Since we are going to Universal Studios Orlando, here are some tips that I have practiced all through the years having gone through several visits to Disneyland(HK,California and Tokyo) and Universal Studios (Singapore and Hollywood).
1) Bring a water bottle since most parks would allow this. You can simply replenish it through the water fountains inside the park. Drinks are usually expensive in Theme Parks.
2) Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.Dress for the weather.If there's rain and you can't cancel your ticket, bring an umbrella or a raincoat since some parks have indoor rides anyway.
3) If there is a long queue in the more popular rides, try to go to the lesser popular ones or the most remote(from the park entrance) first and work your way to the most popular rides.
4) If the Fast Pass or Express Pass is free( like in Disneyland) try to avail of it for the more popular rides. But if you still have to pay for it try to estimate whether you can still enter the more popular rides without it.
5) Eat a heavy breakfast so you can delay lunch enough for you to queue up and ride the more popular rides during the lunch hours when the crowds are usually having lunch.
6)Bring a garbage bag or a plastic raincoat for rides that will make you wet.These raincoats are expensive when you buy them in the park.
7) Arrive Early and study the Parks map before going and make sure you arrive one hour before the park opens.Pick out the top three park rides you want to go to and if lines are manageable go to these rides first.
8) Don't waste your time having lunch without doing anything. Watch a show while taking lunch or take some souvenir photos. At least you are maximizing your park hours. Bring candies or small snacks so you could save money for meals.
9) Give the kids an allowance to buy souvenirs so that they wont pester you for money while you are in the park.
10) Bring enough batteries for your camera and some medicines for motion sickness, headache etc and wet tissue if the weather is hot.
