Universal Orlando Resort is a vast travel destination with two theme parks, a water park and a shopping and dining district in Universal CityWalk, and though it is impossible to experience all Universal has in a single day, there's so much that a single day while passing through town can prove to be lively and eventful.
Should you park hop?
Switching between Universal's two theme parks increases the price of a single-day trip, but it also increases the fun. With must-do attractions in both Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, getting a two-park pass means double the opportunity for excitement.
Deciding on visiting a single park versus both parks in a day should come down to the individual party. You'll be able to experience a majority of offerings in a single park in one day, or complete less—but the best of both worlds—with a multi-park pass. Thrill seekers will want to go to both parks in a day, as Universal's iconic roller coasters are evenly split between both parks. The same goes for Harry Potter fans, who will need access to both parks to see everything and to ride the Hogwarts Express.
How can you make the most of your day?
Those challenging themselves with completing as much of Universal as possible in a day should line up prior to park opening and plan out their first attractions and must-rides for the rest of the day. We recommend dining at faster grab-and-go locations (like the crepe stand and taco truck) and saving your dinner time for a CityWalk restaurant after the parks close.