Now, however, those with a vegan diet don’t have to worry about limited food options around the resort. With newly-added menu items throughout the theme parks and CityWalk, eating vegan at Universal just got a whole lot easier.

Quick-service park options

Previously, there weren’t any vegan options available at the quick-service locations in the theme parks – now, however, there are a variety of dishes that can be found throughout both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. (Quick-service restaurants tend to share menus throughout the two parks, and this is still the case for vegan options; if it can be found at Studios, it can be found at Islands.)

One of the biggest changes to come to the park is that the new Beyond Burger is now being served at Richter’s Burger Co. and Mel’s Drive-In at Universal Studios and Captain America’s Diner at Islands. The Beyond Burger is a plant-based patty, served with Follow Your Heart vegan cheese and topped with Vegenaise sauce. Those who have had the burger say it’s a great alternative to a meat-based product, and the Vegenaise sauce adds a wonderful flavor to the sandwich.

Over at Louie’s Italian Restaurant (in Studios) and Cafe 4 (in Islands), you can find spaghetti bolognese (a pasta dish served with plant-based Gardein sausage crumbles), spaghetti with marinara sauce (ask for no meatballs), and minestrone soup, although this latter option is only available at Louie’s, and not Cafe 4. Eating at these two restaurants is a great option for those looking to avoid the typical theme-park fare, and the portion sizes are generous. (Just a note, however – some nights, Cafe 4 hosts the Marvel Character Dinner, and the food there isn’t as vegan-friendly.)

If burgers and Italian food aren’t up your alley, you can also head over to either Mel’s Drive-In at Universal Studios or The Burger Digs at Islands of Adventure for their Chick’n and avocado sandwiches. Served with plant-based Gardein chicken, Follow Your Heart cheese, and smashed avocado, this sandwich is a great alternative to the Beyond Burger. You could also grab an “I ‘Heart’ Vegan Sandwich” from Today Cafe during lunch (after 11:00 am) or a veggie press sandwich from either San Francisco Pastry Co. or Croissant Moon Bakery.

Finally, Universal Studios’ Classic Monster Cafe offers The Mummy Combo, a slow-cooked jackfruit barbeque sandwich platter. Or you could head over to Thunder Falls Terrace to grab a jackfruit rice bowl – you would just have to ask them to remove the cheese and sour cream from the dish.

Table-service in the parks

If quick-service isn’t your thing, or if you’d rather enjoy a longer respite from the heat, each of the four table -service restaurants in the parks now offer vegan options.

At Islands of Adventure, Mythos features vegan pad thai (a favorite) and a souvlaki couscous bowl (these options also have a non-vegan variety, so they need to be requested as vegan upon ordering). Additionally, the complimentary bread service can be vegan but should be double-checked before consuming, in case suppliers have changed, and the mezze platter is also a wonderful vegan appetizer available at the restaurant. Confisco Grille offers a variety of dishes, as well, including pad thai, hummus, fajitas (served without meat or cheese), and chipotle sausage with orzo, which features Gardein sausage crumbles, chipotle pesto, and roasted red peppers.

Over at Universal Studios Florida, Lombard’s Seafood Grille has penne genovese, a dish served with Beyond Sausage, roasted garlic, and basil. They can also prepare their mushroom quinoa dish as vegan, if asked. Finnegan’s Bar & Grill has also added a vegan dish to their menu – a Beyond Burger vegan shepherd’s pie. Served with vegan red bliss mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, this dish is a filling meal for anybody looking to re-energize their theme-park day.

Snacks and other goodies

Universal has partnered with Ben and Jerry’s and Auntie Anne’s to provide snacks at various locations throughout the theme parks, and these two companies offer vegan options; Ben and Jerry’s has coconut- and almond-based non-dairy frozen desserts, as well as various sorbet flavors, while Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels are vegan but must be ordered without butter.

For additional snacks throughout the parks, popcorn is vegan, as is the whole fruit and fruit cups offered at many of the snack stands. Dippin’ Dots rainbow sorbet is vegan, along with traditional (non-Bavarian) soft pretzels. For those Harry Potter fans, Butterbeer is not vegan, and guests should ask team members about the different wizarding snacks as they see them because suppliers consistently change.

CityWalk

There are so many vegan options available in CityWalk – too many to name them all here. Almost every restaurant location at Universal’s dining/shopping/entertainment district will be able to provide a good-tasting vegan meal, but there are a few standouts that should be highlighted.

Bigfire – the newest restaurant in CityWalk – offers a cauliflower steak, grilled and served with warm farro salad and a charred tomato sauce. Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food can modify many of its entress, like fajitas, quesadillas, and enchiladas, into vegan dishes, if asked. Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom serves Ital Eats stuffed peppers that are naturally vegan, and they also have other options that can be made vegan, as well. VIVO Italian Kitchen offers up a vegan sausage pasta, made with Gardein sausage crumbles, and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville also serves the Beyond Burger.

For dessert, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen can make vegan milkshakes that use soy milk and vegan chocolate ice cream, although the item isn’t listed on the menu and must be specifically asked for. Voodoo Doughnut also offers a wide variety of their doughnuts as vegan, offering a great post-park (or pre-park!) sweet.

