Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure: Do you know the difference and which is better for you?
Well today, I’m going to help you answer those EXACT questions.
And while I’ve already covered the ULTIMATE theme park showdown: Disney vs. Universal here.
So, today I’m going to take on an even tougher debacle: Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure.
Which park has more of what you’re looking for?
Which park fits your checklist for the perfect theme park day?
Now let’s use our 7 favorite theme park categories to finally settle this age old challenge!
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Amount of Things to Do: Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure
I know, I know “Things to Do at Universal” is a broad category.
But for this Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure showdown, I broke this into two different groups: rides and entertainment/shows.
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Universal Studios Florida Rides and Attractions
So, which park is more packed to the brim for a full day of fun? I listed out each of their ride and attraction offerings below to help you figure it out.
Now let’s go through what rides are at Universal Studios Orlando.
1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
A magical, cutting edge ride that combines the thrilling aspects of a (non upside down) rollercoaster with immersive 4D movie screens, surround sound, and atmospheric effects.
2. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
A thrilling roller coaster that records your reaction while you ride, so you can purchase your own roller coaster music video – once you’ve got your bearings back on ground of course!
3. Revenge of the Mummy
NOT for the faint hearted, this completely dark roller coaster goes 45 (miles per hour) mph inside and is full of surprises like realistic movie projections and flames!
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4. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Because your day shouldn’t be ALL scary, Minion Mayhem uses 8 person ride vehicles to bounce, shake, and twist in tandem with the immersive screen in front.
5. E.T. Adventure
A cult classic, the E.T. ride takes guests on magical flying bikes over animatronic alien worlds. This more family friendly ride is slower placed, but that doesn’t make it any less enchanting!
6. Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
Another 3D motion simulator attraction, this newer ride combines the comedic charm of Jimmy Fallon with the hustle and bustle of New York City for a truly immersive experience!
7. The Simpsons Ride
Yet ANOTHER 3D motion simulator attraction (are you sensing a pattern here?).
This ride takes place in front of a big 3D screen that makes guests feel as though they are riding a creepy Krusty coaster with the Simpsons gang!
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8. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
A kiddie type of ride in Simpson’s Land, riders go round and round 10 feet off the ground.
9. Men in Black: Alien Attack
Video game fans unite! This ride gives each guest a laser gun to shoot animatronic aliens while tallying your points for the ultimate alien annihilation showdown!
10. Transformers: The Ride 3D
Perhaps the most realistic of all the 3D simulator rides in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
Transformers: The Ride 3D vehicle moves along a track to combine real forward movement with many 3D screens to really make you feel as though you’ve been dropped into a Blockbuster film!
11. Fast & Furious: Supercharged
With an immersive, live pre-show that captures guest attention from the start, you are then loaded into a bus-like vehicle surrounded by movie screens for a front row seat to this fan favorite film franchise!
12. Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
Here you will join the Minions and the rest of the Vicious 6 villains to see if you have what it takes to join the squad.
Hipster Power Tip: The new Dreamworks Land will be opening in the Summer of 2024 with new rides and attractions to be added to Universal Studios’ lineup!
13. Entertainment at Universal Studios Florida
And of course, don’t forget that Universal Studios has lots and lots of entertaining shows!
Let’s go through the current entertainment options for your Universal Orlando trip below:
- Animal Actors on Location
- Bourne Stuntacular
- Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
- Tales of Beedle the Bard
- The Blues Brothers Show
- Universal Orlando’s Lagoon Show (unavailable at this time)
- Beat Builders
- Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up show and more!
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Islands of Adventure Rides and Attractions
Now let’s go through what rides are at Islands of Adventure.
1. Flight of the Hippogriff
The most tame of the Harry Potter rides, this brisk roller coaster is great for those Potterheads who want a bit of a magical thrill, without any crazy dips, drops, or turns.
2. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Having recently replaced the crowd favorite Dueling Dragons/Dragon’s Challenge, this coaster feels like you’re flying through the Forbidden Forest.
This ride give you a thrill factor somewhere in between the more tame Flight of the Hippogriff and the way more intense Incredible Hulk Coaster.
3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Want to feel like you can actually fly on a Nimbus 2000? Then this is your ride!
Guests are loaded into one of four suspended seats that come with a “broom handle,” so you truly feel like you’re soaring with Hogwarts’ best witches and wizards!
Plus, large screens and quick dips and turns work together to convince you that you really can fly!
4. The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Not for the faint hearted, this coaster goes from 0 – 60 mph in two seconds and takes guests upside down on 7 different occasions!
5. VelociCoaster
Now we’re on to the BEST ride in Islands of Adventure, VelociCoaster.
This Jurassic World inspired roller coaster is wild, it’s crazy, it’s unpredictable, but it’s also FUN!
This revolutionary ride has been dubbed as Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster with 4,700 feet of track, including near-misses and a barrel roll right above the Islands of Adventure lagoon.
6. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
This dark ride requires 3D glasses and moves guests through different high energy scenes in 12 person ride vehicles!
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7. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
Ever wanted to free fall 185-feet? Now’s your chance on this thrilling ride in Islands of Adventure’s Marvel Superhero Island.
8. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Need a water ride for some Florida heat relief? Then this ride might be the one! Just make sure you’re prepared for the climactic 75-foot drop at the end!
9. Jurassic Park River Adventure
Another thrilling water ride, but the climactic 85 foot drop really catches riders off guard since you can’t see it until you’re riding it!
10. Storm Force Accelatron
A twirling “tea cup -esque” ride in Marvel Super Hero Island for guests of all ages (temporarily closed at the writing of this article)!
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11. The Cat in the Hat
Another ride geared towards the little ones, this four person vehicle takes guests swirling and twirling through this beloved Dr. Seuss book with animatronics.
12. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
Similar to Disney’s “People Mover” this easy going ride takes guests on a high in the sky train track throughout Seuss Land.
13. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Another kiddie, twirling ride that goes round and round up to 15-feet off the ground.
14. Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Very similar to Fast & Furious: Supercharged, guests are seated into a safari bus type vehicle that moves forward on a track and stops at various movie screen scenes for some thrilling story lines!
15. Islands of Adventure Shows and Entertainment
Show-wise, Islands of Adventure has less to offer than Universal Studios.
There are also shows in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter such as the Frog Choir and the TriWizard Rally.
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In terms of the sheer amount of rides and shows, Islands of Adventure wins, but remember, the quality of the rides at each park are also quite different.
While Islands of Adventure is packed with thrilling coasters and rides with big twists, turns, and drops, Universal Studios makes up for it by offering LOTS of shows and more immersive 4-D experiential rides.
Category Winner: Islands of Adventure!
The Food: Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure
No theme park day is complete without some good eats, right?
So let’s break down this very important category in this Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure debate!
Universal Studios Orlando Food
Guests at Universal Studios can expect a wide variety of dining choices, including sit down options like the full service:
- Finnegan’s Bar and Grill
- Lombard’s Seafood Grille
- The Leaky Cauldron
- TODAY Show Cafe
You can also enjoy quick service bites and treats, like the magical Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, and savory Simpson’s Land pickings like Krusty Burger, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, Bumblebee Man’s Tacos and so much more!
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Islands of Adventure Food
You can’t talk about dining in Islands of Adventure without talking about Mythos – or as most people call it – the multiple award winning Mediterranean restaurant in Islands of Adventure.
The mystical theming of Mythos is reason enough to try it, not to mention the delicious menu! So of course, reservations are highly recommended.
Snag one by visiting the hostess stand as soon as the restaurant opens for the day.
