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Want to go to Universal Orlando but don’t have park passes? Don’t worry, there are plenty of fun things to do at Universal Orlando without passes! Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Universal Orlando, all opinions and tips are 100% my own.
11 Things To Do at Universal Orlando Without Park Passes
Want to experience Universal Orlando but don’t have passes? Don’t worry, there is plenty of ways to enjoy Universal without actually even going into the park! Oh, and as a tip, you can park for just $5 starting at 6 PM 😉
Go Mini Golfing
Grab the kids, and head over to the Hollywood Drive-In Golf™! There are 36 holes of golf that are offer two themes from movies from the 50s, The Haunting of Ghostly Greens and Invaders From Planet Putt. You can putt your way through a cemetery and a flying saucer, under a giant spider, around a 30-foot robot, into the basement lab of a haunted house, and more. With the LED lighting, you can play day, night and even late-night!
Catch a Movie
Ready to unwind after a long day? Or getting excited to catch the the new Minions movie? There is no better place in Orlando to catch a movie than at AMC® Universal Cineplex 20 with IMAX®. Each theater features all-stadium seating with high-backed rocking chairs, and state-of-the-art projection and sound systems. You can grab food and an adult beverage there too!
Eat
Oh, you can definitely spend the day eating at Universal. There is a restaurant for everyone. The options are endless and the food is award-winning. We took my in-laws to Cowfish when they came to visit us for their 20th Wedding Anniversary.
My husband and I LOVE Sushi, so we were excited to check out the different rolls available.
My in-laws love a good burger, so Cowfish was the perfect option for our family. Once you walk in, you find yourself instantly smiling.
From the fun funky colors to the friendly servers and staff, you can’t help but be in Your Happy Place.
Not to mention, the food is amazing. My daughter highly recommends the Fried Pickles 😉
If you are looking for good food and a great time, my family and I highly recommend Cowfish!
Drink
If you are just looking for an adult beverage and a place to relax and hang out, Universal City Walk has plenty of places to do just that. Most restaurants have a bar area inside, but there are also outdoor hot spots that promise smiles and fun.
Shop
Like to find the latest and greatest fashions? Or maybe just the latest Universal Studios Movie gear? Citywalk has you covered there too. From Fresh Produce to NBA favorites! You can easily spend a few hours browsing your favorite finds in over a dozen shopping venues at Universal Orlando CityWalk.
Enjoy a Street Performance
You will see statues come to life as you stroll around CityWalk! And keep a look out on the center stage, when we were there the DJ had a scavenger hunt going on for the kids. What a perfect way to get the kids doing something fun while the adults get the chance to sit and relax for a few moments.
Play in the Water
It gets HOT here in Florida, take a moment to let yourself cool down and walk thru the fountains with (or without!) the kids 🙂
Dance
Love to get your groove on? When the sun goes down, the night life heats up at Universal CityWalk! There is a club for everyone, from the dueling piano bar to Bob Marley tunes to traditional clubbing music!
Get a Tattoo
Yes, you can even get a tattoo! Hart & Huntington Tattoo Shop has an awesome store, beautiful art, and art that you can permanently take home 😉
See the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is nestled in Universal Orlando, but you don’t need a park pass to get in! Just your Blue Man Group Tickets 😉 This show is unlike any other you will see, and if you have seen it before, you will love seeing it again and again.
It is the one show that all our out-of-town visitors request to see. How can three BLUE MEN who don’t even talk keep a crowd entertained for almost two hours? With music, painting, marshmallows, goldfish, dancing and MORE that will keep you on the edge of your seat laughing. This show is great for all ages, my daughter 1st saw it when she was 5 and we have taken both of our parents to it.
It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, the Blue Man Group will leave you Young At Heart. Hold onto your ticket stub after you leave the show, you can actually score FREE ADMISSION to select CityWalk venues with your Blue Man Group ticket stub.
Have you ever wondered if the Blue Men are actually Blue? Well, we have the hand prints to prove it 🙂
Simply Enjoy Yourself
As you stroll around Universal Orlando and CityWalk you will find yourself smiling, enjoying yourself, and the time with your family.
What would be your favorite thing to do at Universal Orlando WITHOUT Park Passes?
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Cool. I didn’t know there was anything you could do without a pass. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Yes, it’s easy to spend the day having fun without a pass!
Next time I go to Disney…I am going to get a tattoo! Something to memorialize the trip! I don’t know what I would get, but it will be decided there and then!!!
Be sure to come back and let us know what you decide 🙂
This was so great to read!My in-laws have a time share in Orlando that we’re welcome to use, but I don’t ever want to go because park tickets are so expensive. I didn’t realize there was so much to do without paying for park passes! I am excited to check it out now, especially the restaurants.
Marthalynn the restaurants are AMAZING!! I hope you have fun on your next trip 🙂
thanks for the helpful hints, we hope to go to Orlando within the next couple of years and while we will have passes most likely, this also would be helpful if we’d used up our multi day passes and wanted something to do.
Yes, it’s always nice to take a break from the parks and see what else there is to offer!
Wow I didn’t know you could do all that without a pass. I have 2 ride rides tho
so many things to do .. how awesome !
Eating would be my favorite thing to do at Universal Studios without passes. Thank you for sharing this post.
Which is your favorite restaurant? Make sure to check out The Cowfish next time 🙂
I love the Eat and Shop suggestion! Thanks for posting this.
If we ever go and have the time to just hang these are some great options!
Looks like fun for when it is just me and my husband. I’d like to drink margaritas and play in fountains!
These all look like fun ideas to save money on passes!
I wish I would have saw this article last summer when I was there.
lovvve universal, can’t way to go again.
I haven’t been to the Orlando location.
Thanks for all the tips1
What a fun post. I love that there are so many things to do without passes. Who would have thunk it? 🙂
Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando offers 43 acres for exploration and recreation, including fountains, a walking path, playgrounds, swans to feed and swan-shaped paddle boats and gondolas (for a slight fee.)
That sounds beautiful!!!
Thanks so much fun things to do!!
I would go to eat and drink!
Great suggestions! I’d add walking over to Royal Pacific hotel (it is a plant lined path) or ride a rickshaw (drivers work for tips). Then dine at Emeril’s Tchuop Chop. Cool space with great service & food. We were celebrating 3 birthdays & they made it a memorable experience.
Another great list! We checked off a few of these items on our visit there just this past week, especially the “drink” one. I love Margaritaville Margaritas. 🙂
I think I would the street performance and mini golf the most! I love street performances and I’d love to travel just to see them.
We just got back from Orlando today. Although we did pay for park tickets for Universal and SeaWorld, there is a ton you can do elsewhere. All of the items mentioned at City Walk are great. I also suggest venturing down International Drive in both directions. SO MUCH THERE! Ripleys, WonderWorks, Sealife Aquarium, multiple mini golf places, tons of restaurants, Titanic Experience, CSI Experience, Outlets, etc. Worth checking out. 🙂
I would love to take a vacation to Universal Orlando one day with my family. It does look wonderful and tips are definitely helpful.
I have always wanted to go to Universal Studios but with the size of my family it needs to be on a budget. Thanks for the cool article!