20 Tips for surviving Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

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Just booked our tickets for Halloween Horror Nights 2022. Our last visit was in 2019 and this is our first chance to return since 2019 due to Covid -19. Booking from the UK, we used Attraction Tickets Direct; now known as “Attraction Tickets”; having used them for the last 9 years and found them to be amongst the cheapest and most importantly the tickets arrived safely.

We’ve usually opted for the Frequent fear pass which gives us 8 nights of horror during our two week vacation. However this year we’ve had to buy them direct from Universal as other ticket vendors could only sell single night tickets. When I questioned this, they said it was due to Universal wanting to keep tabs on the numbers of guests. If you can get these it’s great value compared to the cost of a single night.

As more Houses are being announced the excitement is building. . I’d love to see a House based on the Alien films. They did Alien versus Predator a few years ago which was really good. Still waiting for most of the scare zones to be announced and hoping I may actually get scared this year – I seem to spend most of the time giggling. So far they have announced: The weekend – After Hours Nightmare, The horrors of Blumhouse, Halloween and Universal Monsters: Legends Collide. Due to our age my hubby is a big Universal Monsters fan.

As Universal Fans are preparing for the newest ride – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure; the other most anticipated event is the yearly Halloween Horror Nights.

I have been a fan of all things Horror for as long as I can remember, having seen The Exorcist when it first came to the cinema resulting in sleeping with the light on for around two years. Only when I got older and special effects were the norm was I able to watch it again and not suffer any ill effects. Same for The Evil Dead the first time around.

Nowadays I take Horror with a pinch of salt and look forward to the trek across the Atlantic for my yearly fix.

Tips you need to know before you go

Universal’s Halloween Horror nights is a separate ticketed event. Having regular Park tickets won’t give you entry. Although if you have a Premier Annual Pass, that entitles you to one entry on a select night.
The venue is in Universal Studios which then closes at 5pm for daytime Park Guests.
Anyone already in Universal Studios having a valid Halloween Horror Night ticket for that date is allowed to stay after 5pm in selected roped off areas until the Halloween event opens. If you don’t have a day ticket but want to be one of the first in you can now pay extra to be kept in the holding pen so long as you have a valid HHN ticket.
There are several Scare Zones amongst the streets where different characters hang out. They may get pretty close and in your face but aren’t allowed to touch you. Most will oblige with a photo or selfie. The theme in the zones change from year to year. My favourites were the Zombies from the Walking Dead and the Twins from The Shining. One group always has chainsaws so be warned.
There are several Houses like Mazes which you have to queue for. You go through these in single file at a pretty quick pace usually in pitch blackness with scare actors popping out at you and some special effects. I’d say each lasts about 5 minutes at the most after queuing for hours. Be prepared to be ushered along if you’re walking too slow. Some of the theming is excellent – my favourites over the years have been The Exorcist, The Shining, Alien V Predator, Evil Dead and Penn and Teller. Each to their own taste. See map of houses and zones below.
There will be massive queues for the Hogwarts Express Train towards 5pm at Universal Studios for those who aren’t staying for Halloween to get to Universal’s Islands of Adventure as this Park is opened until later.
There are several rides opened during the event. You can buy a Halloween Horror Nights express pass or a combined ticket with express pass. This will save some time on the long queues for the rides and Houses. Regular Park express passes are not valid for this event.
Guests staying at a Universal Resort hotel have their own entrance to Universal Studios on the Halloween nights from 6 to 8pm. The express passes given free for those staying at certain Universal Resort Hotels are not valid for this event.
Ticket types vary and generally range from buy one night, get one night free to the Frequent Fear pass. Like day time Park tickets the more nights you buy the cheaper it becomes. I usually get a frequent Fear ticket which gives me around 5 select nights over my holiday period of 11 days.
I would say the Express Pass is a must if you are only there for one or two nights.
If you’ve money to spend there are several opportunities to increase your horror with an add-on such as The Halloween Horror nights R.I.P. guided tour giving priority entry to houses and rides (once per House) or a daytime behind the scenes tour.
For those staying at a Universal Hotel there’s photo opportunities at Cabana Bay in the evenings, this year based on Universal Monsters. I’m assuming there’ll be the props from the Monsters Cafe which is now closed.

Map of Houses and Scare Zones Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2018

Frequent Fear Pass Universal Halloween Horror Nights

Universal recommend Halloween Horror Nights are not suitable for children under 13 years. I have seen parents there with younger children however. There is alcohol served on nearly every corner and though I’ve never seen any bad behaviour there’s always a few who get quite ill. You will be asked to leave if you are spotted supplying any minor with alcohol even if its only a taste.
Flash photography is not allowed – I’ve been pulled up myself as I didn’t realise though most of my photos seem OK without the flash. Taking photos or video is not allowed when you’re in a show – I have seen people being escorted out because of this.
Wait times can run into a few hours. Try to queue early or late. I’ve usually only managed one or two houses in one night.

There are Horror themed beverages and food for sale and Universal Halloween Horror souvenir goodies to buy.
Dressing up in costumes and masks isn’t allowed but you can buy light up accessories and flashing horns etc to wear at the gift shops and mobile vendors.
Closing times vary with the day of the week but be aware that if you’re staying onsite that the boats returning late will be busy.
Several areas have a thick mist which adds to the eeriness and suspense but means your photos won’t be very clear. I love the mist as you never know what or who’ll be lurking round the next corner.
Take a Poncho you don’t want to be stuck in a queue for hours in the rain without one. Tip- be prepared and buy one from the dollar shop as the cost is very high in the parks.
Stay on site at one of the Universal Resort Hotels for regular free transport to the Parks via bus or boat.
The Escape from Gringott’s Ride, Diagon Alley, Men in Black and the Simpsons rides are usually opened during Halloween Horror Nights. Bear in mind that the day time park express passes don’t work at the HHN.

I can’t wait to return for the next Halloween Horror Nights this year. Hope to see you there.

Beginners guide to constructing a simple garden pond

As we haven’t been able to get to Universal or even have any type of holiday for the last two years due to Covid; its great to see restrictions being relaxed and our thoughts turn to summer.

Our last few summers have been spent tackling new projects in our garden or backyard as I believe some of you call it. One of my favourites was our garden pond which has given us a place to relax and watch the wildlife make its home there.

