The Universal Orlando Resort is an amusement park resort located in Orlando, Florida. It features three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe built on 107 acres (43 ha), 101 acres (41 ha), and 110 acres (45 ha) of land, respectively. [1] [2] The three 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 The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the now-defunct Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Dragon Challenge. [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 and replaced by Dreamworks Land, which opened on June 14, 2024. [16] [17]
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 | 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 launch roller coaster themed to dragon flying based on the How To Train Your Dragon film franchise |
Mine-Cart Madness | 2025 | Setpoint | Universal Epic Universe | Super Nintendo World - Donkey Kong Country | A "Boom Coaster" based on the Donkey Kong video games. |
Pteranodon Flyers | 1999 | Setpoint | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | A suspended family roller coaster themed to the Jurassic Park films. |
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 dual 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 | 2024 | 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 featuring various Universal Monsters characters |
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 Universal 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 | Year | Park | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Animal Actors on Location | 1990 | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show |
Astronomica | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Celestial Park | Children's interactive water play area |
The Blues Brothers Show | 1991 | Universal Studios Florida | New York | Live show based on The Blues Brothers |
The Bourne Stuntacular | 2020 | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Bourne films |
Camp Jurassic | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | Play area based on Jurassic Park |
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | Dark Universe | A retail shopping and makeup artist attraction |
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Live show based on DreamWorks Animation |
Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular | 2000 | 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 | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Play Area based on Dr. Seuss |
Jurassic Park Discovery Center | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Jurassic Park | An interactive play area in which guests can learn about dinosaurs |
King Harold's Swamp Symphony | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | A mini interactive play area |
Le Cirque Arcanus | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic | Live show with mystical creatures |
The Mystic Fountain | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Lost Continent | An interactive fountain attraction that communicates with guests |
Mama Luna Feline Fiesta | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | An interactive children's play area based on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish |
Marilyn and the Diamond Bellas | 2016 | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | A live-action musical show located outside near the Horror Make-Up Show theatre. |
Me Ship, The Olive | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Toon Lagoon | Play Area based on Popeye |
Oh! The Stories You'll Hear! | 1999 | Universal Islands of Adventure | Seuss Landing | Live show based on Dr. Seuss |
Ollivanders | 2010 | Universal Islands of Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade | A shop selling "magic" wands |
Po's Kung Fu Training Camp | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | An interactive play area based on the Kung Fu Panda series |
Po Live! | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Live show based on Kung Fu Panda |
Poppy's Playground | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Play Area based on Trolls |
Shrek's Swamp for Little Ogres | 2024 | Universal Studios Florida | DreamWorks Land | Play Area based on Shrek |
Universal Music Plaza Stage | 2009 | Universal Studios Florida | New York | An amphitheater that hosts about 15-20 concerts per season and holds up to 8,000 people. |
Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show | 1990 | Universal Studios Florida | Hollywood | Live show based on Universal Monsters |
The Untrainable Dragon | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | A live stage show based on How To Train Your Dragon |
Viking Training Camp | 2025 | Universal Epic Universe | How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk | Kids play area based on How To Train Your Dragon |