When it comes to the ideal guys getaway destination, what are the most important things to consider? Great golf courses, fishing charters, delicious cuisine and of course, a few spots to enjoy a couple of beers. We all know that Las Vegas may be a popular hotspot because of the glitz and glamor or perhaps Los Angeles for the Hollywood lifestyle but we would argue that another destination should be on your radar – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach may not be the first spot on the tip of your tongue when considering a place for your guys getaway but after reading this post, I’m convinced that you will be ready to pack your bags and head to the gorgeous beaches along Alabama’s coastline!
Golfing, fishing, kayaking, biking and much more…there is one common theme here, ADVENTURE! And that’s what Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is all about. Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks may be popular spots for the thrill-seekers in your life but for the more “relaxed” adventure seekers, GSOB offers a unique blend of opportunities for all the guys to enjoy and perhaps allow their competitive instincts to show.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Mancation
Whether it’s a long weekend getaway to fine-tune your skills on the golf course or perhaps enjoy a fishing excursion to see who can claim the best catch of the day, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is the ultimate mancation destination!
Vacation + guys getaway = mancation
There I said it… Alabama’s Beaches are a “mancation” hotspot. This is a term that I haven’t used frequently but the more I hear about it, the more I feel it’s appropriate when thinking about Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Forget the stereotype of guys getaways being associated with drunken bar crawls or late-night partying at casinos and instead, take a moment to think about some of your best guy friends and what you enjoy.
What better way to bond with your best man and groomsmen than by visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and experiencing a fun, relaxing weekend break.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to enjoy Gulf Shores and Orange Beach during a 48-hour guys getaway!
Golfing Paradise
The golf course has long been renowned as one of the best places to relax and also sign future business deals. The myriad of amazing courses on offer throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach means that you can head to this area with your favorite golfing buddies enjoy the perfect golfing getaway.
I have first-hand experience at the 27-hole Peninsula Golf Club complex but that’s only the start of the courses available along Alabama’s Beaches.
Long considered one of the Southeast’s best tracks, Kiva Dunes is a links layout hugging the Gulf Coast
Whether you prefer the parkland American style at Craft Farms or perhaps a more British-inspired links layout at Kiva Dunes, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has a distinctive variety of courses waiting for you to conquer.
Photo: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.
One of the great benefits to golfing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is that you don’t even need to worry about packing your golf clubs as you can easily rent them at most courses (though if you are like me and enjoy taking your game seriously, you may want to pack them in the back along with your best buddies)!
Fishing Excursions in the Gulf
If you are looking for the ultimate fishing paradise, look no further than the Gulf Coast! Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers a variety of distinctive daily fishing excursions that you and your buddies can enjoy. Both offshore and inshore fishing excursions are available, so regardless of your preference, there is likely to be something that will spark your interests.
Photo: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.
After a late night enjoying a few beverages at the 19th hole, surely an early-morning fishing excursion is the perfect way to cure any hangover you may be suffering from! Visit one of the many fishing charter companies and listen to the captains who are the best in the business in finding the perfect spots to enjoy the perfect catch of the day.
Go after elusive blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, amberjack, cobia, red snapper and more!
If you are planning a trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach this fall, here are some of the fish that are biting in the latter part of the year!
Did you also know that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is home to a number of “cook your catch” restaurants? Clean your record catch and then head to one of these restaurants to enjoy a dining experience unlike anywhere else!
If a full-day fishing excursion isn’t feasible for your proposed guys getaway, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fishing charters offer 4-6 hour trips that are perfect for a 48-hour weekend vacation.
Shopping Without The Girls
Take a moment to consider the topic of shopping…that’s for the girls in your life right? I would argue that a guys getaway is the perfect chance to explore every shop they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to enjoy.
There is nothing wrong or embarrassing about guys heading to the store to expand their closet or perhaps find the latest tech products. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is certainly a destination that has all of your shopping needs covered.
Whether you enjoy spending time in Bass Pro Shops or perhaps heading to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Foley to visit Direct Tools to find the latest power gadgets, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a great place for all the guys to spend a few hours getting their retail therapy fix.
