Some holidays fade with time. Others become the stories your family tells over and over again. For us, Orlando in the spring of 2023 will always be one of those stories.
Ever since our twins were toddlers, my husband and I had dreamed of taking them to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in the US. We wanted to wait until they were old enough to be eligible for every ride, brave enough to take on the scary ones, yet still young enough to be completely swept away by the magic. Once they turned eight years old, they seemed to be at that perfect age where wonder still came naturally and every new experience felt larger than life 😊
My husband and I were no strangers to Orlando, Florida. After staying with extended family in Port Charlotte with my in-laws in the winter of 2007, we visited Sanibel Island followed by Siesta Key beach and Myakka River State Park in Sarasota before driving to Orlando. We spent a few memorable days in Orlando exploring its iconic theme parks along with a day-trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. One of the most vivid memories I have of that trip was this gorgeous three-storey holiday home in Orlando which happened to be my very first experience of staying at a vacation rental rather than a hotel. This was long before the twins came along in those carefree years when we rarely planned beyond the next day's adventure 😆
Back in 2007, we had visited EPCOT, Universal Studios and SeaWorld in Orlando, but had not been to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or any of the water parks. More importantly, this trip happened long before The Wizarding World of Harry Potter even existed. By 2014, the Harry Potter attractions had transformed Universal Studios into an entirely different experience. As a family of hardcore Potterheads, walking through Diagon Alley, boarding the Hogwarts Express and stepping into Hogsmeade presented a thrilling prospect for all four of us!
For months, park maps had been studied, Genie+ strategies carefully planned, resorts had been booked, dining reservations had been made, detailed itineraries had been prepared and YouTube videos watched in preparation for what would become one of our most action-packed family vacations. With Easter and Spring Break having ended a week ago, we hoped that the crowds at the parks would have eased by the time of our arrival. The weather was also predicted to be ideal during our visit. Every little detail had been thought through. Although we felt ready, nothing could have prepared us for the feeling of finally arriving in the theme park capital of the world.
After landing in Orlando on April 16th, we picked up our rental car at Hertz and promptly checked into Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport @ Gateway Village. We had just wrapped up an eventful six days in New York and New Jersey so unwinding in front of a TV was the only thing on the agenda for the day. We headed over to the nearest grocery store, bought a bunch of snacks + breakfast staples and later stopped by a local diner in the vicinity of the hotel.
It had been raining on and off in Florida so the weather was pleasantly cool (bordering on chilly I'd say). The girls enjoyed warming themselves by the outdoor fireplace.
The next day, the real adventure would begin. The kids were doubly excited to meet their chikkappa and chikkamma (aka paternal uncle and aunt) who were flying in from Washington state to join us.
The Disney Chapter
Our first morning began by checking-in to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, where we had booked one of the charming woodland cabins. These tiny homes are set in a 750-acre pine and cypress forest. They sleep up to 6 people and feature a full-size kitchen, a main bedroom, bunk beds, a queen-size Murphy bed, and outdoor patios with charcoal grills. This was a departure from our usual mode of stay during a vacation so the girls in particular were delighted.
Before we could officially check in, our luggage was dropped off and we were already racing toward EPCOT.
Like most Disney enthusiasts, we had alarms set before sunrise to secure Genie+ reservations. It is amazing how quickly "holiday mode" can transform into military precision when you are trying to maximise every minute inside a Disney park. I ain't kidding you when I say this but it almost feels like a competitive sport! (I even made sure that all of us were dressed comfortably and had sports shoes on 😆).
The EPCOT International Flower Garden festival was in full swing and there were vibrant blooms every corner we turned.
EPCOT was familiar to us yet felt unlike any theme park we had visited before. One moment we were strolling through gardens alive with colourful butterflies, learning about the history of communication in Spaceship Earth and next we were wandering through the World Showcase, strolling from country to country without ever leaving Florida 😉
It was drizzling when we entered the park accompanied by stubbornly gloomy skies but much to our relief, the Florida sun came out in full swing about an hour later. How fortunate were we that the Sunshine State lived upto its name for the remainder of our trip 🌞
We spent a large chunk of the morning at the World Discovery and World Nature areas of the park.
The Guardians of the Galaxy indoor rollercoaster scared the living daylights out of me but it seemed like the kids had a total blast!
