Did you know that if you only have 1 day to spend at Universal Orlando you can still make your visit amazing?
I know I’ve said that I didn’t feel like 1 day at Universal Orlando was enough time to fully experience all that Universal has to offer. BUT if someone came up to me tomorrow and said you can go to Universal Orlando but just for 1 day, I would absolutely go back. The first time we went to Universal we only went for 1 day and it was a great day! So here are a few suggestions if you only have 24 hours at Universal Orlando.
Practical Tips:
Prepare yourself for a full day. On my first trip to
I know I’ve said it in every single Universal Orlando post I have done but make sure to get park to park passes even if you are going for just the day.
Download the app. I know it seems silly to download the Universal apps for a day in the park but they are fairly accurate and really help in deciding if rides are worth the wait. Honestly, they will save you the headache of walking half way across the park to find that there is a 45 minute wait for a ride. Wait Time Universal was our favorite.
Wear comfortable shoes. It seems like common sense but somehow on our first trip I ended up in Florida with a pair of flip flops and my chucks. If you wear chucks you know that unless they are really worn in they are going to kill your feet walking around all day. I ended up stopping and getting a pair of shoes that were supposed to be comfortable – they weren’t. So wear comfortable shoes AND don’t try to break in new shoes on your 1 day at Universal. I think my Fitbit said we walked about 35,000-40,000 steps from 11 am – 4 pm.
Get There Early!
I’m talking before the park even opens. The first time I went I had no idea that I was going to have to wait in line for security before I even got to the ticket lines. Although I had the best intentions, I ended up getting to the park about 45 minutes after it opened and waited in both security and ticket lines for a while.
Breakfast
If you want to see/do other things other than Wizarding World of Harry Potter go to those first. Wizarding World is insanely busy right away in the morning. I would suggest heading to Springfield for some Lard Lad donuts first thing in the morning. Try the Big Pink, a pink frosted donut the size of your head!!
If you are hellbent on visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter first then we suggest you head to the Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks for a full English breakfast and some butterbeer and/or pumpkin juice.
Use Those Express Passes
In terms of rides, express passes do not work on Wizarding World rides included Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Those 2 rides have by far the longest wait times of upwards of an hour most of the time.
I suggest that you start with the Hulk coaster (but NOT right after you eat breakfast!). It’s one of the best coasters that I’ve ever been on but be warned, it could screw with your equilibrium (it did with the Mr’s). The Jurassic Park rides tend to not be quite as busy and if it’s a hot day it would be fun to start with Jurassic Park River Adventure.
Lunch or Ice Cream or Both
If you didn’t stop at the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks for breakfast, then you have to go for lunch or dinner! I loved the fish and chips and the bangers and mash at the Leaky Cauldron. The turkey legs at the Three Broomsticks were great too! Other fun lunch options: Krusty Burger, Bumble Bee Mans Taco Truck if you are looking for food on the go, Toothsome or Cow Fish.
If you had a big breakfast and don’t want to do lunch, then I suggest heading to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor for some butterbeer ice cream. It’s amazing and it’s awesome on a warm Florida afternoon.
Take Advantage of the Mid-Day Lull
As the day goes on you will notice a lull in the crowds in the middle of the day. This is because a lot of the people staying on property take a break from the park in the middle of the day. Use this to your advantage if you are interested in riding some of the more popular rides,
Dinner or Those Harry Potter Rides
Around 6 or 7 pm the parks really start to clear out. I know that by this point most people will be ready to call it quits but this is a great time to go ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, if you haven’t already. If you end up having to wait in a long line on either of these 2 rides don’t sweat it because they have THE coolest waiting areas. You almost hope the line moves slowly so you have time to take it all in.
If you are hungry at this point I loved Antojitos Mexican Restaurant.
Finish the Way With Some Shopping
If you opt out of riding at this point, then I suggest you finish up with some shopping. If you DO choose to shop earlier in the day you can have your purchases sent to the front of the park to be picked up at the end of your day. Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes, Comic Book Shop, Kwik-E-Mart, Filch’s Emporium and Honeydukes are some of our favorite stores.
Don’t Forget the Sweets!
Load up on the sweets before you leave. If you haven’t stopped at Honeydukes yet do yourself a favor and grab some chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, butterbeer fudge or some Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans for the car ride home/back to your hotel. They can make for some fun/disgusting games!
Whatever you end up doing – enjoy your day at Universal Orlando.
Even if you only get 1 day it will be a pretty great day!
