I’m excited to share with you why I love Universal Orlando Resort. The fun rides, specialty treats, characters, spectacular shows, and unique themes throughout the park create an epic experience! It’s one of my favorite places to book for my clients and to visit myself.
I haven’t always felt this way. Ten years ago, I went to Universal Orlando for the first time for a Halloween Horror Night event with my fiancé. He knew I loved theme parks and he thought “What a great date night!” It was a muggy, hot night in August. I walked through one haunted house and when I tell you that Halloween Horror Nights is not for the faint of heart…it is NOT for the faint of heart.
I implored him to skip other haunted houses and he encouraged me to ride some roller coasters. Universal Orlando has so many roller coasters! I said “No, THANK YOU! I am not a roller coaster gal.” Finally we decided on grabbing some dinner at Krusty Burger. I did feel a stab of nostalgia as a millennial getting some grub amongst all things Simpsons…but once again, I felt like it was too hot for this and I just wanted to get back to our hotel. I left Universal Orlando that night not having ridden a single ride and only going through one haunted house. I was absolutely convinced I would never return.
Fast forward to 2021 and in the middle of the pandemic, I wanted to learn more about Universal Orlando. I had been sending clients there for years but I did not have the first-hand knowledge I needed to educate my clients. Three other Vacation Designers and I headed down for the Mardi Gras celebration in March of 2021. The weather was perfect! The Mardi Gras theme throughout the park was beautiful and the food booths serving up specialties from around the world were divine. I left the parks after the first day thinking, “Is this the same place? Today was a great day!”
The next day as we continued to explore both Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure, I noticed some of my favorite characters. I was overjoyed to see Hello Kitty! Then there was a Transformer wanting to dance…with me! Shrek, Fiona and Donkey, Trolls, Captain America and Spider Man, The Simpsons…the characters were everywhere! I started falling in love with Universal. The nostalgia of meeting friendly characters, coupled with trying all 7 forms of Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal had officially won me over. The subtle touches of magic throughout the Wizarding World and the immersive experience of Jurassic Park, were so cool to experience through my new perspective. I gained my courage and tried some rides including Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York. The Blues Brothers and Horror Make-Up Show were fun to watch. The quality and variety of entertainment at Universal Orlando really makes the experience unforgettable.
Since that trip, I have been back to Universal seven times and each visit I discover something else I love about the parks, hotels, and restaurants. I even enjoyed Halloween Horror Nights last year! Universal truly offers something for everyone at all ages and with all interests.
