9 Common Visitor Complaints About Universal Studios

Alongside Disney, Universal is one of the most recognizable theme park brands in the world. What started in 1964 as a single attraction that allowed visitors to ride on "Glamor Trams" through the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood has expanded to include eight theme park properties around the world. Four of the parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay water park — are part of Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The other four parks span from California to Asia, including Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Beijing Resort.

These days, guests around the globe can enter worlds inspired by franchises like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Super Mario Brothers, How to Train Your Dragon, and Shrek. With so many properties near large population centers, Universal parks are within a reasonable flight for many people around the globe. However, as with all theme parks, not everything always runs smoothly for guests. Even Disney's famous parks have common visitor complaints! Here, we'll look at nine of the most common visitor complaints about Universal Studios theme parks, while simultaneously providing tips for handling each issue.

To compile this guide, we used official Universal Studios websites and high-authority theme park resources like Undercover Tourist, as well as firsthand accounts from visitors on Tripadvisor, Reddit, and Facebook. We also used blogs like Favorite Grampy Travels and Disney Dining. Finally, I filled in some information with my own knowledge of the parks in Orlando and Singapore, both of which I've visited.

Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, opened in Orlando in May 2025 to much fanfare, touting some of the industry's most advanced and immersive ride technology on attractions like Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Yet, even Epic Universe has faced complaints, with one Tripadvisor reviewer writing that there is "simply not enough to do at the park for the amount of people they're allowing in."

The actual Universal Studios parks around the world are generally older, smaller, and altogether less impressive. From a stateside perspective, for instance, only one Universal park made Redditors' list of the best American amusement parks that aren't Disney World. On Facebook, Lost Girl in Tomorrowland shared a reel admitting that she made a "joke about Universal Studios Hollywood being small... and, well, it kind of is." One Universal fan on Reddit even lamented that they "should never have built Epic Universe," instead focusing on expanding and updating "sad ... ghost town" areas of Orlando's Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Singapore is a good example of the brand's often tiny footprint. Located on Sentosa Island, the park takes up about 49 acres, which is less than half the size of Disney's 107-acre Magic Kingdom. One Redditor noted that, in addition to its small size, the Singapore park is "is a bit dated in its IP." During my visit, we were shocked to find ourselves with very little left to do after just four or five hours — so keep that in mind while planning your day. If you're headed to Universal Singapore, we found the Jurassic Park and The Mummy areas to be the most engaging. At other parks, try to stick to newer areas with updated rides for the best experience.

Universal is known for its many screen-based rides that use 3D glasses and motion effects in a bid to immerse visitors in the IP. Past guests have pointed out that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, as well as Transformers The Ride 3-D, The Simpsons Ride, and the King Kong rides are just a few examples in Orlando that utilize screen technology. Some people, however, feel that these rides are not actually as immersive as attractions that feature real sets and animatronic figures. One Reddit user even noted that the brand has "gotten a lot of (earned) criticism for this in recent years."

In addition to questions about the quality of screen-based rides, people who suffer from motion sickness often struggle to even go on these attractions.  Forbidden Journey tends to be especially bad, even for people who aren't typically sensitive to movement. One person on Reddit wrote, "I'm not typically prone to motion sickness and I immediately felt off the first time I rode it." Someone else on the same thread said the motion sickness factor on this ride is "pretty bad. No idea why I continue to ride it."

One Facebook user even noted, "Unfortunately if the screen/3D aspect is what makes you sick you're going to miss out on a lot at Universal." Fortunately, there are some things you can do to have a more pleasant experience at these theme parks if you are a motion sickness sufferer. Taking an over-the-counter product like Dramamine can be a good tactic for some people. Others may want to speak to their doctor about a prescription medication for severe situations. For those who prefer all-natural remedies, ginger can be an excellent motion sickness deterrent as well.

Theme park rides are engineered and operated with major safety precautions in mind, and tens of millions of guests safely visit Universal properties annually. Still, there have been a few incidents over the years. One person on Facebook tried to make light of their experience on Stardust Racers, but warned others that they felt like it "gave me a mild concussion." They went on to share that they suffered eye damage that their "doctor called a 'posterior vitreous detachment'." People in the comments expressed similarly intense experiences on the same ride, as well as rides like the Revenge of the Mummy and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

Stardust Racers, was also the ride involved in Universal's most serious incident in recent memory. In September 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after he rode Stardust Racers at Epic Universe (per CBS News). The medical examiner concluded that he died from "multiple blunt-impact injuries," ultimately ruling the death accidental. Subsequent investigations by officials for the park and the Florida state government, however, determined that the roller coaster was not malfunctioning.

