Top Twenty Must Dos at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has a lot to do, from nauseating motion simulators, to characters, to nauseating motion simulators, to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then back to nauseating motion simulators again for good measure. There is some great stuff that doesn’t require Dramamine. If your time is limited, these are the must dos at Universal Orlando that are actually worth your day — ranked, with honest verdicts and the 2026 catches nobody warns you about.

Here’s the first thing that changed since most “must do” lists were written: the resort is no longer two parks. As of May 22, 2025, there are three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the brand-new Universal Epic Universe (the first major new theme park in Orlando in about 25 years). Add Volcano Bay water park and CityWalk — Universal’s answer to Disney Springs — and one day is not going to cut it. Build a real touring plan no matter how long you’re staying.

What Are the Must Dos at Universal Orlando Parks?

Quick verdict: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade) is the reason to come, and it earns the top spots on this list. Epic Universe is the splashy new headliner if your budget stretches. Everything else is gravy. A few honest 2026 heads-ups before you plan:

Three parks now, not two. Epic Universe (Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, a second Harry Potter land, and How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk) opened in 2025 and needs its own day and its own ticket.
Jurassic Park River Adventure is closed. It went down January 5, 2026 for a major refurbishment, with an announced reopening of November 20, 2026 — so for most of 2026 you can’t ride it (see #10).
Express Pass isn’t what it was. It still skips most lines at Studios and Islands of Adventure, but it does not work at Epic Universe, and the ride list is shrinking (see #6).

20. Animal Actors on Location Universal Studios Orlando

19. Curious George Universal Orlando

18. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

17. Three Broomsticks Universal

16. Leaky Cauldron Universal

15. Universal CityWalk

14. Jurassic Park Discovery Center Islands of Adventure

13. Seuss Landing Orlando Florida

12. Marvel Super Hero Island Universal

11. E.T. Adventure Universal Orlando

10. Jurassic Park River Adventure Islands of Adventure

9. The Cat in the Hat Universal’s Islands of Adventure

8. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack

7. Universal Mardi Gras Orlando

6. Universal Orlando Unlimited Express Pass

5. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Universal Studios Florida Orlando

4. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade Universal Orlando

2. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Orlando

1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Orlando Diagon Alley

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Must Dos at Universal Orlando Florida

20. Animal Actors Universal Studios Orlando

Animal Actors Universal Orlando is a show starring domestic animals that are smarter than your domestic animals. The show features the best kind of lowbrow humor (dog with a bra). I usually feel icky about animal attractions, but these animals seem happy. It is a cute show and a great place to sit in the shade for a bit. It runs select times throughout the day, so check the app for the schedule — show times shift seasonally and the lineup occasionally goes down for a refresh. It is a low-key must do at Universal Studios Orlando.

Location: Universal Studios Theme Park Florida

Animal Actors Show Universal Studios Height Requirement: None

animal actors on location universal studios florida orlando

19. Curious George Goes to Town Universal Orlando

Curious George Universal Studios is a unique play area. It is large enough to hold quite a few people, so it doesn’t feel crowded. It has a splash pad and an area where you can send balls through tubes. You can also shoot both water and balls into the air and at adults who aren’t paying attention. Bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes if your kid is the type to go all-in — they will get soaked. It is one of the must dos at Universal Studios for little kids.

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Curious George Universal Studios Florida Height Requirement: None

18. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Universal Studios Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York is a motion simulator that drops you into Jimmy Fallon’s studio audience. Despite a swirl of 2024 rumors that it would close, it’s still open and running as of 2026. The movie is cute, despite its unrealistic premise that you can race a car through an ocean. My kids have no clue who he is, but still really enjoyed it. It is a must do in Universal Studios Orlando.

This Universal Studios ride really wins the day with the queue. You enter a virtual line with a return time, so you can do something else while you wait. When it is your turn, you walk through a building that looks like NBC studios with a ton of memorabilia. There are entertaining clips to watch while you sit on comfortable benches and wait for the ride. The whole experience is very chill.

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height Requirement: 40″

17. Three Broomsticks Orlando

Three Broomsticks Harry Potter World is a quick service restaurant in the Hogsmeade side of the Wizarding World, over in Islands of Adventure. The decor is awesome. Your child will feel he or she has entered one of the books. It is one of the must do restaurants in Universal Orlando.