Also for your consideration

Although there are many options available to guests visiting the resort, sometimes you just want to have your food taken care of and not have to worry about what you are going to eat. If you purchase a VIP Tour at Universal – a private or a two-park non-private experience – you will be in the hands of chefs who will ensure your dietary needs are taken care of. With their own private dining for breakfast and lunch, maintaining a vegan diet will be a breeze with the VIP Experience. Just make sure your preferences are mentioned upon booking so the team can have breakfast ready for you when you arrive.

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Want some more options for healthy (albeit non-vegan) eating? Be sure to check out our other article on the subject, and then hit up our OI Community Facebook group to get the opinions of 80,000+ other vacation planners.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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There are a few things you can do, however, to best prepare for a Magic Kingdom day, and the most essential of them all is to make sure to have breakfast. Breakfast is, indeed, the most important meal of the day for many reasons, but for the world of theme parks, eating in the morning will set your day up for success. If looking for something on the lighter-side – best for those who prefer to sleep in on vacation, or for those days where it feels too hot to eat anything – there are a few quick-service options that can be found in and around the park to help jump-start your day. 

Breakfast inside Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom itself offers quick-service breakfast options for those who want to make the most out of their park time. Main Street Bakery welcomes guests before the official park opening time, and it serves a collection of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It also is the official Starbucks location of Magic Kingdom, serving Starbucks-branded coffee and teas. The best part about getting breakfast at the Main Street Bakery is its location: you can grab something to start your day, then bring it to the hub to watch the Let the Magic Begin welcome show on the Cinderella Castle stage – a perfect beginning to any Magic Kingdom morning.

If Starbucks isn’t your thing, however, there are a couple of other options available to you for a morning meal. Sleepy Hollow is an exterior walk-up counter found just over the bridge from the hub, on the way to Liberty Square. It opens with the park and has a lot of great options available throughout the day, like a Mickey waffle or a sweet-and-spicy chicken-and-waffle sandwich. It also has a special egg-and-cheese breakfast waffle sandwich, served only until 12:00 pm. There is some covered outdoor seating for you to enjoy your food, but if you want to walk around the park while eating, the sandwiches are designed to be enjoyed on-the-go!

Gaston’s Tavern, located in New Fantasyland, also opens with the park and offers a few options for breakfast. One of the most popular items is the giant cinnamon roll (perfect for sharing!), served warm. They also have some healthier items, like hummus and chips and a cheese and fruit platter. Additionally, they serve coffee, tea, and fruit juice. Don’t forget to try LeFou’s Brew, frozen apple juice topped with passion fruit-mango foam – a cool way to start any day at Magic Kingdom. 

Breakfast at the Disney resorts

If staying on Disney property, one of the best places to get breakfast is right in your hotel. Each resort has a quick-service option, and they tend to be some of the best breakfast choices to be found anywhere at Disney World (just ask the front desk or concierge for more information about each venue’s specific offerings). Additionally, each hotel has a gift shop, which sells snacks and drinks for a quick and easy breakfast that can be eaten on the bus or monorail on the way to the park. 

If you’re not staying on Disney property – don’t worry! The hotels are open and available to anybody. The monorail hotels – the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary Resorts – would be the most logical choice, as they are easy to travel to from the parking lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian or Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian should be your first choices, as they are directly on the way to Magic Kingdom via the monorail; eating at the Contemporary would require you to pass the park to get to the hotel, which isn’t the best or wisest use of time.

Non-Disney breakfast options

There are also many options available that are outside of Disney property. Due to the popularity and size of Walt Disney World, many different areas have developed around the resort itself, and there are quick-service breakfast options in all of them! The closest area would be Crossroads, a shopping center located on 535 off of Hotel Plaza Boulevard near Disney Springs. This center has a McDonald’s and a Taco Bell for easy drive-through eating, and it also has a Wafflehouse – not exactly counter-service, but they’re fast enough that eating there will not impact your schedule in any significant way.

192 is an area located near Animal Kingdom, and it can be easily accessed from I-4 or Sherberth Road. There are so many options to choose from on that road, it’d be impossible to name them all, but a few that are closer to the parks are McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A (closed on Sundays) and Cracker Barrel. Again, Cracker Barrel is not a counter-service restaurant but boasts quick enough service that it won’t take much longer to eat there than anywhere else.

Finally, a newer location that has developed in recent years is the outskirts of Windemere, north of Magic Kingdom, off of the other 535 (yes, Florida is that confusing!). Along with a bunch of new housing, new shopping centers and food establishments have been built. There are a lot of options, and this area isn’t too far from the back entrance to Disney property (which will eventually become the main entrance to Magic Kingdom). Here, you can find Panera Bread, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, and a family-owned cafe called My French Cafe, which is counter service and serves French cafe cuisine, like crepes and quiche.