The Zavala family attorney, Ben Crump, countered this claim, saying there were "red flags," noting that other riders have had "problems with restraints, riders being thrown forward, hitting in hard structures," according to Florida Politics. Universal faced another lawsuit in about the ride's intensity from a rider around the same time as the Zavala case (via WTHR). In addition to the negative experiences with Stardust Racers, a woman lost her finger while riding Skull Island: Reign of Kong in Orlando in 2022, per the New York Post. While major theme park rides are generally very safe, if you ever feel wary of boarding, the best policy is listen to your intuition and stay off.

Universal has faced criticism about the size of its ride vehicles and its restraint designs for many years. The issue is pervasive across all of Universal's properties, with some guests not discovering they can't ride until they've reached the boarding platform. One Facebook user who visited the Orlando parks in 2024 shared that she is "5'6 and 260 [lbs]" and "couldn't ride" several rides, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Forbidden Journey, and the The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.

There isn't a specific weight or waist measurement that determines if a person will fit on a particular attraction. Ride vehicles use varying lap bars, shoulder restraints, and seat styles, so fitting can depend on height and weight distribution around one's body, specific body part measurements, and other factors. Therefore, two people who wear the same clothing size might have different experiences on Universal rides. Another Facebook user acknowledged that "Universal is not plus friendly in general."

It's important for plus-size riders to know that Universal does offer "test seats" near most rides and attractions that could be problematic due to height or weight outside of the typical range. Trying the dummy ride vehicle ahead of time ensures that larger guests won't get to loading platform only to find that they won't fit. One Reddit user said, "It's my biggest fear" to be removed from a ride due to their size, noting that the test seats can help alleviate this concern for riders, even though they often choose to wait until they get to the boarding area themselves.

There are multiple ways to avoid huge lines at theme parks, one of which is purchasing skip-the-line passes. Many theme park brands have these, but Universal's version is called Express Pass. Express Unlimited Passes are included with stays at three of the property's most expensive Signature hotels: Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific. On Reddit, many guests find that the added cost of these accommodations is worth it since Express Unlimited is usually priced between $150 to $380 daily per person.

One family on Facebook even booked a night at the Hard Rock with no intention of staying there just for the perk, noting they found it "wild it'll cost *hundreds* more for express for 1 day at Universal than 4 days of Disney lightning lanes." Even lower-tier Express Passes are pricey, especially for larger parties. For Epic Universe, for example, the standard Express Pass costs $199.99 a day per guest. Express Unlimited costs even more, and there is still a wait in many cases. One Reddit user said, "I can't comprehend how anyone can pay $300 to be waiting 45 minutes in line."

Universal theme parks around the world also have different systems. Orlando's is the most complex. Universal Hollywood has a single option that allows riders to use the skip-the-line queue once for eligible attractions. In Japan, Express Passes have the added benefit of granting visitors guaranteed entry to popular lands like Super Nintendo World. Express Pass may be worth it if your family only plans to visit that specific park one time, but if you go often, it may not be worth the expense. Consider your priorities and budget accordingly if Express Pass matters to you.

Theme park apps purportedly make guests' lives easier during a park day, but this isn't always the case. Universal's app can be glitchy, leading to frustration for users. Guests report issues with various functions, including mobile ordering food, linking tickets and Express Passes, and even just logging into their accounts. These types of problems can be stressful, especially if you're trying to enter the park or get food for hungry family members. In summer 2026, one Facebook user reported "the system is SO full of linking glitches right now," recommending that people visit a physical ticket counter to correct issues.

Universal's exact app features differ from one destination to another. At Universal Orlando Resort, for example, the official app provides access to the Universal Account Wallet, park maps, attraction wait times and details, and mobile food ordering options. At Universal Studios Japan, guests may need the app even more because it can be used to procure timed entry tickets for certain lands and attractions like Super Nintendo World. The app for Universal Studios Singapore, meanwhile, offers similar functionality to the Orlando app, but has just a 3.6-rating on Google Play, largely due to sign in problems.