Summary
So how would you spend 48 hours in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with your guys? Hit the links or head on a fishing excursion in the Gulf before spending a few hours at your favorite stores. This definitely sounds like the ideal “mancation” but regardless of your decision to visit Alabama’s coastline, I hope you will at least consider this as a viable option.
Who needs Vegas or NYC when you can have all of the above in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! It may have sounded crazy when I first recommended this but after seeing all of the attractions that are perfectly suited to a guys getaway, I am convinced that this area of Alabama will be a perfect destination for you and the guys!
Orlando is home to a variety of theme parks and other attractions that make it crucial to find the perfect accommodation option to enjoy everything this city has to offer. Whether you are enjoying the very best of Disney World but also want to spend some time at Universal Orlando Resort, why not choose a hotel that is situated perfectly in between both of these in the heart of International Drive? The Hilton Orlando International Drive is an affordable yet luxurious hotel option that we can highly recommend following our recent stay here.
Rather than focusing solely on a hotel review, we are going to share several reasons why the Hilton Orlando International Drive is the perfect place to stay to experience all of Orlando’s top attractions. For those of you that are loyal Hilton brand followers, this is another amazing option that you should add to your portfolio of hotels that you need to experience.
But it’s more than just the stereotypical hotel experience that made us fall in love with this Hilton. Let’s find out a few reasons why we think this Hilton will be on your radar for your next visit to Orlando, Florida.
Hilton Orlando Resort Location
We frequently coin the phrase “Location, Location, Location” when it comes to reviewing hotels in destinations around the world and I think it’s fair to say this hotel epitomizes this philosophy. What determines whether a hotel is located in the ideal spot is subject to personal opinion but we would always argue that easy access to airports, public transportation and key attractions within the destination are integral components of this assessment.
Photo: Hilton Orlando Resort
However, you may argue that Orlando is home to a plethora of hotel options that are in a great location and this is a legitimate argument. But when you are situated no more than 10 miles from any of Orlando’s theme parks (Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Sea World), and located on International Drive, a spot frequently renowned as the heartbeat of the city, it’s easy to see why we would choose the Hilton Orlando International Drive hotel over any of the competition.
Located only 13 miles from Orlando International Airport, this is also a convenient option for folks that are planning on renting a car to explore Orlando or prefer to take public transportation such as an Uber or Super Shuttle.
Above are just a few directions to some of Orlando’s most popular landmarks. We completely understand if you think staying “on-site” at one of these theme parks is the better option but if you are planning on experiencing a variety of spots, we are convinced that the Hilton Orlando International Drive is an excellent choice!
If you have read any of our recent posts, you will know that this was our first visit to Walt Disney World and it will be no surprise when we say we had an AMAZING experience there. But we had a variety of “first-time experiences” during our recent visit to Orlando, including experiencing Universal Orlando Resort and also the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye.
If you are staying at the Hilton Orlando International Drive, here are 5 awesome attractions you won’t want to miss!
Walt Disney World
A trip to Orlando wouldn’t be the same without spending some time at Walt Disney World! Renowned as “The Happiest Place On Earth,” this is one of those iconic attractions around the world that everyone wants to experience at least once in their lifetime.
Heather and I visited here for the first time and we can well and truly attest that we cannot wait to return in the future (Heather is already planning a trip back there in the next few weeks!).
From the iconic Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom to the amazing variety of international experiences awaiting you at Epcot’s World Showcase, the challenge when visiting Walt Disney World is figuring out what to experience in the time you allocate to these theme parks.
Be sure to check out our post on the best things to do if you choose to try and explore Disney World in one day!
Universal Orlando Resort
If a day at Disney World doesn’t spark your interest, perhaps experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and much more at Universal Orlando Resort will intrigue you.
Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios are the two flagship theme parks but the brand new Volcano Bay Water Park is sure to inspire all the family to visit this part of Orlando.
Whether you are taking a stroll around Hogsmeade Village or stumbling across your favorite Simpsons character in Springfield, you can be sure that Universal Orlando Resort will have something that interests you.
We enjoyed two awesome days here exploring both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and it’s fair to say that we left feeling like we barely touched the surface despite having such amazing adventures! You can read all about the best things at Islands of Adventure here.
