
Before getting into the day, here’s a little context because this definitely impacted our experience:
My whole family has the 2-Park Premier Pass, which is about $790 each (before tax)— and if you plan on going to the parks often, I 100% recommend it.
Why I love it:
- No blockout dates
- Express Pass after 4 PM
- Free prime parking + valet
- UOAP perks (like lounges + extras)
I’ll do a full breakdown in another post, but just know… this is what made our day so smooth.
🌅 Morning at Universal Studios (11 AM Start)
We arrived at Universal Studios around 11 AM, and getting through security only took about 5 minutes, which was honestly such a good start.
Our first ride was:
🎬 Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Posted wait: 25 mins
- Actual wait: 15 mins
Right away, we were already beating wait times—which is always a win.
🪄 Midday Vibes: Diagon Alley + Shows
After that, we headed into ✨ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley
I wanted to shoot some content here, and I’ll be honest—spring break crowds made it a little challenging. But I still managed to get what I needed (content creators get it lol).
Then we went to:
🎥 The Bourne Stuntacular
This is ALWAYS one of my favorite shows.
✔ So entertaining
✔ Worth the time
✔ Great break from walking/heat
If you’ve never seen it—add it to your list.
🍔 Lunch Stop
We grabbed lunch at:
🍟 Mel’s Drive-In
If you want:
- Quick service
- Classic park food
- Good burgers + hot dogs
This is a super solid option when you don’t want to waste time sitting down.
🎢 Park Hop to Islands of Adventure (3:15 PM)
We headed over to Islands of Adventure around 3:15 PM.
First stops:
- 🍭 Cotton candy at Marvel Super Hero Island
- 🛍 Spider-Man shop (got my brother a lanyard)
- 🧊 UOAP Lounge in Toon Lagoon (quick break moment)
🔥 4 PM = GAME CHANGER (Express Starts)
At 3:45 PM, we started heading to:
🐉 Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
We got there right at 4 PM when Express kicked in…
⏱ ON and OFF the ride in 30 minutes
⚠️ THE REALITY CHECK: Express vs No Express
This is where it gets crazy…
My brother’s friends (no Express) got in line at 5:15 PM…
…and didn’t get on until 8:25 PM.
👉 That’s 3 HOURS for ONE ride.
Meanwhile, while they were in line, I did ALL of this:
- 🍩 Got Cinnabon
- 🎢 Revenge of the Mummy™
- 🤖 TRANSFORMERS™ The Ride-3D
- 🚂 Hogwarts Express™
- 🕷 The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
- 🦅 Flight of the Hippogriff™
- 🎡 Trolls Trollercoaster
- 🦖 Jurassic World VelociCoaster (MY FAV!!)
That alone should tell you everything you need to know.
🌙 Nighttime Chaos (aka my injury moment)
After VelociCoaster, we met back up with my brother and his friends in Harry Potter World. They decided to go ride the VelociCoaster… so we all started RUNNING because the park closed at 9 PM.
⚠️ Quick warning:
Do NOT run through Lost Continent at night—there are NO lights.
That’s how I:
→ Ran into someone
→ Scraped my knee
→ And almost got taken out (thanks mom 😭)
Don’t worry, I’m fine—but yeah… learn from me.
🎢 Final Rides of the Night
- 💚 Incredible Hulk Coaster → 10 min wait
- 🦖 VelociCoaster → 15 min for me (45 min for them)
We wrapped up the night after that, and honestly… it was SUCH a successful day.
⭐ Was Express Worth It?
Short answer: YES. 1000%.
Because:
- We did multiple major rides
- Barely waited
- Didn’t feel rushed or stressed
- Got WAY more done than non-Express guests
If you’re debating—it’s worth it.
💡 Austyn’s Universal Tips 🎢
- ✔ If you’re in Florida → get the Premier Pass
- ✔ If visiting → stay at a hotel that includes Express
- ✔ Wait times drop around 4–5 PM
- ✔ Use mornings for exploring + content + food
- ✔ Download the Universal app (tickets, wait times, alerts)
👗 Outfit Details (Park Fit Check)
Weather: 59° – 78° (layering was PERFECT)
Layer 1:
Layer 2:
- CALIA Black Long Sleeve
- Dressin Cropped Graphic Hoodie (Could not find link)
Comfortable + cute + perfect for temperature changes 👏
🔐 Final Thoughts + What’s Next
This day was the perfect example of how to actually do Universal right—plan smart, use your time wisely, and take advantage of perks like Express.
If you want more behind-the-scenes from this day, plus extra content and clips, make sure you’re subscribed to my VIP Insider 💖
What do you think? Share your thoughts below — I’d love to hear from you!