Ultimate Guide: What To Do In Universal Studios Florida and Disney Springs In One Day?

1) Introduction

Get ready for a wild ride as we take you on a whirlwind tour of Universal Studios Florida and Disney Springs! Imagine packing the best of both worlds into a single day of non-stop fun, from heart-pounding thrills at Universal’s Islands of Adventure to mouthwatering bites at Diagon Alley. We’ll also explore the vibrant vibes of Disney Springs and indulge in Gideon’s Bakehouse treats that’ll leave you craving for more. If you’re up for an unforgettable escapade, stick around as we spill all the beans on how to make the most of your 24 hours in these incredible spots!

This is Day 4 of my latest Orlando trip, so stay tune for all the upcoming posts detailing the experience through all the Walt Disney World parks and Universal Studios Florida parks.

2) Rope Dropping Universal’s Islands of Adventure

As I had gotten my Power Annual Pass, I decided to spend my last day in Orlando in these parks, and I wanted to repeat what I had done a few days before, rope dropping Islands Adventure, my favorite park. It took me some time to check out from my hotel in the Disney Springs area, and leave my bag in there, and then take an Uber, and go through security, so the park was already open by the time I arrived. CityWalk was full of people already on this Thursday of late June. My flight back to New York City, just before my Canada adventures, was later today, so I was not going to be able to do all the things I wanted. Just relax.

My idea was to start with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, one of my favorite rides ever, but the Wait Time was insane! 250 min already just past opening time. I needed to find another thing to do until this roller coaster wait time would cool down.

And since I was walking into Islands of Adventure, I had to go to the other favorite one: Jurassic World Velocicoaster. And there’s a shortcut if you are coming from many places in the park, go into the Jurassic Park Discovery Center and go down the stairs to the lower level and as you exit the Velocicoaster will be just there. The Discovery Center is still very interesting itself if you want to explore it.

3) Jurassic World Velocicoaster

Finally in one of my favorites rides in the world, and I think it was my favorite for a bit until I was finally able to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventures, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot. Unfortunately, today, the Single Rider line was closed, so I had to do the regular line but it was kind of quick.

The line is very cool, with some animatronics, and statues, and videos, including a whole funny scene of Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), where they explain what’s going on and what we would expect from the ride.

By 10:20 AM I was done with the always thrilling Velocicoaster, and went to try luck with the Hagrid’s rollercoaster.

4) Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

It’s always so great to get into Hogsmeade, similar to the one in Los Angeles and Japan.

The wait time for Hagrid’s had gone down to around 2 hours, so I put my stuff in the lockers, and got into the Single Riders line. While I kept myself distracted with YouTube videos and seeing what would I do later, the line went actually very fast. Overall I waited in line and rode the rollercoaster in less than 1 hour, which compared to the 250 minutes from the beginning of the day, was nothing.

5) Hogwarts Express

Time to visit my favorite Harry Potter land, Diagon Alley, the still kinda new Wizarding World area in Universal Studios Florida. To go there, if you have a 2-Park ticket or an Annual Pass like me, you would be able to jump in line and board the train. The locomotor itself is an attraction with video and effects. But be aware, they show a completely different show on the way from Kings Cross (Diagon Alley) to Hogsmeade.

6) Diagon Alley

As you get to Kings Cross, you have to go out into London (the Universal Studios land), and then come back through these walls, that sound like they’re opening to give you access into the Diagon Alley.

I would consider this land to be one of the most detailed in all Orlando, even more than the always acclaimed Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. The sight of the dragon on top of the Gringotts Bank and all the buildings with their weird shapes and colors, plus a whole area called Knockturn Alley, in the darkness and a favorite of all Slytherins.

And talking about the dragon on top of the Gringotts Bank, it would shoot fire every 10 min on the 10th, meaning at o’clock and every 10 min from then, except when there’s heavy wind in the area and can’t be done safely.

7) Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is one of those attractions in Universal that you should not skip. It is a combination of roller coaster, 3D scenes and actual effects like fire and water. It is a lot of fun, and it has a Single Riders line thankfully!

The Single Rider line would skip many areas of the main line, but would take you almost directly into the action, but be careful, they would split your group.

8) Leaky Cauldron

Done with the always fun Escape from Gringotts, I got my stuff from the lockers, and headed to Leaky Cauldron, the sit down restaurant of this side of the park. It looks exactly like in the movies.

There was not too much wait, but since it was noon it would make sense that more people were in line to enter the restaurant. I got a butterbeer (not the ice cream), and I feel like I need to try the warm option now. A lot of people talk about it like it is the best edition of the butterbeer (maybe in winter?)

As lunch, I got the Fisherman’s Pie for $17.99, which is Salmon, shrimp and cod baked together under a potato crust served with garden salad. I missed the Fish and Chips but I had had them a couple of days before.

The food was good, but my day at the parks was coming to an end. I know, I know. But I had a flight later and I still needed to come to Disney Springs. Next up. I went to the newly open Minion’s Cafe to get dessert, because why not.

9) Minion’s Cafe

Located in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida, this sitdown restaurant has a lot of fun eating options, and a nice vibe with sounds and things happening all the time.

Since I had been here before, this time I tried the PX-41 Punch for $7.99. The drink was delicious, with the pop rocks exploding everywhere in your mouth. I kept the cup as a souvenir as well hehe.

10) Voodoo Doughnut

A place I almost never skip in my visits to Universal is Voodoo Doughnut, the chain with the perfect selection of donuts, that will become your favorite after the first bite.

I needed them so bad. I ended up getting the Bacon Maple Bar and and the Dirt Donut. It was like $9 for both of them.

11) Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs

Since I needed to come back to my hotel located in the Disney Springs area, to grab my bag, I just Ubered from Universal to Disney Springs, and went straight to Gideon’s Bakehouse. Fortunately, there was not a long line and was able to enter very quickly.

Gideon’s Bakehouse is just the place you need for a nice dessert, although I usually never eat these cookies right away. Just because I always buy so many and save them for almost a week back home. Each cookie is half a pound, literally impossible to devour so many in just one day (but hey, people still do it!). But I only not come here for the cookies, but also for the yummy cold brew (usually with peanut butter), and the always delicious cakes.

12) Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

And not too far from Gideon’s I found one of my last destinations for the day. I was about to see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in Calgary, Canada, and I had to celebrate somehow. Luckily, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar celebrates everything Indiana Jones (and LucasFilm), obviously since Jock Lindsey was the pilot of out hero.

My meal of choice was the Club Obi Wan Chicken Wings for $14.00, and hey let me tell you, they were so good, 10/10.

13) Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

I know what you are thinking, how are you not full, and yes, I was. But I still had space for a little drink treat. So I passed by the World of Disney, the biggest store in Disney Springs…

… and went to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, just to get a sundae milkshake. I thought it would survive all the way to the airport but it didn’t lol. I drank it on the way to take the Uber at the Disney Springs rideshare stop.

14) MCO and back to NYC

And just like that I was back in the new terminal of the MCO Orlando International Airport, used by Jetblue which was taking me back to New York City. I was amazed by these LED screens that looked so real. Definitely, leaving this city with yet another attraction.

I quickly passed by the Walt Disney World Store to see if I could buy some quick souvenirs, since I did not get many while at the parks.

And after sometime, I boarded the plane and headed towards the north to New York City.

And just like that, I arrived to JFK International Airport. But look for the next entries detailing more about all Walt Disney World parks.