26 Popular Photo Spots at Universal Studios Perfect for Instagram

This guide will reveal all the amazing photo spots at Universal Studios that will have you spamming your Instagram with great pictures and your friends wishing they were with you.

Capture the magical, silly, and thrilling moments.

From the moment you pass the Universal Studios sign, your eyes are filled with colors, familiar sights of tv characters, and movie settings come to life. There is no boring sight. Every few feet you’ll point to a new photo spot at Universal Studios with excitement.

Here are my top Instagrammable spots for you to check out on your next visit, along with tips, broken down by the two parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

So if you can’t visit both parks and are debating if Universal Studios is better than Islands of Adventure, this guide will help you decide. This will give you insight on what sights to expect, so you can plan your outfits and angles better. 

Universal Studios Photo Spots

Universal Studios is one of the theme parks in Universal Orlando Resorts. It’s probably the one that first comes to mind when you think of Universal. Within this parks there’s various movie characters scattered all over, but the following list of movies & shows have a ride where you can experience in detail their sets:

Hollywood

Minions – Illumination Land

Jimmy Fallon

The Simpsons

Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

Transformers

The Mummy

Fast & the Furious

Men In Black

E.T.

Minions – Illuminations Land 

The Minion Land is the first thing you’ll see when you enter the park. The sign below is a great photo spot to capture all minion figurines.

There is a meet & greet for Kevin, Stuart, and Bob or Gru & the girls, just ask the staff for their schedule.  

Minions – Bake My Day Bakery

Visit the lovely pink minion bakery, ‘Bake My Day’, for sweet treats and exclusive merchandise. 

Minions – Despicable Me house

Enter Gru’s home, featured in Despicable Me, and enjoy a ride with Margo, Edith, and Agnes. 

Minions – Bank of Evil

Minions – Freeze Ray Pops

For more super villain information visit the official Minion guide from Universal Studios.

Harry Potter – Gringotts Dragon

Located in Diagon Alley, one of the most popular photo spots at Universal Studios is the Gringotts Dragon, which spits out fire!

And you can feel it too!

Because this a thrilling and sensational sight, a crowd will form in the middle of the pathway directly below Gringotts bank. I suggest you find a good spot before the crows forms, so you can get a good picture and/or video.

Important Note: The dragon blows fire every 10 minutes.

Harry Potter – The Owl’s Post

The Owl’s Post is located in a spot where there is not a lot of foot traffic, so it’s a good spot to take a picture without being rushed. 

Tip: Order a Butterbeer next door to add a Harry Potter prop to  your picture. 

Harry Potter – Candy shop

This cute candy shop is located across The Owl’s Post so it an easy transition with a bright background. 

Tip: There’s a bench near there where you can leave your bags, if you want to take a bag with an outfit change. 

For more Harry Potter inspo picts, visit ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE HARRY POTTER WORLD WITH THE BEST TIPS TO TAKE AESTHETIC INSTAGRAM PICTURES

The Simpsons – Krustyland

Another popular photo spot at Universal Studios is Krusty at The Simpsons land. The shots you can take with this background in different angles are endless. It’s so colorful and it screams Universal Studios. Opt for portrait mode if you want a blurry view and get closer to the Krusty the Clown face. 

Tip: If you really want a clear shot (without people), two great times with low foot traffic are morning and during lunchtime. This is the entrance to a ride, so there’s a lot of people going in and out every couple of minutes .

The Simpsons – Police Car

Chief Wiggum (not pictured but stands next to the car) and his cop car are located a few steps away from Krusty. This a slightly popular spot and a short line might form. 

Tip: Buy a Lard Lad Donut from the shop located behind the car to add a cute prop to your picture. 

The Simpsons – Lard Lad Donut Boy

Located a couple of feet away from Chief Wiggum and his cop car is Lard Lad’s donut mascot. Not a lot of people try to get a picture with him, so take your time and get creative with this one. 

Transformers – Optimus Prime

“Autobots, roll out!”. Take a picture with the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, outside the Transformers ride. 

Transformers – BumbleBee

Or take a picture with the most versatile communicator, BumbleBee, where he will also show he has some dance moves. 

Tip: The schedule for their interactions is posted outside. Optimus Prime and BumblBee come out separately but within like 15 minutes of each, so if you have time you can get a picture with both. 

Hello Kitty – Shop & Autograph stone

If you are a Hello Kitty fan, you’ll be excited to know that there is a Sanrio shop at Universal Studios. And if that wasn’t enough, there is a stone sitting outside with Hello Kitty’s autograph. 

Hello Kitty – Meet & Greet

The Hello Kitty mascot comes out for a few minutes throughout the day to take pictures with her fans. Ask an employee at the store for expected times. 

Tip: Hello Kitty will autograph your item, so bring a paper (or whatever you like) to get it stamped.

Scooby Doo – The Mystery Van

The life size van of the Mystery Van is located near the Hollywood theme section.

Tip: Ask the staff for the Mystery, Inc. gang schedule, so you can take a picture with the gang: Fred, Shaggy, Daphne and Velma.

Hollywood-

For any vintage lovers, this old school setup will make you feel like you belong in a black and white film. This is the perfect setting for your vintage outfits.

Islands of Adventure Photo Spots

Islands of Adventure is the second and separate theme park within Universal Studios.

In this park you’ll find rides and theme sections related to the following movies:

• Jurassic Park
• Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
• Cat in the Hat
• Superheroes: Doctor Doom, Spiderman, Storm, Hulk
• Popeye
• King Kong

Meet the Heroes

Get the chance to meet your favorite superheroes and villains at the comics section. Appearance of characters varies, but you will typically see Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, and Storm. They will gather by the yellow base and then scatter around the park. 

Tip: Check the app for schedule times. 

Captain America

Take a picture with America’s favorite hero: Captain America. 

Tip: Because the superheroes spread out, I suggest ask the staff where each superhero will be located, so you don’t waste time trying to find them. Also, Spiderman tends to have a line form. If that is someone you are looking forward to take a picture with, get in line early. 

Harry Potter – Hogwarts Castle

A breathtaking sight. This photo spot at Universal Studios can be found in Hogsmeade Village.

Tip: Visit this curated guide for more amazing Harry Potter spots at Universal Studios.

The Lost Continent

Feel like a mythical character at The Lost Continent and take a  picture by a fallen temple. 

Kung Fu Panda

Take a picture with the Dragon Warrior. 

Dr. Seuss Landing

Dr. Seuss Landing will bring out all of the “awws”. Although catered to kids, you cant help but feel kiddish at the sight of the perfect blend of pastels. 

The Cat in the Hat

Take a picture with the iconic ensemble of The Cat in the Hat: His white glove and red and white striped hat. 

Outside Universal Studios park

Universal Studios globe

There is no better way to share with your followers that you visited Universal Studios than to post a picture with the iconic globe. The globe actually spins, so expect to take a couple of minutes to get the globe to spin at the right angle.

Tip: Take your picture anytime between the park’s opening and closing times. An hour before and after the park opens and closes typically sees the highest traffic. 

City Walk Photo Spots

The city Walk offers stunning views of clean water, palm trees, and a beautiful landscape. Stop by the Voodoo Shop and take a picture on the stacking donut chair. 

Final Thoughts

Now that you have the gist of what to expect from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and seen the photo spots, it’s time to get planning and packing. And if you are feeling overwhelmed thinking of how expensive this is going to be, I can help you with that. Save time and money with these genius tips before heading to Universal Studios and inside Universal Studios.