An EPIC Experience at Universal Orlando
Volcano Bay: The Wave Gods Demand Your Screams First up: Volcano Bay. With a wide array of slides, “water rollercoasters” and not one, but two lazy rivers, this was a great introduction to what Universal has to offer. Plus if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be launched into a near-vertical drop by an ancient volcano spirit, I can confidently say it’s both terrifying and incredible. When the floor falls out from beneath you and a vertical 125ft drop opens up, your heart truly does leap out of your chest (my eyes were clamped shut the whole way down!). So whether you’d spend your day seeking thrills, or chills on the lazy river, Volcano Bay offers something for everyone!
Hotel Hopping: Universal Style Staying at Cabana Bay was like stepping into a retro beach movie (minus the cheesy acting), the neon bowling alley with makes for a great spot to let out your competitive side after dinner. Or for those needing to put their feet up after getting their steps in at the parks, the outdoor cinema is a cool way to unwind with a family classic. For an added touch of luxury, Loews Sapphire Falls, Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay each offered their own take; from island vibes to Italian elegance. Personal recommendation: Mama Della’s at Portofino Bay serves up both pasta and personality in equal measure with traditionally-prepared, and served, Italian classics accompanied by live singers for a true Italian atmosphere.
VIP Access: No Queues, No Worries Our VIP Tour of Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure was a gamechanger! Hosted by our entertaining, experienced guide, Brian, we experienced these parks like few others. If your budget allows, this is an absolute must! As guests patiently waited in long regular queues, we bypassed them AND those with express passes as we jumped right to the very front! This meant we hit all the biggest attractions across both parks and felt like royalty! My personal highlight? Being able to experience the new VelociCoaster from the front row twice, without waiting at all!
Sneak Peek at the Future (Epic Universe Preview) The Epic Universe Preview Center (“Centre” for those using the Queen’s English!) gave us a glimpse of what’s coming next to Universal and let’s just say theme park fans are in for something huge. Having spent countless hours playing Mario Kart, I can’t wait for Super Nintendo World to open but as a unashamed fan of the “How to Train your Dragon” movies, the opening of Isle of Berk is going to be incredible! Universal’s dedication to making the magic coms to life will see a live show with the Dragons and you can even find Toothless flying over the park (thanks to talented drone pilots!). If you think you’ve seen it all, think again because Epic Universe is going to be next-level.
Shopping; Steak; Seeing Orlando from Above Our day arranged by “Visit Orlando” day took us beyond the parks. Shopping at The Florida Mall (thankfully I’m not a big shopper but with so much on offer, you could spend a day (and a fortune) there!). The Orlando Eye was the perfect way to welcome in sunset with our tunes blasting on the pod’s speakers and drinks in hand! Dinner at Chima Steakhouse (make sure you skip lunch beforehand!) was something special, a classically-Brazilian style dinner, we had endless servings of perfectly-cooked meat and paired with a rich Rioja for a very satisfying meal!
Mardi Gras Madness The grand finale? Universal’s 30 years of Mardi Gras celebration. Think a giant parade, stunning floats, live music and extravagant costumes (and that’s just the TCs!). In true Mardi-Gras style, catching the beads thrown from the floats had everyone looking like athletes in their prime, plucking them out the air and adding to the growing collection around our necks.
Your Universal Adventure: Your Way This was a week of high-speed rides, incredible food, exclusive sneak peeks and generally being treated like VIPs by the best hosts, Universal and DoSomethingDifferent. But Universal isn’t a one-size-fits-all trip. Whether you’re all about thrills, chilling by the pool or making magical memories with family, it can be whatever you want it to be. And that’s where I come in. When you're ready to plan your own Universal adventure: whether it’s a honeymoon, a family getaway or a huge group adventure, let’s chat. Because trust me, there’s a lot more to Universal than meets the eye and I’ve got that insider info to make your trip unforgettable!
