Our Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Epic Universe making plans information provides park & experience technique. It options pointers & methods that can assist you get monetary savings & time, steer clear of crowds, and feature the most productive holiday or side-visit from Walt Disney Global as imaginable.
We’re Common Orlando Annual Passholders and enormous fanatics of the ones parks along with Walt Disney Global. Common has progressed a ton and upped its recreation within the ultimate decade. This started with the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands of the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter, speeded up with Jurassic Global VelociCoaster, and culminated with Epic Universe.
Epic Universe is the elephant within the room, and there’s a great opportunity you’re studying this information as a way to plan the easiest go to to revel in the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo Global, Tips on how to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Darkish Universe. Thankfully, we’ve already spent a number of days in Epic Universe (with many extra to return) and feature technique, critiques, pointers & methods, and so forth. Signal as much as obtain our FREE E mail Publication for those who’d love to obtain updates about Epic Universe (and clearly, Disney as neatly).
Suffice to mention, we extremely suggest spending no less than a few days at Common when vacationing at Walt Disney Global. The query turns into, do you reallocate time from Common’s present gates or Disney’s? And do you reside on-site at Disney, Common, or do a split-stay at each?
That is information to Common Orlando Hotel makes an attempt to help you in answering a few of the ones questions and the whole lot you’ll want to learn about UOR. Whether or not you’re doing each parks in one day or creating a go back and forth of it with an on-site lodge reside and more than one days within the parks, we have now you coated with data and recommendation about sights, eating, accommodations, technique, crowds, and extra.
Let’s birth with Epic Universe, since that’s the large new factor–and explanation why lots of you’re most probably studying…
Epic Universe The whole thing…
In case you’re making plans a 2026 holiday to Central Florida, the most important factor to understand is that Epic Universe is now open. That is Common Orlando’s 3rd theme park, and is a blockbuster enlargement containing modern sights and main lands according to Harry Potter, Nintendo, Common Monsters, Tips on how to Teach Your Dragon, and extra. Epic Universe is a game-changer, that includes lands on par with Disney’s very best.
Epic Universe must be the overriding attention for those who’re visiting Central Florida. Something to notice up entrance is that there are main downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park at this time, as specified by Why You Must Skip Epic Universe (or Wait to Discuss with Till 2026).
This new park goes to have rising pains, and its envelope-pushing sights are already plagued by means of downtime and unreliability. In case you go to Epic Universe right through its debut season and even first 12 months, you’re prone to come upon technical difficulties and different frustrations. With that mentioned, there also are nice causes to go to ASAP, and commit extra of your Florida holiday time to the brand new park–Right here’s Why You Want 2 Days at Epic Universe.
The superb information is that it’ll be more straightforward to spend more than one days, or parts of days (we’re giant fanatics of mornings and evenings–do the opposite parks right through the center of the day, or take a hotel spoil) at Epic Universe in 2026. After a protracted extend, 2026 Epic Universe 1-Day, Multi-Day, Park Hopper & Cut price Tickets Are Now on Sale!
Beginning in 2026, Epic Universe is a part of common tickets. This implies you’ll go to for as many days as you wish to have or, if you buy the park-to-park choice, you’ll soar round between the opposite two parks and Epic Universe. That is an absolute game-changer that are meant to relieve numerous the tension from the revel in.
Park Hopping and extra open get admission to to Epic Universe may additionally have unfavorable penalties. Particularly, better crowd ranges as visitors gained’t be restricted to a unmarried day within the park. Other folks buying 5-day or 14-day tickets, for instance, may elect to spend each and every unmarried day in Epic Universe, when in the past, they have been restricted to 1-day.
Our expectation is that there’s an uptick in attendance because of this, however it’ll most commonly self-regulate. The typical visitor isn’t going to do 2+ days at Epic Universe, let by myself 5-14 days. That’s simply now not a standard use case.
In case you do choose to go to Epic Universe, the excellent news is that we’ve got various solution to lend a hand plan your go to. For starters, we’d suggest staying at Helios Grand Lodge if Epic Universe is a concern.