Coca-Cola Orlando Eye
One of the closest attractions to the Hilton Orlando is the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye! This 400-feet Ferris wheel offers visitors the opportunity to admire a birds-eye view of Orlando while enjoying the comfort of a fully enclosed air-conditioned capsule.
Take a moment to escape, and discover the magic and natural wonder Orlando has to offer from above.
We had an amazing 23-minute experience on the Orlando Eye and we can highly recommend taking this during the late evening to enjoy a breathtaking Orlando sunset.
International Drive
International Drive is at the “center of the fun and excitement of your vacation!” When I read this slogan on the website devoted to promoting this part of Orlando, I knew that this was going to be the real heartbeat of the city. Renowned as a “dynamic destination,” International Drive is home to various restaurants, attractions, shopping and much more.
The Orlando Eye that we just referenced is in the heart of International Drive but this is just one of the many attractions that you can experience. A 7D (that’s right, 7D!!) dark ride adventure offers visitors the opportunity to be transformed into another world while SEA LIFE Orlando will transport you into an underwater adventure.
Both of these are part of the complex that houses the Orlando Eye, so even if strolling up and down International Drive doesn’t sound appealing, you can be sure to find plenty of things to do in one spot.
However, it’s the experience of walking International Drive or hopping on the I-Ride Trolley that makes this such a cool place to be. After all that walking, you will deserve a treat so be sure to check out Shake Shack or the Sugar Factory if you have a sweet tooth!
The benefit of staying at the Hilton Orlando is that International Drive is easily within walking distance, so you are never too far away from all the fun this area of Orlando has to offer!
Premium Outlet Malls
A visit to Orlando wouldn’t be the same without adding a little retail therapy to your itinerary. If you are staying at the Hilton Orlando International Drive, it’s only a short distance from not one but TWO awesome Premium Outlet Malls. The Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets offer similar stores (with some differences) but are both worth experiencing if you enjoy a little shopping on vacation.
Visitors to the Orlando International Premium Outlets will experience Florida’s largest and most unique outlet shopping destination with over 180 stores (many of them leading designer brands) available. It’s no surprise that folks can frequently spend a full day enjoying everything this outlet mall has to offer.
Conveniently accessible via the I-Ride Trolley service, the challenging aspect of visiting both of these malls is figuring out how to carry all of your bags following your shopping spree and determining how you will get all of your new purchases home!
Hilton Orlando Dining Options
For those of you that prefer to enjoy the on site restaurants at the Hilton Orlando International Drive, you won’t be disappointed by the variety on offer. Whether you are looking to enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore one of the aforementioned attractions or perhaps enjoy a late evening aperitif, the Hilton Orlando has various options available to its guests.
David’s Club Bar & Grill is a typical American “Gastro Pub” designed with a perfect blend of contemporary and luxury decor while offering a distinctive variety of cuisine options.
Local craft beers are available as are a myriad of stereotypical choices that you associate with a modern day bar.
If you are just looking to enjoy a light snack, this is definitely a great place to do this.
Spencer’s is renowned as being “sophisticated and approachable” but certainly adds a little something extra to your traditional steakhouse.
An evening you will never forget in a destination you will always remember.
A signature “raw bar” is one of the popular attractions of this restaurant and this is definitely a spot worth considering if you want to experience one of Orlando’s finest steakhouses.
Photo: Hilton Orlando Resort
The Bistro is the perfect spot to grab a refreshing breakfast while for those of you that want to enjoy the gorgeous swimming pool at the Hilton Orlando, check out the Tropics Pool Bar And Grill.
Amenities
Although most guests in a hotel are looking to enjoy the comfort and relaxation offered in the hotel room, having access to a myriad of on site amenities is certainly an appealing attraction. If you are staying at the Hilton Orlando International Drive location, you don’t have to worry about amenities because there are plenty of them to keep you at the hotel rather than venturing off to explore the city.
Photo: Hilton Orlando Resort
The gorgeous swimming pool and lazy river are spectacular amenities at the Hilton Orlando. The zero-entry feature means that you can walk into the pool without having to worry about clambering up and down steps. A winding water slide is an additional feature for all the family to enjoy while for those that prefer to relax out of the water, there is a 10,000 square-foot pool deck with lounge chairs. Those that want a little more privacy can rent one of the cabanas available.
