Orlando for just 3 nights?! Our Crazy Couples Trip Begins ✈️🇺🇸

[chrish16]

Orlando for just 3 nights?! Our Crazy Couples Trip Begins ​

Part 1 – Travel Day: Gatwick, The Bloc Hotel & Flying to Orlando​

Could you really fly over 4,000 miles to Orlando for just three nights?

That was the question we were asking ourselves when we booked this trip.

After our previous Florida trip didn’t quite go to plan, with Kelly being ill for almost the entire holiday and missing out on the main reason we went — Universal Epic Universe — we joked about coming back just for a short trip so she could finally experience it.

A few weeks later… we had actually booked it!

This time it was just the two of us. No kids, no packed family schedule, just a quick Orlando adventure to see how much we could fit in.

The plan was simple:

• Fly from London Gatwick to Orlando
• Stay at the Rosen Inn International on International Drive
• Visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Finally experience Epic Universe
• Fit in shopping, food, and as much Orlando as possible before flying home

A lot to squeeze into three nights!

Heading to Gatwick ​

Our journey started with the train down to Gatwick Airport.

We had booked to stay overnight at The Bloc Hotel inside Gatwick South Terminal, which meant we could avoid a very early morning journey before our flight.

The train journey itself was pretty straightforward. We even managed to get an earlier Thameslink service than planned, although after travelling for several hours and having a couple of drinks, hydration was definitely needed!

Arriving at Gatwick South Terminal just before 10pm was really easy. Coming straight from the train station, it was literally a lift up and straight into the terminal.

This was actually our first time flying from Gatwick, so everything was new to us.

Staying at The Bloc Hotel Gatwick ​

The Bloc Hotel was perfect for what we needed — somewhere to sleep before an early flight.

We booked one of the cheaper rooms without a window, which was absolutely fine considering we were arriving late and leaving early.

The room itself was compact but clever. It had a bed, TV, lighting controls, and a really unusual glass bathroom design. The room felt bigger because of the glass, but it definitely felt like something you could accidentally walk into if you weren’t careful!

The bathroom was basically a large wet room with the shower, toilet and sink all together. The towels were surprisingly soft considering it was a budget airport hotel.

For the price we paid, it was a bargain. We managed to get the room for around £25 after discounts and credits, so for a few hours’ sleep before a long-haul flight, it did exactly what we needed.

One thing to note though — there are no tea and coffee facilities in the room. You do get bottles of water, but if you’re someone who needs that morning cup of tea, bring something with you!

I did love the smart control though, although actually more timing consuming as tech is, and I love my tech. You get a web link and you use it to go up in the lift, open your room door, lights, climate control and check-out.

Travel Day Begins ​

The alarm went off early.

Our British Airways flight was at 10:45, so we were up around 7am, ready to head back into the terminal.

We had originally hoped online check-in would let us go straight through, especially as we only had hand luggage, but Kelly’s ESTA didn't pull through properly again in the BA app, meaning we needed to visit the check-in desk first.

Thankfully, everything was quick and easy as we did self serve.

After checking in, we headed through security and made our way to the No1 Lounge.

Gatwick No1 Lounge Experience ​

This was something we don’t normally do when travelling as a family, but because it was just the two of us, we decided to give it a try.

The lounge was a great start to the holiday.

The highlight was definitely the view.

The seating area looked straight out over the runway, giving us a brilliant view of the aircraft taking off and landing — something you don’t normally get sitting in the main terminal.

There was a good selection of food available, including a full English breakfast, pastries, fruit, cereals and even a pancake machine!

The lounge also included drinks from the bar, so when you add up the food, drinks and the quieter environment, we definitely felt it was worth trying.

Would we do it again?

Yes, especially for a long-haul flight.

Boarding Our Flight to Orlando ​

Soon it was time to head to the gate.

Gatwick was really easy to navigate, especially considering it was our first time flying from there. The signs were clear, and the boarding areas were nicely organised.

We were flying British Airways, after originally booking with Norse before a schedule change meant we had to switch flights.

It cost more, but keeping the dates we needed was more important, especially with only a short trip planned.

Thanks to Kelly’s sunflower lanyard, we were able to board slightly earlier and avoid the huge rush of people getting onto the plane. It made the whole process much more relaxed.

Then it was time…

Orlando here we come!

The Long Flight ​

The flight was busy, but we were lucky enough to get seats together.

The entertainment system had plenty of options, and Kelly was already planning on watching Wicked For Good.

Not long after take-off, the snacks arrived.

A couple of drinks, some pretzels, and then dinner.