Choosing a pond

As we’d never had a pond before we did lots of googling to find information on the different types. So many decisions to make. I wanted a wildlife pond with hopefully frogs and birds but my hubby wanted a waterfall, fountains and Koi carp. Did we want an in ground pond or an above ground pond or semi in ground ? – you’d think we were after a swimming pool.

We decided on an in ground pond and then had to consider did we want pre- formed plastic, rubber liner, fibreglass or concrete ? We opted for fibreglass as these were strong enough to stand alone and wouldn’t collapse if we didn’t get the base right.

We managed to pick up a preloved fibreglass pond off ebay which came with a small waterfall. It seemed huge when we were loading it into the back of the truck but in hindsight I wish we’d gone for a larger one as once we got it in the ground it seemed tiny.

Digging a hole

Ours is only a small garden so we had to decide where to put it. I didn’t want to lose much of my lawn as I love hanging my washing out. We decided it could go near the bottom as the ground was fairly boggy there and apart from a few bushes it wasn’t used for anything else.

I did the supervising, which meant saying “careful you don’t hit a pipe” every few minutes. We turned the fibreglass pond upside down and sprayed the grass round it to leave the shape of the pond. Our pond has an irregular shape and was approximately two foot six inches deep , six foot long and three foot wide. It had a flat bottom and one end was higher with a shelf to accommodate plants.

We dug down about three inches below the depth of the pond and then applied about two to three inches of sand to the base and sides of the hole. We then checked to see how the pond fitted in, filled in any gaps with sand and used a spirit level across the top to make sure it was level. The soil we removed was piled up to make a berm on which we sited the small waterfall.

We filled the pond with tap water straight away so it would settle in the ground and also because we had read it would take a few weeks for the chemicals in tap water to be released and be safe for any pond life.

Landscaping the area around the pond.

A friend of ours had given us some sandstone so we used this to build a small rockery area from where our waterfall would appear to originate from. You can just make out the black hose at the far side of the pond which is attached to the underside of the waterfall and will eventually be joined to the filter.

The gravel covered matting on the edges really made a difference to the finished pond as it covered the green fibreglass. This was quite expensive and took a bit of time to source. I think it is used for miniature railway scenes but it was ideal as it was weatherproof and yet allowed water to drain through it. We placed weed control membrane on the area of the garden surrounding the pond, added more sandstone and then covered the whole area with golden gravel. Astonishingly we found tons of fossils in the golden gravel.

Adding the plants

Next step was to add some plants. We had a trip to one of our nearest garden centres where they sold preformed ponds and aquatic plants. The shelf in our pond held about three curved planters. We chose some varieties to give some height to make a safe environment for any wild life and some spreading plants. We weren’t sure which would come up year after year but nearly everything we put in is still thriving after four years. Plants help to keep the pond water clear by feeding on the nutrients in the water and release oxygen. We also opted for a waterlily – only one as we’ve only a small pond. That was quite expensive so I was hoping it would survive and it did. Here is an excellent article on pond plants.

Filtration

Again there is so much choice as to which type of filtration system to use. We opted for an all in one in pond filter from All Pond Solutions. Their website informs you how to calculate the water volume of your pond in order to get the correct size of filtration unit. We chose the All Pond Solutions 2500L/H all in one pond pump filter UV CUP-311. It comes with connections for a waterfall hose, several fountain attachments, ceramic media to grow beneficial bacteria, coarse foam filter and a UV steriliser to keep the water clear.

Tips

We clean ours every couple of weeks using pond water to maintain the good bacteria.
We do leave ours running in winter but disconnect the waterfall hose to prevent the water freezing and splitting the hose.
We threaded a plastic tie through the lid of the filter to use as a handle to pull the unit out of the pond so we didn’t damage the hose connector by pulling on that.
Support the filter on a couple of bricks so it doesn’t sit directly on the floor of your pond. If your waterfall hose sustains a leak and empties the pond without you noticing; your fish will survive in the few inches of water that will be left.
The UV bulb will need changing at least once a year or when you notice your water is not kept clear.

Fish and wildlife

Of course most people wanting fish in their pond would ultimately choose Koi but not many have a pond large enough for Koi to survive. As a guide the experts say roughly one inch of fish per square foot of water surface. We chose Comets as they look like small Koi without the expense or the whiskers. They get quite tame and will approach you to be fed.

I initially wanted a wildlife pond but its turned out a bit of both. We have Comet fish and every year we get baby fish. We also get frogspawn so we must have frogs although its not often we see them. The fish eat the tadpoles and the frogs eat the baby fish so nature stops it getting overcrowded. We don’t feed the fish over winter when the pond temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius as their metabolism slows down.

We get lots of insects and have the occasional dragonflies in summer. We also get a variety of birds coming to drink from the pool at the top of the waterfall and using it as a bird bath. Last week we had a Peregrine Falcon sat on the fence eyeing the fish up. The fish’s main enemy is the Heron. We have lost many fish in spring despite covering the pond with a net over winter. We always seem to remove it too soon but it does work when it’s on. The Heron is a magnificent bird and its just nature I suppose. I used to name all my fish but after losing a magnificent all white comet called Casper with an amazing long tail, I gave up, as we lost so many. A net doesn’t look very attractive but it works. The heron only seems to come in spring so the net comes off over summer. I have read that a heron can stab the fish through the net so we sling our net over the washing line making a sort of tent. We always think the heron has taken all our fish but after a couple of weeks, the few that are left will emerge from their hiding places. We have two black comets who bred in our pond and appear invisible to the herons. It’s always the bright coloured fish that we lose.

Calm, relaxing oasis

There’s always something going on in the pond. I love sitting on our deck, watching the fish and relaxing to the gentle sound of the waterfall. We added some lighting which we could have put underwater but just put around the edge of the pond.

It took a few weekends to complete the task as hubby only has Sundays off but, it was worth it and just wish we had room for a larger pond. I’d advise anyone to go for it.

As always be safety aware; we have an enclosed garden with a barred gate to prevent any children getting in.

