Universal Orlando Resort is north of WDW, right next to Interstate 4. You can see many of the taller rides from the interstate. The Resort is home to two (2) theme parks, three (3) onsite resorts, and Citywalk, a nightime entertainment area very similar to Downtown Disney.
The two theme parks are Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Universal Studios opened in 1990 and the resort quickly expanded to open Citywalk, the Portofino Bay Hotel (1st on site resort) and Islands of Adventure in 1999. Since then, they've added 2 more on site hotels: Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area inside Islands of Adventure. It is an area with a themed Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid's Hut, Hogwarts Express and the Three Broomsticks. It also has shops, such as Honeydukes, Dervish and Banges, Zonko's, Owl Post, Filch's Emporium, and Ollivander's (small show where the wand chooses the wizard).
The three attractions inside the World are Dragon's Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Dragon's Challenge is a dueling inverted roller coaster, meaning that their are two DIFFERENT tracks that move all around and come very close to each other. One track is the Chinese Fireball, the other is the Hungarian Horntail. Both tracks go upside-down 5 times and the height requirement is 54 inches for both. Loose articles are not permitted, and their are free lockers located inside the Hogwarts Express train station for this.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a small coaster right next to Hogwarts Castle. It is themed to be learning how to approach a hippogriff. The line takes you past Hagrid's Hut and near the ride is BuckBeak, who you bow to, who then bows back. The height requirement is 36 inches, and loose articles ARE permitted.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a ride which takes place inside Hogwarts Castle. The ride is a dark ride, with combined live sets, and domed screens, and audio animatronics. You will go come face to face with a dragon, Aragog, spiders who spit at you, the Whomping Willow, Several dementors, and more. If you've ever been on Sum of all Thrills at EPCOT, it uses that kind of ride system, but the robotic arms move around on a track, and you DO NOT go upside down. The ride is the only ride of its kind in the world, and it already has won several awards. It's a must see. The height requirement is 48 inches and loose articles are NOT permitted. Free lockers are located just inside the castle on the right.
The queue for the ride takes you through Hogwarts Castle and you see the dungeons, the mirror of erised and the greenhouses. Then when you go back in the castle you see moving portraits, Dumbledore's office, defense against the dark arts classroom, the gryffindor common room. You see other smaller things as well, such as statues and the house points counters, and Dumbledore and Harry, Ron and Hermione make an appearance via hologram.
The area is small, but very intricately themed. There are other areas in Islands of Adventure as well, such as Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, Marvel Superhero Island, Suess Landing and Lost Continent. Any other questions, let us know!
One more thing. Don't go in expecting Disney. It is the same theme level, guest service, and cleanliness level as Disney, but some things are different, such as the locker situation on some rides (mostly roller coasters).
I forgot to add the Express option. Years ago, Universal had the same system that Disney has, it was called Universal Express. They since did away with that, and offered an up-charge program to skip the lines, using the same name. You now have to purchase an additional add on to your ticket. Prices vary per day, ranging from $19.99 up to $59.99. The price is determined based on how crowded the park is. They are per person and non refundable. If you do plan on buying them, wait until you're in the park to purchase them to look at the crowd level.
However, if you purchase them, they are good at putting you in the Express line (very similar to Disney's FastPass Line) ONLY ONCE per attraction with Express*. They will get scanned prior to you entering the line, and if you come back to that ride again in the Express Pass line, it will deny you. It's like buying a FastPass for every ride in the park for everyone in your family, for any time.
You may be wondering why anyone would stay onsite for only 2 theme parks? The answer is UNLIMITED Express Access. If you stay onsite at any of the 3 onsite hotels, your room key gets you unlimited access to the Express Pass lines. Want to ride Dragon Challenge 6 times in the Express Line? Go for it. There is no limit to the amount of time you can use those room keys as Express, at every attraction*.
*Rides and shows that operate with Express are EVERY ride and show in both parks EXCEPT for the following:
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - Roller Coaster at Universal Studios
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Pteranadon Flyers - small coaster in Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure
Parking Situation
Once you're on Universal Property, follow the dark blue signs to Theme Park Parking. You may be wondering why you're parking away from the parks instead of right next to them? All parking for the parks put you in 6 story parking structures. (The largest ones in the world actually). You then walk through CityWalk, then choose whether you want Islands of Adventure of Universal Studios. Go straight for IOA, turn right for USF. Also, Preferred Parking is not worth it, so don't do it. It only puts you on the same level as the walkway towards CityWalk, so you don't have to take escalators. However, you still have to walk through Citywalk. If you have problems with walking, you can do Valet Parking, which is $5 more than the Preferred Parking price.
it was taken while ON the ride!
