Universal’s 5 Best Themed Lands

Universal’s best themed lands…

As promised in our last article, here we are. One of my favourite theme park companies, home to some of the best attractions and, as I shall list off, themed lands. When Universal first opened in Hollywood, a theme park formula based on designated lands wasn’t really their style. This was more something that was limited to Disneyland, with Walt’s hub and spoke layout, allowing guests to travel between various lands of ‘yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy’.

Universal Studios Hollywood was, and continues to be, first and foremost a working film studio. However, as the brand has expanded their parks to four (soon five) locations worldwide, their style has evolved. Now the standard in theme park layouts, most parks section their shows, attractions, dining and retail locations into various themed areas, Universal included. In fact, not only have they adopted this idea, Universal has mastered it. 

So, here are the best of the best. The five best lands (or islands) and an honourable mention, across some of the best themed parks worldwide.

Honourable Mention – Jurassic Park (Islands of Adventure)

I truly expected this to rank higher. Certainly a personal favourite, this land is one of the best Universal has to offer. The Discovery Centre and archway entrance look as if they’ve been taken straight out of the movie. However, as tough as it is for me to admit, the carnival games and counter service stalls do little to camouflage themselves. This takes you out of Spielberg’s world and back into the Orlando theme park.

When I think of the best, I want to get lost there and unfortunately, as a whole, this land just isn’t that. There are moments of perfection, but they are met with moments of disappointment. If I could pick my favourite parts of this land and ignore the rest, it might be number one. But that would be cheating. My feelings are the same for this land’s counterpart in Japan, perhaps even more so with the mass of visible roller coaster tracks (although I’m not someone who is opposed to this wholly like some). Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but mention it. 

5. Minion Park- Universal Studios Japan

Before you comment your disapproval, please hear me out. If you’ve only visited Super Silly Fun Land in Hollywood, I recommend you discard your opinions of Despicable Me themed lands and don’t apply them here. Taking up only a tiny amount of the park, this area is an unexpected gem. As you enter under the park’s archway sign, patches of grass line the sides and a minion full fountain beckons you forward. To the left and right are rows of buildings, each individually themed to different characters or locations from the film. The minions seem to have taken over, reeking chaos inside these consistently themed eateries and stores. This is probably my favourite thing about the land.

Each time you enter there’s something different to spot, a new minion to look at or a reference to pick up on. Bordering on overwhelming, this land feels like something straight out of the brightly animated films. At the back is Gru’s house, the perfect icon to top it all off. It’s fun, it’s cute and most of all, it makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the films to join the minions in creating mayhem.

4. Diagon Alley- Universal Studios Orlando

When watching Harry Potter, Diagon Alley stands out as an obvious location to translate into a theme park, and my gosh did Universal do it well! Before you step into the magic you must enter through the London Waterfront. A small area, constructed to look like muggle London, featuring recognisable architecture including a small scale King’s Cross Station. Aside from the Knight Bus that sits outside and the occasional glimpse of Kreacher the House Elf through one of the windows, this section is more based in reality than the Wizarding World. It is not until you step behind these walls that the magic begins.

Behind a small brick opening sits the famous alley. Almost immediately you are confronted with the gigantic dragon perched on Gringotts bank. If you’re really lucky he might even be breathing fire. Impressive enough alone, this land has much more to offer than just this mythical beast.

Every corner is nearly a mirror image of the film. The Leaky Cauldron, Flourish & Blotts, Madam Malkin’s and many of the other famous fictional locations line the streets. The scale and detail are so perfect that you really feel like you’re there, exploring the wizardly offerings. Finally, the cherry on top in my opinion, is Knockturn Alley. The dangerous back alley, home to dodgy stores and sinister clients. Built undercover to keep it dark, even on the brightest Florida day, this area is an instant atmospheric change. From the exciting bustle of Diagon Alley, to the dark secluded fear of Knockturn Alley, both moods are so well portrayed. There’s no debate for me, the theming here is truly some of the best.

3. Port of Entry- Islands of Adventure

First impressions are always important and this park seems to know that. The icon of the park, Pharos Lighthouse, beckons guests through the turnstiles and under the stone archway that declares ‘Let the adventure begin!’. Without an attraction in sight, this land is home to only stores, dining options and guest services, running the risk of being thoroughly unremarkable. But Port of Entry is anything but that. With whimsical theming and a soundtrack to match, I couldn’t think of a better way to begin an adventure.