Its location and straightforwardness of get admission to must give visitors of that lodge a strategic merit. Helios Grand Lodge does now not be offering limitless Specific Cross to any park, which is no doubt an obstacle, however its merit at Epic Universe (and aggressive worth) greater than makes up for that.
In case you’re on a tighter finances, we suggest Stella Nova or Terra Luna Hotels, that are price accommodations inside of strolling distance of Epic Universe. This trio of accommodations is on the Epic Universe ‘campus’ of Common Orlando, which is a good distance from the opposite parks and accommodations. In case you’re spending equivalent time in any respect 3 parks, it’s possible you’ll wish to reside at the major campus–however we suggest that specialize in Epic Universe.
At opening, Epic Universe options 11 rides and two main displays, plus all kinds of atmospheric leisure, play spaces, and extra. This contains 4 curler coasters, two blockbuster darkish rides, and extra. In case you’re on the lookout for an in depth have a look at sights, seek the advice of our Journey Ratings & Evaluations for Epic Universe.
In case you’re seeking to plan the easiest day within the park, take a look at our new 1-Day Common Epic Universe Itinerary: Tips on how to Beat Crowds at Florida’s Busiest Park! That used to be written months after Epic Universe opened, when we had the danger to box take a look at a number of choices and park operations had (moderately) settled in. With that mentioned, word that issues will proceed trade within the months to return. Our plan is to revise that someday in 2026 after experiencing Epic Universe a couple of occasions post-park hopping.
We even have each an Early Park Admission Epic Universe Technique Information and Epic Universe Morning Technique for Rope Drop & Past. That can get you throughout the first few hours of the day, and must help you in beating the strains at kind of your first half-dozen sights.
In case you’re on the lookout for one thing tough, right here’s the description for an afternoon at Epic Universe:
- EPA: Tremendous Nintendo Global or Curler Coasters or BatM (if working early)
- Rope Drop: Tips on how to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Noon: The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- Lunch: Cafe L’air De L. a. Sirene (see My Favourite Meals at Epic Universe & Should-Consume Eating places)
- Afternoon: Degree Displays
- Afternoon/Early Night time: Celestial Park
- Nightfall: Darkish Universe
- Evening: Tremendous Nintendo Global
Notice that in case you are eligible for Early Park Admission, beginning in Tremendous Nintendo Global is the preferred selection. Then again, you may wish to consider carefully about that (see Why to Skip Tremendous Nintendo Global’s Morning Insanity All the way through Epic Universe’s Early Access).
An alternative choice is saving Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem and Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity till the top of the night time. You additionally may believe skipping Mine-Cart Insanity totally, for the explanations defined right here. If we needed to reduce one headliner from our day, it’d be that. (Sorry, DK!)
Although you’re eligible for EPA, you almost certainly gained’t have the ability to revel in all of Tremendous Nintendo Global right through that hour-long head-start. By which case, go back at night time and benefit from the colourful environment, mini-games, Yoshi’s Journey, and extra. (You additionally may wish to re-ride Mario Kart to overcome your excessive rating!)
Right here’s what you want to understand for making plans your bigger-picture Common Orlando holiday…
Walt Disney Global vs. Common
On this information, we’ll quilt the way to take advantage of a go to to Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Epic Universe. We’re going to take a counterintuitive organizational way to this information, as we’ve discovered that many readers seek the advice of it whilst visiting Common quite than right through the making plans levels of a go back and forth. Accordingly, we’re going to entrance load with data you want to understand for those who’ve already touched down in Central Florida.
In case you’re a Disney fan merely seeking to resolve whether or not a go back and forth to Common Orlando Hotel is best for you within the first position, it’s possible you’ll birth by means of studying our Common vs. Walt Disney Global submit, which covers one of the most execs and cons of every, plus the variations between the 2 holiday locations.
