Our Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey planning information presents park & experience technique. It options ideas & tips that will help you lower your expenses & time, keep away from crowds, and have the very best trip or side-visit from Walt Disney World as potential. (Up to date January 1, 2025.)
When you’re planning a 2025 trip to Common Orlando, the most important factor to know is that Epic Universe opens on Could 22, 2025. That is the third theme park, and is a blockbuster enlargement containing revolutionary points of interest and main lands primarily based on Harry Potter, Nintendo, Common Monsters, Prepare Your Dragon, and extra. Epic Universe seems to be each bit the game-changer that Common is promising, that includes lands on par with Disney’s greatest. We can not wait.
We plan on spending important time at Epic Universe throughout its Annual Passholder previews, and still have reservations booked for opening day at Helios Grand Lodge. A part of that is for private enjoyment. The opposite half is to carry complete planning sources to this web site, as we absolutely anticipate most vacationers to separate time between Disney and Common going ahead. In truth, that’s what we’re recommending.
Common Orlando has already introduced that Epic Universe may have delicate openings, probably within the type of paid previews, for choose audiences previous to its grand opening on Could 22, 2025. We’re anticipating this to start between late March and mid-April, and begin with worker previews, adopted by Annual Passholders and Florida residents. It’s potential that Common will develop that to on-site resort company or most people sooner or later, probably solely a pair weeks earlier than the park formally opens.
Regardless, whenever you’re visiting Common Orlando in 2025 actually impacts how you propose. When you’re going earlier than mid-Could 2025, this information has you lined. When you’re visiting after, it doesn’t. At the least, not utterly. Methods and recommendation for the present parks gained’t change, nor will resort opinions or different content material lined right here. However Epic Universe is the overriding consideration when you’re visiting beginning in mid-Could 2025, and nobody can provide you complete recommendation a few theme park they’ve but to expertise.
What we are able to say at this level is that, if funds permits, we’d suggest staying at Helios Grand Lodge if Epic Universe is a precedence. Its location and ease of entry ought to give company of that resort a strategic benefit, and that could be very vital given the lengthy traces we’re anticipating at Epic Universe. Helios Grand Lodge doesn’t provide limitless Specific Cross, which is undoubtedly a disadvantage, however its benefit at Epic Universe (and aggressive value) greater than makes up for that.
We hope to have many extra updates about Epic Universe as soon as previews begin and we now have possibilities to expertise all the pieces and begin concocting technique, writing opinions, and so on. Signal as much as obtain our FREE Walt Disney World E mail Publication when you’d prefer to obtain updates about Epic Universe (and clearly, Disney as properly).
We’re Common Orlando Annual Passholders and big followers of these parks along with Walt Disney World. Common has improved a ton and upped its sport within the final decade. This started with the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which had been additional enhanced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey.
That has been taken to the following degree with the debut of Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and to a lesser extent, with the brand new Minions mini-land and DreamWorks Animation land at Common Studios Florida within the final couple of years. (Personally, I believe the DreamWorks and Minions areas are huge misses, however it’s nonetheless good to see extra all ages enchantment–and each are upgrades over what they changed.) These latest additions, to not point out the all-new Epic Universe theme park in 2025, are among the many explanation why some Walt Disney World followers are brazenly asking: Is Common Beating Disney?
Suffice to say, we extremely suggest spending a few days at Common when vacationing at Walt Disney World. That can virtually actually enhance as soon as Epic Universe opens. So the query turns into, do you reallocate time from Common’s current gates or Disney’s? And do you keep on-site at Disney, Common, or do a split-stay at each?
That is information to Common Orlando Resort makes an attempt to help you in answering a few of these questions and all the pieces you’ll must learn about UOR. Whether or not you’re doing each parks in a single day or making a visit of it with an on-site resort keep and a number of days at Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, we now have you lined with information and recommendation about points of interest, eating, resorts, technique, crowds, and extra.
On this information, we’ll cowl methods to take advantage of a go to to Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. We’re going to take a counterintuitive organizational strategy to this information, as we’ve discovered that many readers seek the advice of it whereas visiting Common fairly than in the course of the planning phases of a visit. Accordingly, we’re going to entrance load with information it’s worthwhile to know when you’ve already touched down in Central Florida.
When you’re a Disney fan merely attempting to find out whether or not a visit to Common Orlando Resort is best for you within the first place, you would possibly begin by studying our Common vs. Walt Disney World put up, which covers among the execs and cons of every, plus the variations between the 2 trip locations. Though they’re all theme parks positioned in Central Florida, every have strengths and weaknesses that may make them higher or worse for sure varieties of households–ages, demographics, and so on.
