Another day, another theme park! This time, we took a break from Disney and headed to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Universal is most certainly a place you want to spend ALL DAY at. There are two separate parks: Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure, each with their own unique themed rides. There’s also “Volcano Bay”, which is Universal’s Water Theme Park. When purchasing your tickets, there is the option to buy park-to-park passes which easily allows you to go from one park to another. Most people – including ourselves – used this to go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
For optimal use of the park-to-park passes, you should plan on going for at least two days. That way you have plenty of time to ride anything and everything at both parks. Then you could take a third day and go to Volcano Bay if you’re wanting to get some water action. Another great way to get the most out of your trip is to add on the express pass, then you can skip the long lines!
I will say that for some rides, the express line can actually be LONGER because so many people may have one. If that’s the case, you might just be better off going in the regular line. Just watch those wait times! But for the most part with the exception of a couple rides the Express pass was MORE than worth it!
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FAMILY VACATION
We started out at this park first. Just like with Disney, your bags will be checked. For our trip, we spent one (1) day at two out of the three parks. We’ll save Volcano Bay for another trip. Inside Universal Studios, you can find MANY popular attractions & characters such as the minions, Shrek, Transformers, Poppy, Branch, and Guy Diamond from “TROLLS”, and so many more! Super important tip/thing to know: The Trolls are ONLY AT THE PARKS ON WEEKENDS. Unfortunately, we didn’t know this when planning out our week and we went on Monday (so close!!). Keatyn was so disappointed.
Now onto the rides! There is quite a variety of rides for every person, from younger kids (or the young at heart) all the way to those who like high-speed rollercoasters.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS RIDES FOR KIDS:
- Kang & Kudo’s Twirl n Hurl – very similar to Dumbo’s Flight at Disney! No height restriction for this ride.
- Shrek 4D – this one is a little trickier. For those of you with younger kids whom easily get scared, this one may be too intense as it’s a 4D experience. As you begin the “ride” (not actually a ride, just a 4D movie), everyone is in a “dungeon” being held captive. Could be scary for the little ones.
- ET Adventure – there is a height requirement of 48″, or 34″ with an accompanying adult. Same as Shrek, some parts could be too intense for kids who are scared of heights or the dark.
- Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster – junior rollercoaster with some (gentle) twists, turns, and drops. Must be 48″ to ride alone or 36″ if accompanied by an adult.
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – become a minion! It’s a 3D ride where you sit in a vehicle of sorts, 4 people per vehicle. Could be intense for younger kids, even Keatyn got scared at first because she thought it was ACTUALLY going to turn her into a minion. Height requirement of 40″.
- Seuss Landing – this is a great spot for kids to play and ride some things more equipped for them.
RIDES FOR OLDER KIDS AND ABOVE:
- Transformers: The Ride 3D – a super cool motion based 4D experience ride. Afterwards, you can meet the characters themselves right outside the attraction building. Height restriction of 40″ for the ride. (This one os actually really fun!)
- The Simpsons Ride – over in Krustyland, you’ll find another one of Universal’s many motion simulator rides. Single riders must be at least 48″, but can be 40″ with an adult.
- Men In Black: Alien Attack – an interactive ride where you get to shoot at aliens! Who doesn’t wanna do that? Must be at least 48″ or 42″ with an adult.
- More motion simulator rides include Fast & Furious Supercharged, Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (located in Islands of Adventure). Same height restrictions as the other 4D motion simulators.
- Revenge of the Mummy – this is a high speed action-packed ride not for the faint hearted. Minimum height of 48″.
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – get taken to a height of 17 stories before plunging into a 65 mph rush of adrenaline. You must be between 51″ and 79″ to ride.
Now let’s hop onto the Hogwarts Express and head over to Islands of Adventure…
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Islands of Adventure is where it’s AT! Here you can find so many of the most thrilling and popular rides for older kids and adults. So what’s in it?
- MARVEL SUPERHERO ISLAND
Inside here, some spectacular rides are:
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster – probably the most intense ride at the entire park in my opinion. It goes from 0 to 40 mph within 2 seconds, and reaches up to 67 mph with intense twists and turns – even going upside down and more. You CANNOT have anything in your pockets for this ride, you must take them out and stow it in a locker before heading through. Height restriction is 54″.
- Storm Force Accelatron – There’s no height restriction other than riders under 48″ must have an adult present. Riders control how fast they spin for this one!
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall – you’ll be blasted off almost 200 feet in the air and then plunge right back down. Sounds quite intense. Recommended for those over 52″.
- TOON LAGOON – there’s a fun ride where you’re destined to get wet!
- SKULL ISLAND – An expedition taking place in the 1930’s through Skull Island: Reign of King Kong. Riders must be at least 36″ and children between 36″ – 48″ must be accompanied.
