Universal Studios (Travel Blog pt. 3)

Day 3...Really...only day 3??

We were up early in the morning for checkout, after a fond farewell to the ocean we headed to Orlando. Along the way we passed Daytona Speedway, I'm not a race fan but it's vast size was impressive. On the way to Orlando I wanted to stop at Cool Stuff Games, one of several physical locations for CoolStuffInc, an online merchant of board, card and RPG games. After a few bumps along the way we made it to the Maitland location. It was cool to shop there, mostly because I'm a geek. They have internet prices on everything, though they had a lot of stuff it was mostly newer, and not nearly as much as I thought they'd have. I picked up a game and we headed for Disney Springs.

It was lunch time when we reached Disney Springs, so we went over to T Rex, a dinosaur themed restaurant complete with animatronic dinosaurs that put on a show every 20 mins or so. We had been there on our last excursion to Disney Springs, most people say their kids like eating there, I guess my wife and I are just big kids because we love it too. The food is really good, last time I had a Bronto Burger, this time I opted for a Florida Grouper sandwich I would highly recommend this place for kids of all ages. After lunch we did some shopping, which is Disney Springs biggest attraction, it's been remodeled within the past several years with a Mediterranean vibe it was once called Downtown Disney so if you've ever been there, same place. Disney Springs boasts the worlds largest Disney Store, and it is humongous, room after room of merchandise from princesses to Star Wars and Marvel licensed products. Across from the Disney Store is a new place called the Disney Co-op. A lot of different vendors from artists, to fashion designers, to a spa section that offers facials. To top off our visit we went to the Coca-Cola store and tried out Coke products from around the world, they sell a tray of shot glass size servings of international coke products. Spoiler alert, Italy's Coke beverage named Beverly is the worst thing you can drink. (My wife has a video of me trying it I may share.) Then we went toward the hotel. Ordered in dinner and had the best Stromboli from a local place, I can't think of the name for.

Day 4

We packed up the car and had breakfast at the hotel then off to Universal. First destination at the park was Diagon Alley. While I don't consider myself a Potterhead, I am a fan of JK Rowling's wizarding world. And I love the Harry Potter parks at Universal. Walking the street of Diagon Alley is like walking into the movies. Everything from Olivander's to Weasly's Wizard Wheeze's is there, and you can shop in them. I rode the Gringott's ride which is pretty amazing, then we did some shopping "Lot's to buy..." to quote Hagrid. There is a drink in the Wizarding World called Butter Beer, and you can buy it at the park along with Pumpkin Juice and several others but the Butter Beer is the best, so creamy and butterscotchy, I prefer the frozen version but I highly recommend this staple of the park. You can catch the Hogwart's Express between the two wizarding parks, Diagon Alley and Hog's Meade and it is worth the multi-park pass both rides have a cool show on the way. For lunch we went to the Universal Monster's Cafe, which for an in park eatery is pretty good. Plus they have a lot of props from the classic movies on display. I love the Universal monster movies. During the day we rode the Mummy ride, Flight of the Hippogryph, Jurassic Park, Kong and The Spider-man ride, which is probably still our favorite. Kong: Skull Island is the newest and it is AWESOME! You go on a trek in an expedition bus and watch Kong fight dinosaurs all around the vehicle it's really cool. After a long day we went to our final hotel, well a time share called Westgate. Our friends generously gifted a stay there for our wedding. We got settled and ordered Giordano's Pizza in, it's Chicago style and delicious. Then off to bed.

Day 5

We got up a little later the next day and went back to Diagon Alley to have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron. It's a really cool place and the food is great. I ordered bangers and mash with mint peas. Then we went to explore the parks. Throughout the day we rode ET, the Simpson's, Shrek, MIB, along with Kong, Spidey and Jurassic Park again. At one point we took the Hogwart's Express from Platform 9 and 3/4, while in line I tried an English confection, Fry's Chocolate Covered Turkish Delight. If you've never heard of Turkish Delight it's like a hard gelatin texture with these sort of Indian spices in it. It's weird, but worth the try. After debarking from the train we explored Hog's Meade a bit further, Diagon Alley is definitely bigger, but Hog's Meade has Hogwarts and inside that, the Hogwarts ride, which is also very cool, you fly along on your broom while getting into adventures around Hogwarts. After a few more rides we went back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

Day 6

Once again we left a little later, and ate lunch at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, a steampunk themed restaurant at Universal City Walk, the section of stores and restaurants before you get in the parks. As my blogs name implies I'm a huge geek and I really enjoy the steampunk aesthetic. The food is great but the desserts are greater. We finished off with a huge peanut butter sunday. After 3 days at the parks we rode many of the same rides as the previous 2 days. I did try the Pumpkin Juice in Diagon Alley, think sweet pumpkin pie in liquid form with cinnamon, The clouds started moving in and we started moving out. Toothsome was way more packed for the dinner crowd so if you ever get the chance to go, I'd suggest lunch time. We said goodbye to Universal for the last time this trip and ate at Chuy's Mexican restaurant, pork tacos are good. Then off to rest up at the hotel.

Day 7

Our last full day in Orlando saw us return to Disney Springs, we really love that place, and parking's free. We had lunch at the Earl of Sandwich, a very tasty, very affordable destination. And did some more shopping, Disney Springs also has a huge bowling alley and arcade down by the Cirque De Soliel arena. We opted for dinner at The Planet Hollywood there, it's called the Observatory because of the 4,500 square ft. dome theater screen that rises above the main dining hall. It's kind neat in there with all of the Hollywood props on display, but the audio is so loud we could hardly speak to one another, so we texted. : ) After even more shopping we finally headed to the hotel.

Epilogue:

We got up at 5:00 in the morning, so as not to miss our flight. We had a 45 minute layover at the Atlanta International Airport, and that place is HUGE. So huge in fact you have to take a shuttle from place to place, and that shuttle is fast, I felt like I was on the Millennium Falcon going into hyperdrive hanging on to the pole in the middle of the thing. But we made it out and touched down safely in Indy an hour or so later.

All in all it was a good time. I hope you liked my blog, and thank you for sticking around until the end.