Despite the fact that they’re all theme parks situated in Central Florida, every have strengths and weaknesses that may cause them to higher or worse for sure forms of households–ages, demographics, and so forth. Proper off the bat, we acknowledge that lots of it is important to “sacrifice” a Walt Disney Global park as a way to accommodate Epic Universe. Must You Skip Animal Kingdom? may lend a hand with that.
In a similar fashion, for those who’re debating between accommodations on the two major theme park complexes, see our complete breakdown: Common Orlando vs. Walt Disney Global Accommodations. That are supposed to will let you resolve which is the easier choice on your holiday–or if a cut up reside may well be very best!
Common Orlando Offers & Costs
One commonality between the 2 is that each Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando have got extra competitive with reductions in an try to lure extra folks to go to their parks and reside in on-site accommodations. We’ve discussed time and again that Walt Disney Global already has launched a number of other reductions for 2026.
Common has adopted go well with, transferring from reductions aimed nearly solely at Annual Passholders and Florida citizens to common public provides. There are lately price tag offers, hotel reductions providing 20-35% off, and bundle offers providing “Unfastened” Eating (sound acquainted?).
Those are value pricing out for your self, however we must warn that many have period of reside necessities of five days. That’s longer than the general public will spend at Common Orlando (which is a part of why it’s being introduced–to extend go to periods).
There are some particular be offering and pricing quirks, so we’d direct your consideration to our new submit: Tips on how to Get Least expensive Pricing on 2026 Common Orlando & Epic Universe Holidays. That covers the whole lot you want to understand, together with Common’s one large pricing coverage this is dramatically other from Walt Disney Global.
Suffice to mention, we extremely suggest the use of Be Our Visitor Holidays to worth out other applications and offers, and will let you work out the easiest way to save lots of, plan your go back and forth, and so forth. Request a loose, no-obligation quote from them, after which allow them to do the paintings of making plans for you.
The place to Keep at Common
There are a selection of questions you need to ask your self when making plans a go back and forth, and plenty of of them will dictate the place you reside. Do you wish to have Limitless Specific Cross by means of staying at an eligible Common Orlando lodge? Do you wish to have to stick at a Walt Disney Global lodge at some point of your go back and forth, or trade accommodations? Do you wish to have to stick an an off-site lodge within the common neighborhood of each Common and Disney to economize?
We’ve not too long ago stayed at each and every unmarried on-site lodge at Common Orlando Hotel–listed below are our critiques:
For perception into all of those accommodations, their execs & cons, and the way they examine and distinction with one some other, see our Common Orlando Lodge Ratings & Evaluations.
We’re giant fanatics of Common’s accommodations, and are specifically keen on Loews Portofino Bay Lodge, which opponents a few of our favourite accommodations at Walt Disney Global. Since Epic Universe opened, that new park has been our focal point, and we’ve stayed solely at the new campus at Helios Grand Lodge and Terra Luna & Stella Nova Hotels.
Common’s accommodations supply nice bang for dollar, or even those who don’t come with loose Specific Cross do be offering Early Park Admission one hour ahead of the ones parks open. That may be completely large! Between those perks and the low charges of Common’s finances tier accommodations, we can not believe staying off-site.
With that mentioned, we do have an Off-Web page vs. On-Web page Walt Disney Global Accommodations article that is going into higher intensity concerning the execs and cons of staying off-site, and it’s acceptable to Common, as neatly. You’ll additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Lodge Evaluations web page, which incorporates a ton of choices round Central Florida–well past simply WDW assets!
Journey Technique for Common Orlando
Subsequent, what to understand when you’re at Common Orlando. For starters, we strongly suggest that you just don’t “wing it” on your day by day itinerary because of the aforementioned crowd problems. You don’t want to plan each and every motion in order that there’s no spontaneity on your go back and forth, simply be sure to have no less than a unfastened plan of what you’re going to do.
Now we have the next plans for every park that quilt our best possible days:
The ones be offering step-by-step traveling plans for each theme parks at Common Orlando, prioritizing the preferred rides and skipping what isn’t value your time. The ones will will let you do Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey, Superb Adventures of Spider-Guy, Fantastic Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Journey, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure, Harry Potter and the Break out from Gringotts, and different must-do rides.
