Rides In Jurassic Park
- Jurassic Park River Adventure: This river raft ride starts with a serene river through the gates of Jurassic Park and ends with a T. Rex attack and an enormous drop into a pool of water.
- Pteranodon Flyers: Located in Camp Jurassic, Pteranodon Flyers is an aerial roller coaster with excellent views of Jurassic Park.
Universal Studios Vs Island Of Adventure Winner Is
When comparing Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure in Harry Potter Shopping, Universal Studios wins Diagon Alley is where you want to go to shop.
This is the area Hagrid brought Harry to shop for his first year at Hogwarts. Everything in the stores is unique and true to the book. It is part of the whole Harry Potter experience. Plus, there are so many more stores in Diagon Alley!
How Many Days Do You Need For Harry Potter World
Plan to spend parts of at least two days at the Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando if you want the complete experience. Arrive early, try to see and do as much as you can before the crowds fill in, then enjoy the other parts of Universal Studios Florida and Universals Islands of Adventure for parts of the afternoon before returning to the Harry Potter theme parks for the evening. After all, you havent fully experienced Harry Potter world until youve seen Hogwarts Castle lit up at night.
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Accio Tips And Tricks
More than a decade into its existence, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has become a must-visit attraction at Universal Studios Orlando. For the Potter devout, its Mecca. For people who honestly don’t give a damn, the park’s enormous castle and winding streets are still magical. And whether you grew up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione or can barely pronounce petrificus totalus, it’s guaranteed to be a wildly immersive experience.
As any muggle might expect after being cast into the world of wizards, theres a lot to take in, and your first trip can be more overwhelming than discovering your pet rat is actually an old man. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks that’ll help you discover the best of the Wizarding World. Here’s what to know.
Morning Attractions At Islands Of Adventure
These are attractions you should ride first at Islands of Adventure.
- Hagrids Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Popeye & Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges
- Any shows we want to see.
- Meet Characters
- Any rides we missed.
The layout of Islands of Adventure makes it difficult to back track through the park. If it is too much walking for your family I suggest starting at the land that is your biggest priority and then work around the loop from there.
There is no wrong way to tour the park and you should be able to see most rides and attractions in one day.
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Do You Have To Pay Extra For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
No, the Harry Potter theme park areas are included in your ticket price for whichever Universal Studios park youre visiting . However, to get the full Wizarding World experience, youll need to purchase a Park-to-Park pass that includes same-day admission to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Thats because the Hogwarts Express ride connects the two parks and can only be accessed by those who have passes to both.
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You should also consider splurging on a Universal Express Pass that will let you skip the long lines at the rides in Harry Potters Wizarding World in order to have the very best experience. And, you may want to consider staying at a Universal Premier hotel in order to take advantage of Universals Early Park Admission perk. Because the only thing more magical than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is having the whole theme park practically to yourself.
Harry Potter Rides Universal Orlando 2022 Ranked
In this next section, we will be ranking Harry Potter rides at Universal. When we typically talk about the best rides in Universal, we rank them by assessing the storyline/theme, queue and overall experience that guests have while enjoying these attractions. So without further delay, here are the best Universal Studios Harry Potter Rides ranked!
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Best Overall: Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts
This 4D ride brings one of the classic movie scenes to life. As the featured attraction of the Diagon Alley section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you wont want to miss it.
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After you get your adrenaline rush on the ride, youll be ready to explore the rest of Diagon Alley, preferably with a Butterbeer in hand. Grab an English bite at The Leaky Cauldron before heading to Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, where youll be picked out by your wand. Yes, we said that right — only true fans will know what we mean.
Toon Lagoon Fan Secrets
- The second deck of Me Ship, The Olive has free water cannons that can be used to spray people who are riding Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges.
- You can play the sheet music on the piano in Me Ship, The Olive for a special surprise.
- The inner tubes at Gasoline Alley spray you with air you can feel it when you get close to them.
- There is an interactive Rocky and Bullwinkle related photo opp located near the lockers for Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. It features the opening jackhammer scene from the Aesop and Son segment of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
- There is an enormous theater in Toon Lagoon that is occasionally used for special events but has mostly sat empty and unused since 2011 when Mat Hoffman’s Aggro Circus show closed.
