Our first full day in Florida, we went to Universal. Universal Orlando Resort is split into parks – Universal Studios and Island of Adventures. We decided to go to the Island of Adventures as it had the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is what we wanted to see the most.
We walked there, as it was around a mile away from our hotel. We stopped off at Black Angus Steakhouse for their all you can eat breakfast. I had a plate of eggs etc and then fruit. The pancakes were Christine’s, I wanted to get a photo of them too.
They have corned beef ash in America for breakfast. More stuff I don’t understand about that country, it’s like having a roast for breakfast. I didn’t expect to find so many differences between the US and UK!
After we filled our BELLEHS, we continued on our way.
We made our way through Universal Resort, walked down City Walk, which is a section full of shops, bars and restaurants before both of the park entrances. We then went through to Island of Adventures and quickly walked up to the Harry Potter section.
It was amazing! I think this might have been one of my favourite days. I didn’t expect to say this, but Universal was so much more fun than Disneyworld! We had Butterbeer, went into the shops, looked at wands in Olivanders and went on some of the rides.
Afterwards the Harry Potter section, we made our way through the park, bobbing in and out of shops, keeping hydrated and taking photos. I kept getting nosebleeds so I skipped some of the rides I think the rides were triggering them as my nose bleed around 30 minutes of being on one!
The Rides.
Like I said, I stopped going on the rides and waited outside half of the day because of the nosebleeds. At least there was free wifi so I spent most of the time texting one of my friends back in England and sending her photos of my surroundings. She probably hated me but I think I may have convinced her to go to Florida in a couple of years when her daughter is a bit older and also let me come too. So that plan worked. Well done, Corinne.
Okay, back to the topic. The rides we went on.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
What a fantastic ride! I had no idea what to expect with this ride, the queue took you through the Hogwarts castle, through the hallways, through the Gryffindor common room and past talking paintings. When you get in the ride, you sit in fours with a barrier holding you in and your legs dangling and then you are taken on a broomstick flight.
You fly through the wizarding world and it’s amazing! It’s kind of like a 3D ride where you’re flying through the sky. You fly through a Quiddich pitch and encounter Dementors. You’re twist, turn, go fast, feel as if you’re free falling and on an out of control broom. The sights of it is amazing and it was one of the best rides of the holiday.
Flight of the Hippograff
This was a bit of a childrens rollarcoaster, it wasn’t too scary but was fast enough. I wish it was a bit longer though!
Jurassic Park River Adventure
This water ride takes you on a journey through Jurassic park when you suddenly find yourself in some restricted area, there’s alarms and sirens and then you plunge 85 feet, a drop that REALLY made my stomach tickle! But it was so much fun.
After we had walked through the rest of the park and had seen everything, we decided to find somewhere to eat. We went to Hard Rock cafe which was on city walk. I got a lovely cob salad and a beer, the beer was $11 but I got a free Hard Rock pint glass with it, which I love as I use pint glasses all the time for juice and water by my bed. I used it every day on the holiday at night.
We walked past the rotating Universal ball and walked home, were I had a beer in my new glass and my new ‘blogging area’ and did internet for the rest of the evening. Hurrah.
Day -1 – Bewley’s Hotel
Day 1 – The Flight
Day 2 – Universal Island of Adventures
Day 5 – Mauling and Haulin
Day 10 – Magic Kingdom Daytime
Extra
Florida Instagram Photos
Florida Phone Case
Love the diner and the breakfast looked delish! I would have headed straight to the Harry Potter part too. What does butterbeer taste like? : ) x
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I haven’t been to Universal/Islands of Adventure since Harry Potter world was finished but I have heard such incredible things about it! I’m sorry you had to sit out because of nosebleeds 🙁
Islands is my fave out all the parks. Jurassic park was one of my fave rides too along with spiderman and dudley do rights ripsaw. Ahhh take me back! X
I love Walt Disney us American take for granted it so much fun and they always creating and adding new rides is in adventure within itself. You could be a kid for a the time being when you visit. I’m so glad you enjoy yourself and sorry to hear about the nosebleed. At least it did not ruin your vacation even if you do not get on rides still so much to do. I love corn beef hash for breakfast as a child now once in a while.