The choices were cottage pie or Thai green curry. I went for the cottage pie, which arrived absolutely roasting hot, along with crackers, cheese, a bread roll, salad and a chocolate dessert.

The flight was long, as expected, but we passed the time watching films, editing videos from our previous Florida trip, and getting up to stretch our legs.

Six hours in, the reality of a long-haul flight was definitely starting to hit — tired legs and wanting to get moving — but the excitement of landing in Orlando kept us going.

The snack before landing was a sausage roll, but we thought it was odd, no texture and very mushy, after a few bites we had to ditch it.

Next Stop… Orlando! ​

After travelling all day, we were finally heading towards Florida.

The adventure was only just beginning.

With just three nights, we knew we had a busy few days ahead:

Saltgrass Steakhouse
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Epic Universe
Shopping
Disney Springs

Could we really fit everything in?

Find out in Part 2 — landing in Orlando, collecting the car, checking into Rosen Inn International and starting our first night in Florida!

If you'd prefer to watch

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Following along. Our family loves Universal and we were just there in May this year.
I think it is fantastic that you are treating your daughter to a 3 day trip to Universal.
We saw Epic for the first time in May, and WOW, it is amazing. We had 2 days at Epic this trip and got to enjoy things over again. You can easily see and do what you want in one day. It's such a fun place with incredible detail to every part of it.
I see you are going to Epic and IOA? Our favorite park of the 2 is US because of MIB, The Bourne Experience, the Mummy, and many others I can't remember at this moment. They have the purple HP bus with the talking head and the driver before you get to the HP land. There's so much to do and see there. We loved IOA too. There's so much to love about each park, and I hope you had a fantastic time. Can't wait to hear of your adventures at Universal.

 

[chrish16]

Following along. Our family loves Universal and we were just there in May this year.
I think it is fantastic that you are treating your daughter to a 3 day trip to Universal.
We saw Epic for the first time in May, and WOW, it is amazing. We had 2 days at Epic this trip and got to enjoy things over again. You can easily see and do what you want in one day. It's such a fun place with incredible detail to every part of it.
I see you are going to Epic and IOA? Our favorite park of the 2 is US because of MIB, The Bourne Experience, the Mummy, and many others I can't remember at this moment. They have the purple HP bus with the talking head and the driver before you get to the HP land. There's so much to do and see there. We loved IOA too. There's so much to love about each park, and I hope you had a fantastic time. Can't wait to hear of your adventures at Universal.

I (Chris) love the Bourne Stuntacular, I've seen it twice now. We generally think Universal Studios although an amazing park still, has a lot of simulator rides quite samey, and Kelly gets motion sickness with simulator rides where the screen is moving but the kart isn't. We wanted thrills and rollercoasters
Its my wife Kelly, not my daughter btw
Epic, we've managed twice now, Kelly not so much as the first time she was ill, if you check out our previous trip reports. We managed to get around everything we wanted this 3 night trip, it was quite quiet tbh in Epic.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I (Chris) love the Bourne Stuntacular, I've seen it twice now. We generally think Universal Studios although an amazing park still, has a lot of simulator rides quite samey, and Kelly gets motion sickness with simulator rides where the screen is moving but the kart isn't. We wanted thrills and rollercoasters
Its my wife Kelly, not my daughter btw
Epic, we've managed twice now, Kelly not so much as the first time she was ill, if you check out our previous trip reports. We managed to get around everything we wanted this 3 night trip, it was quite quiet tbh in Epic.

Oops, sorry about the daughter bit. Don,t know where that came from. Anyway, it sounds like you have a good itinerary set up. We absolutely love Universal, and that's coming from a die-hard WDW family. We went to WDW for many years starting when the kids were little to all grown up with kids of their own. Then things changed, and we tried Universal. I do have nostalgia for WDW, but Universal is our favorite place to visit now. Can't wait to hear your TR.

 

[chrish16]

Orlando in 3 Nights – Part 2: Landing in Orlando, Picking Up Our Hire Car & Back to International Drive​

After months of planning, our whirlwind Orlando adventure was finally beginning. We'd made it across the Atlantic from London Gatwick, and after a surprisingly smooth British Airways flight, it was time for one of the best moments of any Florida holiday... stepping off the plane knowing you're finally back in Orlando.

For this trip we arrived into Orlando International Airport's new Terminal C, which still feels incredibly modern compared to the older terminals. Bright, spacious and easy to navigate, it's a great first impression for anyone visiting Florida. We still miss that carpet though.

Through Immigration with the MPC App​

One thing we were looking forward to was the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app as its much much quicker.

