1-Day Universal Orlando Resort Trip Itinerary | Solo Trip to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios

November 25, 20241 Comment

A few weeks ago, I had a spontaneous idea to take a last-minute solo trip to Universal Orlando Resort. I have a Universal Military Freedom Pass (highly recommend if you’re eligible—it saves hundreds!) that expires in December and I already visited earlier this year but wanted to take advantage one more time.

Plus, I’ve never visited the theme parks around the holidays and wanted to see all the festive decorations! On a whim, I booked a same-day, roundtrip flight from North Carolina to Florida and started planning my 1-day Universal Studios itinerary. Here’s how I pulled it off:

3am – time to wake up! I live about an hour from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and had to hit the road around 3:30 to get there in time for my 6:30 flight.

5am – arrive at RDU. Since I was only parking there for about 15 hours, I splurged on Premier ($32/day) which was super convenient. The walk from my parking spot to security only took a couple of minutes. I grabbed a water and a Clif bar to hold me over so I could head straight to Universal after landing.

6:30am – wheels up, time to catch some ZZZ’s.

8:15am – we arrived early in Orlando (which never happens, I’m usually delayed!) and I immediately grabbed an Uber to the park.

8:50am – arrive at Universal, head straight to Velocicoaster in Islands of Adventure. Most people opt for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but I prefer Velocicoaster and wanted to hit it first thing. I walked through Seuss Landing to get there, and the Christmas decorations were adorable!

1-day Universal Orlando Resort trip itinerary, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

I ended up waiting in the Velocicoaster line for about 45 minutes which was 100% worth it. It’s my favorite ride in Universal and I forgot how much fun it is. There’s no better way to start the day!

10:15am – get in line for Hagrid’s. This was my longest wait of the day at around 90 minutes. Hagrid’s is a really fun ride with some unexpected drops, backwards movements, and accelerations. I wouldn’t wait more than 90 minutes for it (sometimes, the lines are 120+ minutes), but it’s definitely worth a ride at least once.

12pm – lunch at the Three Broomsticks. I could have saved time grabbing a quicker bite to eat elsewhere, but it was nice to give my feet a rest while enjoying my meal of fish and chips and a Hog’s Head Brew (an amber ale). Some of the ride wait times also dropped a bit while I was eating, so it ended up working out that my lunch break took around an hour.

1pm – hop over to Universal Studios. You can take the Hogwarts Express from one park to the next, but it was faster to walk. I headed for Revenge of the Mummy and used the single rider lane, so I was in and out within 30 minutes. Revenge of the Mummy is a fun, nostalgic ride I remember from my first trip to Universal as a kid 10+ years ago!

1:50pm – head to Diagon Alley. I grabbed a butterbeer at The Fountain of Fair Fortune and made my way to Escape from Gringott’s. This ride also had a lane for single riders, so I only had to wait for about 30 minutes.

3pm – visit Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and pick up some treats at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop. I got a bag of mixed candy for myself and a ginger newt cookie and pumpkin pasty to bring home for my husband. I had a bite of the ginger cookie and it was delicious—my husband said the pasty was pretty good but “he’s had better.” (They’re really easy to make at home and much better fresh, when the dough is crispy and the filling is warm.)

3:05pm – walk by Shrek’s Swamp. Seeing this area made my heart so happy, I just wish it had a dedicated ride! The theming for the meet-and-greet area looked amazing as I passed through on my way back to Islands of Adventure.

3:30pm – get in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I took the single rider lane and pretty much walked right on!

3:45pm – ride Velocicoaster again. When I got in line, the wait was around 75 minutes. However, they opened the single rider lane about 30 minutes into my wait. I switched over and ended up getting on the ride after roughly another 20 minutes.

4:45pm – back to Hogsmeade for a second cup of butterbeer—I couldn’t resist! I got a pretzel to balance the sweetness and it was the perfect snack to end my day at Universal.

