The 2023 Guide to Universal Studios Vs. Islands of Adventure

The 2023 Guide to Universal Studios Vs. Islands of Adventure

The 2023 Guide to Universal Studios Vs. Islands of Adventure

This article is your complete guide to Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure! Universal Orlando Resort is one of the biggest resorts in Florida, and one of the most popular. Its north campus is roughly 735 acres while the south district is around 750 acres. The Resort is made up of the theme parks and surrounding hotels. However, there are 2 parks at Universal Studios Resort that attract the biggest amount of crowds. These different parks in the Universal Studios Orlando Resort are Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

If you only have a limited time to visit the parks, it may seem difficult to choose Universal Studios Florida vs Universal’s Islands of Adventure 2023. With that being said, the theme parks are very different and which Universal park is best is up to what you want to do with your vacation. If you’re wanting more thrills and adrenaline, you’d pick Islands of Adventure vs Universal Studios, which is better for families and movie lovers.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

So if you’re ready to read about the benefits of Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure read on!

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

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure 2023

Let’s start with the most common question we receive on this topic and that is, is Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure better? As a general rule of thumb, we would say that Islands of Adventure is better for thrill rides and Universal Studios Florida is better for shows and entertainment. Personally, we are more old school and when it comes to Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure, we tend to go to Universal Studios.

With that said, both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure have one of the lands which make up The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and do both offer Early Park Admission separately throughout the year. So in this article we will help you come up with a game plan when deciding if Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure is better and also which park should you try to visit with our early park admission!

The main difference between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is the themed lands featured in the park. There is also a size difference between the two Universal theme parks, which is something to make note of, as well.

Is Universal Studios bigger than Islands of Adventure 2023?

Islands of Adventure is slightly larger than Universal Studios Florida as of 2023. Islands of Adventure covers 110 acres, while Universal Studios Florida covers 108 acres. Therefore, if you’re comparing Universal Studios Orlando vs Islands of Adventure based solely on size, Islands of Adventure is the bigger park by a small margin of 2 acres.

However, it’s worth noting that the size difference is minimal, and what might be more meaningful to consider are the types of rides, shows, and experiences each park offers. In the context of Universal Studio vs Islands of Adventure, each park has its unique attractions and themes that could be more important to your visit than the slight difference in size.

So, when weighing Islands of Adventure versus Universal Studios, the focus could be better placed on what each park has to offer in terms of entertainment rather than their almost identical sizes.

Related Page: Harry Potter Early Park Admission 

What is The Difference Between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure?

The main difference between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure 2023 is the different concepts. Universal Studios is based on TV shows and movies, and is known as the theme parks where guests “ride the movies.” Guests visiting Universal Studios Florida can experience the E.T. film with E.T. Adventure or even The Mummy’s Revenge based of The Mummy from 1999.

Islands of Adventure, on the other hand, is where the fantasy and thrill rides mainly are.  So when debating on Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure, you may want to think about the difference between universal parks and which theme sparks a bigger interest to you and the group.

Is there a difference between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios lands?

Yes, the two Universal theme parks have different themed lands, and depending on what you like should determine what park you choose! If you’re wanting more action and adventure, you’d choose Islands of Adventure vs Universal Studios, since they have lands like Jurassic Park.

Islands of Adventure Lands:

• Marvel Super Hero Island
• Toon Lagoon
• Jurassic Park
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
• The Lost Continent
• Seuss Landing

Universal Studios Florida Lands:

• Production Central
• New York
• Hollywood
• San Francisco
• Springfield, USA
• World Expo

Related Page: How the Universal Express Pass Works

Which has More Rides, Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure 2023?

Let’s take a look at another important question which is, does Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios have more rides 2023? And, Islands of Adventure does have more rides than Universal Studios. Islands of Adventure has 19 rides vs Universal Studios 13 rides. It is important to know that although Islands of Adventure has slightly more rides than shows, Universal Studios Florida does have more shows than rides. If you are contemplating Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios for adults, then you would consider Islands of Adventure more. However, if you want fun for the whole family, Universal Studios is perfect for slightly more shows and kid-friendly attractions (especially for those under 5 years-old).

