Most people usually stay for a week in Orlando and buy a Multi-Day Park admission pass which gives them a few days to visit the parks. Both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are connected, so this makes it easy. However, if money is tight or you are short on time, fortunately there’s a way to visit Universal’s 2 parks in one day without using Express Pass or getting early access. While you won’t be able to experience absolutely EVERYTHING that both Universal parks have to offer in one day, you can certainly cover the main areas. You may also find that some areas interest you more than others, so you’ll have plenty of time to make the most of your day! Make a plan, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to move quickly. When you follow these tips, you will enjoy an action-packed day at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Please note that this one-day Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure itinerary doesn’t include Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. That needs a full day on its own. Related Posts:
Best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando for every budgetIf you’re traveling on a budget, these are the best affordable hotels near Universal Studios Orlando:
If you have some more wiggle room in your budget, below are some of the best mid-range hotels near Universal Studios Orlando:
If you want to splurge on your accommodations, below are some popular luxury hotels:
Below are helpful tips on how to do Unviersal Studios Orlando in one day.
Tip #1: Buy your Universal Studio tickets in advanceI recommend buying the 1 Day Park-To-Park admission online. Purchasing tickets in advance should be a no-brainer, but many people wait until they get to the park to purchase their tickets at the gate. This can cause unnecessary delays if you are short on time since you may experience long line ups. Please don’t make this rookie mistake! This will give you access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It also gives you the option to add a name to your ticket to make it personalized. Below are the prices per ticket as of February 1st, 2022.
Print the tickets before you leave home (or the hotel) and skip the long ticket lines by heading straight to the gate to get your ticket and fingerprint scanned. Is the Express Pass worth it at Universal?If you don’t mind paying extra, you may want to consider buying the Express Pass. This can be helpful if you want to do both Universal parks in one day. There are two different Express Passes available:
My boyfriend and I just bought the regular Park-to-Park (2-Park) 1-Day Ticket. We managed to go on all the rides we wanted to without needing the Express Pass. However, the Express Press can be definitely be worth it if you want to ride as many rides as possible in one day. How much is the Express Unlimited Pass at Universal Studios?If you’re visiting both parks in one day, you’ll want to get the 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited Pass, which starts at $119 per person (all ages). This will let you skip the regular line ups at participating rides at Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Theme park admission is NOT included with your Express Pass. You will need to buy a separate ticket to enter both parks. What to pack for your one-day itinerary at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?Not only will buying your admission tickets in advance make your trip easier, but it’s also important to know what to bring. Since you’ll be standing outside all day in the hot sun, packing these essential items will make your Universal adventure more comfortable!
Prep for your Universal Studios trip Tip #2: Stay at a hotel that offers Early Park AdmissionIf you really want to make the most of your day at both parks, consider staying one of the Universal Orlando hotels. This will ensure that you’re well rested and ready for a full day of exploring and adventures. When staying at one of the Universal hotels, you’ll be in close proximity to the park and you can enter one of the parks 1-hour before scheduled opening time. Below are some of the hotels that offer Early Park Admission:
Tip #3: Review the Theme Park maps before your tripBefore your trip, get familiar with the layout of the Theme Parks. Make note of which rides you want to check out and which restaurants you want to try. If you want, make a list of everything you want to do in the order of prioritiy. This can help you maximize your time at the parks and make sure you won’t miss out on anything due to lack of time. If you have younger kids in your group, aim to spend more time at Universal Studios. This park has more family-friendly rides and attractions. If you have older kids in your group, aim to spend more time at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Here you’ll find more thrill-seeking rides. Best rides at Universal Studios Orlando:
Best rides at Islands of Adventure:
Tip #4: Get to the park about 5 minutes before openingCheck the park hours and get to the gate a few minutes before opening. We paid a little extra to park closer to the entrance (which allowed for in and out car privileges if needed) and this saved us some time when walking from the garage to the parks. Of course having early access to the park is beneficial, but we had regular tickets and found that we didn’t need early access to make the most of our day at the two parks. There was only a few people ahead of us in line at the gate to enter the park, so it was perfect and super quick to get inside. If you are planning on taking photos in front of the Universal Studios globe, I suggest taking them before entering the park in the morning since there’s usually fewer people. You’ll look your best in the morning before you start sweating from the Florida heat. (We went in early July). Looking for more fun things to do while you’re in Orlando? You may want to consider getting theOrlando Explorer Pass. This gives you free admission to over 15 top Orlando attractions, such as LEGOLAND. Save up to 35% off vs. paying for individual tickets at the gate. You can learn more here. Tip #5: Head to Universal Studios firstIslands of Adventure or Universal Studios first? I recommend visiting Universal Studios in the morning and heading to Islands of Adventure in the afternoon. I noticed that when we came to the fork in the road, most people headed straight to Islands of Adventure and less people were walking to Universal Studios. This is probably due to the fact that everyone is wanting to go see the Harry Potter rides at Islands of Adventure. Either way, I recommend visiting Universal Studios in the morning when the crowds are quieter. If it is raining, most of the rides are indoors here, so you will be protected from the weather. Should I start in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then you may be wondering which park is better – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure or Diagon Alley at Universal Studios? Islands of Adventure has the better Harry Potter world, so I would start your day here. There are three Harry Potter rides here, compared to Universal Studios which just has one. If buying at wand at Ollivanders Wand Shop is on your bucket list, then head here first before the crowds arrive. There is a shop located in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Harry Potter rides at Islands of Adventure:
Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios Orlando:
Tip #6: Head to the back of the park firstWhen we got to Universal Studios at 9:00am, we went straight to the back of the park to start the day with Revenge of the Mummy ride. The line up said it was 10 minutes long, but when we walked in, we were able to ride right away – it was perfect! PRO TIP: The park provides free lockers for you to use while on the rides. You won’t be allowed to bring anything onto the big rides, so you’ll need to store your bags in the lockers nearby. I recommend carrying a small daypack so it can easily fit inside the small lockers, otherwise you’ll have to pay for a larger locker rental. Now that Diagon Alley has opened at Universal Studios Florida, the back of the park may be busier since this is where the new area is located. My guess is that most people going to Universal Studios in the morning will be headed for Diagon Alley first so you can either take your chances by going early or visiting this area later before leaving the park. My favorite Orlando travel guides for 2022: We stayed at Universal Studios from 9:00am – 1:00pm before heading to Islands of Adventure where we had lunch at The Three Broomsticks. The longest we had to wait for a ride in the morning at Universal Studios was 25 minutes to go on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (the overall average wait was between 5 and 10 minutes). Tip #7: Download the Universal Orlando appBefore your trip, I recommend downloading the official Universal Orlando app. This will give you detailed and interactive maps of the theme parks. Plus it’s also useful for:
The app also lets you book a Virtual Line slot for some select rides, such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. To see which ride offer a virtual line, open the app and click on “Virtual Line Venues” on the home page. Tip #8: Place mobile food and drink ordersRestaurants can get extremely busy during peak meal times (lunch and dinner). To save time and skip the long lines, you can use the Universal Orlando app to order ahead from select restaurants. You can place your food order at anytime during the day. Then when you’re ready to eat, simply tap “Prepare My Order” in the app and the restaurant will freshly prepare your meal. PRO TIP: Another way to maxmize your time at both parks is to eat during off-peak meal hours when there are less crowds. You can also bring snacks into the park, such as bottled water (maximum two liters) and small snacks that don’t require heating. Tip #9: Avoid going to the parks on the weekendsNaturally the parks will be busiest on the weekends during the summer months. It is quieter in the off season, but for most people, summer is the prime time for traveling to Orlando. To make the most of your time, I highly recommend going during the week. We went on a Tuesday in July and while it was busy, it was very manageable to see both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day. Tip # 10: Go to the park with a small groupOr if you’re traveling with a large group, break up into smaller groups so you can move from ride to ride quickly. Most rides are built for 2-4 people to ride together. If you go to the park with a large group, I recommend breaking up into groups of 2-4 people and exploring the park this way instead of as a large group together. Smaller groups can get on rides quicker than larger groups and they also move a lot faster around the park. We were in a group of two and this was a great size since we could move from ride to ride with good speed. If you are with a large group and split up into smaller groups, keep a cell phone handy (there is free WiFi in the parks) and arrange for spots to meet during the day, as needed. Tip #11: If a ride is longer than a 15-25 minute wait, use