Orlando vacations tend to be packed from morning to night. Between days at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, hotel pools, water parks, and everything else Central Florida has to offer, there usually isn’t much downtime.
So, if getting tattooed is part of your Orlando trip, you might be wondering: Can you get a tattoo before spending a day at Disney or Universal?
The short answer is yes, but timing matters.
A fresh tattoo needs time and proper care to heal. Theme parks don’t necessarily have to be off-limits, but Florida heat, sun exposure, sweating, water, and long days spent walking around can make caring for a brand-new tattoo a little more complicated.
Here’s what to consider when planning a tattoo during your Orlando vacation.
Can You Go to a Theme Park After Getting a Tattoo?
In most cases, you can visit a theme park after getting tattooed, but you’ll want to be mindful of your fresh tattoo throughout the day.
A typical day at Disney or Universal can mean hours of walking outside, sweating in the Florida heat, and having clothing or backpacks rubbing against your skin. None of those things are ideal for a tattoo that has just started healing.
Where your tattoo is located can make a difference too. A fresh tattoo on your shoulder may constantly rub against a backpack strap, while one on your thigh or ankle could experience friction from clothing during a long day of walking.
If you know you have several full park days ahead of you, it may make more sense to schedule your tattoo later in your trip.
Protect Your Skin From the Florida Sun
If there’s one thing Orlando has plenty of, it’s sunshine.
If you're planning to get tattooed during your vacation, protecting your skin from the sun is important before your appointment too. Wear sunscreen while you're spending time at Disney, Universal, the pool, or anywhere else outdoors, and be careful not to get sunburned.
Tattoo artists cannot safely tattoo over sunburned skin, so showing up to your appointment with a sunburn in the area you planned to have tattooed could mean having to change the placement or reschedule your appointment.
Once you've been tattooed, you'll also need to protect the fresh tattoo from direct sunlight while it heals. Clean, loose-fitting clothing can help keep it covered when you're outside. Follow your artist's aftercare instructions regarding when it's appropriate to begin applying sunscreen directly to the tattoo.
Once your tattoo is fully healed, regularly using sunscreen is one of the best ways to help protect the artwork and keep it looking great long-term.
Bottom line: If getting tattooed is part of your Orlando vacation plans, wear sunscreen from day one. Don't let a Florida sunburn ruin your tattoo appointment.
What About Pools and Water Parks?
This is probably the biggest consideration when deciding when to get tattooed during an Orlando vacation.
You should avoid submerging a fresh tattoo in water while it heals.
That includes hotel pools, hot tubs, lakes, and water parks like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Universal Volcano Bay.
A quick shower is one thing. Spending the afternoon floating around the resort pool is another.
If swimming or visiting a water park is part of your vacation plans, get those activities out of the way before getting your tattoo.
Can You Ride Rides After Getting Tattooed?
Generally, getting tattooed doesn't mean you suddenly can't ride a roller coaster.
The bigger concern is protecting the tattoo.
Think about where restraints, seat belts, clothing, or other surfaces may rub against the tattoo. You’ll also want to avoid unnecessary touching and keep the area as clean as possible.
Your tattoo artist can give you specific aftercare instructions based on the tattoo's size and placement.
Should You Get Tattooed at the Beginning or End of Your Orlando Vacation?
For a lot of visitors, toward the end of the trip is the easiest option.
Do Disney. Do Universal. Hit the pool. Spend a day at the water park. Enjoy everything Orlando has to offer—just remember the sunscreen so you don't show up for your tattoo appointment sunburned.
Then get tattooed.
Scheduling your appointment toward the end of your vacation means you won't spend the rest of your trip worrying about whether your new tattoo is getting too much sun, rubbing against something, or keeping you out of the pool.
And honestly, a tattoo makes a pretty great souvenir from Orlando.
Getting Tattooed at Universal CityWalk Orlando
If you're planning a Universal Orlando vacation, you don't have to travel far to get tattooed.
Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. Orlando is located inside Universal CityWalk, making it easy to incorporate a tattoo into your trip without spending part of your vacation driving across town looking for a shop.
Our Orlando artists work in a wide variety of tattoo styles, from small vacation tattoos and matching pieces to larger custom work.
Already have an idea? You can book ahead and start planning your tattoo before arriving in Orlando.
Decide you want one while you're here? Walk-ins are always welcome.
Make Your Orlando Tattoo Part of the Trip
There’s nothing wrong with getting tattooed while visiting Disney or Universal; you just need to plan around the healing process.
If swimming, water parks, and long days in the Florida sun are high on your vacation list, consider saving your tattoo for later in the trip. Protect your skin with sunscreen leading up to your appointment so you arrive with healthy, tattoo-ready skin.
That way you can enjoy everything Orlando has to offer and head home with something a little more permanent than another souvenir trinket.
Ready to get tattooed in Orlando?
Check out the artists at Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. Orlando, browse their portfolios, or book your appointment before your trip. And if you're already at Universal CityWalk, stop in and see us; walk-ins are always welcome.
