• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Threads
    • TikTok

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

We’re Streaking: Halfway Through The Streaking With The Cool Kids Challenge

It’s Summer Vacation: Let’s Stay Active

Time To Take A Breath

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / first trip to universal studios

first trip to universal studios

March 26, 2014      16 Comments

We are fortunate enough to live in an area where trips to Orlando, and its plethora of theme parks, are fairly easy. For the past two years, we have had annual passes to Walt Disney World, and it’s been great. However, before the start of kindergarten, we were able to go down on a whim, avoiding busy seasons and weekends. There were times when the parks were close to empty and it was wonderful. We were able to meet family at the parks in the summer or just go on little, mini getaways, and the passes definitely paid for themselves.

Things kind of changed a bit this year. With little man’s school and sports schedules, as well as our own race calendar and training, it’s been difficult to fit in trips. Add to that the new Magic Bands and Fast Pass +, and the seemingly increasing crowds at what have traditionally been slower times, we’ve been thinking it’s time for a change.

Our last trip to WDW was after the new year, so we could check out the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. We stayed on site at Pop Century (rooms are super-small, but clean) so that we could get our Magic Bands and prebook our three Fast Pass + attractions per day (at one park per day). It was a fun trip, because family trips are always fun.

But it was a lot of work. While I am a planner and I love the idea of having an agenda laid out, I felt like I was constantly checking the time so we didn’t miss any of our fast pass or dining reservations, and standby lines for even non-headline rides were ridiculously long. I also disliked being locked into rides or restaurants weeks and months before we even set foot on Main Street USA.

It just wasn’t quite what it used to be.

So, we started looking at our options to see if we could take advantage of some of the other Orlando offerings. Mr PugRunner and I are both huge Universal Studios lovers but we never thought it was worth it to take little man because he wasn’t tall enough for a lot of rides. He has been growing though, and now, he is only too short for some of the more intense thrill rides, so we thought maybe we would give it a try.

{source}

On Saturday morning, I had planned a departure time of 7:00 AM. For some reason, I thought we were about an hour away, and I wanted to be able to get parked, get ourselves situated and be in the park right at the 9:00 AM opening. The GPS crushed that thought when it announced we had a two hour drive ahead of us. Ugh! However, we grabbed muffins from the complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel we had spent the previous two nights, and loaded up the car.

Even more of a surprise than taking little man to Universal (he had no idea!) was that we were taking his cousin T too! So much excitement!

The ride up I4 was surprisingly easy. We made it to the Universal parking garage (amid happy cheers from the backseat) at a little after 9:00 AM, and I decided to pay for the closer parking option because we still had to walk to the entrance, turn in our ticket vouchers and purchase another ticket for T before we got through the turnstiles.

While I was worried about it being a Saturday and Sunday during prime Spring Break weeks, I had decided to forego the Express Pass (which is basically an added value ticket that provides front of the line access to most attractions). For one thing, the EPs are based on a sliding scale depending on anticipated crowds and they were currently priced at about $50 per person per ticket. We could upgrade at any point throughout the day at any number of locations inside the park, so we could always adjust if needed.

It’s been about 10 years since my last trip to the park, so it took a little time to get acclimated. We bypassed Minion Mayhem because the wait was about 40 minutes (it seems that everyone who enters the park hops into line for that attraction as it is right on the main thoroughfare). We veered right and queued for Shrek 4D. Little man didn’t care for it at all. He thought the intro was spooky and the movie too intense. I thought the trip was doomed, but when we got back outside and he saw Shrek in the flesh, well… I’ll let you be the judge.

We moved on and couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw a life-size, fully functioning Bumblebee! The technology was ridiculously impressive! Next time, I’m hopping in the picture.

Little man wasn’t sure about TRANSFORMERS: The Ride. The queue is housed in a large building so we couldn’t figure out exactly what we would be in for. Since the line was short, I approached the cast member at the entrance and asked her what we could expect. She said that if we had been on The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman in Islands of Adventure, it would be a very similar experience – a flat track, with 3D effects, and not really scary. Little man listened intently and decided we would go for it. We loaded into the ride vehicle and I gripped his hand on the lap bar. Minutes later, he was shaking me off – apparently he was too grown up to need Mommy’s support on this one! He loved it!

Next up? Twister. Little man froze at the entrance and refused to even try, so we moved on to lunch at Mel’s Drive In. The food was decent (for theme park, concession type food), and my only complaint is that a lot of guests seemed to be using the dining plan or were signing up for the dining plan, which led to very slow lines. Not a fan of whatever was going on with that.

With full bellies, we made our way to the back of the park and hopped right on Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, The Simpsons Ride, and MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack. Please note: when the rule is “no loose items allowed,” that also goes for sunglasses that might be perched atop one’s head. The first circuit of super-fast spinning sent mine flying off into the ride. Thank goodness there was a rack of decent, affordable ones in the gift shop at the ride’s exit, or I would have been miserable the rest of the rip.

