What is more Florida than heading to one of the many amusement parks it has to offer? Seriously, I don’t know of anyone who has been to Florida and not gone to at least one park. This was the thinking behind one of our weekends while down in the sunshine state- we couldn’t not go to visit one of the highest rated entertainment cities in the world. So off we went to Orlando (about a 3-hour drive from Estero) early Saturday morning, quickly dropping off our Ospreys in the hotel room so that we could go enjoy as much as possible of our 2-day park to park passes at Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure! Money saving tip: don’t stay on site, but instead find a less expensive hotel within a 10-minute drive of the park with a complimentary shuttle!
Universal Orlando
Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando
Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
Instead of leading you through our days at Universal, which believe me were very full, I am going to go through our personal lists of the best rides, shows, and food/beverages that we experienced on this trip! One piece of advice- definitely download the Universal parks app on your phone. This will provide you with an overview of everything the park has to offer and at what times, either in map or list format, and will provide you with an accurate wait time for each ride and show you’re interested in!
Top Rides
Here it is. Easily the top ride between the parks, this epic journey takes you on a 3D/4D coaster-like adventure through the underground tracks of Gringotts. The attention to detail within the ride, as well as just outside in Diagon Alley, makes this area very crowded. People will tell you to hustle right to it when the park opens to avoid 45+ minute waits, but it will not matter. There’s always a steady line, so just get excited that you’re there. The only downside- you have to pay $2 for a locker to hold your stuff.
The entrance of Diagon Alley!
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Even the lines are entertaining!
They really go all out with everything!
Worth the wait!
The entrance of Diagon Alley!
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Even the lines are entertaining!
They really go all out with everything!
Worth the wait!
A close second (because you’re in Hogwarts!)- this 3D/4D motion ride zooms you through Hogwarts and it literally feels like you are flying on a broomstick. The attention to detail is on another level, but again it has long lines and a crowded locker space, although you do not have to pay $2 like Gringotts.
The entrance to Hogsmeade!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is in Hogwarts!
The entrance to Hogsmeade!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is in Hogwarts!
A dark horse contender that we were not necessarily thinking we’d love- Jimmy Fallon’s ride is pretty fun. First off, it offers a virtual line, so you never really wait. You simply download a QR code on the Universal app for the timeframe you want to experience the ride, and when the time comes you just walk right up! You are led through a studio-like atmosphere that reminisces on past Tonight Show hosts and celebrates their funniest moments before you hop on a race car in a 3D/4D motion setting.
Jimmy Fallon’s Race through New York
You can’t help but love these little guys wherever you go. This 3D/4D ride makes you a minion and whips you around Gru’s lab trying not to destroy the whole place. Another very well put together motion ride where you feel like you’re actually on a coaster.
Where you are turned into a minion!
A true classic that is still great fun! A lot of 4D components have been put into this ride as you are slung up, down, and across all of New York’s skyscrapers while battling Spider-Man’s most formidable foes.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
This 3D/4D ride is fun simply because Transformers are awesome. It doesn’t do much more than Spider-Man, but it feels like it’s meant for a slightly older crowd. It also felt like a quicker ride, but for some reason it always had a longer wait time compared to Spider-Man.
This 3D/4D ride is flat-out fantastic! It probably would’ve been ranked at #5 if both of us had watched The Simpsons growing up. The ride immerses you in the hilarious world of Springfield where you can’t help but laugh and smile as you go through multiple virtual transitions of what you’re experiencing. Plus, you get to watch top clips from past episodes while you wait in line!
Another example of entertaining lines!
This is the top ride in the Jurassic park area and seems to either have no wait or extremely long waits. It is a water ride that immerses you into the dinosaur world, yet it appears to calmly showcase how great their dinosaur creations look versus actually drenching you. The big finale is what you should look forward to the most, but we still didn’t get really soaked.
Jurassic Park!
So many dinosaurs!
Jurassic Park!
So many dinosaurs!
Another ride that most likely could’ve been bumped up on our list. Unfortunately, on our first time doing this water-log ride we got stuck right before the finale, and we had to evacuate the vessel. The operator leading us out of the ride told us this happens 1-2 times per day, usually closing it down for at least an hour! On our second attempt later in the day it was fully operational. It was worth it to go back. We sat in front and got absolutely soaked- and have a picture to prove it!
The aftermath of this ride.
Again, if we would’ve loved watching Popeye growing up, this experience likely moves up the list. It never really had a long wait time and we attribute it to the weather not being super warm when we were there. This is everything you could ever want in a water ride. It’s designed so that each individual gets 100% damp from the bottom up while spinning along a rushing river. Oh, and you have little kids shooting you from above with water guns to top it off. Our advice- once sitting in the ride take your shoes/socks off and put them in the center console dry bag with your other belongings! You’ll be happier for the rest of the day.
