Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan Overview
Take advantage of this 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan to maximize your time and experience the major attractions and entertainment offerings at the park.
What is a Touring Plan?
For those of you unfamiliar with touring plans, they provide a recommended outline for your day to help reduce the amount of time waiting in line. Overall, the plans list a good order to visit key attractions and shows in, and also recommend places to eat.
About this Touring Plan
This touring plan assumes you visit the park from open to close. Fortunately, we designed this touring plan to limit the amount of walking required for the day to less than two laps around the park, excluding early admission.
Also, this touring plan is geared for adults, teens, and families with kids who meet the height requirement for most attractions. In the future, we plan to release an alternate version of this Universal Studios Florida touring plan geared towards families with younger children.
How to Use Our 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan
- 1.) Use this touring plan in conjunction with our free Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar to find the least crowded dates to visit the park. The plan is designed to help you experience as much as possible, but less crowds always helps! Busy days may require you to skip an offering or two on the touring plan.
- 2.) Download the Universal Orlando mobile app to access a park map, check wait times, and view upcoming showtimes.
- 3.) Scroll through the full touring plan to make sure it includes all the attractions and shows you are interested in experiencing before beginning with the plan.
- 4.) Lastly, on the day of your visit, pay attention to the time. Feel free to skip offerings on the touring plan in order to prioritize offerings listed for later in the day, if those are most important to you, like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter..
Author’s Note: Guests visiting the park with Universal Express passes can also utilize this touring plan to make the most of their skip-the-line access.
Page Contents: Early Park Admission | Morning | Lunch | Mid-day | Dinner | Evening | Offerings Not Included | Explore More Resources
Early Park Admission
On select days of the year, Universal Studios Florida opens up to one hour early as a perk for some guests. This Early Park Admission perk is granted to on-site hotel guests, select annual passholders, and included with the purchase of specified vacation packages.
Also, Harry Potter and The Escape from Gringotts is traditionally open during Early Park Admission with Despicable Me Minion Mayhem being open sometimes. Visit Universal Orlando’s website here to check if the park is offering Early Park Admission on the day of your visit. During less busy seasons, only Islands of Adventure will be open for the benefit.
1.) Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Escape from the safest place on Earth and Voldemort on this part roller coaster, part 3-D dark ride, attraction.
Height Requirement: 42 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
After riding Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and exploring Diagon Alley if time allows, head back to the front of the park before the main gate opens to regular guests. Although, don’t fret, our Universal Studios Florida touring plan brings you back to Diagon Alley later in the day.
Universal Studios Florida Opens
For guests without Early Park Admission, we recommend you arrive at the park entrance 30 minutes before open, especially on busier days. This means you should arrive at the parking booths up to 60 minutes beforehand.
1.) Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Located in Production Central
Enter Gru’s lab as he unveils his newest invention, the ability to turn ordinary park guests into minions, on this 3-D motion simulator.
Height Requirement: 40 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion (Also, guests under 40 inches may enjoy the attraction in stationary seating.)
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
2.) Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Located in Production Central
High-speed roller coaster where guests choose tunes to listen to on the ride.
Height Requirement: 51 inches
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
3.) Transformers: The Ride-3D
Located in Production Central
Join Optimus Prime as a freedom fighter on this 4-D motion simulator and help protect the AllSpark from Megatron.
Height Requirement: 40 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
4.) Revenge of the Mummy
Located in New York
Indoor roller coaster and dark ride combo where park-goers try to escape the Mummy’s revenge.
Height Requirement: 48 inches
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
5.) The Blues Brothers Show
Located in New York
Join Jake and Elwood Blues and shake your tailfeather as they play toe-tapping tunes in this musical street show.
6.) Men in Black Alien Attack
Located in World Expo
Save New York from an alien invasion on this shooting dark ride.
Height Requirement: 42 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
7.) The Simpsons Ride
Located in Springfield U.S.A.: Home of the Simpsons
Join the Simpsons family as test riders for Krustyland’s newest thrill ride on this motion simulator.
Height Requirement: 40 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
Lunch Break
After experiencing the attractions and shows above, you should find yourself at a good time for lunch. We’ve listed a few dining options below towards the back of the park below. Although, if you’re not hungry yet, feel free to continue with the touring plan and eat when you prefer.
Leaky Cauldron
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Enjoy an array of British cuisine as you dine under a cathedral ceiling inside this small grungy-looking pub. This quick-service restaurant serves up popular British dishes including Toad in the Hole, Cottage Pie, and Fish & Chips.
Fast Food Boulevard
Located in Springfield U.S.A.: Home of the Simpsons
Fast Food Boulevard features a variety of Simpsons-themed dining options which makes it an easy place to eat as it offers options for everyone. Inside the food court is a mix of eateries including Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Flaming Moe’s, Krusty Burger, Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror, Luigi’s Pizza, and The Frying Dutchman.
