As you all know from my facebook page
My Life The Event our trip to Orlando was more than epic! but for me seeing the look on Ronans face when he met Chewbacca and Kylo Ren from Star Wars was all worth it! I really want to share a few tips when travelling to Orlando and the parks.
Universal Studios for us as a family was the most exciting place. We went there most days as we had park to park tickets. If you are going from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure where Harry Potter is, to travel on Hogwarts Express you need these tickets. A lot of research is needed to make sure you get to see the parks you want. The wait times for end September and early October were not too bad. The longest we waited was 45 minutes and at that you are entertained as you queue up so you don't really feel it. Our favourite ride in Universal was the Minion one. We went on it numerous times! Drink and food vary from €10 for pizza slice aka a half a pizza! to € 8 for pasta. We opted for the free refills cup. It was $14 for over 100 options of drinks from Coca-Cola to Richards favourite Dr Pepper. The great thing was every day we went back we could reactivate the cups for $7. They are quite particular on bringing I food but I brought in crisps and biscuits in Sandwich bags which is a good tip for snacking as they are long days in the park.
Top tip for Universal do the Popeye water ride last aka you will get absolutely soaked and wear comfortable shoes not flip flops. Handy tip is to bring flip flops in your bag as it's warm and gives your feet a breather.
Definitely a must is eating at Toothsoome Chocolate Factory just outside Universal Studios. The experience itself from the waiters all in character to the food which is unreal. They are famous for their milkshakes but for us the food was excellent. You have to try the chocolate almond bread with caramel butter and we had the brownie milkshakes. Price for milkshakes were from $12-14 and you get to keep the cup!
We stayed at the Best Western Gateway Hotel which was next to Wet n' Wild water park. It was near I-Drive where there is plenty of shops and restaurants. Picking the hotel if you aren't driving is important as you need to be close to everything. We were 2 stops on the shuttle from Universal which was free from our hotel. We also used the I-Trolley which was $2 per person to go to the outlets and Sea world. The plus to having no car also is that you don't have to pay for parking at the parks and the bus drops you right outside the front gates.
The only negative I had with going in September was the thunder showers that happen. The parks don't close but they cancel everything like fireworks and shows and you don't get a refund to come back another day if you have paid just for the day like we did at Disney Hollywood Studios.
Our experience of Hollywood Studios was 50/50. Only for Star Wars for the men in my life I couldn't see what else they had. They had Indiana Jones, Frozen sing along show but to me nothing special. It was very shabby in my eyes and you needed a reservation at all the restaurants. I don't know anyone that would make a reservation before they went to the park surely you walk around to see what's there and then decide but that's just me.
I've asked Ronan his favourite place and he loved Sea world maybe because his favourite animals are sharks. The same applies for food and drinks price wise to all parks. I found Sea world had much more hands on things for kids to do. So many animals to feed,to touch like sharks and stingrays. Huge climbing frame for 8 and up which Ronan loved. It has tunnels and mazes not for the faint hearted aka I went up and yes it's high! We loved the Shamu show and the dolphins show. Richard was brave enough for the roller coasters like the Mako and the Manta. My favourite were the Penguins in Antarctica. Now it was cold obviously so we only lasted 10 minutes in there but my God what an amazing creature.
I have so much I could say on this post but Orlando was fantastic. The weather was as expected but I couldn't imagine going in the summer where the queues are upto 1 hour and a half and trying to entertain kids for that length of time. Research ahead and have some sort of schedule as there is a lot and it did take us a few days to see all of Universal and Island of Adventure. Pick the right ticket combination and hotel depending on if you are or are not driving.
If you have any questions please message me as would love to help and would have loved some help while I was planning.
It was once in a lifetime trip but I will definitely go back as Universal are opening a water park soon.
So many happy memories made and that's what life is all about. Live life and remember life is short so go out and enjoy it.
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Thanks for all the lovely messages on my facebook page and I'm just glad to be home safe and sound.
Here's to Halloween costumes and Christmas trees being put up soon ekkkk I love Christmas.
Happy reading
Patricia xx
