The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Universal Orlando vacation.

How do some guests get on the big, new attraction in less than 20 minutes while others wait for longer than 2 hours--on the same day? Why do some guests pay full price for their visit when others can save hundreds of dollars? In a theme park, every minute and every dollar count. Your vacation is too important to be left to chance, so put the best-selling independent guide to Universal Orlando in your hands and take control of your trip.

The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 explains how the resort works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Seth Kubersky and debut author Alicia Stella know that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so they employed an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what's available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time at Universal. Stay at a top-rated hotel, eat at the best restaurants, and experience all the most popular attractions at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.

Keep in the know on the latest updates and changes at Universal Orlando. Here's what's NEW in the 2025 book:

• Learn when to visit Universal to get lower crowds and bigger hotel discounts


• Find updated advice on taking advantage of Early Park Admission, Universal Express, and other time-saving tricks


• Get an up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, including the luxurious new Helios Grand


• Read ratings and reviews of fresh dining options throughout the parks and resorts, including plant-based menu items


• Take advantage of the most comprehensive guide available to Universal's brand-new Epic Universe theme park, with detailed coverage of every ride, show, and restaurant


• Discover tips for experiencing Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure


• Enjoy reviews of the Trolls roller coaster and other kids' attractions in Universal's new DreamWorks Land


• Uncover information on the new character parade and nighttime fountain spectacular at Universal Studios Florida

Make the right choices to give your family a vacation they'll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you're putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more.

Seth Kubersky has worked for more than 25 years as a theatrical artist, culture critic, and travel journalist. Seth is the co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, and The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas, as well as a collaborator on The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Seth is nationally recognized as an authority on theme parks and amusement attractions and contributes to Attractions Magazine and the Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast. His arts-and-entertainment column, "Live Active Cultures," appears in the Orlando Weekly, central Florida's leading alternative newspaper.

A native of Livingston, New Jersey, Seth earned a B.A. in theater from The College of William and Mary in Virginia. He has produced and directed dozens of plays through his award-winning Empty Spaces Theatre Co. and at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. As a stage technician and entertainment supervisor at Universal Orlando from 1996 to 2000, he worked on the Ghostbusters Spooktacular and Terminator 2: 3-D attractions, Mardi Gras parades, and Halloween mazes. Seth lives in Orlando with his wife, Genevieve, and their cats Kipper, Pumpkin, and Sol.

Alicia Stella is a contributor to The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando and has been covering new attractions since 2015 on her website, Orlando Park Stop, and her YouTube Channel, Theme Park Stop. Alicia's work has been cited in The New York Times and USA Today, as well as on CNN and The Today Show. She specializes in reporting on new-attraction development and always looks forward to upcoming changes in the Orlando theme parks. Alicia lives in Central Florida with her wife, Jenn, and their daughter, Haley.