Sean Pagnotti

With so many changes and expansions on the horizon at Universal Orlando Resort, it gets one thinking a certain way. In this mindset, we start considering what rides aren’t just the “best,” but what are “untouchable,” “hallowed,” or “sacred.” The difference being that when we talk about “the best” ride, there’s somewhat of an innate […]

It’s no question that the story of Harry Potter has cast an enchantment spell on the theme-park and entertainment industry ever since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened its doors to Hogwarts in 2010. Although one could argue that the franchise was already culturally significant prior to its theme-park era, I would state that one […]

When you come to Orlando, it’s easy to default to the theme parks as the focal point for your trip. However, there are those who would rather stray off the well-beaten path and create memories in a different way. One such place where you could do this is Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Orlando. Since the […]

NOTE: we would like to point out that, in response to COVID-19, 4 Rivers Smokehouse has altered its service to pop-up drive-through stations. This applies to everywhere but the Downtown Orlando location. They’ve also switched to a limited menu, but not to worry – there’s still something for everyone. Now, back to the regular article: […]

It’s the oldest debate among any group of theme-park fans – what rides are the best? Being a geek who wears a few professional hats on the matter, it’s something I’ve wondered about my favorite resort – Universal Orlando – and it’s come to a point that I want some answers for myself and for […]

As someone who has been surrounded by it my whole life, I can tell you that Orlando is an overlooked hub of art and culture. Sure, we’re known best for our weather and world-class theme parks, but those with keen eyes can see the arts alive throughout our city via projects like the decorated electrical […]

Let’s paint a picture. You’re at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom with your family. After busily traveling through all of its different lands, you now find yourselves starving in the middle of the day. Typically, the next course of action is to quickly survey the park map for the restaurant that best matches what […]

From her humble beginnings of doing stand-up comedy, Ellen DeGeneres has established herself as a staple in entertainment via her former sitcom Ellen and current daytime talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the latter’s third season, Ellen’s popularity became so immense that she filmed her show at Universal Orlando Resort. Given her fame and how […]

Revenge of the Mummy is an award-winning dark ride that is arguably one of the most popular attractions at Universal’s various theme parks. There are currently three locations across the world housing an indoor roller coaster dedicated to the Mummy movie franchise, in Florida, California, and Singapore. Given the clear notoriety, we figured it’d be helpful […]

We all have our favorite lodgings when visiting Universal Orlando. Especially when speaking about the resort’s hotels, it’s safe to say that each has its own unique qualities that could make it tough trying to plan your vacation ahead of time. So, how do you choose? Which is truly the best to go with? I […]

Under my more theme park-oriented hat, I’m often asked by Universal Orlando Resort guests if it’s worth visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, and my answer is yes, absolutely. Sure, there are some similarities, but there are plenty of reasons to make it worth visiting – to assume otherwise could cause you to miss out on what may […]

Transformers: The Ride – 3D is one of Universal’s most popular attractions, garnering enough fame over the past eight years to warrant its inclusion at three separate Universal locations across the globe (soon to be four, if we include the upcoming Universal Studios Beijing). And although Transformers’s queue story and ride experience are essentially the same […]

We’ve all been there, and some of us even plan for it – you’ve finalized an itinerary for your vacation and, almost inevitably, you’ve wound up with a quiet night. No high-intensity, fast-paced theme-park adventures; no crowded shopping malls; no additional tour excursions anywhere. Just you, your family, and a night to relax by your […]

“Live as the locals do.” It’s a common tourism mantra that entices travelers to experience some of the less-frequent parts of any destination. In my other skin within the industry, I’m often called upon for suggestions of how to do so. My favorite is a morning outing to the Orlando Farmers’ Market at Lake Eola […]

When someone mentions Orlando, the first things to come to mind are our world-class theme parks and wonderfully warm climate, but there’s so much more to our city – there’s an entire sub-sect of art and culture within our town that would require several other articles to get into. A great representation of this that’s […]