Amazing look at Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge

Millennium Falcon at Galaxy's edge- Disney's Hollywood Studios — Millennium Falcon at Galaxy’s edge- Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I was lucky enough to visit Galaxy’s Edge a few weeks after it opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Orlando. We were staying at The Royal Pacific a Universal Hotel but had already decided to include Galaxy’s Edge in our holiday itinerary as my husband first saw Star Wars when it premiered in 1977 and our son was obsessed with all things Star Wars as a child.

Myself, I’m not a huge fan in fact I don’t think I’ve seen the latest movies but I knew Universal had done such a good job with the Wizarding world of Harry Potter that Disney would try to beat or at least equal it.

I wasn’t disappointed. Although there’s only one ride at present – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the 14 acre site based on the Planet of Batuu at Hollywood Studios will take your breath away. A second ride – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens in December. Around every corner there’s something amazing to see; full size space ships and fighters, droids, land craft, authentic market stalls ( gift shops), multiple dining opportunities and the highlight of it all The Millennium Falcon. I can only try to imagine how much it cost to build it all.

We were handed a souvenir Guide as we entered Galaxy’s Edge. Please see map showing location of shops and places to eat at the bottom of my post.

If you’re lucky you’ll get to see the Stormtroopers totally in character, see Chewie and engineers working on the Millennium Falcon and other craft. Even the floor sweepers and shop assistants are in character and costume. The water fountains and restrooms are also highly themed – I had to ask how the soap dispensers worked after waving my hands around trying to activate them.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Due to the long waiting time we opted for the single riders line which we have used occasionally at Universal. This cut our wait time to about 10 minutes, getting to queue together but knowing we’d most likely get split up to join the ride as they use the single riders to fill in, for example if there are 5 to a party they’ll take a single rider to fill the sixth seat. The other drawback is that the single rider line takes a different route to the general line and so much of the theming is missed out on.

As you reach the end of the line an assistant hands out boarding cards – 6 at a time; 2 pilots, 2 Gunners and 2 engineers. On our first time we actually got to ride together and both of us were engineers. The groups of six have boarding cards all the same colour with the job description on the bottom. You then enter the Millennium Falcon with other groups and have the opportunity to take photos sat at the chess table before your groups colour is called. An assistant groups you into two’s according to your position – Pilots first.

inside the Millennium Falcon : Smuggler’s Run

You are then escorted to the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and seated into your positions. Here there’s a dazzling display of control levers and switches. It is a motion ride so you have to fasten your seat belt. The effects are very good and you feel like you are in control. We rode twice and had different endings so i’m not sure if I was actually controlling the ship of not when I got to be the pilot. We got split up on our second ride and my other half got a gunners position – I keep reminding him that I Piloted the Millennium Falcon. The right hand pilot has the up and down controls and the left hand pilot the sideways controls. As the cockpit moves in conjunction with the screen it may affect some people with motion sickness (similar to the Simpsons ride at Universal ).

Photo bombed by Chewie working on the Millennium Falcon

Market place shops at Black Spire Outpost Village

You can’t go to Disney let alone Galaxy’s Edge without buying something to bring home. There are lots of small themed gift shops selling everything you can dream of stars wars wise for children and adults. Of course this is Disney, Orlando so nothing is cheap. Souvenirs start at around $10 but you can spend a couple of hundred to build a custom Light Sabre or a custom built droid. Choose parts for your droid from a conveyor belt at your leisure and complete it with custom colours, stickers and an interactive chip.

There are shops selling Storm Trooper uniforms and Imperial Military uniforms from the first order and the Resistance robes seen in the early films. You won’t find the usual figures and models we’ve come to expect but you will find everything you need to survive on the Planet of Batuu. From cute and not so cute alien animals to essential supplies, musical instruments to play in the Cantina and even kitchen implements.

I just wanted to buy everything I saw but as we were mainly on a Universal Holiday and had already splashed out on a one day ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios we had to rein our spending in. Tip – It’s gets cheaper the more days you buy. I hate to admit to it but all we bought was a few Galaxy’s Edge Coke, sprite and diet Coke bottles modelled on thermal detonators from the films. I believe these were initially banned by some airlines due to their shape. The brand is written in Star Wars language Aurebesh. I felt a little stupid when i asked how much and was told 6 Credits. It was 6 Dollars. Reminded me of Gringott’s Money Exchange at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you can change your dollars to Gringott’s notes to spend at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Bargain of the day – detonator shaped Coca Cola bottles, cost 6 Credits

These bottles make a great souvenir to display when you get home. We had to drink them though as we couldn’t put them in our hand luggage. I believe several people have been stopped at airport security due to their shape.

I almost bought this cute salad bowl until I saw the price of $75. However now I’m back home I wish I had splashed out on more souvenirs as it was probably a once in a lifetime trip.

Thought it was a helmet initially until I spotted the salad tongs.

All in all a great day. We arrived at 9am and left about 7pm exhausted from all the walking. We only spent about 2 hours at the most in the rest of Hollywood Studios for a sit down and a Funnel cake. A one day, one park ticket was $109 plus tax each at the gate. The scenery and theming were amazing and yes we’d go again.

Chance for a sit down and some funnel cake to join at.

Guide to shops and places to dine

Have you been to see Galaxy’s Edge – please leave a comment and we can compare notes.

Preparing for your Orlando holiday

Latest news, we’ve booked for our 2 weeks vacation. I’m getting all excited apart from the thought of having to pack my suitcase. A job which my other half always leaves up to me.

Prepare for the weather

Florida is very hot for 90 percent of the year. If you’re from the UK like myself you will notice the heat as soon as you exit the airport. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to be around or above 33 degrees centigrade or in the 90’s Fahrenheit. This coupled with heavy rainfall especially in the summer months can make it uncomfortable. You’ll be grateful for a cloudy day and a nice breeze.

Pack a high factor sunscreen for UVA and UVB ray protection. You may think you won’t get burnt if you’re not actually sunbathing but the sun is intense. Discovery cove provides its own animal friendly sunscreen included in your ticket. I always take high factor lip balm. For some reason the sun can bring out the cold sore virus (herpes simplex ).

You won’t need a coat unless you’re visiting in February or March and even then you may not use it. A light jacket or cardigan will be sufficient as it is usually chilly on the plane or your hotel room due to the air conditioning. I actually take a pair of bed socks as my feet get so cold with the hotel air con.

