Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are primarily themed to movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry.

In 2019, it ranked eleventh in the world – sixth in North America – for overall attendance among amusement parks with approximately 10.9 million visitors.

The success of its sister location, Universal Studios Hollywood, in the 1980s fueled the desire to build a similar park in the Orlando area to compete with Walt Disney World.

An early layout and design of the park also incorporated active production studios, similar to the Hollywood location, which provided guests a behind-the-scenes look at film and television.

As the interest to produce films in the Orlando area quickly faded, the design of the park transitioned to a more immersive, first-person perspective.

[2] The Studio Tour in Los Angeles continued to thrive, especially with the addition of a new, massive scene based on the 1976 film King Kong.

[2] It opened in 1986 as King Kong Encounter and became an instant hit with guests, boosting attendance and prompting Universal to revisit the idea of building a theme park in Orlando.

[2] That same year, former Disney Imagineer Peter Alexander, who worked on the life-size King Kong animatronic and later became an executive at Universal Creative, met with his friend and renowned director Steven Spielberg to discuss the creation of a Back to the Future simulator ride.

[2][3] Universal was already working on the design for its backlot tram tour attraction in Florida, which would include multiple scenes depicted at the Hollywood location.

[2][4] The new area, to be called Disney-MGM Studios, was a preemptive move to counter Universal's planned introduction into the Orlando market.

[5] Universal had publicly revealed their plans for Orlando ahead of Eisner's announcement, but Disney was in a better position to fast-track construction and open sooner.

A large theme park with separate attractions was a new concept for Universal, and their creative team ran into multiple obstacles during development and testing.

In many cases, actors reprised their roles, contributing new dialogue and footage to fill pre-show queues and action sequences within the attractions.

[7] With each new attraction, Universal gradually moved away from the incorporation of the fourth wall convention, where cast and crew directly addressed guests.

[7] The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – with the completion of Hogsmeade in 2010 and Diagon Alley in 2014 – accelerated this transition and reflects the park's modern strategy and approach to the guest experience.

[7] Despite the evolution and growing emphasis being placed on the theme park aspect, some soundstages at Universal Studios Florida remained active.

In 1999, Wheel of Fortune was relocated to the park for three days of filming, helping to promote the upcoming debut of Islands of Adventure.

Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets and merchandise stores.

The main entry of Universal Studios Florida, which here is based on Illumination‘s Despicable Me franchise, aside with Minions spin-off series.

The company later revealed that this attraction would use Universal's new "Virtual Line" system, allowing guests to select a time frame in which they want to ride.

Diagon Alley is the second half of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; adapting elements from the film series[b] and novels by J. K. Rowling.

[51][55] NBC Media Center and The Wicked Experience, a seasonal survey attraction that allows guests to preview upcoming NBCUniversal films and shows, is located within the Hollywood section in a "Garden of Allah Villas"-themed area.

[58] Notable retired attractions include Kongfrontation, Back to the Future: The Ride, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera, its replacement Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, A Day in the Park with Barney, its replacement DreamWorks Destination, Jaws, Twister...Ride it Out, T2-3D: Battle Across Time, Shrek 4-D, AT&T at the Movies, Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular, and its replacements Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories and Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration.

The area was completely demolished to make way for the Diagon Alley portion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

As a homage to the Jaws attraction and Amity section that was available to so many visitors over the years, references to both are sprinkled throughout Diagon Alley, one being a set of shark jawbones appearing behind the herbs and potions of Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary.

Featuring costumed actors, scare zones, haunted houses, special effects, and themed shows—all inspired by popular horror films, TV shows, and original concepts.

[65][66] Generally in February through to April, a parade and concert series inspired by New Orleans' Fat Tuesday party is held at the park.

Rock the Universe is the park's Christian music festival, featuring two days in January or February (as of 2019, prior years held this event in September.

This includes Williams’ score for the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011) at the park's main entrance and in Diagon Alley.

Guests with Universal Express are given priority boarding status and enter a separate line queue at attractions that support it.