How to do Universal Studios in One Day

Universal Orlando Resort has long been a favorite for theme park fans who love the mix of thrill rides, themed lands and nostalgia. But with the opening of Epic Universe in May 2025, this sprawling complex is now a four-park behemoth. If you’re wondering whether you can experience Universal Orlando in a single day, the answer is, well, kind of.

To see all the top attractions across the entire resort, though, you’ll need a solid strategy, a high tolerance for crowds and probably some cash to burn.

Universal Orlando comprises three separate theme parks for now, with Epic Universe on the way in May. As far as parks you can visit now, your options are:

• Universal's Islands of Adventure.

• Universal Studios Florida.

• Universal's Volcano Bay. 

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Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990 as the original Universal park in Florida. It's mostly themed like a film set, though some lands are themed to place you inside the world of that particular movie. Highlights include Revenge of the Mummy, and there's also Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Islands of Adventure debuted in 1999 as a thrill-seeker's paradise. Top rides include The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. It also features a section of the park dedicated to Hogsmeade from the Harry Potter films.

Universal’s Volcano Bay

Universal’s Volcano Bay is a water park with theme park elements, including water slides and a water coaster.

» Learn more: Universal Studios versus Islands of Adventure

Universal Epic Universe (coming in May 2025)

When it opens, expect rides and shows themed to popular franchises like Nintendo and Harry Potter.

Trying to squeeze in Volcano Bay into a full theme park day will be tricky from a practical level, as you'll likely need to bake in time to shower and change out of your swimsuit. Given the scale of Epic Universe, most travelers will also leave an entire day to that park.

But while squeezing in the two oldest theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, might be tricky for travelers who like to take it slow, it's possible. Both parks are located right next to each other, making them easily accessible on foot.

You can also ride the Hogwarts Express train, which takes you between the two Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections of each theme park.

If you insist on cramming Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure into a single day, here’s how to make it happen.

Here are the six best ways to ensure you can conquer Universal in one day:

1. Buy park-to-park tickets (they're pricey but necessary)

A Park-to-Park ticket is the only way to visit multiple parks in one day — and to be able to ride the Hogwarts Express between them (which is one of the top attractions for Harry Potter fans).

Park-to-park tickets cost more than getting a one-park-per-day ticket, but it's the only way you'll be able to see both parks.

» Learn more: How to get discounted Universal Studios tickets

2. Upgrade to Universal Express Passes

Universal Express Passes allow you to skip the regular queue at participating attractions. Simply show up at the ride's main entrance and — rather than join the usual line — join the (typically much shorter) Express Pass line.

This can save you a ton of time on a Universal Studios one-day itinerary. In fact, this is the single most helpful tool for visiting both parks in one day.

There are two types of Express Passes available:

• Universal Express: Skip the regular line one time per ride.

• Universal Express Unlimited: Skip the regular line an unlimited number of times.

Pricing varies based on demand and when you purchase the pass, but the standard Universal Express pass costs about $100 per day, while the Universal Express Unlimited pass costs even more.

» Learn more: How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios?

3. Stay at a Universal hotel

Perhaps the best benefit of staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel is not the theming or proximity to the parks, but rather the ability to enter the theme parks up to one hour before they open.

This can be key for those looking to see as much as possible since the crowds are generally pretty light in those early morning hours.

4. Arrive super early

Arrive not just when the parks open, but before they do. Of course, the early entry benefit for hotel guests is your best option, but if you're not staying at a Universal hotel, at least get there before the gates officially open so you can be first to sprint to the most popular rides.

in most cases, your best first ride picks are:

• Islands of Adventure: Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure or VelociCoaster.

• Universal Studios: Escape from Gringotts.

5. Opt for the single-rider line

Single Rider lines are your secret weapon. You’ll be split from your group, but you’ll wait way less. Rides with Single Rider options include:

Islands of Adventure:

• Dr. Doom’s Fearfall.

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

• Jurassic Park River Adventure.

• Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

• Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

Universal Studios Florida:

• Fast and Furious — Supercharged.

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

• Men in Black Alien Attack.

• Revenge of the Mummy.

• Transformers: The Ride — 3D.

6. Visit during the low season

Low seasons in Orlando are increasingly hard to come by as huge numbers of tourists visit throughout the year. Still though, tourism in Florida is mostly seasonal, with big crowds during the summer, as well as the winter holidays.

The lowest crowds tend to be during September and January, aside from long holiday weekends.

The benefit of fewer crowds also means many other costs, like hotels and theme park tickets, are lower.

Unlike the two aforementioned parks, Epic Universe will not be connected. In fact, it’s actually located about three miles away, connected via a complimentary shuttle. will require a shuttle or separate transportation.

For now, Epic Universe deserves its own full day. If you only have one day at Universal, skip it and stick to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Although there are four parks within the Universal Orlando Resort, it makes the most sense for travelers short on time to combine a day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with Universal Studios.

Still, you'll have to move pretty fast. But if you're not interested in the water park and you're willing to wake up early, then one day is enough for Universal Studios Orlando for most travelers.

Then again, while one day at Universal is possible, two or three days is the sweet spot if you really want to experience everything.

(Top photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort)