The Universal Orlando Resort is an amusement park resort located in Orlando, Florida. It features two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, built on 107 acres (43 ha) and 101 acres (41 ha) of land, respectively. [1] [2] Both parks feature several attractions and shows based on movies produced by Universal Pictures.
After several delays during construction, Universal Studios Florida opened to the public on June 7, 1990; however, several of the park's major attractions experienced frequent mechanical and technical problems, forcing the rides to close. Eventually, Universal filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Jaws, an attraction that was based on the film. [3] [4] [5] Despite being costly to maintain, Jaws remained a popular attraction until its closure in 2012.
Three years later, Universal announced the construction of a second theme park, Islands of Adventure, that officially opened on May 28, 1999. [6] [7]
One of the most popular additions to the resort is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an incorporation of the Harry Potter franchise. [8] [9] Opened in 2010, part of the Lost Continent area of the Islands of Adventure park was re-themed to Hogsmeade. Also, a replica of Hogwarts was constructed, with a dark ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, located inside. [10] [11] [12] In 2014, an area themed after Diagon Alley opened in the former location of Jaws within Universal Studios Florida. [11] This addition included Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, as well the Hogwarts Express based on the Hogwarts Express that allows guests to travel between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley without actually having to exit either park. [12] [13]
In 2015, Universal permanently installed metal detectors at three of their roller coasters. These were Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the defunct Dragon Challenge and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. [14] The metal detectors would also be added to VelociCoaster in 2021. [15]
On January 15, 2023, the majority of Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, which included Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster and Fievel's Waterslide, the play areas Curious George Goes to Town and Fievel's Playland, and the Shrek-themed meet-and-greet style attraction which was opened the year before after the closure of Shrek 4-D, was permanently closed to make room for an area to be themed to DreamWorks Animation. [16]
Name | Year | Manufacturer | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curse of the Werewolf | 2025 | Mack Rides | Universal Epic Universe | Dark Universe | A spinning roller coaster based on the 1941 Wolf Man movie. |
Flight of the Hippogriff Formerly Flying Unicorn (2000–2008) | 2000 | Vekoma | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Vekoma Junior Coaster based on Harry Potter film series |
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | 2019 | Intamin | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Motorbike roller coaster based on the Forbidden Forest from the Harry Potter film series |
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | 2014 | Intamin | Universal Studios Florida | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley | An indoor roller coaster featuring motion-based 4D effects |
Hiccup's Wing Gliders | 2025 | Intamin | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | A family launched roller coaster themed to dragon training based on the How To Train Your Dragon film franchise |
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | 2009 | Maurer Söhne | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central | X-Car model that features on-ride music and video |
Mine Cart Madness | 2025 | Unknown | Universal Epic Universe | Super Nintendo World - Donkey Kong Country | A “Boom Coaster” based on the Donkey Kong video games. |
Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | 2004 | Premier Rides | Universal Studios Florida | New York | An indoor launched roller coaster based on The Mummy film |
Stardust Racers | 2025 | Mack Rides | Universal Epic Universe | Celestial Park | A duelling roller coaster themed to comets with onboard sound and LEDs |
The Incredible Hulk Coaster | 1999 | Bolliger & Mabillard | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Launched roller coaster based on fictional superhero Hulk |
Trolls' Trollercoaster Formerly Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster (1999–2023) | 1999 | Vekoma | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Vekoma Junior Coaster based on Trolls |
VelociCoaster | 2021 | Intamin | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Launched roller coaster based on the Velociraptor from the Jurassic World films, being the first ride at the resort to be based on the reboot of Jurassic Park. |
Name | Year | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 2012 | Universal Studios Florida | Minion Land on Illumination Ave | Motion simulator dark ride based on the Despicable Me film franchise |
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 2010 | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | Motion simulator dark ride based on Harry Potter film series Features real sets and screens |
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Super Nintendo World - Super Mario Land | Interactive Motion simulator dark ride with 4D effects based on the Mario Kart video games |
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Dark Universe | Motion simulator dark ride where riders encounter Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s sinister experiments. |
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2017 | Universal Studios Florida | New York | Motion simulator dark ride based on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Motion simulator dark ride based on Spider-Man Features real sets and screens |
The Simpsons Ride | 2008 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo/Springfield | Motion simulator dark ride based on The Simpsons |
Transformers: The Ride 3D | 2013 | Universal Studios Florida | Production Central | Motion simulator dark ride based on the Transformers film franchise Features real sets and screens |
Name | Year | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Caro–Seuss–el | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Carousel based on fictitious animals found in works by Dr. Seuss |
Constellation Carousel | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Celestial Park | Carousel ride themed with star signs and constellations |
Doctor Doom's Fearfall | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Space Shot based on Doctor Doom |
Dragon Racer’s Rally | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | Dueling Gerstlauer Sky Fly rides based on How To Train Your Dragon |
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | Log flume based on Dudley Do-Right |
E.T. Adventure | 1990 | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Dark ride based on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial |
Fast & Furious: Supercharged | 2018 | Universal Studios Florida | San Francisco | Dark ride based on Fast & Furious film franchise |
Fyre Drill | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | An interactive boat ride based on How To Train Your Dragon |
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic | An omnidirectional lift ride based on the Harry Potter film series |
