Birthday Thrills at Universal Orlando: Wizarding Wonders & Theme Park Magic

Intro

Hey there, welcome to the second leg of my birthday bash! 🎉 We’re at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida! 🌴 First stop: Islands of Adventure – gotta snap that Insta-worthy pic, right? 😉 Then it’s off to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in Hogsmeade! 🏍️

Don’t forget warm butterbeer from Hog’s Head Pub! 🍺 Next, the Velocicoaster at Jurassic World – talk about a wild ride! 🦖 And fish and chips at Three Broomsticks are a must! 🍟 Hogwarts Express awaits – let the magic continue! ✨ Time for more fun in New York! 🗽

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

Like I have done in my multiple trips to Universal Orlando, I needed to rope drop Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. This attraction usually opens during Early Entry, and it is the most popular of the 2 parks by far.

Fortunately, the single rider line was open, and I was able to go in it a couple of times, before it got extremely full. You can learn all of the Single Rider attractions on this other post.

After a good time in this land, it was time to have something to drink, and in Hog’s Head Pub you can get warm butterbeer on this last days of January with almost no line.

Warm butterbeer has become one of my favorites, definitely love it. The view of the Hogwarts Castle in this clear day makes it even better. But for now, it was time to one of my favorite attractions in this park: Velocicoaster.

Fortunately, the line was not too crazy, and I was able to ride it real quick. I was feeling a bit hungry, I had not had anything solid today, so I went back to Three Broomsticks at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, and ordered fish and chips. You do know by now that I love them a lot. Got another warm butterbeer too.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

After lunch, I was done with this park, and took advantage of a low wait time for the Hogwarts Express. Used my Annual Pass to go to Universal Studios, and enjoyed the Harry Potter scenes while on the train.

Back in London, and back into Diagon Alley, one of the best lands in any park ever. I wonder if Universal’s Epic Universe Harry Potter land will be as detailed.

Time for another one of my favorite rides: Escape from Gringotts, which also have a very very convenient Single Rider line. It is super fast.

After that, I explored this land a bit, and finally was able to see a full show of the amazing Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.

New York

It was time to explore more of the park, and decided to go to New York. Another show I was able to see was the Beat Builders. They are super fun.

And something coming up so fast was the Mardi Gras Festival, which included food booths, like in Epcot, but in this one you could find a Colombia booth. I was excited to eat here in my next visit.

Not too far from there, Hashtag the Panda was having a meet and greet at Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Minions Land

At this point I just started walking slowly towards the exit, seeing all the characters, and there were a lot out this time, just like in Japan. The Minions were saying hi from afar.

And talking about Minions, I got to try again, the PX-41 Punch from Illumination’s Minion Cafe at Minions Land. I loveeee the taste of it, and the creaminess.

But it was time to say bye for now, because I wanted to explore more of Orlando. I will be back to Universal soon.

Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs

I quickly walked to the area where we could get an Uber to Disney Springs. My flight was later tonight, and I had a final mission: get my Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, cake and cold brew.

And that I did. Without having to make a crazy line on this winter Monday, I got in and got a lot of stuff that would last me a few days back in New York City.

A last thing before my departure to the airport? I wanted to fit a visit to one of the resorts, and fortunately, Disney Springs provide with buses to the resorts. I hopped on the one to the Wilderness Lodge resort, which I had bever been to.

Wilderness Lodge

It was amazing, really beautiful. I started to explore it as a visitor, but I was also planning on getting some food.

The resort was out of this world, and reminded me a lot of California.

For a last meal before heading to the airport, I went to Geyser Point Bar & Grill, and pick the best thing in the menu…

The Cheeseburger Bison. It was so fresh, so juicy, and the bison taste was very present. I loved it a lot.

After a few minutes, the actual geyser came alive. It was really nice to see it for the first time.

As I was leaving the resort, I took a last photo of this quick trip to Walt Disney World. I would be back soon.

Back to NYC

Time to take an Uber and head to the airport, my flight was calling me.

Got into my Spirit flight and after a few hours I was almost in LaGuardia International Airport.

Time to get back to reality. I loved this quick trip to Florida for my birthday. Got to spend time with my friends, but also to get know a few things like the Brightline train, and then the Wilderness Lodge Resort.