33 Must-Do Experiences at Universal Orlando

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If you’re visiting Universal Orlando for the first time, what you should see and do can be overwhelming. So, I’ve broken down the most popular experiences and organised them by area to make planning your Universal Orlando trip easier than ever.

Best Universal Studios Florida Experiences

Universal Studios Florida is the oldest theme park at Universal Orlando. Here are the experiences you can’t miss when visiting.

1. Watch The Gringotts Dragon Breathe Fire

Perched on the roof of Gringotts Bank of Diagon Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter you’ll find a Ukrainian Ironbelly. Roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, this dragon breathes real fire reaching temperatures of 3,560°F. Be ready if you want to capture it in action as it only lasts a few seconds.

2. Compete on Men in Black Alien Attack

Men In Black Alien Attack sees you help agents K and J by using a laser gun to shoot aliens and earn points for each alien you take down. At the end of the ride you can compare your scores to see who’s the best. The ride lasts about 4 minutes and queues typically run 30 to 45 minutes on busy days.

3. Watch Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular

Cinesational is the night-time show at Universal Orlando taking place most evenings (check the schedule) over the summer (from April 5 to August 23 in 2026). This show combines music, lights, water and now drones to celebrate popular Universal movie soundtracks.

4. Watch The Blues Brothers Live Show

The Blues Brothers Live Show is an outdoor show that takes place multiple times a day (check the schedule) in the New York area of the park. This 20-minute performance sees Jake and Elwood take the stage in their signature black outfits and perform well-known songs like Soul Man and Gimme Some Lovin’.

5. Exchange Muggle Currency at Gringotts Bank

At Gringotts Bank inside Diagon Alley you can exchange your Muggle currency for Gringotts banknotes, which can be used in the shops within the Wizarding World. If you don’t want to spend your Gringotts banknotes, you can change them back to USD.

6. Drink a Can of Duff Beer

Universal Studios Florida is home to Springfield, home of The Simpsons. In this area of the park you can buy a can of Duff beer just like in the show. This is a non-alcoholic beverage making it suitable for kids.

7. Put Your Head Inside Jaws

Jaws was one of the most beloved rides at Universal Studios Florida up until its closure in 2012 to make way for Diagon Alley, part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Thankfully, one of the most memorable features of the ride lives on. Originally located outside the ride’s entrance, Jaws himself now hangs from the ropes outside Lombard’s Seafood Grille in the San Francisco area of the park.

8. Dine at the Leaky Cauldron

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, the Leaky Cauldron is the obvious lunch pick on the USF side of the Wizarding World. This quick-service restaurant offers traditional British cuisine including; fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash.

9. Ride The Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express is a train that takes you between Diagon Alley and Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

There is no height requirement for this ride. I took my son on when he was only six months. However, since the train connects two different theme parks, you will need a park-to-park ticket.

10. Take a Picture With a Character

Another highlight of a trip to Universal Orlando is meeting characters. Some of the characters you can meet include:

• Spider-Man
• Shrek
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Hello Kitty
• The Grinch

Best Islands of Adventure Experiences

Islands of Adventure is Universal’s second theme park that sits adjacent to Universal Studios Florida with CityWalk between the two. Here are the best experiences at this theme park.

11. Watch the Wand Choose the Wizard at Ollivanders

Hogsmeade is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at Islands of Adventure. Here you will find Ollivanders, the best place to find a wand. During a five-minute performance, one lucky wizard will be chosen for the “wand choosing ceremony”, just like Harry in the first Harry Potter film / book.

Despite being chosen, the wand is not free. Instead, you’ll have the option to purchase a wand from the store next door or the carts outside. There are several different wands to choose from at a range of different price points. The most popular wands are the interactive ones that allow you to cast spells across The Wizarding World at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe.

12. Ride VelociCoaster

VelociCoaster is one of the most intense rollercoasters in all of Universal Orlando. This Jurassic Park themed ride has a 70mph top speed, features a 140-foot drop at 80 degrees and does a barrel roll over the lagoon. It’s been a firm park favourite since first opening in 2021 and regularly has wait times around the 40 minute mark.

13. Ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the most popular ride at Islands of Adventure. You’ll go in pairs on this ride. One person rides the motorbike, the other rides in the side-car, and you travel through a forest of Magical Creatures. This is the longest roller coaster in Florida at 5,053 feet, it features 7 launches and the track disconnects for a 17-foot free-fall.