We walked past a huge construction zone (they are creating Diagon Alley from Harry Potter – set to open this summer!), and then picked our seats for the Superstar Parade. From our seats on the curb, we enjoyed some gelato and watched the characters dance and interact with the crowd.

 

Afterwards, T asked if they could get henna tattoos, so the boys selected designs and got “inked.”

By this point, the park was getting more crowded. We were still in the thick of the Mardi Gras schedule and that night, Gavin DeGraw was scheduled to perform. While I would have loved to stay for the music and the parade, we were all exhausted, and we still had another day to go. I felt like we had had an incredible productive day so I didn’t feel too badly about loading everyone back into the car and going to check into our hotel.

While Universal Studios offers packages with three luxury hotels located right next to the property (soon to be adding a value hotel to the mix), we chose the Doubletree Orlando, located directly across the street.

Screen Shot 2014-03-24 at 8.37.46 PM
{source}

It was half the price, clean, and spacious. We had a room on the 15th floor with a full view of the parks, two queen beds and a small pull out couch. Also, you can’t beat the warm cookies at check-in.

Little man took a quick dip in the pool, and then we opted to get an early dinner at the onsite restaurant. The food was good and service was excellent. After that, it was time for bed. We would be getting up early for Islands of Adventure.

At the end of day one, we were all so happy. Our experience had been wonderful. I was worried that some of the rides would be too intense for little man, even if he was the appropriate height, but he was pretty good at telling us what he did and didn’t feel like doing, and there really wasn’t any pressure. Our longest wait time was maybe 20 minutes (although we never did make it on the Minion ride because of the length of the queue). The staff was wonderful in all of our interactions with them. The park was clean and well-maintained, and while there wasn’t  lot of rhyme or reason to the layout (like the “lands” in Islands of Adventure or Magic Kingdom), I am excited to see what will be coming in Diagon Alley.

I couldn’t wait for our adventure to continue.

Are you a fan of theme parks? What’s your favorite?

What kind of rides do you prefer: big, fast thrill rides or more tame, carousel types?

 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darlene says

    March 26, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    I like SeaWorld and Animal Kingdom and Epcot.
    Darlene recently posted…PocketFuel Review and a GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:35 am

      I love Animal Kingdom! Epcot has great food and drink.

      Reply
  2. Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom says

    March 26, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    I’ve never been to Universal Studios, but I would love to go! I really like roller coasters, but I cannot do anything that spins!
    Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom recently posted…Recentering and RefocusingMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 26, 2014 at 6:02 pm

      You would probably get a huge kick out of both parks. I have yet to try The Mummy and the Rip-Rocket in Universal Studios, but Hulk and Dragon Challenge are among my favorites.

      Reply
  3. Haley @ Running with Diapers says

    March 26, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    I love the Universal Parks. Islands of Adventure has always been our favorite. Even though there are plenty of thrill rides for the adults, it’s kinda lacking in the children’s department. Dr. Seuss land is just about all there is for the little ones. Have you been to Busch Gardens with the family yet? There’s so much for kids there. We absolutely love it and our daughter raves about it constantly.
    Haley @ Running with Diapers recently posted…2014 Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 26, 2014 at 6:05 pm

      You are absolutely right and it’s why we’ve waited so long to take little man. I love the Pterandon flyers and exploration/research facility in Jurassic Park land (tomorrow I’ll go into more detail) and there are some great rides in the Cartoonland (although little man looked at me and asked “who’s popeye?” so while the rides might be ok, he has no idea who a lot of the characters are).

      I have only been to Busch Gardens VA and that was a long time ago. When we go to the Tampa area, it’s mostly been to visit family (and once to see the Yankees in spring training), so we don’t have a lot of time for other things. I do want to get over there.

      Reply
  4. Pam says

    March 26, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    Give me any marathon course or half marathon course and I will tackle it with gusto, but please don’t make me go on scary rides! I am a big baby and Christine always needs a pal so she can enjoy the rides that her Mom can’t/won’t go on; I value my heart too much!
    Pam recently posted…Racing with a pacer!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:34 am

      LOL! My mom is the same way. I didn’t even get on my first upside down coaster til I was a teenager, because she couldn’t handle it. As Im’ getting older, I’m having a hard time with 3D and simulator, but a good, old-fashioned thrill coaster? BRING IT ON!!!!!

      Reply
  5. Diana says

    March 26, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    Sounds like fun! We did Disney last year and really enjoyed ourselves, but I’d like to get to Universal one day, too.
    Diana recently posted…Full DisclosureMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:33 am

      Disney is great, but Universal was a really nice change of pace!

      Reply
  6. Kristen @ The Smith Summary says

    March 26, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    We have never been to Universal – but it looks like so much fun!
    Kristen @ The Smith Summary recently posted…Princess Half Weekend Highlights – Part 1My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:33 am

      It really is!

      Reply
  7. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    March 28, 2014 at 2:55 am

    Never been to this one, but it sounds fun. So glad you all had a good time.
    Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Food Processor VirginMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 28, 2014 at 5:32 pm

      Definitely check it out if you have the chance!

