In my last blog, I told you about some exciting things that you could do after dark in the parks. Today, I want to share some activities that you can enjoy outside of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve always said that I’m going to visit the Walt Disney World Resort and not buy any park passes. I just want to relax, visit the resorts, eat and shop! Most people just look at me like I have 3 eyes! But, there are a number of things to do without visiting the parks. Continue reading Disney World Outside The Theme Parks
Share the Magic~*~*~*
On May 25th the geography of Universal Orlando will change. Along with 2 theme parks, there will be the new water park, Volcano Bay. The philosophy celebrated at this new water park is “Water is
Life. Life is Joy”. It’s the carefree attitude that the fabled Waturi islanders have embraced on their Pacific isle for centuries. Now you can live the Waturi way at this all-new park where thrills and relaxation flow in perfect harmony. 
When they named Universal’s Islands of Adventure, they weren’t kidding! This park is full of fun and great attractions! Our Orlando vacation was spent in both Universal Orlando’s parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but Islands of Adventure was our favorite! 
This past October, my family took a trip to Orlando. The past 40-something trips we hop on the Magical Express and went to 
and even years in advance. Believe it or not, the itinerary for early 2018 have already been released! So, start planning your 
coming year, and family vacation opportunities expand! Gone are the days that you wonder from pavilion to pavilion watching the lovable sea creatures. Now you can hop on exciting and thrilling rides that will turn your insides out! This will be the largest new attraction year in the company’s more than 50 year history. 
Studios is about 20 minutes away from Disney World. It’s located closer to the Orlando International Airport. And yes, it is NOT part of Disney. Universal is it’s own unique and awesome vacation destination!
There is a resort for every price range and style. The two original resorts, Hard Rock and Portofino Bay, are the in the ‘Premiere Resort’ category. Both offer early admission to Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Express Pass that allows you to skip the lines, complimentary transportation to the parks and Universal City Walk, access to City Walk, delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort, priority seating at restaurants and transportation to Sea World and Aquatica.
pools, HR has the only pool that allows you to jam under water with it’s submerged speakers. The pool also has a fun water slide and cabana rentals. On select evenings, you can catch a “dive-in” movie poolside. The standard rooms at Hard Rock can sleep up to 4 people. If you need a bit more space and have the kids in tow, you might want to opt for the rock themed kid suites.
legacy of its famous New York steakhouse to Universal Orlando® Resort. The Palm’s legendary menu offers a variety of American fare, Italian specialties, and its prime cuts of beef and jumbo lobster. If you’re in the mood for eating like the 
celebs, head to The Kitchen. It has an array of comfort foods with rock memorabilia on the walls. If you are lucky enough to be visiting Hard Rock on the last Thursday of the month, you can sit in on a Velvet Session.
gorgeous with it’s 3 pools and breathtaking lagoon. The Beach pool has a water slide and sand beach, the Villa Poll has cabana rentals and if you’re looking for some quiet time, check out the Hillside pool. PB comes alive at sunset when guests are serenaded on the piazza with live Italian opera during Misica della Notte (Music of the Night).
An exquisite culinary voyage right to the heart of Italy awaits you amid a decor of Bice (Bee-Chay) at Portofino, which combines Old World elegance and modern chic. Bice Ristorante offers Northern 
Italian cuisine and superb service in an elegant atmosphere. If you have a hankering for a brick oven pizza, be sure to give Sal’s a try. The Thirsty Fish is a casual bar on the piazza that offers live Jazz Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
restaurants throughout the resort. Other perks, such as early admission to Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complimentary transportation to the parks and Universal City Walk, access to City Walk, delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort, priority seating at restaurants and transportation to Sea World and Aquatica are available at both.
guest rooms and suites, it can accommodate families of 2 to 5. If you want some privacy away from the little ones, opt for the Jurrasic Park kid suites.
Sit back and experience an evening of authentic Polynesian food and entertainment at the enchanting Wantilan Luau. The weekly Hawaiian dinner show featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet of Polynesian specialties, live Hawaiian music and traditional hula dancing. Hula and fire dancers delight the audience and entice a few to even learn the hula!
16,000 sq ft. zero-entry pool with water slide, play area, hot tub and fire pit. The 1000 guest rooms and suites all sleep up to 5 people, with different configurations. Each room has a mini fridge, coffee maker and free WiFi. You can pick from standard view, lagoon view or pool view. All of the rooms are comfy and a great place to rest after a long day at the parks.
Cookhouse, Water Tavern and Drhum Club Kantine. If you are
If you are looking for a value, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is first resort in the Prime Value group. Currently, the Bay has 1800 guest rooms and suites. The plan is to add another 450 rooms by the end of 2017. The standard rooms will fit a family of 4 comfortably. They do offer family suites that sleep 6. Cabana has 2 large pools, a tasty food court and the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant, which is a sit down. Along with a sand beach, CB has a 10 lane bowling alley and dive-in movies. If you want a blast from the past and you’re missing the beach hotels of yesteryear, this is just what you’ve been looking for!