About this Plan
This touring plan is carefully crafted to optimize your time experiencing Islands of Adventure’s rides and attractions. It’s tailored for single-day visitors, but it can also be used by those spending multiple days at the park. If you’re visiting the park for more than one day, follow this plan on your first day to ensure you hit the top attractions, then revisit your favorites or the ones you previously skipped on subsequent days. This touring plan is intended for those without a Park-to-Park ticket, which permits access to more than one Universal Orlando theme park within the same day.
Download the App
Before visiting Universal Orlando, we recommend downloading the Universal Orlando app from the App Store or Google Play Store. The app provides wait times, showtimes, a resort-wide map, and more.
Entering the Park
We suggest arriving at the park entrance at least 30 minutes before the park opens, especially on projected busy days. You can check the crowd level forecast for your visit using our FREE Universal Orlando crowd calendar. Keep in mind that it may take up to 30 minutes to reach the front gates from the parking booth if you’re driving. It’s a good idea to download the official Universal Orlando app in advance to view attraction wait times, check showtimes, navigate the park, and much more.
Experience Before Midday
The following attractions typically have the longest wait times, so you should visit them as soon as possible. Visit the attractions in this specific order for quicker access. Please note that the crowd levels throughout the day may impact when you can complete this part of the touring plan.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Attraction type: High-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 48 in (122 cm)
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Attraction type: High-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 51 in (130 cm)
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Attraction type: Motion-base dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 36 in (91 cm)
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Attraction type: High-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 54 in (137 cm)
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
Attraction type: Launch and drop tower ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 52 in (132 cm)
Eat Lunch
You should take a meal break just before 12 PM, whether or not you’ve completed the above section (you can always finish it after). Taking a break before noon can help you avoid the afternoon dining rush. We’ve highlighted some nearby dining locations for your convenience. Alternatively, you can pack snacks or buy some from the many concession stands in the park if you prefer to minimize your time dining.
Cafe 4
This quick-service restaurant is located in Marvel Super Hero Island. The menu includes a variety of pizzas, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and desserts.
Comic Strip Cafe
Another dining option is Comic Strip Cafe, a quick-service restaurant in Toon Lagoon. The menu features burgers, pizza, Asian cuisine, and more.
Vegetarians and Vegans
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, Islands of Adventure offers a variety of meals for you. Click here to view our Universal Orlando vegetarian and vegan guide. This guide highlights various dining locations throughout the park with meals that cater to your dietary needs.
Experience by 5 PM
The attractions in this section have moderate to busy wait times. Follow this specific order when visiting. Crowd levels might impact when you can complete this segment of the touring plan.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Attraction type: 3D motion-base dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 40 in (102 cm)
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Attraction type: Water raft ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 42 in (107 cm)
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Attraction type: Water flume ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 44 in (112 cm)
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Attraction type: Water raft ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 42 in (107 cm)
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
Attraction type: Elevated trolley ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 36 in (91 cm)
The Cat in the Hat
Attraction type: Kid-friendly dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 36 in (91 cm)
Eat Dinner
After enjoying the attractions in the section above, take a break and enjoy a meal. We’ve provided a list of nearby dining locations for your convenience.
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
Located in the Seuss Landing area, this quick-service eatery has a whimsical circus tent setting. The menu features chicken tenders, burgers, and unique creations.
Mythos Restaurant
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a high-quality dish, Mythos Restaurant is highly recommended. This full-service restaurant has been rated the top theme park restaurant in the world numerous times. The menu offers a mix of Mediterranean, Asian, and American fare, including beef medallions, risotto, pad thai, salmon, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. If you’re interested in dining here, consider making a reservation. You can do so online by clicking here or calling (407) 224-3663.
Three Broomsticks
Three Broomsticks is a quick-service restaurant in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade. The remarkable level of detail and excellent food quality make it a standout spot. The menu includes fish and chips, beef pasties, spare ribs, shepherd’s pie, rotisserie chicken, and more.
Vegetarians and Vegans
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, Islands of Adventure offers a variety of meals for you. Click here to view our Universal Orlando vegetarian and vegan guide. This guide highlights various dining locations throughout the park with meals that cater to your dietary needs.
Experience by Last Few Hours
The attractions in this section can be enjoyed during the final hours of park operation when wait times often decrease for popular rides.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Attraction type: Motion-base dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 48 in (122 cm)
Flight of the Hippogriff
Attraction type: Kid-friendly roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 36 in (91 cm)
Experience at Any Time
The attractions below usually have low wait times, making them accessible most times of the day compared to the park’s other attractions. The list below is not in any specific order; prioritize the attractions based on your interests and their proximity.
Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Attraction type: Interactive learning center
Height requirement: Any height
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Attraction type: Aerial carousel-style ride
Height requirement: Any height
Unlisted Attractions
Several attractions at Islands of Adventure are not included in this touring plan. This is due to them being play areas, requiring a specific ticket type, or consuming too much time. However, if you have extra time, are visiting for multiple days, or are traveling with children, consider experiencing the unlisted attractions. To view all attractions at Islands of Adventure, click here.
For complete information on all of Universal Orlando’s rides and attractions, click here.
Additional Information
Tips
- If you’re visiting the park for just one day, we recommend having breakfast before you arrive to maximize your time for enjoying the attractions.
- To reduce your wait times, consider purchasing Universal Express to skip the regular lines at most rides and attractions.
- If you’re using Universal Express, continue following this touring plan to efficiently navigate the park and make the most of your time.
- If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel, take advantage of early park admission. This gives you a head start, allowing you to experience more attractions throughout the day. To find out when early park admission is available and learn more about it, click here.
- At select quick-service restaurants throughout the park, you can use the Universal Orlando app‘s mobile ordering service. This feature allows you to order your meal in advance, so when you arrive at the restaurant, you can quickly pick up your food and avoid long lines at the ordering counter.
- Don’t rush from one attraction to another. Take your time to explore the different themed areas of the park, especially The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade.
- Remember to capture your memories by taking photographs with characters and in the various themed areas.
To see more tips for visiting Universal Orlando, click here.
Note
This touring plan includes most rides and attractions at Islands of Adventure, so visiting them all in a single day may not be feasible if crowd levels are high. It’s best to choose the attractions that interest you the most.