14. Splash Down on a Water Ride

There are three water rides at Islands of Adventure:

• Jurassic Park River Adventure: Jurassic Park boat ride with a big drop.
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: Big white-water rafting ride.
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: Log-flume ride with twists and a big drop.

Each of these rides will leave you very wet. However, the human dryers (or Florida sunshine) will help you dry off quickly.

15. Take a Photo in Front of the Hogwarts Castle

Hogwarts Castle is one of the most photographed sights at Universal Orlando. Located in the Hogsmeade area of the park, this castle houses the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride and is the perfect spot for a photo.

16. Drink Butterbeer

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, trying Butterbeer at Universal Orlando is a must. Butterbeer is the signature drink in the Wizarding World, available across all three Wizarding World lands.

Despite its name, Butterbeer contains no alcohol, making it suitable for kids and adults. Its flavour is a mix of butterscotch and cream soda. The full Butterbeer range includes:

• Cold or frozen Butterbeer
• Hot Butterbeer (seasonal)
• Butterbeer ice cream
• Butterbeer fudge

You can find Butterbeer at various locations inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at each Universal Orlando theme park.

Butterbeer Season runs March 1 to May 31, 2026, with limited-edition Butterbeer treats at all three Wizarding World lands. New 2026 items include:

• Butterbeer Waffle
• Butterbeer Cupcake
• Butterbeer Cookie Sandwich
• Butterbeer Candy Apple
• Butterbeer Shortbread Bar at Honeydukes

Best Epic Universe Experiences

Epic Universe is the newest park at Universal Orlando having opened in May 2025. Here are the best experiences at this theme park.

17. Ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Super Nintendo World

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the headline ride of Super Nintendo World. This ride is the same format and style as the one in Hollywood and Osaka. You wear an AR visor and steer through Mario Kart courses, tossing virtual shells at Bowser’s crew. The AR visor doesn’t cause motion sickness but does take some getting used to, I had to go on this ride two or three times before I was able to understand how it all works.

18. Earn Stamps With a Power-Up Band at Super Nintendo World

Power-Up Bands can be used within the Super Nintendo World area of the theme park to:

• Collect Coins
• Collect Stamps
• Play Mini Games

Power-Up Bands do come at an additional cost and you will need to spend five minutes connecting it to the Universal Orlando mobile app. However, the additional functionality you get out of visiting this area of the park with a Power-Up Band makes the investment a worthwhile one for any Mario fan.

19. Ride Stardust Racers

Stardust Racers is my favourite ride across all three Universal Orlando theme parks. This ride sees two trains race side by side through 5,000 feet of intertwined track, hitting 62 mph and four launches per ride.

20. Experience Battle at the Ministry

Battle at the Ministry is the only ride inside the Ministry of Magic area of Epic Universe. During this ride a 14-passenger elevator-style vehicle sits on the end of a robotic arm that rides a roller-coaster track through Dolores Umbridge’s office and into the Wizengamot Courtroom for a duel sequence. The wait time for this ride is often over an hour, but the queue’s immersive design makes the time pass quickly.

21. Watch The Untrainable Dragon Show at Isle of Berk

I have never seen How to Train Your Dragon (gasp!). So I went to The Untrainable Dragon with zero expectations and was completely blown away. This 20-minute show is Broadway-level production and something you shouldn’t miss during a visit to the Isle of Berk. The show follows Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Gobber as they unravel the mystery of an untrainable dragon, with full puppetry, original music, and theatrical effects.

22. Watch Universal Celestial Goodnight

Universal Celestial Goodnight is Epic Universe’s nightly closing spectacular, debuting July 7, 2026. The show uses nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, over 250 fountains reaching 131 feet high, seven million LED lights embedded throughout Celestial Park, and a fireworks finale, all choreographed to original music.

23. Stay at Helios Grand Hotel

Helios Grand Hotel is Epic Universe’s deluxe on-site hotel, which opened on April 16, 2025, ahead of the park’s May 22 debut. The Mediterranean-and-celestial-inspired lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the theme park. This is the first Universal hotel built inside a theme park rather than next to one. Hotel guests get Early Park Admission to Epic Universe and can walk directly into Celestial Park through a private hotel entrance.