Honorable mention

You just can’t mention breakfast at Magic Kingdom without talking about Be Our Guest, arguably the best breakfast option in the park. While it is not a traditional quick-service restaurant (it’d be categorized as fast casual, because you have a server bring your food to your table), it is still faster than a full table-service breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table or the Crystal Palace. For Be Our Guest, you order your food via the My Disney Experience app, then get seated inside Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast. Reservations are required to eat breakfast here, but that can be used to your advantage – reservations can be made before official park open, so those that eat quickly can be in a better position to ride popular attractions, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, before the crowds get there.

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Which of these options are your favorite? Tell thousands of other vacation planners and Disney fanatics in our OI Community Facebook group.

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But this high price tag doesn’t have to put restrictions on a Disney visit! In fact, there are quite a few things to do around Disney’s property that don’t cost anything at all. And, as these activities are largely indoors, they can also give a welcome respite from the hot and crowded parks.

Here are a few activities that are economically-friendly and can help round out the perfect Disney vacation:

Disney Springs

One of the most obvious free locations around Walt Disney World is the recently-refurbished Disney Springs. There is no fee to access the shopping/dinning/entertainment district, and the location also boasts free parking. On top of all that, there is no-charge bus transportation from any Disney hotel to and from Disney Springs (which runs continuously from open to close, 10:00 am to 2:00 am), and there’s also free transportation from the theme parks, albeit in a limited capacity (from 4:00 pm ’til park close, and it’s one-way only).

Once at the Springs, however, there is so much to do. Free music is performed throughout the different areas daily. Other entertainment options can also be found wandering around various spots, like Irish step dancers and musicians outside Raglan Road and various specialty entertainers in the Town Center. Additionally, the Marketplace has an outdoor performing venue that is home to many different school groups that showcase their talent throughout the year.

Disney Springs is also home to over 190 shops and dining establishments. With something for everyone, simple people-watching or window-shopping can be a great way to pass the time.

Disney World’s hotels

Most people tend to forget that Disney World is home to over 20 uniquely-themed hotels, many with their own entertainment options (like the piano players at Port Orleans Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa). Spending time at each of these resorts is not only fun, there are enough of them to make visiting them a full day’s activity.

Parking at these hotels is free, but there is also free transportation between them and the parks (and between them and Disney Springs, as we just went over). Some venues are also within walking distance from each other, like the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts, and then there are the three properties that are connected by monorail. Riding the monorail is a cool activity just by itself, but these three locations (the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary Resorts) are can’t-miss stops on your vacation in and of themselves, due to their unique themes and impeccable service.

The Polynesian and Grand Floridian are also connected to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort by boat transportation – the latter being a unique location that should also be visited by everybody. It is home to the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which has the stables where the horses used around Disney World are kept. Visiting these animals is a free activity, and – weather permitting – horse-drawn carriage rides are also available at no cost. There are many different walking trails and campfire activities that can also be accessed gratis around Fort Wilderness’s grounds.

Disney’s BoardWalk

Disney’s BoardWalk is another entertainment/dining/nightlife district at Walt Disney World. This oft-forgotten gem is situated between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and it’s also within walking distance of the Boardwalk Inn, Yacht, and Beach Club Resorts and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels (owned by Marriott Resorts). The BoardWalk is a great place to hang out and people-watch or to have a family picnic. Similar to Disney Springs (but less overwhelming), this quarter-mile boardwalk is perfect for a promenade on warm summer evenings. There is also boat transportation between the different hotels around the BoardWalk, which offers a nice and relaxing trip across the lagoon that dominates the area.

Disney’s BoardWalk is also home to the Atlantic Dance Hall, a venue featuring music from the 1980s, ’90s, and today. For those who are of age (must be 21-plus), this is a great, free way to spend an evening – and if you’re willing to drop just a little for the cover fee, the dueling-piano bar Jellyrolls is also located here and similarly worth checking out.

The holidays at Disney World

If visiting Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays, additional free activities can be found almost everywhere! Disney Springs has a Christmas Tree Trail, with over 25 trees that are each decorated with a different Disney theme. Santa Claus is also available for meet-‘n-greet opportunities, free of charge (although you can choose to purchase the picture taken by the PhotoPass photographers).

The deluxe resorts are also worth visiting, as each has a brilliantly-decorated large Christmas tree in the lobby (or outside the hotel, in the case of the Contemporary). The Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Beach Club also have incredible gingerbread constructions that, quite simply, have to be seen to be believed – the Floridian has a large-scale gingerbread house, and the Beach Club has a life-size (and edible!) gingerbread carousel.

(However, the winter holidays are not the only time the venues are decorated impressively; for Easter, oversized chocolate eggs decorated with different Disney themes are also in the lobbies of the Grand Floridian and Beach Club.)

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Tell us all about your favorite free activities across Walt Disney World property over at our OI Community Facebook group.

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Going shopping is a great downtime activity to take a break from the hectic theme parks. It is also the perfect thing to do on an arrival or departure day, where there isn’t a full day to get the most out of those larger attractions. From high-end to affordable, there is a shopping experience for everybody that comes to Orlando! Here are the top five shopping areas, and highlights of some of the things to do at each of them.

