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5 Rides You Must Try at Universal Studios Orlando

by Andrea
written by Andrea

For 2017, Trip Advisor said that Universal Orlando was the best theme park in Orlando. It’s hard for me to judge because I really feel like that each park in Orlando has its specialty. That’s also what makes Orlando a destination for all ages.

It’s been years since I’ve been to Universal Studios Orlando and I finally got to visit during the month of October 2017 to see what all the new rides. Thankfully, the park wasn’t too packed, so I was able to go on every single ride.

Check out my list of 5 rides you MUST go on when visiting Universal Studios Orlando

Number 1: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Roller Coasters and I are soul mates. Which is why I placed this ride as my number 1. It’s perfect in length and you get to choose your own song to listen to while you’re soaring through the ride. The first time I went on, I choose MC Hammer’s “Can’t touch this”. Then next time, it was Beastie Boys “Sabotage”. It’s totally worth the wait. If you can get front row, you won’t regret it.

Number 2: Revenge of The Mummy

Let me tell you, this ride caught me off guard. I didn’t care for this movie when I saw it so I didn’t think anything much when I was going to ride it. Sometimes it’s nice to be left in the dark…. because then you’ll realize how awesome this thrill ride indoor roller coaster is. Again, I’m a sucker for roller coasters of all sizes and I rode this one about 3 times

Number 3: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts:

Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not, let me say that this ride is pretty amazing. I only placed it at number 3 because I’m not a Potter fan. I felt that there were a lot of things that I missed because I’ve only seen one movie from this franchise. Any true fan would place this ride at number 1. This is a 3-D/4-D motion simulation thrill ride. It doesn’t flip upside down but it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Head here first because afterward, you’re going to want to explore Diagon Alley and try some butterbeer!

Number 4: Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

When I’m home in the US I make sure that I stay awake to watch The Tonight Show. When I’m traveling, I catch the clips on Youtube so I don’t miss anything. I’ve been a fan for quite some time so I was looking forward to this ride. There is an awesome museum before getting on the ride that showcases the previous hosts on The Tonight Show. On the ride, you’ll see your favorite characters like Sara and Hashtag the Panda.

Number 5: ET. Adventure:

This is a universal classic. Relive the 80’s with this movie that will really make you feel like a kid again. Plus it’s the last one to stand out of the three universal parks around the world (Hollywood and Japan). Rumor has it that Steven Spielberg was so upset about the removal of the other two that he threatened to end any relationship with Universal Studios if they shut down the one in Orlando. So thanks, Mr. Spielberg for keeping this classic alive!

Honorable mentions:

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: If you’re like any normal person, minions have this unexplainable talent of making you laugh. They are too funny to pass up.

Don’t Waste your time on:

  1. The animal show: They lost their touch and now it’s kind of sad to watch.
  2. The Simpsons: Overall just a terrible ride. The world they created is worth checking out, especially if you’re a Simpson fan. But skip the ride. It’s not worth the wait. Not even if it’s 10 minutes.
  3. Men in Black: Same goes for this ride. Just poorly done. Universal really needs to do something about this ride.

 

Have you planned out your day yet? I hope this post was helpful for your trip. Share with your friends and family if you thought so! If you want to know about costs and options to make your time at Universal Orlando Resorts the best it can be, I’d suggest you read my post about what you need to know before going to Universal. Enjoy the day, wear comfortable shoes and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Remember, When you give good you get good.

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Orlando
FloridaUSA

5 things to see in Orlando, FL

by Andrea
written by Andrea

“You’re from Orlando? You must go to Disney all the time!”

This is the first thing that comes to people’s mind when they think of Orlando. I know, it’s the most magical place in the world and yes;  it’s right in my backyard. I grew up in a part of Orlando where I could see the fireworks from my backyard at night and hear people screaming from the roller coasters as I was on my way to Geometry.  

To answer your question: No, I don’t go all the time.  

There is so much more to Orlando than people realize. If you only stay on Disney’s property or stay around the “tourist bubble” then you really haven’t seen Orlando.  Go past International Drive, go past the outlets, and go see what Orlando is really about.

