Beginners Guide to Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is the place to play with Minions, phone home, and escape from Gringotts. Today I am sharing a beginners guide to Universal Studios Florida to learn more about the lands at the park and what to see when you visit.

Universal Studios Florida is the first Universal park in Orlando. It opened June 7, 1990. From the first day it opened its doors it has evolved into a vacation destination with hotels and theme parks.

Through the years Universal Studios Florida has gone through many changes, E.T. Adventure being the only original ride still at the park.

This guide to Universal Studios Florida is going to tell you everything you need to know about the park. If you want more on how to plan your day read this: 1-Day Universal Studios Itinerary

Ambiance of the Park

Universal Studios Florida has the feel of a “studio lot” but over the last decade it has gotten away from the “studio” vibe. Instead it has leaned into immersive areas, like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, as well as rides and attractions inspired by the movies.

The Lands are a mix of city streets and areas themed to beloved characters.

Lands at Universal Studios Florida

There are 18 rides and attractions, 24 shows and character encounters, 48 dining options, and 33 shops. There is a lot to see and do during your day at the parks.

• Illumination’s Minion Land
• Hollywood
• San Francisco
• New York
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley
• Springfield U.S.A
• World Expo
• DreamWorks Land

Illumination’s Minion Land

• Rides
  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
  • Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
• Dining
  • Freeze Ray Pops
  • Illumination’s Minion Cafe
  • Illumination’s Minion Cafe Pickup
  • Pop-A-Nana Popcorn and Drink Cart
• Entertainment
  • Illumination Theater (Character Meet & Greet)
• Shopping
  • Bake My Day
  • Evil Stuff
  • Super Silly Stuff

Check out more details on Minion Land: Minion Land Universal Orlando: Rides, Dining, and What to See

Hollywood

• Rides
  • E.T. Adventure
• Dining
  • Cafe La Bamba
  • Central Park Crepes
  • Mel’s Drive-In
  • Schwab’s Pharmacy
  • TODAY Cafe
• Entertainment
  • Animal Actors on Location!
  • CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
  • Hollywood Character Zone
  • Marilyn and the Diamond Bellas
  • Meet SpongeBob SquarePants
  • The Bourne Stuntacular
  • The Simpsons Character Zone
• Shopping
  • Studio Sweets
  • Universal Studios Store
  • Mardi Gras Tribute Store (Seasonal)
  • Five & Dime
  • SpongeBob StorePants
  • E.T.’s Toy Closet & Photo Spot

San Francisco

• Rides
  • Fast & Furious Supercharged
• Dining
  • Richter’s Burger Co.
  • Chez Alcatraz
  • Lombard’s Seafood Grille
  • San Francisco Pastry Company
• Shopping
  • San Francisco Candy Factory
  • Amazing Pictures

New York

• Rides
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (Closing September 2025)
  • Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • Transformers the Ride- 3D
• Dining
  • Auntie Anne’s
  • Finnegan’s Bar and Grill
  • Haagen-Dazs
  • Louie’s Italian Restaurant
  • Starbucks Coffee
• Entertainment
  • The Blue’s Brothers Show
  • Beat Builders
  • Meet the Transformers
  • Vamos!-Bailalo
• Shopping
  • Supply Vault
  • The Film Vault
  • The Tonight Shop
  • Rosie’s Irish Shop
  • Sahara Traders

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley

• Rides
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Hogwarts Express- King’s Cross Station
• Dining
  • Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
  • Leaky Cauldron
  • The Fountain of Fair Fortune
  • The Hopping Pot
• Entertainment
  • Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
  • Knight Bus
  • Ollivanders Experience in Diagon Alley
  • Tales of Beedle the Bard
• Shopping
  • Borgin and Burkes
  • Shutterbutton’s
  • Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
  • Ollivanders Wand Shop in Diagon Alley
  • Wiseacre’s Wizard Equipment
  • Scribbulus
  • Gringott’s Money Exchange
  • Wands by Gregorovitch
  • Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
  • Quality Quidditch Supplies
  • Sugarplum’s Sweetshop

Springfield USA

• Rides
  • Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
  • The Simpsons Ride
• Dining
  • The Frying Dutchman
  • Moe’s Tavern
  • Luigi’s Pizza
  • Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror
  • Lard Lad Donuts
  • Krusty Burger
  • Flaming Moe’s
  • Duff Brewery
  • Cletus Chicken Shack
  • Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck
• Entertainment
  • Simpson Characters can be found in Hollywood.
• Shopping
  • Duff Kiosks
  • KWIK-E-MART
  • Simpsons Games

DreamWorks Land

• Rides
  • Trolls Trollercoaster
  • King Harold’s Swamp Symphony (Play Area)
  • Poppy’s Playground (Play Area)
  • Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp (Play Area)
  • Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres (Play Area)
• Dining
  • Swamp Snacks
  • Trolls Treats
  • DreamWorks Imagination Cafe
• Entertainment
  • DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
  • DreamWorks Character Zone
  • Mama Luna Feline Fiesta
  • Po Live!
  • Shrek’s Swamp Meet
• Shopping
  • High Five Hideaway

World Expo

• Rides
  • Men in Black Alien Attack!
• Dining
  • None
• Entertainment
  • None
• Shopping
  • MIB Gear

Parade & Nightly Shows

Universal Studios Florida is home to many of the seasonal events at the Universal Orlando Resort because of this the daily and nightly entertainment are offered seasonally and change often.

During the Holidays at Universal guests can view the Macy’s Holiday Parada. During Mardi Gras there is a Mardi Gras parade. In the summer months the Universal Mega Movie Parade is scheduled.

The nightly show CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular runs from April through the start of Halloween Horror Nights. Check the app for the latest updates and times of shows during your visit.

Seasonal Events at Universal Studios Florida

• Halloween Horror Nights
• Holidays at Universal
• Mardi Gras
• Butterbeer Season in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Summers at Universal

Wicked Experience

The Wicked Experience at Universal Studios Florida is a walk-through shop that has props and costumes from the movie. If you are a fan of Wicked you will appreciate seeing the costumes from the film.

There is also a small Wicked themed snack kiosks outside the store. Overall it is a cute spot to take a few pictures and see the costumes. It is also great if you want to purchase Wicked merchandise.

Ticket Prices for Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida daily ticket price starts at $119.00 a day. Guests can purchase one day as well as multi-day tickets. Be sure to purchase tickets before you arrive to save time and money at the parks.

Hotels within Walking Distance of Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is located within a 10-15 minute walk to Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay. For all other hotels guests can take a shuttle bus or boat transportation.

If you do not mind a longer walk guests staying at Sapphire Falls Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Royal Pacific, and Aventura can walk along the canal path. This will take about 20-30 minutes but it can be a nice walk if you have the time.

Now that you know a little more about Universal Studios Florida start planning your Universal Trip. You can use the search bar to find specific things or check out my Universal Studios Florida archive page. Check back often because I am adding new articles weekly!

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