Exploring Universal Orlando Resort: A Summer Adventure

Intro

Welcome to the first entry of my 5-part Orlando summer trip series! I’m currently at JFK International Airport in New York City, waiting for my Delta flight to MCO Orlando International Airport. Before heading to the gate, I had to try the new Red Eye Shake from Shake Shack—an absolute must-try if you’re here! As I board my flight, I’m looking forward explore the magic of Universal Orlando Resort, from the thrills of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure to the wonders of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This trip is packed with exciting adventures and delicious bites, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

From JFK to MCO

This trip was planned all of the sudden, just mere two weeks in advance, due to having to cancel my Fire Island. My Annual Pass from Universal Orlando was going to expire in a few days, so I thought it was a good idea to come to Florida and enjoy the most of these parks.

Left work early and went to the JFK airport to wait for my Delta flight to Orlando.

While waiting I was hungry, and noticed that Shake Shack had a new shake and I definitely had to try it, the Red Eye Shake.

It was of course delicious, but I was worried it would not upset my stomach in this evening flight lol.

Time to take off from JFK, and the beautiful New York City was now behind me.

From the plane, the Full Moon adopted a weird oval look with a very orange tint. I was in awe the entire time.

A couple of hours later I was in Orlando. From the airport I took an Uber to my hotel, the Rosen Inn, a good option for quick trips where you are not going to spend no time in the hotel. No roaches in this one tho lol. When I arrived, Krakatoa from Universal’s Volcano Bay, was towering and letting me know we were close to the action. Tomorrow I would be in Universal!

Rope Dropping Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Since we did not stay at any of the Universal Resort hotels, and my Power Annual Pass do not allow it, we had to enter the park at the regular entry time. The Uber dropped us off at the designated area, just in the last level of the parking lots.

After passing security, we rushed into Universal Orlando Resort.

The lines to enter Islands of Adventure were long, but they were moving. I got into the park, and through Seuss Land got in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where I got in line for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Unfortunately, the Single Rider line was still closed!

I waited almost an hour in the regular line, and then rode the best ride I believe in all Orlando, maybe competing with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT.

I got out and guess what, now the Single Rider line had just be opened, so I could rush to ride Hagrid’s once again. And I did! It was also very fast this time around!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Once I was done with Hagrid’s, I started exploring this land, the original one in the Wizarding World: Hogsmeade.

Listened to the Frog Choir, a cute show that happens a few times in the day, right in front of the Flight of the Hippogriff, a kiddy roller coaster that is very very themed.

I usually never do, but I was going to have 3 days in Universal, so I might as well go into the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, in the Hogwarts Castle. The queue is one of the best ones in the entire park.

I was saying bye for now to this land, it was a very fun morning, full of rides, but I needed to explore more of Islands of Adventure.

Jurassic Park

Now it was time to see dinosaurs, and my second favorite land of this park is just next to Harry’s. How convenient.

It was super hot, so I thought maybe going into the River Adventure ride was a good idea. It features a thrilling final drop that is approximately 85 feet tall. This drop is one of the ride’s most exciting moments, offering a splashy and exhilarating conclusion to the journey through Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, Velocicoaster was too long.

After getting all wet, it was already lunch time, so I had to grab one of the empanadas from the kiosks in Jurassic Park.

Leaving Islands of Adventure

It was a split day between the two Universal parks, and I had to go to the other one, soon…

Not without riding The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. I really love this ride.

And for the walk between both parks, I grabbed a coffee, the first one of the day at the Starbucks location. Large Cold Brew with Almond Milk and Mocha is my go-to most of the time.

I did not take the Hogwarts Express train because the wait time was too long, and I thought I maybe would just walk to the other park. It was kind of cloudy, although very humid and hot.

Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida

The banner for Despicable Me 4 was decorating the park. Reminded me of the many banners this entrance has had, but especially the Halloween Horror Nights ones.

For the summer 2024 edition, the Tribute Store is a total throwback. Called the Tribute Store Plaza, it’s set up like a 1980s-style shopping mall, celebrating some of the most iconic films featured in Universal’s new summertime experiences — like Ghostbusters, ET, Jaws and Shrek.

Ghostbusters was one of my favorite areas of the store.

But this retro room with the neon lights was so iconic. I loved it a lot.

Jaws, ET and Back to the Future nods. Great decoration.

The desserts looked good, but this was one of the first times I did not buy any. I guess I was not really hungry.

Animal Actors On Location!

I rarely go to sit down shows, but I feel like with my annual pass expiring and having 3 days in these parks, I had to do everything I did not do before, and this was the time for Animal Actors On Location! I was passing by and noticed that the show was about to start and just got in.

It was very cute. I was surprised of the multiple species that they use for this shows, and that cats actually follow orders lol.

After exploring the new Dreamworks Land, coming up in the next blog post (I had to do one dedicated to it), I passed by Springfield with the solely reason to get to…

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, the second land of this franchise, and that becomes one of the best themed I would say in the entire world. To get there, you gotta go to London first.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is an immersive 3D roller coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. The ride combines a thrilling roller coaster experience with elaborate special effects, animatronics, and a captivating storyline. As you join Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a daring escape from Gringotts Bank, you’ll encounter iconic characters and scenes from the Harry Potter series. The main drop on the ride is about 30 feet tall, contributing to the excitement and adventure of escaping from the vaults of Gringotts.

The queue, just like the entire land, is the best themed ever. It is just so majestic.

Love this land so much.

And, not many people go in here, but the Knockturn Alley is actually a nice place to cool off on a hot day, and explore the secrets of the Dark Magic.

It was already late afternoon and I needed another pick me up. A butterbeer maybe would be able to do the trick…

But after seating in Leaky Cauldron I had to order the Fish and Chips, although this time from the children menu lol.

The Mummy was my last ride of the day, but I was coming back for more later! Get ready for my next blogs with all this info:

• Dreamworks Land
• CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
• Disney Dreams That Soar
• Hogwarts Always

And more…