About this Plan
This touring plan is carefully crafted to optimize your time experiencing Islands of Adventure’s and Universal Studios Florida’s rides and attractions. It’s tailored specifically for travelers visiting the parks for a single day and is intended for those with 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.
Starting Off
For the best experience, begin your day at Islands of Adventure and then take the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios Florida around midday. This strategy will enhance your chances of enjoying the top attractions at both parks.
We suggest arriving at Islands of Adventure’s 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 parks, and much more.
Experience by 2 PM
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)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Attraction type: Motion-base dark ride
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)
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Attraction type: High-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 54 in (137 cm)
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Attraction type: 3D motion-base dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 40 in (102 cm)
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Attraction type: Water raft ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 42 in (107 cm)
Eat Lunch
You should take a meal break either just before 12 PM or around 2 PM, whether or not you’ve completed the above section (you can always finish it after). Taking a break during these hours can help you avoid the busiest 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.
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.
The Burger Digs
As the name implies, this is your go-to spot for everything burgers, but you can also opt for chicken sandwiches. This quick-service eatery is located inside the Jurassic Park Discovery Center.
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, Universal Orlando 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 parks with meals that cater to your dietary needs.
Experience by 6 PM
The attractions listed in this section are must-see experiences at Universal Studios Florida. If the wait time is 35 minutes or less, you can hop aboard the Hogwarts Express at Islands of Adventure’s Hogsmeade Station to travel to Universal Studios Florida. Otherwise, to make the most of your time, consider walking to Universal Studios Florida, conveniently located right next door. Visit the attractions in this specific order for quicker access, but be prepared to make slight adjustments to catch any scheduled shows listed in this touring plan. Crowd levels may affect the timing of completing this section. If you’re running low on time, we suggest skipping any experiences that aren’t a top priority for you.
Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station
Attraction type: Train ride and transportation system featuring special effects
Height requirement: Any height
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Attraction type: 3D hybrid dark ride and high-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 42 in (107 cm)
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
Attraction type: Interactive dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 42 in (107 cm)
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
Attraction type: 3D motion-base dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 40 in (102 cm)
Revenge of the Mummy
Attraction type: High-speed roller coaster
Height requirement: Minimum height of 48 in (122 cm)
Eat Dinner
After enjoying the attractions listed above, or if it’s around 5 PM, take a meal break regardless of whether you’ve completed the previous section (you can always finish it afterward). We’ve provided a list of nearby dining locations for your convenience.
Louie’s Italian Restaurant
Enjoy a quick meal at Louie’s Italian Restaurant, located in the New York area. As expected, this restaurant serves Italian dishes, including pizza, meatball subs, spaghetti, fettuccine Alfredo, and more.
Mel’s Drive-In
This popular quick-service eatery is located in the Hollywood area of the park. It’s a ’50s drive-in that serves chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, burgers, fries, floats, and milkshakes.
Vegetarians and Vegans
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, Universal Orlando 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 parks 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. Keep track of the time to ensure you catch CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular if there’s a showing available during your visit.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Attraction type: 3D motion simulator ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 40 in (102 cm)
CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
This attraction has scheduled showtimes. Plan accordingly and arrive early.
Attraction type: Nighttime show featuring pyrotechnics, projection mapping, drones, and more
Height requirement: Any height
Experience at Any Time
The attractions below usually have low wait times, making them accessible most times of the day compared to other attractions. Please note that although listed in the “Experience at Any Time” section, some of these attractions may close before the parks do; they are included here because of their minimal wait times. 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
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Attraction type: Aerial carousel-style ride
Height requirement: Any height
Animal Actors On Location!
This attraction has scheduled showtimes. Plan accordingly and arrive early.
Attraction type: Live-action show
Height requirement: Any height
E.T. Adventure
Attraction type: Family-friendly suspended dark ride
Height requirement: Minimum height of 34 in (86 cm)
Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show
This attraction has scheduled showtimes. Plan accordingly and arrive early.
Attraction type: Live-action show
Height requirement: Any height
The Bourne Stuntacular
This attraction has scheduled showtimes. Plan accordingly and arrive early.
Attraction type: Live-action stunt show
Height requirement: Any height
Unlisted Attractions
Several attractions at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida are not included in this touring plan. This is due to them being play areas 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 and Universal Studios Florida, click here.
For complete information on all of Universal Orlando’s rides and attractions, click here.
Additional Information
Tips
- If you’re visiting the theme parks 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 parks and make the most of your time. You might also consider adding any unlisted attractions to this touring plan since you’ll have more time to explore.
- 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 parks, 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 parks, especially The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
- 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 the most popular rides and attractions at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, 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.
