1-Day Islands of Adventure Itinerary for 2024

September 28, 2024 Megan Hamilton

Make the most of your day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This detailed itinerary  will help you experience close to everything Island’s of Adventure has to offer in one day.

Take the guesswork out of how and what to see. You'll also spend less time walking back and forth, and less time waiting in lines.

Pro Tip:

Combine this itinerary with my Universal Studios Florida one-day park guide for an epic 1-Park 2 Day Universal Orlando Resort Itinerary.

Tips Before You Visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure

1.Be Strategic About When You Visit

I love using Undercover Tourists Crowd Calendar to see how buy the park is expected to be.

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If possible, choose weekdays.
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Avoid dates around holidays and school breaks.

2. Utilize Early Park Admission

 On-site Universal hotel guests and Universal AP’s have access to utilize EPA at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

This gives you an hour PRIOR to general park admission. You can easily ride 2-3 rides during this time frame.

When doing EPA: arrive 45 minutes before the park is scheduled to open for early entry.

Once entering the turnstiles, head to Hagrid's or VelociCoaster.

3. Express Pass is a Must if Visiting on a Busy Day

Visiting during Peak season: Unlimited Express pass will allow you wait in line less, and accomplish more.

Consider staying at Premier on-site Universal hotel to get Express Passes included for free.

I’d 100% suggest splurging to buy them if you're  visiting during peak season, and if staying at a Premier hotel isn’t doable.

4. Download the Universal Orlando App

You can add your credit card information in should you want to utilize mobile food ordering

5. Know the Lay Out

Prior to your trip, familiarize yourself with where attractions and dinning options are inside Universal Studios Florida. You'll avoid ping ponging all over the park.

6. Utilize The Single-Rider Lines

 You’ll knock out more attractions, giving you a better change at re-riding attractions you love.

When Should You Arrive at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

Get to turnstiles 45 minutes before the park opens.

Make sure you have your tickets out and ready to be scanned.

Once you’re through the turnstiles, head to the BACK of the park towards the Wizarding World of Harry Potter..

If Utilizing EPA at IOA and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is open: ride it FIRST!

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Height requirement: 48 inches
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Express Pass currently not accepted 
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Single-rider line is open off and on 
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If wearing a robe, you’ll be required to ride the sidecar if not placed into a lower beforehand.

Loose articles must be stowed in free lockers. 3 pronged fanny pack is okay to wear.

Flight of the Hippogriff

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Height Requirment: 36 inches
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Family friendly, outdoor kiddie coaster that's less than 2 minutes long

Known to have a really long wait time as the day goes on until late afternoon

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

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Height Requirments: 48 inches
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Loose articles must be stowed in the free lockers outside of Hogwarts, to the left

Ollivander’s Wand Experience

The wand chooses the wizard in this iconic 6-7 minute show.

YOU CANNOT LEAVE WITHOUT DOING THIS AT SOME POINT IN THE DAY!

VelociCoaster

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Height requirement: 51 inches
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Metal detector ride.
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Express Pass currently not accepted 
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Single-rider is open on occasion, but I find the regular standby line to always move way faster

Jurassic Park: River Adventure

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Height requirement: 42 inches
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You'll only get really wet depending on where you sit

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

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 Height requirment: 34 inches 
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3D simulator ride in an expedition ride vehicle

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Your bag can ride with you
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Incredible Hulk Coaster

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Height requirment: 54 inches
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 Metal doctor ride. ALL loose items must be stowed in free lockers

I’d strongly consider sinlge-rider if open!

Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

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Height requirement: 40 inches
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Family friendly 3D simulator ride
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If prone to motion sickness, don’t forget your Dramamine

Dr. Doom’s Fearfall

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Height requirement: 52 inches
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Not worth waiting more than 15 minutes in my opinion

Time For Water Rides!

Toon Lagoon is home to all the water rides in Islands of Adventure, with the exception of River Adventure that's located in the Jurrasic Park.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls -

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Height requirement: 44 inches
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Prepare to get soaked.  I would use the lockers close by if you have items in your backpack that can't get wet.

Somewhat similar to Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

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Height requirement: 42 inches
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Family friendly
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Standard raft ride. Yes, you will get soaked

Grab Lunch

Food Recommendations

2 of my favorite quick-service restaurants at Islands of Adventure.

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Thunder Falls Terrace 
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Green Egg's and Ham
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Both offer vegan options.

Favorite full-service dinning options in IOA:

Mythos is the best full-service restaurant.

Reservations are strongly encouraged to prevent a long wait by just walking up.

Eating in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Hogsmeade:

Three Broomsticks is the only quick service sit down option.

Poseidon’s Fury

I personally wouldn’t wait more than 25-30 minutes for this attraction

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Height requirement: none
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Indoor walk-through attraction. Mixes live action with lots of special effects.

Walkthrough Seuss Landing

If you don’t have younger children with you, it's really okay to skip the Seuss Landing rides I’d at least walkthrough this area. It’s really well themed!

I’d head into Hogsmeade to get an adult beverage or Butterbeer from the Hog’s Head Pub instead.

Caro-Seuss-el

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Height requirement: none
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Merry-go-round  with Seuss characters
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Family ride
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I’d skip if really busy, and pressed for time.

High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

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Height requirement: 40 inches
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Overhead trolley ride with beautiful views of IOA!

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Family friendly
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The Cat in the Hat

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Height requirement: 36 inches
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Dark ride that takes you inside the story of Cat in the Hat

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Family ride
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Explore Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade can really be done in any order after you've done the wand ceremony and have been on Hagrid's. That being said, I'd plan for at least 2 hours of roaming around before park closing if you're a big HP fan.

 There’s so many incredible details to soak in. Stop outside of every window front, and go inside every shop.

Ollivander’s Wand Experience

If Hagrid's or another ride is down- doing this experience in the AM is a great option.

Ollivander's and Dervish & Banges are really small. I find shopping inside them in the evenings to be more enjoyable.

Watch Both WWoHP Shows

Both perform on the stage at the bottom of Hogwarts. Performance ties vary. Check the Universal App for showtimes.

Frog Choir
Triwizard Spirit Rally

Practice Your Spells

Have fun practicing all 9 interactive spells!

Grab Dinner

The Three Broomsticks

I personally love saving a meal at the Three Broomsticks for dinner. It’s more relaxed, and not so hectic inside.

Ride Flight of the Hippogriff

Worth riding again at night if its a short wait.  (Under 10)

You can see a beautiful view of Hogwarts, especially during castle light show!

Watch The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle Light Show

Always ask a Team Member for the anticipated time of the first  light show, as the times aren’t listed on the Universal Orlando app.

 The light show usually starts at dusk, and runs every 20 minutes until park close.

The last show of the night, typically starts right at park close.

Grab a Butterbeer and enjoy it during the show.

Ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at NIGHT!

It’s an entirely different experience at night! This is also the time I'd recommend riding if you didn’t get to during Early Park Admission.

Hogsmeade Station

To ride the Hogwarts Express from Island's of Adventure to Universal Studios Florida, you'll need park-to-park tickets.

If you only have one day at IOA, more than likely won’t have a park-to-park ticket.  Regardless you should absolutely get an iconic photo in front of the station entrance.

Attractions I left Out

I don’t think these are worth your time while trying to do nearly everything Islands of Adventure has to offer in one day.

Our opinions may differ, and that’s okay! Check the rides below for yourself to see if they're worth experiencing this trip

Camp Jurassic

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No height requirements
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Geared towards children

Large play area guard towards kids. ( slides, caves, water cannons, and climbing nets

Storm Force Acceleration

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Height requirements: none 
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Family friendly ride

children under 48 inches must be accompanied by an adult

Almost identical to the Mad Tea Party spinning ride at Magic Kingdom

Red Fish, Blue Fish, One Fish, Two Fish

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Height requirement: none 
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Family friendly ride geared towards children

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Related Posts:

1-Day 1-Park Complete Itinerary for Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort in 2022.

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