Are you feeling overwhelmed about planning your Universal Studios solo trip?
If you’re traveling to Universal Studios by yourself, you’re probably looking for the best way to see and do everything you can at the park.
You’ll want to avoid waiting in lines, indulge in the tastiest food, and engage with unique experiences you can’t find anywhere else!
This guide will provide you with some ideas of activities to make your solo trip to Universal Studios exciting.
I’m so happy to help you so let’s get started!
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1. VIP Tour
You’ll join a group of other VIPs to be escorted through the entire park, getting priority access to rides and shows without waiting in line!
The private tour guide will provide all sorts of interesting background information and fun facts about the park, including providing access to behind-the-scenes experience and sights.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
In addition to the no waiting, you’ll also get free valet parking for the day and complimentary breakfast AND lunch.
Plus Universal Express Unlimited if you want to re-ride your favorites throughout the whole day!
The VIP tour lasts 5 hours for one park, or 7 hours for both parks. Prices start at $189 for the day, which is a steal considering all the perks you receive!
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2. MiB Immigration Tour
If you’re looking for other special tour options, you can try for the free backstage tour of Men In Black: Alien Attack.
You can ask the greeter outside the ride if the tour is available or not.
Depending on staffing for the day, you could gain access to the special experience few guests know about!
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
If available, a Team Member will lead you through the downstairs area you pass through in the queue, getting a close-up view of the aliens and all sorts of Easter eggs hidden across the control room.
You’ll wrap up your special tour by signing a special logbook of others who experience the Immigration Tour.
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3. Bourne Stuntacular
One of Universal’s newest attractions is the story-based stunt show featuring Jason Bourne.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
The Stuntacular has an awesome mix of storytelling, graphic special effects, and live sets and performers to bring the action to life.
Shows run periodically throughout the day, and shows later in the day are often a little less busy.
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4. Look for Diagon Alley Secrets
Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter is clearly the crown jewel of the park. The theming and attention to detail are incredible!
The rides and stores transport you into the magical world, and the area is chock-full of hidden details.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
To start, be sure to visit Knockturn Alley, the dark area to the side of Diagon Alley. Not only is it a spooky spot to enjoy some air conditioning, but it also holds tons of hidden secrets.
Here are a few of my favorite Diagon Alley Secrets:
One of those is that its black lights reveal special spell locations on your spell map if you have a wand.
It’s a bit hidden to the left of the entrance behind the Leaky Cauldron and connects up behind the ice cream shop next to Gringotts.
Weasley’s Wheezes has lots of charming features, including the hidden skylight if you look directly at the ceiling while in the shop. You can see the Weasley’s fireworks exploding all day!
Aside from the mapped spells for your magic wand, there are a couple of other locations that are completely hidden to most guests!
If you have a wand, you can activate secret spells at Mullpepper’s Apothecary and at Scribbulus Writing Implements.
Finally, while you’re exiting Diagon Alley, you can look up into the windows in the building next door to catch Kreacher peeking out from behind a curtain.
Overall, Diagon Alley has tons of hidden secrets for you to explore! It’s always a good idea to ask a Witch or Wizard to help you find additional secrets.
Watch Next: Diagon Alley Complete Guide: The BEST Place to Visit in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
5. Ollivanders Wand Ceremony
While you’re still in the Harry Potter spirit, it’s a good idea to check out Ollivander’s to buy a wand.
While you’re there, you might catch the special wand-picking ceremony!
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
Though, it’s unlikely that an adult traveling alone would be chosen for the experience.
Seeing any lucky participant choosing their first wand just like Harry Potter did is an awesome experience!
These ceremonies happen throughout the day, but are much more common in the morning before a consistent crowd develops.
Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide
6. Ride the Hogwarts Express
If you have a 2-park pass and can hop between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, you can catch a ride on the Hogwarts Express!
There’s a special story to enjoy on the train as you travel between the two parks that’s different depending on which way you’re traveling.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
The ride from Diagon Alley (Universal) to Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure) will allow you to travel through the wall at platform 9 and ¾ and is a great opportunity for a picture!
Keep in mind that lines can get long in the afternoons if you don’t have the Universal Express Pass.
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7. Try the Crêpes at Central Park Crêpes
During a busy day in the park, you’re bound to be extra hungry!
Universal has some good choices for food, but the must-do snack at the park is at Central Park Crêpes.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
Located towards the front of the park at Universal, the small stand features savory and sweet crêpe options.