Pack a poncho. Takes up less room than a coat or jacket and will easily fit in your handbag. These can be bought cheaply in the pound type shops before you go or at Dollar tree in the U.S. If you’re in the parks and you aren’t prepared for the sudden downpours it will cost you around 7 dollars to buy one there. Showers are usually heavy with often thunder and lightening but don’t last long and if you can keep dry you’ll benefit from a shorter line for those rides when everyone else heads for home.

When The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure I queued for hours to get in and was grateful that I had packed a small collapsible umbrella. It kept me dry when it rained and also doubled as a sun shade.

What bag to take to the parks

Spiderman, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando

I always take a soft string type bag to the parks – a favourite that I’ve had for years. It’s lightweight, collapses easily and will fit into a small locker. I make sure I put a plastic carrier bag in it if it’s a day when I’m going on the wet rides as this will protect my phone and camera. For a family I’d take a backpack and use one of the larger lockers where you pay for it and can return throughout the day.These are situated just inside the entrances to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This means you can take a change of clothing in case you want to swim at any of the Universal resorts after hitting the parks or even if you don’t fancy walking around in wet clothes after doing the wet rides.

For rides where you can’t take a bag on small lockers are provided free for the length of the ride ( plus queue time). A back pack may not fit into a small locker and larger lockers are chargeable.

Bum bags or Fanny packs have become popular again and will usually fit the essentials in.

Tickets

Don’t forget to take your tickets – you won’t get in without them. It’s a good idea to take photo copies of them including the bar codes and keep a photo of them on your mobile phone. Also take a copy of the photo and details pages in your passport. Buy lanyards before you go with a plastic pouch on the end to keep your park tickets in. Disney’s tickets are like a credit card but Universal Orlando tickets are only thin card and soon get worn when you’re having to present them often. These are sold in the parks but cost around $15 although you can pick one with your favourite character on or the latest Halloween Horror Nights.

If you’re staying at one of the Universal Resorts which includes the complimentary Express Pass; the lanyard is ideal as your room key card doubles as the Express Pass and can be scanned at the rides entrance through the plastic holder.

Don’t forget your driving licence and code for sharing information if you’ve hired a car. We’ve never been asked to share the code so Alamo can view the points on our licence but you can bet if we forget to take it they’ll want to see it.

Footwear

Take comfortable well worn shoes as you will walk miles. New shoes look nice but may give you blisters until they’re worn in. I always take a few blister plasters/ first aid dressings just in case. I prefer to wear a good pair of walking sandals. I have a few pairs of the same style in different colours.

I also take a pair of water shoes for visiting the water parks as there’s generally a bit of walking involved there too. Theses are neoprene and dry off well after. They protect the feet as well as giving a good grip.

Speaking of water parks – an all in one bathing suit is better if you don’t want to lose parts of your bikini on the chutes.

Refillable drink cup

If you’ve previously bought one from Universal make sure you take it back again for your next holiday. It’ll save you a fortune as you get discounted refills for ever. Or bring any travel cup and fill up with water from the numerous water fountains in the parks. I found my string bag came in useful here as the soft strap could be threaded through the handle on my refillable cup which saved me from having to carry it around.

Small change

Try and get some small change for the toll roads. There’s around two toll stations from MCO international airport on the way to International drive area. I always have some change left from my previous years holiday so I make sure I take it back again.

If you’re thinking of sending postcards there are stamp machines in some stores but they cost more than the price of the stamps value and take quarters.

At Orlando MCO airport

Coming from the UK there are always long queues at Orlando when we arrive to go through passport control. You’ll have been given a customs form to fill in whilst on the plane – one for each family unit. I’d advise declaring any food stuffs even if it’s only teabags and sweets as the extra 2 minutes it takes to declare them when you go through customs is better than a fine.

Earphones and electrical Adaptors

Some airlines charge for earphones to access there in flight entertainment. I usually take our own as we’ve found by experience the ones given to you don’t always work.

Universal Orlando resort hotels have numerous electrical outlets and nowadays plenty of USB points. Remember to take UK to USA adaptors – they will be cheaper to buy in the UK.

Medication

Don’t forget to pack any prescribed medication. If you forget it you may be unable to find the same drug at the Pharmacy and a visit to a Doctor to get more prescribed will be costly. There is a Walgreens at the junction of Universal Boulevard and International Drive and another at the junction of Sand Lake Road and International Drive.

Money

You will need plenty of money. A small tub of ice cream and a cola for two people is around $20 in the parks. Unfortunately the exchange rate for the pound is poor at the moment. You will need to show a credit card at Hotels and for car hire.

All Universal hotels charge for parking your car. At our last visit to the Royal Pacific it was $22 a day. However if you’re staying at a Universal hotel you get complimentary transport to the parks and most are within walking distance so you won’t need to pay to park at Universal theme parks. Likewise if your staying at Disney.

Read my similar post on what to expect of your first holiday in Orlando here.

Hope you find these tips helpful. Please leave a comment and any suggestions you have on this topic will be welcome.

Things you must do at the Orlando Icon Park

Florida is famous for it’s sunshine but also for its rainfall. Although the parks stay open a few of the rides may close due to inclement weather. If you can brave it out consider waiting for the storm to pass as many visitors will decide to return to their hotels leaving the queues shorter when the rides reopen. Others may decide to seek indoor entertainment and sometimes It’s nice to have something to do in the evening or just to occupy yourselves for those few hours before you fly home.

Here’s a look at more things to do when you’ve managed to drag yourself away from Universal Orlando. Depending on the time of the year you may find Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure closing earlier. For example Universal Studios closes at 5pm when Halloween Horror nights is on and by September Universal Islands of Adventure will be closing at 7 or 8pm.

Orlando Icon Park is a 20 acre entertainment complex between International Drive and Universal Boulevard. There you’ll find shops, bars and restaurants plus lots of family attractions. Individual tickets or a combination of a few are available. Parking is plentiful and free.

The Wheel

Formerly known as The Orlando Eye, The Coca -Cola Orlando Eye then The Icon Orlando and now has a change of name again to The Wheel at Icon Park.

The Wheel was built to withstand the Florida hurricanes. It stands 400 feet tall and gives spectacular views in all directions. On a clear day you can see Kennedy Space Centre.