5:30pm – Uber back to Orlando International Airport. I had plenty of time to grab a margarita and some food at Bahama Breeze before my 9pm flight. Delta upgraded me to first class which was amazing—although I just slept the entire way back! I ended up getting home at midnight and passing out.

Since I’d already been to Universal Orlando Resort earlier this year, I had a pretty good lay of the land and knew exactly what I wanted to do while there. There are some other fun rides worth checking out (like The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit), but Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s are definitely my top choices.

I’m so glad I took this fun little solo trip and got to see the theme parks decorated for the holidays. I’ll definitely be back next year once the Epic Universe opens!

10 Solo Things to Do Around the Holidays | Solo Holiday Activities

November 18, 2024November 18, 2024Leave a comment

If you’re experiencing a period of loneliness, my heart goes out to you. Whether you moved away from home for work or school or you don’t have a close relationship with family, I can only imagine how bittersweet this season feels. Movies portray the holidays as a perfect time of year when everyone comes together and is happy, but life is much more complicated.

Check out my video How to Deal with Holiday Loneliness for more tips

Regardless of your circumstances, I want to share some tips for making the most of your time alone. My husband is in the military, so I’ve spent many months getting comfortable with doing things solo. Just last year, we spent most of the holiday season separated while he was on an overseas deployment.

Here are some of my favorite solo things to do around the holidays to get in the festive spirit and embrace the alone time:

Solo things to do around the holidays, by lifestyle blogger Wandering the Gap

1. Drive around and look at the Christmas lights

One of my favorite holiday activities is driving around with my dog and a cup of hot cocoa to admire the Christmas lights while listening to festive music. It’s a super cheap, fun way to celebrate and embrace the season. I find it virtually impossible to be in a bad mood while looking at Christmas light displays!

2. Have a cozy night in

While I think it’s important to get out of the house and socialize, I also think it’s healthy to stay in and relax every now and then. I appreciate nights where I can kick back with a glass of wine, watch a movie, order takeout, put on a face mask, and savor my solo time. Brainstorm a few things that help you feel refreshed and set aside a night to indulge in whatever recharges you.

3. Try a new hobby

Taking a Lyra class with Shangri-La Aerial Arts

Being alone is, in my opinion, one of the best opportunities to pursue new interests. I like to make the most of my extra free time by branching out and trying things out of my comfort zone. This could be anything from signing up for a pottery-making class (which is on my list of must-try solo activities!) to tackling a DIY project or exploring upcoming local events.

4. Go to the movies

I love watching movies and take any chance I get to go on solo movie theater dates. Usually, I’ll try to go during the week or a weekend matinee so the theater isn’t too crowded. It can feel awkward to see a movie by yourself, but I’ve done it many times now that it’s obvious no one really cares or even notices. Grab your favorite drink and snacks, settle in, and enjoy the experience.

5. Volunteer

Volunteering at the 2023 Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival

I find volunteering to be an excellent use of solo time, especially around the holidays. Get plugged into your community to find organizations needing your time for various projects. Volunteer work isn’t always glamorous, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to pour into others and give what you can to a cause that’s greater than yourself.

6. Cook a new recipe

When I know I’m flying solo because my husband will be away, I like to experiment with new recipes and meals. I’m definitely guilty of cooking the same things over and over again—I don’t want to waste time and money on a recipe that doesn’t turn out! It’s easier for me to justify cooking new foods when I’m alone since I won’t be wasting as much food if I don’t end up liking it. For instance, my favorite recent recipe find was a tofu pumpkin curry that I’ve now incorporated into our weeknight dinner rotation.

7. Challenge yourself physically

My first solo Colorado 14er, Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans)

From festive races to holiday-themed fitness classes, now is the perfect time to push yourself physically. It can be tempting to spend the season curled up on the couch bringing Christmas movies and splurging on sweet treats.