In case you’d like to create your individual itineraries and need an summary and assessment of each and every enchantment at every of the parks, seek the advice of our Islands of Journey Journey Information and Common Studios Florida Journey Information. In case you’re a fan spinners, it’s possible you’ll wish to test the ones out, as we don’t waste your time with that nonsense within the itineraries.
When to Discuss with
In case you’re including on a Common Orlando go to on your Walt Disney Global holiday, the solution to that is simple…every time you’re visiting Walt Disney Global. Crowd patterns at Walt Disney Global translate beautiful in a similar fashion to Common Orlando.
The explanations are two-fold: first, as a result of crowds have a tendency to be predicated upon college schedules, that are the similar for each; 2d, as a result of Walt Disney Global is the ‘whale’ within the Orlando marketplace, so crowds for all theme parks are dictated by means of when visitors plan their Disney holidays.
In different phrases, you’ll seek advice from our 2026 Walt Disney Global Crowd Calendars submit to resolve when to go to, as that’s kind of acceptable to Common Orlando as neatly. A minimum of, on the subject of Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida.
There are some exceptions to this, and so they’re in large part predicated upon particular occasions which can be distinctive to every of the parks. For instance, Walt Disney Global sees its crowds spike because of runDisney occasions, when its accommodations are webhosting conventions or formative years carrying occasions, or right through EPCOT fairs. Against this, Common sees its personal spikes round Mardi Gras and Halloween Horror Nights.
Normally, regardless that, the large driving force of attendance at each is college breaks. Particularly, the ones of Orange County and different counties all over Florida and the South. After all, each are holiday locations, so breaks for varsity districts within the Midwest and Northeast actually have a important affect. The most obvious occasions like Spring Destroy, Easter, Summer time, Fall Destroy, 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 for those who’re having a look to select the most productive occasions to go to Common Orlando.
Because of a surge of locals on weekends, we strongly suggest heading off Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey on Saturdays and Sundays.
Mondays via Thursdays are the most productive days to go to, with a lot decrease crowds then. Then again, that is going out the window right through vacation weeks or anytime college is out of consultation, when it’s disproportionately vacationers and each and every unmarried day of the week is busy.
The larger exception to that is Epic Universe. Because of the loss of Annual Passes, that are not likely to be introduced for the following 12 months or longer, there are divergent demographics between the most recent park and the legacy ones. See our Secrets and techniques to Overcome Crowds at Epic Universe: Easiest Dates to Discuss with in 2026 for suggestions.
Whilst there’s no make it possible for’ll proceed to be foolproof, I’ve controlled to do all of it at Epic Universe by means of focused on the least-busy days and heading off the bonkers ones. That’s actually vital at Epic Universe, for the reason that crowds can also be such a lot worse than every other theme park at Common Orlando or Walt Disney Global.
Then there are particular occasions at Common Orlando. There are handiest 3 noteworthy ones: Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and Christmas.
All the way through Mardi Gras, visitors can revel in a meals competition with delicacies and leisure impressed by means of global 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 experience impressive floats on show, boulevard leisure, tune, beads and extra all over Common Studios Florida.
All the way through HHN, you step onto the set of a few of your favourite horror motion pictures, and strolling via the ones units as actors try to scare you. This tournament isn’t for youngsters beneath the age of 13, and has completely not anything in commonplace with Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Birthday party at Walt Disney Global. See our Information to Halloween Horror Nights for extra.
Despite the fact that HHN will get all of the consideration from the fan neighborhood, the general well-liked seasonal tournament of the 12 months is Christmas at Common Orlando. We’d argue that Christmas is awesome to HHN, with the latter being a lot more taste-specific and having a loyal fan following. In case you’re now not a part of that fervent fanbase, HHN can if truth be told be somewhat off-putting.
All the way through this, Grinchmas and Common’s Vacation Parade that includes Macy’s are the primary leisure attracts. There’s additionally the Christmas Tribute Retailer, which is largely a walk-through show off, plus Common Studios Florida’s iconic Christmas Tree.
Most likely the most important draw is Wintry weather in The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter, which options distinctive decor and projections on Hogwarts Citadel. There also are decorations round each parks in Seuss Touchdown, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Hollywood, New York, and San Francisco.
How Many Days?
This one goes to change extensively according to a couple of variables. The most important one is how receptive your birthday celebration is to the kind of sights which can be distinguished at Common Orlando Hotel, specifically, curler coasters and screen-based simulators.
That’s reductionist, and there are lots of extra issues at Common than the ones forms of rides, but when your birthday celebration is averse to both, doing greater than 2 days at Common goes to be difficult. In case you love coasters or have teenagers, you’ll simply spend 3 days or extra at Common Orlando.
In our view, the common visitor will need no less than 2 days at Common Orlando in 2026. One for Epic Universe, and some other 1-2 days for the opposite two parks. It’s imaginable to do Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida in the similar day, however it’s now not imaginable to do Epic Universe and some other park in the similar day. In our view, 3+ days is perfect.
With park hopping now to be had to Epic Universe in 2026, we’d advise buying no less than 3-day tickets with the park-to-park choice. Common Orlando tickets dramatically lower in worth for 4-day and 5-day tickets, so you might wish to improve to these. Once more, this will likely actually relieve the drive on the subject of Epic Universe, which continues to be a difficult and irritating park to go to.
Theme park lovers may have the ability to spend 2 complete days at Epic Universe and some other 2 days on the different parks. Epic Universe has an outstanding eating place roster, and its curler coasters have numerous re-rideability, as do Harry Potter and the Struggle on the Ministry, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem, and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
There’s additionally the query of whether or not you’re making plans a Central Florida go back and forth with a while at Common, or a holiday to Common Orlando. If the previous, 2 days is most certainly all you may have–one for Epic Universe and one for the remainder. If the latter, you’ll want to do 5+ days, with 4 within the 3 theme parks, some other at Volcano Bay water park, and in all probability a while at CityWalk.
Then, there’s additionally the query of ways a lot “additional” holiday time you may have. Assuming you’ve already allotted your time at Walt Disney Global and are having a look at “different stuff” to spherical out your go back and forth to Florida, I’d most certainly glance to spending extra time at Common than different parks like SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. That’s private choice and all of those parks no doubt aren’t seeking to accomplish the similar factor, however I in finding the Disney and Common parks to be in a special league than all the leisure.
Common Orlando Park Tickets
In case you’re on the lookout for a deal on park tickets, Get Away Lately will prevent essentially the most cash on Common Orlando tickets. That is very true for those who’re doing an extended go back and forth, as Get Away Lately frequently has a ‘Purchase 2 days, get 3 days loose’ particular. With increasingly to do at Common Orlando, spending a number of days within the parks is extremely really helpful–particularly for those who’re staying in a close-by lodge and wish to perform a little partial days (additionally really helpful).
I’m keen on the Park-to-Park tickets if you’ll swing spending additional. It is because Common did one thing actually creative when it constructed Diagon Alley, and that used to be connecting the 2 Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter by way of the Hogwarts Specific.
You’ll handiest experience this educate from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley (or vice-a-versa) if in case you have the Park-to-Park price tag. I’m no Harry Potter fan, however the revel in of coming into a educate station in London, strolling via a wall, after which taking a educate to Hogsmeade is beautiful superior.
In case you’re going for simply someday and don’t need the park-to-park tickets, the easiest way to economize on Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida tickets is solely going to be purchasing tickets on-line on Common Orlando’s web page. The Common tickets bought on-line can also be revealed at house and used on the turnstiles–that means no ready in line to buy tickets or trade vouchers.
Specific Cross
Specific Cross is Common Orlando’s model of Lightning Lanes (a technique to skip the strains) and is to be had as a price tag add-on or with make a choice lodge remains. You’ll acquire two kinds of Specific Cross, common or limitless. Nearly all of the preferred sights in every park be offering Specific Cross.
