Cargreen

Something magical happens when you walk through the doors of Universal Studios in Florida.

Whether it’s Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona or the Trolls greeting children wandering around the new DreamWorks Land; Whether it’s the thrilling roller coasters that adults and older children enjoy, or the jaw-dropping live shows that will leave everyone spellbound, the entire family will return home with memories that will last a lifetime.

Universal Studios stands out as more than just your everyday theme park, operating beyond standard nine-to-five hours. Offering a wide variety of dining venues and entertainment options, the resort has plenty of excitement to keep guests from all walks of life occupied from dawn to dusk.

Spending an evening in the park for the recently introduced Cinesational: Symphonic Spectacular or the fascinating Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Projection show is highly recommended. Created after four years of meticulous planning, the Symphonic Spectacular, featuring an elaborate mix of fireworks, drones, breathtaking lighting, music, films and water fountains that act as canvases for projections, is an experience not to be missed; It takes a nostalgic journey through Universal’s past. storied film history touches on classics like Jaws, ET, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Shrek, and others.

As someone who enjoys thrills, the roller coasters at Universal are second to none. The Jurassic World-themed VelociCoaster reaches speeds of up to 70 mph and takes four inversions and one terrifying “top hat” (a 90-degree rise followed by a 90-degree drop). But the real screamer for me was Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Adventure.

But the sheer exuberance of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Adventure clinched the title of best scream maker for me.

Costing a whopping $20 million, the “story train” can only reach speeds of 50 mph, but as you ride Hagrid’s motorcycle or sidecar, you’ll embark on a thrilling adventure through the Forbidden Forest, where each bike includes speakers. Experience with immersive sounds.

The attraction is located in Universal’s Hogsmead area, which is an absolute must for Potterheads. But our real draw was the gorgeous new DreamWorks Land.

Aimed squarely at teenagers, this section of the park features a kid-friendly roller coaster, hands-on play areas and multi-sensory live performances featuring favorites from Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda.

The food outlets are interesting, with Shrekzels, Poppylicious Pink and BroZone fruit ice creams that kids and adults will love.

Universal is more than cinematic magic; Look no further than Volcano Bay water park, where we spent a day. Water slides appeal to all ages, from the death-defying Kala and Tai Nui body slides, where the ground collapses and you plummet 200ft below the volcano, to the more tranquil lazy river.

You will have a fun, exciting or relaxing day in, on or near the water. My favorite was the TeAwa Fearless River, where the current is so strong that you drift so fast that life jackets are mandatory. The Krakatau Aqua coaster is a brilliantly engineered ride that combines water and magnetic forces that pull you up and along the track.

Universal offers a multitude of restaurants, shows, shops and entertainment to ensure there’s never a dull moment.

But if relaxing is your style, a variety of hotels cater to families with different budgets. We stayed at the mid-range, four-star Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, located amidst breathtaking views and waterfalls.

The resort also offers a water taxi service for easy access to the park.

The resort features a massive lagoon-style pool with waterslides, two sandy beach areas, and a Caribbean-themed dining venue serving South American-inspired cuisine and an extensive rum and cocktail menu.

There is a free shuttle bus to Volcano Bay, although it is only 800 meters away and is easily accessible on foot.

Orlando continues to be the top travel destination for families, ranking second on British Airways Holidays’ list of most sought-after package holidays in 2024. With so much to do, explore and experience, it’s not hard to see why.

You can’t go wrong for a holiday that promises unforgettable memories.

Book a holiday

• British Airways Holidays offers a seven-night room-only option at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort, Florida, from £1,249 per person, traveling from Gatwick on selected dates in January. Book by November 27th. Benefits include Early Park Admission (with paid admission) and free park/Universal CityWalk bus transfers. britishairways.com/orlando
• For more information: visitorlando.com universalorlando.com