Universal Studios Orlando & Islands of Adventure Review: Visiting with Kids 2026

If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, chances are Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are on your list – especially if your kids (or let’s be honest, you) are into Harry Potter.

These two parks sit side by side at Universal Orlando Resort, but they’re very different in feel, layout and what they offer. Most people end up doing both, but it’s worth understanding how they work before you book, because Universal is a bit more strategic than it first appears.

What are Universal Studios Orlando & Islands of Adventure?

Although they’re connected by CityWalk and can be walked between easily, each park has its own personality:

• Universal Studios feels more like a traditional theme park, with rides based on films and TV shows, plus the iconic Diagon Alley area from Harry Potter.
• Islands of Adventure is more immersive and adventure-focused, with bigger thrills, detailed themed lands and Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle.

If you’re imagining one big park experience, it’s not quite that – it’s more like two separate worlds next door to each other.

I’ll cover more about what’s in each park in this post, but first, a PSA 👇

IMPORTANT: Park-to-Park Tickets & the Hogwarts Express

One of the biggest draws is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is split across both parks:

• Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida
• Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure

These two areas are connected by the Hogwarts Express – but his is the bit a lot of people don’t realise before booking.

👉 You must have a park-to-park ticket to ride it.

Universal is very intentional with this. With Harry Potter being one of the main reasons people visit, the full experience is designed to require a park to park ticket.

So if Harry Potter is a big reason for your trip, the park-to-park ticket is pretty much essential. (You’ll find more info on ticket types further down this post).

Rides

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (102cm) – Motion simulator where Gru turns you into a Minion on a chaotic adventure. This tends to have the longest queue in this area.
• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast (no height restriction) – Interactive blaster attraction where you compete to become a supervillain. There was no queue when we did this ride. They even gave our 2 year old a pretend gun so he felt involved.

Experiences

• Character meet-and-greets (Minions roaming the area)
• Interactive street theming and play elements throughout the land

Where to eat

• Illumination’s Minion Café – Themed quick service with fun family meals and colourful desserts
• Bake My Day – Minion-themed cupcakes, cookies and sweet treats
• Freeze Ray Pops – Ice lollies and frozen drinks
• Pop-A-Nana – Sweet and savoury Minion popcorn

Minion Land Tips

• Best early morning or late afternoon (midday gets packed)
• Villain-Con Minion Blast is great for all ages together. There aren’t many rides we could all do as a family with our 2 year old, so this was nice to get him involved.
• Not a huge area – you can comfortably do everything in 1-2 hours depending on queues

Rides

• Trolls Trollercoaster (91cm) – Small family coaster themed around the Trolls characters.

Experiences

• DreamWorks Imagination Celebration – Live show with Trolls, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar characters dancing and singing. We all loved this, at the end they get everyone up dancing. Both kids loved it.
• Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp – Interactive play area with climbing, slides and activities. There is a height limit for this if kids want to play without an adult. My husband ran around with both kids while I enjoyed the shade.
• Shrek’s Swamp Meet – Walkthrough meet-and-greet area with Shrek characters. This was really fun with Shrek, Princess and Donkey interacting with guests.
• Character meet-and-greets with DreamWorks favourites. We saw Shrek, Trolls, Kung fu panda and Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse!

Where to eat

• DreamWorks Imagination Café – Bright family-friendly quick service with pizzas, snacks and themed desserts
• Swamp Snacks – Shrek-themed quick bites and drinks
• Trolls Treats – Ice cream and sweet snacks

Tips

The Imagination Celebration show is brilliant for younger kids – Luca loved seeing all the characters dancing and singing together. This is also one of the best areas in Universal Studios for toddlers and younger primary school children.

Rides

• The Simpsons Ride (102cm) – a fast-paced simulator through Krustyland

Experiences

• Carnival games and themed photo spots
• Having a Duff Beer at Moe’s Tavern is basically a Universal rite of passage

Where to eat

• Krusty Burger – Classic fast food
• Moe’s Tavern – Drinks and snacks
• Lard Lad Donuts – Giant donuts and sweets
• Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck – Quick tacos and Mexican-style snacks

Tips

Great lunch stop – it gets busy at peak times, so aim slightly earlier or later.

