Hi, everyone! Welcome to my blog, where I share my experiences and tips on traveling, food, and entertainment. Today, I want to tell you about my amazing visit to Universal Studios Orlando on March 26th, 2023.
I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time, as I am a huge fan of movies and theme parks. Universal Studios Orlando is one of the best places to experience both, as it has attractions based on some of the most popular and beloved franchises, such as Harry Potter, Jurassic World, The Simpsons, and more.
I arrived at the park around 9 am, as I wanted to avoid the crowds and the heat of the day. I had bought my tickets online in advance, which saved me some time and money. If you are affiliated with the military they have a annual pass for $200 amazing value. This is a two park ticket for Universal and Isles of Adventures the three park ticket is $235 which will give you access to Volcano Bay. The child price for each ticket is just five dollars less. Make sure you visit your local installation to procure these tickets. I also downloaded the official Universal Orlando app, which helped me check wait times, park maps, show schedules, and more.
The first thing I did was head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Dragon Alley, which is one of my favorite areas in the park. It is so immersive and detailed, it really feels like you are stepping into the magical world of Harry Potter. If you've never been to England then cheers to Universal for bringing a piece of it to Florida. I rode Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which is a thrilling 3D dark ride that takes you through the vaults of Gringotts Bank. It was awesome!
Next, I walked through London and took the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, which is located in Islands of Adventure. This is another amazing area that recreates the village and castle from the Harry Potter movies. I rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is a motion simulator ride that takes you on a flight with Harry and his friends. It was incredible!
After that, I took the Hogwarts Express back to Universal Studios Florida and explored some other areas of the park. I visited Springfield, home of The Simpsons, where I rode The Simpsons Ride, which is a 3D simulator ride that takes you on a hilarious adventure with Homer and his family. It was very funny! It's a little outdated but still one of the best rides at Universal it flows very smoothly never a dull moment.
I also visited New York, where I rode Revenge of the Mummy, which is a high-speed indoor roller coaster that takes you through an ancient Egyptian tomb. It was very scary! Definitely one of the coolest rides at Universal some young children may not want to ride again just giving you a heads up.
I also visited Hollywood, where I rode Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is a 3D simulator ride that takes you on a wild race with Jimmy Fallon through New York City. It was very fun! This is one of the newer rides and again it was awesome.
As the sun was setting, I decided to grab a bite to eat at Mel's Drive-In, which is a retro diner that serves burgers, fries, shakes, and more. It was very tasty!
Finally, I made my way to the lagoon to watch Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration, which is a nighttime spectacular that features a vast number of the properties featured at the park, such as Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Despicable Me, and more. It was a stunning show with fireworks, water projections, lasers, music, and more. It was the perfect end to my time at Universal Studios Florida.
I had a blast at Universal Studios Orlando and Isles of Adventure I can't wait to go back many times this year. If you are looking for a fun and exciting place to visit with your family or friends, I highly recommend it. You will not regret it!
Thanks for reading my blog post and stay tuned for more updates on my travels. Until next time!