Universal Orlando: Inside guide

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is revving up for a brand new coaster adventure, and this one has a really big star. Let Hagrid™, the half-giant, Hogwarts’ groundskeeper take you on a rip-roaring journey through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, a ride inspired by his flying motorbike. Who knows what creatures you’ll see?

The lowdown: Voodoo Doughnut breaks all the rules. Portland’s crazy yeast-based business has finally come to Universal, bringing with it fifty different ‘sinfully delicious’ flavours, from the cereal-studded to the risqué. Craving bacon? It’s the star attraction on the Bacon Maple Bar. Vegan? No problem. Doughnut miss this addition to Universal CityWalk.

Best for: Your favourite films made into blockbuster attractions, including: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™ and blockbuster rides with TRANSFORMERS and the Minions.

The lowdown: At the studios, some of the best attractions are old favourites and nostalgic classics. Speaking of old – dare to disturb an ancient curse on Revenge of the Mummy and you’ll be at the mercy of a rollercoaster in the pitch dark.

Know this… On select nights, stay out for Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration. This family show on the waterfront features leaping fountains, lights and swelling soundtracks. See your favourite film scenes brought to life on screens made by fans of water.

Best for: The Incredible Hulk Coaster® that’ll turn you green and Jurassic Park raptors who look alarmingly happy to see you.

The lowdown: Island-hop between Marvel-lous super heroes, dinosaurs and a giant ape called Kong. That’s King Kong to you. For the fourth year in a row, Universal's Islands of Adventure has been voted as the TripAdvisor® Travelers' Choice #1 Amusement Park In The World.

Know this… On a hot day, triple up on the water rides. Head to the back of the park for the Jurassic Park River Adventure, then jump on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls® and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges®. Done all three? You’ve gotta be soaking.

Best for: Staying cool and seeking thrills. Try the Ko’okiri Body Plunge – a 125 foot drop through the middle of the park’s ginormous, vertiginous volcano.

The lowdown: Universal’s Volcano Bay is a surprisingly innovative ‘water theme park’, which uses the latest tech so you can queue virtually. That means you can be on the beach, slurping a rainbow soft-serve ice cream whilst you wait. There are a whopping 19 attractions – that's a lot for a water park, so you can easily spend a full day here. There are two ‘lazy’ rivers – one is calm, but one rushes you around like a rinse cycle.

Know this… You’ll be given a waterproof wearable – called a TapuTapu – which holds your place in the queue for your next ride.

The lowdown: Universal Orlando is the only place in the world where you can experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at two parks connected by the wonderful Hogwarts™ Express⁴. Diagon Alley™ is at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade™ is at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Faithfully detailed, right down to the last shrunken head in Knockturn Alley, the world boasts magic, excitement, and astonishing rides. Look out for a new coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™.

Stay for: Opening Spring 2020, this sister hotel of Surfside Inn and Suites may be the most value conscious, but there's been no scrimping on style. The warm colour scheme echoes sands and sunsets and the natural woods in the lobby are designed to feel like you're at the end of a pier.

Book a stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites

Stay for: Laid-back, fuss-free accommodation, with lots of room for the family. This resort has a surfer theme to match its waterfront location – which includes a surfboard-shaped pool.

Book a stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites

Stay for: With tablets in every room, this modern hotel uses technology to make things easy – and fun, too. There’s a VR games room and an underwater sound system in the pool. After a long day out at the parks, crack open a beer at the rooftop bar or toast yourself up some s’mores in the fire pits.

Book a stay at Universal's Aventura Hotel

Stay for: If you can pull yourself away from your inflatable ring (purchased at the hotel) on the lazy river, you’ll find a charismatically retro hotel with two pools and in-room pizza delivery. Plus, you can comfortably sleep a family of six in one of the family suites.Upgrade to a Volcano Side room for impressive water park views.

Book a stay at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Stay for: The biggest pool of any Universal Orlando hotel. You might be tempted to centre your holiday around the rum bar, but kids will centre theirs around the water slide.

Book a stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Stay at any of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels and enjoy special access to the theme parks with your Universal Orlando Explorer ticket, giving you Early Park Admission² to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the park opens.

Stay for: This palmy green paradise is straight out of the South Pacific, but you can eat Pan Asian cuisine at the Islands Dining Room. Get your loud shirt out and your aloha on at the special weekly Wantilan Luau night (fees apply).

Book a stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Stay for: Live music from the Velvet Session concerts⁷, an unbeatable pool scene, and music memorabilia – look out for gowns worn by Gaga and Rihanna. Don’t miss the food: this luxury hotel knows how to load up a burger.

Book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel®

Stay for: Italian indulgence that doesn’t stop at a crispy pizza (though that’s delicious, too). There's an atmospheric piazza, elegant interiors, and three pools. For the best lounging around, head to the Villa Pool.

Book a stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Stay at either Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel^®or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and enjoy FREE⁸ Universal Express Unlimited ride access. This means you can skip the regular queues in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – less waiting, and more time by the hotel pool.