A stroll at the Universal City Walk, Orlando

Universal City Walk

On our last day in Florida, we explored the Universal City Walk. We had lunch at Bubba Gump, which was the girls’ first visit. We got all sorts of shrimp, of course, and we all enjoyed it!

Shrimps galore at Bubba Gump, Universal City Walk Orlando

After lunch, we checked out the store at the world’s biggest Hard Rock Café as well as the NBA store. We spent a big chunk of our time at the Universal Store where we relived the fun memories of the previous day. Merchandise of all sorts for Minions, Harry Potter and Marvel superheroes were abundant. Wish my credit card and baggage allowance were unlimited!

 Biggest Hard Rock Cafe in the World: Universal City Walk Orlando

The City Walk, much like Downtown Disney, is better experienced at night. There are shows, bands, parties to guarantee an exciting evening. As we were there during the day, there was not much action as I expect there would be at night. So, after going to the open stores and skipping all the other restaurants, we were done discovering the City Walk. Besides, the heat was draining what was left of us. We just had some ice cream at Cold Stone before heading to the airport. The girls claim they had the best week of their lives so far. I think it would be pretty hard to beat!

Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade

Universal's Islands of Adventure

When we got to Hogsmeade via the Hogwart’s Express, we decided to finish all the rides first before breakfast and browsing. 

Hogsmeade at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal IOA

 We first went on the Dragon Challenge while DD#2 stayed behind with Grandma. She did not make the height requirement. I had my eyes closed the moment the ride moved as I saw from the outside that the coaster took you sideways, upside down and all other ways! DD#1, meanwhile, had the most awesome time!

Dragon Challenge ride at Wizarding World of Harry Potter--look for the Triwizard Cup within!

A few minutes after I got my bearings back, we went to the Forbidden Journey ride. I have to say that waiting in line for this (although at that time it was only 15 minutes) was not bad at all. We were going through Hogwart’s Castle and there were so many things to look at while you were there. It did not feel like being in a line but more like being inside a museum with rails to guide you where to go. There were talking and moving paintings and newspapers, the sorting hat was there, and Harry, Hermione and Ron also made an appearance.

Now, am not sure if it was the Dragon Challenge or Forbidden Journey which made me a bit queasy as both turned me around and around! But the ride left me a bit shaky for a while. Forbidden Journey simulated being on a broom through a Quidditch match, among other things. Still, it was a good ride and worth the wait.

Hogwarts Castle: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Universal Islands of Adventure

The last ride at Hogsmeade was the Flight of the Hippogriff, which had one of the longer waits so far. I think it is most likely because it was the ride with the lowest height requirement (38”). As we were outside, there was nothing much to keep us entertained in the line except for the occasional barking from Fang by Hagrid’s hut. It would have been fine if we missed this.

By now, we were quite ready for breakfast. So, we headed over to 3 broomsticks and got some pancakes and bacon. 

Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade: Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Universal IOA

We were just a few minutes early for lunch which would have been a better deal than our $15 pancakes, but we were already hungry. We also got some butterbeer (we skipped the pumpkin juice) and it was just delish! Now, am on a quest to discover the recipe! 

Cold Butterbeer (minus the souvenir cup)

Pumpkin Juice at Hogsmeade

You can also buy Gilly Water at Hogsmeade: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The rustic tavern seemed so authentic with so much attention to detail that I would not be surprised if we saw Harry and his friends over in one of the tables!

We caught a show from the Triwizard tournament teams (a Spirit Rally) of Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy. Then, the girls giggled with delight as they ate Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans we got from Honeydukes. They tried black pepper and soap and DD#1 swears she took a bite of earwax! I lucked out and got some lime and cherry when I tried these.

Check out Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans at Honeydukes

Hogsmeade: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We exited the world of Harry Potter to check out the rest of Islands of Adventure. First, we went to Jurassic Park River Adventure which we all enjoyed. The girls wanted to try the Pteranodon Flyers also in the Jurassic area so they lined up. As this was a kids’ ride, Hubby and I could not go. The girls were quite disappointed with the ride as the line-up was too long for such a short ride. This one we should have skipped.

We took lots of photos at Toon Lagoon. We wanted to try the Dudley-Do’s Ripsaw Falls but the wait time was over an hour.

Toon Lagoon: Universal's Islands of Adventure

Our new strategy for Universal was to take the Single Rider line as much as we can. Good thing DD#2 was big enough to know to wait by the exit for the rest of us. As we used the Single Rider line, we were able to ride the Amazing Adventures of SpiderMan. At Incredible Hulk CoasterDD#1, though, and Hubby abandoned the Single Rider line as it was just taking too long.  We had some pizza instead at Café 4 and later got some photos with Storm and Rogue (from Xmen).