Photo: Hilton Orlando Resort
Why not consider pampering yourself by heading over to the Eforea Spa and enjoy a relaxing massage in a tropical oasis in the heart of Florida!
eforea spa at Hilton Orlando is a place like no other where you will reconnect with self and emerge brighter
A variety of packages are available and guests are encouraged to consider this option as the ultimate relaxation experience, particularly after a busy few days exploring Orlando’s iconic theme parks. There is nothing quite like a massage to work out those aches and pains!
In Room Relaxation
I am sure you are all waiting to see what to expect when you enter your room (or suite) at the Hilton Orlando International Drive hotel. Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed! Spacious, comfortable, modern and relaxing are all superlatives I would use to describe the overall look and feel of the guest rooms at this hotel.
We enjoyed a gorgeous view overlooking International Drive and the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye while others offer views across the gorgeous pool. The decor throughout the room offers a warm and relaxing feel, yet with the amount of natural light pouring in, it’s the perfect blend to create the ultimate relaxation experience.
The natural tile shower and granite bathroom vanity showcase the intricate details of the room design while offering yet another relaxing experience for guests to enjoy all of the in-room amenities associated with the Hilton brand.
As we frequently say when reviewing hotels, when you experience a room that makes it difficult to get up in the morning and leave for the day, you know you have found a great place to stay!
Summary
Are you convinced that the Hilton Orlando International Drive is a great place to stay on your next visit to Orlando? This is definitely at the very top of our list of the best hotels in Orlando, especially if you want somewhere that is perfectly located to explore the very best of Orlando’s attractions.
Although we didn’t mention price during this review, this is a very affordable hotel and you can frequently find rooms here for as low as $99 per night! It’s a real bargain for this type of location.
We are looking forward to returning to Orlando in the near future and are delighted to be able to add this Hilton Orlando Resort to our portfolio of amazing hotels that we will continue to stay at in the future.
Disclaimer – We would like to thank the Hilton Orlando Resort for hosting us for a one-night stay in exchange for consideration of a blog post review. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.
If you are heading to “The Happiest Place on Earth,” surely you will want to spend several days experiencing everything Walt Disney World has to offer? But what about if time constraints or budget means that spending a few days at Magic Kingdom et al. just isn’t a feasible option? Don’t worry, we have the perfect guide for you as we recently embarked on a challenge to explore Disney World in one day!
Crazy, stupid, exhausting, unrealistic…all words along with a few expletives that were thrown out when considering the thought of exploring Disney World in one day. Most people visiting Disney will spend at least one day in each of the four parks so how on earth could we even contemplate experiencing the best attractions in less than 24 hours. We had read a few articles of some of our fellow travel blogging friends accomplishing this, so we were up for the challenge.
Let’s take a look at exactly what our challenge entailed, how we went about achieving our goals and the final outcome! You may just be inspired to visit Disney World in the future, regardless of how much time you plan to spend in Orlando…I don’t want to give too much away but Disney World in one day can be done.
Disney World Information
Opening Times
Ok, let’s start with a few of the basics. Here are the four parks in question along with their opening and closing times which essentially gave us the window we were working with.
Magic Kingdom – 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Epcot – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (World Showcase opens at 11:00 AM)
Animal Kingdom – 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Hollywood Studios – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Please note, these hours may vary at different times of the year and these are valid at the time of publication. For the latest hours, check out the following link: Disney World Park Times and Hours.
Admission Prices
If you only have one day to explore Disney World, you will likely want to purchase the “Hopper” pass to have unlimited access to all four parks. Here are the rates (at the time of publication) for the various options available:
1-Day Value Ticket for Magic Kingdom – $107 (Adults 10+) $101 (Children 3-9)
1-Day Value Ticket for Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios – $99 (Adults 10+) $93 (Children 3-9)
1-Day Value Ticket with Park Hopper Option – $162 (Adults 10+) $156 (Children 3-9)
For those of you that have already figured out that exploring Disney World in one day isn’t feasible, check out all of the tickets and pricing options here: Disney World Theme Park Tickets.
