Just like with Walt Disney World tickets, you can save by purchasing passes for multiple days. Universal sells them in up to four-day increments, and you will pay less per day the more days you buy. A two-park pass that lets you travel between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida costs extra. Universal Orlando (universalorlando.com) often offers deals on its website, so check often before your trip to receive discounts as much as 25 percent on your tickets.
Arrive as soon as the park opens to increase your chances of hitting every attraction. Most traffic tends to filter left toward the Incredible Hulk coaster and Spider-Man simulation ride, or to the back left corner of the park and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so one strategy is to go right and continue counterclockwise around the park to avoid many of the long lines early in the day. You may choose to buy the ExpressPlus pass, which lets you skip long lines once for each ride, and requires an extra fee on top of your admission.
A couple of tricks help you avoid paying exorbitant food prices in Islands of Adventure. Fill a cooler with drinks and food such as sandwiches, leave them in your car and return at midday to eat your lunch. You can get your hand stamped and re-enter the park at any time during the day. You can also put drinks and snacks in a backpack and carry it into the park for use during the day.
Prepare to get soaked, and bring towels and or changes of clothes when you visit, or avoid the wettest rides. You'll get a bit wet on Jurassic Park River Adventure, but are likely to get doused on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. Plenty of locations in the park (including kiosks near many of these rides) sell ponchos. Bring sealable bags to protect your cell phone and camera.