After completing the details on the app before landing, we headed towards the dedicated MPC queue. There were hardly any people waiting, and within minutes we'd spoken to the immigration officer and were officially welcomed back into the United States.

Compared to some of the long lines, this was an absolute game changer and something we'll definitely carry on using.

Collecting Our Luggage​

Actually, no luggage to collect
It was a game changer just travelling with hand luggage.

Picking Up Our Hire Car from Thrifty​

For this trip we'd booked with Thrifty Car Rental.

The process was fairly straightforward, although there was a short queue while paperwork was completed before we were directed to choose our vehicle.

There was some confusion as we booked a compact car, but the guy said only EV's were available. Which I have an EV myself I didn't want to mess on wasting time charging whilst on holiday, but it was either that or pay ot upgrade to a SUV, which I didn't think was fair when we booked a compact and they couldn't supply a compact.

It turned out once we got to the garage that it wasn't actually an EV, it was a Kia Nero Hybrid. So either he meant to say Hybrid or he calls a Hybrid an EV

Visitor Toll Pass​

Before leaving the airport we also collected a Visitor Toll Pass, something we use on our Florida holidays.

Rather than paying expensive daily toll fees through the hire car company, the Visitor Toll Pass allows you to pay the actual toll prices, making it a much cheaper option if you're planning on driving around Orlando.

It's quick to collect from the airport and saves a surprising amount over the course of a trip.

It costs $10 in the app and once you get your car you enter the reg plate so it tracks. The tolls come out of the $10 and if cost anymore you get charged maybe 1 week after you hand it back into the machine.

First Drive Through Orlando​

There's something special about that first drive after landing.

Palm trees lining the roads.

Huge overhead highway signs pointing towards Disney, Universal and International Drive.

Even the Florida sunshine feels different after a long flight from the UK.

Despite being tired, the excitement quickly takes over as you realise the holiday has officially begun.

Checking Back Into the Rosen Inn International​

For this short break we returned to one of our favourite budget hotels in Orlando — the Rosen Inn International.

We've stayed here several times over the years, and for us it offers fantastic value for money.

The location is hard to beat, sitting right on International Drive with restaurants, shops and attractions all within easy walking distance.

The rooms aren't luxurious, but they're clean, comfortable and perfect if, like us, you're spending most of your time out exploring the parks.

After checking in, it didn't take long before we were unpacking our suitcases and getting settled for the next few days.

A Familiar View​

Walking around the hotel grounds immediately brought back memories from previous trips.

Sometimes it's nice trying somewhere new, but there's also something comforting about returning somewhere familiar.

Knowing exactly where everything is means you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying your holiday.

With only three nights in Orlando, every hour counted.

Stretching Our Legs on International Drive​

Rather than heading straight to bed after the flight, we wanted to make the most of our first evening.

International Drive is always buzzing with activity.

Restaurants are full, the Icon Park Wheel dominates the skyline, and there's an energy around the area that instantly makes it feel like you're on holiday.

Even after countless visits, it never gets old.

We went to Saltgrass Steakhouse, as we always go to Longhorns we wanted to try another steakhouse. I went for a Tropical Sangria and a fillet cooked medium with mashed potatoes. The steak looked amazing, it cut buttery smooth and was not chewy. I really couldn't decide if it was better than Longhorns, it had a flame grilled taste so had that extra kick, but meat quality I think Longhorns just about beat it, and Longhorns is slightly cheaper I believe.

Afterwards, we headed to the Mall at Millenia for a dessert from the Cheesecake Factory to take back to the Rosen Inn.

Looking Ahead​

The next few days were going to be packed from morning until night.

Our itinerary included:

• Universal's Islands of Adventure
• A visit to Epic Universe
• Disney Character Warehouse
• Orlando Premium Outlets
• Disney Springs
• The Aerophile Balloon
• Great food
• Plenty of shopping
• And squeezing in as much Orlando magic as possible before flying home.

Could it all really be done in just three nights?

We were about to find out.

Prefer to watch?

---

Next up is Islands of Adventure before heading over to finally experience Epic Universe.

 

[chrish16]

Day 1 – A Different Kind of Universal Day​

After months of planning, alarms, flights and the excitement of arriving back in Orlando, it was finally time for our first proper park day.

Although "proper" might not be the right word...

This trip was always going to be different. Normally when we're in Florida it's all about the kids, racing from attraction to attraction trying to squeeze every last ride into the day. This time it was just me and Kelly, and after how poorly she'd been on our previous trip, the only real plan was to take things easy and enjoy ourselves.

