How To Do Both Universal Studios Orlando parks in 1 day
On my most recent trip to Orlando, I had only one day allocated to spend time at Florida’s Universal Studios theme parks. With tons to do at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, I normally recommend spending two days between them. I was, however, impressed with just how much I managed to accomplish on my one day itinerary. While I wouldn’t recommend it to a first time visitor to Universal Studios Orlando, if you find yourself in the same situation as me (with limited time), you might find this post useful. I wanted to give a recap of how I toured the parks to show you just how much you can do with one day at Universal Studios Orlando resort.
First of all, a few caveats:
- Obviously, you need a park hopper ticket to do both parks in one day.
- I wasn’t at a Universal Studios hotel, so I did not have the benefit of early entry to the parks (more on this below).
- This itinerary is doable with Universal Express. I think you’ll struggle to get through everything without it. Its one reason the express pass is worth the extra cost if you have limited time at Universal.
Getting Ready to take on Universal Studios Orlando in a day
My one day tour of Universal Studios Orlando took place on a hot summer’s day in July. That’s right – peak tourist season in Florida! Equipped with my park hopper and Universal Express passes, I made my way to the park entrance after getting dropped off by an Uber and was ready 30 minutes prior to official opening time. Both parks officially opened at 9.00am on the day of my visit, with Universal Studios Florida closing at 9pm and Islands of Adventure at 10pm. This is longer than the normal Universal Studios Orlando park hours outside of summer, so check how long the parks will be open when you’re planning to visit.
The other thing to look into is which parks are offering early entry. On the day of my visit, Islands of Adventure was open early to Universal resort guests (it tends to offer early entry every day), whereas Universal Studios Florida was not. Knowing that the lines at Islands of Adventure would already be packed with resort guests, I therefore decided to start my day at the original Universal Studios park.
- If you’re wanting to know all about the rides at Universal Studios Florida, check out my guide to the park HERE.
- Likewise, for an overview of all there is to do at Island’s of Adventure, you can read my post on that park HERE.
Early Morning Attractions at Universal Studios Florida
- Approximate Timeframe: 8.30am – 10.30am
Despite being advertised to open at 9.00am, the gates were already open at 8.30am and guests were entering the park with some of the rides already operating. That in itself demonstrates the importance of getting to Universal Studios Orlando early if you plan on maximising your time without crowds. Entering Production Central, you might be tempted to tackle the hugely popular Despicable Me ride first up, however its a relatively lengthy experience, so I don’t recommend it. You’re better off knocking out a few other rides without any lines at all. My first ride of the day was Transformers 3D – The Ride, and by 8.50am I was already heading to my next attraction of the day (see, you can actually do rides before the park is officially open – lots of guests are still at their hotel at that time!).
Revenge of the Mummy was closed on my visit to Universal Studios (it had been under refurbishment for the whole summer – if anyone’s been on it since its reopened, let me know!). If it had been opened, I would have done it next. Instead, I decided to zig while others zagged and headed to the back of the park, where very few people were even around. Heading to World Expo, my next ride was Men in Black: Alien Attack. Getting off that ride, the park officially opened, and I followed it up with a spin on The Simpsons Ride, always a favourite. Then I backtracked towards the entrance and did the ET Adventure.
From there, I decided to knock out two of the newer attractions in the park, starting with the underwhelming Fast & Furious: Supercharged, followed by the surprisingly enjoyable Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon.
You’re a Wizard Harry
- Approximate Timeframe: 10.30am – 12.30pm
By mid-morning, I had done most of the non-Potter rides at Universal Studios Florida, save for a few near the park entrance (benefits of Express Pass much?). Impressed with my progress, I decided it was time to take on the Wizarding World. After checking out the London facade surroundings (Grimmauld Place and the Knight Bus), I stepped through the figurative wall into Diagon Alley. This is one of my favourite sections of both Universal Studios parks in Orlando – once you enter the magical shopping district, its like stepping into a familiar world!
