From Raptor Encounters to Butterbeer: Just two of the things I love at Universal Orlando Resort

 

Looking for a fun Vacation!

Looking to plan a thrilling family vacation? Look no further than Universal Orlando Resort! With the choice between Hogwarts and the Velocicoaster, you're guaranteed to have an unforgettable adventure. Skip the lines on almost every attraction with an Express Pass, which can be included with your hotel stay. Need help planning? Don't hesitate to message me for tips on making your family trip a spontaneous and exciting one!

From Raptor Encounters to Butterbeer: read about my experience on Velocicoaster and why I love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Are you a thrill seeker?

The Velocicoaster at Universal Orlando Resort is an incredible ride that left me feeling exhilarated and amazed. The ride is thrilling from start to finish, with incredible speeds, twists, turns, and inversions. What I loved most about the ride was how smooth it was, despite all the intense maneuvers. The seat technology is different from other roller coasters, with no shoulder restraints which made me feel so free when going upside down. Overall, the Velocicoaster is an amazing roller coaster that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting and thrilling experience at Universal Orlando Resort.

One of the great things about the Velocicoaster is the queue experience. From the moment you step into the queue, you're transported into the world of Jurassic Park and the Jurassic World franchise. There are many Easter eggs and references to the movies throughout the queue, which is a treat for any fan.

A highlight of the queue is the containment room, where you get to see a raptor up close in its cage. For me, it is the most impressive part of the queue. Getting to see a life-sized raptor animatronic up close. The raptor is incredibly detailed and realistic, with every detail of its skin and features expertly crafted. It's an amazing experience that makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the action.

Overall, the queue for the Velocicoaster is an amazing journey in itself, and it's definitely worth taking the time to explore and appreciate all the details that have been included. It's just one more reason why the Velocicoaster is one of the best rides at Universal Orlando Resort.

Do you love getting lost in a fictional world?

On the other hand, when I visit Universal Orlando Resort, I also love spending time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's a completely different experience from riding the Velocicoaster, but equally enjoyable in its own way. I love people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere, and there's no shortage of incredible details to admire in this immersive world. One of my favorite things to do is to try the different foods and drinks, including the famous butterbeer. It's also great fun to wear my Hogwarts robes and use my interactive wand to cast spells and explore the shops and attractions. In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I feel like I'm transported to my favorite fictional world, and I can easily get lost in the experience for hours on end. It's a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan or anyone who loves immersive theme park experiences.

When it comes to total immersion, the queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has to be the best you'll ever experience in a theme park. As you wind your way through the castle, you'll feel like you're really at Hogwarts, with incredible attention to detail and theming that makes you feel like you're part of the wizarding world.

From the moment you enter the castle gates, you'll be surrounded by incredible architecture, statues, and artwork, all designed to transport you to the world of Harry Potter. You'll walk through the Hogwarts Dungeon, past the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and even through Dumbledore's office. Along the way, you'll encounter various interactive elements, such as the talking portraits, that add to the immersive experience.

One of the highlights of the queue is the sorting hat ceremony, where you'll be sorted into your Hogwarts house before boarding the ride. It's an amazing experience that really makes you feel like you're a part of the story. 

After you exit the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you'll find yourself in Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods, a gift shop filled with all sorts of wizarding world goodies. The gift shop is a treasure trove for fans of the Harry Potter books and movies, with plenty of nods to the characters and stories throughout. You'll find all sorts of items for sale, from Hogwarts robes and house scarves to wands, magical creatures, and Quidditch equipment.

Pro Tip: Want to experience the immersive theming of Hogwarts Castle without riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey? Let the ride attendants know you do not wish to ride, and they'll direct you to a bypass line that takes you straight to the castle entrance. From there, you can explore the queue and its many immersive elements, including Dumbledore's office and the talking portraits, without going on the ride.

 

Ready to Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime? Check Out What's Included in Our Universal Package!