Unfortunately, everyone knows this. The line for Three Broomsticks gets long. Eat at an off time — late breakfast or a 2 p.m. lunch beats the noon crush.

The food here is just OK, but that should be expected at a theme park. The Three Broomsticks menu is limited. If you eat gluten free, the rotisserie chicken is a safe bet, but always confirm with the staff before ordering. One quirk worth flagging: Universal is a Coca-Cola property, so what’s on the fountain skews Coke rather than Pepsi — if you’re loyal to a specific soda, check before you commit. The butterbeer, frozen or regular, is the actual move.

Location: Three Broomsticks Islands of Adventure in Orlando Florida

Height Requirement: None

Three Broomsticks must do rides in universal studios

16. Leaky Cauldron Harry Potter

Leaky Cauldron Orlando Florida is a quick service, Harry Potter themed restaurant. The decor is very well themed, complete with a giant leaky cauldron. It is a must do restaurant at Universal Studios. You order at a counter, but the food is brought to you, so you don’t have to navigate the restaurant juggling trays and children in this Diagon Alley restaurant.

It is expensive, but you are going to pay an inflated price anywhere you go on property. The ambiance makes it one of the best Universal restaurants and worth a visit.

The quick service menu is limited, but there are gluten free options. They have Leaky Cauldron gluten free pancakes that are not listed on the menu — ask what you can have rather than assuming. The food is fine, which qualifies as good by theme park standards. Same Coca-Cola situation as the rest of the property, so manage your caffeine expectations.

Leaky Cauldron Location: Universal Studios Florida

Leaky Cauldron Restaurant Universal Height Requirement: None

15. Universal CityWalk

CityWalk is Universal’s version of Downtown Disney and Disney Springs. It consists of gift shops, restaurants, bars, and girls going to get their club on with eight inch heels and three inch skirts. The area is fun and high energy. The people watching is priceless. It is one of the best things to do at Universal Studios Orlando for adults.

Like Disneyland, you enter Universal’s theme parks from CityWalk. You also board the boats to your on-site hotel from this area. The convenient location makes for an easy stop before or after your day at the theme parks.

The restaurants run pricier than anything off property, but a lot of the choices beat what’s inside the theme parks. Be aware that they get packed right after park closing. Some take reservations and some don’t, so call ahead or book in the app if there’s a spot you have your heart set on.

Location: Universal Orlando CityWalk

Height Requirement: None

14. Jurassic Park Discovery Center Orlando Florida

Jurassic Park Discovery Center Universal Orlando is a play area with large dinosaur skeletons, interactive exhibits, and a center where you can watch baby dinosaurs come into the world. It is not crowded and a perfect break from the sun. Young children can entertain themselves for hours in this area. It is one of my kids’ favorite things to do at Islands of Adventure — and a good place to wait out the heat while the line for the nearby coaster simmers down.

For a mental picture you will not be able to unsee, check out the exhibit that shows what your children would look like as dinosaurs. Things get really weird when siblings share a turn. Photographic evidence demonstrating why relatives can’t have babies together.

Location: Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure Height Requirement: None

13. Seuss Landing Universal

Seuss Landing Islands of Adventure is a heavily themed section of the theme park that is beyond adorable. It contains several Seuss Landing rides for small children and a show with Seuss Landing characters and a woman who missed her calling as one of Santa’s assistants. Even if your family is beyond this stage in life, you will appreciate the level of detail and fun colors. It is a must do at Universal Islands of Adventure.

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height Requirement: None

12. Islands of Adventure Marvel Super Hero Island Orlando Florida

Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Islands of Adventure is not a ride, but a section of the park that is heavily themed and crawling with characters. The lines are short to non-existent, the photos are priceless, and a few times a day, a bunch of superheroes ride to nowhere on motorcycles down the middle of the street.

The section also contains real rides, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man — a 3-D dark ride that definitely gets an honorable mention on this list — plus The Incredible Hulk Coaster if your stomach is up for a launch.