Rides

• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D (102cm) – High-intensity 3D simulator

Experiences

• The Bourne Stuntacular – Live stunt show with special effects. Highly recommend this if your kids aren’t too little. Luca is an annoying age where he kept shouting and wanting to get up. Leo is 7 and really enjoyed it.
• Animal Actors on Location – Family-friendly animal show (technically this is situated in between Hollywood and Springfield)
• Character meet-and-greets
• Street performers

Where to eat

• Mel’s Drive-In – Retro diner serving burgers and fries. Every time we passed here there was some sort of show with dancing and singing.
• Snack stands

Rides

• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (102cm) – Motion simulator racing through NYC
• Revenge of the Mummy (122cm) – Indoor coaster with launches, fire effects and darkness. One of my favourite rides in this park.

Experiences

• Street entertainment and seasonal performances
• The Blues Brothers Show
• Character appearances throughout the area

Where to eat

• Finnegan’s Bar & Grill – Sit-down Irish pub-style restaurant
• The Today Café – Coffee, pastries and lighter lunch options

Tips

Revenge of the Mummy is one of the best rides in Universal Studios and usually has shorter waits earlier in the day.

Rides

• Fast & Furious – Supercharged (102cm) a motion simulator with fast-paced action scenes and themed vehicles. Leo is 7 and not usually too sensitive to loud noises, but he was holding his ears and a little stressed by the whole thing.

Experiences

• Large waterfront photo spots
• Shark photo opportunity outside Chez Alcatraz
• Scenic lagoon views and quieter walkways

Where to eat

• Lombard’s Seafood Grille – Sit-down seafood restaurant with waterfront views and one of the calmer dining spots in the park
• Chez Alcatraz – Small waterfront bar and snack spot famous for the giant shark photo op

Tips

This is a good area to slow the pace down a bit – Lombard’s is one of the best places in Universal Studios for a proper sit-down break away from the crowds.

Rides

• Escape from Gringotts (107cm) – a dark ride with coaster elements and screens. Leo and I absolutely LOVED this one!

Experiences

• Interactive wand spell locations – The wands are pricey, ours was $65, but you can then find the different interactive parts within the three Universal Wizarding Worlds (Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Ministry of Magic).
• Live performances including Tales of Beedle the Bard
• Ollivanders wand experience – one person is picked to have “a wand choose them”. Cool experience if you are mentally prepared to buy one!
• Hidden shops and walkthrough details everywhere.

Where to eat

• Leaky Cauldron – a British-style meals in a themed setting
• Butterbeer carts – Iconic themed drink that any Harry Potter fan knows!

Tips

This is the highlight of Universal Studios for lots of families, so try to visit early on or later in the evening when crowds calm down a bit.

Don’t forget you need a park-to-park ticket if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

Experiences

• Themed queue and interactive ride elements
• Photo opportunities with MEN IN BLACK vehicles and props

Where to eat

• Snack and drink carts nearby, but better dining options are usually found in Springfield or Diagon Alley

Tips

MEN IN BLACK is one of the best interactive rides in Universal – kids love competing against each other for the highest score.

Rides

• No rides in this area

Experiences

• Character appearances and street entertainment
• Lots of photo spots and lagoon views

Where to eat

• Croissant Moon Bakery – Pastries, sandwiches and coffee
• Starbucks – Drinks and snacks
• Confisco Grille – Sit-down restaurant with globally inspired food

Tips

Worth slowing down and taking this area in properly instead of rushing straight through – it sets the tone for the whole park.

Rides

• The Cat in the Hat (no height restriction) – Gentle dark ride retelling the classic story
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (no height restriction) – Slow spinning ride with water effects
• Caro-Seuss-el (no height restriction) – Seuss-themed carousel fun for the whole fam.
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! (91cm) – Elevated train ride with views over the land. Luca unfortunately couldn’t ride this.

