Number of visits: 2 days at least are ideally required to get the best rides done, view the parade and take in the fireworks unless you’ve got the Express Pass. Harry Potter fans might need a whole extra day just to explore Diagon Alley fully.
When you approach the river at the end of CityWalk make a right turn to access Universal Studios. Get a camera at ready as there plenty of great snaps to be taken. From the bank side area you can get a great shot with the Hard Rock Café and the tops of the towers of Hogwarts Castle in the background. And of course, a group photo around the iconic rotating Universal Globe is a must as is one at the Universal Arch just before the ticket and finger print scanner.
If you’ve already got tickets go straight to the ticket scanners. Again the ‘to the left’ rule applies as people tend to queue over the right and the middle. At your first visit, just like at WDW you’ll need to scan your finger print. Use the same finger as WDW and that way you should never get stuck trying to remember which one you used.
Once inside the park the first area is Production Central and Minion Land where you’ll find a lot Minions and Despicable Me attractions such as Minion Mayhem and Villain Con (open 2023) plus the classic Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster. Other areas of the park are designed to look like film sets of the cities of New York, San Francisco, Hollywood L.A. and London. The World Expo area has the Men In Black ride and The Fear Factor show. Next to this is Springfield, home of The Simpsons. For your little ones head to Woody Woodpecker’s Kids Zone. Here you’ll find a small roller coaster and 2 really good playgrounds. It also includes the Dreamworks Character Experience where you can meet the gang from Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. The L.A. section of the park has features a replica of Hollywood Boulevard with various shops and Mel’s Diner with it’s hot rod cars parked outside.
Wizarding World Of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Kings Cross Station
The London area doubles for Harry Potter Diagon Alley. The entrance to Diagon Alley is not sign posted and can be easily missed. Look to the right of Leicester Square tube station and the entrance to Diagon Alley is behind the brick wall under the iron girder. See the photo above. The Diagon Alley area is one the most impressive creations in any of the Orlando theme parks and is a faithful recreation of the film set complete with various Harry Potter themed shops, restaurants and props. Live shows are performed on the stage and the Dragon breathes fire every 5 minutes! The Leaky Cauldron restaurant here also does decent Fish and Chips! This area only has one ride – Escape from Gringotts although Kings Cross Station for the Hogwarts Express is just around the corner, but has so much detail and many spell casting locations you could almost spend all day just in this one area.
If you’re after trying a Harry Potter butterbeer (and why wouldn’t you be?) Diagon Alley is the place to get one. You can get a cold and an iced variety from the stands in Hogsmeade across in Islands of Adventure but in Diagon Alley you can also get a warm butterbeer and butterbeer ice cream as well as the cold and iced versions. Expect to it cost around $8 per cup.
The Simpsons inspired rides in Springfield are, in our opinion not the best way to spend your time in the park (see our favourite rides further down the page) but, almost everyone regardless if you’re a Simpson’s fan or not will find great photo opportunities outside The Simpsons Ride’s Krustyland entrance and at Chief Wiggum’s patrol car. You can also buy a doughnut at Lard Lads, pick up a beer in Moe’s tavern or buy Simpsons merchandise in the Kwil-E-Mart.
Virtual Line
A little reminder that the Virtual Line (VL) is only available at some attractions and when the park is very busy. Also, you can only book one ride at a time either on the app or near the ride entrance. Keep a look out on the app for rides with VL facility on the day.
TMTO Favourite Rides
For the thrill seekers:
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – 51″ (130cm) height restriction but no taller than 79″ 201cm. This is Universal’s iconic and properly fast rollercoaster where you can choose your ride soundtrack from a playlist. The vertical climb at the start is not for the faint hearted although it’s the only time you’re going to hear the music you’ve chosen before the screaming starts! Very busy in the evenings and weekends where the queue is usually over 60 mins but the single rider line is always an option if you don’t mind being split up from your party.
Revenge Of The Mummy 48″ (122cm) is a dark and scary indoor roller coaster with impressive pyrotechnics and animatronics set around the 90s films. Whilst being one of the older rides it had a revamp in 2021 and remains one of the most popular rides in the park so be prepared for a wait time of at least 40 mins.
