At this point, I’ve traveled extensively with my teens and tween and unfortunately, I know firsthand how stressful things can suddenly become because they are not having a good time on the trip. There are few things worse than a moody teenager on vacation that does not want to participate in any of the activities.

For a while, I gave up and let my oldest kid sit in the hotel room while the rest of us had fun, but eventually, I realized I needed to change the type of trips we were taking. Our trips needed to be way more exciting and physically active, especially if they’ve been stuck in the car on a road trip. With these two things in mind, here are my picks for the top US vacation for teens and tweens.

Top 9 Destinations for Teens and Tweens in the United States

Oahu

Oahu is an epic place to take tweens and teens year-round. The weather is consistently good and there is much to do, especially if your family enjoys water sports. Some suggested activities in Oahu that teens will likely appreciate are:

• Para-sailing
• Visiting North Shore and learning to surf
• Paddle-boarding up the Anahulu River to watch the sea turtles
• Hiking to the top of Diamond Head
• Kayaking from Lanikai Beach out to Moku Nui Island and back. 
• Hike Maunawili Falls – This hike takes you deep into the jungle, where you cross a river twice, and at the end, you are rewarded with a waterfall, and if they are brave enough, cliff jumping.

If possible, I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa. This resort has a teen program that your kids will actually want to go to. They get to participate in physical challenges, take animation classes, learn to play the ukulele, have parties just for them, and more. While your kids are off doing their own thing, you have peace of mind knowing that they are safe and having fun.

See our Oahu Travel Guide to help you plan your entire trip! If you are staying in Waikiki check out our 4 Days in Waikiki itinerary.

Kauai, Hawaii is also fantastic if you want something less mainstream.

Vail

Whether you visit in the summer or in the winter, tweens and teens will love Vail, Colorado.

In the summer, teens can zip line and adventure through multiple ropes courses at Epic Discovery up on the mountain. Plus, there are other activities like horseback riding, white water rafting, and mountain biking.

During the winter, tweens and teens can spend their time skiing and snowboarding across the massive mountain. Vail has free public transportation that’s easy to use, allowing kids to have a little independence roaming around on their own.

See our Vail, Colorado Travel Guide to help you plan your trip or our 4-Day Vail Itinerary. Our favorite place to stay in Vail is Sonnenalp Hotel. 

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando houses many of the best roller coasters in the United States and has two extensive Harry Potter areas. Teens and tweens will love riding all the intense roller coasters. If your kids are like mine and want to ride the same roller coaster over and over, consider purchasing an Express Pass. This line pass will allow you to bypass almost every line there is in all three of the parks, which means there will be plenty of time to ride everything at least twice.

Recently, Universal Orlando added a water park, Volcano Bay. There are rarely any lines and you do not have to cart around your own raft or tubes for the slides. They’ve made using the water park easy, and with teens and tweens, the easier the better!

A nice plus is the city of Orlando, because when you are done hanging out at Universal, Orlando has lots of other things to do. Kids of all ages will get a kick out of taking a Wild Florida airboat out on the swamps and seeing alligators. Oh, and there’s always Disney World.  

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is not somewhere most think to take teenagers, but it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States and there’s lots to do for all ages. Give the kids a thrill at the indoor skydiving facility or zip lining off the Rio casino at VooDoo Zip.

Other fun things to do include Gameworks, the massive indoor gaming facility, rocking climbing out at the Red Rocks, ATVing, and hanging out at some of the incredible hotel pools. The Wet N’ Wild in Las Vegas also has some extreme water rides. Teens will also like most of the Cirque Du Soleil shows in town. You can currently get Cirque Du Soleil discount tickets up to 50% off one of their shows in Vegas.

For more recommendations on planning a trip to Vegas with kids, see my article: Tons of Activities for Teenagers in Las Vegas.  Here is a sample itinerary: Five Days in Las Vegas with Kids, our extensive Las Vegas Travel Guide, and our hotel recommendations 11 Best Kid-Friendly Las Vegas Hotels.

San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas is jammed packed with activities. They have two major theme parks, Six Flags and Sea World, not to mention one of the most extensive water parks in the world, Schlitterbahn. The nice thing is, teenagers can basically run off and do their own thing in all of these theme parks. Even along the River Walk, kids can go explore all on their own. While they shop around, parents can take a break over a drink and enjoy the River Walk in a slightly more grown-up way.

San Antonio also has a fantastic zoo, but you will want to skip it if the temperature is over 100 degrees outside. Instead, lather on the sunscreen and go float down the Comel River or Guadalupe River.

In San Antonio, I recommend staying at Hotel Emma.

Plan your entire trip with our San Antonio Travel Guide.

Panama City Beach

Another teen favorite in Florida is Panama City Beach. The beach has soft, powdery, white sand. It isn’t as big as many of the beach towns, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do.

Go mini-golfing and go-carting, spend the day at the beach, or shop around at Pier Park. Spend one day bopping around Scenic 30A, where you will find tiny beach towns like Seaside or Rosemary. Renting some bicycles is a perfect way to explore this area. Another interesting spot worth venturing out to is Sandestin’s Baytowne Wharf. Here, families can indulge in boutique shopping, zip-lining, ropes courses, an arcade, and unique eateries.

Use our Panama City Beach travel guide to plan your entire vacation.

Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon is another destination that is fantastic in the summer and in the winter. Year-round they have some of the best off-roading in the state!

During the summer, families will get a charge out of kayaking, white water rafting, and hiking. If your kids have never white water rafted before, take them down the Big Eddy. They will get a small taste of major rapids without being tossed around too terribly. Nearby, in Sunriver, there is a small water park and a little village to shop in.

During the winter you can ski and snowboard on Mt. Bachelor, and there’s an outdoor ice skating rink in Sunriver.

Read our Bend, Oregon Travel Guide to help plan your family vacation. Tetherow Lodge is our favorite place to stay in Bend.

NYC

There are a lot of things to do for this age group in New York City year-round. During the winter season, everyone can ice skate for free in Bryant Park and shop at all the little shops that are set up temporarily. Plus, you can witness the acclaimed Rockettes performing and many other Christmas shows.

All year long, visitors can enjoy the major landmarks and attractions here, like seeing the Statue of Liberty or visiting Ground Zero. Once kids are age 10 and up they are old enough to go through the September 11th Memorial, and old enough to appreciate, or at least sit through, a Broadway show.

We’ve been to NYC more times than we can remember. Check out our New York City Travel Guide to help you plan your own epic NYC getaway! I’ve also put together a 3-Day NYC Itinerary with Teens and a Mother Daughter New York City Weekend Getaway guide.

Palm Springs, California

Take teens on an adventure trip in Palm Springs with activities like four-wheelers or Jeep tours. Despite it being almost 100 degrees outside all three of my kids loved going on a Jeep tour of the San Andreas fault. Families can hike out at Coachella Valley Preserve or take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park to hike in cooler temperatures.

I recommend staying at Omni Rancho Las Palmas near Palm Springs. They have several swimming pools and a lazy river.

Use our Palm Springs Travel Guide to help you plan your family vacation.

Conclusion

This list could undoubtedly keep going with the abundance of diverse destinations found across the United States, but hopefully, these 9 are enough to get you started on planning a successful trip with your teens!

For more ideas on places in the United States on vacation see our 22 picks for a spring break trip, Best Lake Vacations in the United States or our post on 13 Insanely Affordable Vacations in the United States.

Read Next:

• 10 Best Places in Asia for Teens and Tweens
• Best Places in Mexico for Teens and Tweens
• Best Places in Europe for Teens and Tweens
• 23 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families
• 15 Cool Hotel Rooms for Kids

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

The post Top 9 Destinations for Teens and Tweens in the United States appeared first on Mommy Travels.

We have not stayed in very many hotels with special themed rooms other than at Great Wolf Lodge. Going into next year we are hoping to stay in some of these unique rooms found around the world. Here are 15 cool hotel rooms for kids we are hoping to stay in next year.

15 Cool Hotel Rooms for Kids

1. The Pineapple at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana 

Inspired by the famous pineapple under the sea, famed home to SpongeBob SquarePants, this sumptuous one-of-a-kind villa is the signature dwelling at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – the world’s first and only Pineapple.

With 2,292 square feet of incredible indoor and outdoor living areas, including a garden, patio, signature infinity pool, and private butler caters to your every whim, the 2 bedroom / 3 bath villa is a palatial paradise in the Dominican Republic.

Rates at the Pineapple start at $3,800 per night, including the Gourmet Inclusive Experience of all gourmet meals served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service and full-service concierge. Granted, at that price we will never stay here!

2. Eloise Suite at The Plaza New York Plaza

Outrageous pink and black décor by Betsy Johnson adorns the walls of the 625 sq. ft. suite on the “tippy-top floor” of the Plaza Hotel.

Named for The Plaza’s famous resident in Kay Thompson’s Eloise books, the room features everything Eloise. From Eloise-themed tea for two at The Palm Court to Eloise-approved books and toys, kids will be absolutely delighted by the over-the-top suite that offers guest a day in the life of the precocious little heroine.

And yes, it is expensive to stay here. Check current rates. 

3 Day NYC Itinerary with Teens

The Most Instagrammable Food in NYC

3. UFO at the Treehotel in Harads, Sweden 

Kids are immediately transported to space in this out-of-this-world treehouse in the woods. Fashioned as a UFO, the intergalactic suite is built for two adults and three children, with a living room, in-room bathroom, and two large separate beds.  1..2..3…ready for takeoff to every child’s dream! Check current rates on Expedia. 

4. Wizard Chambers at the Georgian House Hotel

Immerse your child in magic and marvel in The Wizard Chamber, created for Harry Potter aficionados in London. Concealed behind a bookcase door, the Gothic décor evokes the magical style of Hogwarts lodgings. Each room features faux castle details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, cauldrons, four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains, and an abundance of other curious artifacts. Check current rates on Booking.com. 

Traveling with Teens in London

5. Legoland Beach Retreat in Winter Haven, Florida 

At the Legoland Beach Retreat, guests have the opportunity of staying in their own beach-themed bungalow decorated with whimsical LEGO^®décor inside and out. Designed to look like it’s made of giant Lego bricks, each bungalow room can sleep up to five people with one king-sized bed for parents and a small nook that has bunk beds for the kids.

In addition, each bungalow is centered around an expansive outdoor play area, all within view of the bungalow’s shaded patios, where parents can put their feet up, kick back, and relax while the kids play. Check current rates on Expedia. 

