UOR – Parks: Universal Studios Theme Park

It’s just like watching your favorite TV shows and movies in real life, except with the ultimate ride-y things like twists, turns and drops. Face villains more menacing than your kids pre-churros. Save the earth daily or even hourly. Oh and dragons, Universal Studios has dragons! And one of them even breathes real fire so that’s cool (err hot). This is way beyond the movies.

• Wake up early and be at the park at least 30 minutes prior to opening. If you are staying at an on-site resort, you have access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour prior to the park’s scheduled opening time.  Check your Universal app for the Universal Studios early access schedule.

• Visitors to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks use the same parking garage, then walk through CityWalk on the way into the parks. Those using resort shuttle, taxi, or limo services will arrive near the garage at street level. All guests will converge to a central hub to go through the security screening area.  Give yourself at least half an hour (45 minutes in the summer) to park and make the walk. Bear right and walk along the water to get to the Universal Studios main entrance. 

• In the early morning, hit all your “must see” attractions before the crowds come. Then hit the shows and less crowded attractions that are on your to-do list.  When the lines dwindle in the evening, revisit your favorite rides again. 

• The Wizarding World is by far the most popular section of the park. Many guests like to take advantage of the early access days to make Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts the first stop in the morning.

• If it rains, Universal Studios is a great park visit. Many of the attractions and shows are indoors and will not close due to weather.

• Universal offers a “skip the line” system called Universal Express Pass. You will receive a pass that allows each passholder to skip the lines once at all participating attractions.  Each pass is valid for one person, and for one admission to each participating attraction.  You can expect an up-to-15-minute wait to in any line for an attraction that offers Express Pass access.  In addition to Universal Express Pass, also offered is Universal Express Unlimited.  Working similarly to the Express Pass explained above, this option allows for the shorter lines an unlimited number of times at participating attractions.

* A popular plan is to head straight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley as soon as the park opens.  Go directly to Gringotts Bank and ride Escape from Gringotts FIRST!  Then if you have Park to Park tickets, ride the Hogwarts Express both directions.  After you have experienced all of Diagon Alley, then continue with your visit to Universal Studios Florida. 

Production Central

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – A 4-D simulator ride with Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes, and the minions. Height restriction is 40 inches.

Illumination’s Villain Con Minion Blast – Join Illumination’s Minions, Belle Bottom, Jean Clawed and the rest of the Vicious 6 as you blast your way to supervillain stardom. See if you’re villainous enough in this fully interactive gaming experience.

Illumination Theater – Visit Minion Land’s unique ‘meet & greet’ location and pose for photos with Illumination film characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes, along with characters from the film Sing.

New York

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon – Experience the history and fun of The Tonight Show in Studio 6B. Then, join Jimmy Fallon and all your favorite characters from The Tonight Show in a fun-filled race through, below and above New York City. 

Revenge of the Mummy – You’ll plunge in total darkness, plagued by huge fireballs, swarms of scarab beetles, and an army of warrior mummies on this one-of-a-kind roller coaster. 

Transformers: The Ride 3D – Board your N*E*S*T* vehicle and join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to help save mankind.

San Francisco

Fast & Furious: Supercharged – Go inside the high-stakes world of Fast & Furious for a full-throttle, high-octane experience. You’ll meet up with the family, but just as the party is getting started an enemy from the past shows up and a wild chase ensues. It’s up to Dom, Letty, Hobbs and the rest of the crew to save the day in this action-packed ride.

Hollywood

Universal Horror Makeup Show – This hilarious and informative show takes you behind the scenes as you learn the secrets behind special effects makeup for legendary horror movies.

The Bourne Stuntacular –Through a cutting-edge fusion of stagecraft and film, follow Jason Bourne as he outruns sinister characters hoping to bring him in.  Universal Orlando Resort isn’t just pushing boundaries with The Bourne Stuntacular. This stunt show is charting new territory.

E.T. Adventure – E.T.’s home planet is dying and he needs your help to save it. Board your flying bike with E.T. and take off on a thrilling (but gentle) ride through the sky.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a pulse-pounding adventure on the groundbreaking, multi-dimensional thrill ride that puts you right in the middle of the action as you navigate your way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults – encountering Harry, Ron, and Hermione along the way! 

Hogwarts Express – Board the train and travel between both Hogsmeade™ and London via the Hogwarts™ Express* with a Park-to-Park admission ticket.

Ollivanders – In a unique interactive experience you can see a wand choose a wizard (Person chosen has the option whether or not to purchase their wand).

World Expo

Men in Black Alien Attack – Compete with your friends for that elusive million point perfect score as you shoot aliens in a ride through the famous film.

Krustyland/Springfield

The Simpsons Ride – A simulator ride which takes riders through the world of Krustyland with characters from The Simpsons. Height restriction is 40 inches.

Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – An aerial carousel ride where guests help Kang & Kodos take over Springfield.

DreamWorks Land

Trolls Trollercoaster – Hop onto the caterpillar Caterbus on this family-friendly coaster. You’ll join Poppy, Tiny and the twins Satin and Chenille as you try to make an escape from spooky spiders.

Interactive Play Areas – Stop by Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp,  Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres, King Harold’s Swamp Symphony, Poppy’s Playground, and Mama Luna Feline Fiesta for lots of climbing, splashing, noise-making, swinging, sliding, and more interactive fun. 

DreamWorks Imagination Celebration – Spark your imagination with an incredible live show, featuring characters from Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. This spectacle combines live actors, animated characters, and dancers.

Po Live! – Meet and talk with Po on a digital animated screen. He’ll train you in the ways of kung fu while babysitting his mischievous baby cousin and cooking some delicious snacks. Skadoosh!