Parking and Transportation
Visitors staying away from Disney World will enjoy the benefit of ample parking that costs only $20 per day and provides access to parking lots across the resort. If you are planning on visiting multiple parks throughout the day, we strongly recommend using one of the following public transportation methods:
Ferry – Water taxis and ferries offers visitors the opportunity to sail to and from Magic Kingdom. The cruise is only about 10 minutes but is definitely an experience you will enjoy, especially as you approach the infamous sight of Cinderella’s Castle.
Monorail – Two different monorail routes are a great way to get around the Disney World resort. One of the routes will take visitors between the Transportation/Ticket Center and Epcot, while the other route stops between Magic Kingdom and several of the onsite hotels.
Shuttle Bus – If neither of the other alternatives are available, you can be sure that a shuttle bus will be just minutes away from taking you to your chosen destination throughout Disney World. If you are planning a visit to Animal Kingdom from any of the other parks, a shuttle bus is your only option but the bus drivers will certainly make this an enjoyable trip!
Disney World in One Day
How do you even begin to contemplate exploring everything Disney World has to offer in just one day? The entire Disney World resort covers 40 square miles, essentially the same size as the city of San Francisco! Trying to accomplish as much as possible in just one day requires plenty of planning, research and a strong desire to achieve the goals you set.
We figured that we had about a 12-hour window to explore Disney World so rather than trying to visit all four parks, our challenge was made a little easier when we decided to visit just three. Easy right? Ok, maybe not given the vast size of these parks and having to take into consideration travel time between them etc. More on that aspect later.
Anyone visiting Disney World for the first time will certainly want to visit the iconic theme park, Magic Kingdom. It’s pretty much a given that everyone needs to experience the “magic” at least once so this was at the very top of our list of must-see parks.
As avid world travelers, the World Showcase at Epcot was another area we just had to experience so this was second on our list and the intriguing prospect of taking a Kilimanjaro Safari meant that Animal Kingdom was added to our itinerary.
After figuring out where we wanted to go and organizing times for “must-see” attractions using our Fast Pass privileges, we established the following “tentative” schedule to experience Disney World in one day!
Morning (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Magic Kingdom
Afternoon (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM) Epcot
Evening (5:00 PM to 9:00 PM) Animal Kingdom
Could we have added Hollywood Studios to this itinerary? We spent quite a bit of time exploring Epcot so had we opted against experiencing everything there and also not made lunch reservations at the Rose and Crown Pub, we could probably have visited all four!
Let’s not get too carried away though because three Disney World theme parks in one day is more than sufficient…I know many of you will still think we are crazy for even attempting this.
Magic Kingdom
Rather than giving a full play by play insight into our visit to each of the three parks, I am going to save that for future posts. As I am sure you can imagine, it’s pretty easy to put together a 1000+ word post on each of these parks given the plethora of amazing things to do and experience in each one. However, I will give you a brief synopsis of what we accomplished in each one along with the transition phase to get from one park to the next.
As we mentioned above, our day started bright and early at Magic Kingdom. After parking our vehicle at around 7:20 AM, we headed through security (I will add that this was a breeze at that time!) and boarded the shuttle bus to the entrance.
The ferry and monorail are two other alternative transportation methods but at that time, neither of these were open.
TIP #1 – ARRIVE EARLY AT MAGIC KINGDOM TO BEAT THE CROWDS!
The beauty of arriving at Magic Kingdom “early” is that you can experience the Main Street which in itself is a cool themed area that you can enjoy before entering the main attraction through Cinderella’s Castle. Souvenir shops, restaurants, and even a Starbucks that fits the theme of the “turn of the century” American Main Street!
Moments before 9:00 AM, visitors that woke up bright and early are rewarded with the “welcome” from the one and only Mickey Mouse and a short introduction to some of the other iconic Disney characters ends with visitors having the opportunity to pass under the Arch of Cinderella Castle.
The masses of visitors all start scrambling to experience their favorite rides, so where do you even begin?
TIP #2 – DON’T LET THE ADVERTISED WAIT TIMES STOP YOU…FREQUENTLY EXAGGERATED!
