Universal Studios Florida
About the park | Disney vacations

Park layout

As you enter Universal Studios Florida be sure to take a park map. This will let you know the location of the attractions, park hours and what times certain shows are presented.

The Park is divided into six “sections” centered around a man-made lake. The sections are: Production Central, New York, San Francisco/Amity, World Expo, Kids Zone, and Hollywood.

Production Central

Production Central is Home to Nickelodeon the American Health Network, Production Central contains state-of-the-art studios and sound stages that visitors can tour for free. To find out what's in production, visit the Studio Audience Center located to the right of the main entrance turnstiles to Universal Studios, or call (407) 224-6355.

Jimmy Neutron – On this ride simulator, you are recruited by Jimmy Neutron and taken on a wild ride through the Nicktoon Studios where you'll encounter characters from "Hey Arnold", "The Rugrats", "The Fairly OddParents", "SpongeBob SquarePants" You must be over 40 inches tall to ride and it is not recommended for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Universal Express is accepted.

Shrek 4D Adventure – This theatre show begins as you are ushered into a holding area where you are greeted by Lord Farquaad for a six-minute video and animatronics pre-show. Once you are settled in your specially designed seats in the main auditorium, guests don OgreVision glasses and are transported on a wild adventure to the fairy tale realm of Duloc. Sensory elements heighten the experience through seats capable of both vertical and horizontal motion, air propulsion and water sprays.

New York

The most famous section of the park is New York. This area has been the backdrop to several commercials, movies, TV shows and music videos.

Twister... Ride It Out – This 15 minute ride is based on the film "Twister" staring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. The ride takes you to the small Wakita, Oklahoma to experience the largest indoor tornado ever created. Twister uses hundreds of strobe lights that flash to help create the storm effects. A weather tracking system monitors wind velocity, humidity and barometric pressure so that the size and shape of the twister can be adjusted to increase it's power and realism.

Revenge of the Mummy – This steel roller coaster has been dubbed a psychological thrill ride. Water, heat, wind, sound, lighting and pitch black darkness all combine to cause fear and excitement. Employing the same technology used in magnetic levitation trains, this ride marks a new evolution in roller coasters by combining an electro-magnetic launch system with a linear induction motor that propels your vehicle through a third of a mile of curves, drops and powerful turns. You must be over 48 inches tall to ride and it is not recommended for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Universal Express is accepted.

San Francisco/Amity

Earthquake... The Big One – The ride begins with a short presentation on how special effects are created in movies. After that, you board a subway car to experience some of the special effects. The car stops and an earthquake registering 8.3 on the Richter Scale begins, causing a finale of explosions, flooding, and total destruction.

Jaws...The Ride – On this water ride, visitors board a small boat and venture into the waters were Jaws the killer shark lives. Jaws repeatedly attacks the boat during the ride, ending in a fiery climax.

Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue– Set on a 1930's sound stage Beetlejuice summons classic movie monsters to rock the house classic Rock 'n' Roll music revue.

Fear Factor Live - Universal brings the NBC gross-out stunt show to the Park and puts you in the spotlight. Park guests compete against each other performing extreme stunts designed to test the physical and emotional limits of each contestant. Are you fearless enough to drink a smoothie made of blended worms, crickets, sauerkraut, sardines, octopus and fish; or swing high in the air on a harness while tossing slimy squid to a partner; or fishing with your bare hands through a tank of live eels; or having a bucket of squirming, slithering snakes dumped onto your head. Fear Factor Live contestants will do this and more.

World Expo

Men In Black: Alien Attack - This exciting ride shows just how far theme parks will go to put you right in the action. The Men In Black headquarters is recreated in the waiting areas. On the main attraction, guests board six person vehicles and are given guns to shoot at aliens that inhabit the streets of New York. What is also unique is the ride has different endings depending on your team's final score.

Back To The Future... The Ride - Housed in the world's tallest Omnimax theater. “Back to the Future... The Ride” is the first thrill ride at to utilize specially designed DeLoreans powered by state-of-the-art motion-based technology. Guests become Doc Brown's time traveling companions as they are led on a wild chase through time from the Ice Age to the year 2015. You must be over 40 inches tall to ride and it is not recommended for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Universal Express is accepted.

Kids Zone

Designed just for kids of all ages, this section is home to ET, Barney, Animal Planet, Fievel's Playland, Curious George Playland. With a gondola ride, 2 live shows, a giant water slide, a kid sized roller coaster, and countless areas to get wet, this is one place kids love to visit.

Hollywood

Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time - Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and the cast from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” this virtual reality adventure combines live action stunts with the digital imaging technology, projected on the world’s largest 3-D screen.

Universal Horror Make-Up Show - See how make-up artists create special effects from some of Universal's most popular movies. Before the show check out authentic props and set pieces used in the film "Van Helsing".

Lucy: A Tribute - This interactive exhibit is dedicated to America's funniest red head. Costumes, props and other memorabilia from "I Love Lucy" movies, television shows and commercials are on display, along with personal home movies and classic TV clip. Trivia buffs can also test their knowledge of Lucy and Desi history.

Restaurants and dining

Universal Studios Florida restaurants include:

• Monster Cafe located in Production Central.
• Louie's Italian Restaurant located in New York.
• Lombard's Seafood Grille located in New York.
• Richter 's Burger Company located in New York.
• Chez Alcatraz located in New York.
• San Francisco Pastry Co. located in New York.
• Midway Grill located in New York.
• Brody's Ice Cream Shoppe located in New York.
• International Food and Film Festival located in World Expo.
• Animal Crackers located in Kids Zone.
• Beverly Hills Boulangeriel located in Hollywood.
• Cafe La Bamba located in Hollywood.
• Mel's Drive-In located in Hollywood.
• Schwab's Pharmacy located in Hollywood.

Hotels and resorts

Stay within walking distance to both theme parks at one of three Universal Orlando on-site hotels: Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, Portofino.

Strollers - Strollers are available for rent at the front of the park for a charge of $10/day for a single and $16 for a double.

Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) - Rentals are available for a fee of $10 for a wheelchair and $40 for the Electronic Convenience Vehicles, with a refundable deposit of $50.

Universal Studios driving directions

Universal Studios Florida is located on the southeast side of Orlando, 10 minutes north of Walt Disney World.

From Orlando International Airport: Take 528 West (the Bee-Line Expressway*) toward Tampa and area attractions. Watch for signs to Interstate 4 East (to Orlando). From Interstate 4 East, take Exit #75A (30A) Universal Blvd. Take a left onto Universal Blvd. and follow the signs to Universal Orlando.

Traveling from the Walt Disney World Resort Exit I-4 at Exit #75A (30A) Universal Blvd. Take a left onto Universal Blvd. and follow the signs to Universal Orlando.

From Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Florida Turnpike North: Take Exit #259 (the second of the Orlando exits) and follow the signs to the I-4 Tampa exit. Exit I-4 at Exit #74B (29B). Take a right on Hollywood Way and follow the signs to Universal Orlando.

Traveling South on the Florida Turnpike (from the Wildwood/Ocala area): Take Exit #259 and follow the signs to the I-4 Tampa exit. Exit I-4 at Exit #74B (29B). Take a right on Hollywood Way and follow the signs to Universal Orlando.

From the Tampa: Exit I-4 at Exit #75A (30A) Universal Blvd. Take a left onto Universal Blvd. and follow the signs to Universal Orlando.

Universal Studios Florida is located at 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819. The phone number is (407) 363-8000 and the Lost & Found number is(407) 224-4244. Use our Disney World Google Map to find the exact location.

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