Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios

Universal Studios is the place to go if you're looking fo retro, old school and new school thrill rides. You also have Citywalk next to Universal Studios which has stores, grab and go food items, nightlife, and a Cinema to enjoy.

There is something for everyone of all ages at this park, love Minions? Enjoy Illuminations Minion Land, love Shrek? Go to the new DreamWorks Land. What makes this park stand out though, is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley. As soon as the park opens, everyone runs, yes runs, to this section of the park as it's that popular still, even after opening in 2010.

There are tons of different food items also in the park, salads, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, bowls, flatbreads, even pizza, not to mention the Ice cream and Waffles.

There are 3 locations for lockers which are at the front of the park only, These are chargeable, currently $12 for a small and $15 dollars for a large.

There are different lands at Universal Studios, starting as you walk from the front of the park, Illumination's Minion Land, you can go right which takes you towards Hollywood, DreamWorks Land and Springfield (Simpsons), if you follow it round, you will go through World Expo. Moving round towards to the left, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, San Francisco and New York which in turn leads you back onto the main street towards to the front of the park.

Along the main street, you will find store selling merchandise along with characters that walk the street.

There is a parade that happens different times during the day, Universal's Superstar Parade where you can see different characters,from SpongeBob SquarePants,Gru, Agnes, Margo, Edith and the Minions, also The Secret Life of Pets.

For those who love to see characters, you can see them at different locations around the park, such as, Scooby Doo and Gang, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boo, Spongebob, Shrek and Donkey and even the Transformers!

Harry Potter - Diagon Alley

This land, is just mind blowing. If you've even been to the Making of Harry Potter in the UK where you find the props from the film, you'll feel as if you've just walked into the Wizarding World itself in Orlando as the theming here is so on point.

You can purchase wands (also interactive wands, more on those later), robes, soft toys like fluffy, Hedwig and even scabbers and others. If you love Harry Potter as much as we do, then be prepared to spend, spend and spend!

Here you will also find the famous Butterbeer! A wonderfully sweet butterscotch flavoured drink, this currently comes in Frozen, cold (standard) and Hot. There are also other Butterbeer flavoured items, such as Fudge, Ice Cream and potted cream. The Ice cream to note though, as it is trademarked, you can only purchase the Butterbeer Ice cream on it's own, either in a cup or cone but you cannot get chocolate chips, sprinkles or whatever you wish on it (this is due to their licensing laws) If you want this, just ask a staff member for those in a side cup which they will happily do for you.

You can also dine at the Leaky Cauldron serving traditional british food, such as stew, hunters chicken, cottage pie, fish and chips to bangers and mash. They also serve sandwiches and deserts. Butterbeer drinks are also sold here so if the queue at the butter beer stand is too long, you can order one along with your food.

There is also a ride in this land called, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. This is a 3D/4D ride where you go in a cart, winding down the gringotts shafts towards the mines, coming across he who must not be named...

The interactive wands, these are a wonderful treat for all the family to enjoy and feel like an actual Wizard! Wands vary in price but are typically around $65 for an interactive wand though limited edition wands are more expensive. You can go around Diagon Alley and also Hogmeads in Island of Adventure (park next door), finding the special marks on the floor with your very own special map, you can interactive with window displays for example and cast a "spell", if done correctly, the window will come alive! Truly a magical experience not to be missed. 😀

Just outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is the Hogwarts Express, where you get to go onto the train that Harry rode in the film and make your way over to Hogsmeade. Your park ticket however must be a ticket where you have this included as it's taking you into the next park, Island of Adventures. If you've purchased your tickets from the UK, from Floridatix/package provider for example, they will most likely already be included though you should always check otherwise you cannot ride the Hogwarts Express.

Universal Studios also offer: Halloween Horror Nights on selected dates from August to November. This is separately ticketed event which will be an additional cost from your normal theme park ticket. Prices vary from £95 to £121 per adult, depending on the date you go. This event can be pretty scary and it's not recommended for children under the age of 13. The park will close early on these dates where the Horror Nights are showing and normally close at 17:00pm local time, though it's always best to check before you go. There are scare actors walking around and they can come in really close to you and give you a scare but they won't touch you. There are different scare houses throughout the park and can change yearly.

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