While I can only speak from experience, I feel much better—physically, mentally, and emotionally—when I’m getting active on a regular basis. Activities like yoga, rock climbing, running, hiking, aerial silks, barre, and CrossFit have made a significant difference in feeling healthy and fulfilled while I’m alone.

8. Reach out to someone

There have been several phases of my life where I’ve felt lonely, especially after moving halfway across the country from our closest friends and family. Being physically separated from your support system can make it hard to connect with loved ones, leading to feelings of isolation.

When I begin to fill down about missing friends and family, I try to reach out and let them know I’m interested in catching up. Sure, it’s not the same as physically being with them, but it comes pretty darn close. Maintaining those long-distance relationships takes effort, but it makes you value the times you do see each other in person so much more.

9. Explore somewhere new

Travel is another huge love of mine, and I’ve been fortunate to take some incredible solo trips in the past to places like Washington, D.C. and New Mexico. Visiting somewhere you’ve never been before is so exciting and enlightening.

I’ve created many lifelong memories during my solo travel experiences, even if I was just taking a day trip somewhere nearby or exploring a neighborhood in my area. Of course, you should always put safety first—but I highly encourage anyone interested in traveling alone to go for it!

10. Handle something you’ve been procrastinating

This last tip isn’t the most glamorous, but it has been one of the most helpful in navigating alone time. Seize this opportunity to finally tackle that house project, random task, or annoying to-do that you’ve been putting off.

I completely understand not wanting to spend an afternoon reorganizing your closet, getting your teeth cleaned, or sitting on the phone with your insurance company. However, I promise you’ll feel relieved and accomplished after taking care of it once and for all.

Hopefully you’re inspired to seek joy as much as possible during the holiday season, even if you are spending it alone! At the end of the day, it’s a chance to learn more about yourself and get comfortable being independent—so maximize it to the fullest extent.

How I Spent 30 Hours in Washington DC

September 11, 20222 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to take a quick solo trip to Washington DC, and I ended up only spending about 30 hours in the city. Even though my trip was super short, I still got to see some incredible sights and do some top DC activities. Here’s exactly how I spent my 30 hours in Washington DC!
P.S. make sure to also check out my vlog from the trip right here!

Day One

8am – land in DC and hop on the metro
9am – get off at Capitol South station and walk over to the Capitol
9:20am – head over to the National Mall and walk over to Museum of Natural History
10-11am – explore the museum

11am – walk to National Archives Museum and check out the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence
11:20am – head over to the White House
11:40am – take some pictures of the White House
11:50am – Old Ebbitt Grill for lunch (don’t forget to check out my post about Everything I Ate in Washington DC)
12-12:45pm – lunch

1pm – check in to Sofitel
1-3:30pm – shower/nap in hotel
3:30pm – head to Museum of American History
3:45-4:45pm – explore the museum

4:45pm – walk to dinner at Oyamel
5-6pm – dinner

6pm – head to Dolcezza for dessert

6:30pm – walk back to hotel
6:45pm – in for the night!

Day Two

8:45am – Uber to Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown
9-10am – breakfast

10am – walk to Compass Coffee for a pumpkin spice latte

10:30am – Uber back to hotel and pack up
10:40am – hop on a scooter and head over to Lincoln Memorial
10:50am – explore the Lincoln Memorial

11am – head back to hotel
11:30am-12pm – relax in hotel
12pm – hop on the metro and head to the airport for 2pm flight

Everything I Ate in Washington DC

August 31, 2022August 31, 20222 Comments

I recently took a spontaneous solo trip to Washington DC and one of the things I was looking forward to the most was enjoying some delicious food! From previous trips to DC I remembered the city has some excellent food options and I wanted to try a variety of restaurants I’d never been to before. Here’s everything I ate during my 30 hours in Washington DC!