- JURASSIC PARK – Inside here, you’ll find Pternodon’s Flyers (solely for kids between 36″ to 56″ who must be accompanied by an adult.) and Jurassic Park River Adventure (a river journey through Jurassic Park that ends with an 85-foot drop).
- HOGSMEADE VILLAGE – Home of Harry Potter! You can feel like you’re in a scene straight out of the movies walking through the various shops and stopping to get your very own butterbeer (there is no alcohol present, it’s like a butterscotch soda). Some rides you’ll find inside are the Flight of the Hippogriff (must be over 36″ we rode this and it was really fun and chill if you’re afraid of rollercoasters like me) and The Forbidden Journey (must be at least 48″.) This ride takes place inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which you get to see while waiting in line. That part was super cool for geeks like myself who are huge Harry Potter fans, very nostalgic. (This ride can be too intense for riders with a fear of heights as you actually dangle on this interactive ride). Also Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is opening in June 2019. It’s a coaster that will ride through the Forbidden Forest. If you purchased a park-to-park pass, you’ll be able to ride Hogwarts Express back to Kings Cross and Dragon Alley back at Universal Studios. The train ride is a different experience both ways! Fun thing to know: every night they have a Harry Potter-themed lights show on Hogwarts! It usually starts between 8-9pm but it’s best to check the schedule once you’re at the park.
For us, we didn’t ride most of these as we’re not the type of riders that are in for a real thrill. The most thrilling things we rode were the Jurassic Park River Adventure and The Forbidden Journey. Our cousins did take a shot at The Incredible Hulk Coaster though and said it was really intense. There are numerous places to grab a bite to eat, like The Three Broomsticks – where we had lunch. It’s made to look exactly like the restaurant in Harry Potter, home of the butterbeer. We got the frozen one, it was delish. We also grabbed some refreshing alcoholic beverages from Backwater Bar, specifically the watermelon lemonade (containing vodka), which was EXQUISITE!
BEST PHOTO-OP SPOTS ON UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FAMILY VACATION:
- Hogwarts Express – get your pic in front of the famous train! Sometimes there’s even a conductor that will join in the pic.
- Jurassic Park Dinosaurs – there are a few different spots around the Jurassic Park area where dinos peek out of the trees.
- JAWS – the JAWS ride is no longer present at Universal Orlando BUT you can snatch a pic with the infamous shark if you spot it on your way to The Wizarding World.
- Gringotts Dragon (Dragon Alley) – honestly any spot in The Wizarding World is a great place to snap a pic. Not to mention, holding up a good ‘ole cup of butterbeer will make your pic all the more special!
- Seuss Landing – there are tons of cute spots to take pics, either by yourself or with your kiddos!
- Hogwarts Castle – I mean c’mon….it’s like the Cinderella’s Castle of Universal. You just have to.
- Speech Bubbles (Toon Lagoon) – we managed to grab some pics under these super cool things. They’re more targeted at the adults/parents but still make for a cute pic with your kids.
- Moe’s Tavern (or anywhere in Springfield USA for that matter) – another one for the adults! You can grab a drink and take a pic at Moe’s. Another great place for a pic is to get one of the famous giant donuts and snap a pic! That sure would make for an instagram-worthy pic.
- BONUS: Not a photo-op but a video opportunity! At Kings Cross inside The Wizarding World, while waiting to board the Hogwarts Express you can re-enact the famous scene of running into the wall at platform 9 3/4.
For the ADULTS : Where can you get a drink?
Honestly I thought there would be more places in Universal to get a drink than Disney but it was pretty even kill. I got you covered if you’re looking for a watering hole though.
- Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley. A great spot to grab a beer and head over to the train. (They will let you take the beer on the train)
- Moe’s Tavern at Universal Studios Florida’s Springfield (Simpson’s Area)
- Finnegan’s (Universal Studios in New York) It’s a pub that has a full bar. It’s a pretty fun atmosphere too.
- Chez Alcatraz. It’s located near Fisherman’s Wharf and you they have mixed drinks, beer and non alcoholic drinks. (You can also get a photo with Jaws!)
- The Fountain of Fair Fortunes in Diagon Alley. (Islands of Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter)
- Backwater Bar (Islands of Adventure) Located beside the Confisco Grille™ this little hut had the BEST drinks. The watermelon lemonade and the Peach were a couple of our faves.
- Duff Gardens (Universal Studios) Simpson’s area.
- Hog’s Head pub (Islands of Adventure) If you head to the back of Three Broomsticks restaurant in Homemade you can get a Hogg’s Head Brew, a Scottish ale brew that is only in Universal.
Hope y’all enjoyed my Universal Studios family vacation post. We truly had a blast! Can’t wait to go back in the fall. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or even suggestions to add on here. Xo.
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