Universal - The most amazing holiday

Deborah Little on 27 June 2018
For all those thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies out there, Universal Orlando is the place for you. There are three amazing parks to choose from - Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay waterpark. Sadly, I visited before Volcano bay opened but I've heard it's amazing from my clients.

Universal Studios

Harry Potter fans will love Diagon Alley, Escape from Gringotts ride and Hogwarts express - the fabulous train ride that takes you over to Islands of Adventure. They have lots of little amazing shops where you can buy wands, Harry Potter costumes and souvenirs. Kids and adults will love it. You can buy Butterbeer and all the weird and wonderful sweets featured in the movies.

Other rides to try…

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D. I really enjoyed this one, the special effects are amazing. The boys love it. Shrek 4-D Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™. This is one of my favourite rides. Make sure you choose your music and then watch your video when you get off the ride. It's even better in the dark too.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™ Revenge of the Mummy™. This ride was favourite with my kids. Fast and furious and very scary. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon™ Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

The Simpsons Ride™

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™. This one is a favourite with my kids too.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged™ Now open. And for the little thrill seekers Animal Actors On Location!™, E.T. Adventure™, A Day in the Park with Barney™, Curious George Goes to Town, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster™ and Fievel's Playground™.

Islands of Adventure.

I think this is my favourite park. Here you have even more Harry Potter - the fabulous ride Harry Potter and the forbidden journey. The kids loved it, but I felt a bit queasy after this one. Most people say this is their favourite ride in the park. There’s also Skull Island: Reign of Kong™, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, The Incredible Hulk Coaster® (love this one, it's amazing), Doctor Doom's Fearfall®, Storm Force Accelatron®

Prepare to get wet on the following rides. These water rides are brilliant fun, but you will get very wet so make sure you take some spare dry clothes with you. Great fun.

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls®, Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges®, Jurassic Park River Adventure™, Jurassic Park Discovery Center™, Pteranodon Flyers™ And for the little thrill seekers there’s Dr Suess Landing, The Cat in the Hat™, Caro-Seuss-el™, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™, If I Ran The Zoo™ and The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™.

If you are visiting in October, then make sure you go to Halloween Horror nights. It's one of the best things I've ever done. Hilarious and very scary.

I would recommend staying in one of the Universal on-site hotels. I have stayed at the Cabana Bay, Portofino and the Hard Rock. Cabana Bay is fabulous for families, the pools are amazing, and it's got a real friendly atmosphere. It's right next door to Volcano Bay too. Portofino is very Italian in style, luxurious and stylish. Hard Rock is great for everyone. There’s a rock music theme, cool and trendy vibe. Fabulous clubs for kids and pool area.

The benefits of staying at Hard Rock, Portofino and Royal Pacific are that you get unlimited Xpress passes so you can skip the line on most of the rides. This is definitely a bonus and well worth it. Whichever hotel you choose, or even if you stay in another Orlando hotel, then you will have an amazing holiday. I've been twice and can't wait to go back again. It is amazing. Have a look at some of my pictures.