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Don’t expect to stay dry on this one!
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Don’t expect to stay dry on this one!
A great little roller coaster located just off to the right-hand side of Hogwarts Castle. This coaster is definitely for younger people as I barely squeezed in. It is a very quick ride filled with some fantastic tiny turns whizzing by Hagrid’s Hut. It provides you with a great view of the castle, but otherwise it doesn’t have much going on. If you go super early in the morning, there will be no line and you may even have the coaster to yourself.
Probably one of the most disappointing experiences of the weekend. We were very excited to check this 3D/4D ride out after it opened again following a brief maintenance issue because that meant shorter lines. The outside environment of the ride totally draws you in as they did a remarkable job recreating Skull Island. The actual ride is not anything to write home about though. It seemed like we were simply watching a Kong movie that ended too soon. We don’t know why it had easily the longest wait times between the two parks (from 60-90 minutes), even more than the Harry Potter rides.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
This train ride is included with your park to park pass purchase, leading you between Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure) and King’s Cross/Diagon Alley (Studios). You cannot go on it unless you have this pass. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then do it. The train looks exactly like it does in the movies and it fills you with the magic that only the wizarding world can provide. The only thing missing is actually purchasing something from the trolley.
The Hogwarts Express: the only direct route between the two parks!
One of the older 3D/4D theater rides now and everyone knows it. There is hardly ever a line. When you’re in the ride you can actually hear the hydraulic pumps straining to push and move your chairs. The show is still quite fun because c’mon- it’s Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona!
Hands down our least favorite experience by a large margin. This was a 3D/4D ride that we thought could be very awesome. It had a virtual line option, so lines weren’t a thing. The cars that you get to see while meandering to the ride are pretty cool. And then you get on this bus-looking vessel (like Skull Island), virtually race around for what seems like two minutes without any flips or free fall moments and the ride is done.
We were hoping for more from this ride…
At least the cars were cool…
We were hoping for more from this ride…
At least the cars were cool…
This area is all things Dr. Seuss. It’s definitely meant for kids, so we didn’t go on any rides here, but it was a cool “world” to walk through, as it really feels like you’re walking the pages of Dr. Seuss’s books!
Welcome to the pages of Dr. Seuss!
Top Shows
An amazing light show put together that sees the four houses interact on the castle walls. Only running at nighttime near the closing time of the park. Check the app for times!
Hogwarts looks extra cool at night!
Quite a spectacular show to close the park with!
Hogwarts looks extra cool at night!
Quite a spectacular show to close the park with!
A very interactive exhibit where you get to meet Blue! You can also take a picture with him on your own phone! Probably one of the more underrated shows. It is hilarious to watch this dinosaur mess with people trying to take a picture. Our advice- don’t be first in line so you can watch and laugh at what happens to the people before you!
He’s eating my bun…
A very cool music show implementing percussion sounds made from four dudes using only construction materials, such as hammers, buckets, etc. This show goes on continuously throughout the day.
Enjoy some live music right in the middle of Universal Studios!
Enjoy some live music right in the middle of Universal Studios!
One of the older shows- it still draws a decent crowd in an otherwise forgotten part of the park now. You are led through a temple/tomb where you help Poseidon defeat his rival. It is somewhat boring until the climax that for a second, really blows your mind and makes you think, how’d they do that?
Poseidon’s Fury
A true Harry Potter experience that any fan of the magic will enjoy. You feel like you’re standing right in the movie when Harry first chooses a wand. It based in Hogsmeade, located at the end closer to the castle. The show only lets in maybe 15 people at a time but goes relatively fast and spits you out into a shop where you can buy your very own wand among other things! (side note: they do sell interactive wands where you can walk around the two Harry Potter worlds and do magic tricks – more for kids)
Ollivander’s Wand Shop
Soooo many wands to choose from!
Ollivander’s Wand Shop
Soooo many wands to choose from!
Apparently Universal puts on its Mardi Gras festivities from January through April. So, when we were in the Studios park near 7:00 p.m. a giant parade of crazy floats came down the main street by Jimmy Fallon’s ride, firing as many beads at you as possible. There are also a ton of dancers and twirlers in between the floats. If you don’t want to experience Mardi Gras here make sure to get out quickly, as massive crowds on either side of the street clog your path to the rest of the park.
A glimpse of the Mardi Gras Parade!
A glimpse of the Mardi Gras Parade!