30+ Fun Things to do in Orlando

6. Hotel De Glace

Located just outside of Quebec City, Quebec is one of the coolest kid hotel rooms available according to my friend Sarah. As long as you are okay with sleeping in a -3 to -5 degree room. In past years, the Hotel De Glace won the hearts of little kids across the world with their Frozen suite. The animators of the film actually stayed at the hotel when drawing up plans for Elsa’s ice castle. 

Other incredible themed suites have included The Great Gatsby and the iconic Canadian Hockey Suite. The hotel melts away each year and so with each Winter comes a brand new selection of suites. Check current rates on Expedia. 

7. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando has Despicable Me suites. We stayed at a Universal hotel for the first time, but we stayed over at Cabana Bay where the rooms were 1950’s throwback rooms. The next time we are at Universal we plan to stay in one of these despicable me rooms. They look awesome! Check current rates on Hotels.com. 

8. The Palms Pink Suite

Hot Pink Suite at The Palms in Las Vegas. I love Vegas and I take my kids there fairly often. One of these days we are going to stay in this hot pink suite! Granted, I typically would not recommend staying here with the kids. The Palms would be better for a girl’s trip. Designed by the famous “Happy Chic” designer Jonathan Adler, this 2,350-square-foot suite is the ultimate bachelorette party pad. The suite’s dreamy décor features corseted, lace-up chairs, custom art, and terrazzo bubble floors.

5 Days in Las Vegas with Kids

18 Delicious Family friendly restaurants in Las Vegas

Things To Do In Las Vegas With Kids

11 Best Kid-Friendly Las Vegas Hotels

9. Fantasyland Hotel

Space-themed rooms in Edmonton, Canada. One of my friends stayed here a while back and it looked awesome! The room has one queen bed and capsule bunk beds for the kids. Plus, there is a two-person Jacuzzi. They have an assortment of other themed rooms including a Hollywood theme and Arabian themed.

10. The Shire of Montana

This is a Hobbit-themed house. This Hobbit House offers visitors an interesting underground lodging experience full of imagination. Inside the house isn’t really that cool, but the outside is neat. It is small, so it can only accommodate 3 people. Kids must be 12 years old or older to stay here. Check current rates on VRBO.

9-Day Summertime Montana Road Trip Itinerary

11. Grand Mirage Resort

The Grand Mirage Resort in Bali has some interesting rooms that kids will like, including rooms with bunk beds and themed rooms like this girl’s room. For the kids, Grand Mirage Bali Resort features kid’s mini water park, pool slides, an indoor playground, a kid’s club, kids e-lounge, a foam party, and many more. Check current rates on Hotels.com. 

12. Blue Hills Ranch

Just 15 minutes outside of Waco, TX you will find a Blue Hills Ranch, a 150-acre resort with green rolling hills, lakes, giraffes, zebras, otters, kangaroos, and more. Here you can rent one of their themed cabins, like the Hook cabin or the Kraken cabin pictured here. Both the animal encounters and the cabins have to be booked well in advance. 

13. Iniala Beach House

Iniala Beach House in Takua Thung, Thailand has some seriously cool rooms for those traveling with kids. You cannot book the room shown, but your kids can stay in it. It’s the kid’s club which is a kid’s hotel and should they want to they can stay the night. 

14. Graduate New York “Big” Suite

Located on the sixth floor of Graduate New York, the Loft Suite has been fully transformed into a toy-filled suite just as Tom Hanks’ character, Josh Baskin does to his NYC apartment in the film. Sleeping up to six guests, making for the perfect family getaway, The Loft Suite provides iconic childhood toys and games complete with a real Zoltar machine and themed bunk beds. A life-sized floor piano and mini trampoline are also included, and the most nostalgic part? Guests can watch Big on an old TV via VHS.  

15. The Curtis Hotel

The Curtis Hotel in Denver has a bunch of themed rooms but I think their video game-themed room is by far the best one. It even has an old-school Donkey Kong game in the room! In the lobby, they have board games you can play as well. Check current rates!

This list could keep going. We’ve stayed at Aulani in Oahu and we all love it. The rooms were not themed out, but they were nice and we enjoyed it. Same for a hotel in Portland, Riverplace. It was not themed but is one of our favorite places I’ve ever stayed in.

Read Next:

23 Best All Inclusive Resorts for Families

Top 9 Destinations for Teens and Tweens in the United States

18 Best All-inclusive Resorts for Teenagers

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post 15 Cool Hotel Rooms for Kids appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Have you heard about Universal Orlando‘s water park, Volcano Bay?

I finally had the chance to visit Volcano Bay and I was totally blown away. Last year I saw them building it, at that time it was just a month or so from opening. I knew then that it looked pretty great, but from the street, there is no way to fully see how awesome it is. I got to visit Universal recently to cover the opening of the new Fast and Furious ride and the day before I got to spend some time at Volcano Bay. I was a little worried it would not be warm enough, but the water is heated. I didn’t have a towel, but you can rent one inside the park for $5 a day.

Volcano Bay Rides

When you walk in you are greeted as expected by a phenomenal volcano named Krakatau. The pool in front of the volcano is a wave pool named Waturi Beach part of Wave Village.

