A visit to Universal Studios Orlando is a must-do in Orlando. Here are some tips and what we did to visit Universal Studios Orlando in one day.
How many parks are in Universal Orlando
This complex consists of three parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park, plus the City Walk area (food court, stores, cinema ...). If you have time (and desire, especially desire) it is advisable to go several days, one per park. We did not have time so we had to manage to visit Universal in one day.
Tickets
If Disney seemed expensive, get your wallet ready because visiting Universal Studios is expensive, very expensive.
We bought the tickets on the official website, where you can also download the map and as in Disney, you have mobile applications that can be very useful.
When it comes to buying tickets for Universal Orlando Resort you will find that you have different possibilities:
Buy a ticket to be able to access the three parks for a period of 14 calendar days from the first day of use.
Two parks in two days.
Two parks in three days.
Three parks in two days.
Three parks in three days.
There is also a ticket to visit two parks in one day. I advise you to visit one park each day, to do it at your leisure and enjoy all the attractions. Seeing Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios in one day is possible if you are traveling without children -or they are over 12 years old- and you get up early.
Keep in mind that children under three years old do not pay admission at Universal Orlando.
Universal offers the possibility to buy an additional ticket called. There are two types:
The Universal express: it serves to avoid the line at the attractions where the pass serves; but only once. It has a price of 70 dollars per ticket.
The Universal Express Unlimited has the same utility as the previous one, but the difference is that you can skip the line unlimitedly in each attraction where it is valid. The Unlimited is priced at $90.
When to visit Universal Orlando
Florida has an exceptional climate almost all year round. There is a complex time in this state that you better avoid: the hurricane season. The first tropical storms begin after June 30 and warnings usually end by the end of November. The worst part is usually between the end of August and throughout September.
Visit Universal Studios, Island of Adventure or both?
If you only have one day, you will have to decide whether you prefer one or two parks: do you want to visit Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure or both?
Universal Studios Florida is the original park and is decorated as if it were a movie set. There you will find one of the Harry Potter areas (the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley) and the attractions of the Simpsons, Transformers, the Minions, The Mummy, Men in Black...
Islands of Adventure was added later, and is home to comic books and superheroes like Spiderman or Hulk, as well as the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. There is the other Harry Potter area, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade.
Islands of Adventure, the best theme park
We decided to go to Islands of Adventure. We chose this one because we saw that Universal Orlando many attractions are similar. There are few intense rides to get your adrenaline pumping, as the park is more focused on 3D simulators. However, we will go to Universal Orlando in the future.
What we liked most about the park was the Jurassic Park area and the Superheroes area.
Islands of Adventure has different zones. We've made a selection of our top attractions:
- Port of Entry
- Marvel Super Hero Island
The Incredible Hulk: The biggest, the most impressive and the main icon of Islands of Adventure for the most courageous. It is a roller coaster set in the superhero Hulk, where we will be driven at a brutal speed before several loopings hat ends passing under the bridge entrance to the Marvel area.
The Amazing Spider-Man Adventure: It is a 3D simulator in which you get into a cart and go along with Spiderman. The attraction is VERY original, and may be (along with Harry Potter and Jurassic Park) the attraction that we repeat the most in Islands of Adventure. A real blast, really.
- Toon Lagoon
Popeye & Bluto's-Rate Barges: All set in the world of Popeye, with waterfalls and lots and lots of water.
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls: This is one of my favorite attractions, I must admit. It is the classic water trunks, but with several falls and a " cartoonish " atmosphere (you will understand me when you get on it). You will get wet, so we recommend you to ride when the sun is shining, even if you have to wait a bit longer in line. It's a lot of fun, really!
- Skull Island Reign of Kong
Hop on a wagon and discover the world of King Kong. It is a 3D attraction with a brutal decoration.
Tip! If you want to see King Kong up close, we recommend you to sit on the RIGHT side of the bus (as you enter the vehicle, at the back of the bus).
- Jurassic Park
Velocicoaster: High speed and looping attraction.
- The magical world of Harry Potter
We are not a big Harry Potter fan but I must say that it is very well decorated and it looks like you are inside the movie. The attraction of the castle is very well done and worth to go inside.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: You will travel through the enchanted world of Harry Potter accompanying Harry, Ron and Hermione through various exploits. The attraction combines 3D parts with real scenery.
2. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorcycle Adventure: The best attraction in the area.
- The Lost Continent
- Seuss Landing
Best attractions in Island of Adventure
|
Tips before you go
Buy Tickets Early and Arrive Early
Download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App: The advantages are useful; in addition to saving you time at the entrance, as you can purchase and manage your tickets with the Wallet feature, it also helps you organize your day with the Interactive Park Map that gives you wait times and attraction schedules.
Do not carry a very large backpack because every time you get on one of the attractions, you will have to leave your backpack in one of the free lockers and they are very narrow. If you want a bigger one you will have to pay for it.
Ride the water rides first thing in the morning so that it can dry out during the day and not get cold, because when you are waiting to get on the rides they have the air conditioning on.
Bring food and drinks to save some money.
Come with comfortable clothes and shoes because there will be many hours of standing and walking.
Parking at Universal is also charged at $22 per day.
