Universal Studios™ Florida

Universal Studios™ Florida is a theme park based on the hit movies Universal Studios™ has produced over the years. It is one of the three parks within the entire Universal Orlando Resort™. Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ is the second and Universal’s Volcano Bay™ is a waterpark that makes up the third. Each park requires its own admission, plus there are certain themed attractions that are available in one, but not the other. We created a guide for you to navigate the different Universal Orlando Resort™ rides and attractions for each park.

To help you make the most out of your Orlando vacation, we’ve also have written a couple of suggested touring plans for you and your family. These were written by our theme park experts, and they list rides and attractions which are “must-sees” for each age group.

Universal Studios™ Schedule

Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal Islands of Adventure™ are open 365 days a year. Opening hours usually start at 9:00 AM and closing times vary. Universal Volcano Bay™ work hours generally start at 10:00 am and the closing hours vary. After a day at the theme park, hang out at the Universal CityWalk™, relax and enjoy good food, cold drinks, and live music. Universal CityWalk™ operating hours are 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and offer free parking after 6 p.m. The best time to visit is between September 8 to November 15. The busiest months run from June 20 to September 7, from December 20th to January 3rd, and from March 1st to April 30th. Be sure to purchase your Universal Studios™ Packages and include lodging in one of our vacation home rentals or Orlando hotels.
Please note that the parking hours may change.

Note that the Parking time may change.

Things To See in Universal Studios™ Florida

King’s Cross Station

The Hogwarts Express™, an excellent replica of the train in the Harry Potter movie series found at King’s Cross Station. This train connects Diagon Alley™ found in Universal Studios™ Florida and takes visitors to Hogsmeade Station found in Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ parks. A memorable train ride that requires visitors to have both park tickets to enjoy.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ -Diagon Alley™ 

Both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for you to immerse yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. From the purple, triple-decker Knight Bus with an actual talking shrunken head, you’ll see Platform 9 3/4, Diagon Alley™, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, a huge fire-breathing dragon, the Hogwarts Express™ in Kings Cross Station, and the list goes on. So many unforgettable places in the movie are also hidden in Universal’s Islands of Adventure™. Remember to bring a camera and take pictures that you will enjoy many years later.

Springfield

Fans of The Simpsons will love the section devoted to the show. Here you will find Moe’s Tavern, the Krusty Burger, the Kwik-E-Mart, The Simpsons Character Zone, and more. You’ll even find Chief Wiggum hanging out eating a doughnut!

New York 

In the New York section, you will get immersed in the classic New York of the 1930s through 50s. Here you’ll find The Revenge of The Mummy ride, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Transformers the 3D ride.

San Francisco 

In the San Francisco section, you will see recreated a few of the classic features of the city. You’ll stroll past the Fisherman’s Wharf sign, see Ghirardelli Square, and see a recreated shark that was caught in the movie Jaws hanging. You can also cruise in the Fast & Furious – Supercharged ride.

World Expo

Here you’ll find the Men In Black Alien Attack attraction and fight off aliens in a classic shootout. Fear Factor Live cast out of real-life audience members and an additional 18 picked from the audience tests your courage and skill as you compete to perform gravity-defying stunts, and face nightmarish creatures as they crawl across your skin. (This show is Temporarily Closed)

Hollywood

Here you’ll walk down the iconic Hollywood Boulevard lined with the Hollywood Walk of Fame, encounter a recreation of the famous Brown Derby, behold The Borne Stuntacular show, find the Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bellas show in front of a fabulous Art Deco-styled stage, watch the Universal™ Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, or enjoy a lovely meal at Mel’s Drive-In and gaze at the authentic classic cars parked in front. Keep your eyes open and you can even find the Delorean from Back to the Future parked near Doc Brown’s Train from Back to the Future III!

Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone

Watch an amazing show staring real-life animals as they entertain you with their antics in Animal Actors on Location! Meet your favorite undersea cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants in front of the SpongeBob SquarePants.

Universal Studios™ Orlando Rides

Child Swap

Even though this is not a ride you can experience an attraction that may be too intense for a little one and not lose your place in line. With Child Swap, you wait in line with your group, someone stays behind with the little one while the rest of the group experiences the ride, then the one who waited can ride the ride also without waiting in line. All of the rides at Universal Studios™ Florida employ the Child Swap program except for the Hogwarts Express.

Production Central

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

This is the first attraction you come across. Put on your 3D Minion glasses and join Gru, Margo, Edith, and Agnes in this fun motion-simulated ride that’s packed with minion mischief. You will be trained to become a Minion as you dive into Gru’s house and lab. 

• Height: 40 inches or taller
• 40 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: Standard wheelchair okay
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Thrill Ride with Small Simulated Drops

Shrek 4D

Join Shrek and Donkey on an adventure set after the first film. Princess Fiona is kidnapped by Lord Farquaad’s ghost who attempts to marry her. However, the only way to marry her is she becomes a ghost too! So Shrek and Donkey are on a quest to save Fiona’s life. 

• Height: Kid Friendly
• Wheelchair: Standard wheelchair okay
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Ride with Small Simulated Drops

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Are you ready for a thrilling ride? Here you will climb 90 degrees straight up the height of 17 stories only to plunge to speeds of 65 mph! Choose your music while you experience the thrill ride of your life!

