First of all, I recommend that if you are going to stay in the Orlando area, you may want to consider flying into Tampa Bay. It was a simple 1 or so hour drive to Orlando and it gave us a fabulous opportunity to see some of Florida's terrain as we drove to Orlando.
If you get a second on your drive over or at some point, you may want to try one of Orlando's many sanctuaries that house many fabulous birds and alligators. You are able to drive through in your car and see these creatures in their natural habitat. I NEVER got out of my car but got some amazing photos through my car window!
Orlando's Universal Studio's Harry Potter World
The shuttle runs about every 20 minutes or so and we never experienced having to wait too much except for the return ride back to the hotel on a late night. The lines however, are well marked and managed by the hotel so everyone got on as they could fit!
When you arrive to the park you will go through security. Remember no open bottles as you pass through the metal detectors. They do however allow bottles that have not been opened. It is a bit of a walk to get to the opening of the parks. When we were there, the only early opened park was the Universal Studies Florida park. This is the park that operates Diagon Alley and Escape from Gringotts! I would recommend that as soon as you arrive to the park, you head directly to Diagon Alley. Put all of you belongings in a locker and head on to the Escape from Gringotts ride! Keep in mind that you are not allowed to take anything on to the ride with you. I did however, have my cell phone and sunglasses and just placed them in the pocket of my shorts when boarding the ride!
This ride is insane! Such a fun experience and you actually feel as though you are underground in the vaults of Gringotts! Be sure that while standing in line you pay close attention to the details. The actual banking area houses several goblins and an amazing chandelier! It looks just like it did in the movie! The ride is fast and feels as though you are indeed falling (much like a roller coaster). I believe we rode this ride at least 8-10 times over our 2 1/2 day visit!
When you finish up that ride, I would head straight to Ollivander's Wand Shop (don't forget to snag your things from the locker). This experience was fabulous and we did not wait a second. In fact, they were waiting for us to being an experience. Once in the shop, be sure to stand near the door you came in. We found this to be successful as our daughter was selected for the experience. It was quite amazing and we did end up purchasing the wand. Speaking of wands...they are a bit pricey (our daughter's was an interactive wand that cost $50). This wand allowed her to perform spells all throughout both parks of the Harry Potter World. I believe the wands that are not interactive are around $40. It was a packed shop. Bring your patience with you!
Diagon Alley looks just as it did in the movies. Lots to see and experience. Bring lots of extra spending money as most of the trinkets are costly. We did try the butter beer and pumpkin juice and our family preferred the latter.
Pay close attention to the dragon outside of Gringotts (on the roof). She spits fire about every 10-15 minutes!
When finished in Diagon Alley, we finished up the rest of the park. That is to say after we visited 12 Grimmauld Place and the Triple Decker Bus! Some of the other great rides in the Universal park were:
The Simpson Ride
Transformers
Revenge of The Mummy
Our second day started about the same as the first. Spending time on Gringott's ride and then enjoying the Diagon Alley. Afterwards (after the first hour) we decided to take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmead and Hogwarts Castle. This is a MUST do! King's Cross Station appears just as it did in the movie and the ride to Universal's Islands of Adventure (where Hogsmeade and Hogwarts are) provided a fabulous experience as if you were on the train to the real Hogwarts!
Once we arrived, we headed straight to the Forbidden Journey ride. We stood in line for about an hour as the ride was down for a bit. It was worth the wait however as you are taken through the castle to see all sorts of things that exist at Hogwarts. We saw Dumbledore's office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the sorting hat, wall of framed pictures that talk, etc. Once you meander through the castle, you arrive to the embarking station to prepare for your journey. Again, this is another ride that does allow bags of any kind (the lockers are right at the front of the ride) however there is a small opening in the back of your seat that allows you to place your cell phone and sunglasses. It was quite handy!
Warning...this ride is not for those that are afraid of heights or motion sickness. All that I can say is that this was the ride of a lifetime. So surreal and realistic. You fly on your broomstick through the castle, the Forbidden Forest, while a Quidditch match is being played, come face to face with the dementors and the wimping willow. Needless to say, it was outstanding and nothing like I have ever experienced before!
Once we came off the ride, both my daughter and I decided to ride again! This time however, we took the single rider line entrance and bypassed most of the castle experience. It was well worth it as we walked right on to the ride. In fact, we did this about 3 times that morning. We then experienced Hogsmead (including Honeydukes) and loved it. Although it was getting quite crowded, we enjoyed all of the experiences it provided. We even got to see Hagrid's Hut while riding the Hippogriff, named Buckbeak!
Some other great rides in the Islands of Adventure Park were:
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Jurassic Park
Spiderman
The Minions
When we were done with Islands of Adventure, we then headed back to Universal via Hogwarts Express. It was fabulous as it was a completely different experience from the previous journey! A must see indeed!
