I recently had the opportunity to visitUniversal Orlando Resortas part of a press trip and, believe it or not, it was my first time ever attending their incredible parks, attractions, and nearby hotels. Now it wasn’t exactly my first rodeo when it came to amusement parks: Efficient planning to get the best bang for my buck and some route-mapping to ensure we hit every possible ride, restaurant, and attraction in the time we had available was par for the course. I’m happy to say that Universal Orlando Resort parks have quite a lot going for them, besting their competition by far when it comes to food options and themed restaurants, and going toe-to-toe with the best of the bunch in attractions, ride variety and intensity, and ease of navigation around the park. It was a fantastic experience I’d happily repeat in years to come.
If you don’t have time to read anything else before boarding your plane to Orlando and heading straight to the parks, heed these words of advice:
Attractions and Special Events
My visit just happened to be duringUniversal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras 2020, celebrating “25 Years of Party.” The celebration included tons of fun, food, music, a fabulous parade, and more activities extending well before and after Fat Tuesday itself; in fact, the party is still going as we speak! That timing was a happy coincidence, but the parks have a bunch of seasonal events that cover most of the calendar year, so when planning your visit, you should take these bonus attractions and activities into account to get the most out of your trip!
Of course, there are other park attractions besides the rides and restaurants that play out year-round. One specific ongoing show I wanted to call some attention to is theBeat Builders, a very clever street show masquerading as a team of construction workers fixing up a facade in Universal Studios Florida. Rarely do I actually stop and watch one of these shows, but this one was a stand-out. Equal parts humor, hypnotic beats, and crowd-pleasing interactions, Beat Builders is definitely one show you’ll want to see while walking the streets nearFast & Furious - Supercharged.
Oh, and speaking ofFast & Furious,if there’s a ride or property that you’re particularly fond of, you’re just about guaranteed to find some related merch in a gift store near the attraction or elsewhere in the park; exiting through the gift shop is actually a convenience here (as is the fact thatyou can have a courier take your purchases to either a waiting area near the park exists or to your hotel, if you’re staying at a Universal resort!) And even if you’re outside the park, there is plenty to explore (and eat and drink and play and dance to) at the convenient outdoor mall,CityWalk.
Back in the park, if it’sHarry Potterlore you’re there for, be sure to stop and check out the shows. There’s the puppet-drivenTales of Beedle the Bardin Diagon Alley, a unique wand shop experience at both Wizarding World parks, and aFrog Choirshow along with the aforementioned Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle in Hogsmeade. The lesson here is that surprises of all kinds await around just about every corner in the parks (like the upcomingBourne Stuntacular) so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!
Diagon Alley
If it’s all thingsHarry Potteryou’re after during your visit, I highly recommend getting not just a multi-park combo pass but an express pass as well. (Full disclosure: We were granted a 3-park pass with unlimited express as members of the press, which is just about the best way to experience the parks without going for the full VIP treatment. Understandably, this may not be in everyone’s budget.) A multi-park pass will allow you to transition between Universal Studios Florida, with its Diagon Alley attraction, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the home of Hogsmeade. The Hogwarts Express, a faithful reproduction of the famous train used by witches and wizards to travel to and from the wizarding school, acts as both a gated shortcut between the two parks and a ride/attraction in and of itself. You’ll definitely want to ride it both ways since the content changes each time. Plus, it beats walking all the way out of one park and into another. As another guest was heard to remark, “Youcouldwalk, but why would you want to?!”
But before you eventhinkabout heading out of Diagon Alley to witness Hogwarts in all its magical glory, you’ll have about a day’s worth of things to explore. Diagon Alley only boasts one thrill ride (in addition to the tame Hogwarts Express),Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which we’ll talk more about in a bit. So if it’s thrills you want, and you’re only opting to visit one park, you’ll want to head to Hogsmeade instead. However! There’s the second-to-none immersive experience of walking through the Wizarding World’s version ofKing’s Cross Station(where you can pass through a solid brick barrier to enter Platform 9¾ or dial up the Ministry of Magic from a nearby phone booth), chatting with Stan Shunpike and Dre Head outside theKnight Bus, and getting a peek at 12 Grimmauld Place to see who might be peeking out from inside. And yet that pales in comparison to what awaits you beyond the magical entrance to Diagon Alley itself.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by everything on display here. There are famous shops, restaurants, creatures, and characters in every inch of this attraction, though they’re all lorded over by the escaped Ukranian Ironbelly dragon atop Gringotts. (Keep an ear out for the dragon’s gurgling every 15-20 minutes or so; if you hear it, you have about 5 seconds to get within eyeshot to see it belch a fireball!) Since it’s hard to know where to start here, allow me to make a few easy recommendations: If you’re arriving first thing in the morning, early admission or otherwise, head to theEscape fromGringottsride (after a quick stop at the lockers) and enjoy the wake-up experience. Then, head toThe Leaky Cauldronfor an English breakfast and a glass of pumpkin juice. After that, be sure to visitOllivander’s Wand Shopandexperience the show, in which a lucky witch or wizard (or siblings, as was the case in our group) will have a wand selected specifically for them; it’s delightful! I’d recommend doing some wand research ahead of time online to see which ones call to you, be it the look or the lore of the wand. Then, once you’re there, you’re able to sample any of the many,manywands available to see which one fits your hand best. (A note that the shop and the show are available in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and for good reason: Both attractions sell interactive wands that you can use to activate dozens of super-fun scenes and effects at marked locations in both parks. it’s a blast!)