The ride takes around 20 minutes and you can hardly tell its moving. We were lucky and had a capsule all to ourselves. There are only a few seats inside but it is air conditioned.

A capsule at The Wheel at Icon Park, Orlando — The Wheel at Icon Park, Orlando

View from inside a capsule at The Wheel, Orlando

I really enjoyed the peace and tranquillity in contrast to to the excitement on the rides at Universal. Everything looks so different from a birds eye view. We didn’t realise Orlando had so many lakes.

There’s a small gift shop as you exit and an opportunity to buy a set of the photographs which they take of you as you enter against a green screen. Don’t feel obliged – we bought them as a souvenir. The pack contained a folder with the history of The Wheel, a selection of large photographs and some smaller ones to put in a key ring and fridge magnet which were also included. I think we paid around $40.

Madame Tussauds

Here’s a chance to meet your Idols of today and icons of the past. Another attraction to spend an hour in the cool air conditioning and have a bit of fun. I would suggest you visit around 8 or 9pm when it’s pretty quiet. You’ll have plenty of time to play with the props and get some amazing selfies without the queues.

Check out this great shot of my hubby sat at president Trump’s desk.

President Trump at Madame Tussauds Orlando

I’m not so much greased lightening nowadays.

Gift shop at the exit as usual.

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

Weeki Wachee Mermaid at Sea Life Orlando

I just love anything to do with the sea. We just happened to be there when The Weeki Wachee Mermaids were performing. I couldn’t resist huddling up with the children to see them in a huge tank with the fish.

There’s plenty to see including rays, sharks and turtles as well as the usual tropical and marine fish. They also have a small pool where you can touch a few sea creatures. Most exhibits have learning zones and quizzes for the children. Again there’s a gift shop at the exit

Orlando StarFlyer

I didn’t have the nerve to have a go on the StarFlyer; the worlds tallest swinging ride, but I’m sure the views were spectacular from the top. It looks amazing when lit up at night.

Other attractions

As well as the shops and restaurants there’s also SKELETONS – Museum of Osteology, the Pearl express train which takes you around Icon Park, 7d Dark Ride, Arcade City and coming soon The Orlando Slingshot and Drop Tower.

So there’s plenty to do on a rainy day or when you’ve just a few hours to spare and all this is just in one area of International Drive.

Have you any tips for finding entertainment outside the parks – feel free to comment. We’re returning in September and if we can drag ourselves away from Universal we’ll give them a try.

My Top 25 Favourite Characters at Universal Orlando

Here’s a look at some of my favourite moments with Characters from Universal Orlando. Everyone has a favourite character whether they’re young or just young at heart like myself. At Universal Orlando you’ll always find someone who reminds you of a favourite film, TV show or toy from your childhood. We’ve been to Universal for the past 13 years and still haven’t managed to meet them all. However last year we did manage to tick a few more off our list.

As you may have noticed we are getting on a bit but we still feel the same excitement when entering the parks as we did on our first visit. Then there’s also the fact that being older means we can go further back to those characters from our youth.

Some characters make a scheduled appearance. To find the times pick up a park map after you go through the turnstiles so you can plan your meet and greet. These type of appearances are organised and you may queue for around ten to fifteen minutes – which is a long time for the poor cast member in a heavy outfit in the Orlando climate. You get the chance to meet your favourite character and have a Universal Photographer take your photo or they will use your own camera or mobile phone. From my experience they usually take more than one photo.

The other type of appearance appears to be random and we’ve just spotted them and grabbed them for a photo without having to queue (unless everyone has noticed them of course). You’ll usually find them walking about in their relevant zones, such as Beetle Juice near Mel’s Drive in Diner or Popeye in Toon Lagoon. I couldn’t believe it when I turned a corner into the Lost Continent and bumped into Puss in Boots, especially as Shrek was in Universal Studios and the Lost Continent is in Islands of Adventure. Not that I was complaining – He’s so cute.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Marvel Super Hero Island is the first zone you arrive in after going through Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure. Here the Super Heroes and Villains take it in turns to make an appearance usually hourly. The Super Heroes arrive on 3 wheeler Can-Am motorcycles, then park up and make their way to their individual spots. Whereas the Villains tend to hide somewhere in plain sight.

Storm, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando — Storm, Super Hero Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando

Dr Doom, Islands Of Adventure, Orlando — Dr Doom and the Green Goblin, Islands Of Adventure, Orlando

Wolverine, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando

We’ve got our own Super Hero – my son. In the photo above – at six foot three inches he manages to make Wolverine look small.

The above photo was taken when i bumped into Spider -man in the almost empty gift shop at Islands of Adventure. Most characters are obliging and will stop for a photo.

Character dining

At present, every Saturday morning at The Royal Pacific you can book breakfast with characters from Despicable Me. We were lucky enough to meet Scooby-doo as well.

Scooby -Doo, Character Breakfast Royal Pacific Resort, Universal Orlando

Bob, Character dining at The Royal Pacific

My Favourite Universal Characters

I can’t take my husband Pete anywhere without him falling for the ladies and pretending to be bashful.

Marilyn Monroe

Popeye and Olive Oyl.

Betty Boop

Beetle Juice

Doc Brown

Gallery

There’s lots more Characters that I haven’t mentioned but I will be returning later this year so I’m hoping to meet the rest and add more to this post.

Who are your favourites ?- please leave a comment.

Secret places at Universal Orlando

There’s so much more to Universal Orlando than the rides. Amongst the hustle and bustle are quiet secret places just waiting to be explored. If you haven’t been to Universal Orlando before it consists of three Parks; Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Volcano Bay. There’s also City Walk which you pass through before entering the parks; here you’ll find shops, restaurants, movie theatre and crazy golf. Universal Orlando also has seven resort Hotels

There’s so much to see and do especially if you’re only there for a couple of days. However if you’ve time on your hands take the opportunity to savour those secret, out of the way , off the beaten track areas.

In case you haven’t noticed my other half and I are no longer teenagers although we’re still seventeen at heart. Many of our friends and colleagues don’t believe it when they ask if we go on the rides and I say yes. However we do get tired especially in the heat of Florida.

I’ll show you where to stop for a rest, admire the view and escape the crowds and queues long enough to recharge your batteries. Each time we go we still manage to discover something new and not just the latest ride.