Universal Rides vs Islands of Adventure

When breaking down Universal vs Islands of Adventure rides 2023, here are some of their most popular ones to give you a feel of what to expect when visiting:

Universal Studios:

• 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 Simpsons Ride
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
• Villain-Con Minion Blast (opening summer 2023)

Islands of Adventure:

• 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

Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios For Thrill Rides?

We believe the real cut winner when considering if Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Orlando is better for thrill rides is Islands of Adventure. It has the most Universal Orlando roller coasters between the two parks with some of the most popular attractions in all of Orlando including the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Islands of Adventure is also home to the very popular Marvel ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios for Harry Potter 2023?

This is another one 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 like it is the better park if you are choosing between the two. You must also take into consideration that Islands of Adventure has the most popular Harry Potter ride as well which is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios for Classic Rides?

When it comes to the topic of Universal vs Islands of Adventure rides, one might start to lean towards Universal Studios Florida for a specific reason: nostalgia. Universal Studios Florida is home to some of the classic Universal rides that have stood the test of time. For instance, it houses the only remaining original Universal Studios ride, E.T., a true classic that has been delighting visitors for years.

Additionally, the park features other iconic rides like Men in Black and the Mummy, which have become staples in the Universal Studios experience. These rides offer a blend of thrills and storytelling that have made them enduring favorites among visitors.

When comparing Universal Studios Florida vs Islands of Adventure, it’s worth noting that Universal Studios also offers a dose of nostalgia through its Simpsons ride. Even though the Simpsons ride is one of the newer attractions at Universal Studios Florida, the brand itself has been around for decades. This allows guests to enjoy a nostalgic feeling as they walk through the theme park, adding another layer to the experience.

So, if you’re debating between Universal Studio vs Island of Adventure based on the rides, Universal Studios Florida might have the edge if you’re looking for classic Universal rides and a touch of nostalgia

Are you looking at the ride list above and having a hard time deciding between the two parks? Well, luckily it is totally possible to visit Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and get a ton done. We find that one of the easiest ways to pick the best time to visit Universal is to compare the cheapest Universal Orlando ticket prices. The cheaper the tickets the more likely it is that the parks won’t be as crowded during that time of year.

Related Page: Universal Early Park Admission Tickets

Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure for Early Park Admission 2023?

Did you know that Universal offers  EARLY PARK ADMISSION to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure? Yep, that’s right you will get into either Universal or Islands of Adventure one hour before regular park guests. But which one is better to use for Early Park Admission? When trying to decide between Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios 2023 for early park admission we are going to look at which park will help you save the most time later on in the day. Because that’s the whole point of using the Universal Early Park Admission anyway!

Overall we would always lean towards Islands of Adventure for early park admission. The main reason is this park is home to the newest Universal ride the VelociCoaster. As you can imagine this ride can have one of the longest wait times in the parks throughout the day. So we just find it to be such a time saver when trying to get on all of the rides at Universal or Islands of Adventure.

Should I go to Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios first 2023?

When considering your visit to Universal Orlando, the question of Islands of Adventure vs Universal Studios often comes up, especially in terms of timing. As a general rule of thumb, we would recommend leaning towards Islands of Adventure in the morning, particularly if you’re taking advantage of Early Park Admission. The rationale behind this is that Islands of Adventure houses some of the most popular rides, which tend to have higher wait times as the day progresses.

The difference between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios is evident in the types of rides and attractions each park offers. Islands of Adventure tends to have more thrill rides and immersive experiences that are highly sought after, leading to longer wait times. By arriving early at Islands of Adventure, you can get some of those high-demand rides out of the way, making your day more enjoyable and efficient.

To further optimize your visit, we recommend creating a ride priority list. This can be a crucial tool in deciding which Universal Orlando theme park to visit first, based on your specific interests and goals. So, when you’re weighing the options of Universal Studios or Island of Adventure, a well-thought-out ride priority list can be a game-changer in making the most out of your day at the parks

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

Is there a Difference in Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure Price 2023?