Spotted Spidey in Marvel Super Hero Islands

We breezed through the Lost Continent, though, if you have the chance, check out Poseidon’s Fury. 

Poseidon's Fury at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Because we love the Cat in the Hat, we lined up for this while Grandma browsed the stores.  I totally loved this area with a Green Eggs and Ham restaurant, Truffula trees outside, and so many other classic scenes and characters from our fave Dr Seuss’ books!

Green Eggs and Ham at Seuss' Landing

Then, we were back at Hogsmeade and waited 40 minutes in line to get back to Diagon Alley. We really could have walked but did not want to go back all the way to the entrance. Good thing, the trip at the Hogwart’s Express to King’s station did not have dementors this time, but a different scene. At least we saw something new. There was a different scenery by the window showing how we were getting into London and with the Hogwart’s students peeking through our cabin. We were totally immersed in Harry Potter’s world and loved every minute of it!

The Hogwarts Express

What did the girls do a day after getting back home? Well, watch Harry Potter, of course! This trip was really one for the books! 

Universal Studios Florida and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

Breaking of Dawn: yes, we were this early at Universal Studios Orlando

After an intense and packed 3 days at Disney World, of course we had to drag ourselves out of bed at 530am to get to Universal’s parks’ Early Park Admission (available to Universal resort guests and Universal vacation package) at 7am. By this time, we already moved to a Universal Partner Hotel, Double Tree, which definitely had less frills (and less fun) than the Disney resorts. We managed to get a shuttle to the park and the Will Call Kiosk made it simple enough for us to get our tickets.

Universal Studios Florida

I had thought only the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was open at 7am, but as we walked through Universal Studios, we saw that the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem was open, too! So, we went here first, knowing that we might no longer get a chance later on. I knew that the wait times reach almost 2 hours for this! It was a great 4D ride where they even have special non-motion chairs (which Grandma used) if you just wanted to watch the movie. We all loved this and can now understand why this was popular (not only because the latest movie was also showing at the time).

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida

Universal’s equivalent of a Fast Pass is the Express Unlimited but they charge approximately an extra $60 per ticket. Unlike the Fast Pass though, you are not limited to only 3 selections at a time. You can have unlimited rides! This totally would have made sense if you only had one day for both Universal parks. 

However, as we were a party of 5, getting this would have been a little too much to spend for one day. So again, as we were packing too much in one day and we did not have the Express passes, we had to accept we could not go on every ride. Well, except all the Harry Potter rides, of course! That was a must!

Hubby had wanted to reserve the Universal parks for another time but I insisted we go. Of course (and as always, if I may add :Phahaha), he conceded that this was a great decision. Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure matches, if not tops, Magic Kingdom. We totally LOVED the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

We made our way to Diagon Alley right after the Despicable Me ride. Before pausing for photos, even while my hands were itching to capture the beautifully detailed scene, we went straight to the Escape from Gringott’s ride. For me this was the Best.Ride.Ever. Apart from being in and out of there in under 10minutes, this 4D ride tops everything for me. It really felt as though we were in the set of the Sorcerer’s stone, going via wagon through the vaults of Gringott’s. The fire-breathing dragon was not a mere 3D movie. The appearance of Voldermort, while not true to the scene, really got us captivated.

Interacting with one of the Gringott's goblins

Outside the Daily Prophet

 We decided to make the most out of our remaining extra hour before the place opened to the public so we postponed breakfast further and made our way towards King’s Cross to take the Hogwart’s Express to Hogsmeade (over at Island of Adventure). We breezed through platform 9 ¾ and took a 4-minute ride with dementors outside our train cabin! How cool was that?!

King's Cross Station

Dementors outside our Hogwarts Express train cabin

Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We proceeded to discover the Islands of Adventure before planning to hop back on the Hogwart’s Express to explore the rest of Diagon Alley and Universal Studios in the afternoon.

In the late afternoon, we were back at Diagon Alley. We checked out the Knight Bus and had a quick chat with the conductor and talking head.

Knight Bus at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We were still full from a late breakfast followed soon enough by lunch so we skipped the Leaky Cauldron (featuring British pub fare) and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream shop. We checked out Ollivanders where you can purchase a wand (although wands were available in many carts outside the streets and in other stores). These wands could activate “spells” around the area and it comes with a map showing where you can use these. It can light up places, make things move and even make it rain! 

Interact using your wand at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and make the chandeliers light up!