Where to find secret places at Universal Orlando

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is divided into themed lands

Port of entry
Marvel super Hero Island
Toon lagoon
Skull Island Reign of Kong
Jurassic Park
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
The Lost Continent
Seuss landing

You will enter the Islands of Adventure through Port of Entry. Instead of going left to Marvel Super Hero Island or right to Seuss Landing go straight forward to the waterfront. You may not have noticed that all the themed areas are built round a lake from here you can even see Hogwarts Castle. There are several points off the beaten track where you can see the other lands from the lakeside.

Usually, because of the way the park was designed you can’t see the next Island from the one you are currently in until you turn a corner and if you listen carefully you can hear the theme music subtly change. Standing on the lakeside you can make out the other islands. The views are just as photo worthy and you will be almost guaranteed a little peace and tranquillity.

Me Ship, The Olive at Toon Lagoon

This is the rear of Me Ship, The Olive. It’s a children’s play area but it’s not usually crowded as it’s a bit off the beaten track. You’ll find it near Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges. The river from the ride runs beneath the side of the Ship and there are water cannons to soak the riders a little bit more. If that’s even possible, because this is my favourite ride and I’ve been known to ride it four times in succession and believe me you get soaked. From the top deck of the ship there’s an excellent view of the park for more photos.

Read my review of the wet rides here.

Mythos at the Lost Continent

Mythos is a themed restaurant in the Lost Continent. The photo above shows the view of the outside which is to the left of Mythos’ entrance. Instead of following the crowd to the next ride choose the path round the back of the Mythos Restaurant. It’s highly themed and leads down to the waterfront. You’ll pass over a bridge where rumour has it you’ll hear the troll who resides under it. I have listened but he must have been out for lunch at my last visit.

Rear of Mythos at The Lost Continent — Rear of Mythos Restaurant The Lost Continent

Rear of Mythos Restaurant, Universal's Islands of adventure, Orlando — Rear of Mythos Restaurant, Universal’s Islands of adventure, Orlando

Jurassic Park

Believe it or not this beautiful tranquil scene is shot near the Jurassic Park River Adventure ride. Universal is short of places to sit and rest but we found this lovely seating area with tables which I think is a smokers zone. The pond is teaming with wildlife such as birds, ducks, fish and dragon flies, even the odd turtle.

The Discovery Centre below the Jurassic Park Restaurant leads onto the lakeside Plaza where you’ll probably be the only visitor. Here you’ll discover all about DNA and watch a Dinosaur egg hatching.

Also in the Jurassic Park area is Camp Jurassic – a play area for kids with places to explore, an amber mine, rope bridges and caves. It always appears quite busy to the left of the entrance but if you head to the right and take the steps you’ll come across an area with a splash pad overlooking a Jurassic Park style containment area with big steel gates. We always seem to have this area to ourselves and make the most of it. There’s a bank of water guns aimed at the path below where you can soak the unsuspecting park guests as they pass through. It gets really enjoyable when they find they have water guns too concealed in the back of dinosaur heads and are capable of firing back. We’ve often spent almost an hour playing with guests from all over the world – laughter being the common language.

Water guns at Camp Jurassic, Universal Island's of Adventure — Water guns at Camp Jurassic, Universal Island’s of Adventure

Universal Studios is divided into

Production Central
New York
Hollywood
World Expo
San Fransisco
London – Diagon Alley – The wizarding World of Harry Potter
Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Again the zones are set around a lake and seamlessly run in to one another. There are quiet places to be found if you have time to explore.

New York Set at Universal Studios

New York Street Sets, Universal Studios, Orlando

I found this amazingly quiet street between The Mummy ride at one end and Transformers The Ride at the other. It’s Delancy Street and it’s based on New York in the 1930’s and 40’s. This street only tends to get busy when the Blues Brothers Show is on. In this area you’ll spot recreated sets from films such as Adrienne’s Pet Shop (Rocky), the O’Rourke’s Bar and Grill (The Godfather) and The Kitty Kat Club ( Cabaret).
There’s a few steps where you can sit down and take a break. I usually sit here when my other half is watching the Blues Brothers Show for the umpteenth time. There’s some interesting shop windows with plastic food and more authentic props of the era which are worth a browse.

San Fransisco zone

Jaws - San Francisco zone, Universal Studios — Jaws – San Francisco zone, Universal Studios

Since the Jaws ride was closed the shark has been moved to a quieter area of Universal Studios. It’s now in a quiet back water between Richter Burger and Chez Alcatraz. It’s a perfect spot for a photo and a well deserved sit down.

Parklands

Universal Studios also has two parkland areas. One near the rear of Mel’s Dine In resembling a miniature central Park and the other Near the Monster’s Cafe resembling Gramercy Park. They both have seating areas. More information can be found on open spaces at Universal Orlando from Orlando Informer

Berlin Wall at City Walk

Piece of Berlin Wall behind Hard Rock Cafe Universal Orlando

Behind the Hard Rock Cafe on the path towards The Blue Man Group is a Piece of the Berlin Wall standing about seven feet tall with a plaque. again it’s a quiet spot off the beaten track.

Take the path to the right from the Blue Man Group entrance and you’ll find another secret – a little known entrance and exit to Universal Studios. It’s usually only open after 10am and brings you out near the rear of the main gift shop. It also saves on walking if you’re visiting Islands of Adventure next.

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

I must include the Hotels at Universal as they are like small resorts in themselves and as most people are at the parks they are usually quiet and peaceful during the day. Discover the boats at the CIty Walk dock – you don’t have to be a guest to use them or take the beautifully landscaped walking paths.

Portofino Bay is themed on a real Italian village and is very scenic – a great photo spot. If you are a Universal Guest you can use the pools at the other hotels and Portofino Bay has three. The boat ride itself is relaxing and enjoyable and is complimentary.

So – I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these secret quiet places and hope one day you find time to check them out.

If you can add to my list please do in your comments and I’ll check them out when I return to Universal in September.

Shake your Tail Feather with The Blues Brothers at Universal Orlando

The Blues Brothers Show Universal Studios, Orlando

Put your hands together for the Blues Brothers at Universal Studios Orlando

For those of you visiting for the first time. Universal Orlando has something for everyone besides its famous roller coasters and rides. Here’s a treat you don’t want to miss – It’s The Blues Brothers show. Universal Studios brings the characters of Jake and Elwood to life based on the Cult Classic film The Blues Brothers from 1980. If you haven’t seen the film, make sure you watch it when you get home. They are on a quest from God, raising money to prevent an Orphanage from closing.

