Whether you are planning an adventurous getaway to the sunshine state or a Florida resident, there is no denying the magic and childlike wonder of going to the renowned Orlando amusement parks. With endless options on where to stay, which parks to choose, and when to go, The Travel Brats give their hot take on the best amusement parks to visit in Orlando. Disney and Universal have out of this world environments with great attention to detail, worthwhile rides, and entertainment that’ll keep you busy for the long weekend.
Universal’s City Walk
When choosing to go to Universal, you are also presented with the remarkable city walk. The Universal City Walk is lined with shops, delectable desserts, hot spots to drink, and noteworthy restaurants for the whole family. Before you get to the parks or when you need a break, you can enjoy Voodoo doughnuts for fun pictures, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville for nonetheless margaritas, or try out shrimps at the Bubba Shrimp Co. For a lively environment, there is the infamous Hard Rock cafe and The NBC Studios Grill and Brewhouse, both with great, bar style food. For the most picturesque shakes and a sugar rush, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is the perfect spot to hit when ending the night.
Choosing Your Parks & Season Passes
Now choosing your parks – get the park hopper for Universal Studios and Island of Adventures and allow yourself 2 days if possible. If you are a Florida resident, there are discounts and I’d recommend getting the season pass because after two days, it has paid for itself. The best times to go if you have flexibility are weekdays and avoiding holidays (because that’s when a lot of out of state people are going).
If you get antsy waiting around and are able to spend a little more money, the Universal Express pass is worth every cent. It allows you to skip the regular lines on almost every ride once so you can enjoy the thrills without an hour or two standing in line. By doing both parks, you can experience simulation rides like Shrek and the Minions while also soaring through the air on Hulk and Rockin Rollercoaster.
Halloween Horror Nights
Also – I highly recommend going to Universal’s Halloween Horror Night. If you like haunted houses, the Halloween spooky vibe, and rollercoasters, it has it all.
Where to Stay
Especially when you are staying later at the parks, there are options to stay at hotels/resorts right on the Universal property. Two great locations are the Hard Rock Hotel and the Loews Portofino for a little Italy vibe. Those two hotels allow you to take a water taxi/ boat to and from the park, which makes things a thousand times easier than finding parking or trying to Uber later on. If you don’t mind driving or have a larger group, Airbnb in Orlando is a great choice with really convenient spots with pools and entertainment nearby.
The Taste of Epcot & Festivals
For a more magical environment that essentially requires you wear Minnie Mouse ears, Epcot is the place to be. Whereas, Universal is great whenever, there are times when Epcot is even better. Epcot is known for “Drinking Around the World” but it’s also known for its festivals. Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is typically hosted the end of August to November; this allows you to try so many different samples and wine (like Floridian Blueberry Wine) in a magical place. The Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is top notch also, hosted during springtime March 3 – July 5th. There are even more festivals worth mentioning so stay up to date by following Epcot Eats on social media.
Depending how quickly you adventure through the park and how long you want to stay there – you can see the entire park and drink around the world in a day, possibly two if you want to ride a few rides again or enjoy all the pastries in France back to back. It really comes down to preference, but if you are on a budget or choosing between Epcot and Disney park, you only need to spend one day there.
Tips for Drinking Around the World
WEAR GYM SHOES. Thank me later.
Go through Mexico FIRST and end in the UK. When in Mexico, get a Margarita and corn on the cob. There’s also an amazing Mexican restaurant called San Angel Inn – there is a market you walk through inside to get there. For more on Mexico – check out Theme Park Hipster.
Get Dragon Sake in China – delicious!
Drink so much water; don’t get dehydrated.
There’s a Hibachi restaurant called Teppan Edo in Japan – it’s a little pricer, but excellent. It was a great spot to take a break, get a late lunch, and cool off inside.
Grapefruit Beer in Germany
Attend the American Adventure in America – interesting.
Bayou rum in America too.
Get dessert in France, and a cup of water… Pace yourself.
Take some photos / videos in the UK infamous phone booth.
There’s a hidden waterfall in Canada. Grab a cider and go find it.
Rides worth riding, in my opinion, are Soarin’, Spaceship Earth, Test Trak, and Living with the Land.
Enjoy and let us know your favorite Disney and Universal parks. As always, stay safe and use your discretion when using these recommendations.
Love, your Travel Brats
