THEME PARKS RIDE ON, FRIENDS A Day at Universal Orlando Resort By Yasmin Parsloe ™ Universal Orlando Resort™ With two of my best friends in tow, Madison Flatt and Stephanie Suarez, and armed with Universal Orlando Resort™ Park-to-Park tickets and The Official Universal Orlando Resort™ App, I headed to the three parks at Universal Orlando Resort ™ for a day of fun and excitement. As soon as we reached Universal’s Islands of Adventure ™ and boarded The Incredible Hulk Coaster ®, which zooms at 67 mph and inverts seven times, it became clear that our strategy of tackling the most popular rides before cooling off with some Butterbeer™ would provide a big payoff. Back on solid ground, we headed to Skull Island: Reign of Kong ™, which took us on an animatronic journey where life-like prehistoric predators and a giant ape targeted our trackless safari vehicle. I saw Madison tremble during the ride, but she also cheered the stunning realism of the adventure: “Bravo, Universal Creative Team!” Afterwards, we quickly trekked across the park to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade ™, which features a quaint snow-capped village with lively Harry Potter™-themed shopfronts and characters. From there, we scored an inside view of Hogwarts ™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ™ ride and explored Dumbledore’s Office and the Gryffindor™ common room. The ride is an inspiring and exciting magical journey above the castle, but it’s the jaw-dropping creative effects that leave true Harry Potter™ fans like Madison speechless. After, in need of more fuel than sheer adrenaline could provide, we stopped at a street cart for some sweet snacks. Since we had park-to-park tickets, we were able to take the Hogwarts ™ Express to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -Diagon Alley ™ at Universal Studios Florida ™, overlooked by a fire-breathing dragon. The atmosphere was lively, the other-worldly Butterbeer™ extra thick and sweet, 16 Kissimmee Destination Magazine 2018
Experience Kissimmee 2018 Kissimmee Destination Guide: Page 16
