The following tips were provided by AAA's Sabrina Falcon in our Partnership Programs department.

Summer is here and the kids are out of school.   As usual they want to visit Universal Orlando Resort – I love the park but was dreading the lines, the heat, the crowds… Being a Florida resident, I’ve learned to develop a strategy before entering the parks so we can make the most of our visit.  Here are a few suggestions I find helpful:

1) Make a game plan before your visit. Figure out which rides interests you the most.  There are detailed maps to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure online. The maps breakdown by rides/attractions and include information on height/health restrictions
2) Pre-purchase tickets to avoid the lines at the park front gates.  AAA members, receive a discount on tickets at their local AAA office or at AAA.com/Universal.
3) Arrive 10-15 minutes after the park opens – that way you’re not caught up in the mad rush to get in.
4) Once in - go straight to the back of the park.  Most people stop at the first few rides they see in the front of the park. 
5) Another way to avoid waiting in the lines is to purchase Universal Express Plus passes. They help with  shorter waits for popular rides and attractions.  This is especially helpful with younger kids that get tired or restless if they stand around too long. 
6) Eat lunch either before 11:30am or after 2:00pm – lines in the restaurants are shorter if you avoid peak eating times.  Even better, AAA members save 10% on dining in the park by showing their membership card.
7) Need to take a break from the heat? Go see a show.  Some shows pick people out of the audience – so either sit close if you want to be picked – or further back if you don’t.  If you have small children, make sure to visit the interactive water play areas at either theme park.
8)  Hit the water rides late in the day so you’re not walking around with wet clothes all day.

All of that being said - the very best way I have found to visit the park is to stay at one of their three on-site hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel® or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. By showing your room key, you can skip the regular lines to the major rides and attractions. Also, souvenir purchases can be delivered to your room. If you want to take a midday break, it's easy to get back to your hotel room by walking or taking the complimentary water taxi, and return to the theme parks in the afternoon. The on-site hotels and theme parks are in one convenient location, all within walking distance.

Later this summer, their newest roller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket opens at Universal Studios Florida  - I can’t wait to ride it!