The 2026 Islands of Adventure Itinerary: How to Beat the Crowds

If you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort in 2026, I have a bit of a reality check for you: touring the park in a circle isn't going to help you wait less in line.

I’ve spent countless days at Islands of Adventure, and I’ve watched the crowd patterns shift year after year. Most people walk through the turnstiles and follow the same "neat little circle" around the lagoon. They start at Marvel, hit Jurassic Park, and end up in Hogsmeade right when the wait times for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure hit a staggering 180 minutes.

I don't want that to be your vacation.

I created an updated park itinerary for 2026. It’s a specific, time-tested plan that involves crossing the park at key moments to stay exactly one step ahead of the "herd." In this guide, I’m going to walk you through my exact 2026 itinerary so you can hit every major coaster, experience the magic of Harry Potter, and handle the major 2026 closures without losing your mind in a 2-hour line.

Before we dive into the steps, you can this plan in action to understand the timing. Watch my full 2026 strategy video below:

[INSERT YOUTUBE EMBED: https://youtu.be/DfTL3oR9cyQ]

The Secret Weapon: Early Park Admission

I’ll be blunt: if you aren't using Early Park Admission (EPA), you’re already behind.

If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, you get into the park an hour before the general public. My rule of thumb? If the park opens for EPA at 8:00 AM, I am at the gates by 7:30 AM at the latest. This means I’ve already had my breakfast and handled transportation. I’m not hunting for a croissant when the rope drops; I’m focused on the rides. Every minute counts in that first hour.

Don’t underestimate how many people will have EPA - it’s a lot! And a very long line will form outside the gate, and everyone in that line has one goal in mind: ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure before the line gets long. So, you want to be towards the front of that line.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Phase 1: The Heavy Hitters (The Morning Sprint)

When I head into the park for EPA, I have a very specific "Big Three" list. We are going to knock out the most popular rides in Florida before most people have even parked their cars.

1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

This is my first stop. Period. There is no other option here. Hagrid’s is a story-driven "story coaster" that is unlike anything else in the world. You board enchanted motorbikes (or sidecars), launch multiple times through the Forbidden Forest, and face a massive surprise that I still won't spoil for you.

The line for Hagrid's hovers around 2 to 3 hours for the majority of the day. By hitting this the second the park opens, I save myself half a day of standing on hot pavement.

• My Pro-Tip: You must be 48 inches tall to ride. If you have little ones, check the height at the front of the park first!

2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Once I’ve finished my flight with Hagrid, I head straight into Jurassic Park. I consider this the apex predator of roller coasters. Even just looking at that 155-foot top hat towering over the lagoon gets my heart racing.

I have to mention the logistics here because Universal doesn't play around with safety. I always use the high-tech, double-sided lockers located halfway through the queue. You cannot have loose articles on this ride. Once you're cleared, prepare for two massive launches—the second one blasts you from 40 to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds. My favorite part? The "Mosi Roll"—a barrel roll right over the water that makes you feel like you’re flying.

3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

I round out my early morning inside Hogwarts Castle. This motion simulator is groundbreaking, though I’ll be honest—it’s not for everyone. It’s intense, and if you struggle with motion sickness, you might want to sit this one out. But for the fans, walking through the castle to see Dumbledore’s office and the Gryffindor common room is a must.

Phase 2: The "Zig-Zag" (Crossing the Park)

By the time I finish the "Big Three," the general public has likely been let in. This is where most people make a mistake—they continue walking deeper into the park.

My strategy involves crossing the park. I zip back toward the front of the park to Marvel Super Hero Island. While the masses are streaming toward Hogsmeade, I’m walking onto the classics.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

This is an old-school, loud, shaky adrenaline rush. It launches you from 0 to 40 mph in 2 seconds straight into a zero-G roll. It has the highest height requirement in the park (54 inches), so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with kids.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

I still love this 3D dark ride. You board a Daily Bugle vehicle and get caught in a battle with the Sinister Syndicate. It features heat effects, water effects, and a 400-foot simulated freefall that still holds up as one of the best ride experiences in Orlando.

Phase 3: The Mid-Day Soak (Toon Lagoon)

By the time I finish Marvel, the Florida sun is usually out in full force. It’s time to get wet. I head to Toon Lagoon to hit the water rides back-to-back.