A Very Broken Night's Sleep​

Unfortunately, Orlando had other ideas.

If you've watched our previous Florida vlogs you'll know we've stayed at the Rosen Inn International a few times now. It's fantastic for the price and we genuinely like staying there, but one thing hasn't changed...it's noisy!

Between sirens, loud cars, motorbikes and people wandering back to their rooms in the early hours, sleep wasn't exactly easy. Then there was my "spider incident"...

At around one in the morning I was convinced I'd seen a spider crawl across Kelly and disappear down the side of the bed. I searched everywhere, couldn't find anything, went back to bed...only to feel something on my arm a little while later. At that point I was convinced it was back! I ended up jumping out of bed and eventually admitted defeat by sleeping in the other bed. To this day I still don't know if there was ever actually a spider there or whether being awake for nearly 24 hours had finally caught up with me!

Giving Denny's One More Chance​

Neither of us fancied a huge breakfast, but we decided to give Denny's another go.

On our last couple of visits we'd both agreed it wasn't quite as good as we remembered, so expectations weren't exactly sky high.

I'm pleased to say it surprised us.

It was incredibly quiet inside, the food arrived in no time at all, and both breakfasts were really good. Kelly went for the Create Your Own breakfast with pancakes, while I had the Moons Over My Hammy sandwich. Combined with a 20% voucher we'd signed up for, it came to around $26 including tip, so it was a great start to the day.

​

Straight Into Islands of Adventure​

By half past eight we were pulling into Universal.

The weather was perfect. Warm enough for a t-shirt but with a nice breeze, making a pleasant change from the scorching afternoons Florida often throws at you.

It did look busy though.

There seemed to be some sort of event on, with huge crowds heading through CityWalk, so we knew we'd probably need to be flexible with our plans. Fortunately, being annual passholders meant we could use the dedicated entrance and were through security and into the park in no time.

One thing I couldn't help noticing (again!) was the difference between Universal and Disney staff. It isn't everyone, of course, but Disney Cast Members always seem to greet you with a smile, whereas Universal staff can sometimes seem...less enthusiastic.

​

Five Hours for Hagrid's?!​

One of the biggest reasons for this short trip was to finally ride a few attractions we'd missed previously because Kelly hadn't been well.

Hagrid's was right at the top of the list.

Then we looked at the wait time.

300 minutes.

Five hours! When you see 300 minutes you think in 3 hours region, but when you work it out its actually five hours!

It's still one of my favourite rides anywhere in Orlando, but I honestly don't know how Universal ever gets that queue down. Even years after opening it's still pulling incredible wait times. We've seen it as low as 45–60 minutes on quieter visits, but five hours is just on another level.

Instead of wasting most of the day standing in one queue, we decided we'd keep an eye on the app and stay flexible.

​

Slowing Down For Once​

One thing I realised during this trip was just how differently we were touring the parks.

Usually I'm constantly checking wait times, planning the next ride and trying to make sure everyone gets maximum value from the tickets.

This time?

We wandered. We browsed shops. We actually stopped to sit down.

After owning Universal Annual Passes for years, we finally visited the Annual Pass Lounge for the first time ever. Normally we would never "waste" time sitting down, but because we'd already ridden so much over previous holidays and didn't have the kids this time, it felt nice to simply relax in the air conditioning with a drink and recharge.

Kelly said exactly the same thing.

We'd actually done very little compared with a normal Universal day, but somehow we'd enjoyed it just as much.

Looking After Kelly​

Another reason we slowed the pace was because Kelly was finding the crowds difficult.

Since being diagnosed with ADHD, busy environments like theme parks can become overwhelming, especially when combined with menopause. Thankfully she'd brought her Loop earplugs, which really helped reduce all the background noise without stopping us having a conversation.

Instead of trying to power through, we just adjusted the day.

If she needed a quieter area, we'd find one. If she needed a sit down, we'd stop.

That's one of the luxuries of having annual passes—you don't feel like you have to cram absolutely everything into one visit.

The Day Wasn't Over Yet...​

As the afternoon rolled on, we decided to head back towards the hotel for a short break before returning to Epic Universe later that evening.

Well...that was the plan.

First there was a stop for Panda Express because Kelly had been craving the Orange Chicken all day (and honestly, I can't blame her). Then, almost on cue, the Florida skies opened and one of those classic afternoon thunderstorms rolled in, complete with lightning warnings that threatened to close attractions.

It wouldn't be Florida without at least one downpour!

As relaxed as we'd been all morning, we knew we wanted to head back into Epic Universe that evening, so we decided to head back to the Rosen Inn International for a couple of hours.