With wand in hand, pumpkin juice in your belly, and adrenaline in your system, you’re all set to explore all the shops and secrets that Diagon Alley has to offer. Be sure to use your map from your newly purchased interactive wand to check out all the interactive points; not only are they a lot of fun, they add to the immersive and magical feel of being in the Wizarding World. (Also look for the little targets–a black circle with red dots–and keep your wand movements relatively small and smooth to have the best chance at pulling off the magic tricks; a little practice makes perfect!) Most of the interactive points have a little bronze circle on the ground to indicate the target, the spell needed, and the effect produced, but there may be a secret spot or two that are hiding in plain sight; keep an eye out and be sure to ask the friendly staff who are more than happy to help.
While most of the shops and sights are out in the sunlit streets and roadways, you absolutely must step into the shadows ofKnockturn Alley. It’s dark, spooky, and a home away from home for the Slytherin in your party. There are 5 interactive points here, but two are easy to miss since they’re further back in an even shadowier part of the alley; be sure to check them out for the full experience. But the crown jewel of Knockturn Alley is the creepy curiosity shop,Borgin and Burkes. The displays are among the best in the park, with the added bonus that you can take many of the macabre items home with you (for a pretty hefty price, of course.) Once you’ve explored every inch of Diagon Alley, be sure to hit up the Hogwarts Express to head to Hogsmeade!
If it’s thrill rides set in the Wizarding World that you’re into, this is the park for you. Nestled in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this ever-snowy little burgh is home to three such attractions at three levels of intensity: There’s the more family-friendlyFlight of the Hippogriffcoaster (which is perfect for younger witches and wizards, if a bit tough on the knees/legs for the taller members of your party), the immersive if a bit stomach-churningHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the newest (and most intense, thrillingly so) ride,Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. More on all of these below. But even if you’re not into the well-crafted thrill rides, Hogsmeade has plenty to offer elsewhere.
If you started your Wizarding World journey here instead of Diagon Alley, I’d still recommend heading to the wand shop first. There are fun interactive points to be found here, as well, and they’re a little more out in the open than some of the ones in Diagon Alley. This is also a great place to get a butterbeer–standard, hot, or frozen–to enjoy as you walk around and see the sights. And there certainly are plenty to see! Whether you’re waiting for other members of your wizarding team to experience the thrill rides or exiting through the gift shops yourself, be sure to check outFilch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goodsto pick up some pilfered paraphernalia; pop intoDervish and Bangesto get your Hogwarts gear, Quidditch supplies, necessary magical items, or a cuddly copy of “The Monster Book of Monsters” (careful, it bites); or head over to theOwl Postif you want Hogwarts quills, ink, and stationary, or if you want to add that extra special something to your own correspondence with a unique Hogsmeade postmark!
After all that shopping and riding (and repeating), your crew might need to refuel at one of two themed restaurants in the quaint village. If you just want to grab a quick drink, be it Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, or Gillywater (bottled water), or domestic and imported beers like the pub’s exclusive Hog’s Head Brew, or specialty drinks, wine, spirits, and mixed drinks,Hog’s Headis the place for you. But if you want to take the party from the bar to the dining table, head on over to the nearbyThree Broomsticks, the iconic eatery from theHarry Potterstories. Here, you can take in the environmental details like cast-iron chandeliers, weathered wood beams, and balconies brimming with curious bric-a-brac (and a second floor which might be playing host to a secret meeting or two). Then you can take a seat and have your fill of tasty British fare including The Great Feast (which lives up to its name), Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Pasties, Turkey Legs, and fresh veggies. (One oddity here: The chairs were set very low to the ground, so either we were in a kids section or this is just the way things are in the Three Broomsticks. Weird!) After you’ve seen and done everything there is to see and do in Hogsmeade, be sure to stick around until dusk to witness the spectacular light show projected onto the side of Hogwarts and the surrounding landscape; it’s fantastic!
If you’ve still got energy (or time) after yourWizarding Worldadventure, there’s still lots more to explore in the rest of the parks, from Simpsons World, to movie franchise-themed areas and rides, to plenty of places for the kids to play and get in on the fun. There’s so much to experience, in fact, that it would be impossible to capture it all here. So instead, I’ve provided a rundown of the rides I was able to check out, some tips for getting the most out of your time in the queue and on the ride itself, and which ones are absolute must-rides. Check it out below!
Ride Guide
Before we get to the rest of the parks, let’s break down theHarry Potterride guide:
Hogwarts Express
Flight of the Hippogriff
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
And now, to move beyond the Wizarding World, here’s a look at some other must-see rides, in order of intensity:
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
E.T. Adventure
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
The Simpsons Ride
Fast & Furious Ride Supercharged
Men in Black Alien Attack
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Transformers: The Ride-3D
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
There’s so much more to explore at Universal Orlando Resort, but I hope this primer has given you some insight into your upcoming visit, especially if it’s your first time. Let us know how your trip turns out!
