Top 5 Things To Do In Universal Studios
1. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley
This section of the park is an exact replica of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. On one side, you see the British street from the movies and books, complete with the telephone booth, Kings Cross Station, the Knight Bus, and several other things from the series. On the other side, you enter Diagon Alley, in the wizarding world. Here, you can see Gringotts Bank, with the dragon on top, you can see Knockturn Alley, where wizards of the Dark Arts shop, you can watch a wand choose a wizard and be amazed at Ollivander’s, and you can enjoy a glass of cold butterbeer. You can purchase anything from a Harry Potter T-shirt to a wand. You can catch a show, wander the shops, or unlock surprises if you purchase a wand. There is plenty to do for people of all ages.
There is one ride here, along with the Hogwarts Express, (you can catch this at Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 ¾, it will take you to Islands of Adventure if you have a park-to-park pass).
- Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts- This is a dark roller coaster with special effects and 3-D elements that takes you through Gringotts Bank, deep underground.
2. Production Central
This section of the park is the first thing you see when you enter the park. There are several restaurants, shows, attractions, and 4-D movies. There are three attractions that are definitely worth their long waits:
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem- This 3-D motion simulator ride takes you into a small sequel of the movie Despicable Me, and you are “turned into a minion.” Before riding, you go through several rooms of Gru’s house. The simulator and the special effects are very realistic, and the ride is definitely worth it.
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit- This attraction sends you up a hill completely vertically, just like in a rocket launch, and sends you hurling down several drops, and through several twists and turns. The ride is a good thrill, and if you enjoy roller coasters, this is a great ride.
- Transformers: The Ride- 3-D- This ride is also a 3-D motion simulator ride. The line takes you into the N.E.S.T. base (the base of the Autobots). From there you board an Autobot vehicle, and the ride takes you into the heart of the fight between the Autobots and Decepticons. The special effects and simulations are very realistic, and this ride is a thrilling experience.
3. New York
This section of the park is built to look a little bit like the streets of New York, with its replicas of buildings, and its city backdrops. There are two attractions here, along with several restaurants and a show, that are both worth doing:
- Revenge Of The Mummy- This indoor, dark roller-coaster is based off the movie The Mummy. The line for the ride goes through a replica of a movie set from the movie, and once the ride starts, you go through several chambers that begin telling the story. The ride will send you through several drops and will send you shooting up hills. The special effects are great, and the ride is definitely worth it.
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon- This 3-D motion simulator ride will send you shooting through the streets of New York with Jimmy Fallon in an epic ride. The ride requires a Virtual Line reservation, and is set in a replica of an NBC 30 Rock office in NY.
4. Fear Factor Live
This show is located in the World Expo section of the park. It is a live version of the show Fear Factor, and if you are 18 or older and meet certain requirements , you can actually volunteer to participate in the show. There are several challenges and stunts involved in the show, and after each challenge, a certain number of contestants are eliminated. The show is very thrilling and entertaining, and definitely worth watching.
5. Men In Black Alien Attack
This ride is also located in the World Expo, and is an indoor, interactive ride. The setup is built to look like an MIB training facility with aliens, and the line takes you past several aliens. The setup is very realistic. The ride itself starts like a training exercise, where you must shoot several alien targets. However, the training ends when actual aliens arrive, and you have to shoot them to save the city. The ride is very interactive and fun, and it is a great ride to do.