1-Day Itineraries to Universal Orlando
There is no getting around it; you simply cannot hit everything inside Universal Orlando in just one day. For that reason, it is vital to know exactly what and where are the must-sees, especially since Universal Orlando is really two theme parks in one: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Both parks have attractions you won’t want to miss, but you’ll have to decide whether you want to make the attempt to fit the best of both worlds into one day or just focus on one particular park.
If you begin with Universal Studios, as soon as the park opens, head straight back to either New York or San Francisco/Amity. The early hours are the best for riding the attractions located at the back of the park because that is the best time to avoid long lines since most visitors will slowly work their way backward through the park.
The ideal itinerary is to hit Revenge of the Mummy, which never fails to disappoint and is highlighted by an effect involving fire that has to be seen (and felt) to be believed. It can be a bit jarring to those with back or neck problems, however. The Mummy should be followed with Jaws, one of the defining attractions at Universal Studios and one that remains incredibly popular because it is a truly exciting adventure. Next on the list should be either Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Ride Starring You or Twister or, probably, the as-yet-unopened Simpsons ride.
At this point you’ll probably want to hit the top rides over at Islands of Adventure. The first choice here may very well depend on the length of the wait. The Incredible Hulk is a pulse-pounding roller coaster that delivers high-speed thrills that are worth the wait. If the line there is too long, then try the Spiderman ride. Spiderman is a genuinely unique experience that combines state-of-the-art 3-D video effects with a motion simulated ride that thrusts you directly into a wild comic book adventure. Spiderman is not to be missed because those goofy glasses really do give the impression that Spidey and all those villains are right up in your face. You can feel the heat and the water used at certain points. The Dueling Dragons twin roller coasters are nearly as thrilling as The Hulk and many people swear they offer a much more exciting experience. If you can manage to fit both the roller coasters and Spiderman, as well as the previously mentioned Universal Studios rides into one day you can leave a satisfied visitor.
2-Day Itineraries to Universal Orlando
Two-day itineraries offer the chance to fit in some of the rides that you’ll be sorry you missed by trying to fit everything into just one day. Men in Black is great fun for the entire family and may even be considered appropriate for the one-day itineraries to Universal Orlando if you have kids. Terminator II 3-D is actually a live show rather than a ride per se, but with its seamless interaction between a 3-D movie and real actors it may provide more thrills than some of the lesser rides. Also not to missed if you’ve got children, and even if you don’t, is the E.T. Adventure ride, which is an ideal choice to try right after you’ve eaten lunch. The expected long wait and the gentle motion of the ride will allow easy digestion. E.T. is located in the Kidzone section of Universal Studios theme park, which is the perfect place to while away a few sultry hours as you’re very little ones enjoy themselves on such rides as the Woody Woodpecker and the various interactive playgrounds. If your children are older you’ll definitely want to try to fit in Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoons Blast. Even if you don’t have kids, a two-day trip to Universal Orlando isn’t really complete without taking in the Shrek 4-D show. A second day at Islands of Adventure means fitting in the Dr. Doom’s Fearfall, which actually looks more imposing than it really is, but is still fun. Two-day itineraries to Universal Orlando are not complete without taking in some water rides and Islands of Adventure offers two that will cool you down and give a thrill: Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls. In fact, these may be worth fitting into a one-day trip if your Universal Orlando takes place during the sultry summer season. Although you may be tempted to substitute these rides at Cartoon Lagoon with the Jurassic Park River Adventure, in reality that ride can be put off until a third day or avoided altogether.
3-Day Itineraries to Universal Orlando
Itineraries to Universal Orlando that can fit in a third day is the perfect opportunity to revisit your favorite rides and to take in some of the live shows. The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad is probably the most entertaining of the live shows at Universal Orlando and is really worth it if you can slip it in during a one- or two-day trip. It features some really great special effects, humor and exciting sweeps of romance and adventure. Poseidon’s Fury has its moments, but can be a little too loud and intense for the younger set. Over at Universal Studios, the two must-see live shows are Animal Actors Live for those with younger kids, and the Beetlejuice Graveyard Review for those with or without children. On that subject, both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios offer special sections and attractions for very young kids and your itineraries to the parks should make time for either Seuss Landing at the former or Kidzone at the latter. Both have very gentle yet entertaining rides for those too young to enjoy the more intense thrill rides. And if two days is simply all you need from the theme parks, you might want to spend that third day at Universal Orlando’s Wet ‘n Wild water park featuring a perfect mixture of wild water thrills and more relaxing fare such as the Lazy River Ride.