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts ride 42” (107cm) is a dark, part spinning roller coaster, part 3-D ride through the bank vaults as you attempt to escape Voldemort and the dragon. It’s the main attraction in Diagon Alley. Just head for the dragon on top of the bank and you’ll find the entrance to the right. Free lockers are available behind the golden goblin statue as you’re not allowed large bags on the ride. Like all the Harry Potter attractions its usually very popular so expect at least a 60 min queue.
Men In Black: Alien Attack 42″ (107cm). A shooting ride with animatronics. Looking a bit dated now so one to do only if you’re fan.
Rides for all the family
Minion Mayhem 40” (102cm) Gru’s house is the entrance to the ride where you go through a series of mishaps as Gru tests your suitability to becoming one of his Minions. Watch out for the fart gun in the pre ride area! Height restriction is over 40” (102cm) to experience it fully but younger ones should be able to use the stationary seats on the front row if they are available. Ask the crew member before joining the queue. It’s one of the of the most popular rides in the park so expect the queue to be at least 60 mins. Meet the Minions in the disco at the exit. In 2019 Universal changed the ride so the 3-D goggles are no longer required. It’s still a great ride but in our opinion the overall experience has diminished a bit.
Villain Con Minion Blast This is a unique experience ride where you’re given a laser gun before standing on a moving walkway travelling around different areas and aim to collect points by shooting whatever comes your way and help defeat Gru and the Minions defeat their enemies. Certainly a lot of fun.
Transformers 40” (102cm) Climb into new Autobot Evac for a 3-D ride around a city to escape the Decepticons. Just like the movies it’s based on you’ll find it loud and chaotic so expect to be bumped around a lot. Meet either Bumblebee, Optimus Prime or Megatron characters opposite the shop at the ride exit when the red beacon light is flashing. Expect to wait at least 40 mins on a busy day.
Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York ride 40” (102cm). Often has VL available. This is in the old Twister! building. It’s a 3-D sim race through New York and to the moon against the chat show host in his ‘Tonight Rider’ (see what they did there?).
Fast and Furious Supercharged 40″ (102cm) VL ususally available. Follow Dom Toretto and the gang on a 3-D sim bus ride to battle Owen Shaw. There are better rides and experiences to spend your time on at Universal so I would say this is one for F&F die hard fans only. The queue area has many of the actual car props driven in the movies.
Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley. The London Street area including Piccadilly Circus and Kings Cross station is really part of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Kings Cross Station allows you to access Universal’s other theme park – Islands Of Adventure (IOA), as you take a trip on the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 ¾ to Hogsmead. As you can imagine it’s not just a simple train ride and the queue area is filled with Harry Potter details. Because you’ll be crossing over to IOA you will need Park-to-Park tickets (all UK issued 14 day tickets are P-t-P) in order to be able to ride the Hogwarts Express. Have your tickets ready as you enter the station to scan them and your finger print. There is a lift for the pushchair and wheelschairs half way round the queue.
The Simpsons Rides 40″ (102cm) Follow Homer through several mishaps through Krustyland in this simulator type ride. This ride is showing it’s age a bit compared to similar rides like Minions and Jimmy Fallon so in our opinion, one for Simpson’s fans only.
E.T. Adventure 34″ (87cm) Jump on a bike and be transported through the air with ET. Listen for him to say your name at the exit. Based on the 80s film and is Universal’s oldest ride but still worth a visit.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster 36″ (92cm) is fast enough for younger ones and not usually too busy.
Fievel’s Playground is a great outdoor playground with water slides where you can get a bit wet, and at the end of this cul-de-sac is Curious George Goes To Town splash park with water jets and sprinklers where you’ll get very wet if not too careful. As with all wet play areas keep shoes on – the Hot Tuna ones form Sports Direct come in handy again here or you can purchase some Minion or SpongeBob ones in the park.
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl is a Simpsons themed ride. It’s a very slow and not particularly thrilling ride even for little ones. Again one for the fans only.
Characters
The Minions and Transformers are available almost all day. Most of the other Universal characters are only available at selected times so check the app on the day or pick up a leaflet at guest services just before the turnstile.
Meet Kevin or Stuart and other Minions at the exit to the Minion Mayhem ride. You don’t have to have been on the ride to meet them – go through to the back of the Super Silly Fun Stuff shop where you’ll find the Minions waiting in the disco area.
