How to Enjoy Universal Studios Without Riding Roller Coasters

A glorious blue sky overhead, a group of friends, and Universal Studios Orlando…combined they make for a heavenly day. Unless you hate roller coasters! Even if that’s true, there are still lots of things to do at Universal Studios. Amusement parks cater to all ages and often are vacation bucket lists so if roller coasters or scary rides aren’t your jam, no worries! Though it does focus on rides, there are many Universal Orlando attractions you can enjoy. As non-riders ourselves, we’ve compiled this list to help you figure out what to do at Universal Studios.

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I will never forget the day my son, Nick, rode his first roller coaster. That Saturday dawned a typical Florida day – bright blue skies, cotton puff clouds crowding the horizon, humidity puckering sweat beads on our faces. He was 7 years old, and one of our neighbors had given us discount tickets to Busch Gardens. Awesome!

We packed our bags, drove 45 minutes into Tampa, found parking, and made it into the park. First stop? The kid area, of course. He already knew from previous visits that he loved the splash parks and the giant jungle gym. This day, I managed to convince him to try something new.

The roller coaster was the lime green Grover coaster, also in the kid area. Nick got on the ride super excited if a bit apprehensive. A couple of minutes later, a few figure eights and turns of a roller coaster later, he scrambled off in tears and has only ridden one other coaster since. Strangely, he adores water slides; the steeper and faster, the better. We still visit amusement parks, though we generally prefer those that have lots of other things to do besides roller coasters.

There are, however, a lot of parks that have pretty much all roller coasters for rides, like Universal Studios Orlando and its sister park, Islands of Adventure. In May 2019, Nick’s high school marching band took its annual band trip to Universal to march in the park as part of the STARS Performance Program. I had to chaperone, of course! I wasn’t passing up the chance to watch him march then visit Universal and Islands of Adventure for half price! 

We had a great time, even without the rides. The marching band delivered an excellent performance with lots of people stopping to take video and support the band. Afterwards, we spent 10 hours enjoying the two parks. It’s definitely NOT enough time if you have to ride all the roller coasters. We didn’t though, and I’m pleased that we could experience all the fun (non-ride) things to do at Universal Studios Orlando. If you’re a fellow non-roller-coaster person, don’t worry. There’s still plenty to do and lots of ways to enjoy your day.

What to Bring to Universal Studios Orlando

• an unopened bottle of water; each person can bring in a 2L or smaller bottle and refill it throughout the park
• a poncho, especially if you visit in the summer; Florida’s famous thunderstorms pop up quickly and nearly every afternoon
• a camera; if you love to take photos, plan to bring a good DSLR camera with extra batteries and SD cards. I’ve been using the Canon Rebel T6 for the last few years and love it, but I think it’s time to upgrade to a better Canon soon!
• battery backups; bring these for your phones and/or camera. I love this external battery charger and take it everywhere with me to charge the phones.
• sun protection; pack that sunscreen, hats, maybe even a towel. You definitely don’t want to ruin your vacation with a bad sunburn.

Rides at Universal Studios That are NOT Roller Coasters

Universal Studios Orlando rides are mostly either roller coasters or simulators, both 2-D and 3-D. As much as I love roller coasters, I chose not to leave Nick sitting alone while I waited in line and indulged myself in the roller coaster. Instead, we rode a few of the simulators. The thing is, I’m not a fan of 3-D simulators, and those are plentiful at Universal.

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

The Universal parks really up the experience while you wait in line. The first ride we went on was Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. I can’t pass up anything Minions. Just can’t. The wait outside passed quickly with several TV screens showing the Minions at the destructive best. After leaving that queue, we were herded into two separate rooms where Gru, the girls, and Lucy gave us instructions. Finally, we arrived at our seats, glasses on, ready for the Despicable Me 3-D experience.

Remember how I said I don’t like 3-D simulators? Well, this one didn’t change my mind about that. I won’t spoil it for you except to say that it might make you queasy. It’s a cute ride. All the kids seemed to love it.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged

The one simulator I really enjoyed was Fast & Furious – Supercharged. It’s a 2-D ride with a decent storyline and great special effects throughout. The basic premise, without spoiling it, is that we’re on a bus to get to a party. Shenanigans ensue which means we have to outrun various people trying to track us down. Eventually we make it to the party and have a great time. Nick enjoyed this one as much as I did.