Experiences

• Character meet-and-greets
• Interactive play areas and themed walkthrough spaces

Where to eat

• Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous – Bright quick service restaurant with pizza, pasta and kid-friendly meals
• Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop – Ice cream and sweet treats
• Green Eggs and Ham Café – Famous green eggs and ham tots

Tips

This is probably the best area across both Universal parks for toddlers and younger kids.

Rides

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster (137cm) – High-speed launch coaster with loops and inversions. Not one of my favourite coasters as it really bashed my head about!
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (102cm) – 3D dark ride combining screens and physical sets
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (132cm) – Drop tower ride launching riders upwards
• Storm Force Accelatron (no height restriction) – Spinning teacup-style ride

Experiences

• Marvel superhero meet-and-greets
• Comic-style street entertainment

Where to eat

• Captain America Diner – Burgers, chicken fingers and quick family meals
• Snack stands and drink carts throughout the area

Tips

Do this area early if you want to avoid long queues – especially for Hulk.

Rides

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (107cm) – White water rapids ride where everyone gets drenched. Leo and I went on this and couldn’t stop laughing as each of us got drenched. There was no queue at all.
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (112cm) – Log flume with one huge final drop. The queue was really long for this one so we didn’t go on.

Experiences

• Water play areas and comic-style photo spots

Where to eat

• Comic Strip Café – Quick service with pizza, burgers and sandwiches. Ideal for picky eaters.
• Blondie’s – Sandwiches and quick snacks

Tips

Save this area for the hottest part of the day or before heading back to the hotel because you genuinely will not stay dry.

Rides

• Jurassic Park River Adventure (107cm) – Water ride with dinosaur encounters and a huge final drop
• Pteranodon Flyers (91–142cm) – Gentle flying ride for younger kids (adults must ride with a child)
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster (130cm) – Intense launch coaster with inversions and huge airtime moments. One of my favourite rollercoasters in the world.

Extra experiences

• Raptor Encounter meet-and-greet
• Discovery Center walkthrough experiences
• Interactive dinosaur exhibits and play areas

Where to eat

• Thunder Falls Terrace – Rotisserie chicken, ribs and larger meals
• Burger Digs – Burgers, fries and quick family food
• Snack stands throughout the land

Tips

VelociCoaster is my favourite rollercoaster of all time… although I did lose my glasses on it, which slightly ruined the moment, so maybe take yours off 😅

Rides

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (122cm) – Motion-based dark ride through Hogwarts Castle. I love thrill rides, but this one always makes me feel really sick!
• Flight of the Hippogriff (91cm) – Smaller family coaster, Leo loved this one.
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (122cm) – Story coaster through the Forbidden Forest with launches and surprises. A really unique rollercoaster where you can either ride a motorbike or be in the side car!

Extra experiences

• Interactive wand magic spots
• Hogwarts Castle walkthrough elements
• Live entertainment and themed shops
• Hogwarts Express station connecting to Diagon Alley (park-to-park ticket required)

Where to eat

• Three Broomsticks – British-style meals and breakfast options
• Hog’s Head Pub – Drinks and Butterbeer
• Butterbeer carts throughout the area

Tips

We got Leo an interactive wand here ($65!!) and a Chocolate Frog ($14) which honestly felt very on-brand for Universal pricing.

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure is absolutely incredible and one of the best rides in Orlando.

Rides

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong (91cm) – Large-scale dark ride with screens, physical sets and giant Kong encounters

Extra experiences

• Highly themed expedition-style queue experience
• Massive Kong photo opportunities

Where to eat

• Limited food options nearby
• Better dining options in Jurassic Park or Lost Continent

Tips

Even if queues look long, a lot of the experience is inside the themed queue which is worth seeing properly.