Mission: SPACE (Orange Mission) promised an authentic astronaut experience, and boy! did it deliver. Cramped inside a tiny spacecraft, we blasted off on a simulated mission complete with intense G-forces that made the launch feel uncannily real. Unfortunately, my stomach also believed every second of it 😂 I stumbled out feeling decidedly green, while much to my amazement, my twins who are quite possibly the barfiest duo on the planet, emerged looking as fresh as daisies and wondering what all the fuss was about!
Test Track, a high-speed slot car thrill ride was great fun. I remembered going on this ride the last time I was in EPCOT.
The Living with the Land boat ride was informative as well as relaxing. I, in particular, was very relieved to be on a ride that was not causing any body parts to lurch 😝
We all loved soaring in the sky above breathtaking landscapes on a hang-gliding flight in Soarin' so much that we went on it twice 👍👍
We had lunch at the Nine Dragons restaurant. For those who are specifically looking for vegan food, you will find it here (not a whole lot of variety though). The Italian pavillion has vegetarian options and the Morocco pavillion offers a few plant-based dishes.
The line in front Remy's Ratatouille Adventure was insane but fortunately it moved quickly and the exhilarating trackless dark ride was totally worth the wait.
The girls wanted to voyage to Arendelle aboard an ancient Nordic vessel so we made sure to check out Frozen Ever After.
It was wonderful talking, laughing, clicking photos, sampling different global cuisines, admiring each pavilion's unique architecture and simply taking our time between attractions.
The girls enjoyed the iconic Mickey's Premium Ice-cream Bar.
By evening, after an entire day of walking and exploring, we headed to Disney Springs by water taxi for dinner at Enzo's Hideaway.
It was the perfect way to end our first full day before finally settling into our cosy cabin surrounded by towering pine trees.
Let the Magic Begin!
While staying at Disney's Fort Wilderness, we rented an electric golf cart for ourselves to navigate the camp grounds. The girls were beside themselves with excitement! It was funny to see how astonished they were when their Daddy began driving it 😄
While on the subject of transport, the advantage of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort is the ease and convenience of getting to the 4 theme parks. All we had to do was wait at the well-marked pick-up point at our hotel and a bus would take us wherever we wanted to go. While at Disney, we used the water taxi and monorail services that are also complimentary for Disney resort guests.
Since I hadn't been to Magic Kingdom during my last visit to Walt Disney World, I was actually looking forward to this day. Walking on Main Street, U.S.A with the iconic Cinderella castle coming into view, nostalgic attractions galore, cheerful music drifting through the streets, colourful parades and familiar Disney characters waving at us felt rather magical indeed!
Our first stop was Liberty Square where we made a beeline for the Haunted Mansion, a dark ride through a labyrinth of haunted chambers. This was spooktastic!
Then we headed to Fantasyland where we took the kids to "It's a small world", a sweet little boat ride around the globe.
Fantasyland is where we spent most of our time while at Magic Kingdom. We enthusiastically walked over to Enchanted Tales with Belle where the girls took part in a fairytale along side Belle herself. One twin played the part of Maurice while the other one was a dinner plate 😆 It was a uniquely wonderful experience!
While in the area, we grabbed a bite at the charming restaurant Pinnochio Village Haus.
Kids being kids, are always attracted to carrousels so we had to let the kids ride Prince Charming Regal Carrousel even though the line was excruciatingly long.
One of the best attractions in this part of the park was without question, Peter Pan's flight where we flew to Never Land aboard a magical pirate ship.
Another fantastic ride was the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a fun roller coaster racing through the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The last stop at Fantasyland was Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid where we descended below the waves for a splashy musical adventure.
We had to stop at a souvenir shop to buy Minnie ears, Disney-themed bubble machines, fridge magnets and candy.
We watched Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, a fun-filled musical extravaganza that took place on the stage in front of the Cinderella Castle.
The atmosphere was so full of infectious lively-energy that we stopped to watch the Main Street Philharmonic, Disney's exuberent red-and-white marching band.
Next we headed to Adventureland where we set sail on a whimsical cruise in the hugely popular Jungle Cruise.
The area of the park that we checked out last was Tomorrowland. One ride that I knew not to miss was Space Mountain, an iconic indoor, space-themed roller coaster. Compared to the other more tame rides at Magic Kingdom, this one felt like a whirlwind.