Equally, when you’re debating between resorts on the two major theme park complexes, see our complete breakdown: Common Orlando vs. Walt Disney World Accommodations. That ought to aid you decide which is the higher possibility on your trip–or if a cut up keep could be greatest!
For what it’s value, neither of those versus posts nor the one about whether or not Common is “beating” Disney are pointless fan cheerleading or theme parks as polarizing group sports activities. The 2 versus posts are sensible planning that objectively weigh execs and cons, whereas the “beating” one is an editorial (not helpful for planning, however probably fascinating).
One commonality between the 2 is that each Walt Disney World and Common Orlando have gotten extra aggressive with reductions in an try to entice extra individuals to go to their parks and keep in on-site accommodations. We’ve talked about repeatedly that Walt Disney World already has launched a number of completely different reductions for 2025.
Common has adopted swimsuit, shifting from reductions aimed virtually completely at Annual Passholders and Florida residents to basic public presents. There are at present ticket offers, resort reductions providing 20-35% off, and package deal offers providing “Free” Eating (sound acquainted?).
These are value pricing out for your self, however we must always warn that many have size of keep necessities of 5 days. That’s longer than most individuals will spend at Common Orlando (which is a part of why it’s being provided–to extend go to durations). In any case, we suggest utilizing a journey agent–similar to Be Our Visitor Holidays–to cost out completely different packages and offers, and assist you determine the easiest way to avoid wasting, plan your journey, and so on.
Now let’s flip to Common Orlando’s superior planning matters…
The place to Keep
There are a selection of questions you need to ask your self when planning a visit, and lots of of them will dictate the place you keep. Would you like Limitless Specific Cross by staying at an eligible Common Orlando resort? Do you need to keep at a Walt Disney World resort during your journey, or change accommodations? Do you need to keep an an off-site resort within the basic neighborhood of each Common and Disney to save cash?
We’ve lately stayed at each single on-site resort at Common Orlando Resort–listed here are our opinions:
For perception into all of those accommodations, their execs & cons, and the way they evaluate and distinction with each other, see our Common Orlando Lodge Rankings & Evaluations.
We’re massive followers of Common’s accommodations, and are significantly keen on the 2 “bay” resorts: Loews Portofino Bay Lodge and Cabana Bay Seaside Resort. Each of these are in our prime 10 accommodations in Orlando, rivaling a few of our favourite resorts at Walt Disney World.
Common’s accommodations present nice bang for buck, and even those who don’t embody free Specific Cross do provide Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Common’s Volcano Bay one hour earlier than these parks open. That may be completely large!
As for staying off-site, you typically will get probably the most bang on your buck when staying in an off-site resort, as there are loads of non-Disney and non-Common accommodations competing with each other. We now have an Off-Website vs. On-Website Walt Disney World Accommodations article that goes into larger depth concerning the execs and cons of staying off-site, and it’s marginally relevant to Common, as properly.
As for merely staying at a Walt Disney World resort during your journey no matter the place you go, we now have written complete opinions with our opinions and pictures of the rooms. Take a look at our Walt Disney World Lodge Evaluations web page, for hyperlinks to every of those opinions.
Trip Technique for Common Orlando
Subsequent, what to know when you’re at Common Orlando. For starters, we strongly suggest that you simply don’t “wing it” on your each day itinerary because of the aforementioned crowd points. You don’t must plan each motion in order that there’s no spontaneity in your journey, simply be sure you have no less than a free plan of what you’re going to do.
We now have the next plans for every park that cowl our good days:
These provide step-by-step touring plans for each theme parks at Common Orlando, prioritizing the most well-liked rides and skipping what isn’t value your time. These will aid you do Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey, Superb Adventures of Spider-Man, Unimaginable Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Journey, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and different must-do rides.
When you’d want to create your personal itineraries and need an outline and overview of each attraction at every of the parks, seek the advice of our Islands of Journey Trip Information and Common Studios Florida Trip Information. When you’re a fan spinners, you would possibly need to verify these out, as we don’t waste your time with that nonsense within the itineraries.
When to Go to
When you’re including on a Common Orlando go to to your Walt Disney World trip, the reply to that is straightforward…everytime you’re visiting Walt Disney World. Crowd patterns at Walt Disney World translate fairly equally to Common Orlando.