As we did not get wands anymore (the girls already had their elder wands left back home), we just watched folks interact with the various objects. Such fun! We also checked out the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes with its whimsical items. True to the movie and book, it had Dolores Umbridge cycling across the store.

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes

Inside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes

We saw owls and other (stuffed) creatures at the Magical Menagerie and some sinister articles at Borgin and Burkes. The girls tried on some robes at Madam Malkin’s and looked at some quidditch gear at Quality Quidditch supplies—complete with brooms, Quaffles, the Golden Snitch and Bludger bats! It was so much fun looking around, it was like actually being in Harry Potter’s world!

We left the Wizarding World, already wanting to return next time! We no longer went to the Simpson’s ride, but you should try getting in if you have the chance. Instead, we got a Giant Pink donut at Lard Lad’s in Springfield. We shared this huge donut outside Moe’s and across Duff’s. Again, the detail of Springfield was so awesome, it was really like being in Homer’s world!

Giant Pink at Lard's Lad

Duff Beer at Springfield--Universal Studios Florida

The kids were not too interested in Woody Woodpecker so we went straight across to Production Central to check out the Transformers ride. We skipped the Terminator 2:3D ride.  I think the Transformers ride was better over Spiderman as I really felt like I was an Autobot trainee! It was like I was actually in the car which transformed into a robot! The Spiderman ride at Islands of Adventure (IOA) was a bit disjointed.

Transformers Ride

Our last ride was the Shrek 4D which had an incorrect wait time estimate. They were showing 25 minutes when it went way over 50. We should have skipped this. While the story was fun and the 4D was good, it also felt disjointed. Not quite sure whether we were supposed to be on the road with them or hovering above. We had no character in the movie. We should have gone to the Revenge of the Mummy instead.

We had been in the park for over 12 hours by this time so it was time to call it a day. We were also trying to catch the last shuttle back as we will not be able to manage a walk back to the hotel.

Our trip was about to come to an end and, to be honest, we were “theme-

parked” out. We grabbed some Panda Express (love Shrimp Honey Walnut) and headed back to our room. I cannot conjure any memory (other than my first trip to Disneyland) which can compare to the magic I felt at Universal and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Super totally worth it and would not have missed it for the world! Accio fun!

Wanderlusting Mama’s tips: How we saved at Disney World

Disney World: Magic Kingdom

Here are some tips which saved us a few bucks in our Disney World trip. Now, these may not apply to your family, but wanted to share with you anyway:

1. We did not get the refillable souvenir mugs which cost about $17+ each. First, the mugs are only refillable in the resort and not in the parks where we were majority of the time. Second, it was just too hot, we only wanted water. Pop does not really quench our thirst so given the choice, we’d pick water over pop anyway. We had brought water bottles and we rinsed and refilled them in the food court. There were also water fountains and quick service places where you can refill your water bottles.

2. We did not get a dining plan. We actually brought over some snacks (you can bring snacks into the parks as long as these do not need to be heated) which lasted us the whole trip. We did buy popcorn and such in the parks but, in general, we ate our own snacks. For reference, each snack would cost about $5. We also shared adult meals with the kids and it was sufficient—again, for our family. Some meals we ordered more, depending on how hungry we were.  We also did some table service dining but mostly we had quick service meals. After all, we didn’t want to waste precious time lounging in restaurants. So quick service worked out really well for us.

Mickey waffles: Quick Service Breakfast at Disney World

3. We pre-bought stuff at the Disney store. We brought over some stuff we already got from the Disney stores in Toronto—we got some pins, autograph books (for character meet and greets), and shirts. So, we didn’t have to buy them in the parks (and in US dollars!).

4. We did not get the Memory Maker. I love taking photos and I would not have left my camera anyway. Also, I did not necessarily always want to look for the park photographer to take our photos. We were always on the go. For our group shots, we did request for help in taking our pictures. The park photos from Memory Maker ended up so few that it wouldn’t have justified spending almost $200 (less $30 if you buy in advance). I do have friends who do not like to take photos so, for them, the Memory Maker would be the solution.

5. We did not do the Park Hopper option. We only had 3 days in the parks so it would seem logical to get the Park Hopper on our base tickets. However, it ended up to be a great decision for us. We spent all day anyway at each park. We would not have had the energy to hop to another park in the middle of the day.  Also, I estimated, it would have just wasted about an hour to get to the gate, wait for transport, and then go to another park. Saved an additional of about $64 per ticket.

Disney World: Epcot

So that was how we did it with our water-loving family of 5--which included a grandma and 2 kids who did not eat a lot, and a mom who loved taking photos.