Another ride that I had heard a lot about was TRON Lightcycle run. We got to ride our own light cycle and the neon visuals were a treat. And even though this was a short ride, it was smooth and packed quite a punch!
Here are the girls cooling off at a misting station. They had no idea such facilities existed 😄
I had booked character dining at Chef Mickey’s, located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We took the monorail from Magic Kingdom to get here. We all had a great time enjoying a meal with Mickey Mouse and his friends!
As daylight faded, everyone naturally gravitated towards the castle. The anticipation quietly built until the first firework lit up the night sky. Disney's fireworks aren't just a spectacular display, they are an experience. Photos or videos simply don't do it justice. Music, projections, lights and fireworks combine to create a finale that somehow manages to make thousands of complete strangers feel like they are sharing one magical moment together.
This trip took place more than 3 years ago so my recollections have dimmed with time (trust me, I'm kicking myself for it!). This blog post weaves together my strongest memories, my husband's trustworthy recollections and plenty of photographic evidence 😝 I feel like we saw and did a lot more but those events will probably remain buried somewhere in the depths of my foggy brain.
You know, the best part about taking 8-year olds to Magic Kingdom is that they can comfortably do 12-13 hours at the park, there is no need to bother with nap times, mealtimes are flexible and they tend to enjoy Its a Small World just as much as Space Mountain 😊
I'm not sure how the ticketing system works at Disney now but back then, we used the My Disney Experience app. We had the option to purchase Genie+ for the day. This gave us access to Lightning Lane entrances at multiple eligible attractions, choosing an available arrival window. After using a selection, we could make another selection after 120 minutes. My husband and I are not ones who have the patience to wait in long lines. Even though we weren't theme park veterans, we strategised and used the Lightening Lane entrance for the most popular rides which saved us huge chunks of time. What also helped us was that early theme park admission is exclusively available to guests staying at official on-site resort hotels for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. We found that the 30 min head start was a great opportunity to make a beeline to the most popular attractions. Also, carrying on-the-go breakfast makes sure everyone is in a good mood and rearing to go! The fact that we made it a point to reach the parks early and stayed till well into the night, allowed us to maximise our experience at Disney.
Wildlife, Water Rides and a Change of Pace
Our next day began at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Unlike the other parks, Animal Kingdom feels less like a collection of rides and more like stepping into beautifully recreated habitats from around the world.
I made sure to dress for the occasion 😃
The open-air Kilimanjaro Safari brought us remarkably close to giraffes, elephants and lions roaming across vast landscapes. Our safari guide was outstanding and provided us with interesting information and fun-facts along with addressing the importance of conservation.
Pandora The World of Avatar felt like stepping into another dimension. The walk about through the Valley of Mo’ara literally felt other worldly. Avatar Flight of Passage easily lived up to its reputation as one of Disney's finest attractions. It's the kind of ride that leaves you speechless for several minutes afterwards.
After all that excitement, we were famished. I was pleasantly surprised to see an eatery named Tiffins Restaurant serving African, Indian & South American cuisine. It isn't very common to see Gobi Manchurian on a menu in the US 😄
After an early lunch, we checked out the Na'vi River Journey, a dark ride that took us through the Kasvapan River of Pandora from the 2009 film Avatar, showcasing native animals and bioluminescent flora.
By afternoon, we traded safari trails for water slides at Typhoon Lagoon. While planning for this trip, I had to opt between Typhoon Lagoon or Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Since the latter was closed for maintenance during the timeline we visited Orlando, the choice was obvious.
The girls squealed in delight when they saw the taxi that arrived to take us to Typhoon Lagoon.
After days spent walking miles through the parks, floating along lazy rivers and racing down water slides felt like exactly what everyone needed. I tossed my phone into the locker before hitting the water and focused entirely on enjoying myself for the rest of the day so there are no photos from our water escapades. Believe me when I say that all of us had an absolute blast at Typhoon Lagoon and our twins (who are complete water babies) declared it their favourite Disney Park 😊
Back at Fort Wilderness late hat evening, we had some time for a joy ride in the golf cart to explore the grounds. Dinner at the Chuck Wagon foodtruck felt wonderfully simple and rustic after another marvellous day. Even though we adults were close to exhaustion, the girls were full of beans and kept playing in the patio until dusk set in.
A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust and Butterbeer
After three unforgettable Disney days, it was time to switch worlds.