The live street show starts with the arrival of the saxophone player followed by his wife Mabel – played by Aretha Franklin in the film.

Jake and Elwood usually arrive by their battered Police car coming from the direction of Transformers the ride – this is the best opportunity to get a good photo. However sometimes they appear from one of the houses opposite the stage and cross the audience.

They cover a variety of songs from the film such as Respect, Shake a tailfeather, Soul Man and Think. The audience is encouraged to join in with the singing and dancing.

Where to find The Blues Brothers Show

The venue is outdoors and lasts around 15 minutes and runs approximately hourly from 10.30 am. You’ll find it in Universal Studios on one of the streets in the New York Set between Transformers the Ride and Revenge of the Mummy near Finnegan’s Bar and Grill. It’s easy to miss if you’re heading for the rides but it doesn’t matter if you stumble across the show half way through just make sure you catch the next show. There’s no queue.

As it’s outside the show is dependent on the weather. There is some shade on the opposite side to the stage and I usually sit on the stone steps of the houses there to get some relief from the sun and rest my feet. It’s also a good spot to get a good photo of their car coming round the corner.

The show ends with Jake and Elwood leading the audience dancing round the street. I’ve noticed the characters interact well with the audience and will linger amongst the crowd after the show for photo opportunities.

Tip – Get the Universal App for more details and times of all the shows.

Photo with the Blues Brothers - Universal Studios, Orlando

All rides end at the Gift Shop

All rides end at the gift shop is a quote from the Simpsons ride. In this case not quite a 100% true. There’s a small gift shop called The Film Vault at the end of the street selling a small selection of Blues Brothers memorabilia. You’ll also find items from old Universal films such as Jaws, Back to the Future, Gremlins, Psycho and The Big Lebowski.

Did you enjoy this show or have you a different Universal Favourite? Feel free to leave a comment.

Muggles Guide to catching the Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando

Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade station, Wizarding World of Harry Potter ,Universal Orlando — Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station

For anyone thinking of visiting Universal Orlando you mustn’t miss The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s an amazing place even if you aren’t a huge Harry Potter fan or haven’t read any of the books.

By coincidence my other half and I were holidaying in Orlando and visited when it was opening day for Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010. The crowds were huge and it took a while to realise what was happening. We took advantage of the fact that queues for the other rides were shorter and returned later in the week to see Hogsmeade. Even then we queued for two hours just to get in and it was so busy we didn’t get to see everything properly or do the rides until we went back again the year after. See my tips for beating the queues and reducing waiting times here.

King’s Cross Station – Universal Studios

In 2014 Diagon alley was opened in Universal Studios. You enter this via a brick wall as in the Harry Potter books and is quite a hidden entrance – no sign posts – just follow the inquisitive person in front of you. The sight beyond the wall is amazing, like walking into a secret garden – only better.

Tip – The Red British Phone Box in front of KIng’s Cross Station will connect you to The MInistry of Magic if you dial 62442.

Transporting you from London and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios to Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the Hogwarts Express. Straight from the Harry Potter books and films. You can catch the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios. The train is actually a working funicular railway and connects the two parks. Unfortunately to ride it you will need tickets to both parks and your ticket and fingerprints will be checked again as you go through the station.

exit at King's Cross Station into Universal Studios — Exiting at King’s Cross Station, Universal Studios, Orlando

The entrance is themed like a realistic station having uniformed staff on duty and last year I even spotted a busker. The guards stay true to character and if asked about Harry Potter will deny all knowledge of his existence. You’ll pass a British style snack and beverage kiosk, piled up suitcases, and a vintage brass water fountain as you queue.

Platform 9 3/4

There is a flight of stairs (a lift is available ) where you’ll pass through the brick wall onto platform 9 3/4. You may have to stand back depending on the queue to get a photo of your group appearing to walk through the wall. The effect uses a trick called Peppers Ghost.

Platform 9 3/4 King's Cross Station, Universal Studios — Platform 9 3/4 King’s Cross Station, Universal Studios

All Aboard the Hogwarts Express

Carriages hold up to eight people and are just like the old steam trains I rode as a youngster, complete with luggage rack, wall lights and sliding door onto the corridor. There are two trains which pass each other at a loop on the track . The windows are actually a screen showing video of your journey which is different depending on the direction you’re travelling. The train goes forward from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade but then leaves backward returning to King’s Cross.

Hogwarts Express arriving at Hogsmeade Station, Universal Islands of Adventure

During the journey you will see Harry, Ron and Hermione on the corridors and meet Dementors, spiders and frogs from the safety of your carriage. You’ll feel the rocking action of your train beneath your seats.

As well as being a highly themed ride it also acts as a short cut to the other park. However during Halloween Horror nights when Universal Studios closes at 5pm the queues are very long to catch the train to Islands of Adventure which closes at 7 or 8pm.

Hogsmeade Station

Tip – If you don’t have two park tickets you can still get a photo of the Hogwarts express as there is a static engine only a short walk from Hogsmeade Station.

Hogwarts Express Engine, Hogsmeade, Universal's Islands of Adventure — Hogwarts Express Engine, Hogsmeade, Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Hogsmeade is where you’ll find the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, choose a wand, send a letter via Owl Post, grab a bite to eat at The Three Broomsticks restaurant and try a Butterbeer.

A new ride opens this summer 2019 – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Hogsmeade. Will this be my new favourite instead of Escape from Gringott’s?

What’s your favourite ride at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’d love to read your comments.

What’s included at Discovery Cove Orlando?

Ever wondered if you could afford to go to Discovery Cove? Well we did too. For years we visited our favourite Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld, giving our feet a rest with days at Aquatica.

snorkelling at Discovery Cove — Snorkelling at Discovery Cove – Wind Away River

We had heard about Discovery Cove, seen the advertisements on TV and saw the posters at SeaWorld but always thought we couldn’t afford it. Coming from the UK we usually buy our attraction tickets in advance…14 day Universal three park ticket, 14 day SeaWorld ticket which include Aquatica and a Universal Halloween Horror Nights frequent fear pass. Paying for those left us no money for Discovery Cove.