Location: Islands of Adventure

Height Requirement: None for the land; individual rides like Spider-Man and Hulk have their own limits — verify on the day, as Universal updates them

marvel superhero island universal orlando resort

11. The E.T. Adventure Ride at Universal Studios in Orlando

E.T. Adventure Orlando is a slow moving ride on a bicycle through my childhood. The animatronics are extremely outdated. The sound is poor quality. None of that matters. This is the last operating version of the ride anywhere in the world, which makes it a genuine piece of theme-park history — it checks all the boxes for those who used a crimper.

It is slow moving with no spinning. Anyone can enjoy it without feeling sick. It is one of my favorite things to try at Universal Studios Orlando.

Location: Universal Studios Florida

E.T. Adventure Height Requirement: 34″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone (confirm current inches on the official site before you count on it)

E.T. Adventure universal orlando best rides

10. Jurassic Park River Adventure Orlando Florida

Heads-up before you plan around this one: Jurassic Park River Adventure closed January 5, 2026 for a major refurbishment, with an announced reopening of November 20, 2026. So for most of 2026 it is not rideable, and the bridge between Hogsmeade and Jurassic Park has been walled off — budget extra walking time to get around it. The notes below are for when it reopens (it keeps the same name and ride identity).

Islands of Adventure Jurassic Park River ride Orlando is 3-D glass free, which by itself gives this water ride a boost. It has a classic theme park feel. You cruise down a river through animatronic dinosaurs. Everything is cool until raptors escape and a T-Rex tries to eat you, then not so much. It is one of the most fun rides on Islands of Adventure.

This ride ends with a steep drop and a bunch of water in your lap. Ride on a warm day and pack your poncho. For more on what else will leave you drenched, see our rundown of the best water rides at Universal Orlando.

This ride may be scary for young children. A toddler should skip this one.

Location: Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure Jurassic Park River Adventure Height Restriction: 42″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone (confirm when it reopens)

9. Seuss Landing Cat in the Hat Universal Ride

Seuss Landing The Cat in the Hat Universal Orlando has a Disney-like slow moving dark ride vibe. It is one of my favorite Universal Orlando kid rides. The animatronics are fun. The story is cute. There is a ton to see. While it is geared toward younger children, most people will appreciate it. It is a great Islands of Adventure attraction.

Location: Islands of Adventure Seuss Landing

Height Requirement: 36″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone (verify current inches before you go)

8. MEN IN BLACK Ride Universal Alien Attack

MEN IN BLACK Universal Studios is similar to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World, but with more spinning. The movie and some of the alien targets are outdated, but shooting at things is good wholesome fun. You can also shoot at other cars. This causes more spinning, Universal’s favorite movement other than shaking. It is one of the best rides at Universal Studios Orlando.

Location: Universal Studios Florida

Height Requirement: 42″ with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone (confirm current inches before you go)

7. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is a great Universal Orlando event, and it’s included with regular park admission — no separate ticket. For 2026 it runs February 7 through April 4 on select nights. The area is well decorated. There is a lot to see and do. It features food booths and a concert series — the 2026 lineup includes Kaskade, Bebe Rexha, Zedd, The All-American Rejects, RuPaul, and more, so “D-list” is doing some heavy lifting this year.

The highlight is definitely the parade. It is super high energy with people on stilts as far as the eye can see. The music is upbeat, the floats are intricate, and beads are thrown liberally, even if you don’t remove your bra. People over age 18 can sign up to be a Mardi Gras float rider. This parade is not to be missed. It is one of the must do things in Universal Studios.

Location: Universal Studios in Orlando

Height Requirement: None

universal studios orlando mardi gras beads

6. Universal Express Unlimited

Universal Express Pass Unlimited is like SeaWorld’s Quick Queue and LEGOLAND’s Reserve ‘N Ride. Is Universal Orlando Express Pass worth it? At the two original parks, yes. Buy it if you can stomach the price. At this point, I won’t visit Studios and Islands of Adventure without it.

You get to enter the shorter Express line on most of the rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as many times as you want. Two 2026 caveats keep it from being a slam dunk: the participating-ride list has been shrinking (Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit closed for good in August 2025, and Hagrid’s is being pulled from the Express lineup on July 1, 2026), and Express Unlimited does not work at Epic Universe at all.

There’s also a newer, separate option: Express Pass Now, a pay-per-ride add-on you buy in the app, day-of, for roughly $25 per person for a single ride (you have to be inside the park with location services on). Handy if there’s one line you can’t stand but you don’t want to commit to the all-day price.

Universal Express costs a small fortune — 2026 per-day prices swing widely by park and season, so price it at booking rather than trusting an old number. If you don’t want to pay out of pocket, consider staying in one of the three premier Universal Orlando hotels that include Express Unlimited. The choices are Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. The Express Unlimited benefit covers everyone in your room for the length of your stay. One trap to avoid: the newer Universal Helios Grand Hotel at Epic Universe does not include free Express — it offers early park admission and a direct entrance into Epic Universe instead, so don’t book it expecting the same perk. Want help deciding? Our take on Loews Portofino Bay Hotel breaks down whether the premier tier earns its keep.

Location: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida

Height Requirement: None

5. Harry Potter World Gringotts Ride

Harry Potter Gringotts ride Orlando is located in the Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The air conditioned Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts queue for this Diagon Alley ride has a ton to see, which makes the wait tolerable.

This Universal Orlando Harry Potter ride is largely a motion simulator with 3-D glasses, but it is on a roller coaster track. It is much more entertaining than just sitting in a shaking theater. The videos are very well done, but may be scary for some children. It is one of the must do rides at Universal Studios Florida.

Be aware you have to put your things in a free Universal Orlando locker before you ride. The small Escape from Gringotts lockers are free. The locker rooms are reminiscent of Target on Black Friday, so saddle up.

Location: Universal Studios in Florida

Harry Potter Escape from Gringotts Height Requirement: 42″ to ride with a supervising companion, 48″ to ride alone (verify current inches before you go)

4. Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure Ride

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened in 2019 and was the resort’s headline coaster for years. It’s no longer the newest — Epic Universe brought a fleet of newer coasters in 2025 — but it’s still one of the best, and it still draws monster lines.

We participated in the Hagrid Motorbike rope drop foot race one morning. We got there within a few minutes of opening (because seven year old children are slow). Our wait time was a whopping 190 minutes. To add insult to injury, the Hagrid’s queue is as interesting as a croquet match. It got all Girl, Interrupted in that line.

This roller coaster itself is awesome. The ride vehicle has a motorcycle and sidecar. The coaster goes backward for a good portion of the time. There are impressive animatronics. Is it worth a 190 minute queue? Nope. Is it worth a ride? Absolutely. Run faster than we did.

Express Pass heads-up: Universal added Hagrid’s to the Express lineup in 2025, but it’s being pulled back out effective July 1, 2026 (they cited guest-flow problems). After that date, your only ways on are the standby line, the single-rider line, or the paid VIP Experience — so plan to rope-drop it or grab a single-rider spot. You’ll also need the free lockers for this one before you ride.

Location: Islands of Adventure Harry Potter

Height Requirement for Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure Islands of Adventure Park: 48″

3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal

Hogsmeade Universal Florida is part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This Universal Harry Potter World is amazingly detailed and immersive. It contains amazing rides. Even without them, the land can hold its own. You could kill hours in this area without riding anything, particularly if you are into Harry Potter (which I am not).

Shops in Hogsmeade Universal Orlando include Ollivanders, a store where a wand chooses a child and said child’s parents get stuck with an expensive purchase. The interactive wands can be used at marked spots throughout Hogsmeade. They didn’t work all that well for us. If you want to avoid the shakedown, avoid the store.

This. Area. Gets. CROWDED. It is most enjoyable first thing in the morning. Consider going here first if you have multiple days at the theme parks. And know that there are now two Wizarding Worlds — Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at the original parks, plus a third Harry Potter land (Ministry of Magic) over at Epic Universe — so a true Potter fan needs more than one day.

Location: Islands of Adventure Universal

Height Requirement: None

2. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Universal Orlando

The Forbidden Journey Harry Potter ride is easily in the top ten on which I have ever been. This Hogsmeade ride does come with screens and 3-D glasses, because it is Universal after all, but it is not just another motion simulator. It is a must do Universal Orlando attraction.

This Islands of Adventure ride has slow twists and turns, some of which turn you almost upside down between screens and shaking. You may experience some motion sickness. It is also dark, so it might be scary for some kids.

