There is something about Universal Orlando that makes you feel like you’ve walked straight into a movie.
One minute you’re wandering through the streets of New York, the next you’re standing in Diagon Alley surrounded by wizards, and a few minutes later you’re trying to escape a dinosaur.
And then there are the kids.
The excitement. The screaming. The “Mum, LOOK!” every five minutes.
Honestly, that might be the most accurate description of a day at Universal Orlando.
We love Disney World, and if you’re heading to Orlando with kids, you absolutely shouldn’t miss it. But Universal feels different. It’s a little more grown-up, a little more adventurous and, especially with older children and teenagers, it can easily become one of the highlights of your Florida holiday.
And now that Universal Epic Universe is open, there is even more to explore. Universal Orlando now has four theme parks, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe and Volcano Bay.
So, is Universal Orlando worth adding to your family trip?
Absolutely.
Universal Orlando vs Disney World
This is probably the question we get asked most.
Should you choose Disney or Universal?
Our answer?
Don’t. Do both.
They are completely different experiences.
Disney World is about fairy tales, nostalgia, princesses, characters and that unmistakable Disney magic.
Universal is more about movies, action, adventure, superheroes, dinosaurs and Harry Potter.
And while younger children may fall head over heels for Disney, older kids and teenagers often become obsessed with Universal.
If you’re planning your first Orlando holiday, start with our Disney World Orlando with Kids: Our Honest Family Guide + Best Tips for an Unforgettable Trip. It covers the four Disney parks, tickets, planning, Lightning Lane, accommodation and all those little things you only realise once you’re there.
Then add Universal.
Because why choose between magic and movie adventure when you can have both?
So, what is Universal Orlando actually like?
Universal Orlando is much bigger than just one theme park.
There are currently four parks:
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Epic Universe
Universal Volcano Bay
And then there is Universal CityWalk, where you’ll find restaurants, shops and entertainment.
You could easily spend several days here.
And honestly, we wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze everything into one day.
Yes, technically you can visit one park in a day.
But why rush?
You’re on holiday.
Your children don’t need another day where everyone is marching from ride to ride while you keep checking the app and saying, “Come on, we have to get to the next one.”
We’ve done enough family travel to know that sometimes the best memories happen when you stop trying to fit everything in.
Universal Studios Florida – Let’s start with the original
Let’s start with Universal Studios Florida, the park where Universal’s movie magic really began.
This is the park that feels most like stepping into a movie. Instead of simply walking from one attraction to another, you’re surrounded by film sets, themed streets and characters you recognise from the big screen.
And this is where I would recommend taking your time.
Don’t arrive with a plan to simply tick off the rides. Walk through the different areas, look at the details and let the park pull you in.
There are plenty of attractions for families who love a bit of adrenaline, including Revenge of the Mummy, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
Some are definitely better suited to older children and teenagers, while others are perfect for the whole family.
And then, of course, you turn a corner…
And suddenly you’re in London.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Even if you aren’t a huge Harry Potter fan, this is one of those places that is difficult not to be impressed by.
Diagon Alley is located inside Universal Studios Florida, and the transition is brilliant. One moment you’re walking through the park and the next you’re standing in a completely different world, surrounded by crooked buildings, tiny shops and plenty of magical details.
It doesn’t feel like a theme park.
It feels like you’ve somehow stumbled into the films.
And this is where the magic wand comes in.
Of course, you can buy a wand in one of the Harry Potter shops, but for us, that was part of the fun rather than just another souvenir. The kids immediately wanted to choose their own wand and then spent the rest of our time in the Wizarding World looking for places to use it.
With an interactive wand, you can cast spells at different locations around Diagon Alley. Stand in the right spot, make the right movement and suddenly something happens.
A window comes to life.
Water starts moving.
Something magical appears.
And yes, the kids will want to try every single one.
Which means you might spend considerably longer wandering around Diagon Alley than you originally planned.
But that’s exactly what makes it so much fun.
Take your time here. Look inside the shops, watch the details around you, try a Butterbeer and let the kids have their moment with their wands. You don’t need to rush from one attraction to the next.
The big attraction here is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a multi-dimensional ride that combines storytelling, screens and thrills.
But honestly, even if you don’t want to go on the ride, Diagon Alley itself is worth visiting.
And then there’s King’s Cross Station.
Because this is where things get even more magical.
From here, you can board the Hogwarts Express and travel to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
And suddenly, your Harry Potter adventure continues on the other side of the tracks.
All aboard the Hogwarts Express
From King’s Cross Station, you can board the Hogwarts Express and travel from Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure.
And this isn’t simply a train ride from one park to another.
