If you are traveling to Florida make sure you check out Universal Orlando. I am sure all you big kids reading my blog can agree, that things like theme parks are not only for kids these days. My husband and I love them and have many friends that love them as well. I am such a kid at heart and when I can I will hit any theme park possible.
Universal Orlando was a theme park on my bucket list as are many. I was so excited when I reached out to my rep and she gave us 2, 1 day tickets so that we could experience and enjoy all that Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure had to offer the big kids in us.
Big kids like to have fun too at Universal Orlando
Disclosure – This is a sponsored post on behalf of Universal Orlando. @UniversalORL, #UniversalMardiGras and #UniversalOrlando @BMGOrlandoThis post contains affiliate links.
Where to Start at Universal Orlando
Where to start is always something that can be overwhelming when arriving to a new theme park. So much to see and do and how does one know where to start. We decided to start with Islands of Adventure and I have to say, I didn’t know what to expect.
Never being there and not knowing to many people who have I had no idea what was there except for a few rides I had heard about. Both my husband and I felt like kids upon entering the gate. This park took us back to our early years.
As soon as we entered the park, I saw a character and ran over to get my chance at a picture with him. Characters are hard to find and so I was excited to see one right away.
The Cat in the Hat
When we came into the park after my character meeting, I noticed The Cat in the Hat section. Everyone knows who The Cat in the Hat is if you ever read books as a kid. I was a big fan of The Cat in the Hat, and so was my son. So, this section was just super neat and would make anyone big or small smile.
The attention to detail was amazing and I kept thinking, man I wish I would have brought my son here when he was little as he would have loved it.
Our first ride was The Cat in the Hat ride. That was neat as it really took a person back to the story that everyone loves. We then rode the Seuss trolly that is 15 Ft above The Cat in the Hat section. Very neat to see all the stuff from in the air.
3D Rides at Universal Orlando
Islands of Adventure has so much to see and do and as we stood and just took all the glory in we spotted a few must do 3D rides. Normally I can’t do 3D type rides but I really wanted to try these ones out.
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman was the first one we tried. Now, I get motion sick very easy but was drugged up on on Dramamine so thought I would give this ride a try. I am so glad I did because it was scary, fun, thrilling, and the best 3D ride I have ever been on. Mostly because it didn’t make me sick.
There is one part of the ride where you are falling straight to the ground, or at least that is what if feels and looks like. WOW!! We loved it so much we did it a second time.
The Transformer ride was the second 3D one we did and that one did make me a bit nauseated, but was still really cool.
Shrek 4D was the third one to try because ours son loved (still does) Shrek and so do we. This was a very cute movie that I recommend anyone check out when you are there.
Universal Orlando Roller Coasters
Trilling coasters are my thing and I had been watching videos online showing the Incredible Hulk ride. I knew there was no way I would get my hubby on this ride as he is scared of heights. I stood in line alone while hubby waited, and got my first ride in.
Holy smokes this ride was awesome! The drops, twists, speed, and all the coaster awesomeness I love.
After getting off the ride and hubby seeing how much I loved it, he decided to break his fear of coaster and give it a try. It’s not that he doesn’t like coasters, it’s mostly a being scared of heights for him.
Did my hubby like it? All I can say is this coaster made him scream like a little girl, and we got off and he drug me back to the line for another ride! Wish I had gotten a picture of the ride and him.
Toon Lagoon
Another really neat section that brings back memories from childhood is the Toon Lagoon. It is full of cartoon characters and things I remember reading in the Sunday comics. I had forgotten how much I loved all those cartoon.
Hagar the Horrible, Popeye, Marmaduke, The Family Circle, Blondie, Beetle Baily, Betty Boop, and more. This section offered lots of neat photo’s to be had.
Of course after all the walking and fun we had to grab a bite to eat along with Toon Lagoon section.
Camp Jurassic
As we ventured through the park we came upon Camp Jurassic. Now this might not bring back childhood memories for me, but it brings back memories of when my son was little. That was David’s favorite movie when he was about 5.
David would watch it over and over and would hide at the scary parts, but he still loved it. He had the toys and collectibles and clothing all Jurassic Park.
I too have always liked the movies so this was a fun area to walk through. We wanted to do the River Adventure but it wasn’t warm enough for me and I don’t like being wet all day.
More to See and Do
The day was ticking away fast as we were just enjoy and soaking in all the Universal Orlando had to offer. The park closes at 7pm and we had yet more to see and do. Sure don’t want to miss anything import as we have no idea when we would be able to travel back this way.
On our way over to Universal Studios we checked out all the restaurants in the Universal City Walk. We knew before hand that we wanted to eat at Margaritaville for dinner, but just had to check the others out, just in case. The City Walk is very cool and a great place for the big kids to hang after the little kids are all tuckered out for the day.
Universal Studios is neat as well. This park is themed more for the movie lovers. Things like Men In Black, Fear Factor Live, Transformers, ET, Mummy, Despicable Me, Terminator and more. My son would have loved this park as he pretty much is into all of the stuff they have there.
Mummy Ride at Universal Orlando
Meredith was my Universal Orlando contact that hooked us up for the day of fun and we had been texting back and forth all day trying to figure out where to meet. She is so sweet, (and very pretty) and after working with her previously last year it was nice to finally meet face to face.
After meeting we decided we would go on the Mummy ride since the line was only about a 10 min wait. I love that ride. It is an inside coaster, sorta scary, but perfect for all ages. There is so much at this park to do and we barely touched the tip of the iceberg because Meredith said we should really check out the Harry Potter section over at Islands of Adventure.
Now, I admit, I have never watched a single Harry Potter movie, and really know nothing about Harry Potter. So, we decided we would check out Hard Rock Cafe and head back over to Islands of Adventure.
Just had to take these pictures of inside the Hard Rock Cafe.
Universal Orlando Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter is one of those shows our son never got into when growing up. Neither of us know a single thing about Harry Potter, but I have to say this section was amazing! So real, and so unique. We now have to watch the movies.
There is a roller coaster over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that I had to try. Dragon Challenge it is called. Wow, this is a heck of a coaster! Fast, twists, turns, upside down, I have never been on a coaster that was like this, and I loved it!
Next we decided to go on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. Even though this ride is probably amazing, it made me sick. I had to close my eyes for most of it. But, my husband said it was awesome, so realistic and one of the coolest 3D type rides he has been on even though you don’t even wear 3D glasses.
I am glad we waited till last to do this ride due to it making me not feel so well. I wish I had been the type of person to handle motion rides like this because what I did have my eyes open for sure looked freaking amazing!
Margaritaville
It was about 8:30 by the time we got off the last ride so we just walked around a bit more and then headed to Margaritaville. To our surprise Islands of Adventure was open till 9 pm so we were able to enjoy things a bit longer.
After leaving the park we headed straight for Margaritaville to enjoy what? Well margaritas of course.
These were the best margaritas we have had in a very long time. Of course what goes good with a margarita? Burgers and fries please!
End to our Fun
We had such a fun day, and it was so nice to spend it together being kids again. I highly suggest you and your partner take some time for yourself and leave the kids with the Grandparents, and head to Universal Orlando for a nice getaway.
You will love being kids again, without having to take care of kids. Our son is all grown and on his own, but I know he too would love this park and I hope as a family we can all visit again some day soon.
Wanna know where we stayed when we were visiting Universal Orlando? We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.
Where to find Universal Orlando Online
Facebook: Universal Orlando Resort
Twitter: @UniversalORL
Instagram: @UniversalOrlando
Book Your Trip
If you are interested in visiting Universal Orlando, or anyplace on earth for that matter, Book Your Trip now.
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