It gave Kelly chance to have a rest, recharge after a busy morning, and escape the Florida heat for a little while before tackling another park.

One thing we quickly realised on this trip was just how nice it was not having to rush. Normally we'd have tried to stay in the parks from opening until closing, but having somewhere familiar to pop back to on International Drive made the day feel much more enjoyable.

Of course, before heading back out there was one very important stop...

Kelly Finally Gets Her Panda Express!​

Ever since we'd arrived in Orlando, Kelly had been talking about one thing...

Orange Chicken from Panda Express.

It's become one of those little traditions whenever we visit Florida, and after mentioning it several times during the day, we couldn't go past without stopping.

It definitely didn't disappoint.

The Orange Chicken was every bit as good as we remembered, and it was exactly what Kelly had been craving before heading back to Epic Universe for the afternoon.

Back to Epic Universe​

Feeling refreshed, we headed back into Epic Universe to carry on exploring.

One of the shows we'd wanted to see was The Untrainable Dragon, and I'm really glad we made the time for it. Without giving too much away, it's one of those attractions that everyone can enjoy, whether you're a huge How to Train Your Dragon fan or not. The puppetry, special effects and flying sequences were genuinely impressive and it's easy to see why it's become such a popular show.

By the time we came back outside though...

Florida had other ideas.

Typical Florida Weather!​

The rain absolutely hammered down.

Within minutes the pathways were soaked, people were sheltering under every available canopy, and before long the outdoor attractions started closing because of the lightning.

Rather than making a run for it, we decided to continue towards Dark Universe, stopping off inside the Burning Blade Tavern to wait for the worst of the weather to pass.

It actually worked out quite well.

Instead of just standing around, we ordered one of the tavern's famous Garlic Stakes to share while watching the rain pour outside. It was a great little snack but extremely garlic.

Sometimes getting caught in a Florida downpour forces you to slow down a little.

Curse of the Werewolf​

Thankfully the storm didn't last too long.

As soon as the rides began reopening, we headed straight for Curse of the Werewolf.

The spinning coaster makes every ride slightly different, and because you never quite know which way you're going to be facing, it keeps you guessing all the way around. It's not the biggest or fastest coaster in the park, but it was great fun and fitted Dark Universe perfectly. It is a very short ride I feel though.

The whole area has such an eerie atmosphere, and even during the daytime you can tell it's going to become even more impressive once darkness falls.

Finally, we went over to ride what we came back for... Stardust Racers and it was only a 20 minute wait. We think Stardust Racers is possibly the best ride we've ever ridden, I can't believe it was 20 minutes and other rides are hours

Final Thoughts​

Although we hadn't packed dozens of rides into the day, it was probably one of the most relaxing days we've ever spent at Universal.

For the first time in years we weren't rushing from attraction to attraction. We were simply enjoying being back in Orlando together.

And sometimes...that's even better.

Prefer to watch?

 

[chrish16]

Day 2 – Disney Springs, Outlets & an Epic Evening at Epic Universe ​

After a really good sleep, we were up and ready for our second (and final full) day in Florida. Today was a bit of a mixed day — we had planned Disney Springs in the morning, a bit of shopping, then heading back over to Epic Universe to finish off the rides we missed on our first visit.
Looking back, this was probably one of the best decisions we made on the trip. Trying to do everything at Epic Universe in one day would have been a lot, especially after travelling all the way from the UK and still being a bit jet lagged.

First stop was Disney Springs.

At short notice whilst we waited for the shops to open at 10am (it was 9.30am) we booked the Aerophile balloon, something we had talked about doing before but never got around to. Kelly spotted a deal on Groupon, although after reading the small print it wasn't quite the bargain we first thought!

The Groupon price was around $46 for two people, compared to around $60 normally, but because we were going on within the first 24 hours there was a $5 per person surcharge at the Aerophile desk. So in reality, the saving was only a few dollars.

Still, it was something different, and we always mentioned about doing it.

After signing the “I accept responsibility for everything that could possibly happen” waiver , we headed over.

The balloon is much bigger than it looks from a distance. You don't really appreciate the size until you are standing underneath it. The whole thing is basically a huge metal basket with the balloon above, and it is an impressive sight.

The views were fantastic.

You can see so much from up there — EPCOT, Tower of Terror, Swan and Dolphin, Grand Floridian, Poly, International Drive, Celebration and loads more. It was also much smoother than I expected. I’m not brilliant with heights, but because it rises slowly and doesn't move around much, it was absolutely fine.