Top Food/Beverage
Butterbeer. For no other reason. Either regular, frozen, or hot (or try all three like we did!). Do it at either of these locations and you’ll likely miss out on the long lines outside waiting at the giant barrel concession stands. It’s one of the best drinks at the park, if not the best. Whatever they put into it, it’s tremendous.
Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure
Leaky Cauldron of Universal Studios
Butter Beer: frozen on the left, regular on the right, delicious any way you have it!
Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure
Leaky Cauldron of Universal Studios
Butter Beer: frozen on the left, regular on the right, delicious any way you have it!
Easily one of the most exquisite and jaw-dropping milkshake creations you’ll ever witness. It is located in CityWalk, the area between the two parks holding numerous bars and restaurants. To order, just go to the left-hand side after walking through the main doors. You will not be disappointed. Maybe only order one milkshake for the group though if you want to live.
A treat-lover’s paradise!
The coolest milkshakes we’ve ever had! (props to you if you can finish one!)
A treat-lover’s paradise!
The coolest milkshakes we’ve ever had! (props to you if you can finish one!)
Located in Diagon Alley, it’s on the opposite corner across from Gringotts. It reminds you of a small ma and pop ice cream shop and has the delicious flavors to go with it! Of course, they serve a butterbeer ice cream, so to stick with the Harry Potter theme we ordered one cup and one cone. Go walk around Diagon Alley while enjoying your ridiculously good butterbeer treat and take in the extreme focus to detail put into this amazing place.
Butter Beer ice cream was a great invention!
A standard sports pub with the most TVs ever. There is also a giant mega-screen outside of this bar showcasing the NBC sports world. The food is good as you’d expect, but to really make it a different experience try to reserve one of their tables that has a foosball or shuffleboard table underneath it that you can play!
One of the biggest screens you’ll ever see!
Look closely so you can tell there’s a foosball table under the dinner table!
One of the biggest screens you’ll ever see!
Look closely so you can tell there’s a foosball table under the dinner table!
- The BreadBox (CityWalk)
A solid choice for quick lunch; this retro restaurant is located across from Burger King. It essentially deals out gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and you can’t go wrong.
Hit up The Breadbox for tasty sandwiches!
Hit up The Breadbox for tasty sandwiches!
Located in the Simpsons world, this is a cafeteria style lunch/dinner spot offering big Krusty burgers and pizzas among other items. The food isn’t anything special, but it’s a nice location to hang for a meal.
An open-air bar located in the corner of Diagon Alley- it can have very long lines, but they move relatively fast as this spot only serves drinks. Here is where we grabbed our Wizard’s Brew, a sweet dark stout, and our Dragon Scale, an amber/red ale. Just like the ice cream shop, after getting your order feel free to walk around to explore every corner of Diagon Alley.
Wizard’s Brew: it tastes extra good when it comes from the wizarding world!
You can enjoy your beer while exploring Diagon Alley!
Wizard’s Brew: it tastes extra good when it comes from the wizarding world!
You can enjoy your beer while exploring Diagon Alley!
If you want to experience a New Orleans staple and try out a Hurricane, then here it is. It feels like a near-exact replica of the actual bar in New Orleans- with multiple rooms, dueling pianos, and a decently large patio area. It is located up the large flight of stairs near the back corner of CityWalk closer to the Islands of Adventure side.
Located in Simpsons world across from Moe’s Tavern, you can order Duff or Duff Light beer here and truly get the whole Simpsons experience. The Duff style resembles a Yuengling lager, so it’s nothing out of this world amazing, but it’s fun to order something that you only see on TV!
Duff Brewery Beer Garden
We definitely had an absolute blast checking out both parks and the CityWalk. The whole vibe is orchestrated more towards teens and adults, but still has younger kid stuff. We had enough time to do mostly everything that intrigued us from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The only big ride we missed was the Hulk roller coaster. Another tip: several of the rides are 3D/4D, so if you have motion sensitivity, we recommend alternating these ones with other “normal” rides or more stationary activities in order to give your vestibular system a break. If you want extra rides on the Hogwarts Express and the freedom to go between Studios and Islands of Adventure, we highly recommend getting the park to park pass. If you really want to pack the most you can into a day, go for the Express Passes. We didn’t want to drop the extra dough for these and quite honestly, they do a great job with making the lines entertaining which makes it seem like they’re moving faster! At these parks, like a lot of our exploring, there is always more to it and more marvelous things we have missed, so these lists are not exhaustive. Go wander the parks as you please and feel free to comment on your favorite areas around Universal!
A fun place, both day and night!
A fun place, both day and night!