If you’ve booked your holiday to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida hoping to make amazing memories, then you won’t be disappointed! From soaring through the air on Hagrid’s motorbike at Universal Islands of Adventure to flying down a gravity-defying plunge slide at Universal Volcano Bay, there’s nonstop fun waiting for you!
There are also plenty of unique things to do at Universal Orlando Resort besides rides, so we’ve put together this post with all the hidden gems and insider info if you want to seek out something a little bit different.
Whether it’s your first visit or your 100th, read on to find out more about those special experiences that you can only have at Universal Orlando Resort.
How many Universal theme parks are there in Orlando?
Universal Orlando Resort is made up of:
- Three theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe
- One water park: Universal Volcano Bay
- 11 hotels
- Entertainment complex: Universal CityWalk
Unique things to do at Universal Orlando Resort
Summary – unique things to do at Universal Orlando Resort:
- Buy a wand from Ollivanders™️ Wand Shop
- Walk through the portals at Universal Epic Universe
- See a section of the Berlin Wall
- Call the Ministry of Magic
- Have a VIP Experience
- Speak to The Simpsons characters
- Try burgushi
- Try a pint of Duff beer
- Visit Italy at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Snap a selfie in New York City
- Go to a Halloween Horror Night
- Go behind the scenes – for free
- Hunt for a unique souvenir from Williams of Hollywood
- Meet a raptor
- Play a round of mini-golf
- Take a memorabilia tour at the Hard Rock Café
1. Buy a wand from Ollivanders™️ Wand Shop
If you got your Hogwarts letter this year, then you’ll need to get some essential wizarding kit. Top of every aspiring witch or wizard’s list is a wand, and there’s nowhere better to get one than Ollivanders™️ Wand Shop.
There are two locations where you can find a wand:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Diagon Alley™️ in Universal Studios Florida
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Hogsmeade™️ at Universal Islands of Adventure
Remember – you don’t choose the wand, the wand chooses you!
Top tip: Buy an interactive wand, and you can cast spells throughout all the Wizarding Worlds in all three parks for some exciting surprises!
2. Walk through the portals at Universal Epic Universe
Universal’s latest theme park offering in Orlando is exactly as the name suggests! There are five imaginative worlds here, and you can access them by walking through the portals – it’s like something from the future!
The five worlds are:
- Celestial Park: gardens and waterways and the place where you enter the other four worlds through the portals.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- Super Nintendo World
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Dark Universe
3. See a section of the Berlin Wall
No, you didn’t just walk through a portal and end up in Germany – there’s a piece of the Berlin Wall right here in Orlando. The Berlin Wall stood in the city of Berlin for 28 years, dividing the city and its people in two before it was dismantled in 1989.
Head to Universal CityWalk and take the path on the right-hand side of the Hard Rock Café to see a section of the wall.
4. Call the Ministry of Magic
Another one on our list for the Harry Potter fans out there – you can actually call the Ministry of Magic! Head to the London area between Kings Cross Station and the hidden entrance to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and you’ll find a red telephone box.
Step inside, lift the receiver, and dial M A G I C (62442) to connect to the ministry, who will give you a message.
5. Have a VIP Experience
If you want the VIP treatment at Universal Orlando Resort, then a VIP Experience guided tour might be just what you’re looking for. There are several different tour options available, but each will have you feeling like a celebrity at your latest film premiere.
Tours include:
- Expert VIP tour guides
- Priority access to all rides and attractions
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences
- Free valet parking
- Continental breakfast
- Lunch
- Express Pass access for the rest of the day
- VIP lanyard
- Discounts at select merchandise locations
6. Speak to The Simpsons characters
Fancy making a prank call to Moe, discussing skateboarding with Bart, or talking to Lisa about homework? Head to the Kwik-E-Mart in Springfield, U.S.A. at Universal Studios Florida. There’s a phone outside, and if you pick it up when it rings, you’ll get to hear a character from The Simpsons.
There are multiple characters, and they change throughout the day, so you’ll get to hear a different one each time it rings.
7. Try Burgushi at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar has two specialities – burgers and sushi. While you might not usually think of the two items together, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk has created quite the mash-up.
