Our Universal Studios Orlando Trip: What Shocked Me, What Saved Us, and What I’d Do Again Without Even Thinking
I’m not one of those bloggers who’s gonna tell you I had the perfect trip, wore matching shirts, and magically skipped every line while sipping from my Stanley.
Nope…
I’m a mom of four who flew overnight across the country with my husband and our 11-year-old ADHD tornado (love her) – and still had a magical, wild, honestly kind of healing Universal Orlando trip.
And now that I’ve lived it, I’ve got thoughts.
Here’s what really happened, what made the biggest difference (shout out to Cabana Bay), and everything I’d 100% do again – plus ADHD travel tips, real packing advice, and what not to miss.
Red-Eye Flight? No Room? Here’s What Happened
We flew out of Seattle with a layover in Phoenix and landed in Orlando around 5 AM. By the time we got off the plane and got our bags, it was about 6:30 AM – and let me tell you, I was prepared to sleep on the floor with my rolling suitcase as a pillow.
BUT.
We got to Cabana Bay, walked up to the desk, and the woman was like:
“Your room is ready now, are you?”
UM. YES. YES, WE ARE!
That was HOURS before official check-in. We didn’t have to beg, upgrade, or bribe anyone. They just handed us the key and smiled. Magical.
💎Epic Intel: If you’re flying overnight, choose a hotel that lets you hang out or check in early. Pack swimsuits and a change of clothes in your carry-on just in case they don’t have a room ready – but fingers crossed you’re as lucky as we were!
— PS If you’re planning a trip with me as your agent, you don’t have to think about these things. I’ve got a list.
Cabana Bay Wasn’t Just a Hotel – It Was A Lifesaver
Let me be blunt: Cabana Bay is now my emotional support hotel. We didn’t stay there because it was fancy – we stayed because it was affordable and had early park access. But wow, they went above and beyond.
What We Loved:
- The room was ready HOURS early
- 2 pools (lazy river + slides = happiness)
- Early park access (so worth it)
- Retro theme
- Super clean
- Great food options
- And…
The Tooth Emergency That Could’ve Ruined Everything
On the last day of our trip, I had a full-blown dental emergency – like they won’t let me on the plane, face swelling, crying kinda emergency. Emma was scared, and it got real, fast.
Cabana Bay didn’t blink.
They immediately helped, and when my husband and daughter were trying to figure out how to get to the ER to meet me, the staff got emotional with them, called a taxi, and covered it all (I’m getting teary just typing this).
Then, they extended our hotel stay on the spot, without us needing to be there to confirm or pay or anything! They just handled it. No stress. No questions. They just knew we had bigger things to focus on.
💎Epic Intel: Stay somewhere with people, not just a front desk. Cabana Bay showed up for us in every way, and I’ll book my clients there again and again.
Universal Parks: Magical, and ADHD Friendly (Mostly)
Let’s talk parks.
We had Early Park Admission, which meant we could get into the parks an hour early – and we used the heck out of it. We got there at sunrise, and it was honestly breathtaking. That early hour makes a difference, especially in the Wizarding World areas, which are the only parks that ever felt crowded.
Traveling with an ADHD Preteen? These Things Helped:
- Let her lead sometimes. We showed Emma the map and said, “Pick the next thing over here.” She loved it.
- Flexible plan > Rigid itinerary. If I told her we “had” to do something, she resisted. If it were an option, she would choose it.
- Midday breaks were everything. We swam and showered, ate a good snack, and went back out closer to evening.
Rides We Repeated (A Lot):
- Kong – Emma loved this ride (me too) and made us go back multiple times (ps it was always a 5 minute wait)
- Hogwarts Express – A great relaxing time with A/C
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – I’m so glad we didn’t miss this one!
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – Great even if you’re not a Spider-Man fan
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium = Worth The Hype
Yes, it’s touristy.
Yes, there’s a wait (Get reservations ASAP)
But we ate at Toothsome, and it was a full-blown experience.
The steampunk vibe, the giant sundaes, the food – all good. But the best part?
We met Jacques and Penelope – and they were so good with Emma. She lit up talking to them. They stayed in character, didn’t rush anything, and made her feel like the main character. I’m not crying, you are.
💎Epic Intel: Make a reservation in advance. It gets crowded, especially at dinner hours.
But yes, the milkshakes are worth it – even if you share.
What To Pack That Actually Helped
Shoes:
- Hey Dude shoes
- Skechers (arch fit)
- Avia Memory Foam Sneakers (Walmart)
Park Bag Must-Haves:
- Cooling towels – It was a lifesaver for me! Matt said it just felt like another shirt on him (he says it didn’t stay cool enough for long)
- Band-Aids and Tylenol
- Granola bars (that don’t melt), fruit snacks, UnCrustables (frozen)
- Electrolyte drink sticks (for dehydration you didn’t know you had)
- Baby wipes or antibacterial wipes
Hotel Stuff I Was Glad I Had:
- Foot Soak
- After Sun lotion
- My shampoo
- A sound machine for the room at night – So you don’t have to hear everyone snoring
What I’d Do Again in a Heartbeat
- Book Cabana Bay – especially if you’re not trying to drop $600/night but still want early access and a great pool
- Do early park entry, then leave midday to rest
- Pack a pool bag for arrival day – Lifesaver
- Eat at Toothsome – It’s not just hype
- Let my kid lead the way sometimes
Final Thoughts: This Trip Was Chaos + Magic – Just Like Us
I didn’t expect everything to go smoothly – and it didn’t. But even with a red-eye flight, a dental emergency, and an adhd fueled rollercoaster of a schedule, this trip gave us memories we’ll never forget. We laughed, swam, got surprised in all the best ways, and somehow pulled off a pretty amazing vacation.
And that’s the thing: You don’t need a picture-perfect trip. You just need the right kind of support, the right hotel, and a plan that works for YOUR family – even if that family needs more breaks, more snacks, and maybe an earlier bedtime.
That’s what I help people plan. I’ve done it for my own family, and I’d love to do it for yours – minus the tooth drama, ideally.
✨ I don’t charge fees. I don’t upsell. I just help families plan smoother, happier vacations – ones that fit real life.
Thinking about Universal or Disney?
Let’s build a plan that’s flexible, fun, and made for your kind of family. Send me a quote here to get your vacation started!