• Height: Between 51 to 79 inches
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Intense
• Ride Type: Thrill Ride Big Drops

New York

Transformers

Help Optimus Prime fight Megatron and the Decepticons to protect the Allspark in this 3D simulated ride. Michael Bay’s Transformers movie is recreated into a truly realistic and immersive experience.

• Height: 40 inches or taller
• 40 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Thrill Ride with Small Simulated Drops

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Want a quick tour of New York with your favorite host Jimmy Fallon? Here is your chance, climb in and watch as you and the audience race the Tonight Show host through, below, and above New York. See the highlights and experience New York like never before.

• Height: 40 inches or taller
• 40 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Thrill Ride with Small Simulated Drops

Revenge of The Mummy

As you venture to explore Egyptian artifacts, you are then confronted by the Imhotep and he exacts his revenge on you by placing a curse. Race through forward and backward to escape his clutches in this dark ride.

• Height: 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Moderate
• Ride Type: Thrill Dark Ride with Medium Drops

San Francisco

Fast & Furious Supercharged

Check out the headquarters of the Fast & Furious with props from the movies and exotic cars. Follow along with Dominic Toretto, Roman Pearce, Letty Ortiz, and Luke Hobbs as they protect and save a member of their team from an international crime cartel in this motion simulated adventure. 

• Height: 40 inches or taller
• 40 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Thrill Ride with Small Simulated Drops

The Hogwarts™ Express at King’s Cross Station

Ride in the passenger car of the famous Hogwarts™ Express that will take you from Diagon Alley™ to Hogsmede. The excellent replica of the train immerses you right into the cab of Harry, Hermione and Ron traveled from the Muggle world (our world) to get to the only entirely wizarding village Hogsmeade. King’s Cross Station requires visitors to have both Universal™ park tickets to enjoy.

• Height: Kid Friendly
• Wheelchair: Yes (ECV: Yes also) 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: Simulated/Real Train Ride

Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts

Take a trip through the lobby of Gringotts bank and behold the splendor of the grand chandelier and marbled floor. Pass by life-like goblins hard at work, journey through the corridors until you get to the underground depths of the subterranean vaults beneath Gringotts Bank. Encounter Voldemort and Bellatrix and find yourself being chased by a fire-breathing dragon.

• Height: 42 inches or taller
• 42 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Dark Thrill Ride with Small Simulated Drops

World Expo

Men In Black Alien Attack

In this shoot-em-up dark ride, you get deployed by the Men in Black to help out during an alien attack. You are given lasers to take down the alien targets hiding within the streets. This is a fun ride for the family with appealing gameplay. 

• Height: 42 inches or taller
• 42 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: Dark Spinning Ride

 

Springfield

The Simpsons Ride

Enjoy an over-the-top adventure with the Simpson family as you dodge and crash through Krustyland in an attempt to escape the murderous Sideshow Bob.  

• Height: 40 inches or taller
• 40 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: 3D Thrill Ride with Small Drops

Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

Kang and Kodos trick you into attacking the city of Springfield by using flying saucers. 

• Height: 36 inches or taller
• 36 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: Elevating and Spinning Ride

Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

Take a trip with Woody Woodpecker on a train ride through his nuthouse. It’s a great kid’s ride.

• Height: 36 inches or taller
• 36 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: No 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: Roller Coaster Ride with Small Drops

 

E.T. Adventure

Help E.T. escape the police and fly through the air as you take a journey to his home planet. 

• Height: 34 inches or taller
• 34 to 48 inches: Supervision required
• Wheelchair: Yes 
• Thrill Level: Mild
• Ride Type: Elevating Dark Ride with Small Drops

Universal Studios™ Parades

Universal’s Superstars Parade: Universal Superstar Parade is a daily parade that takes place on the streets of Universal Studios™ in Orlando. The road is surrounded so that the parade can pass and guests can see the show from the snow-wallow area. Among the characters you will see in this parade are Dora and Diego, SpongeBob SquarePants (and his friends), and characters from the secret life of pets and abominable me (Minions, Gru, Agnes, Edith, Margo, and Vector). The parade includes street producers, dancers, antennas, four complicated buoys, six special bubble machines, LED lights, and an impressive sound system.

Universal Studios™ with Toddlers

Universal Studios™ Florida offers three imaginative playgrounds that are ideal for children that are all located in the Woody Woodpecker KidZone:

• Fievel’s Playland
• Curious George a Day at the Park
• Barney’s Backyard Playground

 

Please note that due to Covid safety regulations,
these play areas are currently restricted.

Universal Studios™ Florida During Pregnancy

We advise expecting mothers not to take on thrill rides with sudden movements, this may be a majority of the rides. Posted advisories will let you know which ride is suitable while expecting.  Although, shows are often a hidden gem overlooked by the rides. 

Kid Safe Attractions at Universal Studios™ Florida

• Shrek 4-D
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• The Flight of Hippogriff:
• Hogwarts Express
• Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster
• E. T. Adventure

 

Some height restrictions apply