Universal Islands of Adventure – 1 Day Itinerary (With Times!)

ByThemeParkPro Published

As a Universal Orlando annual passholder, I visit Islands of Adventure regularly. I’ve stayed on-site and off-site, I’ve visited with babies, kids, and elderly parents, and been during peak and off-peak seasons.

What I’m trying to say is that I’ve experienced Islands of Adventure in every different scenario. So, if I went to this theme park for just one day, how would I do it?

I’ve broken down my one-day Islands of Adventure itinerary below. However, before spending a day at Islands of Adventure, be sure you’ve read through my guide on things to do before your trip. This includes:

This itinerary is based on staying off-site. However, I always suggest staying in a Universal Orlando hotel where possible.

If you are staying in a Universal Orlando hotel, check which theme park you can get early access to. If it’s Islands of Adventure, you want to shuffle all the times back by one hour.

This itinerary does not include Universal Express Passes. I recommend getting a Universal Express Pass in most cases. However, I also understand this isn’t always financially feasible.

8:40am – Arrive at Islands of Adventure Gates

If Islands of Adventure opens at 9:00am, you should try to arrive at the park gates by 8:40am.

If you’re driving to the resort, you’ll need to walk from the parking garage at CityWalk. Be sure to factor this in and go through security into your morning to ensure you arrive on time.

Pro Tip: You should also ensure you’ve had breakfast before arriving at the theme park!

The first hour inside Islands of Adventure is the quietest, so this is the best time to arrive at the theme park – especially if you don’t have an Express Pass.

9:00am – Islands of Adventure Opens

Islands of Adventure gates are often opened before the theme park’s official opening. This reduces the queue over the bridge in CityWalk by scanning tickets at the turnstiles.

Instead, guests are often held in Port of Entry. You’ll want to turn right here and head towards Suess Landing. Because, unlike my one-day guide to Universal Studios, you only want to go to one place when Islands of Adventure opens – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

9:07am – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is located in Hogsmeade. This Wizarding World of Harry Potter is at the back of the theme park.

It’s well-signposted, and most other guests will go straight to this ride, too. Nevertheless, it might be worth reviewing a map before your visit so you know what to expect.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the most popular ride at Islands of Adventure. During peak season, it can be a wait of up to two hours, and it does not accept the Universal Express Pass.

Pro Tip: To go on this ride, anything bigger than a fanny pack must be stored in a locker.

If you have kids younger than 12, I suggest staying in Hogmseade and going on the two remaining rides here next. However, if you’re visiting with teens or older, I’d go to the Velocicoaster in Jurassic Park (a five-minute walk) and then return to Hogmseade.

I suggest this because a five-minute walk with kids under 12 isn’t a five-minute walk. It’s a ten to fifteen-minute walk plus distractions. As a result, the time you might save in a shorter standby queue for Velocicoaster will be wasted walking between rides.

9:42am – Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff isn’t among the best rides at Islands of Adventure. It makes zero sense to go on this ride now other than the fact it’s next to Hagrid’s exit.

The wait time for this ride should be less than 10 minutes, and you don’t need to store your belongings in a locker. As a result, you should be on and off this introductory coaster in under 15 minutes.

9:57am – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Next, you’ll want to head to Hogwarts Castle for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

This immersive dark ride blends motion simulation with a robotic arm that moves you through the castle. You’ll soar alongside Harry, Hermione, and Ron and spot some magical creatures.

10:23am – VelociCoaster

Next, you’ll want to leave Hogsmeade – don’t worry, we’ll be back later.

Cross the bridge by Hogwarts Castle and head into Jurassic Park. Follow the path here, and you’ll get to VelociCoaster.

Velocicoaster is a newer ride than Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. However, it’s not more popular. The wait time for Hagrid’s at this time will usually be crossing the hour mark. Meanwhile, VelociCoaster should still be around 20 minutes.

I would argue that VelociCoaster is the biggest thrill ride in Islands of Adventure (although others may say it’s The Hulk). This ride has a launch of 0 to 50mph in 2 seconds and reaches top speeds of 70mph.

10:46am – Skull Island: Reign of Kong

After Velocicoaster, you should continue through Jurassic Park. At the end of this land, you’ll reach Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

This is a mid-priority ride. If you’re behind schedule, you can probably skip it to get back on track. However, if you’re on schedule and the wait is under 30 minutes (which it should be), I’d go on this ride now.

11:05am – Incredible Hulk Coaster

The last ride before lunch will be the Incredible Hulk Coaster. This launch rollercoaster is back at the theme park entrance. As such, you’ll need to pass through Toon Lagoon and most of Marvel Super Hero Island to get here.