1. The Mall at Millenia

Considered Orlando’s luxury shopping destination, The Mall at Millenia is a great destination for a relaxing day out. It is an indoor shopping mall with over 150 stores, many of which are designer labels. From Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s to Louis Vuitton and Gucci, there is something for everybody there. And in addition to its stores, The Mall offers great restaurants like Brio Tuscan Grille and The Capital Grille, so the perfect day of shopping can be topped off with a fantastic meal.

Mall at Millenia also holds some great fashion events throughout the year – it throws its own Fashion Week in September, with events peppered with food, entertainment, and, of course, the latest looks! They also always have art installations throughout the building and special meet-and-greet opportunities around Easter and Christmas. Finally, the location offers some great amenities, such as currency exchange, a personal shopper, and a concierge service, if desired.

The Mall at Millenia is the perfect place for the ideal pampered shopping experience.

2. The Florida Mall

Central Florida’s largest shopping mall, The Florida Mall is home to over 250 stores – and with over 20 million visitors per year, it really is a spectacle to behold. Just recently, it opened a brand-new Dining Pavilion, featuring 22 eateries ranging from healthy to not-so-healthy cuisine. It also boasts a newly-opened 3,000-square-foot Play Park, which is perfect for little ones to entertain themselves while the older folks go shopping.

The Florida Mall has more to offer than shopping, though. The Crayola Experience is a one-of-a-kind attraction that combines color, chemistry, and digital technology to create an unforgettable experience for the whole family. M&M’s World has a location here, as well – one out of only five physical stores around the world. Finally, the American Girl Store is another unique experience that is only found in certain locations in the US; the store itself offers the Bistro, where children can eat with their dolls, as well as various events every week.

The Florida Mall is more than just a shopping destination – it’s a great time for the whole family.

3. Orlando Premium Outlets

Conveniently located on either end of International Drive, the Orlando Premium Outlets are two incredible shopping destinations: the Orlando International Premium Outlets are located at the northern end of I-Drive, near Universal Orlando Resort, and have 180 different stores to choose from; the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are located at the southern end of the road, closer to the Walt Disney World Resort, and contain 160 stores. Both are incredibly easy to get to, as they are both on the I-Ride Trolley line, which is accessible from over 120 ideally-placed stops along International Drive and Universal Boulevard.

The Orlando Premium Outlets, while an open-air shopping location, do offer awnings and partially-covered walkways, to make shopping pleasant even in the afternoon rainstorms Orlando is known for. There are also air-conditioned and enclosed central dining locations at each outlet mall, which is a perfect midday rest point. The Orlando Premium Outlets offer discounts on designers – like Armani, Prada, and Kate Spade – as well as the Disney Character Warehouse, where merchandise from the Disney parks can be found at a markedly cheaper price.

(Read more about the Orlando International and Vineland Premium Outlets.)

4. Disney Springs

The newest shopping location in Central Florida, Disney Springs has, over the past two years, added 150 new tenants and doubled the location’s shopping space. Leaning in on the theme that the area is an old water-bottling plant that has been retrofitted into a shopping and entertainment district (like the High Line in New York City), Springs has a similar feel to the Grove or the Americana shopping districts out in Los Angeles, California. There is a great mix of food, stores, and entertainment throughout, from the AMC Dine-In movie theater to the Strolling Piano.

Not only does Disney Springs offer some great shopping – like Sephora, Free People, Under Armour, and UNIQLO – it also has unique Disney stores that can only be found in a place that has that Mouse magic. There are also activities for the whole family to do here: The Void is a new virtual-reality experience that immerses the guest in a 3D environment based off of one of Disney’s intellectual properties, and there is also great night-life for those of-age, like The Edison, a roaring-’20s, Steampunk-inspired nightclub/speakeasy with entertainment and great food and drink options to fill anybody’s night with unforgettable fun.

With free parking and hours that extend from 10:00 am to 2:00 am Thursday to Sunday (and to midnight on the other nights), Disney Springs is the perfect addition to any Orlando vacation.

5. International Drive

International Drive as a whole has undergone a revitalization effort these past few years, creating brand-new shopping and entertainment options that are perfect for the whole family. Near the Orange County Convention Center is Pointe Orlando, a great place for a night (or day) of fun. Home to the Regal Pointe Orlando movie theater, and other entertainment options like Hard Knocks Laser Tag, Improv Comedy Club, Main Event Entertainment, and Monkey Joe’s (for the little ones), the location is a great destination to unwind at after a busy day. It also has some great shops like Charming Charlie, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hollister – and this doesn’t even begin to mention the plethora of great dining options they have available, from fast-casual to upscale. With new experiences still to come in 2019, Pointe Orlando is a great place to spend some time on your Orlando vacation.

Additionally, Icon Orlando 360 is a newer shopping and entertainment district that opened in 2015 and was rebranded with its current name just last year. Home to the massive Icon Orlando Ferris wheel, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and Sea Life Aquarium, there is fun for everybody here. Along with 15 great dining options (with three more expected to open in 2020 – including Blake Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant), there are fantastic shops, such as Tervis, able to fulfill any souvenir needs.

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Have your own personal favorite shopping place? Let us know in our OI Community Facebook group!

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Across all this time, many may think they have the secrets to the Wizarding World all figured out, but there may be some things even the most experienced wizard and witch do not yet know. Here are our top five secrets of Harry’s wondrous world.