A Universal Orlando Resort package is a convenient way to book your vacation and often includes:

1. Accommodations: The package includes a stay at one of Universal Orlando's on-site hotels or a nearby partner hotel.

2. Park tickets: The package includes admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay water theme park.

3. Express Passes: Depending on the package you select; you may receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes that allow you to skip the regular lines at most attractions.

4. Early park admission: Many packages also include early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or select attractions at Universal Studios Florida or Universal's Islands of Adventure.

5. Airfare: a variety of flight options are available.

6. Transportation: Some packages may include transportation to and from the airport and between the parks and hotels.

As you can see, there are many benefits to booking a Universal Orlando Resort package, including accommodations, park tickets, Express Passes, early park admission, transportation, and dining plans. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right package for your family's needs and preferences. That's where a travel agent can help! As your travel agent, I can work with you to help you choose the best package for your family, taking into account your budget, travel dates, interests, and more. Plus, I have insider knowledge and can provide you with tips and advice to make the most of your vacation. So why not let me help you plan a fun and memorable vacation to Universal Orlando Resort? Contact me today to get started!

Thanks for reading my blogpost! Be sure to follow my travel adventures on Facebook and Instragram @GwendolensTravels. Or click here to learn more about me and to start planning your epic vacation.

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The scary season is upon us!

Do you love being scared out of your mind? I can assure you that I Do Not. I am a big chicken and at 40 something years old, I'm still afraid of the dark. The haunting season is fast approaching with Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights beginning September 3 and running through October 31, 2021.  A couple years back I had the opportunity to attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando.  Here is a little background on my specific experience. A group of fellow agents and I did the RIP Tour. The RIP Tour comes with several benefits that included:

• VIP Entrance to Universal Studios
• RIP Tour guide
• VIP access to each haunted house
• Reserved seating to live shows
• Unlimited Express Pass to all other attractions and rides
• RIP Lounge access
• Complimentary valet parking

    Our evening started by entering Universal Studios through the VIP entrance and heading right over to check in for our tour. From our vantage point on the second floor we could see the crowds of people waiting to get into the park for an evening of frights. Having the VIP entrance, we were able to skip waiting in the long lines at the gate. Once all the day guests had exited the park it was time for the scaring to begin. Our guide escorted us through our first scare zone over to Cafe La Bamba for some complimentary food and beverages. This dining location is exclusive to RIP tour quests. The food consisted of tiny bites. There were Swedish meatballs, mac & cheese bites, mini beef wellingtons, mini quiche, and Asian chicken satay. For dessert options there were mini pies, cupcakes, and cookies. There was also a cash bar if you needed to purchase a some liquid courage. I didn't feel I needed any courage right off but did get some later in the evening at one of the RIP exclusive cash bars located inside the park. 

    The first scare zone we walked through was Revenge of Chucky. This zone featured possessed toys from your youth. I was dreading this one the most. I am not a fan of taking cute toys and making them scary. I mean why would you do that? To my surprise this scare zone was a piece of cake to walk through. Most likely because it was still light out. Now, had it been later in the evening I probably would have felt differently. After our first scare zone we headed out into the thick of things. All I could think was, "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?"

    Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 2018 consisted of 10 houses and 5 scare zones. There were only two houses I was interested in. Poltergeist, cause I had seen that movie several times as a kid. And Stranger Things, as it was very popular at the time. I sill hadn't seen the show but once I returned home  I binged watched the entire series. That leaves 8 houses that I new nothing about. But this is where having an RIP guide really pays off. Before entering each house our guide would pull us off to the side and give us some background on the story and what we could expect to see inside. We would then be escorted to the express line and off we marched into the unknown. Our guide would be waiting for us, along with anyone in the group that chose not to enter the house, at the exit. 

    For each house I had my own protocols. First, I refused to be at the front or the end of the line. Second, I needed a buddy. Someone to guide me through the house because for 8 of the 10 houses my eyes were either closed or I was looking at the ground. If my buddy screamed I would immediately close my eyes. I wasn't taking any chances that I would have nightmares. Yes, I know. I'm a big chicken. 

