Universal Studios Resort - But I don't like rides

I don’t like rides, anything high or fast fills me with terror so a trip to Universal Resort on a FAM trip, I thought I will be holding the bags whilst everyone else had fun!

I could not have been more wrong, Universal Studios has something for everyone, yes if you like to sit at the top of a high roller coaster and plummet at speed to the ground before being whisked back up into the sky whilst screaming your head off or get soaked on a water ride there are plenty of these rides to keep you entertained! But if like me you like something a little calmer you will be happy too!

You have Shrek, Minions, Spider Man, Transformers, Jurassic Park, Kong, Jimmy Fallon race through New York and ET which was my favourite and not forgetting for all Harry Potter Fans out there the Wizardly World of Harry Potter is amazing, from walking through Diagon Alley, pop into Ollivanders to purchase your interactive wand where so you can undertake magic spells around the Alley, if you are brave go into Gringots bank and ride the indoor rollercoaster, then run through the wall and King Cross Station Platform 9 ¾ and take the Hogwarts express over to Islands of Adventure arriving at Hosgmeade for more rides, thrills and a Butter Beer, I personally preferred the frozen Butter Beer.

Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have kids zone (Seuss Landing & Woody Woodpecker) for the smaller members of the family, and every ride has a family room and child swap so you can queue with your family then wait in the family room in the cool whilst they enjoy the rides.

Not forgetting the shows, the parades and the opportunity to meet your favourite Marvel Character or a Minion.

Do you love a waterpark? Volcano Bay is the new waterpark opened this year, with many thrill rides where you shoot through the floor to my personal favourite the lazy river but watch out you will get wet! This park does get very busy so get there early.

The parks are open in the evening too, the opening times depend on the time of year and each day there will be a notice of the opening times, I definitely recommend the Cinematic show at Universal Studios, showcasing 100 years of Universal films with water show and fireworks, and a top tip is eat at Lombardos in the park who offer a set 2 course meal followed by sweet treat buffet while watching the show on their seated veranda a great view.

City Walk is open until 2am every day with a huge choice of different restaurants and bars, if you are staying on site the water taxis run until 2am to take you home.

The park does get busy, I would recommend staying onsite even if it just for a few days at the beginning or end of your stay. All of the onsite hotels are walking distance to the entrance but it is much easier to use the shuttle bus or Water Taxi. Every hotel offers you early admission to Harry Potter from 8am which is a must. Three of the hotel, Lowes Porofino Bay, Lowes Royal Pacific and Hard Rock also include express passes, a 1 night stay at either of these hotels will include a 2 day express pass each, with express passes costing from $99 per person per day on top of the normal ticket price a stay in one of these hotels will pay for itself especially in busy school holiday and peak times when queues are long.

When is the best time to go? June, July and August are hot and humid with rain most afternoons, If you need to go in school holidays I would recommend Easter or Christmas, or if you are not tied to school holidays, March, May or October.

There is much so say about Universal, so please get in touch for some more hints and tips.