The common model lets you skip the road as soon as consistent with eligible enchantment in both park, and prices $90 to $350 consistent with particular person relying at the date. Common Specific Limitless provides line-skipping privileges, because the identify suggests, a limiteless collection of occasions consistent with enchantment, and prices between $150 and $400 consistent with particular person. Even at its costliest, Lightning Lane Multi-Cross at Walt Disney Global prices beneath $50 consistent with particular person. So, what’s the adaptation? Smartly, so much.
In contrast to Lightning Lanes, there’s no tech part to Specific Cross. Whilst it’s considerably costlier, it’s additionally frictionless. You merely cross as much as the enchantment and use your Specific Cross entitlement. There’s not anything to order or bother with in an app. Specific Cross comes to 0 display screen time and complications–however you’ll pay much more for it!
Whether or not Specific Cross is definitely worth the cash in large part is determined by what day of the week and season you’re visiting, and the way you price your time as opposed to your cash. In my view, we’d now not pay for Specific Cross maximum days. Then again, we additionally steer clear of weekends and vacations, arrive for park opening, and make the most of an effective park itinerary.
In case you actually need Specific Cross, staying at an on-site lodge that provides Specific Cross along with your reside is the absolute technique to cross. Limitless Specific Cross is to be had on the Common Premier class accommodations–that means Royal Pacific, Arduous Rock Lodge, and Portofino Bay–that are Common’s costliest accommodations. Truthfully, that is the one means we’ve ever “purchased” Specific Cross–we couldn’t justify the fee every other means.
All 3 of those accommodations are great, on par with Walt Disney Global’s Deluxe Hotels, and in most cases charge much less. They’re nonetheless expensive, however they’re inexpensive than Disney’s higher-end accommodations, and completely definitely worth the cash–particularly if you wish to have the Limitless Specific Cross perk or a excellent location inside of strolling or boat distance of Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. In case you’d be staying at a pleasing lodge anyway, this trio is no doubt worthy of your attention.
In case you’re debating paying additional for Epic Universe line-skipping, see Must You Purchase Specific Cross at Epic Universe?
Transportation
Through a ways the most typical questions we get relating to Common Orlando Hotel is: “what’s the easiest way to get from Walt Disney Global Common.” The solution is that there are numerous choices, however by means of a ways the most productive is Uber. We coated this intensive in our Uber vs. Apartment Automobiles at Walt Disney Global article. Right here’s the pertinent portion of that submit:
Previously, the most suitable choice we’ve discovered for many who don’t have condo vehicles the period in their journeys is both renting a automobile on-site for the day, or taking an expensive travel. Nor is cost-effective or all that interesting, particularly while you upload on that parking price.
For individuals who aren’t renting a automobile at some point of their go back and forth, Uber or Lyft are the unquestionable very best choices for purchasing from Walt Disney Global to Common. The only-way charge of an Uber or Lyft from Walt Disney Global will range relying upon your actual location, in most cases costing beneath $25 every means and taking 20-25 mins.
Eating
There are some excellent eating places in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, however as a complete, the culinary revel in isn’t on par with Walt Disney Global’s. The unquestionable highlights, in my thoughts, are the counter provider eating places in Diagon Alley (Leaky Cauldron) and Hogsmeade (3 Broomsticks) and the desk provider eating place, Mythos, which is a smart price.
Different in-park eating places at Common Orlando that we adore come with the Lately Display Cafe (for lighter choices) and Krusty Burger (for the complete opposite). In reality, there’s one thing for everybody within the Springfield space, which has a number of eating choices drawn from The Simpsons.
At the snacking entrance, you’re clearly going to wish to check out Butterbeer–in all probability all 3 types (frozen, scorching, and common). Many of the different snacks we experience also are within the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour and Honeydukes.