The explanations are two-fold: first, as a result of crowds are typically predicated upon faculty schedules, that are the identical for each; second, as a result of Walt Disney World is the ‘whale’ within the Orlando market, so crowds for all theme parks are dictated by when company plan their Disney holidays. In different phrases, you may confer with our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars put up to find out when to go to, as that’s roughly relevant to Common Orlando as properly.
There are just some exceptions to this, and so they’re largely predicated upon particular occasions which can be distinctive to every of the parks. For instance, Walt Disney World sees its crowds spike on account of runDisney occasions, when its accommodations are internet hosting conventions or youth sporting occasions, or throughout EPCOT festivals. In contrast, Common sees its personal spikes round Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and early December when it performs host to the Pop Warner youth soccer occasion.
Basically, although, the large driver of attendance at each is faculty breaks. Particularly, these of Orange County and different counties all through Florida and the South. In fact, each are trip locations, so breaks for varsity districts within the Midwest and Northeast even have a major impression. The apparent occasions like Spring Break, Easter, Summer time, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yr’s Eve are all busy.
Extra beneath the radar timeframes like MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and extra additionally see pronounced spikes in crowds. Once more, reference the aforementioned crowd calendars when you’re wanting to decide on the very best occasions to go to Common Orlando.
Attributable to a surge of locals on weekends, we strongly suggest avoiding Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey on Saturdays and Sundays. Mondays by way of Thursdays are the very best days to go to, with a lot decrease crowds then. Nevertheless, that goes out the window throughout vacation weeks or anytime faculty is out of session, when it’s disproportionately vacationers and each single day of the week is busy.
The one exception to that is if you wish to see or keep away from Halloween season at Common, specifically Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This can be a arduous ticket occasion that has an enormous following amongst locals and followers of hang-out season, normally.
Throughout HHN, you step onto the set of a few of your favourite horror films, and strolling by way of these units as actors try to scare you. This occasion just isn’t for kids beneath the age of 13, and has completely nothing in widespread with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together at Walt Disney World. See our Information to Halloween Horror Nights for extra.
Apart from this, the one noteworthy occasions are Mardi Gras and Christmas. See our Information to Mardi Gras: Worldwide Flavors of Carnaval at Common Studios Florida. At this enjoyable occasion, company can expertise a meals pageant with delicacies and leisure impressed by worldwide Carnaval celebrations.
Meals cubicles serve up the flavors of Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Spain and different areas together with, after all, New Orleans. Plus get pleasure from spectacular floats on show, road leisure, music, beads and extra all through Common Studios Florida.
Though HHN will get all the eye from the fan group, an equally common seasonal occasion is Christmas at Common Orlando. Throughout this, Grinchmas and Common’s Vacation Parade that includes Macy’s are the principle leisure attracts. There’s additionally the Christmas Tribute Retailer, which is basically a walk-through exhibit, plus Common Studios Florida’s iconic Christmas Tree.
Maybe the most important draw is Winter in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which options distinctive decor and projections on Hogwarts Fort. There are additionally decorations round each parks in Seuss Touchdown, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Hollywood, New York, and San Francisco.
How Many Days?
This one goes to differ extensively primarily based on a couple of variables. The most important one is how receptive your social gathering is to the kind of points of interest which can be outstanding at Common Orlando Resort, specifically, curler coasters and screen-based simulators. That’s reductionist, and there are lots of extra issues at Common than these varieties of rides, but when your social gathering is averse to both, doing greater than 2 days at Common goes to be powerful.
When you love coasters or have teenagers, you may simply spend 3 days or extra at Common Orlando. Heck, I’m not large on curler coasters or simulators, and I can simply do 2 days (and even 3) at Common. Likewise, when you love Harry Potter, a number of days at Common can be straightforward. The 2 Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter alone can fill a superb chunk of the day. I imply, Diagon Alley has a fire-breathing dragon…not liking dragons is distinctly unpatriotic.
Islands of Journey additionally has a Jurassic Park space, which is principally a tribute to our best nationwide treasure: dinosaurs. It’s inferior to a actual Jurassic Park (that will be just like the San Diego Zoo meets the Lincoln Memorial meets Tokyo DisneySea), however it’s an pleasing space to discover. In different phrases, there’s loads to do when you’re an “ambiance particular person” on the Common parks.
Then, there’s additionally the query of how a lot “further” trip time you will have. Assuming you’ve already allotted your time at Walt Disney World and are taking a look at “different stuff” to spherical out your journey to Florida, I’d most likely look to spending extra time at Common than different parks like SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. That’s private desire and all of those parks positively aren’t attempting to perform the identical factor, however I discover the Disney and Common parks to be in a special league than the entire relaxation.