The Transformers characters do a rotation during the day opposite the Transformers shop at the ride exit. So you’ll meet either Optimus Prime, Bumblebee or the evil Megatron.
Donkey and either Fiona or Shrek are at the side of the Monsters Café as you head towards the Transformers ride entrance.
London’s Piccadilly Circus also features the triple decker Knight Bus where you can have a picture with the cheeky bus conductor and the shrunken head. The bus is an actual prop used in The Prisoner of Azkaban. As you proceed out of London towards Springfield along the row of houses you’ll notice one is different. This is Sirius Black’s house and the first floor window has an appearance by a certain grumpy house elf every couple of minutes so, keep a look out.
The Simpsons characters can be found in, where else but Springfield – home of The Simpsons ride. You can buy merch from the Kwik-E-Mart and drink at Moe’s Tavern.
Just outside Springfield opposite Animal Actors look out for the DeLorean and the train from Back To The Future. Doc Brown can sometimes be found hanging around here too ready for a photo! Check the times on the app or park leaflet.
Outside the Beverley Wiltshire Hotel (Pretty Woman) on Hollywood Boulevard you’ll often find Marilyn Monroe or the gang from Scooby-Doo.
At the corner of Hollywood Blvd, near to the park entrance is the Hello Kitty shop. You’ll find none other than Hello Kitty outside the shop, ready for pic.
Store Pants – the SpongeBob shop opposite the Animal Actors theatre is where you can meet SpongeBob and Patrick.
Visit the end of Pier 39 (named after the one is San Francisco) where someone’s captured Bruce the Great White Shark from Jaws. OK, it’s not actually a character but it makes for a great photo!
Near Mel’s Diner at the end of Hollywood Blvd at various times during the day, the crew will roll out a float from the parade for a short period and you can have up close photos with the dancers and characters. Check the app or park leaflet on the day for times.
Shows
Animal Actors stage show is an entertaining break from the rides. It features animal performers big and small and you can meet some of the animals up close after the show – it’s definitely worth a viewing.
The dragon sitting above Gringotts Bank in the Harry Potter Diagon Alley area of the park breathes fire every 5 minutes.
On Hollywood Boulevard is the Bourne Stuntacular. This is a hi-tech stage show with and mixture of video, special and practical effects including live actors performing stunts and fight scenes which all seamlessly blend together. Based on the Jason Bourne film series.
The Blues Brothers drive around the New York streets in the Bluesmobile stopping off for a 15 min singing performance and you might be able to grab a selfie after the show if you ask nicely! Shows start mid-morning and continue every hour or so up until sunset. It’s been going since the park opened in 1991 and is still draws a big crowd today. As always check the app or park leaflet as times change seasonally.
The Beat Builders is a lively musical performance on the scaffold in New York with the crew using the buckets and tools as instruments. Check the app for times.
Shrek 4-D is a 3-D cinema with air and water effects featuring everyone’s favourite ogre.
Fear Factor is an adult show where members of the public can take part in facing their fears whether it be heights or creepy crawlies. Think of it as a like a live version of I’m A Celeb.
The Parade
Universal’s Mega Movie Parade replaced the Superstar Parade in 2024. It’s really good nostalgic parade with floats featuring Jaws, Back to the Future and ET but also more contemporary movie favourites like Trolls, Sing and of course, Minions. Times vary a bit throughout the year so check the app but it’s usually mid-afternoon. Opposite Mel’s Drive-in diner (from 70s movie American Graffiti) is where the parade starts and ends after it is routed down Hollywood Boulevard, through the new Minion Land, and past the Mummy Returns in the New York area of the park. There’s plenty of room on Hollywood Boulevard to stand and catch a good view of all the floats and dancers.
Macy’s Christmas Parade also runs in November and December in addition to the Superstar Parade with special floats and giant balloons to mimic the Thanksgiving parade in New York each year. Also expect dancers and a certain bearded old man on a sleigh!
Mardi Gras Parade runs from February to early April and starts after sunset. It features vibrant and neon coloured New Orleans inspired floats and dancers to a rock and roll and jazz soundtrack.
Fireworks
At the end of the evening catch a spot near the lake for the Nighttime Cinematic Spectacular which is a 20 minute projection and light show celebrating Universal’s history in cinema with film clips and music. The show then finishes with a fireworks display.
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