Universal Studios Florida opened on June 7, 1990, as the flagship park of what would become Universal Orlando Resort. Set on roughly 107 acres in Orlando, Florida, it was originally envisioned as both an active movie production facility and a themed entertainment destination — a place where guests could witness Hollywood filmmaking up close. While the working studio concept was largely phased out in the park’s early years as filming in Florida proved impractical, the movie-magic theme remained its defining identity.
Today the park attracts around 9.5 million visitors annually, placing it among the thirteen most-visited theme parks in the world. Eight distinct themed lands — including the Harry Potter–themed Diagon Alley, the Simpsons-inspired Springfield, and the newly added DreamWorks Land — ring a central lagoon, offering a lineup of screen-based attractions that ranges from classic dark rides to cutting-edge multi-sensory experiences.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
- Opened: June 7, 1990
- Owner: NBCUniversal
- Operator: Universal Destinations & Experiences
- Area: About 107 acres (43 ha)
- Themed Lands: 8
- Annual Visitors (2024): ~9.5 million
- Global Rank (2024): 13th most-visited theme park
Eight Lands, Endless Blockbusters
Universal Studios Florida is organized into eight immersive themed lands arranged around a central lagoon. Hollywood and New York anchor the park’s entrance with classic backlot aesthetics, while Springfield faithfully recreates the animated home of The Simpsons. San Francisco and World Expo round out the middle of the park, and Minion Land on Illumination Ave celebrates the Despicable Me franchise with Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and other family-friendly offerings.
The biggest draw is London and Diagon Alley, the Harry Potter–themed expansion that opened July 8, 2014. Guests can board the fire-breathing Hogwarts Express — a fully functional train that connects this land to Hogsmeade at the neighboring Islands of Adventure park — or brave Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, an indoor coaster fusing motion simulation with 3D projection. The newest land, DreamWorks Land, opened in 2024 and brought Trolls Trollercoaster, a family coaster by Vekoma, to the park’s ride lineup.
A Park That Keeps Reinventing Itself
Universal Studios Florida has continually evolved since its 1990 debut. E.T. Adventure, which opened on day one, remains the oldest operating attraction and a nostalgic touchstone for longtime fans. Revenge of the Mummy, a Premier Rides launched indoor coaster, debuted in 2004 and has been a headline thrill ride for more than two decades. The park has also retired several icons over the years: Jaws closed in 2012, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit — the towering X-Car coaster that opened in 2009 and let riders choose their own on-ride soundtrack — permanently closed on August 18, 2025, with a Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift spinning coaster by Intamin announced as its replacement.
Universal Studios Florida sits within a rapidly expanding resort campus. Islands of Adventure joined in 1999, Volcano Bay water park opened in 2017, and Universal Epic Universe — which added a third Wizarding World area themed to the Ministry of Magic — debuted in May 2025. The growth of the resort has solidified Orlando as a two-destination theme-park city, giving Universal Studios Florida a renewed role as the entertainment-focused complement to its thrill-heavy sister parks.
Explore more: Theme Parks hub.
Universal Studios Florida FAQs
When did Universal Studios Florida open?
Universal Studios Florida opened to the public on June 7, 1990, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included director Steven Spielberg.
What is the oldest ride at Universal Studios Florida?
E.T. Adventure is the oldest operating attraction at the park, having opened alongside Universal Studios Florida on its first day in June 1990.
How many people visit Universal Studios Florida each year?
The park drew approximately 9.5 million visitors in 2024, ranking it 13th among the most-visited theme parks globally, according to industry attendance reports.
Get More from Universal Studios Florida
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Universal Studios Florida, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo by Guneet Jassal on Unsplash.