What I didn’t expect was the backside of the volcano to be jam-packed with rides. I was stunned when I finally walked back there. The entire water park is much larger than it looks when you drive by.

Coming out of the volcano are three drop capsule slides, including Ko’okiri Body Plunge, the tallest body slide in America ranging at 125 feet tall! It is also the first slide to travel through a pool full of guests. I don’t hate this ride, but I don’t really enjoy rides where the floor pulls out from under you. It feels disturbing to me.

Other rides in the volcano:

Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides: These body slides travel through the volcano winding around the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. They also start with trap-door starts. Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides are also the tallest drop capsule slides in the world at 125 ft.

Krakatau Aqua Coaster: This is a fantastic ride. It is a water coaster that takes riders into the volcano, before plunging through a shimmering waterfall. My friend and I stood around looking at it trying to figure out how it works. I looked it up, it uses linear induction motors to propel riders uphill.

Punga Racers: A four-lane racing slide using mats. I have mixed feelings about this ride. The end was a little too rough for me and at the beginning, I banged my knee up pretty badly.

The various sections of the park are split into areas. The kiddie area is in River Village and Rainforest Village has body slides and raft slides.

River Village 

• Kopiko Wai Winding River: This is a traditional lazy river that passes through the Krakatau volcano. It has caves and various special effects. You can ride around it with or without an inner tube.
• Tot Tiki Reef: A super cute play area designed for toddlers with fun things to do like run through the splash pad, ride small water slides and shoot water guns. 
• Runamukka Reef: Three stories tall, a water fortress for kids with its own small slides.

Rainforest Village

• Maku: Another multi-passenger raft slide aka family raft ride.
• Puihi: Multi-passenger rafts drop down into multiple tunnels, then two funnels and a final drop.
• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides: Body slides with tall drops into the splash pools.
• TeAwa The Fearless River: This is kind of like a lazy river, but more intense. Everyone has to wear a life jacket to go in and you will be happy they require this!
• Taniwha Tubes: Four raft slides and they are super fun.
• Puka Uli Lagoon: A pool.

How the TapuTapu wristband system works:

Volcano Bay uses a wearable wristband system called the TapuTapu experience. When you enter they will give you one, then as you leave you return it. The wristband can be used to hold your place in a virtual line instead of standing in long lines for an attraction. While it holds your place on one ride you can go ride other rides that are not experiencing a wait. If all the ride’s wait times are too long just jump into one of the rivers.

You can link a credit card to your band through the Universal Orlando app, which allows you to pay for merchandise, food, and drinks (alcoholic drinks require a government-issued ID) inside the park. This system is referred to as TapTuPay.

The wristbands can also be used to interact with environmental features, set off water springs, or illuminate lights around the park.

Cabanas

The cabanas are not cheap. They start at $159 and go all the way up to $599 depending on what you get. Inside the cabanas is a little electronic thing called a Guest Experience Transformation Tablet that lets you make a reservation for a line for a ride or order food. I had some of their BBQ, the PuPu Platter, with pulled pork, ribs, rice, and pineapple. It was amazing! As a Texas girl, I get a little moody if the BBQ isn’t good! The cabanas also offer:

• Towel service – You do not have to bring a towel or rent a towel because they are included. (Otherwise, a towel rental is $5 for the day.)
• Padded lounge chairs
• Complimentary fruit and snack basket
• Small fridge with bottled water
• Concierge service

Safety

I felt safe on all rides and appreciated that they make people ride in life vests in the intense river. I noticed up at the top of the rides was special equipment that would help get someone down all those stairs if there was a medical emergency. One of the things I worry about is how I would get my son down from a ride if he had a seizure. I cannot tell you how pleased I was to see this equipment at the park. I also noticed that there were lifeguards everywhere.

The benefits of staying on property:

If you are staying at one of the Universal Orlando hotel resorts you are likely within walking distance of Volcano Bay. I walked over from Cabana Bay Beach Resort and it took no time at all. I went through an entrance just for hotel guests. Cabana Bay is the closest Universal hotel to the water park.

The biggest benefit is being able to access the park an hour earlier than everyone else!

Can’t wait to go back!

Unfortunately, I only had half a day here, it was wonderful, but I didn’t get to ride everything. Hopefully, I can take the kids soon and get their take on it! I feel confident that the entire family including older children will have a wonderful time. As someone that LOVES water parks, I highly recommend this one!

Volcano Bay Tickets

One-day tickets to Volcano Bay start out at $80. It’s a much better deal to buy a multi-day ticket that includes the water park. I find the website painful to use. I recommend checking Viator for lower-priced tickets. It doesn’t cost you any extra. She knows the system, so what would take you hours to figure out, she can figure out in minutes.

Universal Express Pass is available on participating rides and attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay for $19.99.

Florida Residents: If you are a Florida resident, you by far get the best discount on tickets.

Military discount tickets: Not all military tickets will get you admission to Volcano Bay, so you need to look for the tickets that include it. I recommend the 3-Park, 4-Day Park-to-Park Ticket. These tickets cost: Adult – $239.00 Child (3-9) – $234.00

Volcano Bay Hours

Due to the nature of a water park hours will change seasonally, but for a most part these are the hours.

