Universal Studios Orlando Plan of Attack – Itinerary and Planning Tips
A few years ago, you could accomplish almost everything at Universal Studios Orlando in just one day. I remember visiting the park for the first time and we finished the park in less than 6 hours. That was during the good ol’ days when the main attractions were E.T. Adventure and Back to the Future: the Ride.
Within the last 10 years, Universal has added a lot of major developments like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and improved popular events like Halloween Horror Nights. They have even bigger plans for the future and will open a fourth park called Epic Adventure around 2023. This will hold the most anticipated land, Super Nintendo World that will feature video game-themed attractions like a Mario Kart ride.
As for the present, if you haven’t visited in a while then you probably don’t know how to start planning. It helps to look at a two-day itinerary so you can get an idea of how a day at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure should go. The itinerary I created highlights all the must-do rides and entertainment you won’t want to miss. You don’t want to walk out of the park and realize you missed something amazing!
P.S. If you’re visiting for more than two days, you can still use this itinerary to your advantage. It will give you an idea of all the major attractions and shows that you won’t want to miss. I’ve got some tips for longer visits at the end of this post too.
Before we launch into the itinerary, I have three resources and some insider tips that will help you make the most of your Universal Studios vacation!
Universal Studios Planning Resources
- 12 Things to Do at Universal Studios Orlando for Adults
- 7 Heavenly Snacks You Won’t Regret Binging at Universal Studios Orlando
- The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2020
And I’ve got a free gift for you! It’s a downloadable PDF of the itinerary that is written in this article. That way you can print it off and use it to plan your vacation easily. You can access it from my FREE Theme Park Resource Library when you sign up for my newsletter. (There are a bunch of other goodies inside the Resource Library too!)
5 Insider Tips For Planning a Universal Studios Vacation
#1 How to Start Your Day Right at Universal Studios
Start your day early so you can get all the rides with long waits done first. It’s advisable to arrive at least 45 minutes before the park opens. Team Members usually let people in a little early to wrangle everyone into a holding area then they will release you once the park officially opens.
If you are staying at Universal resort and have an early entrance, then you can arrive about 30 minutes before your appointed time.
#2 Can’t-Miss Rides at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida
The most popular attractions are listed in order of popularity below. Try to tackle the first 2-3 rides before the crowds pick up in the afternoon. Then you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the parks at a leisurely pace. This advice is especially relevant for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
The Most Popular Rides at Islands of Adventure
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
The Most Popular Rides at Universal Studios Florida
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (Virtual Line)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
#3 Do you need to purchase a Universal Express Pass?
Purchasing a Universal Express pass will cut down on wait times and make your day go a little quicker. This is a similar system to FastPass at Disney World with the exception that the Express pass costs money. The Express lines tend to be shorter than FastPass lines because fewer people use it. That said, you can usually accomplish everything you need to without a pass. This is an added convenience that’s totally optional.
#4 Cut Down on Wait Times with Single Rider Lines
Single Riders Lines are a great way to cut down on wait times and the best part is that it’s free! You do have to be comfortable with splitting up your group and sitting with other guests on the ride. This option works great if you’re traveling with a group of adults or if you already plan to use the rider switch/child swap option.
Single Riders Lines at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Single Riders Lines at Universal Studios Florida
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Men in Black Alien Attack
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Transformers: The Ride 3-D
#5 What You Need to Know about The Hogwarts Express and the Park-to-Park Pass
This Hogwarts Express is the train that transports you between Kings Cross Station and Hogsmeade Station in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Some people think the Hogwarts Express is just a train, but it’s actually an attraction. There are magical Harry Potter elements and even a mini-show inside the train cars. The line for the train is just as magical too.
The important thing to note is that The Hogwarts Express is only accessible to guests who purchased a Park-to-Park pass. A Park-to-Park pass allows you to hop back and forth between Islands of Adventures and Universal Studios Florida.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure – One Day Itinerary
A Little Note: The itineraries do not account for the Park-to-Park Pass, Express Pass, or Early Entrance. Using any of these options will definitely cut down on your wait times and allow you to get more done or repeat attractions.