1. Wands work on magic

It may sound silly to those muggles out there, but it is true – the interactive wands that can be purchased from Ollivander’s Wand Shop (and, of course, other locations scattered throughout Universal) indeed work on magic, and, because of this, they are one of the best souvenirs you can buy from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. “Running on magic” means that their batteries will never die, as there are no batteries to run out in the wands – even those that were bought immediately upon their introduction (over four years ago at this point) will still work if they are brought back to either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.

Another fun fact: because they are magical in nature, interactive wands will be able to produce magic no matter what Hogsmeade you visit – yes, even if a wand were bought in Orlando, it’ll still work in Osaka. How amazing is that?

One other cool thing about the wands is that if, for whatever reason, they do stop working – say, a smaller witch or wizard isn’t as careful with it as she or he should’ve been – Ollivander’s will be happy to repair it for you (with magic, of course!). Ollivander guarantees his wands for life, after all, so no matter how many times yours may stop working, it’ll always be allowed to be repaired.

2. There are other places to buy Butterbeer

One of the best parts about visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, of course, the Butterbeer! Due to its popularity, however, the delectable drink can prove to be difficult to obtain, especially during those busier times of the year – but this doesn’t mean it will have to be given up! There are some lesser-known locations that will usually have a much shorter line than the more obvious places.

In Hogsmeade, Butterbeer doesn’t only have be purchased at the outdoor carts – it can actually be bought from inside The Three Broomsticks or the attached Hog’s Head Pub. If it’s outside typical eating hours, buying it from the Broomsticks side might be the faster way to go, as there are many registers running at once; picking up your wizarding treat at the Hog’s Head, however, is always fun, as there is a lot more on tap here, such as Pumpkin Fizz or the alcoholic Dragon Scale.

Over in Diagon Alley, Butterbeer is similarly available inside The Leaky Cauldron – which will have the same benefits as buying it in The Three Broomsticks – but it can also be found at The Hopping Pot and The Fountain of Fair Fortune, which act as glorified drink carts. One little-known secret about The Fountain of Fair Fortune: Butterbeer ice cream can also be purchased here (since it’s located so close to Florean Foretescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor, the wizarding employees can run over and pick up the ice cream, if asked nicely).

3. Chocolate Frog cards can be traded

Everybody loves Chocolate Frogs – but be careful, as they only have one good jump in them!

While the chocolate is a good enough reason on its own to purchase one, another compelling motivation is the included trading cards. Currently, ten Chocolate Frog cards are available to guests: Albus Dumbledore, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, Gilderoy Lockhart, Bertie Bott, Hengist of Woodcroft, Jocunda Sykes, and, most recently, Devlin Whitehorn. (Fun fact: although, in the movies, Harry Potter’s first-ever trading card is Dumbledore, in the books it’s Hengist, the founder of Hogsmeade.)

It’s (mostly) completely random which trading card is in which box, so it’s possible to get many duplicates before collecting all of them. Because of this, witches and wizards in Honeydukes (in Hogsmeade) and SugarPlum’s Sweet Shop (Diagon Alley) will happily trade out any duplicate Chocolate Frog cards for one of a guest’s choice – but just please keep in mind that there is only a limited amount of each card, so you might not be able to get the one you’re looking for. But, hey – it may also be possible that some guests would be willing to trade for other cards, as well, so there’s always that.

4. Unknown secrets of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

By far one of the most innovative attractions Universal has constructed (as proven by its existence in all three Wizarding Worlds around the globe), Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has some secrets that even the most observant of witches and wizards might not have seen.

In the ride’s first scene, for example, Harry and Ron’s legs can be seen in shadow right before the first screen pops up. This is in reference to the guests’ magical flying bench keeping up with the two students as they sneak away from Professor Binns’s History of Magic lesson. Further on, after Hermione helps riders escape from the Forbidden Forest, the magical bench almost gets smashed by the Whomping Willow – in fact, it seems that one of the ride vehicles actually had that fate, as a broken one can be seen to the left of the massive tree’s trunk.

Finally, there is a callback to the beginning of the Forbidden Journey at its very end. Those that have experienced the attraction know that, very early on, Hagrid has lost a dragon and has asked Harry and Ron (and, by extension, the guests) to help him locate it. Near the end of the ride, as Harry is making his way back to Hogwarts’s Great Hall with your magical bench in tow, the missing dragon can be seen flying over the Black Lake and heading towards the castle, as well – a great way to round out the story!

5. Don’t forget to go window shopping

By far the most unique part of the Wizarding World is all the shop windows – this is where the immersive quality of the locations really shine, thanks in part to their featuring the graphic designs of MinaLima, who worked on all 10 Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies. There are some hidden secrets here that even the most dedicated of witches and wizards might not know about.

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley boasts some of the most unique windows by far. Located near the entrance to Ollivander’s is a window that shows wands in their raw form, which includes different types of woods that have yet to be whittled down as well as vials containing samples of wand cores. While most guests could imagine what a unicorn hair or a phoenix tail feather looks like, not many know what a dragon heartstring should look like. Well, now they can!