 I want to show you a whole different side of Orlando and show you 5 places that you should definitely take the time to visit and see why they call Orlando “The City Beautiful”:

Number 1: Historic Lake Eola

Lake Eola

If you ask anyone from Orlando what to check out, the first place they are going to tell you to check out is Lake Eola. It’s located in the heart of Orlando and it’s a perfect place for a picnic or a stroll around the lake. Bring your kids; you can feed the famous swans that have been around longer than anyone who can remember why they came to the lake in the first place. You can also ride on a swan-shaped paddle boat at $15.00 per half hour. Every night at the fountain has a 6-minute show with music that changes every season between 8:30 and 9:30. Downtown Orlando is right down the street, Check out Church Street Station, a historic train station. 

Sunday’s is the busiest day for Lake Eola. The Eola Sunday Market is becoming one of the best farmers markets in Central Florida. Location on the Southeast corner the market is filled with fresh fruits and veggies, local food, beer, and artwork.  If you’re feeling like a Sunday Funday there are a bunch of places that offer bottomless mimosa and a good brunch menu. I’d recommend Stubborn Mule located at 100 S Eola Drive.

Number 2: Winter Park

Winter Park

If you’re hungry and in the mood to see something different, go to Winter Park. It’s a nature lover destination filled with swaying palms, cypress trees and a variety of gardens like the Sculpture gardens and Kraft Azalea Gardens. Take the Winter garden Scenic boat tour and ride on Winter Park’s chain of lakes. You’ll see some beautiful homes, a gator or two, and learn about the history of this beautiful city.

 Take a walk down Park Avenue and you’ll soon see that it’s a foodies dream come true! With 40 restaurants to choose some, you’re bound to find something that will meet your need and you won’t be disappointed.

 Don’t forget to check out Rollins College, named one of the most amazing college campuses in the US by The Best Colleges. The architecture is breath taking and you’ll soon be left in awe. Winter Park also has a large variety of Museums worth checking out like the Cornell Fine Arts Museum (At Rollins) and the Winter Park History Museum.

Number 3: Sporting Events

Orlando City

Orlando is becoming an important player in the game of professional, collegiate and amateur sports.  The Amway Center is a sport and entertainment center in Downtown Orlando and home to the Orlando Magic of the NBA.  Check out the schedule for events, concerts, and games happening during your visit here.

Orlando is also home to the Orlando City Soccer Club of the MLS. In 2017, they inaugurated a new beautiful stadium that any soccer fan would be proud of. Expect the stadium to be loud, as all four sides are designed with a metal deck canopy that just amplifies everything. There is also an all-standing section, the first in major American sporting venues, where the true fan and supporting fans come and bring everything they have to field.  You won’t be disappointed with a game, check out their schedule.

Number 4: Mills 50

Hawkers

This is an area of Orlando that has been around forever and lately the residents and members of the local government are committed to making the area pedestrian friendly.  Nearby you’ll find the Orlando Science Center, the perfect place to take the kids all day. Save this for a rainy day.  The science center has so many things too; movies, interactive experiences, performances, and classes which show how science impacts everyday life. 

 It’s a small part of Orlando but filled with great places to eat.  My favorite place is Hawkers. Its Array of Asian street food, you’ll find something for everyone. Plus they have a great beer and wine menu. Go check them at 1103 N Mills Ave.

Number 5: University of Central Florida

Lazy Moon Pizza

Did you know that Orlando is home to one of the largest University in the US by enrollment? Yes, this part of Orlando has grown tremendously through the years and is plenty of things to do.  If you’re around football season, Go out on a Saturday and tailgate on campus. Play beer darts. 

If you’re not into tailgating, just walk around the campus and see how the student’s campus life is like. If you want to see UCF students in their natural habitat, go to Knight Library or grab a huge slice of pizza at Lazy moon.

Before you go:

Now, this a great way to start exploring what Orlando is all about. There are so many places that I left out, what do you think should have made the cut?

Want more? There is a page on Facebook called Orlando Weekly and you should totally check them out before heading on your trip. It’s a great source for finding out what is really going on in Orlando. 

Remember when you give good, you get good. 