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Guide To The Harry Potter Rides In Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade is the Harry Potter theme park land to visit in Orlando if youre most interested in experiencing the different Wizarding World-themed rides. There are three of them here.
Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
The Wizarding Worlds newest ride is arguably the best of them all. Billed as a story coaster, this Harry Potter ride follows a haphazard motorbike lesson with Hagrid. Ride it twice so you can experience both the motorcycle and the sidecar.
This is the only attraction in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that doesnt utilize Express Pass, but it does often use a virtual queue rather than a typical line. Check the Universal Orlando app or ask a Harry Potter world team member for assistance joining the virtual queue. The minimum height for Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is 48 and, as with most of the other Wizarding World rides, child swap is available.
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Flight of the Hippogriff
This kid-size coaster has a minimum height requirement of only 36, but its thrilling for kids of all ages . Its a very quick ride and the wait to board through the normal queue can stretch for hours on busy days. With an Express Pass, though, you can often do the ride as many times as you want with very little waiting.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Where To Buy The Must
You already know theres plenty of places to purchase wands, robes, sweets, and souvenirs in the Wizarding World, but if you want to be extra prepared you can purchase many of these items on Universals website before you even arrive at the Harry Potter theme parks.
You can also get them in your hotel, at the large souvenir stores at the entrance to both Universals Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, or at the Universal Studios Store at CityWalk. The biggest benefit to buying your merch outside of the park areas is that youll have more time to experience the rides and appreciate the attention to detail that went into making the areas feel like Harry Potters world. Window shopping and browsing is more fun than standing in line, anyway.
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How Many Rides At Islands Of Adventure Are Open For Early Park Admission
Universal Islands of Adventure is also included in the early park admission hours. Luckily guests can enjoy some of the most popular rides in all of Universal during these early park hours. The rides included with Islands of Adventure early park admission are Flight of the Hippogriff, Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the VelociCoaster.
Shopping In Jurassic Park
- Dinostore: Located in the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, the Dinostore sells dinosaur related sculptures, art, books, fossil replicas, and toys as well as Jurassic Park themed merchandise.
- Jurassic Outfitters: This store sells all kinds of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World themed merchandise like apparel, towels, and hats. You can also buy rugged adventure gear.
The entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
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Best Islands Of Adventure Food
There is so much good food to be enjoyed at Islands of Adventure! You could spend just as much time eating as you could riding rides. If youre interested in a full-service experience, Mythos Restaurant in The Lost Continent has a reputation as one of the best theme park restaurants.
You can also sit down at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade order your food via the Universal app and then it will be brought to your table. We love their Rotisserie Smoked Chicken and Pumpkin Fizz.
The Fire Eaters Grill in The Lost Continent always tempts me when I walk by. Their Chicken Stingers are delicious!
Another favorite is the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe in Seuss Landing. Im ashamed to say we havent tried the Green Eggs & Ham Tots just yet , but we DO love the Pizza Tots and Buffalo Chicken Tots!
Every few steps youll find some kind of treat or delicious surprise waiting for you you wont go hungry, thats for sure!
There is so much fun to be had at Universals Islands of Adventure. I hope this post was helpful for your planning, and have a wonderful visit!
Headed to both Universal parks? Dont miss this post: Your guide to all the rides at Universal Studios Orlando!
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Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Diagon Alley
This super immersive land starts with the London Embankment. Diagon Alley is hidden from the prying eyes of Muggles by a secret walled entrance.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts This a supremely clever 4D dark roller coaster and one of our absolute favorite Universal Rides.
As you enter the grand marbled lobby of Gringotts Bank, the splendor of the chandeliers is probably the first thing youll notice. Then youll pass by goblins hard at work. These guys are so life-like, its hard to remember theyre animatronics!
An elevator takes you miles underground to the depths of the subterranean vaults beneath Gringotts Bank. Youll need the help of Harry, Ron and Hermione to escape the wrath of malicious villains Voldemort and Bellatrix.
Wait times can be long, but the line is super fun.
Category: Motion Simulator with 3D/4DHeight: Must be at least 42 . Children between 42-48 must be accompanied by a supervising companion.Express Pass: YesVirtual Line: Yes
Hogwarts ExpressThe Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station, next to Diagon Alley. It transports passengers to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure. Youll need a park-to-park ticket to board.