*For reference, I’ve marked all the most popular attractions with an asterisk!
ARrive and Hit the main Attractions
- Grab a doughnut and coffee from Voodoo Doughnuts in CityWalk.
- Arrive at the turnstiles at least 60 minutes prior to park opening
- Head straight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures*
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey*
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong*
Marvel Super Hero Land
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster*
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man*
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall*
Break for Lunch
Lunch Option #1: Have a quick lunch at Three Broomsticks. I suggest ordering the Beef Pasties! These delicate puff pastries filled with savory beef and veggies are so good.
Lunch Option #2: Have a nice sit-down meal at Mythos. This restaurant is highly recommended by Universal lovers. I once had a decadent Gnocchi Bolognese pasta here that I still dream about.
The Lost Continent
- Poseidon’s Fury
- Visit the Mystic Fountain (Interactive entertainment)
Tackle the Wet Rides
- Jurassic Park River Adventures* (Catch Raptor Encounter while you’re in Jurassic Park.)
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
A Word on Wet Rides: These wet rides are no joke. Wear a poncho or bring a change of clothes with you. There’s nothing more miserable than walking around in a soaked pair of undies.
The first time I rode Jurassic Park I thought I would experience a sprinkling of rain. What I got was a torrential downpour. With no change of clothes, I was forced into buying a Jurassic park t-shirt. This made it clear to everyone that I was a theme park amateur. Don’t be like me.
Seuss Landing
Sure, this area is meant for kids, but it’s a nice break from exciting superheroes and the crowds in Hogsmeade. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train gives you a great view of the park and is best enjoyed around sunset. If you grew up with Dr. Seuss, you’ll find this land nostalgic and heartwarming.
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Greetings fellow theme park enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of theme parks, particularly Universal Studios Orlando, allow me to share my wealth of knowledge and passion for creating the ultimate Universal Studios experience. Over the years, I've not only closely followed the developments in the park but have also spent countless hours exploring its attractions, dissecting itineraries, and uncovering the best insider tips.
Let's delve into the concepts covered in the article, "Universal Studios Orlando Plan of Attack – Itinerary and Planning Tips":
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Park Evolution and Future Plans:
- Universal Studios Orlando has undergone significant changes in the past decade, introducing major developments like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- The article mentions the upcoming fourth park, Epic Adventure, slated to open around 2023, featuring the highly anticipated Super Nintendo World.
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Planning Overview:
- Acknowledges the need for a well-thought-out plan due to the expansion and the addition of new attractions.
- Suggests a two-day itinerary for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, emphasizing must-do rides and entertainment.
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Resources and Tips:
- Provides additional resources for trip planning, including a downloadable PDF itinerary.
- Offers insider tips for a successful Universal Studios vacation, such as starting the day early and utilizing early entrance for resort guests.
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Can't-Miss Rides:
- Lists the most popular rides at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, recommending prioritizing the first 2-3 rides before crowds build up.
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Express Pass and Single Rider Lines:
- Discusses the option to purchase a Universal Express pass to reduce wait times, drawing parallels to Disney World's FastPass system.
- Highlights the advantage of Single Rider Lines as a free and efficient way to cut down on wait times.
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Hogwarts Express and Park-to-Park Pass:
- Emphasizes the unique experience of the Hogwarts Express, available only to guests with a Park-to-Park pass allowing movement between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
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Islands of Adventure Itinerary:
- Provides a detailed itinerary for Islands of Adventure, including popular attractions, lunch options, and advice on tackling wet rides.
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Thematic Areas and Nostalgia:
- Explores thematic areas like Marvel Super Hero Land, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, and Seuss Landing, offering a diverse experience beyond the major attractions.
By synthesizing this comprehensive information, visitors can craft a seamless plan for their Universal Studios Orlando adventure, ensuring they don't miss out on any of the magic the park has to offer. If you have any specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask—I'm here to enhance your theme park experience!
