Best amusement park for me?

Question

Hi there!

Looking for some advice for which amusement park I should visit in Feb?

I’ll be in Orlando with my bf, but he’s going to be working so won’t be able to join me 4 my day of fun.

There are so many parks to choose from and I really only want to do one day of theme parks. I did come to Orlando about 15 years ago and went to Magic Kingdom. I’ll be honest and was a little disappointed, it was my own fault for not doing enough research. I also live in California and grew up about 10 minutes from Disneyland.

So this time around I’m seeking advice from the pros here on TA.

1. I’ll be solo, so hoping to be able to take advantage of any single rider lines.

2. I do enjoy the fast roller coaster, but probably 2 max would do it for me.

3. My plan would be to go very early when the park opens, but probably want to head back to the hotel around 6-7pm.

4. I do like watching shows & parades. Any kind of fun live entertainment :-)

5. I love eating all types of food so I plan to snack all day & trying all the different foods they offer.

6. Since I’m only doing one park, I’m not looking to penny pinch, go big or go home (since it’s only one day)

Would love some advice. Thank you so much 😊

Answer

Short answer: Go to Universal (Islands of Adventure / Universal Orlando) — it’s the best single-day choice for a solo adult who wants to use single-rider lines, ride 1–2 big thrill coasters, enjoy lots of snack/restaurant variety, and still catch strong live entertainment without needing to stay until park close.

Why: you said you’re solo (single-rider lines are a huge time-saver), you want up to two big roller coasters, you like shows/parades and food, you’ll go early and leave by early evening, and you’re happy to “go big” for one day. Universal’s parks (Islands of Adventure plus the newer Epic Universe and Universal Studios Florida attractions) have many single-rider options for marquee rides, excellent coaster choices (VelociCoaster, Incredible Hulk, Jurassic World style rides), and a strong variety of dining/snacking both in-park and at CityWalk. For solo riders this almost always equals more rides and less waiting than a Disney park on a one-day visit.

Park-by-park quick take (so you can compare)

Universal — Islands of Adventure + Universal Studios (one park, but you can pick Islands of Adventure if you must choose one): Best single-rider coverage and best thrill-coaster lineup (VelociCoaster, Incredible Hulk). Great snack options and CityWalk dining if you want to extend your food tour outside the park. Single-rider lines can save you enormous time as a solo guest. Great for a 9am→6pm plan.
Universal — Epic Universe (if you can get in/it’s open to day guests): Newer park with many single-rider options and fresh restaurants — excellent if you want the latest stuff, but expect heavy crowds on some days. If open and you love new rides, it’s worth considering.
Disney — EPCOT: Best for food. If your top goal is sampling tons of different cuisines and festivals (Food & Wine, etc.), EPCOT is ideal — but it has fewer single-rider opportunities and less intense coaster selection compared with Universal. Good if you value dining and leisurely entertainment over coaster count.
Disney — Hollywood Studios: Strong coaster/attraction lineup (Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance/Millennium Falcon experiences). Some single-rider options exist, and there’s solid live entertainment. If you prefer Disney IPs and shows, this is the closest Disney alternative.

Why Islands of Adventure is probably the best single-day fit for you

— It has 1–2 world-class coasters that match your “fast but not extreme all-day” ask (VelociCoaster + Incredible Hulk). Single-rider lines are commonly available on major Universal coasters/attractions — meaning you can likely ride both coasters plus a few top dark rides in a single day without buying an express pass. If you want to splurge and guarantee minimal waits, adding Universal Express is an option — but many solo riders do fine using single-rider lines alone.

Practical one-day plan (your 9am→6–7pm window)

Arrive at park opening (rope drop) — head straight to the biggest coaster you care most about (VelociCoaster/Hulk) and use the single-rider queue if it’s open.
After coaster #1, hit a top dark/immersive ride (Harry Potter attractions if you like the IP) — many of those also offer single-rider or otherwise fast queues.
Midday: do a food/snack crawl — try one sit-down if you want (CityWalk has great choices if you leave the park mid-afternoon) and several small snacks in-park.
Afternoon: pick coaster #2 and a couple of shows/immersive attractions. Finish with a relaxed walk through the themed areas or a show before heading back to hotel around 6–7pm.

Money & line-management tips

If you want to guarantee more rides with minimal waiting, the Express Pass (Universal Express or Express Unlimited) is the fast-but-expensive option — effective on many rides but sold separately from park admission. Consider it only if crowds are expected high that day.
As a solo rider, single-rider lines are your secret weapon — check which attractions have them on the day you go, since availability can change. Always ask a Team Member at the entrance if you don’t see the signage.
Download the park app that morning to monitor wait times and to find single-rider availability or temporary closures. If a must-do is down, pivot to another attraction with single-rider to maximize rides.

If you’re leaning toward Disney instead (only one park):

Pick EPCOT if you prioritize food, a relaxed vibe, and good shows—it’s the best “adult” Disney park and great for sampling lots of snacks and drinks in Feb (festival season depending on dates).
Pick Hollywood Studios if you want a compact park with strong coasters and immersive IPs — it’s a good single-day Disney alternative for coaster lovers who also want shows.

Bottom line (one-sentence): For a solo adult with your priorities — single-rider efficiency, 1–2 top coasters, lots of food, and leaving early evening — Universal (Islands of Adventure / Universal Orlando) is the top pick; EPCOT is the runner-up if food is your absolute top priority.

Best amusement park for me?

More Orlando Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions