We had a carefully planned week in Florida, including two days at Disney World, a day at the Kennedy Space Centre and two days in the Universal Theme Parks. There were also two ‘rest days’ in our schedule so we could revisit favourite places and attractions. It is worth noting the “carefully planned” comment. With so much to see and do, you need an agenda, especially if you are only there for a week. I’ve already written the blog on our time in Disney World, and I explain more on that blog; but here’s a quick summary on preparing for your vacation.
There are four Disney parks and three Universal parks, and they are very large; there are an enormous number of rides, shows, and things to see and experience. There is a wide range of eating options, ranging from street food to a la carte dining. Fortunately, there is a plethora of websites, internet groups, and forums to get advice to get you started.
If time is tight, then you should consider an Express Pass for the Universal Parks, which enables you to cut out the long queues. They are pricey at £110 per day; however, for example, the waiting time for the main Harry Potter ride was two and a half hours. With the Express Pass, we waited only twenty minutes. We took the view that the expense was acceptable as a percentage of the overall cost of our holiday. You will be entertained whilst in the queue, but it could be a lengthy wait. There are hotels on the sites and, if you are staying there the Express pass is included. There is a Universal app to help you get the most out of your visit.
Do check the weather before you go. The Sunshine State blessed us with a ‘feels like’ temperature of -8 degrees Celsius on our first day. We were unlucky and got a rare, cold week. And take your most comfortable shoes. We walked about fourteen miles per day in the parks.
Our first visit was to the Epic Universe park. We gravitated to the Super Nintendo World section, and it was just brilliant!
Inspired by our son, Nintendo has featured in our lives for the last thirty years. Going into the area, up a green drainpipe (naturally), the first thing that hits the visitor is the familiar Super Mario 64 music. Almost everyone is twitching and jerking with little dance moves, soaking up the buzzing atmosphere. It’s like walking into the game. Speaking of which, after a good decade of playing Mario Kart with my son, we finally sat side by side in a Mario Kart and whizzed round Koopa’s Challenge track, shooting shells at our fellow riders. For me, it was, as they say, a ‘moment’. Living the dream.
Of course, there’s Princess Peach’ castle, Piranha Plants chomping away on Whomp’s Fortress, Goombas and Bob-ombs. All of which surround you in Nintendo full colour. We went on the Yoshi’s Adventure ride, a gentle trip aimed at toddlers, or adults who wanted a sit-down. But it does provide a good vantage point from which to view the area.
Nearby was Donkey Kong World with its excellent ‘Mine Kart Madness Ride’™. This was a lot of fun, and is well designed to give the riders a feeling that they might be leaving via a piece of broken track. The real white-knuckle option in the park is the Stardust Racers roller coaster. My son and niece went on it while my wife and I got a beer. It’s quite fun to watch, but I wouldn’t venture onto it. Just watching the POV YouTube video had me nauseous and gibbering with fear.
There are plenty of other attractions such as Celestial Park and Constellation Carousel. Alongside Nintendo World, there is How to Train Your Dragon, Isle of Berk (Hiccup’s Wing Gliders), and Dark Universe, which had a fun, spooky ride. The Hulk Rollercoaster and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster – not for old chickens like me… There are a few sections dedicated to the Marvel Universe and a few characters strolling around for selfies. The day ends with a nighttime light display at Hogwarts and a fountain and light display at Epic.
The Potter offerings are split over two parks and linked by a train ride you must not miss. I would say that for many visitors, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, and the Ministry of Magic, are the top draw. Despite the cold weather, there was a lot of cosplay (dressing up) going on. There were more uniformed students wandering about than would ever fit in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The ‘Escape from Gringotts’ ride in Universal Studios was good.
In Universal Epic ‘The Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry’ ride was quite brilliant. It’s a flight motion simulator with 3D effects achieved without the need to wear the glasses. Either that, or the rhinoceros-like ‘Erumpant’ was real and actually chased us down the track. I don’t know how they pulled this feat off. But, bravo! Our party enjoyed ‘Hagrid’s Magic Creatures Motorbike’ ride too.
As with Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios Park, the real achievement is that the guests feel as though they are walking on the set of the films. The attention to detail is superb and gives people an immersive experience. There are stalls where you can buy a pint of butterbeer; you eat the sweets the characters have in the movies. All the shops in Diagon Alley are open to sell you wands, school uniforms, and house badges. You can even ride on the Hogwarts Express between the two Harry Potter areas; views of Scottish glens and lochs are projected onto the windows, and Fred and George Weasley whizz past on their brooms. And since I mentioned a whizz, you can hear Moaning Myrtle while you’re having a whizz in the gents.
As with the Disney Parks, the food was a bit hit and miss, which the brilliant décor of the restaurants didn’t conceal. We had lunch in a German-themed café/pub called the Three Broomsticks. Food portions were big, but the schnitzel was overcooked; the battered fish was good, but the veg was tepid, and we had to return the cups of tea as they weren’t hot enough. But it did look very Bavarian!
Our evening meal in a Pan-Asian restaurant was very good. Again, the setting had an authentic vibe. We also ate at the Mythos restaurant, which has good reviews on TripAdvisor. We never found out why. Again, it looked great, but there was a big aquatic theme going on. To stop mould they have to put chlorine in the water, and there was a distinct whiff of public baths.
Speaking of water, there is a decent Popeye’s Paradise Cruises ride. Not many folk were interested, so, there being no queue, we went on. There was a sign saying, ‘You Will Get Wet’, but we ignored it. The sign should have said, ‘You Will Get Utterly Drenched’. That’s why there are four stand-up drying booths outside the ride. It’s a ride for the summer; we did it on a cold day and we had a good laugh, but beware.
Should You Go?
As with my blog on the Disney Parks, there is too much to do and see for me to cover here. This article is only a taster; we were only in the Universal Parks for two days. They are fantastic, especially if Harry Potter is your bag. Editing this blog I am aware that it’s so packed with stuff it’s pretty overwhelming but, that’s pretty much what the Universal Parks are like: FULL ON!
If you get the chance, go, let yourself go, and dress up. It’ll be the best fancy dress party you’ll ever attend.
Oh… and…
Should I Go 2 
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