Volcano Bay Parking

Parking isn’t cheap, it’s $20-$22 for regular or $30 for VIP. It can be a bit difficult to find the parking area. Use 6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819 to get you close, but once you get close follow the signs instead of your gps. Once you are parked you will need to take a bus to the park.

RV parking is available for slightly more and there’s a kennel located here.

FYI – if you need tickets you can buy them at parking, instead of waiting in line at the water park entrance!

FAQs About Volcano Bay

Can I bring food inside?

You can bring in a soft-sided cooler with snacks like prepackaged food. In fact, all food brought in has to be prepackaged according to the Volcano Bay food policy. You cannot bring in alcohol.

If I leave can I get back in?

Yes, you can leave and come back.

Do I need to bring life jackets?

There is no need to bring a life jacket. They provide life jackets free of charge inside the park and can accommodate all sizes.

Are water shoes/aqua socks allowed?

Yes.

Where is Universal’s Volcano Bay located?

Universal’s Volcano Bay is located in Orlando, Florida, within the Universal Orlando Resort complex. The address and directions can be found on the official Universal Orlando Resort website.

What makes Volcano Bay unique among water parks?

Volcano Bay is known for its innovative design and theme, featuring a massive 200-foot volcano, various thrilling water attractions, and a virtual queue system that reduces wait times for rides.

How many water attractions are there at Volcano Bay?

Volcano Bay offers a variety of water attractions, including slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a multi-level play area. The park provides options for both thrill-seekers and those looking for a more relaxed experience.

Do I need a separate ticket for Volcano Bay, or is it included with my Universal Orlando Resort ticket?

Volcano Bay requires a separate admission ticket. It is not included in the standard Universal Orlando Resort ticket and must be purchased separately. There are packages that include admission to Volcano Bay.

Is there an age or height requirement for certain attractions at Volcano Bay?

Yes, some attractions at Volcano Bay have height and age requirements for safety reasons. Check the park’s official website or inquire at the entrance for specific details on each ride.

Is there a rental service for cabanas or premium seating at Volcano Bay?

Yes, Volcano Bay offers rental services for cabanas and premium seating. These amenities provide a comfortable and shaded space for guests to relax between water adventures.

Is sunscreen provided at Volcano Bay?

Volcano Bay does not provide complimentary sunscreen. It’s advisable to bring your own sunscreen and apply it regularly, especially if you plan to spend an extended amount of time in the sun.

Is there a dress code at Volcano Bay?

Volcano Bay has a dress code that prohibits certain types of clothing, including swimwear with buckles, rivets, or zippers. Review the park’s dress code policy on its official website before visiting.

Hotels Near Volcano Bay Water Park

All in all, Volcano Bay Waterpark is a great place for the whole family. Visitors can catch a guaranteed breathtaking view of one of Universal’s iconic volcano structures while their kids take advantage of everything that the waterpark has to offer—from memorable slides to relaxing Jacuzzis. This attraction is truly something you have to experience for yourself; you won’t be disappointed!

That being said, don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and beach towels! While there are definitely other great waterparks both locally and around the world, Volcano Bay stands out from the pack with its unique vision and powerful themes. So why not head over to Universal Studio’s Volcano Bay today? After all, what’s better than experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with those that mean the most? And don’t forget to tell us: What’s your favorite ride at Volcano Bay?

Read Next:

Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios

Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World

Blizzard Beach waterpark

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Volcano Bay Water Park at Universal Orlando appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Super Star Grand Opening!

The superstars from the Fast & Furious franchise were all there for the opening of the new Fast and Furious – Supercharged ride at Universal Orlando. Celebrities on hand of the opening were star and producer Vin Diesel (Dom), and stars Chris “Ludacris” Bridges (Tej), Tyrese Gibson (Roman) and Jordana Brewster (Mia). Here’s a video of the grand opening.

During the ride experience, guests will join up with the Fast & Furious crew as they feel what it’s like to step into their favorite Fast & Furious film. They have recreated parts of the of the Fast & Furious crew’s warehouse headquarters. As you walk through, you will see actual props, iconic scenes, authentic details and ride alongside fan favorites around San Francisco. The simulations during the bus ride help you feel the speed sensation as you ride along. Before getting to the bus, live actors walk you through different parts of the story leading up to the 2d ride. Although it is a 2d ride it seems like 3d, they’ve used technology that allows you to have a 3d experience without the hassle of 3d glasses.

Cars Featured Throughout the Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride

To me the stars of this ride are the cars. They wouldn’t tell us how much they spent on the cars that are on display, but it had to be millions. All the cars are working and could be driven if they put the fluids back in them. There are over a dozen authentic supercharged vehicles from the films on display. In order to learn about all of the cars download the Universal Orlando app. Here are some pictures I manage to get photos of or identify. I am unsure what three of the other cars are. If you know leave a comment!

• Dom’s iconic 1970 Dodge Charger
• Paul Walker drove the 1970 Ford Escort RS1600 in Fast and Furious 6.
• Roman’s Super Lux Coupe is inside the ride on the right side. It is sticking out from a wall.
• Letty’s Turbo Truck
• 2015 Nissan GTR
• 1970 Modified Charger R/T
• 1994 Toyota Mark IV Supra RZ
• 1997 Mazda RX-7 F3DS driven in Fast and Furious 6 by Han Seoul-Oh.
• 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda driven by Dom and Letty in film 6 & 7.
• 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona –  Here is Dennis McCarthy, the man behind all the cars, standing in front of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona driven in movie 6 by Vin Diesel which was customized with a lower stance and more narrow nose. He said they gave them a year to build all the cars for display in this ride, which was tons of time since he is used to turning around cars in just days or weeks.
• 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STi GH is a major car driven by Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in Fast and Furious 7.