Common Orlando Park Tickets
When you’re in search of a deal on park tickets, Get Away In the present day will prevent probably the most cash on Common Orlando tickets. That is very true when you’re doing an extended journey, as Get Away In the present day has a ‘Purchase 2 days, get 3 days free’ particular. With an increasing number of to do at Common Orlando, spending a number of days within the parks is extremely advisable–particularly when you’re staying in a close-by resort and need to do some partial days (additionally advisable).
I’m a fan of the Park-to-Park tickets when you can swing spending further. It is because Common did one thing actually ingenious when it constructed Diagon Alley, and that was connecting the 2 Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter by way of the Hogwarts Specific.
You may solely experience this practice from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley (or vice-a-versa) you probably have the Park-to-Park ticket. I’m no Harry Potter fan, however the expertise of getting into a practice station in London, strolling by way of a wall, after which taking a practice to Hogsmeade is fairly superior.
When you’re going for simply at some point and don’t need the park-to-park tickets, the easiest way to save cash on Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida tickets is solely going to be shopping for tickets on-line on Common Orlando’s web site. The Common tickets bought on-line could be printed at house and used on the turnstiles–that means no ready in line to buy tickets or alternate vouchers.
Specific Cross
Specific Cross is Common Orlando’s model of Lightning Lanes (a strategy to skip the traces) and is out there as a ticket add-on or with choose resort stays. You should purchase two kinds of Specific Cross, common or limitless. Nearly the entire hottest points of interest in every park provide Specific Cross.
The common model lets you skip the road as soon as per eligible attraction in both park, and prices $90 to $350 per particular person relying on the date. Common Specific Limitless presents line-skipping privileges, because the identify suggests, a vast variety of occasions per attraction, and prices between $100 and $380 per particular person. Even at its most costly, Lightning Lane Multi-Cross at Walt Disney World prices beneath $40 per particular person. So, what’s the distinction? Properly, loads.
Not like Lightning Lanes, there is no such thing as a tech part to Specific Cross. Whereas it’s considerably dearer, it’s additionally frictionless. You merely go as much as the attraction and use your Specific Cross entitlement. There’s nothing to order or trouble with in an app. Specific Cross includes zero display screen time and complications–however you’ll pay much more for it!
Whether or not Specific Cross is well worth the cash largely relies upon upon what day of the week and season you’re visiting, and the way you worth your time versus your cash. Personally, we might not pay for Specific Cross most days. Nevertheless, we additionally keep away from weekends and holidays, arrive for park opening, and make the most of an environment friendly park itinerary.
When you actually need Specific Cross, staying at an on-site resort that gives Specific Cross along with your keep is totally the best way to go. Limitless Specific Cross is out there on the Common Premier class resorts–that means Royal Pacific, Onerous Rock Lodge, and Portofino Bay–that are Common’s most costly accommodations. Truthfully, that is the one approach we’ve ever “purchased” Specific Cross–we couldn’t justify the associated fee every other approach.
All three of those accommodations are good, on par with Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts, and customarily price much less. They’re nonetheless expensive, however they’re cheaper than Disney’s higher-end accommodations, and completely well worth the cash–particularly if you’d like the Limitless Specific Cross perk or a superb location inside strolling or boat distance of Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. When you’d be staying at a pleasant resort anyway, this trio is positively worthy of your consideration.
If you wish to study extra about this line-skipping possibility and the way it compares to Walt Disney World’s counterpart, see our information: Common’s Specific Cross vs. Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World.
Transportation
By far the commonest questions we get regarding Common Orlando Resort is: “what’s the easiest way to get from Walt Disney World Common.” The reply is that there are loads of choices, however by far the very best is Uber. We lined this in depth in our Uber vs. Rental Automobiles at Walt Disney World article. Right here’s the pertinent portion of that put up:
Up to now, the most suitable choice we’ve discovered for individuals who don’t have rental vehicles the period of their journeys is both renting a automotive on-site for the day, or taking a dear shuttle. Neither is cost-effective or all that interesting, particularly whenever you add on that parking payment.
For individuals who aren’t renting a automotive during their journey, Uber or Lyft are the unquestionable greatest choices for getting from Walt Disney World to Common. The one-way price of an Uber or Lyft from Walt Disney World will differ relying upon your actual location, usually costing beneath $25 every approach and taking 20-25 minutes.
