rides

The 10 Rides Your Family MUST Try at Universal Orlando Resort

March 29, 2017 by Kathryn 35 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…]

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…]

Everyone Should Try These 7 Unique Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort

February 17, 2015 by Kathryn 37 Comments

While there is plenty to do in Orlando, Florida, there are a few destinations that are special favourites with visitors and one of those is Universal Orlando Resort. Movie fans are sure to fall in love with the parks immediately, and the rides will put smiles on the faces of any thrill-seeker.

If you’re heading to the park and looking for things to do at Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure, these are seven experiences you won’t want to miss.

Riding a Broomstick on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

This ride is the main attraction when visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. Waiting in line is a highlight in itself, as visitors are able to wind through Hogwarts Castle and experience the magic of the movie brought to life. Even the famous talking pictures are there!

But it’s at the end of the ride that the fun really starts. Riders soar through the air on a broomstick with Harry and his friends in a combination of real sets, animatronics and wrap-around projection screens that had me convinced I’d actually been flying.

Having a Duff at Moe’s Tavern in Springfield

There are a few fun-filled rides in Springfield that are well worth visiting, but for me the true highlight of this area was simply walking down the streets of Springfield itself.

And of course, no visit to the Simpsons’ hometown would be complete without stopping at Moe’s Tavern for a Duff or a world famous Flaming Moe. The authenticity of the bar is sure to bring back memories of all those favourite episodes of The Simpsons. [Read more…]