11:45am – Lunch

If you’ve had a good morning, you should have done 6 of the 19 rides inside Islands of Adventure and be ready for lunch.

You can bring food to Universal Orlando. However, given the heat and humidity, I recommend bringing snacks and paying for lunch. Some of my favourite places to eat in Islands of Adventure include:

  • Three Broomsticks
  • Mythos Restaurant
  • Confisco Grille
  • Thunder Falls Terrace
  • Fire Eater’s Grill

After lunch, you have two options depending on who you’re travelling with:

  1. Seuss Landing: If you’re travelling with children under six, now is a great time to go on the rides here. Most people older than six will be happy to skip the four toddler-friendly rides inside this land.
  2. Water Rides: If you’re not travelling with kids under six, now is the best time to go on the water rides. There are three water rides at Islands of Adventure. All of these rides get you pretty wet, but the sun should be at its hottest at this time of day, helping you dry off quickly.

Moving forward with this itinerary, I assume you’re going to the water rides. If you go to Seuss Landing instead, continue with the itinerary afterwards. For reference, you’ll likely spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring Seuss Landing with little kids.

1:30pm – Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is a river rapids ride that will absolutely get you soaked. There’s no escaping it—you will get drenched. If you don’t want to spend the rest of the day in wet clothes, now’s the time to throw on a poncho or stash valuables in a locker.

Pro Tip: There are human dryers near the exit of this ride, but they aren’t free. If you don’t want to pay to dry off, plan to wear quick-drying clothes or bring a change of clothes in a waterproof bag.

2:10pm – Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

Now that you’re already drenched, it’s time to double down with Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. This log flume ride combines classic cartoon humour with a 75-foot drop into the water at the end.

There’s no dry seat on this ride—you’ll get hit with splashes along the way, and the final drop guarantees a complete soaking.

2:45pm – Jurassic Park River Adventure

The last, and arguably the best water ride at Islands of Adventure is Jurassic Park River Adventure. This ride ends with an even bigger 85-foot drop into the water at the end.

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting with kids, head to Pteranodon Flyers right after Jurassic Park River Adventure. This ride has a maximum height limit of 56″ (though adults can ride with a child under 56″).

After Jurassic Park River Adventure, you have two options:

  1. Marvel Super Hero Island
  2. Hogsmeade

If you have a park-to-park ticket and plan to ride the Hogwarts Express, you’ll leave Islands of Adventure. So, visiting Super Hero Island first and enjoying the rides there before heading to Hogsmeade and boarding the train is best.

If you don’t have a park-to-park ticket or don’t want to ride the Hogwarts Express, start with Hogsmeade instead. Hogsmeade is at the back of the park, while Super Hero Island is near the entrance, making it the perfect last stop before leaving.

3:30pm – Hogsmeade & Hogwarts Express

While you’ll have been on all the rides in Hogsmeade in the morning, it’s still worth returning to this area to appreciate it at a slower pace.

There are two performances in Hogsmeade:

  • Triwizard Spirit Rally
  • Frog Choir

You can find the times of each performance on the Universal FL mobile app.

Alternatively, browse some shops and enjoy a Butterbeer or cast spells with an interactive wand.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to experience the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle at this time. Instead, you’ll need to return after dark to see this.

4:40pm – Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is the second-best ride in Superhero Island—after the Hulk Coaster. Although this is a 4D ride similar to Transformers, so this might be a ride you want to skip if you struggle with motion sickness.

5:00pm – Storm Force Accelatron

Storm Force Accelatron is the most optional ride at Islands of Adventure. If you’re checked-out by this time, or behind schedule, you’re not missing anything by skipping this ride.

5:17pm – Doctor Doom’s Fear Fall

Another optional ride to fit into the end of your day is Doctor Doom’s Fear Fall. This ride offers a fantastic panoramic view of the park, but I’d not wait more than 15 minutes for it.

5:30pm – Dinner

If you want to have dinner at the Universal Orlando Resort, then you have two options:

  1. Inside Islands of Adventure
  2. At CityWalk

CityWalk has better restaurants, so I suggest eating here. You can always re-enter the park after dinner if you want to.

Despite the size of the restaurants at CityWalk, they can get busy quickly – especially at peak times. As such, I’d recommend reserving a table in advance. Some of my favourite places to eat include:

  • Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
  • The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
  • Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food

7:00pm – Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle

If you want to experience the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, re-enter the park and head back to Hogsmeade. These lights begin rotating as soon as it gets dark and remain on a loop until the theme park closes.

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