Webtastic adventures with Spider-Man, drinking Butterbeer at Harry Potter and taking over Villian-con with the Minions — what more could you want in a theme park? Universal Studios Florida offers all of that, and so much more. This Orlando-based theme park is a haven for fans of movies, comic books and television shows. Whether you’re wanting to meet Optimus Prime or buy a magic wand from Diagon Alley, Universal transports you into a whole new dimension.
If you’re planning a trip to Universal for the first time, or if you’ve been before and are curious about things you might’ve missed, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide of things to do at Universal Studios. From shopping to eating to rides and attractions, we’ve mapped it all out so you don’t have to.
What To Do at Universal Studios
Universal Studios is one of the most popular parks at Universal, and for good reason. An ode to Hollywood, Universal Studios is packed with attractions inspired by films like “Men in Black,” “Transformers,” “Fast and the Furious” and “Minions.” The thrill-seekers of the bunch will love roller coasters like Revenge of the Mummy, where you’ll plunge into total darkness, as well as Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, where you’ll blast into the sky as you listen to your favorite songs.
For a more interactive experience, we love rides like Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, The Simpsons Ride, Transformers: The Ride-3D and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. These rides are all motion simulation rides, so you’ll still get a slight thrill even though they aren’t as fast as the roller coasters. They’re also located indoors, so you won’t have to wait around in the hot sun for your turn to ride.
When it comes to dining, there are plenty of options at Universal. For starters, you have to get the famous giant pink Simpsons Donut from Lard Lad Donuts. If you’re in the mood for classic Irish cuisine, head over to Finnegan’s Bar & Grill for their famous bangers and mash or shepherd’s pie.
For breakfast, check out the Leaky Cauldron for both English and American-inspired dishes like fish and chips or shepherd’s pasty pie. This restaurant is located in Diagon Alley, a shopping and dining area that’s an exact replica of the famous street from the Harry Potter books and movies. After breakfast, grab some frozen Butterbeer or Butterbeer ice cream just steps away from the Leaky Cauldron. You can also check out shops like Ollivanders and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley to snag magic wands and other items inspired by the movies.
What To Do at Islands of Adventure
After spending a day at Universal Studios, you can either walk or take the Hogwarts Express train over to Islands of Adventure. Among the multiple “islands” of the park, you’ll embark on various adventures, such as hanging out with superheroes, attending Hogwarts and disappearing into a Dr. Seuss story.
At Islands of Adventure, you can travel back to prehistoric times in Jurassic World, where you can discover attractions like the Jurassic Park River Adventure and Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Blast into action and help Spider-Man save the city as you face villains on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction.
Take the biggest splash of your life on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, where you’ll plummet down a cascading waterfall — but make sure to bring a poncho, because you’ll definitely need it for this ride. (If you forgot to bring one, you can find them in multiple shops around the parks.)
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is a magical, must-see area at Islands of Adventure. Similar to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, this area also offers multiple shops and attractions (and multiple places to grab a Butterbeer). Help Harry Potter defeat the dementors and win the Quidditch match on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, or fly with Hagrid into the forbidden forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
After walking around the park all day, you’re bound to get hungry, and there are several places that we love to grab a bite to eat. A trip to Universal isn’t complete without having one (or several) of their iconic churros, and these sweet treats can be found at many stands throughout the park. For something savory, we recommend chowing down on a turkey leg or some buttery popcorn, both of which can also be found at multiple food stands. And don’t forget to make your way over to Green Eggs and Ham Cafe for the famous buffalo chicken tots.
What To Do at Volcano Bay
Imagine driving on the interstate and seeing a giant volcano to your left. When you drive into Universal, this is the first thing you’ll notice. This incredible structure is part of Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park and is surrounded by tall water slides. The volcano is also the biggest attraction at this water park, and it houses the Krakatau Aqua Coaster (our favorite water slide at the park).
Other water slides at Volcano Bay include the Honu Ika Moana, a multi-person water ride with lots of twists and turns, as well as the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, which rapidly plunge you down into a large pool. When you’ve gotten your fill of the water slides, cool down and splash around with the kids at Tot Tiki Reef.
As far as dining options, you can satisfy your burger cravings at Bambu, refuel yourself with sushi or rice bowls at the Volcano Bay Pavillion Kiosk, and check out Hawaiian-style pizza at Whakawaiwai Eats. And if you forgot to bring your pool day essentials, there are two shops at Volcano Bay where you can buy towels, flip flops, bathing suits and more.
What To Do at CityWalk
Looking to spend some time away from the parks? We highly recommend exploring CityWalk for the day. As the Epicenter of Universal, this area is a boardwalk full of restaurants, shops, activities and places to explore. CityWalk is just steps away from both Universal Parks, and you don’t even need a ticket to enter.
