The 10 Rides Your Family MUST Try at Universal Orlando Resort

March 29, 2017 by Kathryn 36 Comments

My first visit to Universal Orlando Resort two years ago was a little like discovering a magical portal to another world. I hadn’t really known much about the park, so the rides, attractions and restaurants were all completely new to me, and I loved every one of them. After visiting, I shared my 7 Must-Try Unique Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort.

And this year, I had the chance to introduce my boys to the fun of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the first time too! So a few weeks ago, my husband, his parents, the boys and I packed up a few snacks and got ready to spend a day of fun and excitement at the two parks that comprise Universal Orlando Resort. Wondering what rides you won’t want to miss? These were our family’s top 10 picks!

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

1) The Incredible Hulk

Our family loves roller coasters, and The Incredible Hulk is definitely a new favourite for all of us! Unlike a classic coaster with a slow climb followed by a speedy ride down, The Incredible Hulk launches the cars out at top speed right off the bat! Zackary was so excited to try this roller coaster for the first time and was grinning ear to ear when he stepped off at the end. He loved the speed, thrills and spins of the bright green coaster, and insisted on riding multiple times.

2) The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

This ride was one of the first 4D attractions at Islands of Adventure and personally, it’s still one of my favourites. I knew my boys would love it just as much and expected Benjamin especially to be a big fan. I wasn’t disappointed. From avoiding the heat of the flames shot by villains to feeling the spray of water when splashing into a lake, travelling with Spider-Man was nonstop excitement and the boys couldn’t get enough of it. [Read more…]

Have Half a Day Free in Orlando? Try These 3 Fun and Affordable Family Activities

June 28, 2016 by Kathryn 18 Comments

In my opinion, one of the best things about a family vacation is finding a fun activity that adults and kids alike can enjoy during that inevitable free half day or so. And in the Orlando area, there’s no shortage of activities to fill a family’s extra time! If you have a few extra hours in Orlando and you’re wondering how to spend them, you’re in luck! These three excursions are affordable, tons of fun and sure to create lasting memories.

1) Wild Florida Airboat Rides

Getting out of the city and into nature is as easy as heading to Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park, just 45 minutes from Orlando. And once you’re there, an airboat ride is the perfect way to see the untouched natural beauty of Florida. Choose between a thirty minute or a one hour ride and get ready both for high speed thrills and serene natural beauty as you cruise through the Florida Everglades.

I’ve wanted to go on an airboat ride since my first trip to Orlando, so I was thrilled about finally getting the opportunity. I was surprised by just how loud the airboat was, and grateful that optional ear protection was included! We cruised over the water in search of wildlife and from birds to alligators, there was plenty to be seen. I was surprised by how clear and shallow the water was and had a great time learning about the plant and animal life in the area. Best of all, once the ride ends, families have the option of checking out exotic animal shows, gator feedings and ranch buggy tours too! [Read more…]

Blast Off for a Day of Fun at the Kennedy Space Center

June 24, 2016 by Kathryn 31 Comments

One of the great things about the Orlando area is that it’s in such a prime location for day trips to nearby cities, beaches and other locations. And recently, I had the chance to make a day trip to a place I’d been wanting to visit for some time: The Kennedy Space Center. This family-friendly complex on Merritt Island is only about an hour’s drive from Orlando…but there’s enough fun and learning once there to keep a person busy all day!

The main grounds feature a variety of attractions about outer space, ranging from 3D IMAX movies to the Rocket Garden of replica space ships. The brand new Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit is a must-visit. In addition to tons of interactive exhibits that let visitors train like an astronaut, the building is home to the retired Atlantis Space Shuttle.

The shuttle program was a revolutionary development in space travel since it created the first ships able to be reused for multiple trips. In fact, it was because of these shuttles that the International Space Station was able to be built! Actually seeing a ship that had been in space up close gave me chills, and seeing the Canadarms from my own home country was a special treat! [Read more…]

Go Beyond the Amusement Park! 3 Must-Visit Orlando Areas for Families

June 22, 2016 by Kathryn 29 Comments

If there’s one city that’s really perfected the art of family fun, it’s Orlando, Florida. From its many amusement parks to its top-notch attractions and entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re visiting this sunny Florida metropolis.

But because its amusement parks are such a big part of its appeal, some of Orlando’s other areas tend to get overlooked. And that’s a shame, because there are so many places in the city worthy of a visit! Wondering what areas you should check out? These three locations are my top picks for must-visit Orlando hotspots!

ICON Orlando 360

This brand new complex on International Drive is home to a ton of fun-filled attractions, including the hugely popular ICON Orlando, a 400 ft. observation wheel that opened just last year. In addition to ICON Orlando, the indoor complex also holds Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. A ticket for any one of the attractions is $25, while tickets for all three are $49, making this a great bargain choice.

I have to admit that I was impressed by just how much fun the wax museum was. In large part, Madam Tussauds is a place for photos, and I loved the fact that it included props and costumes so that visitors could pose in style as they snapped their pictures. But many of the displays also included fun facts about the famous figures and entertaining mini games to keep even the youngest visitors entertained.

