Universal parks are underrated. Everyone always says they’re going to Disney, but no one ever says they’re going to Universal, even though both Studios and Islands of Adventure are always part of the Orlando park itinerary. And even though they are much cooler than Mickey Mouse land. Okay, Disney has all that magic of an enchanted world, with princesses and soap bubbles. But Universal has the coolest toys, that’s almost unanimous among the people I know.
Aimed at big Hollywood films, Universal Studios pleases fans of cinema and blockbusters. The attractions are inspired by box office hits, such as Jaws, Twister and The Mummy. Some of them even reveal a little of the magic of cinema and the special effects used in mega productions.
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Itinerary to explore Universal Studios Orlando
In July, Diagon Alley was opened, a new area inspired by the London locations of the Harry Potter films and books. Unfortunately, the opening took place two months after my visit to Orlando, so I didn’t get to see what it looked like. Still, everything indicates that, as with Islands of Adventure, the region dedicated to the most famous teenage wizard in the world will be the most popular in the park. Therefore, if you have any interest in this area, I suggest you start with it and then explore the other “worlds” clockwise or counterclockwise.
Starting with the busiest part (which is also usually the one we want to see) is a smart idea at any amusement park. So, depending on your interest, you may also want to start with the Simpsons (it has one of the best rides in the park) or the Minions attraction, which always has long queues. This tip works best if you are one of those people who always gets up early at the parks, because right after the gates open the queues tend to be shorter, as many people haven’t arrived yet. If you arrive late and find yourself waiting for an hour, you can try starting at the less crowded attractions and returning later in the day. It worked for me a few times.
Also read: Itinerary to explore Islands of Adventure
Universal Express Plus
Just like I said at Islands of Adventure, I don’t recommend purchasing Universal Express Plus, the queue-jumper that promises to leave you little time waiting for attractions. The reason is simple: Universal parks don’t usually have queues that long. Additionally, they have a “single rider” system that allows people who are alone or who don’t mind being separated from their groups to go ahead of others to occupy single seats that are left on the attractions. This makes things much easier and I suggest letting go of your friends a little at this point, if possible.
Even if you are going during high season (American summer, weekends or holidays), I suggest checking out the park first and, if necessary, going to a kiosk or the park’s ticket office and purchasing your Express Plus there.
Beco Diagonal (Diagon Alley)
This is the new area inspired by the Harry Potter books. As I said, I haven’t been able to visit it yet, but I know it has new restaurants, such as Caldeirão Furado, and the sensational Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes store, which has nothing more, nothing less than three floors.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Grigotts
I believe that, as with Forbidden Journey, at Islands of Adventure, this will be one of the most popular attractions in the park, so it’s a good first stop. It is a recreation of Gringotts, the wizarding bank, with its marble lobby and elf employees. Inside there is a 3D roller coaster that takes you on an escape from the bank’s labyrinthine interior. Sounds sensational, doesn’t it?
Extra Tips: In this area you can catch the Hogwarts Express. He takes you to Hogsmead, the Harry Potter area of Islands of Adventure. To do this, you must have purchased a ticket that allows you to visit two parks on the same day. If you want to board the train, I think it’s a good idea to leave it until you’ve explored the rest of the park. This way, you can leave Islands without having to return to the Studios to finish your visit.
However, if you have time, you can also take the return route from Hogsmead to Diagon Alley, as, according to the official website, the experience is different on each leg of the journey. Whatever your choice, I don’t recommend that you split a single day to see both parks in full, especially if this is your first visit.
Read too: How to buy tickets to Universal parks
World Expo
This area was designed to be like a world exhibition, a fair that combines the modern with the classic. However, this area is better known as the Simpsons part, because a large part of it is occupied by our beloved yellow beings.
Men in Black: Allien Attack (✫ ✫ ✫)
Experience a training mission for Men in Black agents. You will board a ship while shooting at the aliens that have invaded the city.
The Simpsons Ride (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
Look, I didn’t go to The Escape of Gringotts. Therefore, I can say that, so far, this is my favorite attraction in the entire park. You embark on a really crazy Simpsons rollercoaster, but it’s all 3D. It’s so perfect that it feels like you’re actually inside. And what impressed me most is that you don’t need to wear those plastic glasses to see everything in three dimensions. Incredible! It’s worth going often.
