Universal Studios Florida offers a truly unique experience, the opportunity to jump head first into a world inspired by the magic of the movies. This theme park finds a way to help it’s guests suspend reality and immerse themselves in a world of make-believe and thrill rides. There’s something for every member of your family. For the younger set there is Fievel’s Playground, Dr. Seuss and classic Curious George. For those a little older, there’s everything from Spiderman to Jurassic Park, the Blues Brothers Show and Fear Factor! So where does one begin their adventure? When travelling with Tweens and Teens, it helps if you start with a plan. Here are our tricks and tips for surviving and getting the most out of your visit to Universal Studios Florida!
#1. Purchase your ticket on-line. Not only will you be up to date on all the best deals, but you will receive all these extra benefits
#2. Know which ticket to purchase. Our best bet. Buy the Park-to-Park admission ticket allowing you to freely move between both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida all day long!
#3. Considering adding on one of the Express Passes. There are a number of different packages, but all are worth their weight in gold. You can buy a package for just one park or both. The 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited Pass means less time in line and more time on rides! Gets you in that fast lane at most rides with a few exceptions.
#4. Have a plan! Our best advice: Head straight for the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter. 
It will be tempting to jump on a ride, or be distracted by all the fun along the way, but stick to your plan! There are two unique areas of the Harry Potter World that you will want to explore, one in each of the parks. Head straight to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and grab a spot in line at “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts“. This is the best way to beat the long line that happen later in the day. After you’ve conquered this attraction stroll around the rest of this incredible part of this world. Once complete, hop on the Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross Station.
This unique train ride will land you smack in the middle of Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure. Be prepared Harry Potter fans, Hogsmeade will take your breath away. Now that you’ve arrived, make your way to the castle and try and prepare yourself for the experience that is “Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey“. WOW.
Once you’re done, stop for some pictures, take in the live street performances, go shopping for your very own wand at Ollivanders and of course, enjoy one of the famous BUTTERBEER’s!
Now that you’ve knocked Harry Potter off the list you are free to take on the rest of your favourites at your leisure!
#5. Head for the thrills! Teens are looking for laughs, thrills and spills. All of these are easily found at Universal Studios Florida. Here are our choices for top 5 attractions at both parks located at Universal:
*At Universal Studios:
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: You can listen to the music of your choice while you scream your way through this coaster. The blasting music makes this coaster even more epic!
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts: Is a tricked out rollercoaster that launches you into Harry Potter’s World. Watch out for Voldemort!
Men in Black Alien Attack: A personal favourite and fun for all. As an agent trainee, you must zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York.
The Simpsons Ride: Teen approved as the Simpsons and their world come to life before your eyes. Insider Tip: If you have any kind of back or neck issues heed the warnings. This one will throw you around.
Hogwarts Express: Yes, a chance to ride the train just like Harry Potter and his friends did. A fabulous way to park hop!
*At Islands of Adventure:
Dragon Challenge: You must be at least 54″ tall and be all kinds of brave to ride this coaster. It’s slick, it’s smooth and it’s fast. The teens in your group will want to ride it twice.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: A chance to soar above the castle with Harry Potter himself! Not to be missed.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – Setting: The Canadian North Woods? I’m not sure about that, but I am sure you will get wet!
The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man: Is it a ride? Is it a movie? The only one who loved this more than the teens was the Hubby. It’s not to be missed.
Jurassic Park River Adventure: It was hot when we visited, but this ride still tops the list. A lazy river raft ride provides more than a few thrills as you re-live some of the scenes from the original Jurassic Park movie.
*Honourable Mention to The Incredible Hulk. Closed for renovation at the moment, and promises to re-open better than ever!
Bonus Insider Tips:
*Arrive early (before the park even opens) to avoid long waits and crowds itching to start their day.
*When heading to Universal keep in mind that most rides now require that you check all bags in their free locker stations before you are allowed to board the ride. Yes, this includes diaper bags, totes, anything in your pockets, and even the smallest of cross body bags. If you don’t need any “stuff” throughout the day, consider renting a locker at the entrance. This will save you time at each major ride queuing up to get a locker and then on the way back out of the ride, to retrieve your belongings.
*If your teens don’t feel the need to see the interactive “show” that happens at Ollivanders you can circumvent this by entering through the Wiseacre’s Shop.
*When you arrive, check the show schedule and plan your day accordingly.
*Snack attack? Don’t miss the “donuts”. They are amazing.
*Have lunch during off peak times! This will equal shorter waits both for lunch service and potentially shorter lines for rides over the regular lunch hour.
*Butterbeer comes in frozen or chilled and are generous in size. We preferred the frozen and split two drinks between the four of us! Perfection.
*Save some time for beyond the parks! Universal City Walk awaits with hours of shopping, dining and entertainment possibilities just waiting to be discovered.
No matter how you plan to spend your day, you can’t go wrong following the lead of your teen. Make sure you have your camera, good shoes and are ready to make some memories. It’s a day your teens will thank you for, and remember forever.
So great! Looks like a blast
Is it wrong that I’m ready to go back?
I’m worried I will be limited to what I can do with my toddler she’s 3…… We decided to wait a couple more years to go to Universal. We went to Disney instead.
I guess now you have a reason to go back! 🙂 Don’t miss Dr Seuss, Fievel’s Playground and Curious George!
Would love to visit someday! Looks like so much fun (for all ages!)
I hope you have that chance to visit someday. It really is fun for all ages!
I’m hoping when the kids are a little older we can take the to the WWHP! We love the books & movies as a family so that would be a fantastic trip…lots of pictures!!
There are SO many picture worthy moments. I had to force myself to out the camera down and just breathe it all in.
How long did you have to wait for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride?
We only waited about 25 minutes. It didn’t seem very long because there is so much to see along the way!
I have not been there but it sure looks fantastic
It was like walking around some of your favourite movies and tv shows. Amazing!
I have not been to Universal Florida. Thank you for all of the great advice if we do go. Everything looks luke so much fun!
You’re very welcome Tracy!
Looks like loads of fun! Perhaps our summer trip should be to Florida this year…to visit family…and do some sight seeing!
Now that sounds like an epic summer trip!
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter would no doubt be our first stop – my son is a huge fan as are his children 🙂
Harry Potter is a great way to kick off a day at an incredible park! Hope you get to visit soon! 🙂
So amazing! I want to go there!!!
It really is! I hope you get to visit soon 🙂
I was in the Price is Right Audience years back, sat in the studio parking lot all day, what fun! Anf that was after a 5 hour drive from Vegas.
Got to see the Star Trek Experience and had a lot of fun
Universal just helps create those life long memories. Its one of the reasons I’m such a big advocate of travel. Thanks for sharing your memories with us!
I would love to go to Universal with the grandchildren. It is on my bucket list or wish list
What a great thing to do with the Grandkids! Hope you get to strike this one off the bucket list soon!
I would love to visit there with my kids. My daughter is a huge fan of Harry Potter.
Hope you can add this to your must do list. All of Universal is fabulous!
I just read this last night and didn’t comment 🙁
I should have!
We are super Harry Potter fans here and I know my girls would go nuts to visit the “real” place. This article is full of great tips that I will store for when our day comes!
So thrilled you liked it. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter gave us goosebumps. So happy to hear you’;; be bookmarking this for later!
I’m travelling to Florida with the fam next month and didn’t know where to start with Universal. This is so GREAT! Thank you!
You’re very welcome! Please let me know if I can answer any questions.