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This brings back wonderful memories I visited in 2011. Like you I thought Disney would be my favourite but Universal and Epcot won hands down. Harry potter was a blast the rides were well thought out, butter beer was yummy and all the shops just superb. Bummer about the nosebleed but sounds like you had a great time Lucy x
I’ve been there and it was such a funny experience!
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It’s only day 2 and I’m already so jealous. Id love to go to the Harry Potter part of Universal. Have you been to the UK one? There’s no rides but its still pretty good. Can’t wait for day 3!
Jaq @
The Harry Potter section looks like so much fun!
I love this type of adventure parks like Disneyland or Universal Studios , I enjoy very much when I have the chance to visit one. Beautiful pictures, Corinne. I envy you and your friends. Kisses:)
I so want to go there and have butterbeer .. All the three rides have interesting names, thought ubthibknfitst one would be the best one..
Nose bleed, ohhhh that’s bad 🙁
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Kisses
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aww great ! you look to have so much fun 🙂
xoxo
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AH FREAKING HARRY POTTER! Its on my bucket list to get to go there man.
So glad you had an awesome time, although I’m pretty sure I would disagree with the Universal > Disney thing even though I havent been haha
x
I really want to go to the Harry Potter world it looks amazing and like you had a wonderful time.
Gabyx
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I wanna visit this place. Have a great day. 🙂
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I loved walking to Universal, most days it was quicker than taking the hotel shuttle and we could come and go as we pleased. LOVE Harry Potter world, that ride is amazing, I can’t wait till they open up the new section and Gringotts themed ride this summer! Looks amazing!
Chocolate frogs are delicious, hope you bought one!!
Disney will always win over Universal BUT I love Harry Potter world so so much, I wish it could have been it’s own park altogether, not just a random ass corner!
Sarah 🙂
Saloca in Wonderland
No word to describe the beauty of this picturesJust amazing, totally love the way how you capture all the colorsThe scenery is just incredibleAnd the food look so delicios :)Great postxoxo
I’m glad you like it!
Corinne I’ve been following your Florida adventures from IG and it is obvious you guys had an amazing time! ( though the nosebleeds must be a bit of a bummer) Love all the food pics and the rides from Harry Potter. I haven’t seen that one and sounds amazing. I did do a Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios LA though and yes remember how “stomach tickling” it was :-))) What a fun time! XOXO, Elif
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Haha, stomach tickling for sure!
Amazing pictures! I wish I could go there someday too 🙂
xx
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Oh soo jealous! Pictures are amazing! What did the butterbeer taste like?? All the food looks so good!
xx
gemma
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this makes me extremely jealous, especially all the harry potter stuff! but i’m also glad that you’ve had such a good time (despite the nosebleeds)! xx
Omgosh, I want to gooo! I love Harry Potter. 🙂
Tara xo
what a fabulous time Corinne! especially loved everything Harry Potter. I wish I could jump into your pictures. hahaha
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I want to jump back into them too!
It’s been a long time since I went to Disney World like about 8 or 9 years.. also, it has been 8 or 9 years since I traveled :/ so long!
I really want to visit Universal Studios as well, especially for the Harry Potter area! Great post Corinne!
Ohh! I fly out 4 weeks today and can’t wait to hit Harry Potter in IOA! You’ve made me very excited now, it look amazing! 🙂
Bonjour Emily
IM SO JEALOUS
I actually am so jealous, this whole day is my dream! Food looks amazing, and Harry Potter world just looks insane!
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oooooh goodness!!!! Harry Potter World looked aaaaamazing!!! i can’t wait to save up for the rest of my life and go! might be 90 with no teeth but who cares! i’ll just gum my way through it all~!!!! 😀 😀 😀 jealous you had a good time, corinne.
SO JEALOUS!
I’m slightly harry potter crazy I so need to go here