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FloridaUSA

Know Before You Go: Orlando , FL

by Andrea
written by Andrea

Is it time for a vacation? Orlando is known as the theme park capital of the world! Growing up here, I get asked constantly what’s the best way to go about planning a trip to Orlando. With so many things to do, Let me share with you my best tips, tricks, and things you need to know before you go.

Fun history fact: Back in the late 60’s, a man saw a huge potential in the little town filled with lurking alligators, mangled flatland, and acres upon acres of orange groves. Who was that man? Well, it was Walt Disney. He had a bigger vision for this town than anyone could imagine.

The city grew rapidly during the 80’s and has continued to grow thanks to the several theme parks that now call Orlando home. While the theme parks may form the backbone of the city, there is so much to offer.

There is something for everyone. The business world can network in the 2nd largest convention center in the United States. Students come to the University of Central Florida, which has the largest enrollment population in the United States. And you can’t forget about sports, Orlando is home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and MLS Orlando City Soccer Team.

So are you ready to come? Let me fill you in with a few things you should know before coming to Orlando.

The most important thing to know:

Plan!

I know some of you have just let out a big puff of eye-rolling air me. But I cannot stress enough how important it is to plan your trip out when coming here. There is so much do, it can get overwhelming: 9 Big theme parks, 4 water parks, and over 20 smaller attractions like dinner shows, museums, blah blah blah. The more you plan, the more you will take advantage of your time. Orlando is not a place for rest and relaxation.

So how do I plan?

Start reading! Each of the theme parks websites has great information about how to purchase tickets, what rides are available, park hours, and all the practical information that you need.

But if you want the juicy details about which ride is worth the wait or what foods you must eat at a certain park, then travel blogs are the best answer for you. There are so many of them online that I have recommended a few that I have personally tried out and feel that have great information for your next trip.

Disney Blogs:

Universal Blogs:

General Orlando Blogs:

These are also great to read because as I mentioned before, Orlando has so much more to offer than just the Theme parks

How to Get to Orlando:

Orlando International Airport is the 13th busiest airport in the US and 29th in the world. So you can just imagine how many people are rolling through the city.

Orlando’s Airport Code is MCO. There is another airport called Sanford International Airport but it’s farther away from downtown and the major theme parks. Its code is SFB and it’s worth considering if your hometown’s airport flies with Allegiant Airlines.

If you look with enough time, you can always find a good deal to visit Orlando. Skyscanner.com is my go-to site. I’ve purchased tickets from LAX, ORD and JFK to MCO for less than $100 with Spirit or Frontier. The lowest international flight I’ve seen was with Thomas Cook Airlines from the UK for $450 round trip.

Best time to go:

I wish I could tell you that there is a slow season for Orlando. As each year goes by, more and more people are coming to visit Orlando. But there are less popular times than others. Come on down during the 2nd week of January and you’ll see Disney wait times at about 20 minutes plus the weather will be amazing. Or try the 3rd week of August where you might melt off all the calories you eat in a day.

Should I rent a car?

Short answer: No

Long answer: No. Ride-Sharing apps have taken over the city. I’ve done the math a couple of times. It’s cheaper to take 4 ride-share rides a day (to and from Hotel/Parks, hotel/dinner, or hotel/shopping) and even give your driver a tip than it is to rent-a-car, pay for gas, and pay for parking ($20-40 USD) at each park you visit. Plus you get dropped off right at the door of the park and you don’t have to worry about getting lost. This is the best way to go.

If you decide to rent a car, plan ahead. Book it ahead of time. Most websites will let you reserve with free cancellation at any time. Roads are pretty simple to use and if you decided to drive outside the tourist bubble, I would definitely recommend getting the daily toll pass because there are a bunch of toll roads in Orlando. You can plan the cost of tolls here

Shopping:

Get it done here in Orlando. Orlando is home to some of the best outlets in the nation. You have two amazing outlets called the Premium Outlet Mall at Vinland Rd and International Drive. Plus you have a bunch of little connecting ones nearby.

Please don’t waste your time and go to Miami outlets if you decide to head down there. Enjoy the beach. Don’t get me wrong, the outlets in Miami are good, but the distances from each other plus traffic will make you want to pull out your hair. Get it all done in Orlando so you can have fun in Miami.

Other Tips?