Hogwarts Express | 2014 | Universal Studios Florida Universal Islands of Adventure | Hogsmeade and London/Diagon Alley | Train ride based on Harry Potter that allows two-way access to and from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure for visitors whose park pass allow usage |
Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast | 2023 | Universal Studios Florida | Minion Land on Illumination Ave | Shooting dark ride based on Villain-Con from Minions . The attraction features a moving pathway as its way of moving guests along the showroom. |
Jurassic Park River Adventure | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Shoot the Chute water ride based on Jurassic Park |
Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl | 2013 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo | Aerial carousel based on the Treehouse of Horror series from The Simpsons |
Men in Black: Alien Attack | 2000 | Universal Studios Florida | World Expo | Interactive shooting dark ride based on Men in Black |
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Aerial carousel water ride based on One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss |
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | River rapids ride themed to Popeye |
Skull Island: Reign of Kong | 2016 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Skull Island | 4D Kong-themed dark ride with trackless vehicles and animatronics |
Storm Force Accelatron | 2000 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Marvel Super Hero Island | Teacups-style ride based on Marvel fictional superhero Storm |
The Cat In The Hat | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Dark ride based on The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss |
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Powered train ride based on The Sneetches and Other Stories and various other works by Dr. Seuss |
Yoshi’s Adventure | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Super Nintendo World - Super Mario Land | Omnimover ride based on Yoshi |
Name | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Animal Actors On Location | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show |
The Bourne Stuntacular | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Bourne films |
Camp Jurassic | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Play area based on Jurassic Park |
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Live show based on DreamWorks Animation |
Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular | Universal Islands of Adventure | Back lot behind Seuss Landing | Seasonal live-action theater show based on the franchise How the Grinch Stole Christmas |
If I Ran The Zoo | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Play Area based on Dr. Seuss |
Le Cirque Arcanus | Universal Epic Universe | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic | Live show with mystical creatures |
Me Ship, The Olive | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | Play Area based on Popeye |
Oh! The Stories You'll Hear! | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Live show based on Dr. Seuss |
Po Live! | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Live show based on Kung Fu Panda |
Poppy's Playground | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Play Area based on Trolls |
The Blues Brothers Show | Universal Studios Florida | New York | Live show based on The Blues Brothers |
Shrek's Swamp for Little Ogres | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Play Area based on Shrek |
The Untrainable Dragon | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | A live stage show based on How To Train Your Dragon |
Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Universal Monsters |
Universal Orlando Resort, often shortened to Universal Orlando, is a 541-acre (219 ha) theme park and entertainment resort complex located in Orlando, Florida. Following the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, MCA moved forward with plans to expand from a single park into a large resort hoping to compete with Walt Disney World. In 1999, a second theme park called Universal Islands of Adventure opened in addition to Universal CityWalk, a shopping promenade and nightlife district that incorporates a variety of themed hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. A third park, 30-acre (12 ha) water park Universal Volcano Bay, was added in 2017, and a fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, is scheduled to open in 2025.
Universal Islands of Adventure, originally called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and later Universal's Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The resort's slogan Vacation Like You Mean It was introduced in 2013.
Universal Studios Florida is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida, that opened on June 7, 1990. Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are primarily themed to movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry. Universal Studios Florida was the first of three theme parks to open at Universal Orlando Resort, joined later by Universal Islands of Adventure in 1999, and Universal Volcano Bay in 2017. In 2019, it ranked eleventh in the world – sixth in North America – for overall attendance among amusement parks with approximately 10.9 million visitors. A fourth park, Universal Epic Universe, is expected in 2025.
This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at various Universal-owned theme parks, amusement parks, or water parks. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy.
Universal Creative is the division of Universal Destinations & Experiences responsible for designing, developing, engineering, and producing themed attractions, rides, and, resorts. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company operates at Universal Parks & Resorts locations around the world in the United States, Singapore, Japan, and China.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a junior roller coaster at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the many Universal theme parks. It is present at Universal Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing. Designed by Universal Creative, the first installation opened at Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010. The new ride was a redesign of an existing roller coaster known as Flying Unicorn, which the park closed in 2008 to begin its transformation. The design change was implemented to fit the new Harry Potter-themed area that was being constructed at the park. Flight of the Hippogriff is a mild alternative to the area's more extreme rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Following a successful launch, identical versions of the roller coaster were installed at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood over the next several years, with the Beijing version opening with the park in 2021.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a motion-based dark ride located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-themed areas of four Universal parks around the world – Universal Islands of Adventure in Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood in California, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Beijing. The first installation opened at Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando on June 18, 2010. Subsequent installations opened in 2014 (Japan), 2016 (Hollywood), and 2021 (Beijing).
