Universal Orlando Parking – Pricing, Tips, Address
This is your guide for the smoothest, stress-free parking experience at Universal Orlando. Unless you’re staying at a Universal Orlando resort, having a great Universal Orlando theme park day has to start with a smooth parking experience. Without proper planning and setting the right expectations, your day might just start out on the wrong foot. You might not be prepared for how much it costs, what your parking options are, or how early to arrive, which could set yourself up for more stress and anxiety later.
The good news is: if you’ve ever been to Universal Studios Hollywood, parking at Universal Orlando is actually significantly more simple. However, there are still a few important details to know and understand to elevate your entire experience at Universal Orlando. With how often we've been to Universal Orlando, we've learned exactly what you need to know to have the best experience possible. I am an Orlando local and I deal with parking at Universal Orlando on a frequent basis!
Read on for everything you need to know about Universal Studios Orlando parking, including how much it costs, how to get the best deals on parking, and where to park.
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Understanding Your Parking Options at Universal Studios Orlando
First and foremost, when visiting Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal's Volcano Bay, or Universal CityWalk by car, you will be parking in the same parking area: the Universal CityWalk Parking Garage, located at the following address:
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
All guests visiting by car park here when visiting Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. Additionally, when parked, all guests walk through a central security check point before heading toward Universal CityWalk. From Universal CityWalk, guests can walk directly to Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. Guests planning to go to Volcano Bay will take the free shuttle bus to the water theme park.
Let’s go over each of the 4 parking options and how much each option costs.
Regular Parking ($32)
Its cost-efficiency is probably the only perk to this parking option.
Because this is the cheapest parking option at Universal Orlando, you’re likely to be placed in the farthest parking area away from the Universal CityWalk area. This translates to longer walks, including multiple escalators and moving sidewalks before even reaching the security checkpoint. For guests who expect that they will get tired at the end of a long park day, the extra walk to get back to your car might be a deal breaker when it comes to this parking option.
However, if you’re open to it and can handle the extra walking, the extra few dollars saved can certainly be allotted elsewhere during your theme park day!
Prime Upgrade ($18-$28)
The prime upgrade can be purchased if you want to upgrade your regular parking ticket to a prime parking ticket.
Take for example the following situation. If you get to the Universal CityWalk parking garage and you aren’t satisfied with the parking spots available, you can pay the upgrade fee to have access to the prime parking area. Note that this upgrade price applies even if you have “free” access to regular parking and want to upgrade to prime parking.
While prices vary according to demand, the price to pay to upgrade on the day you visit is simply the difference between the regular parking price and the prime parking price.
Prime Parking ($50-$60)
Prime parking can be a significant step up from regular parking when it comes to proximity to the theme parks.
While prime parking is still in the main parking garage, your parking location puts you closer to Universal CityWalk. This could save you up to 15 minutes of walking to the parks in the morning and back to your car at night. However, considering the high price of prime parking, you may want to consider valet parking.
Prime parking may put you closer to the theme parks, but its price may not be worth its perk.
Valet Parking (Prices Vary)
For a price that’s similar or cheaper than prime parking, you get the convenience of having your car taken care of while taking a much shorter walk to the theme parks!
Valet parking is a great parking option for those who find the extra walking to and from the parking lot more difficult, who need more convenience when parking, or know that their kiddos don’t want to make the long trek back to the car at the end of a long theme park day.
Here’s how much valet parking costs at Universal Orlando:
Before 6pm:
- 2 hours or less: $32
- Over 2 hours: $65-$75
After 6pm:
- 2 hours or less: $32
- Over 2 hours: $40-$75
- Over 2 hours (on Halloween Horror Nights event nights): $75
Prices vary depending on demand. Additionally, at the Universal Orlando hotels, valet parking generally costs the same price as the above numbers.
RV/Bus Parking ($42)
While RV/Bus parking is in the same Universal CityWalk garage, it has its own designated area.
After paying for your parking ticket, you will follow signs for RV/Bus parking to the designated area. Once parked, you will follow signs to walk toward the same security checkpoint all guests must go through before entering Universal CityWalk. Keep in mind that RV/bus parking is limited, so if you plan on arriving at Universal Orlando with an RV or bus you should call ahead to check availability.
Otherwise, you should make sure to arrive at the Universal CityWalk parking lot as early as possible to guarantee yourself a parking spot in the garage.
Which Parking Option is Best for You?
Unlike the parking options at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, your options and price points for parking at Universal Orlando are quite limited.
Not only do all guests visiting Universal Orlando have to park in the same parking structure (the Universal CityWalk parking garage), they also only have 4 options of price points to choose from.
