Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, as a theme park where you could ‘ride the movies’. Islands of Adventure opened 1999 and Epic Universe 2025. We still believe the original park is the best and here are the reasons (in no particular order).

The daily Mega Movie Parade.

The park is quiet, especially since Epic Universe opened (picture taken 2nd June 2025).

The movie backlot theming is excellent.

The ET Adventure is the only original ride left, but it’s still good for all ages. The queue through the redwood forest is perfectly themed and really part of the ride.

Wait times are short. You’ll likely get on a ride in less than 20 minutes. Contrast that with the three hours and twenty minutes wait time for the Harry Potter ride at Epic Universe (picture taken 28th May 2025).

Theming and attention to detail comes first. For example, when you visit the Men in Black ride, the wait line is themed around MIB HQ and the ride involves shooting aliens in an immersive environment.

You can walk to Islands of Adventure, which is good park with some great rides such as Spiderman and Jurassic Park. Epic Universe is a bus ride away.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll probably want to focus on Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. However, you should consider starting your journey at Universal Studios King’s Cross Station and take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Station (you’ll need a park-to-park ticket to do this).

The best ride was Kongfrontation – a standalone dark‑ride where you boarded a Roosevelt Island aerial tram through a detailed 1970s NYC set, only to encounter a giant animatronic Kong attacking the city. Sadly closed 2002.

Other, sadly closed, but excellent rides at Universal Studios, were; Jaws, Earthquake and Back to the Future. We miss all of those and wish they were still there.

How many of you agree that Universal Studios is still the best theme park in Florida?

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/universal-studios-florida