Of course, our final day we came back and experienced the Harry Potter world for those last final rides. Escape to Gringotts and The Forbidden Journey were at the top of the list! What an amazing experience!
Cocoa Beach, Florida
This was our second time visiting Cocoa Beach! A wonderful treasure on the east coast of the state. This is a typical surf town with lots of great surfing shops, decent restaurants and beach access a plenty! We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton, Cocoa Beach! It was a great place to stay that was clean and had easy beach access (about 2 blocks east). Across the street is the largest surf shop that I have ever visited - Ron Jon Surf Shop! Anything surf...you can find it there! It is open 24 hours and has such variety too!
Although we did not do this during this particular trip (we had been to Cocoa Beach before), this area is great for access to NASA's Cape Canaveral (about a 30 minute drive). I highly recommend visiting NASA especially if you have young kiddos!
We had a great time in Cocoa Beach and on our way out, we hit the Florida's Best Key Lime Pie Restaurant. If you like Key Lime, this is the place. They sell it by the slice and as a whole pie!
Treasure Island, Florida
Once we arrived, we headed straight to the Forbidden Journey ride. We stood in line for about an hour as the ride was down for a bit. It was worth the wait however as you are taken through the castle to see all sorts of things that exist at Hogwarts. We saw Dumbledore's office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the sorting hat, wall of framed pictures that talk, etc. Once you meander through the castle, you arrive to the embarking station to prepare for your journey. Again, this is another ride that does allow bags of any kind (the lockers are right at the front of the ride) however there is a small opening in the back of your seat that allows you to place your cell phone and sunglasses. It was quite handy!
Warning...this ride is not for those that are afraid of heights or motion sickness. All that I can say is that this was the ride of a lifetime. So surreal and realistic. You fly on your broomstick through the castle, the Forbidden Forest, while a Quidditch match is being played, come face to face with the dementors and the wimping willow. Needless to say, it was outstanding and nothing like I have ever experienced before!
Once we came off the ride, both my daughter and I decided to ride again! This time however, we took the single rider line entrance and bypassed most of the castle experience. It was well worth it as we walked right on to the ride. In fact, we did this about 3 times that morning. We then experienced Hogsmead (including Honeydukes) and loved it. Although it was getting quite crowded, we enjoyed all of the experiences it provided. We even got to see Hagrid's Hut while riding the Hippogriff, named Buckbeak!
Some other great rides in the Islands of Adventure Park were:
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Jurassic Park
Spiderman
The Minions
When we were done with Islands of Adventure, we then headed back to Universal via Hogwarts Express. It was fabulous as it was a completely different experience from the previous journey! A must see indeed!
Of course, our final day we came back and experienced the Harry Potter world for those last final rides. Escape to Gringotts and The Forbidden Journey were at the top of the list! What an amazing experience!
Cocoa Beach, Florida
This was our second time visiting Cocoa Beach! A wonderful treasure on the east coast of the state. This is a typical surf town with lots of great surfing shops, decent restaurants and beach access a plenty! We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton, Cocoa Beach! It was a great place to stay that was clean and had easy beach access (about 2 blocks east). Across the street is the largest surf shop that I have ever visited - Ron Jon Surf Shop! Anything surf...you can find it there! It is open 24 hours and has such variety too!
Although we did not do this during this particular trip (we had been to Cocoa Beach before), this area is great for access to NASA's Cape Canaveral (about a 30 minute drive). I highly recommend visiting NASA especially if you have young kiddos!
We had a great time in Cocoa Beach and on our way out, we hit the Florida's Best Key Lime Pie Restaurant. If you like Key Lime, this is the place. They sell it by the slice and as a whole pie!
Treasure Island, Florida
If you have never been to the gulf side of the state, I HIGHLY recommend Treasure Island! What a hidden gem! We stayed at the Residence Inn, St. Petersburg/Treasure Island. I like this hotel for 2 distant reasons...first it was clean and had beach access right off the property and second, it had a kitchenette that allowed you to prepare meals for the family! There are lot of options for food as well as some great restaurants. We tried Cuban food for the first time and loved it! I would recommend trying the plantains and the Pork Masitas! YUMMO!!
Treasure Island itself has pristine beaches that are covered in some amazing shells! In fact, I would equate the beach and water to a Hawaiian beach! So beautiful, clean and lots to hunt for when shelling!
Our family enjoyed this spot so much that we plan to go back soon!
Hope this blog helps you to plan a trip to Florida! I would go back in a heart beat as I loved the amusement and relaxation this trip provided!
If you have any questions, feel free to post and I will do my best to comment in response!
Live with Love and Laughter!
Cristy