In Diagon Alley, your first stop will be Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, in my view the best ride in Universal Studios Florida. After that magical experience, its a good time to relax a bit and take in the sights of Diagon Alley. I exited Gringotts just as a performance of Tales of Beedle the Bard was wrapping up, so I stuck around for that, before grabbing a butterbeer at the Fountain of Fair Fortune (a must – its so tasty!). From there, I spent a bit of time ducking into the stores throughout the Wizarding World, such as the Magical Menagerie, Madam Malkins and even Borgin & Burkes in dodgy Knockturn Alley nearby.
As the morning began to fade away, it was time to head to Hogwarts. That meant showing my park hopper pass and climbing aboard the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 & 3/4. Arriving at Islands of Adventure minutes later, I started with a tour of Hogwarts aboard Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I skipped Flight of the Hippogriff, but now would be a decent time to do that if you’re so inclined.
Prehistoric Adventures in the Islands of Adventure
- Approximate Timeframe: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
After being told that the single rider line was currently closed for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures, I temporarily left the Wizarding World behind me to embark on an adventure through the other Islands of Adventures. That adventure started in Jurassic Park, where I took a journey on the classic Jurassic Park River Ride, another favourite classic Universal Studios Orlando attraction of mine. I also didn’t have any luck getting in the single rider line at the Velocicoaster yet, so I put that off for later and grabbed a quick bite at the Burger Digs and checked out the Discovery Centre.
After lunch, I made my way further counter-clockwise around the park and tackled Skull Island: Reign of Kong. While I’m not a huge fan of the Fast & Furious adaptation from the Hollywood park’s studio tour segment, the Kong ride lives up to the hype and should definitely be experienced.
Splashdowns and Superheroes
- Approximate Timeframe: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
My planning had paid off as I reached Toon Lagoon during the absolute hottest part of the day. Perfect time to get soaked! I started by riding Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. That was just the warm up though (or cool down?), as while you get wet on the flume ride, its nothing compared to Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges! Completely drenched after doing both, the Florida heat will have you completely dried off 30 minutes afterwards.
After all that, it was off to Marvel Super Hero Island for some big time thrills. Entering from this direction, the first attraction you hit is the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, something of a hidden gem in my view when it comes to the Universal Studios lineup. Once you’re done web slinging, Doctor Doom’s Fear Fall is nearby. I skipped Storm Force Accelatron and got right in line (after renting a locker for my loose belongings) for the Incredible Hulk Coaster – quite possibly the best rollercoaster in Orlando! I lost a bit of time here as the ride went down for maintenance while I was in the queue, but if time allows it (and you’ve got Express Pass), multiple rides on this rollercoaster are highly recommended!
Finishing the Islands of Adventure Loop
- Approximate Timeframe: 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Crossing through the Port of Entry (and stopping for a coffee at Starbucks of course!), up next was Seuss Landing. I didn’t spend much time in this part of the park (its mostly kids rides), but if you’re wanting to do one of the attractions here, I suggest the Cat in the Hat. I didn’t do it on this recent trip to the park, but I have done it in the past.
From there, it was off to the Lost Continent, where I went through the Poseidon’s Fury experience. Despite being a long-time attraction at the park, I had never done it before (I’d previously been told to skip it), but I actually enjoyed it for what it was. It does eat up a chunk of time (about 20 minutes), but if you’ve got time to spare, I recommend it for a change of pace. After the show, I spent a bit of time checking out the theming of the continent, including the Mystic Fountain and the facade of Mythos Restaurant, though I didn’t eat there (if you’ve got more time to spend for a full sit down meal, its probably the best option in the park).
Speaking of meals, after circling back into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I had an early dinner at the Three Broomsticks Inn in Hogsmeade. It serves traditionally British cuisine (Shepherd’s pie anyone?) and I really enjoyed it. I always recommend eating earlier or later than normal meal times at theme parks – you’ll obviously have less of a wait.