The whole experience was around 8 minutes, and I think we were probably at the top for about 3 minutes.

Would I do it again? Probably not as a family of five because it does add up quickly, but as a one-off experience it was definitely worth doing.

The cast member was brilliant as well. Universal and Disney are both so good at adding those little touches. He was joking around asking if we wanted the parachute under our seat and whether we wanted to go faster. It just makes the experience better.

After that, it was time for a bit of shopping.

We headed into Disney Style and had a look around. There are always so many things you like in Disney shops, but the problem is a lot of it feels like “holiday wear”. You love it in Florida, but would you actually wear it back home in the UK?

There were some really nice shirts, spirit jerseys, Stitch items, Figment bits (which Kelly always loves), picture frames and loads more.

World of Disney also has the mobile checkout, which is brilliant. You scan your items on your phone, then just go to the checkout point, show your QR code and they bag everything up.

So much easier than standing in another queue.

We also had a look at Gideon's, but the queue was huge. We've still never tried it, but after seeing the wait we decided we weren't that desperate for a cookie .

Lunch at Blaze Pizza ​

By this point we were ready for food, so we headed to one of our Disney Springs favourites — Blaze Pizza.

It was still fairly quiet because we were there early, just after 11am, so we basically had a late breakfast/early lunch.

One thing I love about Blaze is that they let you customise everything. This time we did something we'd never seen before — a half-and-half pizza with different sauces.

One side had the tomato base, the other had the white sauce.

It worked really well.

The red sauce side was definitely my favourite. The flavour comes through straight away, and even though it is a thin pizza, the crust is still really good. It has that proper stone-baked crispy texture that supports the toppings.

For around $18 including a drink, we thought it was really good value.

And while we were eating, we found the obligatory Disney duck waiting patiently nearby hoping someone dropped something .

​

Orlando International Premium Outlets​

After Disney Springs, we headed over to the outlets.

The parking was absolutely crazy. We spent about 10 minutes driving around trying to find a space, so we made a mental note of where we parked — outside Tommy Hilfiger at the back!

We popped into Tommy Hilfiger first.

Kelly found a dress and cardigan which were amazing bargains. With all the discounts, the dress went from around $119 down to about $38, and the cardigan was heavily reduced too.

Those are the kind of bargains you hope to find at the outlets.

The main mission was Disney Character Warehouse.

We always like checking these shops because you can sometimes find things that were full price in the parks for a fraction of the cost.

There was a queue to get inside, and we probably waited around 30–40 minutes in the rain, but we decided to stick with it.

Thankfully, we found some bargains.

I managed to pick up some Disney shirts including the Roosevelt shirt and the Stitch one we had seen earlier. Kelly found some Disney Cruise Line items, and there were plenty of other bits.

One thing we did notice was quite a few people buying large quantities. You could definitely tell some people were probably buying to resell.

$290 lighter we grabbed some food from the food court — because obviously we couldn't leave Orlando without another portion of orange chicken! This time from Asian Chao!

Back to Epic Universe ​

After getting back to the Rosen Inn, drying off (because yes, Florida weather had other ideas again!), and checking our shopping haul, we headed back out.

The plan was simple:

Use our leftover Express passes from February, get on Mine-Cart Madness, do any other rides we could fit in, and enjoy Epic Universe at night.

The park was noticeably quieter.

We had said previously that Sunday seemed like a good day to visit, and today really proved that. A lot of people who travel for weekends are probably heading home for Monday, so crowds seem lighter.

First stop was Super Nintendo World and Mine-Cart Madness.

This ride is brilliant.

It is short, but it catches you out because the track doesn't behave how you expect. It looks like a normal coaster, but the way Universal has designed it makes it feel completely different.

The illusion of the track moving one way while the ride does something else is so clever.

Next up was Isle of Berk and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.

This one was good, but Mine-Cart Madness was still the winner. Wing Gliders is more of a family coaster than a full-on coaster.

One thing we noticed more this time was just how much detail there is around Epic Universe.

When you first visit, you focus on the rides. But the second time, you start noticing the little things — the landscaping, hidden areas, music, theming and how each land feels different.

You could easily spend more time just exploring.

Harry Potter – Battle at the Ministry ​

Next was the big one — Battle at the Ministry.

The wait time was showing around 40–50 minutes, which compared to the usual huge waits was amazing.

The inside of this attraction is incredible. The scale is hard to describe. It genuinely feels like walking into a movie set.

We even got a bit of extra magic from the staff. We had a photo opportunity where the smoke effect didn't trigger properly, and the team member actually let us redo it so we could get the full effect.

Little things like that make a difference.

The ride itself is another step forward in theme park technology. The animatronics look incredibly realistic, and the way the physical sets blend into the screens is amazing.

Kelly especially loved it because, unlike Forbidden Journey, it didn't make her feel sick.

Epic Universe at Night ​

One of the things we wanted to see was Epic Universe after dark.

And wow, it completely changes.

The lighting throughout the park is incredible. It feels like a completely different place compared to daytime.

We headed over for the famous mac and cheese cone from Hooligan’s Grog & Grub.

This had been recommended by so many people, so we had to try it. It was honestly really good.

The bread is probably the star of the show. It is seasoned really well, and the mac and cheese filling is just the right balance — not too creamy, not too cheesy. Very filling though!

We then walked around Dark Universe and Super Nintendo World before finishing the night with Stardust Racers.

And this was probably the perfect way to end the day.

Stardust Racers at night is brilliant.

We got front row seats after the people in front of us decided they were too nervous and asked to move .

The launch coming out of the station, with the fog effects and not being able to see what's coming, was amazing.

The yellow track was definitely our favourite compared to the green one we did previously. There is more airtime, more hills and that second launch really catches you out.

A perfect final ride.

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Final thoughts on Day 2​

By the time we left Epic Universe, we were exhausted.

My feet were absolutely done, and I was already planning on filling the bin at the hotel with ice to try and recover .

But what a day.

Disney Springs, shopping, outlet bargains, Blaze Pizza, orange chicken and finishing with Epic Universe at night — it was a packed one.

The main reason we wanted to come back to Epic Universe was to make sure Kelly got to experience everything after our February visit didn't go completely to plan.

And I think we achieved exactly what we wanted.

Having two visits was definitely the right choice. If we had tried to do everything in one day, especially while jet lagged, we would have missed so much.

Epic Universe has really grown on us. The first visit was amazing, but the second visit gave us time to actually take everything in.

Definitely somewhere we want to return to.

Tomorrow is sadly home time.

Just packing, one last look around, and then back to reality.

But what a way to finish the trip.

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[chrish16]

Day 3 - Travel Home​

Well, somehow we'd reached the final day already.

That seems to be the downside of these shorter trips. It only feels like you've just got into holiday mode before it's time to pack everything back into the suitcase again. We weren't flying until later in the afternoon, though, so there was no way we were wasting half a day sitting in the airport. Instead, we'd decided to squeeze in one last visit to Universal before heading back to Orlando International.

One Last Morning at Islands of Adventure​

Everything was packed up before we left the Rosen Inn, including our trusty fold-up black duffel bag. We always bring it folded up inside one of our suitcases and then fill it with all the snacks, souvenirs and shopping we've inevitably bought while we're away. It saves paying for an extra bag on the outbound journey and gives us loads of extra space coming home. It's a tip that's worked really well for us over the last few Florida trips.


The original plan was simple...


One last ride on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, maybe a couple of other attractions if the queues allowed, then head towards the airport.


We arrived at Islands of Adventure just after opening and had a look at the wait times. Most attractions were sitting around 5–30 minutes, but Hagrid's was already showing a huge wait. We booked our accessibility return time straight away so at least we had that sorted while we wandered around the park.

One handy tip if you're an Annual Passholder...


The normal entrance queues looked enormous, but there's a dedicated Annual Pass entrance over towards the exit gates. We'd actually left our physical passes packed away in the suitcase, but luckily they're stored in the Universal app as well, so within a minute or two we were inside the park.

Hollywood Drive-In Golf​

So we decided whilst we wait for Hagrid's to do the Hollywood Drive-in Golf. There are 2 courses and we decided to do the Invaders From Plantet Putt course. The attendant said its amazing at night as its all lit with LED lights.

You do get a traditional score card and mini pencil but you can also use a phone app which we opted to use. It also had some quiz questions as you go around the course and you can win a reward to redeem at the end.

​

Universal Passholder Lounge​

With plenty of time before Hagrid's, we finally did something we'd never done before despite having Annual Passes for years...


We visited the Universal Passholder Lounge.

It's tucked away in Toon Lagoon where the old Betty Boop store used to be, and honestly it was a lovely place just to sit down for a while in the air conditioning. There aren't loads of seats and there's nothing included apart from somewhere comfortable to relax, but that's exactly what we wanted. There are drinks and merchandise available to buy, charging points by the windows, and it was nice just escaping the crowds for twenty minutes.


We were saying how different this trip had been compared to previous visits.

Normally we're charging around the parks trying to get maximum value from every minute.

