10/06/2026
Jenny’s Blog – A Magical Week at Universal Orlando
Jenny West recently returned from an unforgettable family adventure in Florida and has shared a day-by-day look at all the fun, food, characters, and memories made along the way. From exploring Epic Universe and Super Nintendo World to relaxing at Cabana Bay and discovering some brilliant dining spots, here’s Jenny’s account of a magical week at Universal Orlando.
A Magical Week at Universal Orlando – Our Day-by-Day Adventure
Day 1 – Arrival & Universal CityWalk
After arriving in Orlando, we checked into Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which immediately set the tone for the week with its fun, retro vibe and brilliant on-site facilities. Once settled, we headed straight to Universal CityWalk to kick off the holiday properly.
Dinner was at Bigfire, and the steak absolutely lived up to the hype – a fantastic first meal after travelling. One of our best early discoveries was the Universal refillable cup. We shared one between the three of us, and although there’s a 30-minute wait between refills, it actually encouraged us to sit down, cool off, and take a break. A bonus tip: every refill station offers free ice water, which was a lifesaver in the Florida heat.
A relaxed first evening, good food, and holiday excitement well and truly underway.
Day 2 – Epic Universe & Super Nintendo World
Today was all about Epic Universe, and more specifically, the incredible Super Nintendo World. We arrived early and purchased the interactive Power-Up Bands, choosing Gold Mario, Bowser, and Princess Peach. These bands really bring the land to life, allowing you to take part in interactive games, collect coins, and unlock surprises throughout the area.
Lunch was at Toadstool Café, which is as fun as it is themed – colourful dishes, playful presentation, and a real treat for Nintendo fans. After a busy (and very warm) morning, we sensibly headed back to the hotel for some pool time and a cool down, which quickly became our go-to strategy for surviving the Florida heat.
Day 3 – Universal Studios Florida
A full day of family adventures at Universal Studios Florida. We started with a busy morning exploring the park, soaking up the atmosphere, and ticking off some classic attractions.
Dinner was at Moe’s Tavern, where a well-earned Duff Beer went down very nicely 🍺☀️. The heat and crowds were intense today, so by mid-afternoon we made the sensible decision to head back to the hotel, enjoy the lazy river, and recharge before the evening.
Later on, we invested in a spray fan – an absolute must-have in this heat. We met several characters, including Minions, battled them on the ride, and explored highlights like the Harry Potter area (with its little slice of London) and more.
Sadly, the Irish pub was closed for refurbishment – we were gutted! Still, we made up for it with character meet-and-greets including SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Shrek, plus photo opportunities with the DeLorean from Back to the Future and The Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo.
A packed day full of nostalgia and fun.
Day 4 – Epic Universe (Round Two)
Another scorching day ☀️meant we didn’t last quite as long in the park, but we still had a fantastic few hours back in Super Nintendo World.
Bracelets back on, we played more interactive games, collected extra coins and stamps, and enjoyed snacking on Mario Popcorn while taking in all the details we’d missed on our first visit. Even a shorter park day here still feels special – there’s so much to see and do.
Day 5 – Orlando International Premium Outlets
A change of pace today with a visit to Orlando International Premium Outlets – and it was a hit with everyone.
We took an Uber from the hotel, which took less than 15 minutes and dropped us right by the shops. The outlet is undercover, air-conditioned, and incredibly easy to walk around – perfect for escaping the heat. We arrived early before most shops opened, enjoyed a coffee and pastries, and watched the world go by.
There’s every shop you could possibly want, and we finished the day with a brilliant meal at Ford’s Garage, where we made Pete very happy by discovering they serve Guinness. A very successful day all round.
Day 6 – Islands of Adventure & Volcano Bay
The morning was spent at Islands of Adventure, starting with spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter using an interactive wand, followed by our first taste of Butterbeer.
We wandered through Jurassic Park, into cartoon and superhero heaven, and somehow managed to miss King Kong. Logan absolutely had to get photos with Logan (Wolverine), and we nearly got eaten by Jaws.
Back at the hotel, we attempted Volcano Bay, but unfortunately Logan was feeling unwell and really didn’t enjoy it. To top it off, I managed to lose my brand-new sunglasses – not my finest moment!
One of those days where you just have to laugh and reset.
Day 7 – Epic Universe (Final Visit)
Back to Epic Universe with one final mission: get a photo and ride Mario Kart. Sadly, it just wasn’t meant to be this time .
The park was incredibly busy, and while we still managed to collect a few more coins and stamps, it felt far too crowded for the amount of space available. After lunch, we made the call to head back to the hotel for some much-needed pool time, which turned out to be the best decision of the day.
Sometimes slowing down is just as important as doing everything.
Day 8 – Cabana Bay & Journey Home
Our last day . We stayed close to the hotel, squeezing in one final game of bowling and an hour by the pool. Even the pouring rain couldn’t stop Logan from enjoying himself.
Then it was time to get ready, pack up, and head to the airport for our flight home ✈️.
Final Thoughts
It’s been an amazing week full of unforgettable memories, laughs, characters, rides, and family time. Universal Orlando truly delivers magic for all ages – but it’s also important to pace yourself, especially in heat.