Here are just a few of the rides and attractions that we experienced and again, we will share more details on these later:
Mad Tea Party
Princess Fairytale Hall
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
Swiss Family Treehouse
The Hall of Presidents
Jungle Cruise
Gaston’s Tavern
Needless to say, there is a myriad of entertaining experiences awaiting visitors to Magic Kingdom and we cannot argue against the fact you could easily spend all day here.
However, we were able to walk around the entire park and enjoy a variety of attractions before heading back to the transportation hub on the ferry and then hopping on the monorail to Epcot.
TIP #3 – EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC KINGDOM FERRY AT LEAST ONCE!
Epcot
Regardless of your chosen method of transportation to arrive at Epcot, the iconic sight of the geodesic sphere will greet you!
Spaceship Earth is one of the many attractions at Epcot and after heading through security, we waited about 25 minutes to take the journey through the dome and enjoy a look at technological advancements over the centuries.
Travel in time and explore the history of communication on a ride that takes you from the Stone Age to the computer age.
We quickly realized that Epcot offered a perfect blend of attractions for young and old alike. As avid world travelers, the World Showcase was undoubtedly our highlight attraction. Whether you have previously visited the countries in person or simply want to learn more about them, exploring the “themed” areas is definitely an inspiring experience.
Ready for a bite to eat? Enjoying lunch at the Rose and Crown Pub that we had previously made reservations for was a cool experience and definitely something that we recommend.
You will quickly realize that Epcot is far larger than Magic Kingdom in terms of size. Looking at the numbers, Epcot covers around 300 acres and Magic Kingdom is only 105 acres. This difference is particularly noticeable on your legs if you walk all around the World Showcase! But it’s well worth the effort.
TIP #4 – ENJOY LUNCH (OR DINNER) AT EPCOT! VARIETY OF WORLD CUISINES TO EXPERIENCE – WE RECOMMEND THE ROSE AND CROWN PUB IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AREA
If you are heading to Animal Kingdom as we did, you can leave Epcot and hop on the shuttle bus that will take you on the short journey to the entrance. Just to reiterate what we mentioned earlier, although the $20 parking pass provides access to all the Disney World parking lots, you will be better suited using the public transportation to get from one park to the next.
Animal Kingdom
We arrived at Animal Kingdom shortly after 5:00 PM and I will be perfectly honest, we were already pretty exhausted! Perhaps this fatigue clouded our experience and overall judgment of Animal Kingdom or maybe it was because of the poor weather we experienced throughout the evening.
As we began our journey around Animal Kingdom, we started to hear that many of the rides were temporarily closed because of the storms throughout the Orlando area.
Unfortunately, the Kali River Rapids ride was one of these that was closed and we had fast-pass tickets for this but our other highlight experience, the Kilimanjaro Safari was still scheduled.
TIP #5 – BOOK A SUNSET TOUR ON THE KILIMANJARO SAFARI FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCES WITH THE WILDLIFE!
We spent a couple of hours walking around and enjoying the sights and sounds of this theme park before heading to the Safari to experience a variety of African animals roaming around the plains.
The Tree of Life is certainly a focal point inside Animal Kingdom and definitely an impressive sight, especially as darkness falls and it is illuminated and an unmistakable attraction.
Shortly before 9:00 PM, we headed back to the bus depot and took the shuttle to Magic Kingdom where we enjoyed the final few minutes of the firework display.
Summary
What a day!! 14 incredible hours and undoubtedly well worth the effort to accomplish our goal of exploring Disney World in one day. Realistically, I think it’s feasible to explore two parks (Magic Kingdom and one other) in the same day, particularly if you don’t have children and you are not necessarily interested in experiencing every ride at Magic Kingdom.
However, for anyone that claims that Disney World is overrated and a tourist trap, we would certainly argue that this is far from the truth. Yes, it’s expensive! Yes, you will spend money! But everything you experience is well worth it because there is a reason why this place is renowned globally as the “Happiest Place on Earth”…do we agree? 100% YES!!
Visiting Universal Orlando Resort for the first time? You need to decide exactly where you want to start because there is a lot to see! If you read our recent post, you will know that we spent our 48 hours exploring both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios at Universal Orlando Resort. The reality is, you could easily spend 48 hours in each of these theme parks but we want to focus our attention on some of the best things to do at Islands of Adventure before heading over to explore Universal Studios.