  1. Be ready to walk. Get comfortable shoes. You will walk about 6-10 miles a day at these parks. I’m not kidding.
  2. Pack Sandwiches and snacks. Park food to can get pricey and most of the time your in a rush anyways. Spend your money on the Mickey ears IceCream, Dole Whip, or those huge turkey legs. Even better, just Drink around the world at Epoct.
  3. Bring extra meds, especially prescription stuff.
  4. Hotel Stay: I didn’t mention this much because there are so many options to choose from for all price ranges. If you don’t want to stay on property, I would just look at a map and pick somewhere central between Disney and Universal. You’re not going to be spending much time in the room anyways.

 

I hope this helps guides you in planning your trip to Orlando. What did I miss? Is there something that I should add? Also, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let me know if you need help.

Remember when you give good, you get good.

 

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FloridaUSA

The 7-Day Florida Road Trip You Need to Take

by Andrea
written by Andrea

Can you believe that growing up in Florida there are so many places that I still haven’t visited or done? Yea well actually I bet you can. It’s pretty normal for people not to take advantage of being a tourist in their hometown, right?

Well, I’m no different. Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the US and the state of Florida has so much to offer that anyone who comes to visit should definitely take advantage and soak up some rays in the Sunshine State. I had a friend who wanted to come visit me so naturally, I assumed that she wanted to hit up the parks and shopping because that’s what you do when you come to Orlando. But to my surprise, she gave me an interesting proposal.

She said, “No Theme parks, minimal shopping, just show me Florida”

And I said “Challenge Accepted”

The first thing that came to my mind was that we need to go on and road trip and check out some stops that are “Only in Florida” stops.  So I started investigating the best things to do in Florida and I got a lot of beaches, Springs, swamps, zoos, shopping, beaches, springs, and more swamps. We packed our bags and a small cooler for our week-long trip. This is what we did:

Day 1: Orlando-Miami

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8 AM: We started our morning with one of my favorite spots for breakfast in Orlando called Keke’s Breakfast Cafe where we created our own breakfast combo. We stuffed ourselves with waffles and endless coffee and took the Beachline Expressway (Florida State 528) towards Cocoa Beach. Take a pit stop in the world’s largest surf shop, Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Check out the beach if you want but it’s not the most beautiful beach in Florida.

12 NOON: Stop in one of the oldest attractions in Florida called Lion Country Safari. It’s one of the first “cageless” zoos in the United States where you can take an audio tour in your car while you drive around and get up close and personal with some animals. My favorite part was getting to feed a giraffe and if ya’ll know anything about me; I LOVE giraffes!

4 PM: We were missing the beach so we decided to take a quick hour nap in Palm Beach. We took the same road from the Lion Country Safari straight east until we ran into the ocean. Once our energies were restored we continued down A1A until we reached Ft. Lauderdale beach. There are some incredible beach houses along the coast and the view is wonderful. Once it was getting dark,  we jumped down to I-95 until we arrived to Miami.

8 PM: We were staying with some Chilean friends who live in Miami so they welcomed us into their home with Pisco and a delicious picoteo (an assortment of appetizers like cheese, guacamole, crackers, chips, olives, etc) as we ended the night just chatting away.

Day 2: Full Day in Miami

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11 AM: We made it to Española Way on South beach for some sangria and Spanish food.  Española Way is a beautiful pedestrian walkway filled with restaurants from around the world and gift shops to stock up on souvenirs. We parked on the street near 14th street.

We couldn’t come to Miami without seeing Ocean Drive and South Beach…just to put our toes in the sand. So we decided to walk from 14th street to 7th street down Ocean Drive. You never know what you’re going to see when you’re walking down Ocean Drive. We saw a drag show that left us mesmerized.  One of the main queens stopped a city bus and twerked right in front of it. Yes, you read that correctly. She twerked in front of a city bus. And caused a traffic jam. It was amazing.

We made our way until 7th street where my mom had once told me about a store that sells beautiful Brazilian bikinis. We stopped in, tried on everything in the store and walked out with a hot pink bikini bottom. They say it helps you looks tanner.  #proudpurchase

4 PM: We saw a sign for Star Island. If you don’t know what this place is, it’s where famous celebrities like Michael Jordan, Rosie o Donald, and Gloria Estefan lives. I’ve been to Miami thousands of times and I had no idea they just let you in to look around. We just drove up to the gate and asked if we could check if Ricky Martin was home and they said: “Sure, why not?!”

