It has been since May but I am just now getting around to sharing my first time to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. As I type this, I’m counting down the days to my 2nd US/IoA trip! Any new restaurants and different rides will be shared in a later post.
I went with two of my good friends, my traveling buddies:) They have been to Universal before so they knew the “ins-and-outs” of which rides are best and what to prepare for (everything else).
When we first arrived, it was too late to go to the park, but it was just in time to shop and eat!
Where We Stayed:
Loew’s Royal Pacific – this is a Universal Premier resort so it isn’t cheap; however, it is very close to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so there’s that. Plus, with the Premier resorts, you get free express passes for everyone in your “party”….so that is worth it!! There are boats that can take you to CityWalk/entrance of the parks, or it is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. There is a place to eat inside the hotel, a gym, a pool (with a sandy beach), and a market (Tuk Tuk Market) that serves Starbucks, for those that care about that:) I’m sure there is more to it but this is what I observed and/or took advantage of.
I don’t know why I don’t have a picture of the outside of the hotel or the inside (I thought I had some)
the canal along the walking path from the parks to the hotel
beach area-beside the pool
What We Ate:
CityWalk
VooDoo Donuts – just go there and get donuts…or an apple fritter…or all of it!
Hard Rock – If you’ve never been to a Hard Rock restaurant, it is a restaurant with music memorabilia. The food is really good too! I ate the Twisted Mac, Chicken & Cheese. It is cavatappi pasta, served with sliced grilled chicken, a four-cheese sauce, and diced red peppers….DELICIOUS!! If you want to buy something, they also have a “Rock shop” inside. No need to bore you with the details. You can check them out online.
Margaritaville – You’ve probably heard of this too, but if you haven’t, it is a beach themed restaurant. Yes, it is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville 🙂 in case you’re also wondering what I ate, I had the Landshark Lager Fish & Chips. It comes with jalapeño tartar sauce, French fries and cilantro lime coleslaw. It was DELICIOUS!
Antijitos – this is a Mexican cantina with a lively colorful vibe. While all of my food was delicious at all of the places we ate, I believe this was my favorite. I had the “Trio”, which is Enchiladas verde, pork cochinita tamale, chili relleno, served with black beans and cilantro rice.
must always have cheese dip the “Trio”
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium – to be honest, this was my least favorite. The food was very good but it isn’t somewhere I would be wanting to try again (if it happens to be the only place to get into, it is perfectly fine. I just loved the other restaurants more). I did like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & steampunk vibe:) I ate the 6 oz filet, topped with sherry mushroom cream, and served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, pearl onions, grilled asparagus, and shallot jam. It was all delicious and I’m all about a good filet. Of course, I ended it with a milkshake.
“ChocolateX5“
Islands of Adventure
Fire Eater’s Grill – this is one of the quick service places and can be found in “The Lost Continent”. It has gyros, chicken strips, hummus, and chili dogs. I ate the Traditional Gyro Combo, and it came with fries and pita with tzatziki. It was delicious!
Universal Studios
Starbucks – no explanation; you know what’s important 🙂
The Hopping Pot – ok, so Butterbeer is delicious! There are several places to get it. This just happens to be the one we stopped at. It did not disappoint! Get some!
Rides:
there isn’t much to say about each so I will just list what we rode in each park and share the pictures I have.
Islands of Adventure
We rode Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (FAVORITE!!), Jurassic Park River Adventure (water), Harry & Potter & the Forbidden Journey, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (water), Flight of the Hippogriff, Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (water), Skull Island: Reign of Kong, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, The High in the Sky Suess Trolley Train Ride, and
The Incredible Hulk Coaster.
Universal Studios
We rode Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Revenge of the Mummy (2nd favorite!), ET Adventure, Fast & Furious-Supercharged, Men in Black Alien Attack, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, Shrek 4D, The Simpsons Ride, and Transformers: The Ride 3D.
Shopping:
We did do some shopping in each park and quite a bit at CityWalk. I don’t remember the specific places but if I have a picture and I know which park, I will add that below each picture.
if there’s a Christmas shop, I’m there:)
…and just like that, May’s universal and Islands of Adventure is over. BUT! October’s is coming soon!
Linking up for Tuesday Talk with Ashley from The House of Fancy and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything.
Comments
Sounds like a wonderful trip! We got SOAKED on Ripsaw falls when we went. But then it poured on our way out of the park and everyone was soaked by the time we reached the car so it didn't seem like such a big deal anymore. LOL.
yes! We actually bought ponchos and we somehow managed to get really wet with those on. I can only imagnine how bad it would have been without them!