Differences Between Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios Florida

Differences Between Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios Florida

Differences Between Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios Florida

This article is your complete guide to the differences between Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure! When choosing between the two parks, we find Islands of Adventure to be the better fit for families with older kids or adults looking for thrill rides. On the flip side, Universal Studios Florida is the better choice for families with younger kids or non-thrill seekers, as this park has more motion simulators, an afternoon parade, and multiple sit-down shows.

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SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation, check out our Universal Crowd calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What’s the Difference Between Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure?

As a general rule of thumb, the biggest differences between Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios come down to the types of rides and the theming. Islands of Adventure is well known for its thrill rides such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Universal Studios Florida is known for its motion simulator rides, shows, live entertainment, and afternoon parade.

Breaking it down by park:

Islands of Adventure

Focused on thrill rides and adventures.

• Total number of rides: 17 total rides
• Different lands: Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing
• Total number of shows: 1 nighttime show
• Number of roller coasters: 3 roller coasters
• Kid-friendly rides under 40 inches minimum height requirement: 6 Kid-friendly rides
• Most popular attractions: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Universal Studios Florida

Themed around movies and TV shows, offering immersive experiences where guests can “ride the movies.”

• Total number of rides: 14 total rides
• Different lands: Production Central, New York, Hollywood, San Francisco, Simpsons, World Expo, Dreamworks Land, Harry Potter Diagon Alley
• Total number of shows: 3 sit-down shows, 1 afternoon parade, and 1 nighttime show
• Number of roller coasters: 2 indoor roller coasters
• Kid-friendly rides under 40 inches minimum height requirement: 5 Kid-friendly rides
• Most popular attractions: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Revenge of the Mummy, E.T. Adventure, The Bourne Stuntacular, Horror Make-Up Show

Related post: What are the the Top 10 Universal Islands of Adventure Rides?

Deciding Between Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios Florida

Which has better rides?

I believe the clear-cut winner here is Islands of Adventure, as it has more rides than Universal Studios Florida. Islands of Adventure has 18 rides, and Universal Studios has 14 rides. However, as we discussed above, it’s important to understand what types of rides are at each park to understand which park is the better fit. Islands of Adventure has more thrill rides, but it also has more kid-friendly rides than Universal Studios Florida. However, Universal Studios Florida has a good mix of kid-friendly rides, shows, and character meet and greets, which make it a better fit for families visiting Universal with young kids.

It’s also going to be interesting to see if Islands of Adventure can maintain it’s crown here as Universal recently announced a brand new Fast and the Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027!

Universal Studios Florida rides:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• E.T. Adventure Ride
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Trollercoaster
• The Simpsons Ride
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
• Villain-Con Minion Blast

Islands of Adventure rides:

• Caro-Seuss-el
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Hogwarts Express
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• Pteranodon Flyers
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Storm Force Accelatron
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• The Cat in the Hat
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Which park has better hours?

So the winner of which park has the better operating hours really depends on your personality. If you prefer to get up and get your day started with early park admission than Islands of Adventure is the better choice. You can knock out Hagrid’s, VelociCoaster, and Forbidden Journey before the general public even enters the park.

If you prefer sleeping in and staying in the park a little bit later at night, Universal Studios Florida is the better fit. The later closing time gives you more flexibility, and attractions like Diagon Alley are stunning after dark. Universal Studios Florida also hosts most of the resort’s nighttime entertainment and seasonal events as well which we will cover next.

Project operating hours for Universal Studios Florida vs. Islands of Adventure 

Which park has better dining options?

While Universal Studios Florida has some really great options with the Minion Cafe and the theming of Springfield U.S.A we feel like Islands of Adventure has the advantage here. The reason is that it has the best sit-down restaurant in Mythos and what we believe to be one of the best quick-service restaurants in all of Universal Orlando in Thunder Falls Terrace, tucked away near the Jurassic Park River Adventure with views of the ride’s splashdown. We also have really enjoyed our meals at the Three Broomsticks and Confisco Grille during our time visiting the parks.

Universal Studios Florida Restaurants

Islands of Adventure Restaurants

Related post: How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Tickets

Other Important Factors When Deciding

Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure for Kids

As discussed, we do find Universal Studios Florida to be the better park for families visiting with young kids, and we have an entire article dedicated to visiting Universal Orlando with kids. It’s important to keep in mind that Islands of Adventure has Seuss Landing and some of the Marvel character interactions so it might not be a bad idea to upgrade to a park-to-park ticket if getting on rides is your top priority, including the Hogwarts Express!

Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios For Adults?

Universal Orlando is a fantastic destination for adults, offering a wide range of attractions that go beyond the typical theme park experience. However, with the addition of the VelociCoaster, we find that Islands of Adventure has the edge. The primary reason for this is that Islands of Adventure features three of the best rides in all of Universal Orlando: the Incredible Hulk coaster, the VelociCoaster, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure for Early Park Admission?

We would always lean towards Islands of Adventure for early park admission. The main reason is that this park is home to the most popular Universal ride, the VelociCoaster, and Hagrid’s. As you can imagine, these rides can have the longest wait times in the parks throughout the day.

Special Note: Be sure to check out our Universal Orlando ticket page for the latest deals and promotions!

Islands of Adventure vs. Universal Studios for Harry Potter?

This is another of the most popular questions we receive, and as a general rule of thumb, we always pick Islands of Adventure when trying to figure out if you should visit Hogsmeade vs Diagon Alley. One of the main reasons is that Islands of Adventure has more Harry Potter rides than Universal Studios Florida. So, for this reason alone, we simply feel it is the better park if you choose between the two.

Islands of Adventure vs Universal Studios for Water Rides

Islands of Adventure is the hands-down winner for water rides, as there are three larger thrill water rides and a smaller kids’ water ride. Islands of Adventure has Jurassic Park River Adventure, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. There is a Dr. Seuss water kids ride in Islands too, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, which is fun for little ones. There is only a water interactive area in Universal Studios Florida at Po’s Training Camp.

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Studios for Adults

Conclusion

Choosing between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure ultimately comes down to your group’s preferences and priorities. If you’re traveling with thrill-seekers and older kids, Islands of Adventure is the clear winner with its impressive lineup of roller coasters like the VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and the Incredible Hulk Coaster.

On the other hand, Universal Studios Florida shines for families with younger children or those who prefer a more relaxed pace. With its 14 rides featuring more motion simulators, three sit-down shows, an afternoon parade, and better character interactions, it offers a well-rounded experience that appeals to a broader age range.

That said, both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks offer incredible experiences that showcase the best of Universal Orlando Resort. If your schedule and theme park ticket prices allow, we highly recommend visiting both parks—whether over two days or with a park-to-park ticket in a single day. This gives you access to both Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, the Hogwarts Express, and the full spectrum of what Universal Orlando has to offer.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!