Universal Orlando has a completely different personality. Where Disney wraps you up in nostalgia and storytelling, Universal thrives on blockbuster adventures and adrenaline-pumping rides.
Checking into Loews Portofino Bay that morning instantly felt like stepping into a charming Italian seaside village. Our suite was huge and tastefully done (the girls seemed to be most impressed by the living room 😄). Although we would have loved checking out the hotel at a leisurely pace, in the interest of time, we immediately made our way to Universal Studios Florida by water taxi.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split between two Universal parks. At Universal Studios Florida, you will find Diagon Alley, home to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. While at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you will find Hogsmeade, home to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The two areas are connected by the Hogwarts Express, which you can ride between the parks if you have a Park-to-Park ticket.
I think the highlight for all of us at Universal was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For Harry Potter fans, nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of Diagon Alley. I heard a high-pitched squeal and realized it was coming from me 😂
You have the towering dragon perched atop Gringotts that breathes fire at regular intervals. Shop windows filled with magical curiosities. Wands, robes, sweets and the unmistakable soundtrack that immediately transports you back into J.K. Rowling's extraordinary wizarding world 💫
As a 40 -year old woman, I may have been gawking at everything with wide-eyed wonder just as much as my 8-year olds were!
At Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the girls exuberantly pointed at several familiar practical joke objects.
We bought wands, chocolate frogs, liquid luck and Bertie Bott's every flavoured beans.
As we wandered through Diagon Alley, we paused to watch Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform a lively musical show. For those unaware, she happens to be Molly Weasley's favourite singer 😊
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is the ultimate attraction in this part of the park. The ride takes you into a dramatic escape involving Harry, Ron, Hermione, Voldemort, Bellatrix and dragons, combining screens, practical sets, movement, sudden turns, a drop and some fast-moving sections. It genuinely felt as though someone folded a page from the books into real life. We loved this ride immensely!
Grabbing a bite to eat at the Leaky Cauldron only added to the fantasy. Naturally, I had to try at least two varieties of Butterbeer. In trademark fashion, I had reviewed Butterbeer beforehand and was aware of all the varieties that were available 😏
We stopped by to check-out the Knight bus and Grimmauld Place. I was taken by surprise when I spotted Kreacher peeping out of a window.
After wrapping up the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we continued towards the many other attractions at Universal Studios Florida.
Revenge of the Mummy was a ride we were familiar with because of the multiple times we had ridden it at Universal studios Singapore. The high-octane indoor roller coaster took us through the dark, atmospheric world of ancient Egypt, complete with fire, special effects and unexpected twists.
We also took on Transformers: The Ride-3D, an immersive motion-simulation experience that made us feel as though we had been dropped right into the middle of an epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons.
At MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack, we became secret agents for the day, shooting at aliens and competing to see who could rack up the highest score.
And then there was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the enormous outdoor roller coaster that towers over the park. My husband and I decided that we had reached that stage of life where the need for an adrenaline rush had largely disappeared (or perhaps we had simply started feeling our age!). We gave the towering Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit a respectful pass while my more adventurous brother-in-law and sister-in-law gave it a go.
The kids, meanwhile, had a wonderful time at Whac-A-Rat, where they went completely nuts bashing the heads of mechanical rats. They even won a stuffed panda, which they promptly named Priscilla. Naturally, Priscilla became an integral part of the family for the rest of the trip 😄
After all that fun, we stopped for ice-cream before continuing our wander through the park.
We walked through the Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood section, posed for photographs with Dora the Explorer and her friends, stopped for a picture with the iconic Mystery Machine, and met the colourful Trolls. These little encounters were part of what made Universal so delightful.
As we returned, Lowes Portofino Bay looked lovely in the warm evening glow of sundown.
We ended the evening at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, a roomy and colourful restaurant at Universal CityWalk. Set beside the lagoon, with a vibrant atmosphere, music, drinks and the buzz of people savoring the evening, it was the perfect spot to unwind after a full day at the parks. We enjoyed Mexican food and drinks in the cheery atmosphere before finally calling it a day.
From Hogsmeade to the Human Dryer!
Our final day at the theme parks was devoted entirely to Islands of Adventure, home to some of the Universal's biggest attractions.
Bright and early, we headed to Universal’s Islands of Adventure and what better way to begin than in the magical village of Hogsmeade?