Choose from a range of “burgushi” items, including sushi rolls made with burger ingredients and burgers made from sushi components. If you’re not sure what to go for, you can get a bento box with a mini-burger, a choice of sushi roll, and three sides. Talk about fusion food!
8. Try a pint of Duff beer
The only place you can get a pint of the beer made famous by The Simpsons is at Springfield, U.S.A., at Universal Studios Florida. You can grab an ice-cold glass of Barney’s favourite drink at Moe’s Tavern or Duff Brewery, where you can relax in the beer garden. We can’t get enough of that wonderful Duff!
9. Visit Italy at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
There’s a slice of Italian charm right in the heart of Orlando at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Inspired by the famously beautiful village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera, you’ll find laidback cafes, a serene harbour, and a colourful piazza here.
While you’re living la dolce vita here, you can get a water taxi from the hotel to the theme parks. The theming also makes its way to the restaurants where you can sample a home-cooked meal like Mama used to make, pick up some Italian meats and cheeses from the deli, or cool down from the Floridian heat with a gelato.
Top tip: Booking a stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel can save you money on your trip to Florida. Guests staying at this beautiful accommodation receive free Universal Express Unlimited Passes for every day of their stay, including check-in and check-out days (valid park admission required). If you’re planning to buy them during your trip, then it’s a no-brainer!
10. Snap a selfie in New York City
Did you know there’s a miniature New York City at Universal Studios Florida? This Big Apple-themed area is home to rides, food outlets, shops, and incredible street entertainment. There are also plenty of recognisable landmarks here, so get your camera at the ready to get snapping.
Top spots for a selfie include:
- Central Park
- A subway station
- Firehouse
- Gramercy Park
- Classic New York brownstones (think Carrie’s apartment in Sex and the City!)
11. Go to a Halloween Horror Night
Not for the faint-hearted, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort are not to be missed if you’re a fan of scary stuff. During this special event, you’ll be able to explore terrifying haunted houses, visit sinister scare zones, and see some spectacular live entertainment. Selected attractions are also available to ride during the evening and riding in the dark gives you a whole new experience!
Halloween Horror Nights usually take place on selected nights throughout September and October. Tickets are available to buy in advance.
12. Go behind-the-scenes – for free
We’ve already talked about the VIP Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort, but you can also go behind-the-scenes on certain rides and attractions without paying a penny. The tours don’t appear on maps or in the app, and they’re only available when the park isn’t too busy. You just need to ask at the attraction when you arrive and see if it’s your lucky day!
Free behind-the-scenes tours may be available at:
- Men In Black Alien Attack
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Jurassic World: VelociCoaster
13. Hunt for a unique souvenir from Williams of Hollywood
This little shop is a real hidden gem. It’s on Hollywood Boulevard at Universal Studios Florida, and you may miss it if you’re not looking out for it. If you want something special to take home to remember your time here, then this is the place.
They sell old props and posters that have actually been used in the theme parks including hats, framed prints, jewellery, and more.
14. Meet a raptor
If you’ve ever wanted to meet a real-life dinosaur now you can (sort of)! Raptor Encounter at Universal Islands of Adventure is a character meet and greet with a difference. You’ll learn some fascinating facts about raptors before you meet Blue from the park’s raptor pack.
You’ll be able to snap a photo with this very life-like dinosaur – if you dare!
15. Play a round of mini-golf
The Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Universal CityWalk makes for some fantastic evening entertainment or something to do on one of your downtime days away from the theme parks.
There are two fun courses here, both based on classic horror films, although the theming is more light-hearted than scary, with interactive parts and special lighting effects. You can choose one of the courses to complete or play all 36 holes.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition – why not challenge your family to a round? The winner gets to choose which park to visit on the following day!
16. Take a memorabilia tour at the Hard Rock Café
The Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk is the largest in the world and has a collection of incredible music memorabilia to match. Ask for a memorabilia tour when you arrive, and you can see things like the sofa where John Lennon wrote many of his songs and the booth where Elvis recorded his very first song.
This is a must-visit for music fans, and you can enjoy a delicious meal here afterwards.
So there we have it – our list of some of the most unique things to do at Universal Orlando Resort. Why not try and find your own secret easter eggs next time you visit? If you’re ready to start planning the trip of a lifetime to Florida, check out our Universal Orlando Resort tickets.
