Earlier this last year I decided that I wanted to take the kids somewhere special this year after Christmas. I’m divorced so we have the super fun schedule of before and after Christmas and I had after which means I had 10 days solid with the kids before school started back up. I knew we couldn’t stay at home that long just chilling in the cold weather so Florida here we come.

Piper has been to Disney at least 5 times that I can think of and Will has been there once so I figured a new adventure was awaiting us. I just had friends that had stayed at Universal over the Summer and heard looks of good things about it so it was an easy decision. I booked our flights and hotel stay through Alligent Air and got the hotel Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Our tickets we bought for the parks online and off we went December 28- Jan 2.

After one long delay we made it to the airport, quickly got into our rental car and drove the 40 min drive into Universal. The area to drive into was well mapped out with many signs and finding the parking garage was very easy. Checking in wasn’t difficult but it was 11 at night from the delay so straight to bed we went.

Our first day we slept in a bit and then got on the boats which are individualized for each of the hotels in Universal. No long waits, the boats come to the dock rather quickly and we were to the park in a few minutes. We entered City Walk upon leaving the boats and headed straight to Islands of Adventure because Will wanted to hit the Jurassic Park section first. I went ahead and bought the express pass tickets which are worth every penny if you have children. I don’t think mine would have been able to stand in the long lines, some were 120 minute waits.

From there we explored the rest of the park with ease even though it was plenty crowed. Food was not on the cheap side but thankfully my kids are not big eaters yet so that wasn’t really an issue for us. But when they were ready for a snack it was easy to find something everyone would enjoy. Also purchasing one of the refillable drinks also cut down on spending money on the trip.

Piper rode the rides that Will wasn’t able to alone but always made lots of friends while doing it. The park was full of very friendly people and it was easy to get a rental stroller for Will so he didn’t have to walk the whole time. Pipers favorite ride was either The Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster or Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. No fear in that one. Will loved the Transfomers ride and Jurassic park ride along with the Curious George and Jurassic park Discovery zones. We all enjoyed the Harry Potter areas where Piper got a wand and tried her hand at magic on the windows. We each a mug of butterbeer and loved walking thru the streets. Seeing the Dragon at the top of the bank was also a highlight of our trip.

As for the hotel we loved ours. The pool area had a slide and games for the kids every hour in the afternoon. Our pool included a beach area so Will and Piper could sit and build sandcastles while I got to relax with a fruit tray brought out by the staff. The food was excellent and the entire resort was very clean.

My tips for going to Universal:

1. Stay at Universal, the boats make getting around so easy
2. If you can afford the express pass, get it
3. Rent a stroller- only 14 and so worth every penny
4. Go to Chocolate emporium between the two parks, get a milkshake
5. Breakfast at Voodoo donuts- so good
6. Stay at Loews Sapphire resort if you want the beach- was so much fun
7. You get to enter the park early if you stay at Universal properties, the earlier you go the less crowded-we would go in the morning, head back to the hotel for naps and pool time during the afternoon and dinner back at the parks and rides
8. I did this by myself, a 6 year old and an 11 year old- if I can do it so can you, go out and make memories this year