Richter’s Burger Co.
Located in San Francisco
Richter’s Burger Co. is an earthquake-themed burger restaurant at the park that works decent enough for a meal, but won’t knock you off your feet. (Pun intended.) This quick-service restaurant services up traditional theme park fare like burgers, chicken, and milkshakes.
Mid-day
Optional: Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Located in Springfield U.S.A.: Home of the Simpsons
Board a flying saucer and help the infamous alien duo invade Springfield on this “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” style carnival ride.
Height Requirement: None – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
8.) E.T. Adventure
Located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Grab your flying bicycle and soar across the night sky to help E.T. find his way back home on this kid-friendly dark ride.
Height Requirement: 34 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
Optional: Experience Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone
Families with kids can take this time to explore other offerings inside Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone. This land hosts attractions including Curious George Goes to Town, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, and Fievel’s Playland & Water Slide. It also hosts the Animal Actors on Location show and DreamWorks Destination dance party.
9.) Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show
Located in Hollywood
Comedy show that includes interactive demonstrations to give park-goers insight into the horror movie making process.
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
10.) Meet the Transformers(Photo Op)
Located in Production Central
Grab a picture with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, or Megatron.
11.) The Bourne Stuntacular
Located in Hollywood
The chase is on in this next generation theme park shunt show starring the former CIA assassin.
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
12.) Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Located in New York
Speed through New York City as you race against Jimmy Fallon in his “Tonight Rider” on this 3-D motion simulator.
Height Requirement: 40 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express
Optional: Fast & Furious – Supercharged
Located in San Francisco
Climb aboard a party bus that evolves into a “high speed” chase with the Fast & Furious crew.
Height Requirement: 40 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
Dinner Break
At this point in the day, dinner is probably on your mind. If it’s not, feel free to continue with the touring plan and eat when you prefer. Although, we’ve listed a few dining options below towards the front of the park.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
Located in New York
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is a lively Irish-American pub that serves up pub classics including Guinness Beef Stew and Fish & Chips. Also, this is a full-service restaurant that accepts reservations. So, if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, we recommend one of the quick service restaurants below instead.
Mel’s Drive-In
Located in Hollywood
Take a pit stop and roll on into Mel’s Drive-In, a quick-service restaurant themed to the 1950’s American Graffiti era of diners and drive-ins. At Mel’s, hungry park-goers can fuel up with popular drive-in eats including bacon cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, onion rings, and milkshakes.
Evening
13.) Catch a Wizarding Show in Diagon Alley
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Inside Diagon Alley, muggles can catch two shows that rotate on the same stage next to The Hopping Pot. These shows include Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, a singing show, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a puppetry show. Either show is worth watching if a showtime is near.
14.) Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Escape from the safest place on Earth and Voldemort on this part roller coaster, part 3-D dark ride, attraction.
Height Requirement: 42 inches – Under 48 inches requires a companion
Save Time in Line: Accepts Universal Express and offers a single rider line
Author’s Note: Guests who experienced this attraction during Early Park Admission should skip to Ollivanders Wand Shop below and continue on the touring plan.
15.) Ollivanders Wand Shop – Diagon Alley
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Witness a young wizard receive their wand in this short show.
16.) Explore Diagon Alley & Cast Spells (If Time Allows)
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Take most of the remaining time in the day to explore Diagon Alley, including Knockturn Alley, and the shops inside. New wizards, who purchased an interactive wand from Ollivanders, can use this time to cast spells at the marked locations inside Diagon Alley.
17.) Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration
Located in Hollywood
Celebrate years of movie magic at this once a night show that features fireworks, dancing fountains, and water projections. Also, this show occurs at park close during select nights of the year.
Offerings Not in this Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan
Universal Studios Florida offers hours worth of entertainment and rides which makes it difficult to experience everything, even on a less-crowded day at the park. The below offerings weren’t included in our 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan, but may be great to experience for guests staying more than one day. Also, feel free to substitute in any of the below options to your day!
1.) The Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Hop aboard this train ride that serves as transportation between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village.
Note: Requires a park-to-park admission ticket or annual pass to ride
2.) Marilyn & the Diamond Bellas
Located in New York
Join Marilyn & the Diamond Bellas as background talent as they rehearse her newest featured film in this brief street show.
3.) Sing It!
Located in New York
An a cappella sing off with hit songs where the audience chooses the winner.
4.) Beat Builders
Located in San Francisco
Catch the Beat Builders as they drum up some beats using equipment like buckets or power drills as instruments.
5.) Knight Bus
Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Meet the Knight Bus Conductor and his talkative shrunken head by the London waterfront.