Whether I was shooting hoops with Shaquille O’Neal, busting a move with Michael Jackson or taking an intelligence quiz beside Einstein, I was constantly entertained during my experience. And of course, getting a few pictures with my favourite wax celebrities was tons of fun too! [Read more…]

Only Have Time to Visit One Walt Disney World Park? Here are 4 Reasons to Choose Disney’s Animal Kingdom

May 27, 2016 by Kathryn 57 Comments

When it comes to visiting Walt Disney World, spending a few days exploring the four different parks is almost a must. With so much to see and do, my ideal Walt Disney World vacation would involve spending at least one full day in each park. Sometimes, though, time just doesn’t let that be an option. I’ve already shared my outline for exploring the best of all four Walt Disney World parks in one day. But if you’d rather spend the day at just one single park this summer so that you can experience it to the fullest, make it Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Wondering why? Here are my four reasons this should be your must-visit Walt Disney World park.

You’ll Learn as You Explore

Like every park at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has plenty of fun rides and entertaining shows. But above and beyond that, the park has learning experiences and one of the best is the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. Journey on an African safari so authentic that you’ll almost believe you’ve travelled to another continent. The effort that Walt Disney World has made into both providing a natural habitat for its animals and preserving some of our world’s most endangered creatures is admirable. And the animals clearly feel at home in the environment, which means there’s ample opportunity to see them up close. The guides on the tour are full of facts about the animals and it’s impossible not to come away from the ride feeling a deeper connection to the many fellow creatures that share our planet. For those that prefer walking, the Maharajah Jungle Trek lets visitors view tigers, birds and lizards up close on a green and pleasant walking trail. [Read more…]

Step Into the World of Knights for a Night at Medieval Times-Giveaway

April 15, 2016 by Kathryn 52 Comments

I have a lot of friends in the Toronto area, so I’ve heard of the Medieval Times experience in the past. In fact, I’ve often read about my best blogging friend’s trips to Medieval Times Toronto with her boys in envy…the idea of watching live jousting and sword fights while enjoying a medieval feast sounded like so much fun! So when I had the chance to visit Medieval Times Orlando with my boys and their grandparents on a recent trip to Florida, I was thrilled. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was sure the night would be entertaining!

The fun started as soon as we arrived and walked towards the towering castle. We all had the immediate impression of being transported back in time and Zackary couldn’t wait to get inside. When I picked up our tickets, we learned that we would be sitting in the green section and cheering for the Green Knight. After receiving our crowns and entering the main hall, we had just enough time to get a pre-dinner drink, buy the boys each a green flag and admire the suits of armour. Then we were ushered to our seats so the tournament could begin!

[Read more…]

Whether You’re a Kid or an Adult, Everything is Awesome at the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel!

March 18, 2016 by Kathryn 25 Comments

When I heard the news about the opening of the new theme hotel last year at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, I couldn’t help but want to check it out firsthand. With two LEGO-crazed boys at home and a pretty solid love of the interlocking bricks myself, I was sure it would be a place to remember.

And recently, my dream came true when the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel invited us to spend the night on our recent trip to the Orlando area. With bags packed, my boys, their Nanny and I set off to see just what this new hotel had to offer.

Everything is LEGO!

From the second we drove up to the hotel, we knew that our experience was going to be an amazing one. The exterior of LEGOLAND Florida Hotel provides a vibrant, LEGO-filled welcome that illustrates the type of experience to be found upon walking through the doors.

Almost life-sized LEGO creations, including a dragon, a knight, a pirate and more dominate the front of the hotel, while brightly coloured brick detailing on the outer walls gives the entire hotel a LEGO look. But as much as the exterior of the hotel impresses, the interior is even better.

The check-in desk was one of my personal favourite features. Behind the large LEGO man riding a bicycle (a moving feature that’s an immediate draw for the eye), an entire wall of Minifigures are on display. LEGO Minifigures have always been something I loved, so I could have studied the wall in detail for hours.

The lobby also featured numerous large LEGO creations including a pirate bed big enough for a child, characters including a waiter and a porter, and another perching dragon. [Read more…]

The Best of Walt Disney World-A Guide to Experiencing All Four Parks in One Day

March 11, 2015 by Kathryn 25 Comments

It’s easy to spend multiple days exploring the four different parks that make up Walt Disney World and see new things every day. But if time is short and you want to make the most of your visit, this is the information you’ve been looking for. Enjoying the best of all four parks in twelve hours might seem impossible but with some strategic planning and a little luck, it can be done. On a recent trip to Orlando, I decided to prove that with a 1 day park hopper pass and a whirlwind day that took me from the plains of Africa to the surface of Mars!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks, it’s a great place to start the fun. The Tree of Life is a must-see, with its stunning carving depicting over 300 different animals. After taking a few minutes to admire the tree, I was off to Expedition Everest, one of the park’s most popular roller coasters. As a first ride, it’s a great one with a fast-paced coaster and a very close encounter with the Abominable Snowman. In fact, it was such a great ride that I just had to go on it twice!

Then it was off to walk through the Maharaja Jungle Trek and see the giant fruit bats, tigers, tapirs and other animals inhabiting the area. With the fun of seeing animals up close fresh in my mind, heading to the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris ride was my next top pick. Watching lions, elephants, giraffes and more roaming in expertly designed areas that simulated their natural landscapes was thrilling.

After all that walking, I was ready for a break. And watching the hugely popular 4D live show It’s Tough to be a Bug was the perfect way to relax while enjoying some great entertainment. Featuring 3D special effects, smoke, scents and more, it’s one of the top attractions in the park for good reason! My personal favourite moment was right at the end when the seats simulated the feeling of bugs crawling away underneath me! [Read more…]