The queue is entertaining in its own right because of the heavy theming — you walk through Hogwarts castle to get to it. Like the other Harry Potter rides on this list, you need to put your things in a free locker to ride.

Location: Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure in Florida

Universal Orlando Ride Height Requirement: 48″

1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Florida ‚Äì Diagon Alley

The Diagon Alley Harry Potter World is amazing. When you enter this land, you no longer feel you are in a theme park. It should be at the top of your must do Universal Studios Orlando list.

The amount of detail is insane. From a fire breathing Diagon Alley dragon to the Knight Bus, there is no shortage of things to see. The area has lots of storefronts, some real and some decorative. Diagon Alley Universal Florida even has its own Harry Potter Gringotts bank.

Universal Orlando Ollivanders is also in this section, as are stations to use the interactive wands purchased in the Diagon Alley wand shop. Pack the Black Card or distract the kids. One more reason this earns the #1 spot: Diagon Alley connects to Hogsmeade by the Hogwarts Express, a genuinely fun train ride — but it requires a park-to-park ticket, so factor that into your ticket choice.

Universal Studios Diagon Alley Florida draws a big crowd. You will enjoy this area most first thing in the morning. If you are there multiple days, consider going to this area first.

Location: Harry Potter World Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando Height Requirement: None

Should You Add Epic Universe to Your Trip?

If your budget and your stamina allow it, yes — Epic Universe opened May 22, 2025 as Universal’s third theme park and it’s the biggest reason to go to Orlando right now. It needs its own day and, in most cases, its own ticket, so don’t try to cram it into a Studios/Islands of Adventure day. The headliner worlds worth building around:

Super Nintendo World — Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the showpiece, and the interactive Power-Up Band turns the whole land into a game.
Dark Universe — Universal’s Classic Monsters get the immersive-land treatment, anchored by the Monsters Unchained ride. Skippable for little kids who scare easily.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic — a third Potter land, so plan for it if you have a fan in the family.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk — the most family-friendly world, with rides little kids can actually do.

Note that Express Unlimited doesn’t work here, and if you’re staying at the on-site Helios Grand Hotel you get early entry and a direct gate instead of a free Express pass. If you’re tacking Universal onto a Disney trip, our guide to adding Universal to your Disney vacation walks through how to fit it all in without losing your mind.

Universal Orlando Must Dos FAQ

How many theme parks does Universal Orlando have in 2026?

Three: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe (which opened May 22, 2025). There’s also Volcano Bay water park and the CityWalk dining-and-entertainment district. If you want to see all three theme parks, plan on at least three days.

How many days do you need at Universal Orlando?

One day is not enough. Two days covers Studios and Islands of Adventure at a reasonable pace; add a third (or fourth) if you’re doing Epic Universe and Volcano Bay. Tackling it as part of a longer Florida trip? Our Orlando packing guide keeps you from hauling junk you won’t use.

Is Universal Express Pass worth it?

At Studios and Islands of Adventure, yes — it skips most lines and I won’t visit those parks without it. Just know the ride list is shrinking (Hagrid’s leaves Express on July 1, 2026), it doesn’t work at Epic Universe, and there’s now a cheaper pay-per-ride option (Express Pass Now, around $25 a ride) if you only need to skip one line. The cheapest way to get it is staying at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, or Royal Pacific, where it’s included.

Can I ride Jurassic Park River Adventure in 2026?

Not for most of the year. It closed January 5, 2026 for a major refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen November 20, 2026. If a soaking water ride is on your list before then, the Discovery Center next door is still open, and there are other splashy options across the resort.

What’s the best Universal Orlando ride for little kids?

For the under-7 crowd, The Cat in the Hat, E.T. Adventure, and the Seuss Landing rides are gentle and genuinely fun. If you’re traveling with toddlers specifically, we wrote a whole guide on visiting Universal Orlando with toddlers.

Final Thoughts – Must Do Things Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has a ton to offer, and with a third park now open, the theme parks are no longer just afterthoughts to Disney World. You really need more than one day to enjoy them. Download the Universal Orlando app before you go so you can watch wait times. Make a touring plan to hit everything you want in the most efficient way possible. Build the Wizarding World into your morning, pad your schedule around the Jurassic Park refurb, and price out Express before you commit. You will not regret the trip.