Day 1

Lunch: Old Ebbitt Grill

For my first meal in DC, I arranged a lunch reservation at Old Ebbitt Grill. As I was researching lunch options near the National Mall, where I planned to be most of the day, Old Ebbitt Grill kept popping up as one of the highest-rated restaurants in the area. The restaurant is just a block or so away from the White House and holds the title of oldest bar in Washington DC, having been in operation since 1856. I definitely suggest making a reservation if possible because lunchtime on a Saturday was incredibly popular.
I started off with their Queen Bee cocktail, a gin and soda concoction with lemon juice and hibiscus syrup which was super light and refreshing. I also got a cup of New England clam chowder soup which wasn’t super creamy but had great flavor. For my entree, I tried the jumbo lump crab cake sandwich with a side caesar salad. The crab cake had a very mild flavor which was especially delicious with a squeeze of lemon on top. I almost wish the crab cake had more of a fritter vibe, as it was a bit one-note with the crab, but overall I really enjoyed it. The caesar salad and side of coleslaw were tasty as well, and I definitely left satisfied.

Dinner: Oyamel

After exploring a few more museums, I headed to Oyamel for dinner. I was super excited to see they had an entire station dedicated to making fresh guacamole, and I was definitely not disappointed. I tried their spicy guacamole which was some of the best restaurant-made guacamole I’ve ever had. It was incredibly fresh and all the flavors were perfectly balanced, from the bite of the jalapeno to the fresh-squeezed lime. Don’t worry, I didn’t eat that entire bowl – though I was defintely a bit tempted! I also ordered their classic margarita which was equally fresh and delicious.
For my main course I tried a dish I had never heard of: cabacitas con frijoles. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it ended up being a very light stew of white beans, squash, corn, and spices. I absolutely loved this dish and am eager to try and recreate it at home.

Dessert: Dolcezza

Of course, I had to save room for dessert. I ended up swinging by Dolcezza to pick up some gelato, and this ended up being one of the highlights of all the food I tried in DC. I grabbed a pint of their black and white cookie batter gelato without sampling it or reading the description first, because I’m a sucker for anything cookie batter! The flavor ended up being amazing, with stripes of icing and chocolate ganache and chunks of cake. It wasn’t overly sweet, but definitely hit the spot after a long of day of walking in the DC heat.

Day 2

Breakfast: Farmers Fishers Bakers

To kick off day 2 in DC I made my way over to Georgetown to enjoy breakfast at Farmers Fishers Bakers. I heard Farmers Fishers Bakers offers some of the best brunch in town, and I was excited to try for myself. To start, I ordered a bellini which was very light and refreshing – the perfect way to kick off Sunday brunch in my opinion!
My first round through the buffet I grabbed some fresh green beans, parmesan grits, sourdough bread, yogurt with granola, hummus, and a sweet corn pancake. The highlights from this round were definitely the sourdough and hummus as well as the corn pancake.
My second time through the buffet I opted for broiled grapefruit, fresh pineapple, hashbrowns, a buttermilk pancake, and a french toast stick. My favorites by far ended up being the broiled grapefruit and french toast stick.
My main complaint with Farmers Fishers Bakers is the buffet itself was a bit disorganized, with there being no defined line or sense of which direction to go. People were wandering all over the place, hopping in and out of line, and there also happened to be a large group of children running around which made things a bit stressful (though that obviously wasn’t the restaurant’s fault). While the dining experience was a bit chaotic, I did enjoy all of the food I tried and would definitely love to return to try more.

Compass Coffee

After breakfast I set out on a mission to find some fall-inspired coffee, and I settled on the local chain Compass Coffee. The space itself was very cool with tons of seating, and it was obviously a very popular work/study location for locals. I tried the pumpkin spice cold brew which was super delicious, with just the right amount of sweet and spice while still maintaining a smooth cold brew flavor.