It’s a pretty safe bet that when you are home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you are going to be an incredibly popular location. No longer do you need to think about crossing the pond to experience Harry Potter in the United Kingdom! However, the beauty of Universal’s Islands of Adventure is that there is a wide variety of other attractions waiting to entice you through the gates.
Whether you are a dinosaur lover and raring to visit Jurassic Park or perhaps the younger folks in your family are excited about the thought of visiting Seuss’ Landing, you can be sure that there of plenty of things to do at Islands of Adventure for everyone to enjoy!
Best Things to Do at Islands of Adventure
Seven different themes covering a large area means that Islands of Adventure is a theme park that you could easily spend several days enjoying. But when you only have 48 hours to experience this park along with one other, you need to be pretty organized and have an itinerary in mind.
Rather than trying to enjoy every single area, we opted to focus on the following three areas in addition to the Port of Entry and Hogwarts Express.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Jurassic Park
Toon Lagoon
Hogwarts Express
Port of Entry
However, don’t let this fool you! We walked around all of Islands of Adventure and caught a glimpse of a myriad of attractions throughout this theme park but the above areas are what really captured our attention.
Day 1 saw us spend several hours in “The World of Harry Potter” where we enjoyed lunch and also Jurassic Park before we hopped on the Hogwarts Express to explore Universal Studios. We did the reverse on Day 2 and also incorporated Toon Lagoon into our itinerary!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
It’s no surprise that the highlight attraction and one of the most popular spots throughout the Universal Orlando Resort is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter…and for good reason! After wandering through the Seuss Landing and Lost Continent areas, we arrived at the archway to Hogsmeade Village.
To our left was the impressive sight of Hogsmeade Station while in front of us, we couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking architecture that was incredibly realistic. The towering sight of Hogwarts Castle is awe-inspiring and you cannot help but be transformed into the world where Harry Potter enjoyed a lifetime of adventures!
But I’m sure it’s our adventures you are interested in reading about and hopefully inspiring you to have a few of your own in the near future.
Explore the variety of shops that epitomize the architectural brilliance of Hogsmeade Village and perhaps find a souvenir or two to remember your visit to this magical place. We certainly enjoyed browsing around the candy shops where a Chocolate Frog, Fizzing Whizzbee or Jelly Slug quickly caught our eye.
After spending some time enjoying life in Hogsmeade, we were ready to grab lunch and what better place to do this than the authentic Three Broomsticks restaurant in the heart of the village.
The Three Broomsticks is the place to go in Hogsmeade for good food, friendly conversation, and a Butterbeer (Universal Orlando Resort)
When I read the above review about the Three Broomsticks, I knew that this was a place we had to experience. A visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter simply wouldn’t be the same without enjoying lunch or at least a frozen butterbeer inside this restaurant.
The moment you walk into this restaurant, you cannot help but focus your attention on the intricate decor details and everything that portrays a stereotypical Harry Potter setting. The menu has a very British feel to it with options such as Fish and Chips and Shepherd’s Pie which Heather and I opted for.
Combine these delicious entrees with a frozen butterbeer or perhaps an apple cider and you are enjoying stereotypical Harry Potter fare!
If you are prepared to wait in line, there are a number of rides that will likely attract your attention. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is located inside Hogwarts Castle and understandably a popular attraction among visitors. Other rides that visitors are always raring to visit include the Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge (***Please note, as of September 5, 2017, Dragon Challenge is no longer available at Islands of Adventure but a new ride will be taking its place by 2019!***)
It’s no surprise that the true, hardcore Potter fans will quite easily spend a full day enjoying this part of Islands of Adventure! Our highlight was undoubtedly sampling the frozen butterbeer and enjoying lunch inside the Three Broomsticks.
Jurassic Park
Imagine coming face to face with a T-Rex or contemplating the thought of velociraptors chasing you around the compound?
Head to the Jurassic Park island for your very own experience with dinosaurs and learn all about how the various species once dominated the globe.
The highlight attraction at Jurassic Park is the River Adventure which is a stereotypical log ride…ok, who are we kidding!! The scenic water cruise starts relatively calmly but the reality is, this is leading you into a false sense of security. As you pass through the scenic landscape with a baby stegosaurus being the highlight attraction, you quickly veer into a “restricted area” and are faced with the towering sight of a T-Rex.
