Recently the Orchestra, Band, and Choir went on a trip to Universal in Florida which Iattended.
I will do a story on the musical aspects of the trip on a later date but for this article I want to give a summary of some of the rides, food, and scenery of Universal Epic Universe The park is split up into 5 main areas, Celestial Park, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Ministry of Magic, and Super Nintendo World, all offering a unique experience.
Celestial Park- The main area of the park that connects all of the other sections. Has a couple rides with a central fountain and multiple places to grab a lunch or dinner. With an astral theme, it offers a relaxing area to relax and eat or to enjoy its rides. Dark Universe- This section is based off stories such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Werewolves, and all other kinds of creatures. The main attraction in this area is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experience, a ride that blends 3D screens and physical animatronics along with a motion-controlled seat to allow for an incredibly terrifying immersive ride.
Isle of Berk- I admittedly did not spend much time here, but from what I was able to witness it is a wonderfully crafted microcosm of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, from what I saw the main attraction was the Hiccups Wing Gliders rollercoaster which looks quite exciting for those of you who enjoy coasters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Ministry of Magic- This area is mainly themed around the Ministry of Magic located in Paris. The main attraction here is the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, A simulator with a wonderful motion chamber which almost perfectly simulates the action on screen, be warned however the line is incredibly detailed, but the wait is agonizing.
Super Nintendo World- This section is based on both the Super Mario franchise and the Donkey Kong franchise, with wonderful homages to games both new and old in its carefully crafted environment. It is a nice too place to just walk around and enjoy the scenery and food. Unfortunately, I could not ride any of the rides, but I can give a description of the main one, Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge, an AR based ride with a charming atmosphere and grandiose technological feats.
Overall, a great amusement park and vacation destination for those of you who love any of the previously mentioned franchises and themes.