the Single Rider lane*NOTE: Single rider lines at Universal Orlando Resort are currently closed due to COVID-19. However, I expect that they will reopen them once these precautions are lifted. Due to this, I HIGHLY recommend getting the Express Pass if you want to do both Universal parks in one day. This works well with small groups (such as a group of 2-3). Just keep in mind that you may not be able to ride together and you might have to ride next to a stranger. But if you don’t get to ride together, your party will at least be close behind. Arrange to meet at the exit if one of your group members gets to ride before the other (you will have to wait about 30 seconds at the exit since most cars on the rides are right behind each other). Since the afternoon is usually busier at the parks, we didn’t want to waste time waiting in long line ups for rides, so we were able to head to the front using the Single Rider lane. For example, we went on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and it was a 60-minute wait at around 2:30pm. Instead of waiting in the regular line, we headed to the Single Rider line and only had to wait about 10 minutes. Using the Single Rider line was very useful for us since we didn’t have the Express Pass. This also helps save you money if you don’t want to spend extra to get the Express Pass. Tip #12: Plan the next ride you want to go on while waiting in line at your current rideOnce you have the map of the two parks, you can plan your next stop or ride you want to go on while waiting in line at your current ride. This can help you do both Universal parks in one day. For example: If you are waiting in line to ride The Mummy, pull out the map and look at the rides around you and decide which one you want to visit next. This helped us save time instead of walking around the park looking for something to do next. Accept that you will not be able to ride every single ride or see every single show at the both parks in one day. For older teens and adults, chances are you won’t be interested in riding the rides made for small children and vise versa — young children are probably not tall enough to ride on the large roller coasters. For example, we walked through the Dr. Seuss area at Islands of Adventure to check out the place, but we didn’t end up riding on any of the rides there since they were for younger children. Overall, it was a great day and in the evening we were able to head back to Universal Studios to catch the parade and ride a few rides a second time around. As I mentioned above, the longest we had to wait for a ride was 25 minutes (with the average being a 5-10 minute wait). By using these tips, we were able to see and do everything that we wanted at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Tip #13: Plan your schedule around show timesIf you want to see any of the shows, it’s a good idea to plan your day around the show times. Choose a time that works for your schedule and make it a priority. You can always head to a ride when the lines are quiet, but show times are fixed. Early show times usually have the least amount of crowds. For later show times, I recommend arriving early to make sure that you secure a seat for your group. Tip #14: Ride the Hogwarts ExpressThe best way to move between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is to take the Hogwarts Express. This makes it easy to do both Universal parks in one day. In Universal Studios, the Hogwarts Express train is located at King’s Cross Station in the London area of the park. At Island’s of Adventure, the Hogwarts Express train is located at the entrance of Hogsmeade. The train ride lasts about seven minutes. Universal Studios Orlando in one day FAQsCan you do Universal in one day?Yes, it’s possible to do Universal Studios Orlando in one day. While it’s impossible to see and do absolutely everything at Universal Studios in one day, you can check out the most popular rides and attractions. The Express Unlimited Pass is ideal if you want to visit as many attractions as possible in one day. Can you do Islands of Adventure in one day?Yes, it’s possible to do Islands of Adventure in one day. You won’t be able to see or do absolutely everything that this park has to offer, but you can check out the main rides and attractions. If you have more time, then I recommend spending three full days exploring Islands of Adventure with a park-to-park pass. Do you need separate tickets for Universal and Islands of Adventure?You will need to purchase a Park-to-Park ticket. This will give you access to BOTH Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks on the same day. Can you walk between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?Yes, it’s easy to walk between both parks. To get to Island’s of Adventure from Universal Studios, exit the park and head to the Island’s of Adventure entrance through Citywalk. This takes around 10 minutes. If you have a Park-To-Park ticket, which is needed to visit both Universal parks in one day, you can ride the Hogwarts Express. In Universal Studios, the Hogwarts Express train is located outside of Diagon Alley. At Island’s of Adventure, the Hogwarts Express train is located at the entrance of Hogsmeade. The train ride lasts about seven minutes. Can you come and go from Universal Studios?Yes. If you visit the park in the morning, you can leave at lunch time and return again in the afternoon or evening on the same day. The parking is valid for all day. Just make sure to keep your receipt to show your proof of purchase for parking and your Universal entry ticket. How long does it take to do