Eating
There are some good eating places in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, however as a complete, I don’t assume the culinary expertise is on par with Walt Disney World’s. The unquestionable highlights, in my thoughts, are the counter service eating places in Diagon Alley (Leaky Cauldron) and Hogsmeade (Three Broomsticks) and the desk service restaurant, Mythos, which is a good worth.
Different in-park eating places at Common Orlando that we like embody the In the present day Present Cafe (for lighter choices) and Krusty Burger (for the precise reverse). Truly, there’s one thing for everybody within the Springfield space, which has a wide range of eating choices drawn from The Simpsons.
On the snacking entrance, you’re clearly going to need to attempt Butterbeer–maybe all three varieties (frozen, sizzling, and common). Many of the different snacks we get pleasure from are additionally within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour and Honeydukes.
One other factor you would possibly need to think about is buying a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. I’ve completed this, however I can actually put down the Cokes to make it well worth the cash. I’m positive some day I can be toothless, however hopefully that’s no less than 5 years away. These Coke Freestyle machines positioned all through the parks are additionally a handy strategy to get free water that’s chilly and tastes nice.
Different Issues to Do
Volcano Bay is Common Orlando’s water park. It’s themed to the South Seas and incorporates a big volcano (therefore the identify) within the center with water slides in it. For Walt Disney World followers, it’s a bit like Storm Lagoon water park combined with Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Adventureland.
All of the rides at Volcano Bay function a Digital Line as an alternative of conventional standby queues. You faucet in along with your TapuTapu wearable (assume MagicBand) to seize a experience time. Then go float, swim, splash, eat, store or calm down round Volcano Bay. Your TapuTapu will let you know when it’s your time to experience.
You’ll both love or hate the digital queue system at Volcano Bay. That just about comes down as to if you beat the crowds or not. That may be achieved by arriving and/or staying late, shopping for Specific Cross, or visiting in the course of the low season. When you don’t do any of these issues, you’ll probably assume the digital queue system sucks, and also you gained’t accomplish a lot. It’s positively a system that creates winners and losers–they secret’s (clearly) to be within the former group and never the latter.
Along with the 2 theme parks and Volcano Bay water park, there’s CityWalk. That is Common Orlando’s procuring, eating, and leisure complicated, which is loads like Disney Springs. The massive distinction is that you simply stroll by way of CityWalk to entry Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey, and it’s extremely straightforward to exit the parks and eat lunch or dinner at CityWalk. No bus vital!
There’s additionally loads of comparatively new eating at CityWalk, similar to Pink Coconut Membership, Bigfire, Voodoo Doughnut, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, and VIVO Italian Kitchen–amongst different issues. Toothsome is a fan-favorite for its excessive milkshakes and dessert concoctions (in addition to the enjoyable steampunk theme), and Voodoo Doughnut is a enjoyable spot. With that stated, we predict each are barely overrated.
For our cash, the sleeper hits of the checklist are Bigfire and Cowfish, each of which supply nice meals at affordable (by theme park requirements) costs. We’d additionally give honorable mentions to Vivo and Antojitos Genuine Mexican Meals. Whereas the latter just isn’t our private favourite, it’s higher than the “blockbuster” touristy eating places like Onerous Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Nothing towards any of these–however they’re basically Applebee’s with extra wow-factor. Ok for predictably-prepared consolation meals, however completely nothing particular.
One remaining notice on points of interest is that there are quite a few points of interest that don’t permit baggage, however present free lockers close by for storing backpacks, cameras, babies, and no matter different random junk you may need on you. These are fairly handy and there are bigger lockers you may pay for on the entrance of the park, however the level right here is for these of you who’re used to bringing a small U-Haul value of stuff into the Walt Disney World parks: you may’t try this at Common. Pack for the parks a bit lighter.
I believe that is most likely a superb start line when you’re planning on visiting Common Orlando Resort as an add-on to your Walt Disney World trip. If you want to see a few of these matters lined in larger depth, please let me know within the feedback. We’re planning to deal with extra on eating, particular occasions, and Common Orlando information within the coming months, so keep tuned for extra of that!
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? Ensure to learn our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for all the pieces about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and far more, join our FREE electronic mail publication!
Your Ideas
Are you visiting Common Orlando Resort in 2025? Excited for Epic Universe or different rumored additions within the subsequent few years? What about Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, or the brand new rides which have lately opened? Have a favourite on-site resort at Common? Do you like staying on-site at Common, or commuting from Walt Disney World? When you’re a first-timer, is there anything you’d prefer to know? Chances are high you probably have questions nonetheless, so does another person! Please share your ideas within the feedback