You can’t go wrong with the smoked brisket or the strawberry hazelnut! While you enjoy your crêpe, you can take a stroll through Central Park!
8. Use the Single Rider Line
Using the single rider line when it’s available is a must-do to save time waiting in line.
The Single Rider Line simply fills in singles to empty seats to ensure the ride operates at full capacity as much as possible.
These lines are only available at select attractions, but should be utilized as much as possible.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
Single Rider Lines are available at Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black: Alien Attack, and more!
Using the single’s line will save you tons of time if traveling by yourself (or even with friends willing to split up), so be sure to keep your eye out for it.
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9. Meet the Famous Characters
Part of Universal’s magic is transporting you directly into your favorite film franchises. In fact, Universal’s slogan used to be “ride the movies.”
Though that mantra has fallen by the wayside, the park is still full of awesome movie characters.
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
You can meet:
- Bumblebee or Optimus Prime outside the Transformers ride
- The Blues Brothers in the New York area
- Betty Boop, Doc Brown
- Marylin Monroe
- Beetlejuice
- SpongeBob
- The Scooby-Doo gang, and more!
If you’re visiting around Christmastime, keep an eye out for the Grinch – he’s one of the best characters to meet!
When you do meet characters, be sure to give your phone to the Team Member, so they can snap some pictures for you.
Feel free to converse with the characters as much as you want – asking them questions will always get you unique answers!
10. Create Your Own Foodie Tour
Though we’ve already covered one of the best snacks to have on your must-try list of foods, there are plenty of other tasty treats to try out.
It’s a good idea to plan out your day through the foods you want to try by creating your own food tour!
Why We Love This as The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
Aside from Central Park Crêpes, here are a few more yummy places to stop on your Universal Studios Foodie Tour:
- Grab a giant pink donut from the Simpsons
- Get a delicious Butterbeer in Diagon Alley (which comes in normal, frozen, or, in the wintertime, hot)
- Sink your teeth into a Po’ boy at the Today Café
- Treat yourself to an ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour (try the Early Grey and lavender or enjoy the Butterbeer flavor)
- Finish it all off with a Duff Beer
Your food tour can be what you make of it, so be sure to think ahead about what you want to try!
WATCH NEXT: 10 Things I’ll NEVER Do at Universal Orlando Again!
Honorable Mention: Ride E.T. Adventure
Though the E.T. ride is often overlooked by adults, it has a ton of charm and is one of my favorites at Universal.
It’s a slow ride, taking you flying through the world of E.T. in a sequel plot to the movie.
The wait time is usually low, so there’s no reason to skip out on it!
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What to Know Before You Go to Universal Studios Florida
Whether you choose to go to Universal Studios in Orlando solo or with family and friends, each experience will guide you to having the best theme park vacation ever!
But before you go, let’s go over a few questions I’m asked the most.
What’s the best itinerary for Universal Studios Orlando?
You’ll want to save time on your Universal Orlando trip, so you must have a game-plan to save time and see the most popular attractions.
Grab your FREE Universal Orlando Resort Guidebook here!
What time does Universal Studios open?
Universal Studios Florida is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the regular season and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the peak season.
Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.
How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios in Florida?
The cost of admission starts at $109, but I like discounts so I use Groupon to find cheap Universal Studios tickets.
What should I do first at Universal Studios Orlando?
One of the best Universal Studios Orlando tips that I can give you is to start at Diagon Alley first.
This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the two attractions (Escape from Gringotts and Ollivanders wand experience) extremely long.
My Final Thoughts on The Best Things to Do on Your Universal Studios Solo Trip
That wraps up my top 10 best things to do on your solo trip to Universal Studios!
From hidden secrets, to special tours and tasty treats, it’s a day full of well deserved fun.
I hope you feel a lot more at ease in planning your day of solo theme park travel.
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Listen to the Theme Park Podcast Episode 42 Below On the Best 1-Day Itinerary for Universal Studios Florida
This Podcast Episode Will Uncover How to Do Universal Studios Florida in Just One Day:
- Each step to planning out your Universal Orlando itinerary
- Top tips for the park
- How to maximize your time
- The best Universal Studios Orlando rides
Now let’s get into the BEST things to do at Universal Studios on your solo trip.
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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original Article Date: August 3, 2019/Updated by Editor on January 29, 2024)