It is part of the experience.
You’ll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express, so keep that in mind when buying your Universal tickets.
For Harry Potter fans, this is one of those moments where you suddenly understand why people recommend visiting both Universal parks on the same day.
Because the story continues on the other side of the train journey.
Universal Islands of Adventure – where the adventure gets bigger
Once you arrive at Universal Islands of Adventure, the atmosphere changes again.
This park is packed with larger-than-life worlds, from Marvel superheroes and dinosaurs to the colourful madness of Seuss Landing.
And honestly, this is where the thrill-seeking side of Universal really comes alive.
If you have older kids or teenagers, they are going to love it.
Marvel Super Hero Island is home to attractions such as The Incredible Hulk Coaster and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Then there’s Jurassic Park, where you can walk among dinosaurs before facing some seriously exciting attractions.
And if your children are anything like ours, the dinosaurs alone are enough to make them forget about the fact that their feet hurt.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong adds another dose of adventure, while the park’s different themed areas make it surprisingly easy to spend an entire day simply exploring.
But eventually, Harry Potter fans will find themselves heading towards Hogsmeade.
Hogsmeade – Harry Potter continues
Hogsmeade is the second major Harry Potter area at Universal Orlando and is located inside Islands of Adventure.
And where Diagon Alley feels like a bustling wizarding shopping street, Hogsmeade feels like you’ve arrived in a snowy little village at the foot of Hogwarts.
This is where you’ll find Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
And then there it is…
Hogwarts Castle.
Even if you’ve never read a Harry Potter book, walking towards that castle is one of those theme park moments where you can’t help but stop for a photo.
For Harry Potter fans, this is probably the point where the whole day suddenly feels a little bit surreal.
You can explore both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley separately, but taking the Hogwarts Express between them makes the experience feel like one big Harry Potter adventure.
And then there is Epic Universe…
Just when you think Universal couldn’t possibly get any bigger, along came Universal Epic Universe.
This is Universal’s newest theme park and it feels different again.
Rather than one large park filled with attractions, Epic Universe is built around several completely different worlds, each with its own atmosphere and story.
There’s Celestial Park, which acts as the centre of the park, plus SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and the Harry Potter area Ministry of Magic.
And yes, the Harry Potter universe gets another chapter here.
But what makes Epic Universe particularly exciting for families is that there is something completely different around every corner.
Nintendo fans can step into the Mushroom Kingdom, younger children can explore the colourful world of Berk and older kids can head into the darker world of Dark Universe.
It almost feels like several theme parks squeezed into one.
So, how many days do you need at Universal?
This is where I wouldn’t try to squeeze everything into one day.
If you want to experience Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, I’d recommend at least two full days.
If you also want to visit Epic Universe, I’d add another day.
And if you want to include Volcano Bay, give yourself even more time.
Yes, technically you can try to do more in less time.
But why would you?
You’re already in Orlando.
The whole point of a family holiday is to enjoy it, not spend the entire day checking your watch and wondering which attraction you have to skip next.
Where to stay for Universal Orlando
If Universal is an important part of your Orlando holiday, staying nearby can make life considerably easier.
And there is something rather lovely about waking up knowing that your theme park adventure is just around the corner.
Some Universal hotels also come with additional benefits, depending on the hotel and your booking, so it’s definitely worth comparing the options before you book.
For us, a hotel with a pool is always a bonus.
Because after a full day of roller coasters, walking and Florida sunshine, there is only one thing the kids want to do.
Swim.
And honestly?
So do we.
Universal or Disney?
This is probably one of the most common questions families ask.
Which one should you choose?
Our answer?
If you have the time, do both.
Disney World has that classic fairy-tale magic. It’s princesses, characters, nostalgia and childhood dreams.
Universal feels a little more grown-up. It’s movies, superheroes, dinosaurs, roller coasters and Harry Potter.
And that’s exactly why we loved combining them.
One day you’re walking down Main Street USA with Cinderella Castle in the distance.
The next you’re boarding the Hogwarts Express.
And somehow, both feel completely right.
If you’re planning a bigger Orlando holiday, make sure you also read our Disney World Orlando with Kids: Our Honest Family Guide + Best Tips for an Unforgettable Trip, where we take you through Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. But also read our;
Magic Kingdom with kids
Epcot with kids
Hollywood studios with kids
Animal kingdom with kids
Seaworld with kids
To get a better feel about the different parks.
We also wouldn’t limit your Orlando experience to the theme parks. SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center and a few slower days by the pool can make the perfect combination.
Because as much as we love a good roller coaster…
Sometimes the best part of a family holiday is doing absolutely nothing for an afternoon.