Shop for souvenirs at one of the many shops in CityWalk or go see a movie at the Universal Cinemark movie theater. Choose between dinosaurs and time travel with an interactive experience at Universal’s Great Movie Escape, or spend your time doing a leisurely activity like mini golfing at CityWalk. The opportunities for fun are endless here.
When it’s time to eat, saddle up for a sushi and burger fusion at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, where we recommend the Firecracker Roll with shrimp tempura and kai, Doug’s Filet Roll with filet mignon and cream cheese, and the Boursin Bacon Burger, which is loaded with garlic and herb boursin cheese. Celebrate your favorite rock ‘n’ roll legends at Hard Rock Cafe while enjoying a plate of their legendary nachos or the “One Night in Bangkok” spicy shrimp appetizer. Sip into paradise with a cocktail from Margaritaville or grab a decadent milkshake topped with entire slices of cakes, pies, cookies and more desserts from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen.
For desserts, coffee and cold treats, check out Voodoo Doughnuts, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Fat Tuesday and Cold Stone Creamery. Quick-service restaurants like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Burger King, Starbucks, Cinnabon and Panda Express are also available.
Where To Stay at Universal
We cannot recommend enough how incredible staying on Universal property is. If you’re on the fence about picking a Universal hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of our favorites. This Bali-inspired resort is an oasis of paradise, filled with tropical-inspired dishes, palm trees and cultural events. Kids who love dinosaurs will enjoy staying in the Jurassic World Kids’ Suites.
For a romantic, Italian-inspired getaway, we love staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. This resort transports you to Portofino, Italy, with cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafes and fresh Italian cuisine. For Minions fans, there are even kid-friendly Despicable Me-themed suites at the hotel.
Escape to the islands at the Caribbean-themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, which has tons of tropical drinks and Caribbean-inspired restaurants to choose from, including Amatista Cookhouse. This casual dining spot features a seasonal menu of fresh dishes prepared daily. If you’re bringing the kids with you, they’ll love hanging out by the pool, playing in the children’s play area and tossing the ping pong balls around on the outdoor tables at the resort.
Another accommodation that we recommend is Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Inspired by classic Florida beach resorts from the 1950s and 1960s, this resort is filled with retro vibes. Complete with a bowling alley, a lazy river, a sand beach and a cabana area, along with a diner and a malt shoppe, this vibrant hotel is just steps away from Volcano Bay. As a perk of staying here, you get early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is within walking distance of the resort.
What To Know
Before you start planning and packing for your trip, here are a few things to keep in mind when visiting Universal Studios:
When to Visit
The best time to visit Universal Studios Florida depends on how long you plan on staying and what you plan to do during your vacation. Hotel rates vary based on the time of year, so if you’re looking to spend less money and stay longer, we recommend visiting Universal in the months of September, October, November and January, when the rates are less expensive. Keep in mind that summer is the most popular season of the year to visit, so it’s going to be more expensive to book hotels and flights during that time. Florida also gets very hot in the summer, so you’ll most likely need to take more breaks throughout the day to cool off.
Bag Policy
If you plan on bringing a bag to the parks, it’s best to opt for a small bag or fanny pack rather than a larger bag or backpack. Smaller bags and fanny packs are allowed on rides, but bigger bags will have to be put in lockers before getting on each ride. Additionally, all bags will be subject to a bag check upon entering the park.
Rides
For parents bringing small children, keep in mind that rides have different height requirements for kids. Luckily, in the event that a child is too small for a ride, Universal has a child swap program to help. Essentially, the “child swap” is a separate waiting area for parents with small children who both want to go on a ride. One parent waits in the child swap area with the little one while the other parent enjoys the ride. Then, when the ride is finished, you’ll simply swap places and let the other parent have a turn on the ride.
Parking
Parking at Universal is pretty simple. You’ll park in one of the multiple parking garages found throughout the property. The fees can rack up, though — you can spend anywhere from $32 to $60 per day depending on the type of vehicle and where you decide to park. However, self-parking is free after 6 p.m., regardless of which park you want to visit, and valet parking is also available for a fee, which varies between $32 and $75 depending on the time of day and how many hours you plan on staying.
Some Big News
A new park is coming to Universal in 2025! Universal’s Epic Universe Park will feature five incredible “worlds,” including Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, Dark Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. If you want a sneak peek into Universal’s Epic Universe Park, check out the preview center at City Walk. This shows a model of what the park will look like, and it even has souvenirs from fan-favorite movies and games Harry Potter and Mario Kart.