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area spanning three theme parks—Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and the upcoming Universal Epic Universe—at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J. K. Rowling, in partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment under an exclusive license agreement. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was well received and significantly boosted attendance at the resort.
This article details the appearance of Harry Potter theming in amusement parks. In the late 1990s, Universal Destinations & Experiences began discussing the possibility of purchasing the license for Harry Potter to create and theme amusement park rides. As Time Warner owns the license, a small walkthrough attraction was constructed at Warner Bros. Movie World called the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience in 2001. This attraction was removed two years later. In 2010, Universal Islands of Adventure park opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Similar attractions have also opened in Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Beijing.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J.K. Rowling. The attraction—the second Harry Potter-themed area to exist at a Universal resort—was designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas at Universal Destinations & Experiences based on the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the Warner Bros.' film series and original novels by J. K. Rowling. The areas were designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is an indoor steel roller coaster designed by Universal Creative and built by Intamin at Universal Studios Florida, a theme park located within the Universal Orlando Resort. Similar to dark rides, the roller coaster utilizes special effects in a controlled-lighting environment and also employs motion-based 3-D projection of both animation and live-action sequences to enhance the experience. The ride is themed to Gringotts Wizarding Bank, as depicted in the Harry Potter films, and became the flagship attraction for the expanded Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley when it opened on July 8, 2014.
Thierry Jean-Andre Coup is the Chief Experiential Futurist at JOCOUP Creative. Coup began his career working in the film industry, performing set design and visual effects. He moved into theme park design in the early 1990s when Walt Disney Parks and Resorts offered him a position with Walt Disney Imagineering. In 1995, he transferred over to Universal Creative and led projects such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley and Super Nintendo World.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area based on the Harry Potter series built at Universal Destinations & Experiences' Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, Japan. Not to be confused with Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter at Leavesden Studios, it is a collaboration of Universal Destinations & Experiences and Warner Bros. Entertainment. It opened to the public on July 15, 2014.
The Hogwarts Express is an 1,800 mm broad gauge cable railway, people mover, and attraction within the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, United States. The route runs 676 meters (2,218 ft) between Hogsmeade station in the Islands of Adventure theme park and King's Cross station in the London area of the Universal Studios Florida theme park. It provides a connection between the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade areas which, together, form The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the Harry Potter film series.
A Celebration of Harry Potter was an annual three-day weekend event held on the last weekend of January at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. The event was a celebration of the fandom of the Harry Potter books, authored by J. K. Rowling, and the Wizarding World franchise, including the Harry Potter film series and Fantastic Beasts film series. Universal Parks & Resorts collaborated with Warner Bros. Entertainment, who owns the franchise, and Scholastic, publishers of the book series in the United States. The inaugural event took place on the weekend of January 24–26, 2014, and the final event on the weekend of January 26–28, 2018.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a multiple-launch steel roller coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade section of Universal Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. Manufactured by Intamin, the attraction opened to the public on June 13, 2019. The partially-enclosed motorbike coaster operates both indoor and outdoor, and it is the sixth Harry Potter-themed attraction created for the resort. Universal marketed the ride as "a highly-themed roller coaster" that focuses on "a different corner of the wizarding world".
Dragon Challenge, formerly named Dueling Dragons (1999–2010), was a pair of intertwined inverted roller coasters in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, United States. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland, the ride was a dueling roller coaster featuring two tracks – one side was called Chinese Fireball and the other Hungarian Horntail – that were themed as two chasing dragons. Its layout involved two trains sharing adjacent lift hills, with each traversing unique courses. Trains on the Chinese Fireball track reached a maximum speed of 60 mph (97 km/h), while trains on the Hungarian Horntail reached 55 mph (89 km/h). Both tracks featured five inversions and an identical ride duration of 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster is a launched roller coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Manufactured by Intamin, the ride opened to the public on June 10, 2021. It is themed to the Velociraptor dinosaurs depicted in the Jurassic World film franchise and is located in the Islands of Adventure's Jurassic Park area, occupying the site of the former Triceratops Encounter attraction. VelociCoaster features two high-speed launches powered by linear synchronous motors, a signature 155-foot-tall (47 m) top hat, four inversions, and a maximum speed of 70 mph (110 km/h).