Rides

• No major rides operating

Extra experiences

• Mythical architecture and walkthrough areas
• Mystic Fountain interactive talking fountain

Where to eat

• Mythos Restaurant – One of the most highly rated theme park restaurants in Orlando
• Fire Eater’s Grill – Gyros, chicken and quick bites

Tips

This is one of the best places in the park to escape crowds and slow the pace down a bit.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Tickets & Opening Times

If you’re planning a trip, it’s worth remembering that Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are right next to each other, and you can visit either one or both depending on the ticket you choose. You can see options for both parks here.

Tickets

You’ve got a few options:

• 1 Park per day tickets – access either Universal Studios Orlando or Islands of Adventure. Or get a one day two park ticket.
• Park-to-park tickets – allow you to move between both parks across multiple days (this is what you need if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade)
• Multi-park tickets – multiple Universal Orlando tickets in one (often better value if you’re doing the other parks too – explore options here.)

 Important reminder: If you want the full Harry Potter experience (Diagon Alley + Hogsmeade), you must have a park-to-park ticket. More info back at the top of this post.

Opening Times

Opening hours vary slightly by season, but as a general guide:

• Universal Studios Orlando – usually opens around 9am–10am and closes between 7pm–10pm
• Islands of Adventure – usually opens around 8am–9am and closes between 7pm–10pm

During peak times (summer and school holidays), both parks can open earlier and stay open later. Download the app to get accurate opening times when you are there.

Parking – Universal Orlando Resort

Both Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure Orlando share the same main parking complex at Universal Orlando Resort, so you don’t need to worry about choosing a separate car park for each park.

What to expect

• Huge multi-storey car parks (very organised but very big)
• You’ll be directed into themed sections (make sure you note your row!)
• A moving walkway takes you from the car park to Universal CityWalk, then on to both parks

Cost

• Paid daily parking (standard, preferred, and valet options available)
• Prices vary depending on how close you park

Tip

Take a photo of your parking section – it genuinely saves so much stress at the end of a long park day!

Universal Studios Orlando Top Tips

• Start with Diagon Alley early before crowds build up
• Escape from Gringotts is a must-do but queues get long quickly
• Use the Universal app for ride times and show schedules throughout the day
• Don’t skip Springfield – it’s one of the best food areas in the park (Duff Beer at Moe’s is a must but pricey🍺)
• Fit in the Imagination Celebration show if you can – great for younger kids and a nice sit-down break in the air con.
• Plan for a mix of rides, shows and walking breaks – this park is less intense but more spread out than IOA
• Evenings are perfect for wandering Diagon Alley when it’s slightly quieter and beautifully lit

Islands of Adventure Top Tips

• Head straight to Hagrid’s, especially if you have early entry – queues build fast and this is the headline ride.
• Hogsmeade is a must early or late to avoid peak crowds
• You’ll need a park-to-park ticket if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between parks
• Expect to get wet in Toon Lagoon – it’s not optional 😅
• Seuss Landing is perfect for younger kids and a great mid-day break area
• Bring secure glasses straps if you’re doing big coasters (learn from my VelociCoaster experience…)
• Use quieter areas like Lost Continent or Port of Entry for rest breaks and regrouping
• Don’t rush – this park is more about big rides and immersive zones than constant movement

Final Thoughts on Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure

Universal Orlando Resort really does have something for every type of family trip – but the two parks feel very different once you’re inside them.

Universal Studios Orlando is more about movie moments, interactive rides and immersive themed areas like Diagon Alley and Springfield. It’s a great mix of shows, storytelling and slightly more relaxed attractions, making it easier to pace with younger children.

Islands of Adventure Orlando is where things step up a level – bigger thrills, faster rides and some of the best coasters in the world. From VelociCoaster to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, it’s definitely the park for adrenaline lovers, but still has brilliant areas like Seuss Landing for little ones.

If you’re doing both parks, the key is to plan ahead, arrive early, and don’t try to do everything in one go – it’s impossible! Build in breaks, use the shows, and enjoy the themed areas as much as the rides.

And of course, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, having access to both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade is what really makes the trip feel complete.

Read our Epic Universe Review, or learn more about our visit to Volcano Bay Orlando!

We visited Orlando as a PR trip with British Airways Holidays. Some links in this post are affiliate links.