 

Paul Walker Tributes

Throughout the entire ride and queue, there are many nods to Paul Walker. His locker is in the warehouse and out front when you walk past the BBQ/picnic scene you will see a beer bottle laying down and that is a tribute to Paul Walker. They also display his Marine travel box shortly after you pass the semi truck. In the War Room a street on their plans is named “Walker Street”.

Guests can save up to $100 on a Universal Orlando Vacation Package and Florida Residents can take advantage of the limited-time Buy a Day, Get a 2nd Day Free offer to experience everything at Universal Orlando Resort, including Fast & Furious – Supercharged. To purchase these special ticket offers and for more information on Fast & Furious – Supercharged, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Fast.

Be sure to visit the new waterpark, Volcano Bay!

The post Fast and Furious Ride at Universal Orlando appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Save Money on an Orlando Family Vacation

I put together this handy guide for a budget-friendly family vacation in Orlando. It features almost everything you need to know about saving as much as possible while still having a great trip. It’s easy to cut down on costs in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world.

But to be honest – the costs do add up. Food, hotels, souvenirs, tickets – the list goes on and on. And let’s be real here, vacation isn’t as fun if you blow your budget the first day. All of those little expenses on vacation can really add up quickly if you aren’t careful. Even if the vacation is wonderful, the magic will surely fade when you get home and see your credit card statement. You may up deciding you are never going on vacation again.

But my tips will make things easier on you – and your bank account. Below you’ll find a ton of money-saving ideas on just about every aspect of your Orlando vacation.

22 Tips To Saving Money in Orlando

When To Visit Orlando

• If at all possible visit during the off-season to save on hotels and tickets. This is usually when school is in session.
• Some park tickets, hotels, and airfare are cheaper if you go during the week versus the weekend

Getting There

• For your flight, try to pack carry-on bags if your airline charges for checked bags. Most airlines let you take one carry-on bag per ticket for free. So, even if your child’s clothes are tiny, you can still use a whole extra carry-on bag with their ticket.
• Pack your own stroller and car seat, as they are free to check. I recommend a gate check for the stroller to push the kids and/or your carry on bags.

Where To Stay

• Rent a resort residence where you stay in a home basically with the amenities of a hotel. The major money saver is having a full kitchen where you can prepare all of your meals. So much cheaper than dining out! We love Summer Bay Houses
• Use a Vacation Planner – Now this may sound crazy, but travel agents often have access to deals that no one else can access. This means it’s more than worth it to get a free quote. 
• Consider researching and finding a timeshare presentation in exchange for a free stay. Some timeshares have great pools with slides and splash pads, as well as fun activities for the kids, so you can skip the water parks and still have a great time.
• Choose a hotel with complimentary breakfasts and shuttles to theme parks to save on food and transportation and parking costs.
• Here is a list of 5 Affordable Hotels near Disney

Tickets

• Some websites offer tickets ahead of time for a discount.
• Don’t forget to check for discounts to theme parks you may be eligible for: AAA, military, etc.
• Be realistic about time spent at the park. Sure, you can theoretically save money for multiple-day park hoppers, but for things like SeaWorld you would only need a one-day pass to enjoy the whole park. And don’t forget you and the family might want a “do nothing” day of downtime at the hotel pool. 
• Discovery Cove tickets include admission to Sea World and Aquatic so you get three parks at one price.

What To Eat

• Pack snacks to take to the park, but not junk. Instead, choose more filling options like granola bars, etc. 
• Bring your own reusable water bottles and refill at the park. The water tastes bad in the Magic Kingdom so take something to flavor the water.
• Split Meals – Meals in the parks are usually large enough to share, especially if you have young children.
• Eat a kids meal. At counter-service restaurants the kid’s meals are usually large enough for an adult. They are not going to ask who the meal is for, so have a kid’s meal.
• Make your own meals if you have a room with a kitchen. Having breakfast in your room each day will save a ton of money during the week. Amazon Fresh will deliver groceries to most places in Orlando.
• Buy food at Target or Walmart. Also, buy some sunscreen. It’s very expensive to purchase at the park. As are bandaids and aspirin. Here is a list of what I pack to go into theme parks, so I do not end up spending money in the park.  
• Restaurant.com Certificates – Save money on restaurants in Orlando by using Restaurant.com. Use zip code 32836 to find restaurants like the House of Blues.
• 20 Best Kid Restaurants in Orlando

Souvenirs

• Don’t buy your souvenirs at the theme parks. They are a lot more expensive. Take note of what the children want and look at Goodwill, order online, or buy at a Wal-Mart in Orlando during your trip.
• Disney Outlet – There is a Disney clearance store in the outlets near Disney World. You can often find cheap souvenirs here. 
• Don’t be shy, ask the camera guys to take your photo – The photographers that take your family photo when you enter the park will also take a picture with your smartphone if you ask. That way you don’t have to buy the expensive park copies. While I appreciate the value of a professional photo taken with a quality camera, this purchase is not always possible on a budget.

