Category: Orlando Theme Parks

Harry Potter World – Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a feature of theme park Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a must see for all Harry Potter fans. There’s rides for all ages and family members: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (voted best new attraction of 2010 by ThemeParkInsider.com), Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff.

Experience the excitement first hand soaring above Hogwarts castle grounds on a ride in this iconic location you’ll recognise from the books and films. As part of this spectacularly themed environment, you can visit the Three Broomsticks for a unique dining experience. Here you can try the butterbeer, the favourite drink in the books – people queue up in anticipation of tasting this famous brew! It’s non-alcoholic, so family friendly and the sweet taste is likened to shortbread and butterscotch.

Visit the shops of Hogsmeade, along the streets you’ll find Dervish and Bangs, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Zonko’s joke shop and the Owl Post Office! There’s a lot that will captivate your imagination and you might want to bring home a souvenir – perhaps a ‘sneekascope’. Watch the video here of the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. For directions on how to get to Universal,  from I-4 Eastbound (Disney/Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee) take exit 75A, or from I-4 Westbound (Downtown Orlando) take exit 74B.

Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida will have it’s grand opening in October 2011! If you’re booking a Florida villa holiday at this time, you might want to fit this new attraction into your trip. Hosting interactive attractions, shows, over 50 rides, restaurants and shopping  – this is expected to be a great family theme park geared for families with children aged 2-12. This will be Legoland’s 5th park in the world – others currently in Denmark, London, California and Germany and at 150 acres of education, adventure and fun it will also be Legoland’s largest park built to date. Interestingly, for some background on how ‘Lego’ came into being, it all started in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen who started making wooden toys in his small workshop in Billund, Denmark. He later decided to name his trademark toys and workshop ‘LEGO’ with the Danish meaning ‘play well’ and in Latin it means ‘I put together / I assemble’. The park will feature Fun Town, Miniland USA, Duplo village, imagination zone, pirates cove and Lego city to name a few. This latest attraction for Florida will be located in Winter Haven, just 45 minutes south-west of the Orlando theme parks. At the time of writing this, the prices are $65 plus tax for adult one day admission and $55 plus tax for children (aged 3-12) and seniors (aged 60+). We have found a preview video for you to take a look at.

Dali Museum – St Petersburg, Florida

Dali Museum - St Petersburg, Florida
Dali Museum - St Petersburg, Florida

We visited the Dali Museum in St Petersburg in June. It only took 1 hour 20 minutes to get there from the 192 in Orlando.

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Universal Studios City Walk

Universal Studios City Walk is located at the entrances to Universal Studios and Islands of Adverture and features loads of different restaurants, bars, night clubs, shops and a even a 20 screen cinema, it’s the ideal place to spend an evening out or grab something to eat on your way out of the Universal parks.

City Walk if home to some of the bigger chains of bar and restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe, Nascar Sports Grille, Margaritaville, NBA City and the all new Bubba Gump Shrimp Co plus many more.

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Walt Disney World – Epcot in Orlando Florida

Disney’s Epcot theme park is different from the rest as it features a number of different areas where you can experience the food, drink and culture from countries all over the World. They have mini versions of the UK, France, China, Canada, Japan, Morrocco, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Norway and of course the USA.

At over 300 acres Epcot is the largest of all the Disney theme parks and you can easierly spend a whole day and night there so make sure you take a change of clothes if visiting in the winter as it can get cold in the evening and a wear some comfortable shoes.

They have a nightly firework show currently called Illuminations: Reflections of Earth which can’t be missed but check time guide to see when it’s on as weather can effect the show times.

Here are a few photos I took when we went to the Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World’s Epcot.

Below is a list of the countries and links to there rides and more information:

Epcot also has loads of really good rides like Mission Space, Test Track and the brand new Soarin plus many more.

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Walt Disney World – Epcot