Universal Studios Florida offers a truly unique experience, the opportunity to jump head first into a world inspired by the magic of the movies. This theme park finds a way to help it’s guests suspend reality and immerse themselves in a world of make-believe and thrill rides. There’s something for every member of your family. For the younger set there is Fievel’s Playground, Dr. Seuss and classic Curious George. For those a little older, there’s everything from Spiderman to Jurassic Park, the Blues Brothers Show and Fear Factor! So where does one begin their adventure? When travelling with Tweens and Teens, it helps if you start with a plan. Here are our tricks and tips for surviving and getting the most out of your visit to Universal Studios Florida!
#1. Purchase your ticket on-line. Not only will you be up to date on all the best deals, but you will receive all these extra benefits
#2. Know which ticket to purchase. Our best bet. Buy the Park-to-Park admission ticket allowing you to freely move between both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida all day long!
#3. Considering adding on one of the Express Passes. There are a number of different packages, but all are worth their weight in gold. You can buy a package for just one park or both. The 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited Pass means less time in line and more time on rides! Gets you in that fast lane at most rides with a few exceptions.
#4. Have a plan! Our best advice: Head straight for the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter. 
It will be tempting to jump on a ride, or be distracted by all the fun along the way, but stick to your plan! There are two unique areas of the Harry Potter World that you will want to explore, one in each of the parks. Head straight to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and grab a spot in line at “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts“. This is the best way to beat the long line that happen later in the day. After you’ve conquered this attraction stroll around the rest of this incredible part of this world. Once complete, hop on the Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross Station.
This unique train ride will land you smack in the middle of Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure. Be prepared Harry Potter fans, Hogsmeade will take your breath away. Now that you’ve arrived, make your way to the castle and try and prepare yourself for the experience that is “Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey“. WOW.
Once you’re done, stop for some pictures, take in the live street performances, go shopping for your very own wand at Ollivanders and of course, enjoy one of the famous BUTTERBEER’s!
Now that you’ve knocked Harry Potter off the list you are free to take on the rest of your favourites at your leisure!
#5. Head for the thrills! Teens are looking for laughs, thrills and spills. All of these are easily found at Universal Studios Florida. Here are our choices for top 5 attractions at both parks located at Universal:
*At Universal Studios:
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: You can listen to the music of your choice while you scream your way through this coaster. The blasting music makes this coaster even more epic!
Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts: Is a tricked out rollercoaster that launches you into Harry Potter’s World. Watch out for Voldemort!
Men in Black Alien Attack: A personal favourite and fun for all. As an agent trainee, you must zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York.
The Simpsons Ride: Teen approved as the Simpsons and their world come to life before your eyes. Insider Tip: If you have any kind of back or neck issues heed the warnings. This one will throw you around.
Hogwarts Express: Yes, a chance to ride the train just like Harry Potter and his friends did. A fabulous way to park hop!
*At Islands of Adventure:
Dragon Challenge: You must be at least 54″ tall and be all kinds of brave to ride this coaster. It’s slick, it’s smooth and it’s fast. The teens in your group will want to ride it twice.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: A chance to soar above the castle with Harry Potter himself! Not to be missed.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – Setting: The Canadian North Woods? I’m not sure about that, but I am sure you will get wet!
The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man: Is it a ride? Is it a movie? The only one who loved this more than the teens was the Hubby. It’s not to be missed.
Jurassic Park River Adventure: It was hot when we visited, but this ride still tops the list. A lazy river raft ride provides more than a few thrills as you re-live some of the scenes from the original Jurassic Park movie.
*Honourable Mention to The Incredible Hulk. Closed for renovation at the moment, and promises to re-open better than ever!
Bonus Insider Tips:
*Arrive early (before the park even opens) to avoid long waits and crowds itching to start their day.
*When heading to Universal keep in mind that most rides now require that you check all bags in their free locker stations before you are allowed to board the ride. Yes, this includes diaper bags, totes, anything in your pockets, and even the smallest of cross body bags. If you don’t need any “stuff” throughout the day, consider renting a locker at the entrance. This will save you time at each major ride queuing up to get a locker and then on the way back out of the ride, to retrieve your belongings.
*If your teens don’t feel the need to see the interactive “show” that happens at Ollivanders you can circumvent this by entering through the Wiseacre’s Shop.
*When you arrive, check the show schedule and plan your day accordingly.
*Snack attack? Don’t miss the “donuts”. They are amazing.
*Have lunch during off peak times! This will equal shorter waits both for lunch service and potentially shorter lines for rides over the regular lunch hour.
*Butterbeer comes in frozen or chilled and are generous in size. We preferred the frozen and split two drinks between the four of us! Perfection.
*Save some time for beyond the parks! Universal City Walk awaits with hours of shopping, dining and entertainment possibilities just waiting to be discovered.
No matter how you plan to spend your day, you can’t go wrong following the lead of your teen. Make sure you have your camera, good shoes and are ready to make some memories. It’s a day your teens will thank you for, and remember forever.
My girls would love to go there
Such a great way for our girls to unplug and have some good old fashioned family fun! Hope you have the chance to check out Universal soon!
I would love to take my daughter. She is 14 this month and a very special girl.
Oh what a lovely Mother/daughter trip that would be. Universal offers some incredible hotels too! Hope you and your girl get some time at Universal soon!
I have never been but would really to visit sometime!
Universal is worth the trip to Florida 🙂
i would love to check out potter world
It is kind of incredible!
Great Information we are going this summer and hope it’s not too packed!
As we were there at March Break it was packed. Actually, I was told the park was at capacity and I still thought it was okay! The only lines I found to be too long were the one’s for food. Hence my advice for eating at off hours. That really helped when the supper hour rolled around. Have a fabulous trip!
Would love to get back there for a visit, its been a long time
I hope you get that return trip soon 🙂
I did not know you got a coupon book when you purchase your tickets online !
Yeah! So happy I could provide an insider tip 🙂
Wow, looks like it has really changed since the last time I was there. Really need to get back one of these years.
They just keep adding to it and making it better. There were marquees for a Jimmy Fallon experience/attraction? I can’t wait to see what that is!
I have been to both parks but it was major years ago!! I prefer Florida (World) over Land (LA) and would really like to go back one day (Heck the first time I went, we met tons of seniors who were having a blast!!) I think its been 24 yrs since I made my first trip to Florida, and it was maybe 18 yrs since we went to LA. Yeah, things have changed obviously.
There is so much to do at Universal Studios I’m convinced you could go multiple times a year and have a different experience every time. Imagine what a girls trip would look like!?
I wish I could go! Looks fun
It truly is a lot of fun!
Incredible pictures looks like so much fun Cant wait to go someday
Thank you Ali!
This is totally my place!! Dragon Challenge is totally calling my name!
I screamed so loud on that coaster I’m surprised they didn’t hear me in Canada!
I would love to go there with my family!
Time with family at Universal is definitely worth adding to the bucket list. I hope you get the chance to experience it 🙂
It has been years since we have been to Florida.So many great attractions have been added.
And Universal is adding KONG by the end of the year!
I would so love to go!! Maybe by the time our kids are teens we will have the chance 🙂
This is such a great theme park for teens. There are so many thrill rides!