If you are going to buy souvenirs at Disney, these are the seven I recommend.

I hope these tips help with budgeting a fantastic money-saving adventure in Orlando! I’d love to hear any other ideas to save money! The more you save, the sooner you get to plan the second trip to Orlando!

Skip the lines and save time with our free Walt Disney World park plans!

Stroller Rental in Orlando

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post 22 Ways to Save Money on an Orlando Vacation appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

The Cabana Bay Beach Resort is throwing it back, way back to the 1950s. This retro hotel has old classic cars in front of its hotel, 1950’s themed rooms, and old school toiletries that were available back in the day. The retro rooms are adorable and set up well for families with a kitchenette, separate sink, shower, and toilet areas, and a living room.

It was quite nice to have the toilet area separate from the bathtub. With four people staying in the room it made things a lot easier for us. Imagine how helpful it is when a family of six is staying here. The couch folds out into a bed, so larger families can definitely stay here!

The bedroom is a little cramped. There is plenty of bed space, but depending on how many suitcases you have in the floor things can get congested quickly.

One thing I appreciated was the price. Unlike many theme park hotels, this one is not expensive. Rooms here typically cost between $110 – $160. Our family suite had a fridge and microwave which allowed us to be able to have breakfast in the room each day and save money on food. The fridge has no freezer! I learned this the hard way when I bought popsicles for the room.

We stayed in a room that faced the parking lot. I liked this because I never heard any noise from the pool area. It costs $12 a day to park.

Oddly enough, I loved the amenities in the bathroom. It was just Zest soap and VO5 hair products, but my grandpa always used Zest. Seeing the packaging instantly made me feel nostalgic. Then the kids and I used it and the smell took me back to the 80s and 90’s when I would stay at my grandparent’s lake house each summer in Brownwood, Texas. My grandfather’s go-to soap was Zest. Isn’t it amazing how one smell can just flood you with memories. 

Swimming Pool

There are two swimming pools, both family-friendly and large. At the main pool, there is a lazy river and a hot tub. At the second pool, there is another hot tub. My kids enjoyed the water slide. At both swimming pools, you can find bars, for the grown-ups, food options, and a sandy area for the kids. The pools and the lazy river are heated!

The sandy areas are filled with all kinds of fun toys to play with like sand toys, horseshoes, ping-pong, connect four, and more. 

Galaxy Bowl is the hotel’s very own bowling alley featuring ten bowling lanes. You can find the bowling alley on the second floor of the lobby building. They have happy hour prices on bowling just $8 per person for 45 minutes.

They have a restaurant and full bar so you bowl and eat. Hours: 12 noon–12 midnight, daily. They have affordable food options including the super salad I had, it was only $7.50. According to 2 Travel Dads the best beer deal in all of Universal is the beer pitcher of Lagunitas IPA.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Perks

Early Admission – One of the best reasons to stay at Cabana Bay is the early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Diagon Alley. You can get into these sections of the park one hour before the rest of the park opens. Since these two areas are always the busiest parts of Universal Orlando this is an excellent perk. You can get through one whole section without fighting the crowds.

Walking Distance to Volcano Bay – Guests have a secret entrance to Volcano Bay water park. It’s a short walk over.

Free Shuttle – Not only can you get into Universal early, you can also catch the bus over to the entrance. This to me was a huge perk because I do not like having to pay to park in the parking lot and the extra walking. The buses run all day.

Meet Characters – On Friday nights various characters from the park make an appearance in the lobby.

Delivery Service – Merchandise purchased at select locations throughout the resort can be delivered to your room free of charge.

No Express Passes – Unlike some of the hotels at Universal staying at this hotel does not get you an express pass for the ride lines.

Check current rates and book your own stay today!

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Adress:
6550 Adventure Way
Orlando, FL 32819

Reservations:
Room Reservations: (888) 273-1311
Phone: (407) 503-4000

Orlando Stroller Rental

30+ Fun Things to do in Orlando

22 Ways to Save Money on an Orlando Vacation

Cabana Bay Beach Resort FAQ

Does Cabana Bay Beach Resort allow pets?

No

Is there an airport shuttle?

No, there is no shuttle. I personally think the cheapest way to get here is by Uber or Lyft. I do not recommend getting a taxi. This will run you at least $60. Instead, use Uber and Lyft. Use my Uber invite code, meagans343ue, and get a free ride up to $15. Use my Lyft invite for a $5 credit! Although there was a while the Orlando airport wouldn’t allow Uber and Lyft to pick up this is no longer the case.

Universal Orlando Resort has something for everyone, including the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Whether you’re a family looking for an affordable hotel with great amenities, or a couple seeking an upscale resort experience, this hotel offers something for everyone. From the retro-inspired furnishings to the family suites and lazy river, Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation at Universal. Plus, you’re just steps away from two amazing theme parks. So what are you waiting for? Make your reservations and plan an epic Universal adventure today! Now here’s the big question: What’s your favorite hotel at Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below – we can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando appeared first on Mommy Travels.

While we were on our family trip to Orlando, Florida we went to the Island Of Adventures. They have some amazing roller coasters here. So good in fact that I could vividly remember them from when my parents brought me as a teenager.

