Want to know what was my favorite part of summer last year ? Our Universal Orlando Resort Vacations!
I don’t even remember how it all came to be, maybe Future Hubby remembers, but on January 2017 we went to Travel with Sears to booked our first vacations together that summer. We chose Universal Studios Resort, because those are my favorite parks, and we wanted something fun, it was the perfect choice.
The best part of everything is that we are going back this year! I am so happy Future Hubby liked the parks as much as I do. So today I want to share with you my favorite rides, food and experiences from last year and what I am most looking forward to this year.
Faves From Last Year:
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – We chose to stay in property, first because it was my first time going to Orlando without my dad and I wanted to make things as easy and relaxing as possible, and I didn’t want to worry about transportation from the hotel to the parks. And then we learned that we could enter the parks an hour before it opened and we were sold. But besides that, this hotel retro look is beautiful, colorful and fun. My favorite part was the room view to Volcano Bay and the lazy river.
Toon Lagon at Island of Adventures – This are my all time favorite rides at Island of Adventures. I love everything that has to do with water, so I fine this rides extremely fun. In my opinion this are the perfect ride to do at the middle of the day when the sun is out and you are feeling super hot. My favorite is Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, where is almost guaranteed that you will come out of it soaking wet. (Tip: bring a pair of flip flops to switch to when you are going on this rides, there is nothing fun about walking the rest of the day in soaking wet shoes)
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Island of Adventures – Of course I had to mentioned Harry Potter. Since last year I have been obsessed with Harry Potter. Before it I hadn’t seen the movies, but decided that I wanted to understand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the parks, and so I saw all of them, and to my surprise I loved them. My favorite rides are the ones in Island of Adventures, Forbiden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Walking thru Hogsmead and Diagon Alley with a Frozen Butterbeer in hand is perfection. My favorite stores are Honeydukes in Island of Adventures and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Universal Studios. (Tip: the perfect place to cool off in Universal Studios is at Knockturn Alley, is shaded and it has A/C, yes please!)
Springfield at Universal Studios – I love The Simpsons Ride, I think it may be because is my Dad’s favorite, but I enjoy this ride so much. This year since I spent more time in the parks than in previous visits I got to explorer a bit more and, apart from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this is my favorite part of the parks. The food is really good, I am all in with the carnival games and of course, last but not least, The Big Pink donut, OMG! If I have to choose an area of the park to live in for a week, without going anywhere else, this will be it.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen – Of the places we went to eat at City Walk, I will say that I like this one the most. The service was great, we had a bit of trouble getting a table, but they made up for it with the service once we where seated. The food was really good, specially the chocolate bread, the place looks so nice and the chocolate store is to die for. They also have a milkshake bar, where you can go and get one, without having to eat at the actual restaurant. I tried the Red Velvet Shake it was so yummy. We wanted to try more, but so many things to see and try we didn’t find the time to go back.
The Cowfish – This one was my second favorite place to eat at City Walk. We got a table at the terrace with an awesome view to City Walk and the parks. The service was great, and the food was really good. My favorite where the fries, they were so good! The hamburgers, mine had peanut butter were so yummy. This restaurant has a cool concept, they specialize in burgers and suchi, and since Future Hubby loves burgers this one was a must, and I can speak for both of us that we do not regret this choice.
Our To Do List this Summer:
We didn’t get to do everything we wanted to last year, and there are other things we want to do again, which is way we are going back this year. Here is the list of the things we want to check off the list this time around.
- King Kong Ride at Island of Adventures – since this ride was new last year the wait line was impossible and this is the only ride at both parks, apart from rides only for children, that we didn’t ride.
- Get a wand at Ollivanders – I was so close to getting one last year but didn’t and I regret this decision so much, this year is one of the first things I will do when I get to the parks.
- Have a cold Butterbeer – I always go for the frozen version, but I decided this year I want to try the cold one to see how that tastes.
- Play at Hollywood Drive-In Golf at City Walk
- Play at Galaxy Bowl Restaurant at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Go pool hopping at the different hotels – When you stay in property you can visit the other hotels, and this is something we didn’t know last year, so I want to take advantage of it this year.
- Eat at Voodo Doughnut – Donuts! Do I need to say more?
♥ Steph