OUR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS GUIDES

Universal Studios opened on June 7 1990 and it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are mainly themed to movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry. If you’re a fan of the movies, this is the place for you!

There are nine themed areas all situated around a large lagoon. Clockwise from the entrance, are Minion Land on Illumination Ave, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, London/Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield USA, soon to be completed DreamWorks Land and Hollywood. Where once upon a time the Universal parks were considered to be more “adult” with each new opening it becomes more inclusive of kids. Minion Land and the recently announced DreamWorks Lands are kid paradise!

During Halloween season, Universal Studios plays host of their Halloween Horror Nights experience. This is an extra ticket event here the park turns into a haunted playground, including scare zones, numerous haunted houses, and special themed shows! It’s incredibly popular.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort.

 

Some of the most breathtaking attractions are at home here, from The Incredible Hulk Coaster, to the VelociCoaster, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure!

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Islands of Adventure is modelled after a journey of exploration, where guests embark on an adventure to visit a variety of themed islands.

 

They are, in clockwise order from entry: Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.

If you have a two park ticket, you can take the Hogwarts Express between the two parks. It’s worth trying it in both directions as the scenes on the train are completely different!

Volcano Bay, is a tropical-themed waterpark at Universal Orlando Resort. The park, built around a 200-foot-tall artificial volcano named 'Krakatau' opened on May 25th 2017. The volcano houses three drop-capsule slides, Ko'okiri Body Plunge, the tallest body slide in America ranging at 125 feet tall, and also the first to travel through a pool full of guests.

Krakatau also holds the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides which travel throughout the midst of the volcano, winding around the Krakatau Aqua Coaster.
The park uses a wrist bands called TapuTapu for payments and queues. The wearable, which can be used to hold one’s place in line, is distributed at the entrance. TapuTapu allows payment by linking a credit card through the Universal Orlando app, so you can pay for merchandise, food, and drinks.

Volcano Bay is one of the best waterparks Orlando has to offer, and it’s the newest. It’s a great way to cool off between theme park days at Universal Orlando Resort.

The Universal CityWalk in Orlando opened in February 1999 as part of the expansion to transform Universal Studios into Universal Orlando Resort. CityWalk is to Universal what Disney Springs is to Walt Disney World – a dining, shopping and entertainment experience to enhance your stay at the resort.
 

Guests arriving at the resort park in one of two-story parking lots then travel via covered moving walkways over Universal Boulevard into CityWalk. From there, guests can proceed into either two of the theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Guests staying at some of the Orlando Resort hotels can also arrive via boat into CityWalk. There are so many famous name restaurants to enjoy here, Hard Rock Café, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Cowfish Sushi and Burgers, Margaritaville, Moe’s South West Grill, Panda Express..just to name a few. There is also Voodoo Donuts and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.
 

For entertainment there is a mini golf, Universal themed escape rooms, CityWalk's Rising Star a fantastic karaoke bar and a cinema.