Other eateries of note in Islands of Adventure include:
- Confisco Grille: which boasts global cuisines
- Three Broomsticks: with its legendary Butterbeer, Shepherd’s Pie, and Fish and Chips
- Comic Strip Café: with an assortment of burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken
- Burger Digs: AKA, the best burger topping bar there is!
Category Winner: Islands of Adventure – because they have an award winning restaurant and the better of the two Harry Potter eateries!
Quality of Rides and Attractions: Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure
Well, if I do say so myself, I gave you a pretty detailed breakdown of all the rides offered at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in the first category: “Amount of Things to Do.”
But, as you all already know, quantity doesn’t always mean quality. So, let’s put the quality of each park’s rides to the test, shall we?!
Universal Studios Quality of Rides and Attractions
In the spirit of keeping a “Hollywood Blockbuster” vibe to this park, many of the rides in Universal Studios are 3D simulated, so in my opinion, after a while, a lot of them can feel like more of the same…
Or, as some might see it, more potential for motion sickness!
With that being said, Universal Studios definitely has its share of world class rides, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Rip Ride Rockit, E.T Adventure, and Revenge of the Mummy.
However, the majority of the other offerings are some sort of motion simulator that combine 3D screens with sharp twists, turns, and movements, which can start to feel repetitive.
Islands of Adventure Quality of Rides and Attractions
This park is definitely the place to be when it comes to ride diversity!
From water rides to intense roller coasters, your day at Islands of Adventure definitely won’t feel monotonous.
Plus, the scenery is always changing, from Marvel Superhero Island, to Jurassic Park, to Seuss Landing, to Toon Lagoon, to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and more!
Basically, what we’re trying to say is Islands of Adventure certainly lives up to its name!
Category Winner: Islands of Adventure for a smorgasbord of different ride opportunities!
Fandoms: Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure
What movies make your heart tick? Which movie characters do you want to fill your day with?
Think about it hard! Because the answer to this question might impact your Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure opinion dramatically!
Universal Studios for Fans
Home to rides inspired by cult classic movies like E.T., Fast and Furious, Men in Black, Transformers, and Harry Potter, blockbuster movie buffs will definitely enjoy their time at Universal Studios.
But of course, so will guests who enjoy the Dreamworks and Illuminations bunch, including Shrek, the Minions, and Springfield’s Simpsons who are also widely featured at Universal Studios.
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Islands of Adventure for Fans
This Universal Orlando theme park is home to Jurassic Park (where you can meet a LIVE dinosaur).
There’s also Marvel Superheroes and the many comic book characters of Toon Lagoon like Betty Boop and Popeye.
Category Winner: It’s up to you! Since we can’t tell you which fandoms to like best, the choice is really in your hands! Are you more of a superhero park hopper, or are the Simpsons more your thing? You can let us know in the comments below!
And P.S. Potterheads, don’t sweat it. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is featured in both parks!
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Entertainment: Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure
For a well-rounded park experience, sometimes it’s nice to break up all those rides with some shows and entertainment.
But what does each park offer? And which has a better entertainment selection?
Universal Studios Entertainment and Shows
This Florida theme park was BUILT with the movie buff in mind.
The rides here have cutting edge technology to make you FEEL like you’re IN the movie (yeah- we’re especially looking at you Transformers: The Ride 3D).
In addition to rides that make you feel like you’re a Hollywood star, there are also LOTS of awesome shows at Universal Studios.
With some fan favorites being Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, Universal Orlando’s Lagoon Show Spectacular, and the Bourne Stuntacular.
Plus, of course, in Universal Studios you can do meet and greets with Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Shrek, Fiona, Spongebob, and Patrick, if that’s your speed!
So, Universal Studios really is a movie critic’s paradise!
Islands of Adventure Entertainment and Shows
When comparing Universal Studios versus Islands of Adventure in this category, we don’t want to say there’s NO competition…but in a way…there’s really no competition.