everything at Universal Studios?Three days is ideal if you want to do absolutely everything at Universal Studios. Getting the Park-to-Park pass can allow you to easily come and go from each park so you can explore and revisit your favorite attractions. If you just want to do the main attractions and rides at Universal Studios, you can easily do this in one day. The Express Unlimited Pass is ideal if you want to visit as many attractions as possible and do both Universal parks in one day. Can you see all of Harry Potter world in one day?Yes, you can do both Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day. You’ll need a 1 Day Park-To-Park pass to visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Keep in mind that if you do everything in both Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day, it will leave little time for other attractions in the parks. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then I recommend getting a 2 Day Park-To-Park pass so you can spend one fully day exploring both Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the next day seeing the other attractions. What is the best month to go to Universal Studios?The spring time (April and May) are some of the best months to visit Universal Studios. The weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Another good time to visit is the week after Labor Day until mid-December (excluding Thanksgiving weekend and other holidays). Is it worth going to both Universal parks?Each park offers different rides, attractons and experiences. Universal Studios Florida is based more on movies and TV shows while Islands of Adventure is where you’ll find the fantasy and thrill rides. If you like Marvel super heros and Harry Potter, then you’ll love Islands of Adventure. If you’re more of a movie and pop-culture lover, then you’ll want to head to Universal Studios. Where can I eat and shop outside of the parks?Many of us know that food, drinks and shopping can be expensive at Universal Studios. One way that my boyfriend and I saved money on restaurants, shopping and other activities, was to use the Orlando Discount Card. The Orlando Discount Card allows you to receive up to 50% off at over 100 of the city’s most popular restaurants, attractions and shops. Some of the restaurants include TGI Friday’s, Red Lobster, and Carrabba’s Italian Kitchen. Some of the attractions include Ripley’s Belive it or Not!, Gatorland, and WonderWorks. Some of the shops include Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and Orlando Premium Outlets. See the full list of participating establishments. What time does Universal Studios open?Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ are open 365 days a year. Operating hours normally begin at 9:00 am for the park and citywalk. Staying in Orlando for more than just a day?If you’re staying in Orlando for longer than just a day, you probably want to check out some other nearby attractions. This may include Disney World, Gatorland, LEGOLAND, among others. We got to check out the alligators while we were in Orlando and loved our experience! If you’re planning to visit other attractions, consider getting the Orlando Explorer Pass. You can save up to 35% vs. paying for individual attraction tickets. The Orlando Explorer Pass is a multi-attraction GO City pass where you can choose to visit 3 or 5 top attractions all for ONE low price, including the LEGOLAND, Sea Life Aquarium, and Gatorland. Is the Orlando Express Pass worth it? Yes! GO City currently have a TrustScore rating of 8.5/10 on Trust Pilot, which makes it one of the highest rated sightseeing passes. This flexible sightseeing pass can be a great option if you want explore Orlando at your own pace while making huge savings on popular attractions. How the Explorer Pass worksBuy your pass online – pick a 3 or 5-choice Explorer pass for one flat rate. Then download your pass instantly to your smartphone or print it at home. No cash or tickets are needed. Once you have your pass, you’re all set. Visit your top 3 or 5 attractions easily. All you have to do is present your Orlando Explorer Pass be scanned at each attraction and you’re good to start your sightseeing adventure. Is Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure the same park?The easiest way to tell the difference is that Universal Studios is based more on movies and TV shows, whereas Islands of Adventure is where the fantasy and thrill rides are. The most unique park of the three is Volcano Bay, which is a fully themed water park that feels like you've discovered your own paradise island.
Can you do Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure at the same time?The simple answer is: Yes! it's toadally possible to fit Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure into one day. What makes park hopping easy at Universal Orlando is the fact that the two parks are right next to each other.
Is Harry Potter World in Islands of Adventure or Universal?The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™ — Hogsmeade ™ at Universal's Islands of Adventure. It's the one-and-only, all-wizarding village of Hogsmeade ™ , and you'll only find it at Universal's Islands of Adventure!
Is Universal Studios better than Adventure Island?If you are contemplating Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios for adults, then you would consider Islands of Adventure more. However, if you want fun for the whole family, Universal Studios is perfect for slightly more shows and kid-friendly attractions (especially for those under 5 years-old).
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