Orlando Was SO. MUCH. FUN! Where Do I Start?! [Full Trip Recap]
I was in Orlando for four full days. In those four full days, we crunched in so much, it feels like I spent a month there! Non-stop moving, non-stop on-the-go, non-stop fun every corner we turned!
I arrived to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando around 10am on Saturday morning after barely sleeping the night before with excitement. Checking the itinerary set up for us, I knew I had some time to chill before we headed out to Disney. When I left Boston, it was 34* degrees and snowing. On Saturday in Orlando, it was sunny, 82* degrees and there was a pool calling my name!
Around 5pm we all gathered together and headed to Disney to experience: Toy Story Land.
Man, they set the bar high on this trip. Walking into Toy Story Land is like walking into your childhood toy box. The colors are bright, there’s something new to look at every where you turn and so many cool rides to hop on! It truly doesn’t matter what age you are, little, big, somewhere in the middle, this place is seriously so much fun. If they took us no where else, I would’ve been smiling ear to ear all week no matter what.
I freely admit to not being a huge amusement park ride person (see this OMG! @carlypearce has the same phobia as @KevKennedy1025 and @1025Marissa. VOMIT!! If you're feeling queezy, stay away!!!
Who's with us??
There was no slowing us down as we headed to check out our Pixar Pals: The Incredibles! Jack Jack is causing quite the ruckus in that section, with his laser marks along the walk way, cut outs on the buildings he’s flown through and more. The family puts on shows at certain times to show off their superhero skills. Plus, you get to meet only the biggest name is fashion: Edna Mode!
We hopped back on the bus to head to Disney’s Epcot where they currently have their International Flower and Garden Show taking place through June 3rd. All of your favorite characters can be found throughout the park, beautiful carved into the gardens.
https://www.facebook.com/1025Marissa/videos/1924479074328289/
On Sunday, we were able to catch our breath *PHEW!* With nothing big on the schedule until dinner. I got some good pool and sun time (I wanted as much of it as possible!) and headed to the Waldorf Astoria Spa around Noon for my Salt Spa Treatment. If you’ve never heard of, or experienced the benefits of medical grade salt, it is pretty cool. So, the room is lined with Himalayan brick salt that paints the room in a beautiful pinkish hue.That same salt is crushed up on the floor and there’s a comfy chair for your to relax in as the salt is pumped into the air and you breathe it in. The medical benefits that come along with this are great for those with really bad allergies, breathing issues, it even helps skin conditions!
Dinner was at the #1 rated restaurant in all of Orlando via Trip Advisor and guess what? It was just a walk down the hall away! La Luce is at one edge of the resort, surrounded by windows giving a beautiful view of the blue sky – or for us, the amazing sun set! They had us try a little bit of their most popular items on the menu, along with a bunch of the wines they offer from their very own line. We. Were. Stuffed!
As the weekday officially began, so did our live broadcast each morning. As soon as we were done, we were off!
Monday we headed to lunch at Rocco’s Tacos, where we all wanted to do our best at taste testing but also knew amusement parks rides were not too far behind! Homemade chips, guac, salsa, enchiladas, rice, beans, churros. From lunch, we made a quick pit stop to the official Visit Orlando Visitors Center. I realize that might sound boring, but not in Orlando. So many photo ops! From Minions to Buzz Light Years Action Figure box…it didn’t disappoint!
Back on our shuttle and off to…Universal Studios! I had been once before, but it was a very long time ago and the only thing I remember is a section where you would open a box and it would make a sound. Movie stuff, haha. It’s a LOT different from way back when it first opened. The first thing I saw when we walked in was the Minion/Despicable Me ride, which instantly makes me smile. I love Minions. We had a few rides pre-picked out for us to experience, the first was Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York. It’s an IMAX/3D experience, where you race Jimmy through Time Square, the New York Subway, even all the way to the moon! As Jimmy would say, “It’s SO GOOD! SO good!” (check out the video below)
https://twitter.com/1025Marissa/status/1110364595905069056
Universal Studios is also home of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was the one thing my friend, Kathy said that when I head to Orlando I MUST go, fan of the series or not. Well, I happen to love Harry Potter, so I was ready. This part of the park is made to look just like the movie set – it’s beautiful! Oh! And there’s butter beer, too!
https://www.facebook.com/1025Marissa/videos/2193975753993207/
We experienced two rides Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey & Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts. Both rides were like the Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York: 3D glasses and a virtual reality ride through, not New York but, the world of Harry Potter. Forbidden Journey was my favorite of the two because you feel like you’re flying on a broom following Harry through the sky to safety. It gets a little tricky on the eye, so if you’re prone to motion sickness these probably aren’t the best rides for you.
Dinner was at the Chocolate Emporium which is right on site at Universal Studios within the City Walk (which is free for anyone to check out with restaurants, club, shops and more.) Another amazing meal, followed by the best chocolate cream pie I’ve ever had! (Sorry, Mom!)
Tuesday was our last big day of activities and I feel like, as an animal person, they saved the best for last: Sea World & Discovery Cove. Swimming with dolphins, feeding sea lions, petting penguins…my heart was so full of love for each one of them!
Something you probably wouldn’t expect when I say “Sea World” is Sesame Street…the brand new park opened up today, but we were able to get a sneak peak and I was instantly 3-years old, all over again! The Sesame Street set has been rebuilt on site with so many photo ops, all of your favorite characters are wandering around, there are rides and even Mr Hooper’s shop! To say I loved it is an understatement…I mean, look at my face.
Icon Park was our last stop: shops, dining, rides and not just any Ferris wheel, THE Wheel. We had dinner at Uncle Julios where fajitas were served and chocolate pinatas were smashed and devoured. Then we hopped into our vessel of The Wheel and took our 20 minute trip around. At it’s highest point, you’re 450″ in the Orlando sky and can see the entire city! It’s jaw droppingly beautiful.
By Wednesday, I was exhausted, stuffed with some of the best food and smiling from ear to ear and memories that will last a lifetime. Special Thanks to Visit Orlando for having me and get ready to win your trip for 4 and make your own memories! Register HERE.