No matter which park you're planning to visit, the best way to prepare for a potentially glitchy app experience is to prepare ahead of time. Download or update the correct app a day or two before your trip, make sure all tickets are linked, and make any necessary dining reservations for table service restaurants. You may also want to have physical copies of your tickets and any important reservation numbers to be on the safe side.

Universal theme parks are strict about how they handle loose belongings on rides. This may come as a surprise to Walt Disney World Resort regulars, who are used to the park allowing guests to carry bags onto attractions, with only a few exceptions. Universal, by contrast, requires phones, bags, cameras, and other personal effects to be stored for 13 rides across Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe.

Guests can choose from three kinds of lockers depending on their needs. Free lockers are provided at some attractions. Guests can also reserve pre-paid ride lockers if they would prefer. For those who want to stash their gear longer, Universal offers all-day lockers for a fee. At four rides across the Orlando parks — Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Stardust Racers — riders have to pass through metal detectors. Some find Universal's lockers frustrating, with one Tripadvisor visitor noting that others should "allow additional time for this as we found it took on average 15 mins to get into a locker."

On Facebook, an entire conversation was dedicated to Universal locker frustrations, with people sharing that they find the locker area overwhelmingly crowded, and some of the free lockers are not 100% secure. The locker situation extends to international parks. I experienced the rideside cubbies during my visit to Universal Singapore, specifically at Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon and the Jurassic Park Canopy Flyer. If you're not a locker fan, take as little as possible with you for your park day. Another option is to leave items with someone in your party who isn't riding if you have friends and family who aren't thrill-seekers.

A regular Universal theme park ticket gets you inside your park of choice, with access to standard ride lines, shopping, quick-service restaurants, and shows. However, once they're in the gates, some people feel nickel-and-dimed. Orlando News 6 reported on these add-on costs, noting that "parking, souvenirs, and meals — not to mention airfare and hotel costs for out-of-town tourists — and a day at the parks becomes a luxury experience." At Universal Orlando Resort, specifically, Express Passes, interactive wristbands, and experiences like Marvel dining can add up quickly.

Some extras may be worth it for your party. On Facebook, guests overwhelmingly agreed that Power-Up wristbands at Super Nintendo World are a lot of fun for both kids and adults. One mom wrote, "My daughters are grown now and the three of us had a blast." Another visitor said that they "regretted not getting one on my first visit." Additionally, some special events cost extra. The popular Halloween Horror Nights, for example, require a secondary ticket. The event also has a premium ticket tier with skip-the-line access. 

Although dining can be pricey, there are also some restaurants you shouldn't skip when visiting Universal Orlando. But when it comes to just fueling up in the park, however, one of the best ways to save money is to pack your own snacks. At the Univeral Studios parks, while guests cannot bring coolers or items that need to be refrigerated, small snacks and water bottles are completely fine. Around the world, some properties have more rigorous restrictions. In Beijing, for instance, food that is deemed too much for "self-consumption" may be confiscated at the gate. Contact customer service at the Universal park you'll be visiting if you have questions about food items you want to pack.

It's usually a given that guests should expect long lines at theme parks, but this doesn't always stop people's frustrations. At Islands of Adventure, one Universal passholder shared a horrible experience on Tripadvisor. Following a temporary ride closure, they got in line for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure with a posted 70-minute wait. The app then changed the wait time to 135 minutes once they were in the queue. They ultimately waited over three hours to board due to Express Pass riders, and the reviewer said the experience "honestly destroyed any motivation to buy annual passes or even visit again."

The best plan at any Universal theme park property is to have a strategy before you arrive. A regular guest on Reddit advised arriving at any of Universal's Florida parks about half an hour before rope drop (or early access if you are eligible) in order to have the best chance of getting on sought-after rides with low wait times. A Facebook user pointed out, "Getting there early and riding Hagrids right away gains you like 3 hours of time in the park." Another Reddit user also noted that Hagrid's Motorbike, in particular, tends to have a shorter line in the afternoon and evening.

At Universal Studios in both Hollywood and Japan, guests should prioritize Super Nintendo World. In Japan, visitors should expect to be slightly restricted by the area's timed entry process. Heading there first and using whatever time you have left in the rest of the park tends to be a smart play. In Singapore, heading straight for the Battlestar Galactica and Transformers rides is a good strategy before crowds start to pile up after lunch. My family did this and we got through both within 15 minutes.