Some family holidays are enjoyable, while others create memories that stay with you forever…
Our recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida was definitely one of those unforgettable experiences. What made it even more special was that we were celebrating Clara’s 8th birthday while exploring one of the most exciting holiday destinations in the world
Our Stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
For our Universal Orlando holiday, Frenchie, Clara, and I stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, one of Universal’s beautiful on-site hotels
From the moment we arrived, we felt transported to a tropical Caribbean paradise. The resort is stunning, with lush landscaping, colourful architecture, and a relaxed atmosphere that immediately puts you in holiday mode
Birthday girl is ready to check in!
The rooms were spacious and comfortable, making them perfect for a family stay
A birthday surprise we will never forget
Before we had even stepped into the parks, the team at Loews Sapphire Falls made Clara’s birthday incredibly special! As we checked in, the staff learned that it was Clara’s 8th birthday and immediately went out of their way to celebrate her. They took her to the hotel shop and told her she could choose any wand, she wanted! She went for a special interactive Harry Potter wand – so cool!
The team also gave Clara a birthday badge that said, “It’s My Birthday.” We had no idea just how magical that little badge would become
Throughout the day, team members across Universal Orlando Resort noticed the badge and wished Clara a happy birthday. Whether we were in the hotels, shops, restaurants, or waiting for attractions, staff members constantly took the time to make her feel special. Those thoughtful interactions added something truly unique to our holiday and made Clara feel like the star of the show
One of the biggest benefits of staying at Loews Sapphire Falls was the convenience. The water taxi service provided a quick and scenic route to the parks, allowing us to start and end each day without worrying about transport. Plus there was often music and a bit of entertainment on board which made the trip even more fun
We particularly enjoyed the lagoon-style swimming pool, complete with a waterslide…
– and the excellent dining options available throughout the resort
Exploring Universal Studios Florida
The park offers a fantastic mix of attractions, entertainment, and immersive experiences for visitors of all ages. We loved wandering through the themed areas and discovering something new around every corner
Our first adventure was at Universal Studios Florida, where we stepped into some of our favourite films and television shows
One of Clara’s favourite experiences was exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Armed with her new wand, she eagerly searched for interactive spell locations and enjoyed bringing the magic to life herself
Another area we thoroughly enjoyed was Illumination’s Minion Land on Illumination Avenue
The vibrant colours, playful atmosphere, and mischievous Minions made it a huge hit with all of us, especially Clara. We also experienced both Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Villain-Con Minion Blast, which were fantastic family attractions. Clara absolutely loved joining the Minions on their chaotic adventures and competing to earn points on Villain-Con Minion Blast. Unfortunately, filming wasn’t permitted on either ride, so I couldn’t capture the experience on video, but they were definitely among our favourite attractions in Universal Studios Orlando
We also had so much fun visiting the SpongeBob StorePants shop. Clara and Frenchie are huge SpongeBob fans, so they were both in their element exploring all the colourful merchandise and Bikini Bottom-themed displays
Who can say no to a burger from “Krusty Crab”?
We left with “Gary” who is now happily living with us in London
Donkey wished Clara a very happy birthday!
Another highlight was watching the Trolls perform in a fun, high-energy show that had everyone singing and dancing along. To top it all off, we got to meet Donkey from Shrek afterwards, which gave us plenty of laughs and made for a fantastic family memory
Adventures at Islands of Adventure
Next, we visited Islands of Adventure, which we truly loved!
The combination of thrilling rides, beautifully themed lands, and family-friendly attractions meant there was something for everyone
We especially enjoyed exploring Seuss Landing, which brought the beloved Dr. Seuss stories to life in a colourful and imaginative way. The playful atmosphere and whimsical designs made it a wonderful area for families, and Clara absolutely loved it
– and so did I. I really regret not buying this supercool Grinchmas apron!
We also spent time in Hogsmeade, where Clara continued practising her wand skills and immersing herself in the magical world of Harry Potter
Jurassic World VelociCoaster…An intense, apex-predator coaster with two high-speed launches and four inversions. We did NOT try that one!
One thing worth mentioning for families is that not every ride at Universal Orlando Resort is designed for younger children. There are plenty of attractions aimed more at teenagers and adults, especially some of the bigger thrill rides. However, we found there was still more than enough for our 8-year-old daughter to enjoy across all the parks. Clara was entertained from morning until night and never ran out of things to do
Cooling Off at Volcano Bay
No Universal Orlando holiday would be complete without a visit to Volcano Bay!
After spending time in the theme parks, it was wonderful to enjoy a day at Universal’s spectacular water park
Volcano Bay offers the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation…
As we are not into crazy rides, we spent time floating along the lazy river, enjoying the pools, and taking in the tropical atmosphere
The park’s iconic volcano provides a stunning backdrop and makes the whole experience feel like a true island getaway.
It was the perfect place to cool down in the Florida sunshine while still enjoying plenty of adventure.
Discovering Epic Universe
One of the highlights of our entire trip was visiting the brand-new Epic Universe…
The park is absolutely breathtaking and showcases some of the most impressive theming we have ever seen. Every area feels like a completely different world, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in unique stories and adventures
We particularly loved Celestial Park, which serves as the heart of the park. Its beautiful gardens, fountains, and open spaces created a relaxing atmosphere and the perfect place to slow down and take everything in
We also absolutely loved How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. The Viking village setting, the dragons, and the immersive storytelling made it feel as though we had stepped into the films themselves. It was beautifully designed and quickly became one of our favourite areas in the entire resort
Clara adopted her own dragon – such a magical experience for her. She proudly carried it around for the rest of our trip
Welcome to Super Nintendo World! Walking into this vibrant and colourful land felt like stepping directly into a video game
Yup! No doubt that everyone truly enjoyed Super Nintendo World!
Epic Universe exceeded all of our expectations and was undoubtedly one of the standout experiences of our trip!
Of course, this was just snapshots of everything we experienced during our visit. Universal Orlando Resort is a big destination with so many attractions, shows, rides and themed lands to explore. We would love to come back – surely there is more to discover – no matter how many times you go!
It was the kindness and dedication of the Universal Orlando team who consistently went above and beyond to make Clara’s birthday unforgettable.Thank you, Universal Orlando Resort, for helping make Clara’s 8th birthday such a magical and unforgettable experienc
Universal Orlando Tips
Do bring a reusable water bottle. Orlando can get very hot, and there are plenty of places throughout the parks to refill it. Many restaurants will also provide free cups of ice water, helping you stay hydrated without spending extra.
Do arrive early to make the most of shorter queues, and use the Universal Orlando app to keep an eye on wait times throughout the day.
Don’t try to do everything. With so much to see and do, it’s better to focus on your must-visit attractions and enjoy the experience rather than rushing from ride to ride. I spent a lot of time looking into the different rides before going, so I knew what would would love and what to avoid
Visiting with Younger Kids
If you’re visiting with little ones, check height requirements in advance, take advantage of Child Swap for larger rides, and plan a few breaks during the day. The Florida heat and excitement can be tiring, especially for younger children.
Most importantly, take time to enjoy the atmosphere. Some of the best moments at Universal come from exploring the themed areas and discovering details you might otherwise miss
PR Stay. All opinions are as always my own