What's up with Universal Studios Florida

So this summer my oldest daughter and I were supposed to attend Supreme Assembly for the International Order of Rainbow for girls in Virginia. This event happens every two years where all Rainbow girls meet to conduct the business of the order. We have a grand Assembly happening next week which is for all Rainbow girls in Canada which we will make it too. Now as part of our Supreme visit we were going to make a detour further South to visit Universal Studios Orlando just the two of us. But as often happens money got in the way. We have a few cruises booked and my Annual conference and always a possibility of a least one other work travel adventure a year and then all three girls needed new glasses this year and prescription eye wear is not covered under our plan so our getaway had to be cancelled. Which means we had been busy deciding on everything we wanted to see and do and catching up on what is new and you will get the benefit of our research. We will get there it is just a matter of getting it worked in there and of course winning the lottery would always help to (of course it would be easier if I actually bought tickets).

photo courtesy of universalorlando.com

There are several package offers right now for Universal. Splash, Stay & Play giving you access to all 3 parks, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Canadian Resident and Halloween Horror Nights. So these packages include staying onsite at one of their many resorts. Three of their resorts include free universal express access.  Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific. They also have the following value resorts: Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Aventura Hotel, Sapphire Falls and in August 2019 the new Surfside Inn & Suites.
Just like Disney, Universal also has meal plans that can be pre purchased. They have a Universal Dining plan which includes 1 table service, 1 quick service, 1 snack and 1 alcoholic drink. They have a Quick service plan and a quick service plan with a souvenir refillable cup. They also have a Marvel Character Dinner that you can do.
There are 3 parks. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay and the Citywalk. They have restaurants there as well as at the resorts. So many that I can't really list them all here. Here are a few that we would have liked to try, I had to leave out the restaurants that include seafood as my oldest is not a fan. Obviously I did not raise here well. lol. So Voodoo Doughnut, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, Green Eggs & Ham Cafe and the Captain America Diner.

Photo courtesy of orlandolocal.com

My children have not been to Universal ever and I have not been since 2001 so 80% of the attractions are new for me and Volcano Bay did not exist, they were still using Wet & Wild. The first attractions on our list are of course everything Harry Potter. We both love the books. She actually started reading them when she was in grade 2. So proud of her. Also high on my list if Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. So three rides that I do remember that I want to expose her to is ET, The Cat and the Hat and Men in Black. I still have my picture with my high score want to see if she can beat me and of I can beat myself.

Photo courtesy of universalorlando.com

Neither of us are big Water Park fans but I may just have gone to take pictures and be able to provide my clients with my reviews. Of course my middle daughter is a swimmer and loves water parks so she would be able to give me the greatest reviews and feedback, so I will make sure we squeeze her in with us for the visit.
I do have clients that are leaving this week who have also purchased a VIP Experience and I am hoping when they return they can share some feedback with me that I can share with you.

What are you waiting for and contact me to book your getaway as soon as possible.

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Islands of Adventures -Seuss Landing

Universal was for the longest time a single park and then they did an expansion to include Islands of Adventure, City Walk now Volcano Bay and 5 on site hotels. Not too mention they have Harry Potters's Wizrding World that spans both parks. Islands of Adventure is broken up into several lands. I will be honest I have not been since 2001 so have not experiences Harry Potter for myself but this will be rectified as part of our December 2018 vacation.
So my favourite part of the Islands is Seuss Landing. I am a very big Dr, Seuss fan. Who doesn't love Horton, The Cat in the Hat, Mr. Brown and Sam I am. I grew up with these books and my children have grown up with these books.
Seuss Landing has three rides The Cat in the Hat. On this ride you hope on to a sofa and get to ride through the story book of what happens on a rainy day and your mom is not home. You can only imagine how your sofa will spin about to catch all the crazy action of the Cat along with Thing One and Thing Two. The second ride is the Caro-Seuss-el as you can guess all those crazy animals that Seuss have created in his books come to life as the animals on the Carousel. You will not find any horses here. I will be honest my mother and I both rode the Carousel (remember this visit was pre-kids) The last ride is One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. This ride you are in fish cars that go up and down and you can fire water at the other cars as well as hope to miss some of the spray, The day we went was rather cool so we did not brave this one. Although as you can imagine they are all relatively tame kid friendly rides.
There is a spot where you can see the egg and nest that Horton sat on and yes you can sit on it too. There is a show with the Grinch, the nameless character from Green Eggs and Ham and the Cat and the Hat (not too forget Thing One and Thing two). It is quite Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous (they have character breakfasts here seasonally). Needless to say this section of the Islands is much tamer than the rest and will be a nice place to start or finish up especially for families will small children or with those  who are young at heart.

Of course these pictures are from the non digital camera so they had to be scanned for you to enjoy!!

As always any questions or comments are always welcome and if you have a chance you can check me out at the following places!!
www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca  or www.exclusivetoyourtravel.com
www.facebook.com/stephaniethatravelagentnextdoor