Orlando, Florida is undoubtedly the theme park capital of the USA! It’s a hub of awesome entertainment, epic roller coasters and delicious eateries that all the family can enjoy.
As part of our best-selling Florida Thrill & Caribbean Chill cruise holidays, guests can experience this exhilarating destination during an included stay near Universal Orlando alongside a sensational cruise to the Caribbean.
If you and your family are considering this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you may be wondering what the experience in Universal Orlando is really like. In this blog, Eliza shares her experience in Florida, including some of the very best spots in and around Universal Orlando.
Read on to discover Universal Orlando, through the eyes of a 14-year-old…
Day 1
On the first day we got up super early, we were very tired! We travelled to the airport and when we got there, there was a Cruise.co.uk dedicated check in! We just handed our bags over and went to breakfast!
When we boarded the flight we had seats together and I chose to watch the Goonies on the screen. Top tip – if you fly Norse bring your own ear phones as they do charge for them!
At the other end we picked up our luggage and Saskia (the Cruise.co.uk Florida Representative) was there with a sign and big smile on her face to meet us! We hopped onto our dedicated transfer coach it was still hot out but the air con was lovely, we arrived at Cabana Bay and WOW, what a huge hotel at this point we were tired so grabbed a takeaway pizza and headed to bed!
Day 2
On Day 2 of our Cruise.co.uk Florida Thrill & Caribbean Chill holiday, we woke up very excited! We went down to the lobby to say hello to the tour leaders who were helping everyone with their tickets. We had 3 park tickets which we were excited to use, and early park access.
Immediately outside there were free shuttle buses and after a short ride we went to Islands of Adventure which has the most roller coasters. My favourite ride was Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, you literally sit on a motorbike and go really fast on a rollercoaster. Lily’s was Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey which is a ride with a 3D screen where it looks like you are flying!
My Mum’s Top tip – The small lockers are free but the big ones cost $3 per half hour, take a few smaller bags!
On the night we went to Universal City Walk & ate at Margaritaville where we had burgers which were delicious.
Day 3
Today we got up and grabbed a Starbucks for breakfast from our hotel! Yes, Cabana Bay has its own Starbucks! Mum’s Top tip – Go to Starbucks for breakfast it is cheaper than the diner and you can have breakfast on the go.
We then walked (a very short walk as it is next door) to Volcano Bay water park! You can actually see the Volcano from the Cabana Bay Hotel!
Volcano Bay offers swatches that are called Tapu Tapu. You tap and virtually queue for the rides so you don’t have to queue in person you can just go and have fun! Dad went on the Ko’okiri Body Plunge – he must be mad you wouldn’t catch me on that! Dad’s Top tip – do the body plunge first as later in the day queues get very big.
We then went on virtually everything, there were so many slides to choose from it was the biggest waterpark I have ever been to. Aqua Coaster was our favourite ride, this one gets very busy too so tap for it early. Aqua Coaster is a rollercoaster on water, it is so clever and definitely not to be missed!
On the night we went to the EPIC Chocolate Emporium at Universal Citywalk – DO NOT MISS THIS! The food was amazing and we all had ‘Freak Shakes’ which had cakes and ice cream.
Day 4
Today we went to Universal Studios! We got up early and went there for 8.30am only to realise it opens at 9am! Top tip – Go to Islands Of Adventure (8am) with your express pass and get the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios then you will be there before anyone else!
Anyway, we were the first through the gates at 9am and went to ‘The Mummy’. My sister and I were scared so we stayed in the family room while Mum & Dad went on it! Top tip – Look out for parent swap on the rides meaning that both parents can go on the ride one at a time while the other waits with the other child!
After the Mummy we went to Harry Potter Escape From Gringotts which was all of our favourite ride, you step into the bank and it’s just like a movie set with goblins like in the film! You get an elevator down which is a ride in itself then the rollercoaster takes you through 3D screens where you have to escape from Voldemort and Bellatrix, and the snake really made my mum jump!
On the night we stayed in the hotel, it has it own lazy river! Crazy right! So much fun and inflatables are available to buy there if you want them, they also have free lifejackets if you want them. We also ate at Bayliner Diner in the hotel which offers everything from salad and pasta to pizza and burgers.
Day 5
Today was our last day in Orlando, as part of our Florida Thrill & Caribbean Chill holiday! It was our very last day so we wanted to mop up everything we hadn’t already done.
We went to Islands Of Adventure Ripsaw Falls, then went on the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios where I walked through the wall just like in the film! We went on the Gringotts ride again then in the afternoon we went back to Cabana Bay where we relaxed on the lazy river.
Day 6
Time to go to Miami! We got on the transfer coach, which was air-conditioned and comfy! We drove to Miami where we said goodbye to our new friends who embarked Enchanted Princess.
I have been on this ship before and it is amazing! I would recommend going to the Crown Grill & trying the Surf & Turf!
Anyway it was time for us to fly home but what a fantastic experience – I can’t wait to go again!
