Southern USA Road Trip: A Family Journey, Orlando! - Part 3
This time around, our trip to Orlando felt like a whole new adventure. When you visit theme parks like Walt Disney World or Universal Studios with kids of varying ages, each visit brings a different perspective. Whether it’s the thrill of the rides for older kids or the wonder of meeting beloved characters for younger ones, the magic of Orlando adapts to the stage your family is in.
Our base in Orlando was ‘Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn’, and I am happy to recommend it.
**Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn**: Our family suite was spacious with a handy little kitchen area. The hotel had a quirky summer vibe and was impeccably clean. The pools were lovely, and the self-service restaurant and on-site Starbucks were fantastic perks. We returned our hire car as the frequent shuttles to the theme parks and water park made getting around easy. Nearby, there’s a Walmart and some decent local restaurants, plus Uber is reasonably priced.
Orlando is undoubtedly one of the most famous destinations in the world, and it would take days to cover all the details, so I’ll keep it brief and share a few of our favourites:
Walt Disney World Florida: We only spent one day at Disney this time, dedicating it to Magic Kingdom, and it was just as magical as our first visit nearly 10 years ago! We had an incredible day, cramming in so much despite the limited time. Our favourite rides were Space Mountain, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (which we rode three times!), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and we were lucky enough to experience Tron. Although it was a bit outside my comfort zone, it was phenomenal! The day finished on a high - I absolutely adore the firework show at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. It’s just magical, and so emotive—truly one of my favourite parts of the trip.
Universal Orlando: Universal never disappoints, and there genuinely is something for all ages. Whether you’re into thrilling coasters or more immersive experiences, Universal is the perfect destination for a family adventure. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure—was a favourite (although I must admit I wimped out!) I’m told that for a real adrenaline rush, the Incredible Hulk Coaster is a must (I sat that one out too!), and the classics like Hollywood Rocket and Revenge of the Mummy provided a few heart-pounding moments! We all enjoyed ‘Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon’, and had a good laugh during the ‘Raptor Encounter’ with Blue—it was hilarious and full of surprises and some great photo opportunities. We were fortunate to be there during Mardi Gras, which is a spectacle, with vibrant parades, music, and fantastic food. There’s always something happening at Universal, and the combination of great rides, shows, and seasonal events like Mardi Gras made it an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Shopping: Shopping was, of course, a must with our 16-year-old along for the trip! Orlando has some fantastic spots for retail therapy, and The Mall at Millenia was a highlight for us. This gorgeous mall has a great selection of high-end shops, including favourites like Macy’s and Bloomingdale's, and the cool air-conditioning was a welcome break from the heat and theme parks. For bargain hunters, the Orlando International Premium Outlets are also a solid choice, with loads of stores offering some great discounts. As for the Florida Mall, with its 250 stores, it’s a shopping haven too—but we skipped it this time around since we were pretty much shopped out! There’s certainly no shortage of places to shop in Orlando!
Food: Orlando definitely spoiled us when it came to food! Cheesecake Factory was a solid choice for the whole family—there’s just so much on the menu, and you can never go wrong with their cheesecakes. We had to stop by Voodoo Doughnut for a treat. Big Fire Grill (at Universal’s CityWalk) had great steaks, along with plenty of other options (I loved the trout dip!). The Hard Rock Café at Universal was a "box to tick" with its impressive amount of musical memorabilia, but the food and service were both excellent. Over at Disney Springs, we really enjoyed The Boathouse—the seafood was delicious, and the views by the water made it extra special. On the road, we had to try Chick-fil-A. While not the healthiest choice, it was fab! And when we were too tired to venture out, Uber Eats was really handy!
Orlando isn’t just about theme parks—there’s a whole world of lesser-known and quirky activities to discover! You can try kayaking at Wekiwa Springs State Park for a peaceful escape in nature or take a ride on the ICON Orlando, a massive observation wheel with fantastic views of the city. If you’re into something a bit offbeat, check out WonderWorks, an upside-down interactive museum full of fun experiments and illusions. And for a dose of adventure, you can even go indoor skydiving at iFLY Orlando. Always keep an eye out for local events while you're there—our highlight was catching the Chicago Bulls play the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center, which we absolutely loved!
All things considered, I can honestly say that Orlando is one of the best family experiences we’ve had. It’s a place where everyone, no matter their age, can have fun, be a kid again, and fully escape the routine of day-to-day life. Whether it's the excitement of the parks, the great entertainment, or the shopping, there's something for everyone to enjoy. I would highly recommend it for any family looking for adventure and fun. And if you're thinking about going, keep an eye out for my Orlando Top Tips blog coming soon!