   Now, how about a house that I did see with my own two eyes, the Poltergeist House. I was so impressed with how Universal was able to recreate the scenes from this 1980's movie. The outside facade was the inside of the pool with the house above you. You enter the house through the graveyard that house was built on. Then you walk into a room with Carol Anne putting her hands on a TV. And who doesn't remember the steak crawling across the counter? You also got a chance to see Marty looking at his reflection with his face peeling off. Eww! Then you entered the bedroom where a giant tree had smashed through the window and Robbie is being strangled by that scary clown doll. Next you walked into the closet and followed the blue light where Tangina would pop out. From here it was a series of other world rooms with scare actors, a giant skeleton head, and more scares from the clown. The last room featured a tv, but this time Carol Anne's hands were on the other side. I'm still amazed at what a great job Universal did with this house. 

    You move through the houses rather quickly so I'm sure there were things that I missed inside the Poltergeist house. If you love attention detail and don't want to miss any of it, I'd suggest attending Halloween Horror Nights more than once in a season. They do offer passes for multiple nights. And if you really want to see how they create the scares you should consider the Unmasking the Horror Tour. This a a daytime, VIP tour of multiple houses with the lights on (separate theme park admission required). This tour is definitely on my must do list for next time.

    After we completed all the houses we had the rest of the night to ourselves. We did take a little break from being scared and wandered around Diagon Alley. There are no scare actors in here so it's a great place to compose yourself before heading back into the scare zones or houses. When we were ready to call it quits we walked out a as group through multiple scare zones. Pro Tip: If someone in your group is terrified of getting caught off guard by a scare actor consider having a safe word. Ours was, "BANANA!" Anytime one of us saw something approaching our group we would shout that out.

    Halloween Horror Nights is a great event and is a lot of fun with a group of friends. If you would like more information on attending message me at gwen.dupuis@mei-travel.com. The first Halloween Horror Nights 30 is September 3, 2021. That's just around the corner.

Cricut Cake

What a great tool. I would love to win one of these. I enjoy making cakes and this would make my cakes so much nicer. Check out the DIY Dish at www.thediydish.com/2010/04/episode-4-a-birthday-for-your-tweetheart-big-giveaway-too/ If I could figure out how to embed the video I would but I just can't get it to work.

Two Mom's Disney Getaway!

Our trip is getting closer. Only 25 days now. I have been working on my lists of what I want to see and what I want to shop for. Hoping to see Wishes from the Poly and maybe the electric water pageant. We also are considering having tea at the Grand Floridian. Some of the hotels we would love to walk around are the Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach, Port Orleans, & Wilderness Lodge. Just to name a few. It's so exciting to make all these plans and not have to worry about what the kids want to do. It is also our mission to get pictures of each of us. Being mom's we're not usually in any of the pictures. We're always taking the pictures. I'm going to guess that I'm going to take at least 800 pictures in the three days I'm at the World. Now to work on my to do list so I'm ready for my trip.

A New Plan

Well I'm not going to Disney with my sister. There were a bunch of factors and it just wasn't going to work out. It was a downer but I have good news. I'm planning a new trip with one of my best friends. I'm very excited. We are going to go to the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, some shopping in Downtown, and resort hopping. This is so exciting. I can hardly contain myself.

All figured out....

I can ride to FL with my sister family, stay with them at Disney for 3 days, enjoy the parks, dos some shopping, then fly home. Kris could get Jacob to school with Felicia's help, Reagan could stay at Mammer's during the day, when not at school. The pets would be fine. I could fly into Boston and hitch a ride home with Ami, Kris could pick me up at her house. I've got it all figured out in my head. Now if I could only convince my husband to let me go. Then I can put my plan to work. I'll just keep hoping.

Can't stop thinking about Disney

It's only been 2 month's since our families trip to Walt Disneyworld. I'm ready to go back. We had a great time but there was so much we missed. We did tons of rides but didn't get to enjoy any of the simple things. I just want to go and hang out. Not go on to many rides. Sit on a bench and observe. My sister is driving down to Disney in March. I'm trying to convince everyone that I should go. I could be a free babysitter. Only time will tell. If I don't get to go with my sis then it will probably be a couple of years before I get back. Gasp!!!