I remember the best week of my life very clearly, and though it was over a year ago now, it is still fresh in my mind as if I’m still there. The first time I went to Universal Studios in Orlando was magical; it was like a dream for me. I come from a lower-income family, so vacations had never really happened for me growing up. But for Christmas, my boyfriend (also a coaster enthusiast) surprised me with the best gift I have ever received – a trip to Florida!
I was so nervous for the flight I could barely stand it. I’m fine with rides, because I understand how they work, I can see the path they follow, and I know that they are in control and have been carefully and precisely engineered for safety; but planes were such a strange concept to me. I understood the physics behind it, but seeing a giant metal tube in person and imagining it suspended in the air for hours on end, was mind boggling to me. I pushed myself forward nonetheless, because at the end of that strange journey was the reward of roller coasters and thrill rides.
Arriving in Orlando, I could barely make myself fall asleep. I was pumped and ready for Universal Studios! I had my maps set out, making routes so I could be really efficient with my time. I carefully planned meal times and rest places, how long to spend in each area, including which rides to go on first and at what time in the day according to the sun. I was beyond excited. Finally my boyfriend dragged me to bed, reminding me that I needed my energy for rides the next day.
Needless to say, I was up before the sun was, applying sun lotion, packing water and snacks, and picking out a light weight outfit and comfortable shoes. Next was the wait for the hotel shuttle bus, where I packed in with many other stoked tourists – some branding Mickey ears and Disney shirts for the next stop on the bus. Finally, we were dropped off in a parking lot, and we made our way through a security checkpoint and towards the entrance. I could hear the music and sounds before I could see anything, then shops and signs opened the way towards the giant spinning globe, announcing my arrival to the entrance gates. I could barely contain myself.
Then my world dropped out from under me, and everything became a blur; memories mesh together forming one big picture of screaming rollercoasters, rides and sights; a mosaic of blinking lights, kiddy music, prizes in every shape and colour, shouting venders calling for my attention, lines, and laughter. The only way I can sort out my thoughts is by looking back at all the photos I took and piecing back together my journey through the park, then it all comes together like a movie in my head.
Arriving at Universal Studios Florida was like stepping into an entire city with every citizen moving in the same direction. Empty streets were framed on either side with different shops, restaurants, drawing booths, souvenir shops and of course, the rides. I couldn’t believe it; it was so beautiful and colourful, reminding me of a set from Steven Spielberg movie. The first ride I had to go on was E.T Adventure, a ride revolving around my favourite 80s flick, E.T. Science fiction lovers of all ages love this movie, and the ride didn’t disappoint either. I was able to ride on a bicycle just like in the movie and experience science fiction in person, traveling to a new and faraway planet. My senses were overwhelmed with sights, sounds, and feelings as I flew through space. I left the ride with a huge grin on my face.
The next ride I went on, was Jaws, which as many of you know, closed this year. I was heartbroken to find that out, but luckily I was able to ride it before it was gone forever. Like the movie, the ride was extremely cheesy and made me laugh out loud. I had so much fun waiting for the fake shark to jump out at me, and I loved the reactions of people around me. The music definitely added to the atmosphere, and I made sure to go on it again later.
I was a little hesitant to check out the Twister ride, because tornados spook me since I experienced a real one myself as a child, but I’m so glad I went on it anyway. It was like being on the set of the movie, and I was so thrilled and terrified at watching the Tornado form in the distance of the building and then slowly grow into a monster of a storm. The sky changed colours, just like it does in real life, which sent chills up my spine. I didn’t know the room shook so when it did I was terrified, and couldn’t wait to get out of there.
Terminator was a great ride because it was so interactive. Being shuffled from room to room and taken into a story was completely exciting. I really enjoyed the show afterwards as well, and like E.T, was overwhelmed by all that was going on around me. The audience was sprayed with cold and warm water, steam erupted, and explosions fired up everywhere. I sure felt like I was in the Terminator movie.
We spent a large portion of the day wandering around and taking in all the sights, and taking lots of photographs too. We explored every end of the park and posed for photos with some of our favourite characters. The weather was beautiful too, so we lounged in grass and snacked and talked about all the things we would do that week. But of course, we didn’t lounge too long, we had adventures to start.
My favourite part of the day was probably seeing TNA live in Orlando, right in the park! Admission to that is free, and we waited in line a long time, but I ended up making lots of friends who were eager to make bets on the outcome of that night’s match. Once we were inside, the atmosphere changed immediately. I could feel the excitement in everyone around me as we shuffled to our seats. Once the show started, everyone was clapping, chanting and shouting for their favourite wrestlers. I often watch on TV, but it’s nothing compared to see matches live. The energy is undeniable and infectious. I found myself shouting and standing up; I just couldn’t contain myself. I was riled up! Even my favourite Mick Foley had a quick appearance at the event! I slept well that night, having hiked around all day in the sun and having the time of my life. I needed to save up energy again for the next day’s activities in Islands of Adventure!
I was astonished in Islands of Adventure, it was so colourful and bright, and music was being blasted from every corner. Families ran back and forth, couples held hands and pointed at different rides they wanted to go on. I didn’t know where to start, so my boyfriend and I decided to lap the whole park.
Seuss Landing was my childhood created into a physical world of neon colours and crazy creatures leaping out at me. I became a kid, just like the ones running wildly around me. I took picture after picture of me climbing on statues, hiding behind wonky bushes, and riding on a sky train. I could name every character from every book and recite lines from the beloved children’s books. I just couldn’t get over the details put into this park.
There was Jurassic Park where I relived the horror of the movies, jumping at every dinosaur sneaking out at me from the trees, realistic growls coming from every direction, pieces of the set littered around the area. The best part was a restaurant inside the area, which served up delicious veggie burgers.
Stepping into Marvel Super Hero Island was wicked too. I am a big comic geek, so I couldn’t help but get photos with all my favourite characters, posing with my favourite comic issues, and standing underneath The Hulk coaster as it whipped by overhead, making my hair fly in the powerful wind.
My boyfriend’s favourite was Cartoon Lagoon and the water rides. He showed me all his favourite rides and shops from his childhood, recounting his memories and sharing them with me with a huge grin on his face the entire time. I could see how much it meant to him to share all of this magic with me.
Lost Continent was excellent too; it was like stepping into the movie Aladdin (in a non-Disney World kind of way). We had our fortunes told, collected unique souvenirs and watched children run back and forth, playing with all the fountains. One particular fountain talked to passersbys; we talked to that rock for a good 15 minutes.
But, of course, my favourite part of the park was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I grew up on the books, reading them since I was eleven, eagerly awaiting a new book each summer, and then waiting for the movies too. As Harry grew up, I did too, and the characters became friends of mine as I got to know each of them. Stepping into this world made it all real to me. The castle I spent half of my life imagining in my mind was real before me. I touched the cold bricks, walked through the green house, and saw the common room and moving portraits from the stair case. I tasted butterbeer after reading about it for eleven years. I held my very own wand in my hands, tried on my very own robes, and watched as snow white owls flew overhead as the choir from Hogwarts sang. I visited each shop, every detail perfect. It was truly a dream come true.
I spent nearly a week in this park, wandering from area to area until I had it memorized in my mind forever. I got to know each nook and cranny as if it were my own home, as if I were born here. Adrenalin coursed through me after every ride, igniting every sense inside me, heightening my excitement and awareness of everything around me. Getting off a ride is like exhaling all the stress right out of my body and letting it go away, far from me. It was perfect, all of it, and I know with all my heart I will go back there again and again. Until then, I guess I’ll just daydream over all the photos I took in the park and try to remember every tiny detail of my adventure.
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