My A-Z Guide to Universal Orlando Resort

Amazing Adventures of Spiderman- not a great way to start off the list but this ride makes me so sick lol.  While the ride itself is awesome...the spinning gets to me.  So, note to self, if you get motion sick (even just a little) beware of this ride!

Butterbeer- the must have snack in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (counts as a snack credit on the meal plans FYI).  It comes hot, cold, or frozen.  I prefer frozen personally, and it is a great way to cool off in the hotter months in Florida. 

City Walk- when you are headed towards the parks you have to go through City Walk. This is Universal Parks and Resorts location for a ton of dining locations as well as late night entertainment venues. 

Diagon Alley- Part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter- don’t miss Olivanders Wand shop (see letter O) and practicing your magic in all of the shop windows. 

Express Pass- don't want to wait in line? Grab an express pass! The premier resorts offer an unlimited express pass with your package, however, if you are not staying at a premier resort you can purchase an express pass for the day (or multiple days) as a once per ride option or unlimited rides. (not good on Hagrid’s Motor Bike)

Fast & Furious: Supercharged- Step into an amazing re-creation of the crew’s headquarters filled with actual movie props and supercharged vehicles you’ve only seen on the big screen. Ride along with Dom, Letty, Hobbs and Roman on a street chase in the middle of the high-octane world of the Fast & Furious blockbuster films.

Gringotts- Escape from Gringotts is an experience you don’t want to miss! Visit the goblins in the main lobby of the bank and ride the dragon out after defeating the death eaters...awesome thrill! 

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure- this ride is AMAZING!!! Definitely a new form of roller coaster (sorry not giving away details!).  BUT make sure you arrive EARLY to the park to hop on before the line gets too long...take advantage of the extra hour for resort guests and be one of the first few people in line (fyi you will get run over if you come between people and this ride so be ready to move).

Islands of Adventure- did you know that Universal is actually divided into 2 parks.  Islands of Adventure has more of the thrill rides/roller coasters and is home to Seussland as well.  Don’t forget that you need a park to park pass to visit both sides of Universal. 

Jurassic Park suites- at Loews Royal Pacifc Resort, there are family suites with a Jurassic park theme.  Wouldn't you want to sleep in a gyrosphere?? 

Knockturn Alley- while you are enjoying all the sights and sounds in Diagon Alley, you may miss the wooden sign directing you to Knockturn Alley.  Don’t miss taking a trip into the dark wizard side of the Wizarding World, it is quite interesting. 

Lost Continent-  here will step into a world of Greek gods, fearsome beasts, and archaic enchantments. The area includes Sindbad’s Bazaar, a Middle Eastern marketplace, and The Lost City. There are no rides in the Lost Continent but there is a variety of exotic cuisine and you can walk through Poseidon’s Fury.

Minions Suites- located at Lowe’s Portofino Bay, you can stay in a world of mischief and mayhem with these little yellow friends. Minion suites include a separate bedroom for mom and dad with a 2nd bedroom with twin beds for the kiddos, naturally themed after Gru’s workshop.

New York- A lot of Universal Studios is themed like a New York City street.  There are plenty of little shops, restaurants, and designs nestled throughout the park.  Slow down and take in the sights! 

Ollivanders Wand Shop- this is a must do, especially if you have children that are into Harry Potter.  Ollivanders lets you experience how the wand chooses the wizard.  There are interactive wands for purchase as well that you can use throughout the Wizarding World to cast spells in the shop windows and around the streets. 

Park to Park ticket- I highly recommend and park to park ticket.  This ticket allows you to visit all of the Universal Orlando parks each day of your stay.  You also cannot ride the Hogwarts Express without this type of ticket.  

Quidditch- although Universal Studios does not have a Quidditch field (yet lol…great idea thought isn’t it??) I had to think of something! There is a Quidditch shop in the Wizarding World that you can purchase all of the latest Quidditch gear.

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iptide Rocket- while this ride is full of thrills it is also my nemesis! I hate heights and this one takes you straight up and straight down while listening to music of your choice.  I always try to choose some sort of “pump you up” music so I forget about what I’m about to do lol 

Seussland-while a lot of the experiences at Universal are geared towards older children and adults, they didn't forget about the younger children.  Seussland is an entire section of the park dedicated to younger kids with rides, shops, and entertainment that is right up their ally. 

Tapu Tapu- while at Volcano Bay Water park, universal makes it easy to keep all of your information in one place...on your wrist.  With the Tapu Tapu bracelet you can wait in a virtual line and play with the different experiences around the park.  

Universal Studios- as I mentioned before, Universal Orlando consists of 3 parks.  One of them is Universal Studios.  Unlike Islands of Adventure, this area of the parks has a lot of attractions based on movies and cinema. 

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olcano Bay- The 3rd park at Universal Orlando is the waterpark- Volcano Bay.  With some crazy slides and a relaxing lazy river, Volcano Bay is definitely a must do on the agenda, especially in the summer.  WIth a park to park pass, you can get your thrills at the theme parks in the morning and then your chills at Volcano Bay in the afternoon! 

Wizarding World of Harry Potter- let’s be honest, this is the whole reason you are making the trip to Universal Orlando Parks and Resorts (at least its most of the reason anyway!) If you are any kind of Harry Potter fan, you are dying to see this place! Make sure you have a park to park ticket option...its the only way you will be able to ride the Hogwarts express and get the true Harry Potter experience

X-men- Did you know that the X-men have an attraction next to the Hulk (I never really paid attention to it to be honest). It is called Storm Force Acceleration and is kind of like the tea cups (if you are like me on the tea cups this ride is a hard PASS, but if not, you’ll love it!)

Yummy! One of the best parts of a theme park vacation is always the food (no calories on vacay right??) Universal Studios has a whole section of food trucks near the Simpsons ride…you can find all kinds of yummy, greasy goodness over there. Check it out next time you go!

Zombies- Yea this is a stretch but I wanted to mention that Halloween Horror Nights is returning to Universal Studios this fall! If you love a good scare walking through a haunted house, this is definitely the special event for you!