Blog Posts Tagged Studios

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

10/20/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • Looking for a unique experience while visiting Orlando?  So was I - on Valentine’s Day while visiting my daughter. What comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day?  Perhaps flowers and candy?  Perhaps chocolate?  Yes, indeed. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal’s CityWalk is perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration.  Let’s be honest - this place is perfect to visit any day of the year!  If I lived closer – I would be sure to visit frequently so I could try practically everything on the menu. The Chocolate Emporium is a full-service restaurant, bar, and confectionary with a steampunk theme.  It is two stories with seating on both levels.  The menu offering is tremendous making it hard to choose just one item.  Their brunch menu is served all day featuring unique crepes, waffles, French toast, and quiches.  Also served are soups and salads, sandwiches and […]

Touring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

10/18/2021 • Reviews, Tips, Universal Studios • Are you ready for some Muggle Magic? Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the most immersive and impressive themed lands ever created. It is no wonder that this area is very popular and always crowded. In order to get the most out of the Wizarding World with the least amount of hassle, you must go in with a plan. By following the steps below, you are sure to experience all that your Muggle heart desires without the aggravation of lines, crowds and excessive waiting. Step 1 – Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Park Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into Hogwarts so now you must pick up all of your supplies. Stepping into Diagon Alley is like stepping into the movie. Never have I experienced such a feeling of being a part of the story. You will want to spend some time here experiencing all of its beauty. […]

Resort Spotlight: Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando

10/15/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • An exciting, new resort opened on Universal Orlando property in July 2016.  Loews Sapphire Falls is a beautiful resort conveniently located one mile from the entrance of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.  Full of lush Caribbean scenery and breathtaking waterfalls, this resort hotel is sure to make you feel like you are in a relaxing tropical paradise, not in the middle of a theme park. Walking into the lobby of this resort was very impressive.  The spacious lobby is decked out with a giant beach ball chandelier. You can also see a view of Islands of Adventure from the windows. The check-in process was absolutely flawless. The desk staff was extremely friendly and efficient.   It took only 10 minutes from check-in to being in my room! My room had two queen beds and a standard view. However, I still had a great view of the water surrounding the resort.  Each room comes […]

Lockers 101 – Universal Studios

10/13/2021 • Tips, Universal Studios • At Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, most major attractions have a strict ‘no loose items’ policy - and that encompasses change, wallets, purses of any kind, backpacks, sunglasses, hats, etc. There are a few solutions to this:  asking a party member to hold everything while you enjoy the attraction is one solution, but a better one is to utilize Short-Term Lockers.  Various locations throughout the theme parks, strategically located close to attractions with these requirements, will house banks of lockers with a digital kiosk.  Using the kiosk allows you to ‘rent’ a short-term locker by either using a fingerprint and code, or your theme park admission ticket.  You will then be assigned a locker for your belongings, which are roughly big enough for a standard sized backpack. What’s great about these lockers?  They are FREE for the first hour, typically.  The FREE use of the locker is […]

The Wand Ceremony at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

10/8/2021 • Universal Studios • Are you a Harry Potter fan dreaming of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood? If so, do not overlook the famous Wand Ceremony at Ollivander’s, Makers of Fine Wands. It was a very hot and sunny Summer day at Universal Studios Hollywood. The line was about an hour wait. My daughter, Hunter, was the only one excited about waiting in line to enter the shop. This was her ONE request for our visit. So, we all waited as the line slowly moved around the queue until we finally reached the front of the line. (You can visit the shop without going through the ceremony room). The staff at Ollivander’s brings you in small groups into the ceremony room where one of Ollivander’s wand makers chooses one lucky guest to be selected by a wand. The room is dimly lit. There are stacks and stacks […]

The Rider Switch Pass at Walt Disney World

1/29/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Ever wonder if you’ll miss out on riding an attraction at Disney World because you’re traveling with someone either not tall enough or who does not want to ride? No worries! Disney offers a Rider Switch pass for guests in this situation. WHAT IS RIDER SWITCH? Rider Switch (also known as child swap or rider swap) allows an adult who has waited off the attraction with a child or guest unable to ride, the ability to enjoy the ride after the remainder of his/her party returns from the line. REASONS FOR NOT RIDING *Height restrictions *Guests with disabilities *Child chooses not to ride HOW DOES IT WORK? 1. The entire party goes to the front of the line of the attraction they wish to ride (either the standby line or FastPass line, if they have one). 2. Let the Cast Member at the front of the line know you need […]

Meeting a Disney Legend at the Grand Floridian!

6/29/2017 • Tips, Walt Disney World • What makes Disney so magical? The Cast Members! While Disney would still be an amazing place to visit, it’s the cast members who spread the magic to all the millions of guests who visit the parks every year. For our family, we enjoy meeting cast members and getting to know a little about them and where they come from. These special encounters happen spontaneously throughout the parks and at the resorts and often start with a simple “hello.” My most favorite cast member of all is Mr. Richard who greets guests at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I’d seen lots of posts on Facebook of photos with guests, so when I pulled up to the Grand Floridian and saw him standing there, I had to meet him. He is quite literally a Disney celebrity or legend! We had a wonderful conversation about his life and where he’s been. Here […]

Meet BB-8!

2/20/2017 • Walt Disney World • Hey all you Star Wars fans - you now have more to look at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney is has added more Star Wars fun as BB-8, the new droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now made its way to the park! BB-8 is greeting guests at the Star Wars Launch Bay. BB-8 appears with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca. In addition to the fun character meet-ups, you can enjoy all the fun and activities of the Launch Bay! The Launch Bay includes galleries packed full of Star Wars memorabilia and authentic replicas of Star Wars artifacts. The Launch Bay also included new pieces from the new film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. You can also relax while watching the daytime show, "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away". Children ages 4-12 are eligible to sign up to become a Jedi in the Jedi Training {read more about that, here}! There are also several additional activities […]

Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios

1/19/2017 • Walt Disney World • “I Love the Interaction of this Ride” A trip to Disney World is never complete without visiting the interactive Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios. The second you grab your spot in line, you are thrown into a whole other world most could only dream up. You will feel shrunk down to the size of the toys from the movies everyone has known to love. Wander through crayons as big as you, a giant Candyland board, and a Lincoln Log house that is big enough to live in. Waiting in line does not feel so bad! There are lots things to take in and observe up until the point of climbing onto the ride. Here you will experience what you always wondered it would be like to be a toy from your childhood.  Make sure to really take this all in and grab some great photo ops. Get ready […]

Tune-In-Lounge: An Adult Getaway with 50’s Charm

9/22/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Tucked away at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, next to Echo Lake, you’ll find the kitschy 50’s Prime Time Cafe.  While this restaurant is easily noticeable, there’s a little hidden gem that not too many notice while walking past.  The Tune-In Lounge is a lovely, 50s style, bar/lounge where adults can grab a drink and beat the Florida heat! No reservations are needed for the Tune-In Lounge. Simply belly-up to the bar, and order a beer or a cocktail - or try one of their signature drinks (which change by season).  My personal favorite is the ‘Electric Lemonade’ - not only do the ice cubes light up, but the lemonade has an adult twist!   Whimsical 50s style decorations adorn the lounge, the living room area, as well as “Dad’s Den”! You can enjoy clips from nostalgic 50s sitcoms on vintage TV’s scattered throughout the room, and sitting above the bar. This […]