There are also secret spell-casting locations hidden throughout the area: one on the main alley and one near the entrance to Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, near the Gringott’s Money Exchange. These can be the trickiest to find – luckily, there are many wizards and witches wandering around Diagon Alley who would be more than happy to help out a fellow magic-user who is looking for those unmarked spots.

Diagon’s final great secret is actually located in Knockturn Alley, where visitors can find Markus Scarrs Indelible Tattoos, and they can peak through the windows to see what, exactly, wizarding tattoos look like. Look carefully – just as wizarding paintings and photographs like to move, so, too, do the tattoos.

Hogsmeade

Remember how Hagrid once told Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia that Harry’s name had been down to attend Hogwarts since his birth? It seems like – this one time, at least – Harry wasn’t really all that special. In fact, there exists a magic quill that records the birth of every wizard or witch with the potential to attend the school on a special roll of parchment, and it can be found in the window of Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop in Hogsmeade Village. If watched for long enough, odds are the quill will start recording the name of a new wizarding baby that has been born into this world.

Another fun window-secret can be found in Spintwitches Sporting Needs, the Quidditch supply store. The window itself shows a Quidditch trunk with the quaffle and bludgers on display. Missing from the trunk, however, is the Golden Snitch – originally, there was a projection of the loose snitch flying around the shop, having gotten free of its bindings.

Bonus!

Okay, okay – just two last little tidbits, since we love these too much to let them go unmentioned.

One: using the Hogwarts Express to move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure is the only way a guest can bring alcohol between the two parks. As food and drink are allowed on the train itself, it’s a great way around the liquor-license restrictions between the theme parks and CityWalk. And two: the Three Broomsticks in the Harry Potter films is actually based off of the Three Broomsticks that was designed for the Wizarding World; the theme-park land opened before the set was needed for the movies, so it had to be (fully) designed for the parks first!

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What are some of your favorite secrets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Let us and tens of thousands of other Universal lovers know in our OI Community.

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Cut-paper silhouettes are portraits, generally cut in profile, that are made from black card stock and then pasted on a light background, and often framed. As a silhouette mimics the shape an object makes in shadow, there is very little detail, with only the outline forming any sort of shape.

An art style dating back to ancient times, silhouettes are a great way to memorialize a person at a specific point in his or her life. They were first seen on Ancient Greek and Roman urns depicting famous battles, but cut-paper silhouettes gained significant popularity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries as an affordable alternative to painted portraits or miniatures. Although the invention of photography stifled the art form’s growth, it can still be found today – like at Magic Kingdom!

Speaking of which…

Cut-paper silhouettes at Walt Disney World

Perhaps unsurprisingly, cut-paper silhouettes can be found in the areas of Magic Kingdom that are themed after the historic time periods in which these items were the most popular. One of the most prominent locations is a cart that can be found right on Main Street, USA, situated in the small alleyway between Uptown Jewelers and Crystal Arts. An additional cart location is also in Liberty Square, across from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, near the entrance to Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.

Cut-paper silhouettes can also be found in the France Pavilion of Epcot, near the water, right after you cross the bridge from International Gateway, and, finally, at a cart in Disney Springs’s Marketplace, across from the Stitch entrance of World of Disney and next to the Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. One of the best features of Disney Springs is that there is no fee to enter the location, meaning this souvenir is extremely affordable.

Which brings us to:

The cost

Relatively speaking, cut-paper silhouettes are incredibly inexpensive and are some of the most affordable souvenirs that can be found at Disney World. Although the prices are always subject to change, as of this writing silhouettes cost $12 per person, with a group of two going for $20; a group of three, $24; and a group of four, $27. A protective frame can also be purchased for $8.95 (tax not included).

A silhouette is also a time-saver. When it comes to souvenirs, it can be a hassle trying to figure out what everybody wants, with your group going to – many times – multiple stores to satisfy everyone. A paper silhouette can be completed in around 60 seconds, which is short enough that even the most squirmy of children can sit for it.

Why get one?

In today’s fast-paced society, it can seem that time just whizzes by. One minute, children are laughing and playing, enjoying meeting Mickey Mouse, and the next they’re off to college and leaving the nest. Being able to capture special family moments – like a Walt Disney World vacation – is an opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up.

One of the greatest parts of a cut-paper silhouette is that it freezes time. It shows the person (or group) as she was in that moment, and can last forever; archaeologists are using silhouettes to determine the cultures of ancient civilizations, and those from the 19th century are a terrific look into the lives of people who wouldn’t normally be remembered.

Keep the art alive

While cut-paper silhouettes were a dime a dozen 200 years ago, today the art form is far from thriving. While there are some artists who use the medium to express certain viewpoints, sitting for true portraits seems to be a thing of the past. What historians call the “19th century selfie” is becoming more difficult to find. Patronizing these silhouette stands will show that this art is still appreciated and can find space in today’s society.

A souvenir to last

A great aspect of cut-paper silhouettes is how they can be used to measure the growth and development of a family. One that spends a single, special trip at Disney World can use the silhouette as a way to memorialize a wonderful vacation; should multiple stays be possible, getting a cut-paper silhouette done every visit can be used to show the passage of time. This can be a special way to mark each visit at Disney, as a silhouette will showcase how each person was at that exact moment.