Best CityWalk and On-Site Hotel Experiences

Within the Universal Orlando Resort you’ll also find the CityWalk entertainment district and 11 on-site hotels. Here are the best things to do.

24. Take Your Picture by the Universal Globe

The Universal globe outside Universal Studios Florida is the classic Universal Orlando shot. It sits in the entrance plaza between CityWalk and the park, so you can grab a photo without buying a park ticket.

For the best shots, try these three prime photo spots:

• Outside NBC Sports Grill & Brew: Excellent angle with fewer crowds.
• On the bridge: Gets both the globe and the entrance in the background.
• Directly in front of the globe: The classic Universal photo-op.

Mornings are the busiest, especially as the park opens, making it tricky to get a shot without a crowd in the background. For a quieter moment, consider taking your photo around lunchtime or as you’re leaving the park early in the evening.

25. Enjoy an Over-the-Top Milkshake at Toothsome

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savoury Feast Kitchen is one of the best restaurants at CityWalk. This 19th-century-themed restaurant offers a full menu. However, the real highlight is the milkshakes with popular flavours including:

• Chocolate X5
• The S’mores
• The Red Velvet
• The Espresso Buzzzz

26. Dine at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

Cowfish is one of the more unique places to eat at CityWalk serving a mix of burgers and sushi. There’s indoor and outdoor seating here. If it’s a mild day I love sitting outdoors as you’ll get a panoramic view across all of CityWalk.

27. Dine at the Largest Hard Rock Café in the World

Universal CityWalk is home to the world’s largest Hard Rock Café. This restaurant features the most extensive collection of Hard Rock memorabilia, including:

• Pete Townshend’s 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar
• Buddy Holly’s signature black glasses
• Elvis Presley’s gold records
• Jimi Hendrix’s leather jacket
• John Lennon’s sunglasses

This CityWalk restaurant is also connected to Hard Rock Live, a 3,000-capacity concert and event venue. World-renowned artists perform here regularly throughout the year, so be sure to see if anyone is in town during your visit.

28. Grab a Donut at Voodoo Doughnut

You’ll rarely pass Voodoo Doughnut at Universal CityWalk and not see a queue out the door. This doughnut store has a cult-like following, delighting guests with a variety of flavours, including:

• Bacon Maple Bar
• Voodoo Doll (filled with raspberry jelly)
• The Portland Cream
• Chocolate Covered Pretzel
• Oh Captain, My Captain! (with Cap’n Crunch cereal)

29. Play Mini Golf at CityWalk

There are several family attractions at Universal’s CityWalk. One of our favourites is the Hollywood Drive-In Golf which has two 18-hole courses:

1. The Haunting of Ghostly Greens
2. Invaders from Planet Putt

Each golf course features special effects and atmospheric lighting, making it a fun family experience day or night.

30. Stay at the Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel is one of the best hotels at Universal Orlando. This 650-room property has a music-themed pool with a 250-foot waterslide and music memorabilia displayed throughout the public areas. Guests also enjoy exclusive perks, including:

• Early theme park access
• Complimentary theme park transportation
• Complimentary Universal Express passes

31. Enjoy a Rum-Tasting Class at Loews Sapphire Falls

Strong Water Tavern at the on-site hotel Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offers a rum-tasting experience. During this class a rum-expert will guide you through an extensive collection of rare and vintage rums as you discover the unique flavours and learn the history behind each selection.

Best Seasonal and Limited-Time Experiences

Throughout the year Universal Orlando has a range of seasonal or limited-time experiences. Some of my favourites include:

32. Experience Halloween Horror Nights

If you’re a horror fan, don’t miss Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, running from August 28 to November 1 in 2026. This thrilling event features haunted houses, scare zones, and live entertainment, guaranteed to terrify and excite.

33. Celebrate Mardi Gras

If you visit Universal Orlando between February 7 and April 4 in 2026, don’t miss Mardi Gras. Unlike Halloween Horror Nights, Mardi Gras is included with park entry and is inspired by New Orleans’ famous festival. This event features:

• A lively parade with colourful floats
• Live concerts by various artists
• Authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about what to see, ride, and do across the Universal Orlando parks in 2026 are below.