Are you trying to decide if you should visit Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida based on price? Luckily for you, this should be an easy one as ticket prices are identical between the two parks. Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios ticket prices both start right around $109.00 for a one day base ticket. Their two day passes are also sold to really give you access to both Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. So if you’re looking to visit Islands of Adventure two days in a row you can still simply shop for a Universal two day pass which starts at $106 per day, per person. 

As you can see the pricing shouldn’t really make a difference when deciding between Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. We will however say you might want to consider the difference between the base tickets and the park-to-park tickets if you do decide that you simply need to visit both parks. This ticket can be extremely helpful especially when trying to visit Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure Orlando in one day.

Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure ticket prices 2023

• Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios One Day Base Tickets: Starting at $109.00 
• Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure One Day Park-to-Park Tickets: Starting at $169.00 
• Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Two Day Base Tickets: Starting at $212.00 
• Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure Two Day Park-to-Park Tickets: Starting at $265.00

Related post: How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Tickets

Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Food

Overall we do feel that the real winner is and will always be Universal Citywalk when trying to decide on the best places to eat. Although both parks do have some new and creative takes on theme park foods, we typically don’t make our decision solely based on the park restaurants like we might do at Disney.  If we did have to pick a winner between who has the best food Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios 2023 we would go with Islands of Adventure. Mythos Restaurant has long been voted and is considered the best theme park restaurant in the world. While this theme park is also home to another sit-down restaurant the Confisco Grille. 

We do want to give a shout-out to the food in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as we do believe the theming is cool and they have a great theme park take on classic British meals. Overall though they are both very similar and we wouldn’t make a decision to pick one specific park over the other.

Related Page: Complete Guide to the Best Restaurants at Universal CityWalk 

Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure for Kids

This is another great question and we actually have an entire article dedicated to visiting Universal Orlando with kids. But which park is better for kids, Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure? Very simply, we do find Universal Studios Florida to be the better park to visit with young children. Although we know that Islands of Adventure has Seuss Landing, and some of the marvel character interactions. We feel that Universal Studios has more rides, shows, character interactions and special parades/events for kids throughout the year.

Some of our favorite things to do in Universal Studios Florida with kids are:

• E.T. Adventure
• Animal Actors on Location
• Kang and Kodo’s Twirl and Hurl

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Studios for Kids

Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios For Adults 2023?

When it comes to planning an adults-only trip to Universal Orlando, the question of Universal Orlando vs Islands of Adventure often arises. Universal Orlando is a fantastic destination for adults, offering a wide range of attractions that go beyond the typical theme park experience. With the addition of the newest Universal Orlando ride, the VelociCoaster, both Universal Studios Vs Islands of Adventure have a lot to offer.

However, if you’re trying to decide which park is the best fit for an adult-oriented trip, 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.

So, when comparing Universal Studios vs Island of Adventures, Islands of Adventure stands out as the best park for adults due to its high-thrill and immersive rides. These rides offer a level of excitement and adventure that is particularly appealing to an adult audience.

In summary, if you’re weighing Island of Adventure vs Universal Studio for an adults-only trip, Islands of Adventure is likely your best bet for a thrilling and memorable experience.

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Studios for Adults

Islands of Adventure Vs Universal Studios 2023 FAQ

Q: Is Harry Potter in Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure?

A: If you are debating on Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure for Harry Potter, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is actually located in both theme parks. This unique aspect has muggles and wizards traveling through both theme parks. Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios Florida, and Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure. You can take the Hogwarts Express to get to each park (but yes, you need a ticket for both parks).

Q: Which Park is Better, Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure?

A: Both parks have such a wonderful quality to them, so when deciding on Universal vs. Islands of Adventure, it almost seems unfair to pick a favorite. If you have the time and affordability, we say go to one per day, this way you don’t have to choose between Universal or Islands of Adventure. However, if you only have a day, we recommend purchasing a park-to-park pass, allowing you to access both parks in a day, which is another great day to help ease the decision of Universal Orlando vs Islands of Adventure.

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 breakdown 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’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! All guests who purchase their tickets from The Park Prodigy will get Early Park Admission to Universal Orlando! This could save you a ton of time in the parks and avoid buying express passes!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!