Sitting for a cut-paper silhouette, as a family or as an individual, is a wonderful way to cement the trip in memory. Many souvenirs are objects that will be enjoyed for a bit before being tossed away or forgotten by the next exciting thing. Silhouettes, however, are not just a great souvenir – they’re a great memento to be enjoyed for many years to come.

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Whether a first-timer looking to maximize her inaugural trip or a seasoned veteran who wants to expand his ever-increasing knowledge of the attractions, here are seven key mistakes to avoid when visiting Universal Orlando Resort.

1. Know when to go

One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting is traveling to the parks during school vacations – try instead to take a trip during the off-season, avoiding any major holidays. Crowd levels vary greatly throughout the year, with the busiest time being the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Traveling between mid-/late September and early February is ideal, as those will generally be the least-crowded times of year to visit the parks.

Another hint – if seeing the beautiful holiday decorations and events are a priority, but the crowds are a deterrent, consider visiting in early December. In the parks, the holiday season typically starts in the middle of November (give or take a day or two), so by traveling early in the following month, guests can take advantage of the lesser crowds while still being able to experience Christmastime at Universal.

2. Pack lightly – or have a lot of pockets

The attractions at Universal Orlando tend to be a bit intense; because of this, many of the rides found throughout the parks require all bags and purses be put into a complimentary locker before you get in line. This is a fairly straightforward process, but it can become cumbersome during the busier times of the year. In order to expedite experiences and make the most out of park time, not carrying a purse or backpack can allow the locker process to be skipped for every attraction except the two big roller coasters (Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure), which both require that nothing be present in riders’ pockets.

If going without a backpack or purse isn’t feasible, pack as lightly as possible – the smaller the bag, the easier it is to fit inside the lockers. As multiple small bags can fit inside one locker, putting them all together will reduce the time spent in the locker room and increase the time spent actually enjoying the rides. Finally, some bigger bags and backpacks will not be able to fit inside the lockers at all; while Universal has a procedure in place should this occur, it will be easier for all involved to have bags that are comfortable fits.

3. Timing is everything in the Wizarding World

Another common mistake guests make is visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the wrong time of day (yes, there is a wrong time of day to visit Harry and friends!). Due to many different reasons, such as Early Park Admission and vacation packages that include breakfast reservations, mornings in the Wizarding World can get very crowded. (These benefits, we should note, are a great addition to any Universal Orlando vacation, but either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley can easily be enjoyed without them.)

Because of these benefits, as well as people genuinely excited about Harry Potter wanting to visit it first and get the most out of their time there, navigating the Wizarding World in the morning can be tough. To have the most successful visit to Harry’s wondrous world without Early Park Admission or a breakfast reservation, consider going to these areas toward the end of the day – even during the busiest of times, evenings in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade tend to be significantly less crowded. The evenings are also a great time to experience these sections of the parks, as the lighting designs and nighttime show are beautiful and shouldn’t be missed!

4. Don’t forget to take breaks!

If visiting in the summer, keep in mind Orlando’s weather patterns and heat index. Even those that are familiar with hot weather and humidity aren’t prepared for the toll that spending time in theme parks can take on the body. Just as the early and late hours are better times to visit the parks, weather-wise, the afternoons are great for taking breaks – during the summers especially, Orlando’s daily 3:00 pm rain shower is a perfect time for a small siesta.

If rest is out of the question, keep in mind frequent air-conditioning breaks are still necessary. Going to shows is a great way to get A/C breathers without missing out on theme-park time. Also, don’t forget to hydrate! Dehydration is the number-one issue guests experience when visiting the parks, so drinking water – even if it doesn’t seem necessary – is always a good idea.

5. Never underestimate the power of a sit-down meal

Another great way to take a break is by spending the time enjoying a sit-down meal, whether within Universal Studios Studios and Islands of Adventure or out in CityWalk, the dining/shopping/entertainment district. Most CityWalk restaurants will be open for lunch, especially during the busy season, but the two full-service restaurants in each park are a great way to find some time to relax in the middle of the day, no matter what the time of year is.

Not only do these restaurants have great theming (Mythos shares the same designer as the Cheesecake Factory restaurants), they also provide quality food for reasonable prices. They also boast quick meal turnarounds, if needed – all the servers are aware that their guests are in a theme park and want to make the most out of their time there (but will never rush service, either).

Reservations are recommended for all full-service restaurants around the resort (see our reservations page for more).

6. When entering the parks, go right

Due to the way the theme parks are set up, the flow of guests in both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure tends to be toward the left/straight ahead: going straight at Universal Studios brings guests to Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, while going right doesn’t immediately seem to bring visitors anywhere, so people don’t typically go that way; in Islands of Adventure, guests go left toward The Incredible Hulk Coaster instead of right toward Seuss Landing, the kiddie area.

Therefore, turning right will be going against guest flow, meaning lines will be shorter this way. Starting out in this direction will also mean that, at the end of the day, the final attractions on the path will be near the front of the park, facilitating an easier exist back to the parking lot or to your hotel.