Although you can do meet-and-greets with:
- Dreamwork Characters
- Spider-Man
- Captain America
- Wolverine
- Dr. Seuss Characters
- Blue the Velociprator from Jurassic World
Islands of Adventure really was designed more for the thrill seeking, ride loving type of ThemeParkHipster.
Launching from 0 – 60 mph in two seconds (The Incredible Hulk Coaster), 150+ foot drops (Doctor Doom’s Fearfall), and deep degree vertical drops (Velocicoaster) are the norm at Islands of Adventure.
Basically, they’re not trying to win your heart over with entertainment and story lines here, but more so boost your heart rate with some serious adrenaline!
Category Winner: Universal Studios
Shopping: Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure
You can’t have a theme park without a few gift shops, right?
Well rest assured that both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have their fair share!
Universal Studios Stores and Merchandise
Of course there are more gift shop offerings than what we have listed here, but these are the most memorable standouts due to their attention to detail:
- The Kwik-E-Mart: from the Simpsons
- Spongebob Storepants: which is also where Spongebob and friends do their meet and greets
- The Evil Store: directly after the Villain Con Minion ride
- Hello Kitty Shoppe: or as we like to call it, the cutest store you ever did see
- Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes: which is impressively identical to the Potter films.
Islands of Adventure Stores and Merchandise
This park has some standout shops too, including:
- The Islands of Adventure Trading Company: which is probably the biggest store on Universal Orlando Resort property
- Honeydukes: the only place you should be stopping for magical sweet treats while you’re in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Magneto’s Comic Book Shop: for those hardcore Marvel fans
- All Hallows Eve Boutique: for Halloween Horror Nights fans who want a little bit of spookiness throughout the year
Category Winner: Tie!
Shopping at Universal Orlando Resort
To be honest, this category kind of goes back to Fandoms, because specific merch is sold near specific attractions.
For example, if you really want an EPIC Transformers shirt, your best bet is to go to Universal Studios and check out the Transformer dedicated gift shop outside of the ride.
(And yes, Harry Potter merchandise is available in both parks, don’t you worry Potterheads!)
Something else you have to consider with shopping at Universal Studios versus Islands of Adventure is that both park tickets grant you access to CityWalk.
The outdoor mall type of experience prior to park entry.
CityWalk features LOTS of great shopping, with major brand stores like Universal Studios Store, Quiet Flight Surf Shop, and Hart & Huntington.
And, since this area is open to anyone on Universal Orlando Resort property, park ticket holder or not.
So, I’ve gotta say that both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are pretty well matched here!
Ride Wait Times: How Busy is Islands of Adventure vs Universal Studios?
As you likely know, ride wait times are more so based off of time of the year and time of day rather than park.
So, for the most optimal wait time experience, I DEFINITELY recommend hitting the parks right at opening and hitting the newest/most popular rides first thing.
Another tip? Visit during a weekday in September, November, February, March, April, or May aka: NOT during the holidays or when schools are off for break.
But, nevertheless, since Universal Orlando has recently released “virtual” ride queues through their mobile app, available for any guest use (in addition to their Express Pass, which can be purchased for either park).
The Virtual Lines were more popular option right after the pandemic, but you don’t see this feature much in the parks anymore.
Category Winner: No one here since the Virtual Queue is not reliable at the moment!
Which is Better: Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure?
So the final consensus in our Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure showdown?
...Islands of Adventure! For its extensive ride and food offerings, and better quality of attractions.
Do you agree that Universal Studios is the superior park? If you could only go to one park on Universal Orlando Resort property, which would you choose and why?
Let us know in the comments below! And, as always…
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Gina is a former Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Cast Member who enjoys reliving the magic by writing helpful tips and tricks for future guests!
Check out more about her Disney adventures and writing endeavors at www.ginaarfi.net.
UP NEXT: Disney vs Universal: Which is Better for You?
(Original Article Date: May 9, 2021/Updated by Editor on February 24, 2024)