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. On my first visit back in 2005 it was a totally different park.

This was before Harry Potter and it was not like a visit today. It was way less crowded, my husband and I rode Jaws just the two of us! But it was also headed in a not so great direction financially, and Harry Potter seemed to save the park to what we know and love today.

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

The overall theme of the park is stepping into the action of the movies. Where Islands of Adventure is all about exploring lands and Epic Universe is transporting through portals, Universal Studios Florida is about getting a glimpse of the behind the scenes action of the movies.

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.

Tickets

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

Early Park Admission

Early Park admission allows hotel guests and some annual passholders to enter the park an hour before official park opening time. The parks offering this change depending on the season. The most updated info can be found here.

When Universal Studios Florida offers Early Park Admission the following attractions are open:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

Insider Tip: During Early Park Admission go directly to Diagon Alley to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. You will have a short wait time and have time to explore a quieter Diagon Alley.

Insider Tip: Purchase tickets before you arrive to get the best deal and save time!

How to Get There & Parking

If you are staying at a Universal Orlando Resort you will take the complimentary transportation from the resort to the park. If you are driving you will park at the main Universal Orlando Resort parking garage.

This serves Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. All guests go through security at one point and then continue on to their destination.

The address is 6000 Universal Boulevard; Orlando, FL 32819. Parking is $32.00 a day.

Hotels within Walking Distance of Universal Studios Florida

Many of the Universal Hotels are within walking distance to the park. Some a shorter walk than others. For the hotels that are further away shuttle bus transportation is provided.

Universal Studios Florida is located within a 10-15 minute walk to Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay. Guests have a designated security station and it is a quick walk.

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.

Layout, Lands, & Park Map

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

Illumination’s Minion Land is a colorful and fun area that is at the entrance of the park. It has 2 rides, a great casual dining spot, and character meet and greets.

Minion Land can get busy because it is the entrance to the park. Guests entering the park will stop and look around as they enter. The rides are fun for kids of all ages but geared toward the younger visitors.

Learn More! Minion Land Universal Orlando: Rides, Dining, and What to See

Hollywood

Hollywood is a replica of Hollywood Blvd in California. Guests can look for the stars on the ground, shop, and meet characters.

Hollywood is typically a quiet area to walk around or sit at a bench and have a snack. It does tend to get busy during parade times because it is along the route of where it starts or ends.

San Francisco

San Francisco area is where one of my least favorite rides, Fast and the Furious is. We don’t usually spend much time here but there is a table service restaurant and a few quick service options.

If it is your first visit to Universal Studios you should ride Fast and the Furious. The ride is okay it just has a strange vibe. The Team Members that do the preshow are fantastic and worth checking out.

New York

The New York area is spread out across a few blocks and has a fun overall vibe. Revenge of the Mummy is one of our favorite attractions and The Blues Brothers Show is fun too!

If you are looking for an indoor space to eat check out Louie’s. They have pizza and pasta plus a lot of seating.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley

Walking through London you may miss the entrance to Diagon Alley. It is hidden within the brick walls and across from the Knight Bus and on our first visit we walked right by it.

Diagon Alley is an incredible themed area that really blew me away the first time I walked through the brick entrance. Take time to explore this area. Ride Escape from Gringotts and then walk around. The shops are themed and have fun surprises in them.

Springfield USA

If you are a Simpsons fan you want to spend some time in Springfield USA. The rides are fun but the theme and photo-ops make you fee like you stepped inside Springfield.

There are rumors that this land may be closing in the near future but nothing confirmed by Universal.

DreamWorks Land

DreamWorks Land has Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, and Shrek to entertain the little ones visiting Universal. This is a great area to let the kids run around and play.

Be sure to take time to watch the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration show. There are songs and puppets in this fun character filled adventure.

Learn More! DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida

World Expo

World Expo really doesn’t have much. The Men in Black ride is the main attraction and it is a fun shooting ride.

Men in Black is worth riding. There are lockers that you have to put your belongings in before your ride. We also use the single rider line to skip the long queue.

Most Popular Rides & Attractions

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Not the best ride but often has long wait times)
• Men in Black
• Transformers 3D

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.

Tips for Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida not a huge park and although you may do a lot of back and forth it is fairly easy to get around.

• Arrive 30-45 minutes before park open.
• Buy your park tickets before you arrive.
• Ride the most popular attractions in the first 2 hours of park opening.
• Use Mobile Ordering for dining when available.
• Stay on-site if you can to take advantage of Early Park Admission.
• If you bring a backpack be prepared to store it in a locker for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Men in Black, Escape from Gringotts, and Revenge of the Mummy.
• If you are visiting during a seasonal event check the park hours and event hours to plan your day.

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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