Then after telling myself we really must go I looked more into the pricing of the tickets and discovered that a basic Discovery cove ticket also gave you 14 days admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica. And if you paid a little more even Busch Gardens was included. Well now you’re talking. From then on we have visited every year.

What is there to do at Discovery cove?

Personally I think a day at Discovery Cove goes so fast. We usually aim to get there about 8am. Parking is free and because entry is limited to only around 1300 guests once you have checked in there are virtually no queues.

For those who haven’t been before staff escort you to the check in desks where you will have your photograph taken for your ID card. You will need your booking details and either passport or some sort of photo ID. They then give you a lanyard with your waterproof photo card and a waterproof mini map of the resort. The card also serves as your admission ticket to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch gardens (if you paid the extra).

After check in you are greeted by other staff members who show you where the changing rooms and lockers are and where to pick up your wet suits, snorkel and goggles. We usually grab a locker first to dump our bags then head for breakfast before getting changed for swimming. There are plenty of loungers throughout the resort and towels are provided in the changing rooms – I usually get two for my lounger.

Wearing a wet suit or vest is compulsory so that staff can see guests easily. These are available in many sizes.

Breakfast and lunch are included and are all you can eat – drinks included. Find a table after choosing your meal. Watch out for the Blue Jays and egrets eyeing up your leftovers – staff clear away promptly. Most guests are usually in their swimming gear for lunch.

The resort is split into several areas

Wind Away River

This is a Freshwater River with a slow current and quite warm water. The depth varies and if you aren’t using your snorkel you can get caught out by the sudden change in depth although there are warning signs and plenty of lifeguards. It is themed like a real riverbed and runs through a heavily planted tropical canopy with waterfalls. In parts it flows through the Explorers Aviary and the Freshwater Oasis. There are several entry and exit points but we usually enter through the themed caves at the far side of Serenity Bay. Noodles are available for children and those less able. If you haven’t snorkelled before give it a try – it opens up a whole new world.

Snorkelling in the Wind Away River at Discovery Cove — One of the interesting things to see whilst snorkelling in the Wind Away River at Discovery Cove

Dolphin Lagoon

This is where you join your group if you have upgraded to include a 30 minute Dolphin experience ending with a short swim with a dolphin by holding onto it’s dorsal fin.

Explorers Aviary

This can be reached via the Wind Away River or taking the left path after passing Serenity Bay. Here you can feed the friendly birds and learn more about them from the staff members. Tip – It’s best to feed them early morning as they get full by lunchtime and not as interactive. Food for the birds is free.

Freshwater Oasis

Here you can see playful Otters and an island with Marmosets. Found near the end of the Wind away River near the entrance to the Explorers Aviary.

The Grand Reef

This is as close to snorkelling in the sea as you can get. The Grand Reef is teeming with brightly coloured fish and sting rays. They glide effortlessly past and you’ve to be on the ball to get a good photo. Be aware that this is saltwater and feels like ice after being in the warm waters of Wind Away River – best just to take the plunge quickly. The edges of the reef are shallow so you can just wade in and gets about ten feet deep towards the back with man made corals and gorges to explore.

You can watch the fish and rays being fed at several times during the day. At the far side to the right of the reef is a shark pool, separated from the reef by a glass wall. You can swim right up and as the glass wall is at an angle when you are snorkelling it feels like the sharks are above you. In this area there are sandy exits leading to bridges overlooking the shark pool on your right and on the left you can see the part of the reef where the Sea Venture takes place.

Serenity Bay

Serenity Bay is a relaxing area with warm tranquil waters. On one side of the path are low chairs where you sit and enjoy your snacks from the nearby kiosk. On the other side is a large free form lagoon again with warm fresh water, a sandy beach and a cave system leading to the Wind Away River.

Is Discovery Cove really all Inclusive?

Yes, you can leave your wallet at home. The only thing you’ll need money for is for photographs if you choose to have them or upgrades. You do need your passport or Photo ID. On check in they will take your photograph and give you a lanyard with a photo card attached. You can use this at SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch gardens (if applicable).

Your ticket includes

all you can eat breakfast.
all you can eat lunch
free snacks and drinks (hot,cold and alcoholic) throughout the day at kiosks dotted around the resort
free lockers
use of soft large white towels
animal and fish friendly sunscreen
use of snorkel and goggles
you get to keep your snorkel
use of wet suit or vest
use of hair driers in changing rooms
plastic bags to put your wet swim gear into
free parking

Photo of snack kiosk at Discovery cove — Snack Kiosk at Discovery cove

Ticket prices vary according to the time of year and start around $149 for the basic day package which doesn’t include a swim with the dolphins, $199 with a dolphin swim, up to $399 to be a trainer for the day. Children under two are free with a full paying adult but a reservation is still required. Tickets must be bought in advance and a date specified. Discounts are available for Florida residents.

Upgrades

Sea Venture – wearing a dive helmet you will walk on the floor of the Grand Reef

Animal Trek – a 60 minute escorted tour behind the scenes with a chance to meet birds and small mammals.

Rent a Cabana – Have your own private space with table and chairs, locker, towels, unlimited drinks and snacks. Ideally for up to 6 guests.

Day bed – big enough for two to relax in after time in the water.

Drink package – With options such as Rum Punch, Sangria, upgraded wines and craft beers.

Ray feeding – Join the staff feeding rays and fish early in the morning.

Swim with sharks – If you’re brave enough.

Last year I noticed some guests were actually feeding sharks after training.

Shark feeding at Discovery Cove — Shark Feeding at Discovery Cove

I think Discovery Cove is well worth the money considering you get unlimited visits to Aquatica and SeaWorld for 14 days – this can commence prior to your visit to Discovery Cove – just show your documents with the bar code. It may not be as exciting as Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure but if you feel you need to chill out and give your feet a rest this is the place to be.

Just one more thought – all the photos are my own. I highly recommend purchasing an underwater camera even if it’s only a disposable one. Discovery cove does have photo packages which are most likely essential if you do the dolphin swim as other guests can only watch from the shore.

Do leave a comment if you can add anything or ask any questions and I’ll do my best to help.