FAM FEEDBACK: UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT Butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Ben Calderbank, trade sales team manager, The Monarch Travel Group As we were dropped off at our first hotel, the Loews Portofino Bay, it was clear to see this was not going to be any ordinary fam trip as this was no ordinary hotel. With its grand design in the style of an Italian fishing village it is a real feast for the eyes. The hotel claims to offer “la dolce vita” (that’s the good life to you and
me) and they certainly delivered it. We were allocated villa rooms, which were very luxurious with the comfiest bed I have ever slept on. The range of onsite facilities is first class and the swimming pool even has its own beach! But its jewel in the crown for me is its fantastic location, set within a few minutes walk or water taxi from both Universal theme parks. After visiting Orlando for the first time in 2008 I was intrigued to see all the changes that had taken place, in particular the arrival of Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Islands of Adventure. I’m a big kid at heart and a massive Harry Potter fan so I ignored the initial hype and reserved judgment and I wasn’t disappointed. This new Harry Potter- themed world is extraordinary and unlike any other theme park attraction I have experienced. Its amazing attention to detail is so immersive that it really makes you feel as though you’re in the stories, from being able to
enjoy a pint of Butterbeer in the Hog’s Head tavern to walking through the halls of Hogwarts castle. It was easy to see why Islands of
Adventure has fast become number one on our clients’ to-do list. The rides have huge appeal for me as a bit of an adrenaline junkie and I love the Incredible Hulk Coaster. But for those who want something more family friendly there’s a great choice and my favourite has to be the water ride, Popeye & Bluto’s bilge-rat barges, where our strict no-poncho rule guaranteed we got a thorough soaking.
If you try and squeeze each park into just one day you could easily miss some of the more classic attractions like the Horror Makeup Show at Universal Studios Florida and that would be a shame. For that reason I now always advise clients to dedicate at least two days each to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
Selling tips: ■ Beat the queues! Stay onsite at any of the Universal hotels and get in an hour earlier than the general public to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter ■ Both the Universal bonus ticket and the Orlando FlexTicket double as a City Walk party pass giving you free entry into bars ■ Check out the events calendar on the Universal website for free concerts included in park admission. Kelly Clarkson is performing live at Universal Studios on February 18, 2012 for Mardi Gras ■ Enjoy Butterbeer responsibly!
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