We have been planning to visit Epic Universe for YEARS and the time finally came! But first we had to make a few adjustments like renting a wheelchair and switching our Blue Springs State Park/rest day because our flight got delayed almost 2 hours so we didn’t get settled until 1:30am, Michelle came down ill and there was lightning in the forecast. 3 strikes and we were out! So first up was trying to find Manatees at BSSP… and failing. But it was beautiful place and I bet those sea cows were back the next day. We also enjoyed eating at Ford’s Garage & were impressed by Hubby’s ability to drive in one heck of a thunderstorm.
The next day was our one and only Disney day and there was one and one reason only we picked Magic Kingdom: TRON! We were so excited when the ride for Walt Disney Works was announced in 2017 and couldn’t believe it took us almost 10 years to ride the thing and we were not disappointed. Just look at that ride photo that automatically connected to my Magic Band+!
Here’s my wheelchair crew. It was definitely different not being able to walk the parks. The only time it came in handy to have a broken ankle was when we basically got to skip the line for Jungle Cruise first thing in the morning and at It’s a Small World, where the wheelchairs kind of use the exit to enter. Other than that, it was a hassle but all five members of my family were freaking champs about it. I never had to ask for help and they all would volunteer. No taking turns, just stepping up. I still wish I hadn’t broken my ankle but it was neat to see them do that. Oh, also learning from experience, don’t bother waking up at 5am to get lightning lanes if you’re staying off site during spring break. The resort guests will have the ones worth the money already snatched up and the single lanes will be sold out. Live and learn.
After probably hundreds of hours on YouTube watching Epic get built, I got to take my family to Universal’s newest theme park. Well, they had to take me with them but I planned it. Our first priority was Isle of Berk. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders ended up being our favorite ride & meeting Toothless was truly magical. This entire land was a joy with all its detail and we were so sad that Kate was sore from the Magic Kingdom and missed our early park entry. Don’t worry, she met up with us for Wizarding Paris… and waited in line for 2 hours before the Ministry of Magic ride got delayed. Uggg. Danny and Kate were smart enough to get out of line but the rest of us figured they would need to get us on the ride or give us express passes at some point. Well, the result was express passes… after almost 4 hours. We were so disappointed but went over to Minecart Madness and went on that fun ride and got delicious Donkey Kong floats. We also tried to ride Mario Kart but waited in that line for an hour when it went down and we got express passes. So we went and rode Hiccup’s again! Meanwhile, Kate and Danny hung out at the hotel pool and hot tub. They were happy with their choice even if it was a bit chilly.
After a very busy two park days, we planned to take it a little easier and switch hotels. Funny thing was, I woke up at 6:30am without an alarm so I tried to sneakily get ready for another early entry at Epic but I apparently can’t get ready quietly because I woke my entire room up. Hubby didn’t want me trying to take my wheelchair to the park by myself so he got ready in a hurry and we got in line for Ministry of Magic first thing. Was it a great ride? We still wouldn’t know because almost as soon as we got in line we heard that dreaded “brief delay” announcement and got the heck out of there after hearing that thing 3 times. Good news was we did get to ride Mario Kart, which was the ride Hubby was most excited for. And we got an express pass for it because the cast member that helped us with the elevator thought it was tragic Ministry was such a waste of our time. And I think he wanted us to like Mario Kart better.
After we settled into our new hotel with the entire family we were able to use the hotel provided unlimited express passes to skip lines at Universal Studios Florida until we ate a late lunch with our friends the Oliviers. So funny we planned the same spring break trip twice without trying! I’m grateful S got a family photo of us because it’s the best one of the trip with all six of us. Thank you, S!
On Michelle's birthday it was finally warm enough to go to Volcano Bay after we used early entry to have Kate experience Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s for the first time! We loved being able to sit in the sand and sun. Can’t leave Florida without someone getting sunburned. I jest but it was nice to sun bathe and spend time in the crazy river. The rest of the group (O family too) also got to enjoy more than I did but my ankle said I had overdone it as it was. Turns out sand and wheelchairs don’t mix well.
Our last day we hit Islands of Adventure before heading to the airport. Once again our flight was delayed but luckily we caught our connecting flight in Chicago without too much stress. It was so nice that an airport employee pushed me, knew exactly where to go, and said we had plenty of time. Goes to show it is always good to have a couple hours between flights just in case.
And just like that, our last Orlando theme park vacation is over. I couldn't believe the 5 and a half days went by so fast. While waiting for the ferry boat to take us back to our hotel to grab our luggage, drop off my wheelchair rental, and grab Lyfts for the airport, I asked my family to play Kiss Marry Kill with the 4 Universal Parks. We decided that since Volcano Bay is a water park it was safe, there was a mixture of marry or kiss Epic or Islands of Adventure, and kill off the original Universal Florida park. Just goes to show Universal keeps getting better and better.
I will miss that MCO carpet, the nostalgia, the ferry boats taking me to and from adventures, the thrill of getting to experience or see others experience new attractions or an entire new theme park. But we all agreed that once Tron & Epic Universe & Blue Springs State Park were off our bucket list, there wasn't anything to bring us back. It's time for us to explore new places. We are ready.
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