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl (✫ ✫)
Another attraction inspired by the Simpsons, but this one is more childish and boring. It’s just a toy that runs, but in the claws of an alien. I don’t really like these toys that rotate because I get sick of them. But each one is different, right?
FEAR FACTOR LIVE (✫ ✫)
This is an attraction inspired by an American reality show. Some selected visitors take part in challenges such as catching dangerous animals and eating insects. I don’t think it’s worth the wasted time.
Extra Tips: This is a good place to be when you’re hungry, especially if you’re a Simpsons fan. That’s because they replicated Moe’s Tavern – and you can even eat a Krusty Burger with a Duff. Another tip is to buy an original hot dog from Nathans, a very famous and traditional restaurant in New York.
Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone
Children’s area based on Pica-Pau characters. Don’t ignore this area. One of the coolest and most famous attractions in the park is here.
A presentation with trained animals that perform tricks for the audience. I don’t like this type of attraction with real animals.
E.T. Adventure (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
This is the most beautiful attraction in the park and also one of the most famous. You get on a bike and take the ET flight, just like in the movie. Give your name at the beginning and get a pleasant surprise at the end.
Show with Barney and his friends. For young children.
Curious George Goes to Town
A playground with Curious George and his friends. Also for young children.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
A really silly mini roller coaster for children.
Fievel’s Playground
Another playground for young children.
Hollywood
In this area you will feel like you are in the world capital of cinema. The buildings imitate Hollywood constructions and the sidewalks are marked with stars.
Terminator 2: 3-D (✫ ✫ ✫)
A 3D show that features a film, actors and animated dolls. The film features the actors from Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger e Linda Hamilton.
Universal Horror Make-Up Show (✫ ✫)
A show that teaches Hollywood makeup and special effects tricks. I think it’s dispensable.
Lucy – A Tribute (✫)
Like a museum in honor of the American television series “I Love Lucy”. You can see excerpts from episodes and scripts. I think it’s not very interesting for us Brazilians who don’t love Lucy.
Production Central
This is the first area right after the park entrance. Reproduces a film and television studio.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride–3D (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
This one is an old acquaintance of mine, from Universal Studios Singapore. It’s a very fun 3D simulator, in which you help save the world and everything (hahaha I don’t know the story of the film, but the toy is really cool! Trust me).
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
Another 3D attraction featuring the most beloved one-eyed yellow animals of the moment. In it, you play a Minion on an adventure that involves giant fly swatters, anti-gravity rooms and much more. There are usually long queues.
This is another attraction that I already knew about in the Singapore park. You watch a film that tells an adventure of Shrek and the donkey to save Princess Fiona. Special effects make you feel part of the group of heroes.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
Guys, the climb on this roller coaster is completely vertical. It’s scary just to look at it. You can choose the music you want to listen to on the route.
New York
This area simulates the streets of the largest city in the United States. Stroll through a 1920s alley and see the grand buildings of modern Manhattan.
Revenge of the Mummy: the Ride (✫ ✫ ✫ ✫)
This was my favorite attraction at Universal Studios Singapore, so I was very happy when I saw that the Orlando park also had one. It’s a rollercoaster in the dark that tells the story of the film. It’s not very radical, but it’s very well done!
Based on the film Twister, this show attraction full of special effects shows what happens when a hurricane hits a city.
A Blues show on Delancey Street, based on the film The Blue Brothers.
San Francisco
A fishing village where you can taste seafood in the restaurants or walk through the well-designed streets of Fisherman’s Wharf.
Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue (✫ ✫)
Disaster! (✫ ✫ ✫)
It is an interactive show in which the audience takes part in the recording of a film about earthquakes. The first part is quite boring: we go to the recording studios and the actors make jokes and record scenes with the selected participants. Afterwards, everyone goes to a subway, where the earthquake happens. This part is cool because it has a lot of special effects. In the end, the “film” is shown to us. The result is interesting.
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