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: A log flume with a 75-foot drop. You will get wet here.

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: I call this pure chaos. It’s a raft ride that is notorious for drenching guests.

• My Pro-Tip: I usually bring a poncho and flip-flops for this land. If you don't, you’ll be walking around with squishy shoes for the rest of the day.

Phase 4: Skull Island & The 2026 Jurassic Park Update

As I move deeper into the park, I hit Skull Island: Reign of Kong. The highlight here is a face-to-face encounter with a colossal animatronic Kong. It’s dark, it’s scary, and it’s a great way to escape the afternoon heat.

Jurassic Park River Adventure will be closed for most of 2026

The 2026 Jurassic Park Closure

For those of you visiting this year, I have some bad news: the classic Jurassic Park River Adventure is closed for a massive mechanical overhaul through late November 2026.

It’s a bummer not to see the T-Rex, but I don't let it ruin my day. I spend more time at the Raptor Encounter meeting Blue, or letting the kids burn off energy at Camp Jurassic. If I need a break from the humidity, I head to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. It’s an air-conditioned copy of the visitor center from the first film, and watching a raptor egg "hatch" is still one of my favorite low-key moments in the park.

Phase 5: Dining & The Afternoon Wind-Down

By now, I’m usually starving. I have three go-to spots that I recommend in the video:

1. Thunder Falls Terrace: I go here for the rotisserie chicken and ribs. The portions are huge and the quality is genuinely good.

2. The Burger Digs: If I want that classic movie vibe, I eat here inside the Discovery Center.

3. Three Broomsticks: For the ultimate Potter experience, I grab the fish and chips or the "Great Feast." It gets busy, but the atmosphere is a 10/10.

Ending the Day in Seuss Landing

I like to end my day in the bright, curvy world of Seuss Landing. There isn’t a single straight line in this land! I’ll hop on the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley for a bird’s eye view of the park, or take a spin on The Cat in the Hat. It’s the perfect way to wind down as the crowds start to thin out in the evening.

Step	Attraction / Land	"Zig-Zag" Strategy Tips
1	Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure	EPA Absolute first stop. Aim to be at the gates 30 mins before EPA starts.
2	VelociCoaster	EPA Head here immediately after Hagrid's. Store loose articles in the high-tech lockers.
3	Forbidden Journey	EPA Finish the "Big Three" inside Hogwarts Castle before the general public arrives.
4	Marvel Super Hero Island	The "Zig-Zag": Cross the park to the front! Ride Hulk, Spider-Man, and Dr. Doom while everyone else is stuck at Hagrid's.
5	Toon Lagoon (Water Rides)	Ride Ripsaw Falls and Bilge-Rat Barges midday. Pro-Tip: Bring a poncho or flip-flops; you WILL get soaked.
6	Skull Island: Reign of Kong	Visit this massive animatronic experience as you move toward Jurassic Park.
7	Jurassic Park Activities	River Adventure is CLOSED. Instead, hit the Raptor Encounter, Camp Jurassic, or the AC at Discovery Center.
8	Lunch Break	Thunder Falls Terrace (Rotisserie Chicken) or Three Broomsticks are the best high-value options.
9	Hogsmeade Afternoon	Double back for Flight of the Hippogriff, Ollivanders, or the Hogwarts Express (if you have Park-to-Park).
10	Seuss Landing	End your day with the Seuss Trolley and Cat in the Hat. A perfect way to wind down as the crowds thin out.

Universal Islands of Adventure is a world-class park, but it requires a plan. If you follow my "Zig-Zag" strategy, you’ll spend your time riding world-class coasters instead of staring at the back of someone's head in a 2-hour queue.

If you found this guide helpful, please head over to my YouTube channel and subscribe. I’m constantly updating my strategies as the parks change, and I want to make sure you have the best "insider" info for your next vacation.

What’s your #1 priority at Islands of Adventure? Let me know in the comments of the video!

---

Search for more information on my blog.

---

Recent Articles

Ready to keep exploring? Dive into more adventures from Orlando theme parks and cruises:

▸ Disney World

▸ Universal Orlando

▸ Orlando Cruises & More