This time we'd actually stopped... sat down... chatted... wandered through shops we'd usually rush past... and just enjoyed being there.

Food time...​

I was craving a hot dog, so Googled where to get a hot dog in Islands of Adventure, which was Blondies, except once we got there in Toon Lagoon, which was conveniently next to the old Betty Boop Store (the AP lounge) it was closed. So instead we headed to Pizza Predattoria for a Chicken Alfredo Bread Cone.

Finally Riding Hagrid's​

Eventually our return time arrived.

The accessibility queue looked busy when we joined it, but from entering the queue to getting back off the ride only took around twenty minutes, which was much quicker than we'd expected.

So...


The big question.

Hagrid's or VelociCoaster?

We still couldn't decide.


VelociCoaster probably wins for outright thrills and airtime, while Hagrid's is such a brilliantly themed family coaster with so many surprises. Even after another ride, we were still sat there saying they're probably equal for completely different reasons.

Time to Leave Universal​

Before we knew it, it was time to head back towards the car.

There's always that strange feeling on the last day. You know you've still got a few hours left in Florida, but mentally you're already thinking about the journey home.

We'd had exactly the sort of trip we'd hoped for.

Not everything had gone perfectly, but we'd managed to experience Epic Universe, revisit Islands of Adventure and still fit in plenty of shopping and good food over just three nights.

One Last Shopping Stop​

Rather than heading straight to MCO, we made one final stop to stock up on snacks.

We popped into Doller Tree for all the usual favourites to bring home.

Blue Sour Patch Kids for Thomas, plantain chips, chips a hoy.

We also headed to Walmart for a last dash with only 45 mins before we needed to be at the airport. We got:


Pop-Tarts.
Load potato skins Pringles
Instant mashed potato mixes.
Honey mustard dip.
Idahoan instant mash
Kelly's squirty cheese
Caramel M&M's



Once we tackled getting everything into the cases and the caess looking like a sweet shop we jumped in the front and sampled our snacks. Kelly tried a pretzel and cheese dip snack, which the pretzels sounded like she snapped her teeth when biting, and I tried the Sea Salt Chomps, which I described it as a really tough dried hot dog.

Off to Orlando International Airport​

After shopping it was finally time to point the sat-nav towards Orlando International.

One thing we always do before flying home is change into jeans just before boarding.

It might still be hot in Florida, but we know exactly what's waiting when we land back in Britain! It also makes the overnight flight a bit more comfortable if the cabin gets cold.

We'd heard mixed reviews about the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal C, so we skipped it and instead just wandered around the terminal looking in the shops before boarding our British Airways flight.

Kelly was craving a Chick-fil-a so we sat down with that and tried some new sauces.

Homeward Bound​

One unexpected surprise came from the captain.

He explained our route home would be a little different because of a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, so instead of heading straight north up the east coast we had to divert around the launch area before crossing the Atlantic. It was quite interesting watching the unusual flight path appear on the screen.

We'd also planned ahead by bringing some Chick-fil-A nuggets onto the plane with us, which made a nice change before the airline meal arrived!


Dinner was butter chicken, followed by blueberry cheesecake, which was actually pretty decent for airline food. Breakfast before landing wasn't quite as successful though, with a bacon and egg wrap that neither of us thought was particularly good.

Back to Reality​

Before we knew it we were descending into London Gatwick.


The flight felt like it had gone surprisingly quickly, helped by grabbing a few hours' sleep during the crossing.

Our luggage appeared almost immediately, with the giant black duffel bag one of the first onto the carousel, and everything had gone so smoothly that we even looked into getting an earlier train home rather than waiting for the one we'd originally booked.

Final Thoughts​

When we booked this trip, plenty of people questioned whether it was worth flying all the way to Florida for just three nights.

Having done it...

We'd say yes.

Would I choose it over a two-week holiday? Absolutely not.

But if you've got annual leave to use, can find reasonable flights and just fancy a quick escape, it really does work.

We managed to experience Epic Universe, revisit Islands of Adventure, enjoy Disney Springs, do plenty of shopping, eat some great food and still have time to slow down and actually enjoy the parks rather than rushing from ride to ride.

Most importantly, Kelly managed to experience everything she'd wanted to despite not feeling her best on our previous Orlando trip, which made the whole weekend worthwhile.

It might only have been three nights...

...but it certainly felt like we'd packed a lot of Orlando into them.


Now the countdown begins until the next adventure... California! . Yes, in September we are heading to Hollywood, Universal Hollywood, Disneyland & Warner Bros Studios

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