7 PM: We ended the night in La pequeña Havana or “little Havana” for dinner at one the most popular places called “La Carreta” for some Cuban Food. This a must if you come to Miami.

Day 3:  Full Day 2 in Miami

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The morning work up ugly pretty cloudy but it was our last day in Miami so had to take advantage of the day. We made it to Wynwood walls early to check out all the beautiful murals in the area. I’ll just let the murals speak for themselves.

We stopped for lunch at Coyo-Taco and it would be safe for me to say that this was the best burrito in Miami. Seriously. It was life-changing. I would come back to Miami just for this burrito. Once our bellies were full we went to check out the local brewery. The day we went they were offering a tour of the brewery with the purchase of a beer. Every day they have different things going on so just check out their facebook page for updates.

We headed to the Brickell area for dinner. On the weekends you will find a variety of restaurants and pubs open for the locals. We weren’t very hungry so we decided to stop in 100 Montaditos for some Spanish tapas to share.

Day 4: Miami- St. Petersberg

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8 AM: We headed west towards the Everglades National Park to take an airboat ride with Captain Jack’s through the mangroves. What an experience! Just take a look at the video. 

12 NOON: We got back onto the 75 and drove towards Marco Island. We stopped for lunch at Snook Island Inn. We shared Gator Tail and Conch Fritters (things you only find in Florida). It was right next to the intercoastal, the view was beautiful. We saw people cruising through on their boats and even spotted dolphins playing in the water.

2 PM: To access the beach you only have a few options on the island as its full of private residences and hotels along the coast. Tigertail Beach has public beach access, you just have to pay for parking. The guard told us that we had to cross the inlet to have beachfront access. Now, I’ve always been cautious with open water. I nervously crossed the inlet and what I found was beautiful. We walked the shore searching for shells as the area is known for the large variety. It was perfect. We cruised up the coast until we found a good spot to watch the sunset and then grabbed I-75 towards St. Petersburg to sleep.

Day 5: Siesta Key Beach Day

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BTnWeALFIp_/?taken-by=mujicaaandrea]

The weather was perfect and so we got up early to visit to one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Florida, Siesta Key. We stopped by Publix Supermarkets to get an “only in Florida” Publix sub, fresh fruit and some drinks to fill up our cooler. Amazing beach day. Amazing nap on the beach. Amazing walk down the beach. Amazing sunset. Overall, amazing day.   

Day 6:  St. Petersberg- Ginnie Springs- Orlando

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Besides having beautiful beaches in Florida, Florida has some incredible natural springs. It’s said that Florida might just have the largest collection of freshwater springs in the world. It was hard to just pick one but we ended up going to Ginnie Springs which is just outside of Gainesville. The spring water stays at a cool 72 degrees all year around so on a hot summer day, it’s perfect. You can go river tubing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba and even cave diving.Bring your insect repellent and pack a picnic.

We made a pit stop in Gainesville for some ice cream and to see the University of Florida before heading back to Orlando.

Day 7:  Kennedy Space Center

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BTcwK-kFiwO/?taken-by=mujicaaandrea]

Since we didn’t want to do the theme parks, we went to Kennedy Space Center for the day and let me say THIS WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT! We saved the best for last. I had been since I was a kid. What a pleasant surprise. The things you can’t miss out is the bus tour of the spacesport, the IMAX shows and of course Space Shuttle Atlantis. We didn’t want to leave. Don’t believe anyone when they say that you can see everything is half-a-day. If you like Space, NASA, Planets or anything related to that, you’re going to want to spend the entire day. The security team basically had to walk us to gate to make sure that we left.

 

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So that’s Florida in a week. There are so many other spots that we didn’t get to see. We totally missed out Florida’s panhandle. They say that they beaches are beautiful. We also didn’t get to see the northern east coast of Florida with towns such as Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. I guess that means another road trip needs to be planned sooner than later!

Do you have a spot that you love in Florida that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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