Lunch: Cava

My final meal in DC was lunch, which I actually ended up eating at the airport. I didn’t have high hopes for airport food options, but was pleasantly surprised to see Cava, which I consider the Mediterranean version of Chipotle. I had eaten at Cava on a previous trip to DC, and remembered it was super quick, fresh, and delicious.
I got a greens and grains bowl with their super green lettuce mix, brown rice, lentils, falafel, roasted vegetables, tzatziki, hummus, pickled red onion, cucumber, feta, and harissa vinaigrette. My bowl was super delicious and filling and ended up being the perfect airport lunch option.

All in all, I was super impressed with all the food I tried during my time in Washington DC. DC has some amazing food options and I always thoroughly enjoy trying new restaurants and dishes during my visits. What are some of your favorite restaurants in the DC area?

5 Tips for Taking Your First Solo Trip

June 12, 2022June 12, 20221 Comment

I’ve always considered myself fairly independent, and traveling solo is a huge extension of that. While I obviously love traveling with my husband, there are a lot of times that work or other outside circumstances make it easier for me to take trips alone. I honestly love traveling alone because you have complete flexibility and freedom as you plan and embark on your trip. I’ve undertaken a number of solo road trips (my most recent was to New Mexico – check out the vlog and blog), camping trips, and cross-country flights, and I’ve learned something new on each adventure. These are my 5 tips for taking your first solo trip!

Consider your destination – do you want to stay fairly close to home, or venture to an entirely different state (or country)? Doing a “staycation” somewhat close to home, or to a city you’ve visited before, is a great way to ease into solo travel. Having a sense of familiarity with your destination makes the whole process a lot less intimidating. If you have your heart set on solo-traveling to a completely new area, do some research into how “solo traveler-friendly” the destination is. A great way to do this is by joining social media groups related to solo travel!
Identify your intentions – maybe you want to solo travel to spend some time with yourself in solitude, or maybe you’re super social and plan to make friends along the way. Having an idea of your expectations and intentions when solo-traveling can help as you plan what to do and see on your trip. Some activites and areas are known for being great places to connect with others, while some destinations are perfect for those who want to keep to themselves. Thinking of what kind of solo-traveler you are makes a world of difference as you plan your trip.
Travel safe and smart – I could do a whole separate blog post on how to stay safe when traveling solo (let me know if you’d like to see that!) but a lot of it comes down to common sense. Some of the biggest ways to travel safe and smart are: tell one or two trusted contacts your itinerary before leaving on your trip, don’t tell strangers you’re traveling alone, and do research on unsafe areas at your destination to avoid. Also make sure to “fake it til you make it”, aka try to project confidence as much as possible, because if you’re looking really confused or lost, you could come across as an easy target. At the end of the day, solo travel should be a fun and rewarding experience, so set yourself up for success by taking the necessary precautions to stay safe so you can truly enjoy your trip.
Don’t feel awkward to do things alone – sure, some activities might be more geared towards couples, but you should never let anyone or anything make you feel awkward or inferior for doing things alone. Some of my favorite solo activities to do on my trips are going out to eat at a restaurant or cafe, going to the movies or a museum, browsing through some shops or local markets, and exploring a public park or hiking area. For some of these activities, I recommend bringing along a book or popping in your headphones to listen to a podcast/audiobook/music to keep you occupied. Besides, most people will be too focused on themselves to even notice you’re there alone, let alone waste time and energy on judging you for it!
Be open to new experiences – obviously, you want to keep your wits about you and not put yourself in a dangerous situation, but go into solo travel with an open mind and a willingness to try new things. Sometimes, the most unexpected adventures end up being the most memorable! Don’t be afraid to try new things, especially if it’s something that will help you learn more about and/or experience the local culture of your destination. This could be anything from trying a new food or activity to spending a whole day with a local guide or tour group doing something you wouldn’t have planned otherwise.

I hope you find these tips helpful as you plan your first solo trip! I’d love to talk more about this topic so please let me know if there’s anything specific you’re curious about or would like me to cover. Thanks for reading, and happy travels!

Wandering the Gap

Tag: solo travel