Unlocking the Magic: A Thrilling Adventure Through Universal Orlando Resort and More

Intro

Welcome to an exhilarating journey through the enchanting world of Universal Orlando Resort and beyond. In this post, we’ll take you on a spellbinding tour of the magical wonders that await within the gates of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. From heart-pounding rides to butterbeer at Hogsmeade, and encounters with your favorite movie characters, we’ll unlock the secrets to an unforgettable Universal Orlando experience. But that’s not all; we’ll also explore delightful culinary adventures and discover other hidden gems of Orlando, making your trip to the Sunshine State an all-encompassing adventure. So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare to embark on a thrilling journey like no other!

Getting to Universal

This is not the first time I was doing a Universal morning – Disney Springs afternoon – Evening flight combo. My plan was to finally do some attractions I could not do on Saturday, since the park was so packed, and Halloween Horror Nights was that evening. Then go to Disney Springs for my Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies and then go back to MCO International Airport.

But for now, I was staying in Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, which gives Early Park Admission, at 7:00 AM, or 1 hour before the park opens. I was going to use this benefit to jump into my favorite ride in Orlando. Got into the complementary transport to the parks from the hotel and got to CityWalk.

Guests are allowed inside from very early, but only guests staying at Universal resorts, and some Annual Pass holders were allowed into Islands of Adventures.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

Just like most guests, my plan was to go first to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and hope for a shorter line than what it usually is. Put my stuff in the lockers, and the almost lack of them made me think that the line was going to be very long.

But since this was the main goal of the day, I waited in line, and it was not that bad. Single Rider was closed this early in the morning, but the line moved fast and was able to do the ride very quickly.

A quick stroll around Hogsmeade, and got myself a butterbeer because of course lol.

Would I do Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey now? Probably not, but I appreciate the view of the castle.

Jurassic Park – Jurassic World

Well, the name of this land is Jurassic Park, but I like to think that the Velocicoaster section is called Jurassic World. By the way, since the debacle of Velocicoaster being closed a couple of days ago, I HAD to ride it today. Once again, the Single Rider line was closed, but it does not matter, since it was a 25 min wait for the regular line.

I survived the roller coaster, and now I had to do another ride that was down a couple of days ago: Jurassic Park – The Ride. I do not like water rides, but I would go on this one all the time. It is just so much fun.

And it was a lot of fun indeed, and just like never before, I got very wet this time around.

Marvel Super Hero Island

There was only one more ride to do in this park, before I hopped to the next one, and it was The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. All wet, I got into the attraction, and the line was not as bad this early in the morning. My guess was since there was HHN that night in the other park, most people were on the other side at the beginning of the day, and then jump to this park later when that one closed.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

And just like that, by 10:40 AM I had finished this park, and I was ready to go to Universal Studios Florida. I could have finished the loop and walk out of Islands of Adventure, and then walk through CityWalk to go into the park, but that seemed like a lot, and since the Hogwarts Express was only a 10 min wait, I decided to use this method.

Time for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which I did a couple of days ago, but this ride is always fun. It is a story coaster, but it does not have as many twists and turns as others like The Mummy for example.

After the mandatory stop, I had to get some ice cream, since this was I think the hottest I had been in Orlando. I got some Chocolate & Raspberry and Strawberry & Peanut Butter ice cream From Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour.

And just next to Diagon Alley, I stayed for a bit watching Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. This show is nice, but there is another one that is cool: The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a live action telling of The Deathly Hallows.

Minion Land

After seeing Harry Potter land, I went to see if I could get into the new Illumination attraction, since a couple of days ago it was 70 min and more long wait. But first I stopped to see the Beat Builders in the New York area of the park.

Finally, with a not too long wait, I was able to experience Villain-Con Minion Blast.

The queue is very cute, and very themed, I like it a lot, even though I have never seen any movie from the Minions universe.

The “ride” is just a moving walkway, and you are giving a blaster, which you use to hit various spots in different screens. Since you are basically “auditioning” to be the 6th villain on the V6 villain group, there is a list of the Top 30 villains at the end and it is difficult to get up there.

By 1:40 PM I was heading out of the park. After 4 days in the Universal Resort, I felt accomplished. I went to the 2 parks, and had a successful Halloween Horror Nights event. I was able to go also to Walt Disney World and do my favorite rides in there.

Now it was time to explore other areas of Orlando.

Disney Springs

But more specifically, Gideon’s Bakehouse. I could not leave Orlando without my $40 worth of cookies, cakes and cold brews. There was a physical line on this Tuesday, but it moved very fast.

The place is always amazing to see, the ambiance is a mix of Harry Potter and The Nightmare Before Christmas. I got the 2 cookies of the month, a triple chocolate cookie, churro cake and a peanut butter cold brew. Obviously, I saved most of it for the upcoming days lol.

Cracker Barrel

Omg. After all that wait, I was hungry but the flight was coming up. Decided to leave Disney Springs, and come to a restaurant that you cannot find easily in New York, Cracker Barrel.

I got in, and quickly ordered a couple of dishes, just to experience the restaurant food.

To eat there, I got the sugar cured ham with a couple of sides, including the grits, and it was delicious. I ate it so quickly.

And to go, I got the steak. I ate it a few hours later but it was still very good. I do feel like the chicken would have been better.

Back to NYC

I was so late for my flight, like less than 2 hours before departure, and was deep in Kissimmee. I took an Uber and hoped for the best. I was able to pass security and get to the terminal with still some time to spare.

I loveeee the new terminal C, it is so cool. They also have Disney and Universal stores.

For the first time in forever I got to get a ride at the airport. They literally took me to the gate lol.

Finally, on the plane and on the way back to NYC.

I had a great time in Orlando, 4 days, 5 parks and a great Halloween Horror Nights. I got to also go into Cabana Bay, Disney Springs and Cracker Barrel. Can’t wait to come back and explore more of one of my favorite cities in the world.