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January 18, 2017

Universal Studios, Orlando

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Whilst we were in Orlando, Kariss and I took two days out of Disney to visit Universal Studios. Honestly, this was the part that I was most excited about because I just couldn’t wait to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, that section is going to need its own post though.

We went to Universal Studios on two consecutive days, a Tuesday and a Wednesday. On the Tuesday, we decided to get there for when the parks opened and do Universal Studios first. Our first stop was of course Diagon Alley but like I said, you will have to wait to read all about that! We made sure we did all of the rides that we wanted to do in the park and I must say that I was so impressed with the rides. Compared to Disney, Universal Studios seem to put a lot more effort into the visuals of the rides.

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After Diagon Alley, our first port of call was Springfield. I grew up watching The Simpsons, so it was really surreal to see everything ‘in the flesh’. I couldn’t believe that you could actually go inside Moe’s Tavern and you could really shop at the Kwik-E-Mart, I also love that they actually had the statue of Jebediah Springfield! We went on The Simpsons ride which was good fun, we joined the single rider queue to get on there faster and although we were both on separate parts of the ride, we were in and out at the same time. I felt like I had to buy something from the Kwik-E-Mart, so I went inside and bought a can of Flaming Moe’s which was just over $5. As it was an energy drink, I was hoping it would be a bit like Red Bull but unfortunately, it was flat and tasted quite weird.

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As we were coming out of Springfield, we got to see the Delorean and Dr. Emmett Brown from Back To The Future which was really cool. It’s a shame that there wasn’t a Back To The Future ride as I can imagine that would be pretty amazing if the special effects in all of the other rides are anything to go by! For years there have been rumours floating around about a Back To The Future ride but so far nothing has been confirmed, it would be a great addition to the park though.

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We spent the rest of the day trawling round the park and going on as many rides as we could. We stopped briefly for some lunch at Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Cafe where I had the biggest slice of pepperoni pizza I have ever seen in my life. The food was quite pricey, especially as we were used to not actually paying for it thanks to our Disney Dining Plan, so we chose to not eat anything in the evening and instead go back to Walt Disney World and use our dining credits!

My 5 favourite rides in Universal Studios were:

  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • E.T. Adventure
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong

I loved how the rides were so much bigger, faster and more exhilarating than anything at Walt Disney World and I could have easily have spent more than one day in the park.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hannah | Swellbound blog says

    January 20, 2017 at 6:00 am

    I’ve always always always wanted to go to Universal Orlando, looks like you had an incredible time!

    Reply
  2. Sarah Bailey says

    January 20, 2017 at 6:16 am

    I have heard that the rides at Universal are quite good fun. I had no idea that they had a Simpsons area there, that’s pretty funny. I can’t wait to read about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, that is the main reason I would love to go to Universal.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Merry says

    January 20, 2017 at 10:46 am

    Looks like you had a great time! I have to say that Orlando and Universal Studios are definitely on my bucket list x

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    January 20, 2017 at 11:11 am

    This looks so amazing and my hubby would love all of The Simpsons stuff x

    Reply
  5. MissPond says

    January 20, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Oh my god! I love The Simpsons, such a fan. I’d love to go to Moe’s Tavern 🙂

    Reply
  6. Evija says

    January 20, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your visit and experience! Sounds like you had an amazing time! I have never been but would sooooo love to go!

    Reply
  7. Donna says

    January 20, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Great article I love it there and can’t wait to go back!

    Reply
  8. Rhian Westbury says

    January 20, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    I really really want to go to Orlando, the back to the future stuff looks amazing x

    Reply
  9. hannah says

    January 20, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    I love Universal, I went there in October. I find it a lot better than Disney especially when it comes to Universal’s Express pass system. I stayed at a Universal hotel and got free express unlimited for my stay. You could pay a fortune to stay at Disney’s top resorts and they don’t give you anything extra in the park that Universal do. You should have gone for the actual Flaming Moe and not the energy drink one. The Flaming Moe is sold inside Moes and is an orange drink that uses dry ice to create a smoke effect.

    Reply
  10. Nayna Kanabar says

    January 20, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    It sounds like a park with so much to do and see.

    Reply
  11. Jodie says

    January 20, 2017 at 11:54 pm

    This is not something I’d consider doing/going to, but think i’ve changed my mind! I think the simpsons looks incredible and woop you saw the back to the future car :O so jealous! x

    Reply
  12. Annie B says

    January 21, 2017 at 9:20 am

    I went to Universal when I was 9 or 10 but would absolutely love to go back now I’m older. They have so much fun stuff!

    Reply
  13. Marie Barber says

    January 21, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Ive been a couple of times but the last time was years ago! I remember the ET ride though i loved it!

    Reply
  14. emma white says

    January 22, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    The kids would so love to go here but at the moment its out of my price range but one day and its on my bucket list

    Reply
  15. Tanya Brannan says

    January 22, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    It’s been several years since I went to Universal Studios.ans it looks like it’s changed a lot! We are hoping to go in 2018 and will definitely visit Universal

    Reply
  16. Rachel says

    January 22, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Ahh this is making want to go back! I do love Universal Studios, the rides are so good! I think there used to be a Back to the Future ride, I went to Universal in California in ’96 and I’m sure my Mum said she went on it! xo

    Reply
  17. Jemma says

    January 23, 2017 at 8:19 am

    I love Universal Studios. I really want to go again one day.

    Reply
  18. Anosa says

    January 23, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    I would love to visit Orlando one day especially universal studios and see of this for myself. Sounds like a lovely trip

    Reply
  19. Jade Bremner says

    January 24, 2017 at 11:42 am

    I really want to go here it looks so great x

    Reply

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Hayley Warren


Hayley - 36 - Birmingham
strangenessblog@gmail.com

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