The towering 85-foot plunge is your only wait to avoid the razor sharp teeth piercing through your skin but I’m not sure the plunge offers much respite.
This thrill a second experience will not only make your heart skip a beat, it will also cool you down…be prepared to have a towel handy!
After enduring this exhilarating water ride, why not head over to the brand-new Raptor Encounter for an up close and personal experience with those lovable velociraptors. Learn all about the physical characteristics of this dynamic creature before it is let loose in the compound and those daring enough can enjoy a selfie…just don’t get too close otherwise you may be a tasty snack for the raptors that are sure to be hungry!
Toon Lagoon
For those of you that love water-based rides, head over to the Toon Lagoon island to experience all of the amazing attractions. Be prepared to get a little wet but it’s all part of the fun and just as the Universal Orlando Resort slogan goes, you have to “Vacation Like You Mean It” when you visit here!
There are primarily three iconic attractions that you cannot afford to miss at Toon Lagoon. Dudley’s Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is renowned for being one of Islands of Adventure’s iconic rides, so be prepared to wait in line for this one.
It’s fair to say though, it’s worth the wait! Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is another popular attraction for all the family to enjoy, so hop on one of the barges and help Popeye save Olive Oyl from Bluto.
A myriad of comic characters can be seen throughout Toon Lagoon, so have your camera handy and be prepared to capture a shot of your favorite comic book character.
If you are ready for a quick bite to eat, head over to the Comic Strip Cafe before visiting Gasoline Alley to purchase a souvenir to savor your visit to this island.
Hogwarts Express
It’s understandable that the majority of visitors to Universal’s Islands of Adventure will be raring to hop on the Hogwarts Express to take the magical journey from Hogsmeade to London.
For those of you that purchase the park-to-park pass (this attraction alone justifies this purchase in our opinion!), this experience is certainly one that you won’t want to miss. An “express” pass is beneficial given the wait times that can be pretty substantial, particularly in the middle of the day.
The moment you walk through the entrance to Hogsmeade Station, the theme of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade continues.
This is very different to the “urbanized” setting once you arrive at King’s Cross Station in London but helps set the scene for your experience as you wait to board the Hogwarts Express.
The journey is relatively short but full of adventure. As you pass through the rural countryside heading back to London, your eyes are constantly drawn to the action taking place outside the window. However, don’t be fooled, because there may be one or two encounters that will catch your attention to make this an even more interactive experience!
Port of Entry
One of the frequently forgotten areas at Islands of Adventure is actually your first experience at this theme park. After walking through the gates and being welcomed by the bridge that indicates “The Adventure Begins,” visitors are immediately part of the Port of Entry area.
Although this part of the theme park doesn’t haven’t any attractions (rides) per se, this is certainly an area that you can spend some time exploring the various souvenir shops before grabbing a bite to eat either before your experiences begin throughout the park or on your way out.
Holiday Cheer 365 Days A Year
The Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe is a popular location with the distinctive Christmas souvenirs combined with your favorite characters offering a perfect gift option to take home. Various dining options including Starbucks (grab your very own Universal Orlando Resort Starbucks mug!), Cinnabon, and several others ensure that the Port of Entry is a bustling area as you contemplate the adventure that awaits around the park.
Summary
If you are looking for the best things to do at Islands of Adventure hopefully, we have inspired you to check out some of our favorite spots. The reality is that anyone visiting this theme park will likely want to spend at least one full day experiencing everything but for those wanting to capture a glimpse of the very best this park has to offer, there are a few spots that you won’t want to miss.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is definitely an attraction that comes with plenty of hype but we both feel this is 100% justified. The incredible architecture is a breathtaking sight as are the interactions you can enjoy throughout Hogsmeade.
Enjoying lunch at the Three Broomsticks is as realistic as it comes if you are looking for the ultimate Potter experience but don’t forget to hop on the Hogwarts Express before exploring the rest of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Diagon Alley!
Disclaimer – We would like to thank Universal Orlando Resort for providing us with complimentary two-day, two-park tickets in exchange for consideration of a blog post review. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.