Next time you visit Islands of Adventure, I recommend you don’t just rush through to your first attraction. Instead, take your time, soak up the perfectly crafted atmosphere and most important of all, hunt for hidden details. This land is full of Easter eggs, references to other lands within the park, comical signs and, like Disneyland’s Main Street, windows that pay homage to the park creatives. Some of the best references can be found within the land’s restaurant ‘Confisco Grill’, which earned its namesake for housing confiscated items from travellers passing through. As you may guess, this restaurant is packed full of nods to Island of Adventure’s various other themed lands. Look for Dinosaur bones, a certain cat’s hat and many more confiscated items here.

The perfect introduction to the park, bringing together all its themes and incredibly immersing you within the world of exploration. This is the only land in our list of Universal’s best themed lands that does not contain an attraction.

2. Hogsmeade- Universal Studios Japan

There’s no bad version of this land as all are practically like for like copies, but I’ve chosen Universal Studios Japan’s Hogsmeade for one very specific reason. The Black lake. You enter into this land by walking through a forest like path of trees, lasting probably nothing more than a minute even at the slowest pace. This transition pulls you out of the park and signifies that a new world is around the corner. The Wizarding world.

Then, like in Hollywood and Orlando, Honeydukes, Zonko’s Joke Shop, The Hog’s head and The Three Broomsticks sit on the left. With the train, Dervish and Bangs and Ollivanders on the right. Like the quaint village in the book, these stone, snow-capped buildings are beautiful. Bright colours pour out their windows, enticing guests to see what magical offerings they sell. The roofs are pointed with weathered, bent chimneys on top, something so imperfect it’s hard to believe they aren’t real. Then, there it is. Hogwarts castle. Perched up above the rest, each minute detail crafted to perfection, this castle rivals even Disney’s best.

Sitting below, an offering unique to Japan, is the Black Lake. Mentioned in the books and seen in the films, this reflective pool adds even more authenticity. So dark that you fear to think what magical creatures might be below, the lake reflects the castle above, emphasising its splendour from new angles.

1.Amity Village- Universal Studios Japan 

One of the best films ever deserves its theme park presence to be just as good, and that it is. There was never any doubt that this would be number one in my list of Universal’s best themed lands. Designed to look like the small fictional American island, Amity Village immediately transports you to summer 1975. The buildings are all small, exactly the sort you’d expect to see in a tiny fishing village. Their offerings wouldn’t be out of place in any real American beachfront. The souvenir shop, ‘Amity Island Gifts’, the boardwalk, with carnival games and ‘Boardwalk Snack’, the ice cream store run by Ellen Brody and finally ‘Amity Landing Restaurant’, a recreation of ‘Jaws’ shipyard. Despite being in Japan, this nautical land would struggle to appear any more authentic.

References to the film are littered throughout, countless upon a notice board in the gift shop and many more such as posters encouraging ‘Re-elect Mayor Vaughn’ are all around. Sound tracking the land is the most glorious music loop making it hard to doubt you haven’t been transported back in time. The perfect backdrop for this quaint village. It’s incredibly easy to imagine that you’re a summer tourist on this island that has just experienced horrific shark attacks. But don’t worry, the shark has been defeated and hangs as a trophy for all to see. Amity is safe again…or so the locals think. Recently recommenced boat tours take tourists out into the open water and it is here that things turn treacherous.

The Jaws ride remains as many will remember it from Orlando. The famous fins begin to show and Jaws bears his teeth at the guests. Even without this flawless attraction, Amity Village is the best of the best. Better, in my opinion, than the defunct version in Orlando. This land feels so real that I certainly wouldn’t swim nearby.

As of summer 2020 this is where my opinions fall. Having never been to Universal Singapore, I’m curious as to whether their offerings will top my list.

If you’ve been, what do you think?

Taking a look at their map, it certainly seems promising-Far Far Away, Madagascar and The Lost World! As soon as I get the chance, I’ll jump to experience it. I also hope that in the future new additions knock some of these lands off my list of Universal’s best themed lands (I’m looking at you Super Nintendo Land and Universal Studios Beijing).

Let me know if you think I’ve missed something out of this list of Universal’s best themed lands.

Having ranked what currently exists, my mind has swirled around what could be. In the next article I plan to list some lands I think would be excellent additions. Personal dreams with no basis in fact, so don’t get too excited. Until then, what do you think Universal’s best themed lands are?

Please check out our review of Universal Studios Japan.