5 Reasons to Visit Universal Orlando
On our most recent trip to Universal in Orlando we spent a few days at the resort and Universal Parks, we fell in love. The kids, now 5 & 6, were a great age for parks and anyone who loves super heroes, Harry Potter, movies, and more.
Our 5 Reasons:
1. Universal Express Unlimited Passes:
Either included free with Deluxe Universal Hotels with your stay or an you can purchase the Universal Express Unlimited Pass started at $84.99 a day. Completely worth skipping all the lines (stand in usually 15 minutes or less), especially with kids, when you have a short time to visit the park. Once you have visited the parks with the pass, there is no other way to visit the parks again.
2. Harry Potter:
Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are two magical places in the parks. They are connected by the Hogwarts Express (you need the two park ticket to go on this ride and see bother Harry Potter sections. Interactive Wands can be purchased for wizards to unlock over 34 spells, following the map enclosed at both parks. Secret hidden spells are also in both parks. Orlando is the only place besides London to get Butter Beer and only place to get it frozen (my favorite).
3. VIP Experience:
Private group or family tours, average 6 hours which includes lunch, direct access to rides and behind the scenes tours of park and rides. The best way to learn about the park and rides from a guide. You let them know what you want to see, do and they make it happen. For us it was meeting superheroes, we went to a location and kids were able to meet and chat with all 7 of their favorites at once. Experience Universal unlike anything at any other theme park. 10% off most merchandise day of tour is another benefit.
4. Rides:
So many choices and types! We loved the wet rides (wear a poncho or get soaked, not kidding, everything will be soaked no matter where you sit- this is great on hot days). Jurassic Park River Adventure, Duddley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges are the best water rides. Many of the rides are 3D/4D and indoors, so they don’t close during rain and you can get a break from the heat. Spiderman, Minions Mayhem (which felt like I was inside the game Minion Rush), Transformers and Shrek 4-D were some of our favorites. For those who get motion sickness I would sit out on some, these kind upset my stomach a bit though the upside down looping coasters did not.
Adult ride favorites included the new Skull Island: Reign of Kong (sit in the back), Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt (was my favorite coaster), and Hulk. For kids, under 48″ cannot ride the intense coasters and rides, but there is Suess Land, Barney, and Curious George sections for them to run around and play in, great places for breaks to sit while the kids play.
5. Citywalk:
The main connection between the parks, hotels, restaurants and stores. Blue Man Group is located at City Walk, I highly suggest getting tickets. This was my third time, but first in Orlando. Incredible! My kids loved it, they like all the stunts and props used. You will not be disappointed. For an over 90 minute show without talking, it screams!! Check the concert schedule at Hard Rock too.
There are lots of dining options, this trip we ate at Vivo Italian Kitchen, Hard Rock Cafe, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen™. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium opened the last week of August and is great for dessert,the shakes are huge and come with souvenir glasses, and brownie plates are enough for 4 people. Vivo had a great kids menu, Antojitos had the right ambiance and Hard Rock cafe is classic world wide.
There are shops throughout, clothing, gift and even tattoos. I visited Starbucks daily between CityWalk and the parks. Our family had a lot of fun exploring for the week. We hope your family will too!
