How to Do Universal Orlando Resort in 1 Day— 2024 Complete Guide

September 28, 2024 Megan Hamilton

Here’s How to Both Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure in 1 Day

This is your complete 2024 guide to visiting Universal Orlando Resort in one day!

With some strategic planning, and staying at one of Universal’s onsite hotels it is possible to experience the best of  Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure into one day.

Express Pass is a Must

 If you have Early Park Admission, I'd start at the park that offers EPA! Make sure you check the Universal Orlando App the day before, and the morning of to see which park has EPA.

Prioritize what is more important:

Knocking out Hagrid’s before long lines, or walking into Diagon Alley first like Harry Potter, and then taking the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade.

Give yourself 2-3 hours for Diagon Alley. Pay attention to USF closing time, as it can vary day to day, month to month.

Double check which park closes first (IOA VS USF) and what time. If you want to end your day watching the Hogwarts Castle light show, you'll  have to pay attention to when USF closes so you can hop back on the train.

After 12pm—Diagon Alley is PACKED with muggles. I'd skip Diagon Alley in the afternoon, and instead go knock out other areas of USF if you want to get the full USF experience. If you don’t care much for the other attractions in USF, you could spend the rest of the afternoon in Diagon Alley.

Islands of Adventure

I suggest Starting in IOA since most like to start in Diagon Alley. You’ll mist most of the crowds by doing UFS in the late afternoon/evening.

Start at Islands of Adventure

Arrive at the turnstiles at least 45 minutes before the park opens.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

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Height Requirement: 48 inches. 
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Bags will need to be put into a locker. 3 pronged Fanny pack is okay.

Flight of the Hippogriff

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Height Requirement: 36 inches
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Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

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Height Requirement: : 48 inches
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loose articles must be stowed in the free lockers outside of Hogwarts Castle

Grab a ButterBeer to enjoy as you walk through + exit Hogsmeade!

VelociCoaster

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Height requirement: 51 inches
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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.

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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You bag can ride with you
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Incredible Hulk

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Height Requirement: 54 inches
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Metal Detector Ride. NOT EVEN YOUR PHONE CAN GO ON THIS RIDE!

Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

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Height requirement: 40 inches. 
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No need for locker, bags stowed at your feet.

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3D Ride
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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 area of the park.

I'd skip these on really hot days, as the wait times are usually insane. Also skip if you want to spend more time inside Hogsmeade.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

Height Requirement: 44 inches; I would use lockers. Be prepared to get soaked!

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

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Height Requirement:: 42 inches. 
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My favorite water ride! Prepare to get soaked

Jurassic Park: River Adventure

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Height Requirement: 42 inches
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You'll get wet depending on where you're sitting

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No lockers needed
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Grab Lunch or Snack

Depending on if you want a sit down meal in IOA or USF, as well as what time it is. or f it's peak lunch time, I'd hold off and wait to eat a big meal until you're over in USF.

Food Suggestions

Lunch: The Three Broomsticks if before noon. Otherwise the lunch crowd will be lined up outside.

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Snack: Butterbeer or Green Eggs & Ham
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Head to Universal Studios Florida

Use your park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express! If the wait time is more than 30 minutes, I would walk around to save precious time.

Stop to Grab Lunch If You Don’t Eat in IOA

Choose a quick-service like Fast Food BLVD option to save time

Clayton loves the Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck

Simpsons Ride

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Height requirement: 40 inches
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Motion-simulator ride notoriously known for causing motion sickness

I’d skip if not a huge Simpson’s fan

Men in Black: Alien Attack

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 Height requirements: 42 inches 
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must stow loose articles in the free lockers

Revenge of the Mummy

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Height requirement: 48 inches
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must stow loose articles in free lockers

Transformers: The Ride – 3D

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Height requirement: 40 inches
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3D simulator ride
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Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

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Height requirement: 40 inches 
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Family friendly simulator ride
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Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

Height Requirement: Hand-held infants are not permitted

Supervising Companion Required: Under 48” (122 cm) Requires Supervising Companion

Rip Ride Rockit

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Height requirement: 51 inches
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Metal Detector ride
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If a long wait time, try riding closer to park close

Explore Diagon Alley

When entering Diagon Alley, check the wait time for Gringotts, if too long, wait until it goes down a little. In the meantime, look into every window, go inside all the shops. Maybe catch the 2 WWOHP shows.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Height requirement: 42 inches; must stow loose articles in free lockers

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3D track-based motion ride 
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Ollivander’s Wand Shop

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The wand chooses the wizard ceremony
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Practice Spells + Grab a Butterbeer

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You’ll need an interactive wand 
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Ollivander’s and Wands by Gregorovitch sell them

Grab Dinner + Dessert

Food Suggestions

The Leaky Cauldron

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Save time by mobile ordering
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While eating: check the wait times for any USF rides you skipped

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor

Explore Knockturn Alley

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5 Spell locations 
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Go inside Borgin & Burkes
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2 interactive wanted posters
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Walk Around The London Waterfront Area

Stop at the Knight Bus with Stan and Dre head.

Keep an eye out for Kreacher at 12 Grimmauld Place

Dial the Ministry of Magic in the red telephone booth

Depending on the time- Take The Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade for the Hogwarts Castle Light Show.

1st show starts at dusk and runs usually every 20 minutes until park close.

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Last showing is right at park close.
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Depending on the time of year visiting, if its not dark out prior to park closing, the light show won’t run.

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