Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Universal Studios and Wizarding World of Harry Potter in One Day

We’ve visited Universal Studios Orlando four times and Hollywood twice, always spending most of our time immersed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’ve also combined trips with Disney World for the ultimate theme park experience. Here, you’ll find our itineraries and tips to make your visit truly magical!

💡 Tips for a Smooth Universal Day:

• Use Mobile Ordering at restaurants to skip the lines.
• Wear a fanny pack to avoid using lockers for most rides.
• Ride Hogwarts Express both ways for a different experience each time.
• Arrive early to tackle the most popular rides with shorter waits.

Universal Studios Orlando (January 2025)

Ultimate Harry Potter One-Day Universal Park-Hopping Itinerary

Cost: $423.88 Universal Park Hopper (10% Expedia cash back via TopCashback)
🏨 DoubleTree by Hilton: $152 king (12% Expedia cash back via TopCashback), Starbucks on site

If you only have one day to experience Universal Orlando and love Harry Potter, this itinerary ensures you hit all the top Wizarding World attractions while maximizing efficiency. Start at Islands of Adventure before taking the Hogwarts Express over to Universal Studios to ensure plenty of magical moments (and Butterbeer!) along the way. We’ve tasted every type of Butterbeer—hot, frozen, regular iced, and even ice cream—and the hot Butterbeer is our favorite!

This itinerary assumes a 9:00 AM park opening and that you’re not staying onsite. If you want an extra hour in the morning with fewer crowds, check out Universal’s Early Park admission.

Morning: Islands of Adventure (💡The park is busiest noon-5pm, so an early arrival is key!)

• 8:15 AM – Arrival & Park Entry (Walk 0.8 miles, 17 minutes)
• 9:00 AM – Park officially opens
• 9:05 AM – VelociCoaster (20 min wait, 💡free lockers available in line)
• 10:00 AM – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (69 min actual, 90 posted, 💡put bag in free locker)
• 10:45 AM – Lunch at Three Broomsticks (Mobile order, try Fish & Chips + Hot Butterbeer)
• 11:15 AM – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (22 min actual, 35 min posted, 💡free lockers outside or use a fanny pack)
• 12:00 PM – Wizard Spirit Rally (High-energy Hogwarts house performance)
• 12:15 PM – Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios (15 min wait)

Afternoon: Universal Studios

• 12:35 PM – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (40 min actual, 25 min posted)
• Ollivander’s Wand Experience (~10 min wait)
• Explore Diagon Alley (Beware of the magic wand water-spraying traps!)
• Dinner at Leaky Cauldron (Try Mini Pie Combo + Frozen Butterbeer)
• Hogwarts light show (Show starts at dusk and repeats roughly every 20 minutes until park closing)
• Other Attractions (time permitting):
  • Simpsons Lard Lad Donut & Coffee
  • Bourne Stunt Spectacular
  • Hollywood Horror Makeup Show
  • Race Through New York
  • The Revenge of the Mummy

@bangarangscooty

The unexpected highlight of my day at Universal Studios. @Sarah Perdue #UniversalOrlando #WizardingWorld #DiagonAlley #MagicWand #HarryPotter

♬ original sound – Scott Perdue

Universal Studios Orlando (March 2023)

Ultimate One-Day Universal Park-Hopping Itinerary

Cost: $428 park-to-park ticket via CityPass

If you only have one day to experience Universal Orlando, this itinerary ensures you hit all the top attractions while maximizing efficiency. Start at Islands of Adventure before heading over to Universal Studios.

Morning: Islands of Adventure (Busiest from noon–5 PM, so tackle the must-dos early!)