Every other factor it’s possible you’ll wish to believe is buying a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. I’ve achieved this, however I will be able to actually put down the Cokes to make it definitely worth the cash. I’m certain some day I will be able to be toothless, however optimistically that’s no less than 5 years away. Those Coke Freestyle machines situated all over the parks also are a handy technique to get loose water that’s chilly and tastes nice.
Epic Universe is a unconditionally other tale, no less than till the ‘new park odor’ wears off. Epic Universe has incredible meals that’s simply on par with Walt Disney Global. Epic Universe may also be the most productive meals park in Orlando!
Different Issues to Do
Volcano Bay is Common Orlando’s water park. It’s themed to the South Seas and includes a large volcano (therefore the identify) within the center with water slides in it. For Walt Disney Global fanatics, it’s somewhat like Hurricane Lagoon water park combined with Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel and Adventureland.
With 4 lush, tropical spaces impressed by means of the Pacific Isles, 21 other sights, and a variety of eating & buying groceries choices, Volcano Bay provides one thing for everybody. We don’t have sufficient in depth revel in with Volcano Bay to supply technique, however our tough method mirrors that of alternative parks.
Profit from Early Park Admission if eligible, prioritize the high-profile thrill rides and slides within the first hour of the day, then do extra comfortable studies. If arriving past due, head to the again of the park first, attempt to out survive the crowds, and experience shorter strains on the finish of the day.
Volcano Bay is seasonally closed on decided on dates between now and February 2026, and is all the time matter to weather-related closures. Moreover, Volcano Bay can be closed for repairs starting October 26, 2026, with a present deliberate reopening on or ahead of March 24, 2027.
Along with the 2 theme parks and Volcano Bay water park, there’s CityWalk. That is Common Orlando’s buying groceries, eating, and leisure advanced, which is so much like Disney Springs. The large distinction is that you just stroll via CityWalk to get admission to Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey, and it’s extremely simple to go out the parks and devour lunch or dinner at CityWalk. No bus essential!
There’s additionally numerous rather new eating at CityWalk, reminiscent of Purple 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 joys steampunk theme), and Voodoo Doughnut is a amusing spot. With that mentioned, we predict each are moderately overestimated.
For our cash, the sleeper hits of the checklist are Bigfire and Cowfish, either one of which provide nice meals at cheap (by means of theme park requirements) costs. We’d additionally give honorable mentions to Vivo and Antojitos Unique Mexican Meals. Whilst the latter isn’t our private favourite, it’s higher than the “blockbuster” touristy eating places like Arduous Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Not anything towards any of the ones–however they’re necessarily Applebee’s with extra wow-factor. Excellent sufficient for predictably-prepared convenience meals, however completely not anything particular.
One ultimate word on sights is that there are a large number of sights that don’t permit baggage, however supply loose lockers within reach for storing backpacks, cameras, babies, and no matter different random junk you could have on you. Those are beautiful handy and there are better lockers you’ll pay for on the entrance of the park, however the level here’s for the ones of you who’re used to bringing a small U-Haul value of stuff into the Walt Disney Global parks: you’ll’t do this at Common. Pack for the parks a little bit lighter.
I feel that is most certainly a excellent place to begin for those who’re making plans on visiting Common Orlando Hotel as an add-on on your Walt Disney Global holiday. If you need to look a few of these subjects coated in higher intensity, please let me know within the feedback. We’re making plans to take on extra on eating, particular occasions, and Common Orlando information within the coming months, so reside tuned for extra of that!
Want go back and forth making plans pointers and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? You should definitely learn our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the whole lot about the ones parks, accommodations, eating places, and so a lot more. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and a lot more, join our FREE e mail publication!
Your Ideas
Are you visiting Common Orlando Hotel in 2026? Excited for Epic Universe or different rumored additions in the following couple of years? What about Jurassic Global VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, or the brand new rides that experience not too long ago opened? Have a favourite on-site lodge at Common? Do you favor staying on-site at Common, or commuting from Walt Disney Global? In case you’re a first-timer, is there the rest you’d like to understand? Likelihood is that if in case you have questions nonetheless, so does any individual else! Please proportion your ideas within the feedback