I almost wish there had been a long wait for this ride. The queue line starts in a weed-filled abandoned garage yard. It then winds indoors through a fully-stocked garage, complete with cars and souped up truck in it. There are a ton of things to see. We dawdled through, letting others pass us; it just wasn’t enough time to see it all before we boarded the bus for the ride.

Hogwarts Express

Hogwarts Express is not exactly a ride. Rather, it’s one of the ways to travel between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Still, it’s entertaining and has ride-like components. We shared a train cabin with five other people. Both the cabin window and closed door play shadowed scenes that really take one into the magic that is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The wait leading up to the train ride, even on this slow Sunday, was long. And there isn’t much to look at except luggage props, the train, and the famous platform number. The platform is fully enclosed except where the train enters and exits. The roof overhead is frosted glass panels which let the light in but are opaque so we couldn’t see out.

As we reached the platform to begin the queue, we heard thunder and saw cracks of lightning light up the ceiling. Rain dripped from the train tunnel entrance. Really neat special effects, we both agreed. Well, not exactly! It was just another Florida thunderstorm that rolled in between the time we entered the building and the time we got to the platform, about 10 minutes. Yes, Florida storms do pop up that quickly. The effect was really great though. Universal might want to consider making that a part of the experience. We totally thought it was part of the ride and loved the spooky effect it gave.

Take Lots of Photos

Photo opportunities abound at nearly every step and around every turn of Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. As a photo hobbyist, I wanted to do nothing more than take photos of everything. I had to continuously remind myself I wasn’t actually in New York City or trekking through a lost world.

When I wasn’t photographing the scenery, I coaxed, bribed, and coerced my camera-shy teen to pose all over both parks. With different characters from The Simpsons. In front Hogwarts Castle. At Seuss Landing. With Minions. Seated beside dinosaur bones. Everywhere. He shared his displeasure with me by making faces until I threatened to take his phone away. Every. Single. Time.

The fun part of taking your “good” camera into Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure is that there are so many different “sets” to explore and photograph. All of them are beautifully designed and place you in whatever place it is – NYC, an ancient Lost World, Jurassic Park, wherever. Both parks are also beautifully landscaped. If you love orchids, you’ll love the entrance at Islands of Adventure. The trees are covered in orchids, many of them in bloom when we visited. Absolutely stunning!

Eat Your Way Around the Parks

You could eat your way around both parks and CityWalk, similar to eating your way around Epcot. Specialty dining spots dot both parks. There are also lots of stands around the parks offering cold drinks, ice cream and gelato, and snacks. CityWalk, of course, is packed with some of the best-known franchises in the US, such as the Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump, and Margaritaville. Between Universal, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk, there are over 130 places to get your grub on!

We left Tampa at 5am, arrived at Universal around 8, prepped for the parade, marched, and were released into the park shortly after 10am. Though we ate breakfast on the bus, I was beyond starving when we were finally free to explore the park. First stop for us – food!

Mel’s Diner was the closest spot but was already packed so we kept walking. Many places were still closed, but we eventually found the Today Cafe and sat down to split a sandwich and a cup of fruit. With coffee, lots of it! The cafe was comfortable, a quick service place that specializes in sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and fresh seasonal favorites.

A few hours later, we ducked into the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. We barely got inside when the skies opened up and dumped torrential amounts of rain on the park. One of the few fully enclosed places to hang out, Discovery Center was packed with others escaping the rain. We sat for a bit then Nick announced he was hungry. There’s a small burger joint on the second floor. We wandered back upstairs, grabbed a couple of burgers and sodas, and went back to the bottom level to our spots sitting on the floor. 

A short time later, again outrunning the rain, we ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe and spent a couple of hours there. A look at the menu and I immediately regretted eating the burger in Jurassic Park. I wanted to try several things at Hard Rock but settled for a cup of coffee instead while Nick ate a giant sundae. Our waiter was great and very understanding of our time spent taking up his table. 

