Universal Parks are not comparable to Disney Parks in many ways, including dining, guest experience and merchandise. But, one thing that they’ve got down pat are the character interactions.
Islands of Adventure
THE GRINCH
You’re a mean one, Mr Grinch! You’re also absolutely hilarious to engage in a conversation and your personality shines through when you’ve got the chance to riff with guests of all ages. If you ask the right questions in the right order, there’s a very good opportunity to be laughing harder than you’ve ever laughed while meeting a character in a theme park. He’s that good at improv!
BLUE, THE RAPTOR FROM JURASSIC WORLD
Not only do you get to interact with a raptor from Jurassic World, you also get to spend time with one of the coolest roles at Islands of Adventure…the Raptor Handler!
Lines get pretty long, but the goal is to set the anticipation for what you’re about to see!
HOGWARTS CONDUCTOR
When you first walk into Hogsmeade from the Lost Continent, the Hogwarts Express will be found on the right hand side. Iconic sight with a great photo opportunity, made even better when you get a chance to visit with the conductor. If you wanted to talk about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – this is the character experience for ya!
Top 10 Can’t Miss Activities at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
- Students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang (Harry Potter)
- Marvel Super Hero Island Heroes – Captain America, Cyclops, Storm, Rogue, Spider-Man
- Marvel Super Hero Island Villains – Green Goblin and Dr Doom
- Betty Boop
- Popeye and Olive Oyl
- Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and 2, Sam I am and the Lorax
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Universal Studios Florida
DOC BROWN
When they switched out Back to the Future with The Simpsons, we were all worried that the charm of the classic film would be lost. Well, it was…but then guests had the chance to meet Doc Brown in Universal Studios Florida and everyone was happy again!
The actors that they bring in to portray Doc are brilliant, especially when you think that he’s usually just off by himself with no handlers and no real backdrop. He can be found over by the train, or you can also just find him riding his bike around the streets. Great experience!
BEETLEJUICE
There are a couple of characters that just belong at a Universal Studios theme park, and BJ is one of them! Sure, he’s not 100% family friendly…but that doesn’t mean that the material of the Tim Burton cult-classic film can’t come around and be relevant again.
I’ve never had a bad interaction with Beetlejuice! If you ask him about the most mundane and off-kilter things, it’ll make everyone’s day. We tend to ask him about his neighbours in the park (Scooby and Friends or the Simpsons) or about the long-lost Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue, and it tends to be a solid chat.
OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE AND MEGATRON
The stars of Transformers are a highlight for any guest, and it’s less about the conversation and more about just being there. The photos are great but the real skill comes from the banter that comes from Megatron when he’s let loose on unsuspecting park visitors that don’t really know who he is!
KNIGHT BUS CONDUCTOR
Huge lines are probable, but for any Harry Potter fan…you’ll definitely want this photo!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
- Scooby Doo and the Gang
- Shrek, Fiona and Donkey
- Gringotts Goblin (in the Money Exchange)
- Lucille Ball
- Marilyn Monroe
- Blues Brothers
- Betty Boop
- The Mummy Guards
- Hashtag the Panda
- Barney & Friends
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Epic Universe
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
MARIO, LUIGI AND PRINCESS PEACH
The most immersive character encounters at Epic Universe happen in Super Nintendo World, where Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach bring the Mushroom Kingdom to life. What makes these interactions special is that the characters respond differently when you’re wearing a Power-Up Band, creating a truly interactive gaming experience.
You’ll find them at Peach’s Castle Courtyard, with each character having their own designated photo area. The transitions are smooth, but these lines stay busy throughout the day.
DONKEY KONG
New for Epic Universe! Catch him in the Donkey Kong Country section—he’s a big hit (literally and figuratively). Donkey Kong’s area features unique jungle theming, so don’t be surprised if he moves differently or interacts in character-specific ways.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – ISLE OF BERK
HICCUP AND TOOTHLESS
At Haddock Paddock in Isle of Berk, you can meet Hiccup and even pet Toothless in a truly heartfelt encounter that brings the world of dragons to life. This is probably the most technologically advanced character experience at Universal – Toothless is a sophisticated animatronic that responds in a friendly manner.
The dragon interactions here are unlike anything you’ll find at other theme parks. Keep your eyes peeled—familiar Vikings and their flying companions roam the area!
DARK UNIVERSE
The spookiest character experiences happen in Dark Universe, where you can come face to face with classic creatures like Frankenstein’s Monster, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and even a storytelling violinist.
These encounters create unforgettable moments, though they’re definitely more intense than your typical theme park character meet. You never know who – or what – may be lurking in the shadows.
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – MINISTRY OF MAGIC
While you can’t meet Harry Potter himself, the Wizarding World comes alive as spellcasters, wandmakers, and Aurors enchant the streets with their magic, storytelling, and interactions. The Ministry setting provides incredible backdrops for photos and authentic magical encounters.
Final Thoughts
Universal Orlando Resort is the place to be when you want to hang out with characters! They’re all over the place and all you have to do is walk around with a plan to selfie-it-up with the best of the best!
With Epic Universe now open, Universal has created the most comprehensive character experience in Orlando. The theme park has numerous character interactions across all five worlds, making it impossible to experience everything in a single day. The character encounters at Epic Universe represent the next evolution of theme park entertainment – more immersive, more interactive, and more memorable than ever before.