Destinations Diva

    After the long shutdown in 2020 and the cancellation of so many  events, we were overjoyed to attend the Mardi Gras Celebration at Universal Studios Florida.  Due to social distancing, the 2021 event has been altered, but in a good way!  While the theme park made the decision not to offer nightly parades as in the past, Mardi Gras is still being celebrated in full force.       The annual event, Mardi Gras, has always been a  festival of color, music, performers, parades and food.  At the 2021 event, almost all of these elements are still in place.  In the past, the Mardi Gras activities were located mainly in the New York and Production Central areas in the park.  This year, Mardi Gras has grown to cover every area of the park.  The event has been so popular, that it has been extended through April 11, 2021. Fantastic Eats and Where to Find Them at Universal Orlando 2021 Entertainment and Street Performers  ...

Universal's Epic Universe Concept Art      Exciting news has been released from Universal Orlando.  A long rumored fourth theme park was officially announced on August 1, 2019, entitled Universal's Epic Universe.  Universal described the vision for the park as an entirely new level of experience that forever changes theme park entertainment.  Universal further explains that this new park will take guests on a journey where beloved stories expand into vibrant lands – and where that journey is as much a part of their adventure as the ultimate destination. Epic Universe logo      This new park is the largest investment in the theme park business by Comcast NBCUniversal and is definitely giving Disney a run for its money by almost doubling Universal's footprint in Orlando.  The new park will be located on 750 acre south of Sand Lake Boulevard and east of Universal Boulevard with an expansion of Kirkman Road.  The new park wil...

    When you think of Orlando, most people think of Disney.   That’s because Walt Disney World is the number one family destination in the world and has made Orlando a household name around the world.   But with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010 and the new addition in 2014, Universal Orlando has become a major competitor in the family destination vacation market. Here are five advantages that Universal Orlando has over Walt Disney World: Number 1:   You can pay for front of the line passes!         Unlike the confusing Fast Pass System at Walt Disney World which only allows 3 Fast Passes per day, at Universal Orlando, you can purchase Universal's version of “fast pass” which is called Universal Express.   You can choose between a limited and unlimited version of this front of the line access for rides and attractions at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.  These passes ca...