We wandered through the charming shops of Zonko’s and Honeydukes, where the sight of all those colourful sweets was enough to make our mouths water.
We also stopped at the Three Broomsticks, where I made sure to try Pumpkin Fizz. It was surprisingly good.
And then, of course, there it was in all its glory - the magnificent Hogwarts Castle.
The Hogwarts castle is one of the most iconic photo spots in the park so getting a good picture without being photobombed by the throngs of people requires patience, planning and some strategic positioning. As you can see, I managed to find just the spot 😎 Once that was done, we set about experiencing the three main Harry Potter attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
The last of these was my favourite, but honestly, all the Harry Potter attractions were exceptional. The attention to detail, the storytelling and the sheer creativity that went into bringing the Wizarding World to life was extraordinary. An enchantingly immersive experience for Potterheads and one I would highly recommend!
We then moved on to Jurassic Park. We largely bypassed the rides because we had already experienced the Singapore version and were more than familiar with them. The kids did, however, take on the rock-climbing wall before we continued to Skull Island: Reign of Kong. The 3D ride was thrilling and gave us another dose of the larger-than-life adventure that Universal does so brilliantly.
From there, we entered Toon Lagoon, one of the most colourful and entertaining areas of the park.
We went on both Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. Both rides succeeded spectacularly in getting us drenched. Our clothes were so wet that we had to make use of the human dryer, which was quite an experience in itself! I have a hilarious photo of the same but if I share it here, I'm sure my intensely camera-shy brother-in-law will dispatch an assasin to kill me 😂
Next came Marvel Super Hero Island, where we enjoyed The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. This was a fantastic 3D/4D ride 👍
Then we wandered through the wonderfully whimsical Seuss Landing. I thought this area was adorable, although it seemed more geared towards younger children.
We eventually made our way to The Lost Continent, where we stopped for lunch.
As our day drew to a close, we took the iconic Hogwarts Express back to Universal Studios Florida before exiting the park. The wonderful train ride was the perfect way to bid farewell to Harry Potter's Wizarding World.
Back at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the men decided to take it easy for the remainder of the day and chill, while my sister-in-law, the kids and I headed to the hotel pool. The resort's stunning family-friendly pool features a Roman aqueduct-themed waterslide, a sandy beach, a children's pool, two Jacuzzis and colourful beach cabanas.
The girls, needless to say, went completely bonkers. For the next three hours, they were in the water, on the slide, in the pool and having the time of their lives. Getting them out was practically mission impossible!
Our last evening in Orlando was a mixture of gratitude and reluctance. Grateful for everything we had experienced together, yet wishing we had just one more day 😉
Time for a New Adventure
Our flight to Denver, Colorado was at 4pm so we had some time in the morning to take the water taxi to Universal CityWalk. I remember it was a gloriously sunny day, the skies were intensely blue, the bay was shimmering and there were vibrant blooms dotting our paths.
We had just enough time for lunch at the Orlando Airport and one last chance to reflect on the incredible week we had just shared. We bid farewell to chikkappa and chikki, who we would meet again on the last leg of our trip.
Travel has always been one of my favourite ways to make memories as a family. Orlando reminded me that while castles, roller coasters and fantasy worlds are wonderful, they are really just the backdrop. The real magic has always been sharing them with the people you love.
Looking back, I truly believe the phenomenal success of this trip had a lot to do with our children. They were absolute gold throughout! Blessed with cheerful dispositions, boundless enthusiasm, an adventurous spirit and what seemed like an endless reserve of energy, they embraced every experience with genuine excitement. We never had to contend with whining or complaints, even after long days, endless queues, and miles of walking. Whether it was a world-famous attraction or a simple moment in between, they found joy in it all. Their infectious happiness made every day lighter, every memory sweeter, and they were, without question, the very best travel companions we could have asked for 💕
A long time has elapsed since this trip happened. The photographs have been captioned and neatly organised into albums, the park tickets have been tucked away somewhere and souvenirs have found their place on shelves. But every now and then, one picture is all it takes to be transported back to that warm April week in Florida - a week filled with wonder, laughter and the kind of family memories that only grow more precious with time.
I hope you enjoyed reading our adventures in Orlando just as much as I enjoyed extracting them from my mind (although at times I desperately wished I had my own Pensieve! IYKYK 😉).
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