Dr. Seuss Land

When we got there we were not sure where to start out. We realized quickly that the kids would be unable to ride most of the rides so we headed over to Dr. Seuss land. Which is awesome!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is incredible! The world created in the Harry Potter books has come to life at Universal Orlando in full force. If you’ve read the books and/or seen the movies you will adore this part of the park.

You and your little Muggles can wander through the streets of drinking a glass of butter beer and eating chocolate frogs. There you can fly along with Harry Potter and his friends in a virtual world guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen or done.

Not to be missed is the wand shop. There you will see a live demonstration of how a wand chooses its owner.

At any given time you may see the Frog Choir or the

Night Time Lights at Hogwarts is the newish five minute firework and light show at Hogwarts.

Roller Coasters

Islands of Adventures has what I consider to be the best roller coaster in America, The Hulk. 

The Spider Man ride is also incredible, but completely different. Although it seems like a rollercoaster it’s more of a 4D ride.

From the rumbling of Jurassic Park to the depths of Skull Island, Islands of Adventure has dazzled and entertained us for many years. This park was designed to deliver an innovative, exciting experience, and be the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends. If you’re ever in Orlando, don’t forget to embark on an epic journey through these islands!

Whether it’s riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or watching wild animals on the Discovery River Cruise, you’re sure to have one incredible adventure filled with thrills you’ll never forget. So now I leave this question up to you: what’s your favorite ride at Islands of Adventure? Feel free to leave your answer below and please share this blog post with anyone who loves adventure!

The post Islands of Adventure – Universal Studios appeared first on Mommy Travels.

All-natural, creative and hearty, the burgers entice with fresh, never frozen, ingredients and bold flavors.

The Cowfish™ aims to offer something for the entire family. Scrumptious appetizers for sharing, entree-sized salads, homemade desserts, and a fun kid’s menu.

The spiked hand-spun milkshakes here are out of this world. Both of these alcoholic milkshakes were crazy good. My adult milkshake had banana liqueur and peanut butter cups in it and was quite possibly the best drink I’ve ever had. 

Cowfish also has premium sakes, craft beers, wine, and 10oz exotic martinis.

Not only did I have the best drink I’ve ever had, but I also had the best sushi that I’ve ever had in my life. I basically inhaled it.

The kid meals here were adorable. I love that they came with edamame and fries. Those happen to be two of my kid’s favorite things to eat. All kid meals are $6 and served with a kid’s drink. Choice of sides include carrots, apples, oranges, or house fries. They literally have all kinds of burgers ranging from $11 to $16. Burgers like:

• Black Truffle Cheese Burger for $13 – a Half-pound beef burger, black truffle cheese, roasted shallots, sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic aioli, lettuce, brioche bun.
• Apple, Berry & Brie Turkey Burger for $13 – a Half-pound turkey burger, Brie cheese, sweet cranberries, Fuji apples, spicy honey marmalade, 7-grain wheat bun.
• The Cowfish Has Officially Left The Building (A.K.A. The Hunka, Hunka) for $16 – a Full-pound beef burger, creamy peanut butter, fried bananas, applewood bacon, brioche bun.

And did I mention the sushi?

Their signature creations are called a “Burgushi®”! A cutting-edge fusion of burger and sushi, Burgushi® items include sushi rolls created using burger components, and pick-up style sandwiches created using sushi ingredients. I didn’t try one of these, but maybe next time.

Read Next:

Fun Things to do in Orlando

30+ Fun Things to do in Orlando

The post Cowfish a Burger Sushi Bar appeared first on Mommy Travels.

The post New King Kong Ride Coming to Universal Orlando appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Universal has the worst rider swap system ever. We had to all stand in line together. Then when it was our turn, my ex-husband rode the ride with our older kids while I waited in a separate area with Jonah. As you can imagine Jonah was mad that he didn’t get to ride and cried a lot. We finally realized this system was just not going to work for us, so I took Jonah to the kid’s area.

Little Kid’s Area

We played in the Curious George area. This area is obviously mostly a water play area, but since it was 30 degrees we couldn’t do much. After avoiding the water we got to the back of the area which was neat. It was a two-story play place where you gather up balls and then shoot them out or run them through tubes.

After this, we did a few more attractions. The Shrek movie was great, of course. The Twister, which I cannot recommend for ages 5 and under because you have to stand the whole time and it freaks the kids out. My ex-husband and son rode the Mummy ride and apparently, it was a fantastic ride.

Diagon Alley

Hold onto your wizard hats, folks! If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you won’t want to miss the magical wonderland that is Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. From the impeccably detailed storefronts to the butterbeer in hand, it’s like stepping into the pages of the books (minus the risk of running into the Dark Lord himself). And let me tell you, the escape you’ll feel wandering through this hidden alley beats any spell the Hogwarts professors could cast. So whether you’re a diehard Potterhead or simply looking for a new adventure, Diagon Alley is a must-see attraction that’ll leave you feeling spellbound.

All in all, we had a great time at Universal Studios with our kids. They were both able to experience everything they wanted to and more. We would definitely recommend it for families with younger children who are looking for a fun vacation that everyone can enjoy. Thanks for following along on our adventure!

Read Next:

Universal Orlando Military Discount

Islands of Adventure Universal

The post Universal Studios – Orlando, Florida appeared first on Mommy Travels.