Explore Universal Studios Orlando: Theme Parks, Rides, & More

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Quick Information

ADDRESS

6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5+ hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

19750000

TICKETS

From $107.11

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

4

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

2+ hours (Peak), 1-2 hours (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Universal Studios Florida isn’t just a theme park, it’s a working production studio where music videos, TV shows, and movies have been filmed right on-site.

On Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios Florida, you choose your own music from genres like rock, hip-hop, or pop as you loop and dive through the sky on one of Orlando’s most unique coasters.

In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there are hidden interactive spots where your wand can trigger magical surprises, from levitating quills to enchanted fountains. You just need to know where to look.

What’s inside?

Universal Studios Florida

The first of the four parks, Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990. Dedicated to bringing movies and television to life, it feels like walking through a working film set, with rides that drop you into the action. The park is divided into eight themed zones, namely:

Production Central
Hollywood
New York
San Francisco
World Expo
Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
Minion Land
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Battle Decepticons with the Transformers, ride through a chaotic chase with the Fast & Furious crew, and explore Diagon Alley, complete with shops, spell-casting, and the thrilling Escape from Gringotts ride.

Islands of Adventure

Opened in 1999, Islands of Adventure is built around exploration and adventure, with each land designed as a portal into a different world—from comic books to dinosaurs to ancient legends. The park is divided into eight themed zones, namely:

Port of Entry
Marvel Super Hero Island
Toon Lagoon
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Jurassic Park
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
The Lost Continent
Seuss Landing

Ride with Spider-Man, come face-to-face with King Kong, and launch into the jungle on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. In Hogsmeade, board the Hogwarts Express or brave Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure through the Forbidden Forest.

Volcano Bay

Opened in 2017, Volcano Bay is Universal’s water-themed park, centered around the towering Krakatau volcano. The park combines body slides, raft rides, wave pools, and lazy rivers across a South Pacific-inspired setting. The park is divided into four themed zones, namely:

Krakatau Volcano
Wave Village
River Village
Rainforest Village

Ride the 125-foot Ko’okiri Body Plunge, twist through dark tunnels on Honu of the Honu ika Moana, or float along the Kopiko Wai Winding River. The park uses a TapuTapu wearable, letting you join ride queues virtually and trigger interactive water effects throughout the park.

Epic Universe

Opened on May 22, 2025, Epic Universe is Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park and its most ambitious expansion to date. It is designed as a hub-and-spoke park— a central area connecting five distinct themed worlds, namely:

Celestial Park (central hub)
Super Nintendo World™
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Dark Universe

Race through a Mario Kart course, fly a dragon in Berk, face monsters in Dark Universe, or explore the Ministry of Magic. At the center, Celestial Park offers open-air rides, dining spots, and landscaped paths that connect all the worlds.

Universal CityWalk

Located at the center of the resort, this is an entertainment, dining, and shopping district. It connects the parks and hotels and stays open after the rides shut down. You can dine at themed restaurants, catch a movie at the Cineplex, enjoy live music at Hard Rock Live, or play a round at Hollywood Drive-In Golf.

Entry to CityWalk is free and doesn’t require a park ticket—you’ll pass through it on your way to Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.

Things to do

Dine across worlds

Eat inside Hogwarts Castle, sip Butterbeer in Hogsmeade, or grab a Krusty Burger in Springfield. For something special, book a character dining experience—like breakfast with the Minions or dinner with Marvel superheroes.

Catch seasonal events

Throughout the year, the resort transforms for special events. Scream through Halloween Horror Nights (13+), enjoy festive shows and lights during the holidays, or join Mardi Gras parades with live music and global cuisine.

Shop the stories

Browse wizard robes in Diagon Alley, Minions merch in Super Silly Stuff, or dino gear in Jurassic World shops. Many items are exclusive to the parks, perfect for themed souvenirs.

Watch live shows

See high-energy shows like The Bourne Stuntacular or musical acts like Hogwarts™ Always across the parks. After dark, watch lagoon-side spectacles with lights, projections, and music that bring Universal stories to life.

Experience interactive fun

Wands cast spells in Diagon Alley. TapuTapu at Volcano Bay lets you join virtual queues and trigger water effects. Kids can cool off in splash zones or explore hands-on play areas.

Enjoy CityWalk nightlife

When the parks close, CityWalk stays open. Here, you can grab late-night food, watch live bands, or enjoy a drink at themed bars like the Red Coconut Club. Entry to CityWalk is free and doesn’t require a park ticket.

A brief history of Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando opened in 1990 as a bold challenger to nearby Disney parks (namely, Walt Disney World, which had only opened a year earlier), with Universal Studios Florida as its first park. It was designed to let visitors “ride the movies,” bringing blockbusters like Jaws, E.T., and Back to the Future to life.

In 1999, the resort expanded with Islands of Adventure, introducing immersive lands like Marvel Super Hero Island and Jurassic Park. The game changed in 2010 with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which redefined theme park storytelling and set a new industry standard.

Volcano Bay, a water theme park, opened in 2017, replacing Wet ’n Wild. Now, with the upcoming Epic Universe park, Universal continues pushing boundaries with new lands, cutting-edge technology, and all-new stories to explore.

💡Fun Fact! E.T. Adventure is the only original ride still operating at Universal Studios Florida.

Frequently asked questions about Universal Studios Orlando

How does Universal Orlando compare to other Universal parks around the world?

Universal Orlando is the largest Universal resort globally, with four full-scale theme parks. It offers more rides, themed lands, and entertainment options than Universal parks in Hollywood, Japan, Beijing, or Singapore.

How big is the Universal Orlando Resort?

Universal Orlando is the largest Universal resort globally, with four full-scale theme parks. It offers more rides, themed lands, and entertainment options than Universal parks in Hollywood, Japan, Beijing, or Singapore.

How many parks can I visit in one day?

If you plan well, you can visit up to three parks in one day: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is farther away and better suited for a separate day.

Is Epic Universe a part of the main campus?

No, Epic Universe is located about 2 miles south of the main Universal Orlando campus. It operates as part of the resort but is physically separate from the other three parks.

How many rides are there?

Across all four parks, there are over 50 rides, ranging from high-thrill coasters to family-friendly and water-based attractions.

Which park is the most popular at Universal Orlando Resort?

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are the most visited, largely due to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Epic Universe is quickly becoming a major draw as well.

What makes Universal different from Disney?

Universal centers around action-packed rides, movie franchises, and immersive lands like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Super Nintendo World™, often with more thrills and edge. Disney, on the other hand, leans into timeless storytelling, classic characters, and a more family-focused, fantasy-driven experience.