• 8:00 AM – Arrival & Park Entry (Walk 1.1 miles, ~25 minutes, or take the 8-minute Portofino Bay water taxi)
• 9:00 AM – VelociCoaster (20 min wait, free lockers available in line)
• 10:00 AM – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (69 min actual, 90 min posted,
  💡use free lockers or a wear a fanny pack)
• 10:45 AM – Lunch at Three Broomsticks (Mobile order, try Fish & Chips + Frozen Butterbeer)
• 11:15 AM – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (22 min actual, 35 min posted, 💡free lockers outside or use a fanny pack)
• 12:00 PM – Wizard Spirit Rally (High-energy Hogwarts house performance)
• 12:15 PM – Hogwarts Express (15 min wait)

Afternoon: Universal Studios (This park is slightly busier, but we’ll hit key attractions efficiently.)

• 12:35 PM – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (40 min actual, 25 min posted, explore Diagon Alley before/after)
• 1:15 PM – Ollivander’s Wand Experience (~10 min wait, chance for a wand to “choose” you)
• 2:15 PM – Snack Break: Lard Lad Donut & Coffee (Try the giant Simpsons donut)
• 3:00 PM – Bourne Stuntacular (Action-packed live stunt show)
• 3:45 PM – Hollywood Horror Makeup Show (Behind-the-scenes look at horror movie effects)
• 4:30 PM – Thrill Rides: Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon & Revenge of the Mummy
• 6:00 PM – Dinner at Leaky Cauldron (Try Mini Pie Combo, Butterbeer, or Wizarding World brew)
• 7:30 PM – Hogwarts Light Show

@perfuzion

Wizarding World is always a wonderous time! @bangarangscooty #wizardingworld #wizardingworldofharrypotter #harrypotter #hogwarts #universalstudios #islandsofadventure

♬ Harry’s Wondrous World (Extended Version) – John Williams

@perfuzion

Starting Universal off with the Velocicoaster! Best coaster we’ve ever ridden! @bangarangscooty #universalstudios #islandsofadventure #velocicoaster #jurassicpark #jurassicworld

♬ Main Theme (From “Jurassic Park”) – John Williams

Universal Studios Hollywood + Warner Bros. Studio (November 2019)

We fit in a trip to Universal Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio, and Disneyland during Scott’s Adobe MAX conference.

Cost: $150 for Universal Studios + Warner Bros. Studio Tour (both included with $193 3-day Go LA Pass)

Universal Studios Hollywood + Warner Bros. Studio Tour Itinerary

• 9:00 AM – Uber to Universal
• 9:30 AM – Universal Studios (convenient Uber/Lyft dropoff – open 9a-6p – included w/ Go LA Pass)
  • EAT: Breakfast at Lard Lad Donuts ($6 for huge donut)
  • RIDE: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • RIDE: Flight of the Hippogriff
  • RIDE: Revenge of the Mummy
  • RIDE: Transformers
  • RIDE: Jurassic World (bring poncho – sit in back-left for least water)
  • EAT: Lunch at Jurassic Cafe (Costa Rican with gallo pinto – pork looks good)
  • RIDE: Studio Tour
  • RIDE: Simpsons Ride
  • DRINK: Beer (Duff Lite) at Duff Brewery
  • WATCH: Shows depending on schedule
    • Waterworld (20m, every 1-2 hours starting at 11:15)
    • Special Effects Show (25m, every 1-1.5 hours starting at 11:30)
    • Kung Fu Panda Adventure at Dreamworks Theater (8m, continuous)
    • The Walking Dead (continuous)
  • RIDE (between shows): Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
  • 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Warner Bros. Studio Tour (arrive by 2:30)

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studio Tour (Ride)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Universal Studios Hollywood (October 2018)

Scott visited Universal Studios Hollywood during his Adobe MAX conference.

Universal Studios Orlando (January 2017)

Here’s our Orlando Universal and Disney World combo trip itinerary. Check out this Facebook album for more pictures from this trip.

Universal Studios Orlando (First Trip – January 2014)

Our first trip to Universal Orlando we spent most of our time at Wizarding World, Springfield, U.S.A (Simpsons Land), and Jurassic Park. We road the Dragon Challenge (two dueling roller coasters) which has since been replaced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.