Sam’s Epic Universal Orlando Adventure

We flew Virgin Atlantic from Manchester to Orlando, and the journey couldn’t have gone smoother - friendly crew, excellent service, and a comfortable flight throughout.

Our base for the trip was Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, a fun, retro-style hotel full of colour and energy. It’s ideal for families and groups, with spacious rooms, pools, a lazy river, a bowling alley, an arcade, and easy access to the parks on foot or by shuttle.

That evening, we toured the beautiful Sapphire Falls Resort, an excellent choice for a touch of affordable luxury, before enjoying an incredible Caribbean-inspired dinner at Strong Water Tavern! The beef tacos and goat curry were highlights!

We kicked off the day with a delicious breakfast at Amatista Cookhouse in Sapphire Falls. It had fresh omelettes, pastries, and the best sugar-strand doughnuts!

Then it was time for our VIP Experience at Universal. After a quick water taxi to CityWalk (and the must-have globe photos), we met our fantastic guide, Sam, who shared tons of insider knowledge and got us straight onto the rides with no queues!

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was the standout for me! It was so good I rode it twice! Lunch at Illumination’s Minion Café was another highlight - the Steak & “Cheese Ray” Sandwich was delicious (and don’t forget your ID if you want a drink!).

We wrapped up the day with The Bourne Stuntacular, an incredible mix of live action and film, before heading to The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel for dinner had fantastic food, cocktails, and lively vibes. Plus, guests here get free Express Passes on check-in and check-out days, which is such a great perk!

We grabbed breakfast at Bayliner Diner before heading to the brand-new Epic Universe - but first, a sneak peek at the stunning Universal Stella Nova Resort, themed around the vastness of space and perfectly located right next to the park.

Epic Universe features five incredible worlds:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Dark Universe
Celestial Park

Thanks to the VIP Experience Tour, we got to explore them all!

My top rides? A tie between Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. And my favourite world? Definitely SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ - the theming is next-level!

We stopped for lunch at Das Stakehaus, where the Das Burger was to die for, and stayed until 10 pm to see the park transform at night. The atmosphere was pure magic.

We started the day with early park admission to Volcano Bay - easily the best water park I’ve ever been to! We rode the TeAwa: The Fearless River and the Krakatau Aqua Coaster before relaxing by the pool with cocktails and a Caesar salad. (On a past trip, I even braved the Ko’okiri Body Plunge. It was terrifying but amazing!)

Next was a tour of Universal’s Endless Summer – Dockside Inn & Suites, a great-value hotel with spacious two-bedroom suites for up to six guests - perfect for families or groups seeking affordability with Universal perks.

Dinner at Jake’s American Bar in Loews Royal Pacific was delicious and the perfect warm-up for the night ahead - Halloween Horror Nights! With the RIP Tour, we managed all 10 haunted houses, four scare zones, and the brilliant This Circus is Fire show. Scary, thrilling, and absolutely unforgettable!

Our final morning began with a strong Starbucks coffee and a quick Target shopping spree - I couldn’t resist grabbing some trending TikTok finds and toys for my little boy!

Before heading home, we squeezed in one last visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, where we discovered Globus Mundi, a quirky travel agency in Diagon Alley (though their deals can’t beat ours 😉).

We wrapped up the trip with some downtime at the hotel before our transfer to the airport - the perfect end to what was truly one of the best holidays I’ve ever had.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT VISITED?

The Kitchen in The Hard Rock Hotel – unbelievable Steak.

GENERAL COMMENTS AND TIPS:

Plan - stay on-site to receive benefits; some queues were 190 minutes, which is drastic.
Take the water taxis - they’re a fun, scenic way to travel between hotels and the parks.
Book a VIP Experience Tour (if you can afford it) for insider access and zero queue time - it’s a game-changer.
Bring your ID if you want to order alcohol, even if you think you look old enough.
Staying at Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, or Portofino Bay includes free Express Passes - huge value.
Don’t miss Epic Universe at night - the atmosphere is incredible.
For Halloween Horror Nights, the RIP Tour is the best way to experience everything without long waits.
Save time for Target and outlet shopping - great for bargains and souvenirs.
Always allow downtime before your transfer to make the last day stress-free