7. Don’t be afraid of being a single rider

There are many attractions at Universal Orlando that offer a single-rider line. Taking advantage of this offering is a great way to make the most of a visit to Universal Orlando; while going the single-rider route does not guarantee a shorter wait time, more often than not it does greatly reduce the time spent stuck in a line. As long as every guest meets the single-rider requirement (being over 48″ tall), a whole party can enter this queue – they’ll just be separated to hop on the attraction.

Using the single-rider line can be especially helpful during the busy season, to ease movement throughout the parks.

And finally…

Don’t stress! One of the greatest parts about vacationing at Universal Orlando is the chilled and relaxed atmosphere found throughout the resort, from the theme parks to the on-site hotels. While avoiding these mistakes can certainly help make any vacation better, Universal is here to help provide a stress-free vacation for the whole family. Take the day as it comes, and, most of all, have fun!

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Knowing Netflix already has a working relationship with Universal (the inclusion of the Stranger Things haunt was one of the biggest selling points of this year’s Horror Nights), it is no big stretch to believe that Universal’s Art and Design team may already be considering creating a maze based on Hill House for 2019 – or, at least, we hope so! For fans of the event, this should be an exciting prospect.

Here are three reasons why.

1. It’s a show everyone should be watching

It’s difficult to discuss the impact of The Haunting of Hill House without going into spoiler-y plot details; suffice it to say, however, that the show deserves your attention – even if horror isn’t usually something you like to watch. While it does have its fair share of jump scares – every episode has at least two – the beauty of the series lies in the story being told and the way in which it is portrayed across the screen. Hill House, at its core, is a story about a broken family – fractured due to a common experience in Hill House – and what it means to navigate familial relationships complicated by things like mental illness. Not only is the acting superb across the board, including from young child performers, but the use of long, continuous shots makes the viewer feel like she is in the titular house herself already.

Then there’s this: Hill House, which is based on the 1959 novel by Shirley Jackson, falls more into the Gothic horror subgenre and less into the shock/value subcategory, which has recently been prevalent in the horror industry. While the show is only loosely based on the book, both pieces of media focus more on the psychology of the scare, and how everyday stresses can be just as frightening as ghosts and demons. It’s a chilling look at society and how humans interact with one another, which makes it the perfect candidate for binge watching and being turned into a Horror Nights maze both.

Speaking of which…

2. It’s already designed like an HHN house

There is definitely a lot that goes into the design and creation of Halloween Horror Nights’s haunted houses, but every complicated decision can eventually be whittled down to one recurring consideration: how can the event simultaneously scare the pants off its guests while also ensuring that the queues inside the mazes keep moving? It is a fine line to tread – making sure attendees feel like they are getting their money’s worth but also aren’t falling to the floor in the middle of a house, refusing to move because they are so frightened. It takes a nuanced knowledge of the psychology of the scare to maintain this balance.

Think about what frightens you: darkness, insects, clowns, small spaces. And then think about how those things can become scary with large groups of people around you. It’s difficult, as one is less likely to be frightened of the dark if he has people with him. But Universal’s Art and Design team has learned how to manipulate the guest experience to feel like attendees are isolated or alone, even though they aren’t, through techniques such as misdirection, sound cues, and creating a perceived separation.

This use of psychological understanding to create the most effective scares is also employed by Mike Flanagan, the showrunner and director of The Haunting of Hill House. Through the use of long camera shots that don’t contain anything supernatural, even though most horror films or series would, to the inclusion of ghosts or demons in the background in the oddest of places, to the choice to forgo background music in a lot of key scenes, Flanagan shows a masterful understanding of how to creatively immerse someone in an experience, even through a television screen.

With the effectiveness of the series, just imagine how it would feel recreated as a haunted house!

3. It’s beautiful

The Haunting of Hill House also lends itself to being a great candidate for inclusion in Halloween Horror Nights because the show itself is just so beautiful. There is one shot of the gates of the house, in episode 105, that immediately invoked the facades of such great past haunts as 2017’s Dead Waters or 2012’s Gothic – an absolutely gorgeous image that could easily be translated into a soundstage.

Additionally, Hill House itself offers a large variety of striking, detailed sets that would make any set designer happy to be able to create, including a beautiful two-story entrance hall, a chilling basement, and a labyrinth of rooms (whose existence is finally explained in the season’s last episode). There is also the stunning 17-minute continuous shot that opens ep 106 that involved a complicated set construction. In a genre that usually relies heavily on CGI, it is refreshing to see so many practical effects and set pieces, which seem tailor-made to be translated into a haunted house.

In short, there are few pieces of cinematic horror that are more perfectly primed for inclusion in HHN.

BONUS: A ready-made Easter egg

Oh, and one final thing – Henry Thomas (yes, that Henry Thomas, who played Elliot in Steven Spielberg’s E.T.) portrays the young father in the show. So The Haunting of Hill House already has a Universal connection! (We’re already imagining the merchandising possibilities.)

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Are you watching Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House? Compare your thoughts on its possible HHN-ness with 50,000 other theme-park fans in our Universal Community Facebook group.

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