Tell me about Universal Studios Florida

I took my 19 year old in January of 2016. Our main goal was to hit HP, but we went on almost every ride in both of the Universal parks (some many times) in the five days we were there. The HP rides are fun even if you don't want to spend much time in the parks. You can ride the Hogwarts Express to both parks and save yourself a lot of walking. The other parts of the parks are still fun and made for a more mature audience (minus Dr. Seuss-but we rode some of those rides just for fun). There is a ton to see and I highly recommend staying on the park property and getting in early. You can also leave around lunchtime and go back later in the day. Just for clarification... Universal has two parks at Orlando. Both of them have HP sections, but they also have many other sections with lots of great rides. You can buy tickets that get you into both parks each day. The train takes you from park to park if you bought that ticket.

We took our family vacation there earlier this year. It was a great choice for us. I have a 12 year old girl and a 14 year old boy. We stood at the cheapest universal resort, which was fine with us. There was something for each of us, and there were plenty of older teens just hanging out together. I just had no idea how humid it was in Florida during the summer (2nd week of June). That was my fault. I should have researched.

I think it was only about 97, but the stickiness was too much,

I've been to Universal twice, both times during Disney vacations. Just adults no kids. The rides are great, the water rides are a blast! , I love roller coasters so that is what I judge by. I'm not a Harry Potter fan but the rides are fun. I've heard good things about their new water park. Earlier this year, we took a day from our Disney trip and went to Tampa Bay Busch Gardens. I want to go back! Amazing Coasters! Just another park to think about.

We bought 2 days in the 2 parks with unlimited express because that fit our schedule. We were there at peak time and express was a must because the wait for all the popular rides is 2 hours. There are coasters which none of us do, lots of VR rides which we all do OK in although some are spinny, and a few other rides such as water rides which were enjoyed primarily by the children. We enjoyed just the sets too. Im not a big HP fan but the HP themed areas are so well done that I really enjoyed it.

Without express I would have wanted 3 days to do all the things we wanted to do. With express we easily did everything in 2.

My advice: start at one park and do everything you want to do there, then take Hogwarts Express to the other park. Do what you can in the second park before day's end. Then second day, start in the second park, do everything you want to do there, then take HE the other way and do the rest of that park backwards. We tried to do HE both directions in one day plus see things in both parks, and it was a lot of extra walking and so tiring. That's how we figured out to make a loop one day then reverse it the next. So much easier.

There are a fair number of attractions that aren't coasters or spinny - a lot of "screen" rides where you wear 3D glasses.  But I'll be honest, if my kids weren't into Harry Potter or Coasters, I would not choose Universal Studios - what DO they like to do? 

We are planning a big trip next year (fingers crossed, DH's car is now making a clicking noise and if it's a major repair my vacation fund is going to suddenly disappear). We will spend 3 days at Universal and 3 days/nights on the Disney boat.

Disboards has a small but loyal forum for Universal.

We're purchasing tickets through undercover tourist - they often run a buy 2 day 2 park tickets get a 3rd day free deal which we are going to take advantage of. There is also a AAA discount if you belong, and as we bank through USAA that is what we're using for the hotel. Run the numbers to see what gets you the best deal.
We're staying at Royal Pacific for 2 nights just to get express pass b/c we're going at the end of May. I'm hiding the cost from DH. If Express Pass is less of an issue for you, you'll find reasonable hotel rates off property, just keep in mind you'll pay to park on site.

There is quite a bit to do in the Orlando area that isn't park related, restaurants, the Orlando Eye, the NASA space center museum is in the Port Canaveral area about 45 minutes away, We'll spend the night before getting on the boat in Coco Beach because beach time.

if you don't want to go in the summer and you're horror fans they do Halloween Horror Nights starting about now and through Halloween. Separate ticketed event, that's a big draw.

I've learned a lot just by reading trip reports on the DIS. Have fun!