Back to Universal Studios Florida
- Approximate Timeframe: 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Knowing I’d be returning to Islands of Adventure later in the evening (it closed later than Universal Studios Florida on the day of my visit), when the lines for Hagrid’s and the Velocicoaster were still too long, I decided to get back aboard the Hogwarts Express for the return trip to the original Universal Park. If I hadn’t eaten in Hogsmeade, this is where I’d recommend a good British meal at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.
Back in Universal Studios Florida, I headed straight for the front of the park, ready to do the few attractions I had skipped over earlier in Production Central. That meant it was rollercoaster time again, as I got on board the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (check out the secret list of songs before you board if you really want to customise your riding experience!). I followed up those thrills with the much more tame Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (I told you we’d get to it!).
With all the major rides in Universal Studios Florida now tackled, I completely forgot about the Bourne Stuntacular show, which I hadn’t seen on any prior trips to the park. I would have had time to do it here, though I was never really a fan of the franchise, so I’m not hugely fussed that I missed it. Instead, I capped off my time in this park by heading back to Springfield for a beer at Moe’s Tavern.
More Wizarding World Fun
- Approximate Timeframe: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Having done (pretty much) everything at Universal Studios Florida, it was time to head back to Islands of Adventure – after all, I still had those two new park attractions to experience that weren’t included in my Express Pass! Having already taken the Hogwarts Express in both directions, I walked between the parks outside the front entrance (its a very quick walk, you’ll pass by the CityWalk across the lake). Coming into Islands of Adventure at the Port of Entry, I rushed straight for Hogsmeade. Lo and behold, when I arrived, the single rider line for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was OPEN. Stashing my belongings in a locker, I quickly got in line and got to ride it, and it was simply…magical. Seriously, this may be my new favourite ride at the Orlando Universal parks! DO IT. KEEP CHECKING THE LINE AND DO IT.
As I got off, I was about to head for the Velocicoaster. Then…that Florida rain hit. With the Velocicoaster being an outdoor ride, it closed. Luckily I still had plenty of time (though my plans would have come majorly unscrewed if the storm didn’t let up for the rest of the evening!). I used this time to browse the stores of Hogsmeade. My inner Potter fan enjoyed checking out the wizarding merchandise in Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods and Dervish & Banges. Heading to Honeydukes is a must to try the Cauldron Cakes and Pumpkin Pasties, as well as picking up some Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs (the collector’s card makes a great Wizarding World souvenir!). Craving another Butterbeer? The Hog’s Head has you covered.
Final Thrills and a SuperHeadliner
- Approximate Timeframe: 8.00pm – 10.00pm
After a bit of Hogsmeade browsing, the rain began to clear up, with around two hours of park time to spare. Perfect, I thought. With one last major attraction to do, I headed right for the Velocicoaster entrance. A few like minded people had the same idea, and while it remained closed for about 20 minutes after the rain stopped, the coaster finally went online and I was one of the lucky few to get near the front of the queue. That meant a short line for what had been one of the longest waits in the park for most of the day. It was definitely worth it too – the Velocicoaster is one of the most thrilling rides in Universal Studios and an unforgettable experience.
With all the major park attractions done, I had about an hour left at Islands of Adventure before park closure. I used this time to do a few of my favourite rides again. That meant taking another ride on the Hulk Coaster, before going back to the Wizarding World to catch the Hogwarts castle projection show, followed by one final spin on the Forbidden Journey. Not a bad end to a very action packed day at the Studios!
As I mentioned, I was quite impressed by how much I managed to accomplish in my one day at both parks at Universal Studios Orlando. I really covered all the major attractions and overall had a great time – even if it was a very busy day! Having Express Pass definitely helped, I have to concede that – without it, I probably wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of what I did, and thats why without it, I really can’t recommend any less than two days at Universal. Hopefully this post has shown you that it is possible to do both parks in a day if you’re really time crunched though! There’s definitely more efficient touring plans out there, but this worked quite well for me. Do you have a plan when tackling Universal Studios Orlando?