Keep in mind that vehicles can leave the garage and return the same day by stopping at the toll plaza upon re-entry and presenting their parking ticket.
How You Expect to Feel at the End of the Day May Dictate Which Parking to Purchase
If you know that your legs will be extra tired at the end of a long theme park day or if you have little ones that might get extra cranky at the end of the day, spending extra on prime parking, or valet parking might be a great option for you.
Saving Money on Parking at Universal Studios Orlando
When looking to save money on parking, you have a few options to consider. Let’s go over those options so you can figure out which one works best for you and your family.
Free General Parking with 2 Matinee Movie Tickets
When watching a matinee movie from 11am-6pm at Universal Cinemark at Universal CityWalk, you have access to free general parking.
Interestingly, this is different than the $5 parking ticket guests have access to when watching a movie at Universal Cinema at Universal Studios Hollywood. To receive the discount at Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando, you must pay for your parking in full and then present your General Parking receipt at the Universal Cinemark ticket window.
Note that you must purchase 2 ore more matinee movie theatre tickets or show your pre-purchased movie theatre tickets along with your tickets receipt and paid Regular Parking receipt. Additionally, the theatre ticket purchases must be included within 1 receipt. Reimbursements are made in cash and are only valid on the date of purchase.
Free General Parking After 6pm
To attract more guests to visit Universal CityWalk in the evenings, General Parking is free for guests arriving after 6pm.
Note that if you arrive at the Universal CityWalk parking garage before 6pm with the intent of visiting Universal CityWalk, you must still pay the General Parking fee.
Don’t make this mistake like I did when I paid full price for parking just to visit Universal CityWalk before 6pm!
Free General Parking After Midnight on Halloween Horror Nights Event Nights
Additionally, to attract more guests to attend Halloween Horror Nights, General Parking is free for guests arriving after midnight. Note that if you arrive at the Universal CityWalk parking garage before midnight, you must still pay the General Parking fee.
Discounted Parking and Discounted Rental Cars When Renting Through Avis or Budget
If you’re renting a car during your vacation in Orlando, Avis or Budget may be your best option.
When renting a vehicle through Avis or Budget, Universal Orlando hotel guests can save up to 25% off base rates. Additionally, guests renting a vehicle through Avis or Budget receive a free prime parking upgrade once regular parking fees are paid.
This makes for a potential double whammy of savings when renting a vehicle!
Discounted or Free Parking Through the Universal Orlando Annual Pass
Most Universal Orlando annual passes offer discounted or free parking when visiting Universal Orlando.
This makes it very convenient if you plan to visit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, or Universal CityWalk multiple times in the year. Keep in mind that these discounts only apply to the Universal CityWalk parking garage and not the Universal Orlando hotels. Additionally, Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are blocked out from their respective discounted/free parking on special event nights such as Halloween Horror Nights or Mardi Gras concerts.
Let’s go over the Universal Orlando Annual Passes that offer discounted or free parking:
- Power Pass: 50% off regular day-time parking after 1st visit
- Preferred Annual Pass: free regular day-time parking, 50% off valet (after 1st visit, subject to availability)
- Premier Annual Pass: free regular day-time parking and free valet (after 1st visit, subject to availability)
So, with all this great parking information at your fingertips, you’re now ready to start your day on the right foot when visiting Universal Orlando!
Which theme park are you headed to next?
Plan Your Universal Orlando Vacation
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- Universal Orlando Guide 2024
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- Universal Orlando CityWalk Guide
- Universal’s Epic Universe
- Universal Orlando Freebies
At Universal Studios Orlando, parking can cost as low as $32 for general parking and as high as $75 for valet parking. Within this range, there are several parking options in between that allow you access to a parking area closer to the theme park entrance and RV/Bus parking.
There are several ways to get access to free parking at Universal Orlando. One way is to purchase 2 matinee movie tickets for Universal Cinemark at Universal CityWalk. Another way is to arrive at the Universal Orlando parking area after 6pm. One final way is to arrive at Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights after midnight. For all of these cases, parking at the Universal CityWalk garage is free.
With prime parking costing around double the price of regular parking, it may not necessarily be worth the price. With prime parking, guests park in the same garage as those who pay for regular parking, but have access to a parking area closer to the theme park entrance. At the end of the day, you can save up to 15 minutes of walking, which may be worth it to some guests, but not to others.
When watching a movie at Universal Cinema at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, you have access to $5 parking. To receive this discount, you must present your General Parking receipt at the Universal Cinema ticket window.
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