A visit to Universal Studios theme park is a must during you’re stay in Florida! Since it first opened in 1990, it has become a serious rival to the Disney parks.

Universal Studios in Orlando is the second biggest crowd-puller in Orlando after Disney! The park’s slogan is “Ride the Movides” – a great tag line for a park that will immerse you in many blockbuster movies of our time such as Shrek, Jaws, Revenge of the Mummy and Men In Black.

Universal studios theme park orlando
The iconic entrance to Universal Studios theme park

Useful information for Universal Studios theme park:-

  • Universal CityWalk
  • Operating Hours, Location Map and Important Phone Numbers

The rides and shows at Universal Studios in Orlando are said to be more adult oriented than Disney’s – there is definitely more to keep teens and adults entertained here than at some of the Disney parks.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of great rides and shows based on characters that kids will love e.g. Barney, Woody Woodpecker, Shrek and Jimmy Neutron.

Universal Studios theme park is just one part of the Universal Orlando Resort, which comprises of:

Within Universal Studios you will find virtual reality rides and many exiting shows within distinctive themed areas:-

Production Central:

  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
  • TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • Shrek 4-D

Hollywood:

  • Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show

World Expo:

  • Men in Black Alien Attack
  • The Simpsons Ride
  • Fear Factor Live

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Hogwarts Express

Woody Woodpecker Kids Zone:

  • Animal Actors on Location
  • A Day in the Park with Barney
  • Curious George Goes To Town
  • Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
  • Fievel’s Playland
  • E.T. Adventure

San Francisco:

  • Fast & Furious: Supercharged

New York:

  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
  • The Blues Brothers Show
  • Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bellas

Lagoon

  • Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration

Universal Studios Theme Park: Can we do it in a day?

A trip to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure can each easily take a day to cover depending on the season. Obviously, it’s the waiting in line that can eat up your time at both parks.

During busy periods (weekends, national holidays, June, July, August, school breaks) lines for shows at Universal Studios can be as long as 2 hours! And rides at IOA can be around 1.30 hours for the big rides and roller coasters.

During less busy periods (weekdays, winter months, cloudy days, even rainy days!) lines can be more manageable – perhaps 20mins for shows at Universal Studios and 10-20mins waits for rides at IOA.

When deciding how many parks you’re going to visit and how many days you want to devote to seeing them, bear in mind that you will spend many hours walking around and standing in-line, you’ll most likely be spending the majority of the day in the hot sun and the day will be packed with fun rides and shows, so you’ll be happily tired (or should that be exhausted!) after one day, believe me!

We did Universal Studios in one day, then Island of Adventure the next during the slower month of February. The day after doing both parks, we could hardly walk! Aching feet and tired leg muscles – ouch! We were absolutely exhausted – and that’s not meant to be negative, we had an amazing time and loved every minute of it. I think if we were to go again we would do each park on alternate days with at least a day break in-between.

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