To finish off our eating tour, we came back to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium for dinner at 7pm and enjoyed a quick meal on the outdoor patio before meeting the rest of the band to board the bus for home. Here, too, the waiter was great and did his best to get us fed and out the door in time to meet our group, despite the restaurant being packed and on a wait. Next time, I’ll plan a much more purposeful eating tour of these parks.

Do Some Shopping

I’m not huge on shopping. I do love me an unusual or super discounted piece, no doubt, but shopping for the sake of shopping? Not really my thing. I imagine, too, that shopping isn’t necessarily something that comes to mind when thinking of things to do at Universal Studios Orlando. Still, there are lots of places do some shopping if you’re so inclined. While we didn’t spend a lot of time doing so, we did stop in to a few of the stores.

Every ride, of course, has it’s gift shop with branded merch. There were also a number of generic gift shops, like the big ones found at the exits of all amusement parks. Then there were more unique places. For instance, Wizarding World where you can buy a wand that chooses you. I wanted a wand; really, really wanted one. However, my small house has put the kabosh on unnecessary dust catchers. We did get a couple of small knick knacks as reminders of our trip, like we always do.

One employee made my day, and we hers. We stopped into a bazaar-type store early on, just after the Despicable Me ride. Nick’s shoes were rubbing the back of his heels (he had forgotten his socks and sneakers at home so was still wearing his marching shoes). We were in search of a small first-aid kit of box of band-aids. The lovely cashier at the entrance to the store presented us with a first-aid kit ($5.99 for 6 band-aids and 3 ointment packets!). As she thanked us for our purchase, I thanked her for helping us. Common courtesy, right? Apparently not. What happened next stunned me: she gasped and thanked me again, this time for acknowledging her and her work. 

She exclaimed, “You have made my day! You are so kind!” 

She went on to tell me that hardly anyone says hello or thank you to her or her daughter who was operating the register beside hers. That was truly disheartening to hear. Thanking people for helping you, even if it is there job, is just common courtesy. It touched me deeply that we could put a smile on someone’s face that day.

Shows, Entertainment, and Education

One of the best things to do at amusement parks is take in shows and learn a little at a discovery center, nature center or some other educational facility inside the park. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure check all these boxes in a big way.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center

At Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park’s Discovery Center educates visitors about dinosaurs and DNA. Entering the Center, it’s hard to miss the T-rex fossil replica hanging from the ceiling of the two-story building. A fast food restaurant to the right, gift shop to the left, and tables encircle the central atrium where the fossil hangs. The real educational stuff is one level down, accessible by winding staircase or elevator. Here, interactive games and exhibits encourage kids (and kids at heart) to test their DNA, observe dinosaur “eggs” (some of them even hatch), show off their dino knowledge, and play among velociraptors.

Street Performances & Other Shows

The big entertainment at Universal Studios is, of course, the shows. Street performers amuse crowds throughout the park. We enjoyed the Beat Builders because Nick plays percussion in his high school marching band. As we ambled through the park, we also saw a Dora the Explorer show which delighted young kids and the Blues Brothers which equally delighted adults.. Theaters also hold shows as do many of the restaurants. Karaoke, live music, and cabaret-style shows – the Universal parks hit all ages and styles, ensuring every visitor goes home with a great entertainment experience.

There you have it – my favorite things to do at Universal Studios Orlando if you don’t like roller coasters. There’s no need to avoid amusement parks if roller coasters scare you or make you queasy. Just enjoy the food, the scenery, and the shows the rest of your group rides the many Universal Orlando attractions.

Do you love or hate roller coasters? I’d love to hear which one is your favorite or, if you don’t ride them, what you do at amusement parks. Let me know in the comments!

Final Thoughts on Things to Do at Universal Studios

If roller coasters aren’t something you enjoy, there’s no reason to avoid roller coaster havens like Universal Studios. There are still lots of things to do at Universal Studios besides roller coasters. Take photos, eat, shop, or enjoy the attractions which aren’t roller coasters.

If you absolutely don’t think Universal is worth going to, however, you might enjoy all of the things to do in Orlando besides theme parks. Skip the lines and crowds and see a different side of Orlando.