      Reply
  8. Jess says

    March 29, 2014 at 1:44 am

    I love Disney, but felt the same way after fast pass + was introduced. We didn’t go on nearly as many rides this year as we had been able to in the past. It was disappointing, especially since I knew how it COULD be!

    The boys are too tiny for Universal, and Seaworld was useless when Ben was 2, so we likely won’t go back anytime soon (He could go on ONE ride in the entire park and isn’t much taller now).

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 29, 2014 at 5:43 pm

      I mean, it’s still a great park and I hope to go back from time to time, but I just can’t wrap my head around spending so much money just to have the privilege of being on Disney property. Have you looked into Legoland? I’ve heard good things. I am torn on Sea World. We have been in recent months, but I’m a bit hung up on the animals for entertainment thing, so I have mixed feelings about going. Also, Busch Gardens in Tampa is supposed to be great.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Well, Hello There

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

Let’s Connect!

Follow on Bloglovin


Partners

Click here for FREE SHIPPING
Save With Code RUNSWITHPUGS

Pugs Run 50 States

Search Posts

Recent Posts

  • We’re Streaking: Halfway Through The Streaking With The Cool Kids Challenge
  • It’s Summer Vacation: Let’s Stay Active
  • Time To Take A Breath
  • Friday The 13th: Unlucky Running Edition
  • Our Top Tips For Summer Racing + Running

Currently Reading

Jennifer's books

The Other Mrs.
The Skylark's Secret
Holly
Queen of Shadows
Archer's Voice
Heir of Fire
The Assassin's Blade
Lore Olympus: Volume One
By Any Other Name
Out There Screaming
Crown of Midnight
Throne of Glass
How to Kill Men and Get Away with It
Verity
Wrong Place Wrong Time
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World
The Girl in the Leaves
The Pale-Faced Lie
Yellowface


Jennifer PugRunner's favorite books »

Archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to t Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to the third round of the 2nd Annual Bocce Fest, benefitting @stronglikesteve!

This is always such a great community event, centered around an incredibly inclusive event and with proceeds going to provide awareness, community outreach, education, advocacy and funding for organizations and individuals caring for adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

Founder @steph_sanalila does such a wonderful job with this event, making a fun environment for players, creating volunteer opportunities for local students and honoring the memory of her brother.

Visit https://www.stronglikestevefoundation.org/about for more info on how you can help!

#boccefest #bearsboccebattlestargalactica #worldgolfvillage #worldgolfliving #bocce #stronglikesteve #bethechange #makeadifference
The pug side eye side eye. @lunanleonidas #pug The pug side eye side eye.

@lunanleonidas

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld
Drinking in that sunshine for sure! It was a bea Drinking in that sunshine for sure! 

It was a beautiful morning that turned quickly into a beautiful day. Sundays are hard because they are immediately  followed by Mondays, and Mondays are hard.

Lots to catch up on this week! April is chock full of holidays, birthdays, days off, and events, so let’s get to it!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
About this morning… I was up and out early to d About this morning…

I was up and out early to drive to Flagler Beach for the #Missionpossible5k.

It was a small, well organized event, with an easy-to-follow course (the last mile was almost exclusively an ocean view), with great shirts and swag.

I was really pleased with my performance, and even more pleased with this beach sunrise. I’ll share more on the #RunnersRundown on Wednesday, so stay tuned!

Where did you run or race this weekend?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it. So goo Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it.

So good to stretch the legs today. I was super sore after a @runsmartofficial cross training session last night, and needed to just get out there and let the fresh air work its magic.

What are you up to today? I really need to take a moment with my calendar and get some plans locked into place. 

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 @lu He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 

@lunanleonidas 

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld #cheesetax
Check out those blue skies! I got to sleep in AND Check out those blue skies!

I got to sleep in AND take advantage of some cooler temps. It really didn’t warm up until my last mile and that was just fine.

I feel like this month and next are really just flying by. So much is going on, and I want so badly to enjoy it all, including the crisp, sunny days where we find them!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and some balance and strength work through @runsmartofficial.

Tomorrow will be cooler and more productive for sure!

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Happy Monday! I don’t know about you all, but y Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you all, but your girl is TIRED. It is so hard to roll out of bed some mornings. Ugh. 

I managed (finally) and banked six miles in some gross humidity. And now it’s time for some self care and then back to work.

Also. We have somehow acquired a pecan tree? Any tips on the growth and care of this would be greatly appreciated!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sunday fun day! Just a short walk to start the da Sunday fun day!

Just a short walk to start the day and work out some stiffness. Some days, my ankle just doesn’t want to cooperate 🫤

I have been making graphics and content all day for a client, and now I’m about to do hair and makeup for a little event. Wheee! 

This week is going to be BUSY! There’s a lot of changes to the regular routines (nails, a digital learning day, after school and weekend programming) and I have a race on Saturday and bocce ball on Sunday! 

Who else is ready to dive in?!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids

Copyright © 2025 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!