Dont Miss: When you reach the top of the stairs, watch passengers in front of you disappearing through the wall. Stop and film your family and friends pass through the wall.
Category: Train JourneyHeight: Under 48 : Supervising Companion RequiredExpress Pass: Yes
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Jurassic Park Fan Secrets
- Even the paved paths in Jurassic Park are themed look down as you walk to see fossils imbedded in the pavement.
- If you step on the dinosaur footprints in Camp Jurassic, you’ll hear the growl of dinosaurs.
- There is a Barbasol shaving cream can in the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. This prop is a nod to the first Jurassic Park film in which a character used a Barbasol can to smuggle dinosaur embryos.
- If you go behind the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, you can find a spot with a great view of the lagoon, Mythos, and other areas of Islands of Adventure. This spot is a nice quiet area with light traffic – a great place to get away from crowds.
Who Should Go On Escape From Gringotts
Universal expressly designed the Potter ride to be accessible to a wide audience. Its height restriction is a relatively low 42 inches, as opposed to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the featured attraction at the Hogsmeade land of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at Islands of Adventure, which has a 48-inch height restriction. This means children who meet the height requirement can also go on the ride. Take note that if a child in your party does not meet the minimum height requirement, Child Swap is available.
Despite pre-ride warnings about high-speed thrills, Escape from Gringotts is a “family” coaster that most visitors, other than those with excessive scaredy-cat tendencies, should be able to tolerate and enjoy. It is most certainly not too scary for children. Remember: Thrill rides are supposed to be thrilling the fear and anticipation is part of the fun.
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Are You Ready To Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip
If youre ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits which can help save you up to three hours in the parks!
And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners atThemeparktoday.com!
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Isn’t Just The Best Potter Ride It’s One Of The Park’s Best Attractions
Ride length: Just over three minutesWait time when I rode: Eight-and-a-half hours. There was no express queue and the single-rider queue was limited. In the end, both had similar wait times. In the near future, Universal is supposed to have a virtual queue to help alleviate wait times. Don’t be me and wait this long for Hagrid’s.
One of the few rides at Universal without screen projections to guide the attraction, Hagrid’s is the best thrill coaster the parks offer. You can read my review of the ride here.
You can choose to ride in a motorbike or sidecar. The motorbike experience is unparalleled. If you lean into the handlebars, you feel like you’re soaring through the skies leaning left and right on a motorcycle as it shifts into higher gear after higher gear. It features a button which lights up that you can press near the ride’s end to help save the day.
Not only does Hagrid’s go backwards, but at one point the entire coaster drops down onto a second track. The group I rode it with Friday screamed and yelled out expletives as they were taken aback by the drop. Even though our wait was a long one, the four people I stood in line with for the majority of the day all told me they thoroughly enjoyed the attraction.
An animatronic Hagrid looks great too. The biggest downsides are the ride’s super long and easy-to-jumble name and its long lines right now.
Queue: B-
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Things In This Uo Fan Guide
In this UO Fan Guide, we are going to explore all of Islands of Adventure one island at a time. Like a true navigator, we will touch on every ride, show, play area, restaurant, and shop in each island in addition to hidden secrets that every fan will enjoy. When our journey is complete, you’ll learn about character meet and greets and find out which rides and shows at Islands of Adventure accept Express Passes and which ones don’t. We’ll close with essential touring tips and information on how you can buy tickets to Islands of Adventure.
Port of Entry in Islands of Adventure.
Islands Of Adventure Itinerary: One Day Islands Of Adventure Touring Plan
Are you planning your Universals Islands of Adventure itinerary and not sure where to start? This Islands of Adventure touring plan will help you pick the best rides and attractions for your day to have a fun visit to this Universal Orlando theme park.
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Islands of Adventure is one of the 3 theme parks located at the Universal Orlando Resort. The other two are Universal Studios and Universals Volcano Bay.
Islands of Adventure has The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park and more areas to explore during your one day at the park.
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Port Of Entry Fan Secrets
- There are references to other islands on signs and buildings in Port of Entry.
- Confisco Grille contains items confiscated from other islands .
- Go down to the docks at the end of Port of Entry to get a killer view of the lagoon and other islands. Listen to the colorful submarine that’s beached on the docks while you’re down there.