Eclectic Red Barn: Back from our trip to Universal!

We hated to see our vacation end. It was so much fun being with my son, daughter-in-law and the grand kids for the week. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure were awesome. Thursday was cool and sometimes a light mist but the rest of the days were warm and sunny.

We stayed at the one of the hotels at the park which I think is the way to go. You can walk to either park or take a water taxi from the hotel. There are four hotels on the property: Loews Portofino Bay Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock. The newest one is Cabana Beach Resort. I would recommend any of the first three since they offer the express passes to each member of your party. (Cabana Beach Resort does not) The express pass is around $90 dollars per person per day and believe me it is worth it. Rides would state that the wait is 40 minutes and we would walk right up and get on. The rooms are a little more, but when you think of a group of six buying express passes, that is so worth it. Also, they sell a limited number of express passes per day, so if you don't stay at one of the hotels above, get there early so you can buy them. They had great prices for park tickets.

The rides were amazing. I have extreme vertigo so I can't do roller coaster rides that go upside down. The Hulk was a favorite of my grand sons, I didn't do that one. I did go on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. Although it did do twists and turns, you did not go upside down. Look at that straight up take off! What a ride!!!!

The Harry Potter area of the park was amazing. The Diagon Alley was unbelievable. The entire atmosphere felt like you were there. What a recreation! You can even buy a wand at
Ollivanders wand shop. The shops have everything you can think of from robes, hats, scarves, maps and chocolates.