A meal and a movie is a near-perfect combination. It’s an easy option for a couple on a date, an outing with friends and family, or just as a quick getaway from reality. Working with this idea, AMC’s Dine-In Theater has taken the hassle of either resigning yourself to the usual snacks and stadium-style food offered […]

Welcome, glampers, to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! Here, you stand among the wild frontier (or Walt Disney World Resort’s version of it, anyway). You’ve settled into your campsite and are ready to start your visit to the most magical place on Earth, but there’s a dilemma: you have little-to-no knowledge of how the transportation […]

Recently, Disney debuted its latest take on Epcot’s popular Food and Wine Festival: called Flavors of Florida, it runs at Disney Springs until September 2. In a nutshell, the event could easily be called a culinary showcase of the Sunshine State. The theme can be found via a mixture of flavors, aesthetics, and the fact that […]

UPDATE (06.21.19): It breaks my heart to have to update my review this way. Recently, Copper Canyon has closed the doors of its International Drive location. This happened suddenly, and the timing couldn’t be worse. The restaurant always held a dear place in my heart from the first meal I had so many years ago, and […]

Cooper’s Hawk is an award-winning restaurant and winery located at the intersection of International Drive and Sand Lake Road – the head of Restaurant Row. They consider themselves a modern-casual experience delivered in an upscale setting. What this means is that the cuisine is kept familiar, but with their own spins thrown in while guests […]

Here you are! After saving your hard-earned money, booking your flight and hotel, and purchasing your Universal Orlando Resort tickets, you’re finally in Orlando, Florida! But as you’re standing, luggage in hand, in the middle of Orlando International Airport, you suddenly realize you completely overlooked what to do next. You have no car to get […]

The City Beautiful basically exists in a summer season for seemingly three-quarters of the year. During what’s actually the “summer,” it can get a bit unbearable and put you in search of some relief. Search no further! Islands of Adventure offers just that in the form of its incredible water rides. While there are only […]

Among the many diverse options across Universal Orlando Resort property, Jake’s American Bar at Royal Pacific Resort is one of my favorite restaurants. This location is fully themed and even has its own detailed backstory based on the legendary and fictitious pilot Jake McNally, who disappeared after a tremendous heartbreak. The in-depth theming, food, and service […]

It’s a Walt Disney World Resort cult tradition to “drink around the world” at Epcot. While this remains tried and true, it’s typically a dedicated tour only of one land at only one theme park – but with all the inebriant options lying just outside of Epcot, at its resort area, there’s a whole other […]

Everyone is aware of the preconception that theme parks are geared towards kids. Sure, it’s true – there’s plenty of evidence validating children as every theme park’s major focus. But guests lovingly spend so much time and effort revolving vacations around their children that they all but forget that the parks can be equally enjoyable […]

A trip to the movie theater can be just as much of a getaway from a holiday vacation as it is from everyday life, and, by its nature, the City Beautiful has many wonderful choices to take in a film, whether it be modern or vintage. Among my personal favorites is Regal Cinemas Pointe Orlando […]

Universal knows the value of not just a great vacation, but also loosening up and having a good time with your family and friends. Being a trusted adviser and patron of such things in the parks, I took on the oh-so-strenuous task of finding the best of what’s offered in the way of Universal Orlando […]

Growing up in the Orlando area, the theme parks were the backyard of my childhood. This allowed not only for a very involved fandom and childhood, but also a deeper knowledge of the parks’ histories. Today, in the spirit of nostalgia and that upbringing, I’ll be going over our top five closed attractions at Universal […]

WonderWorks is possibly the strangest and most intriguing attraction on International Drive. The look of the building itself is enough to draw anyone’s curiosity, as, upon first glance, it seems to literally be upside-down, but there’s much more to the experience than just appearances – this “amusement park for the body and mind” is edutainment […]

Consistently considered the highest-rated park in Orlando, Discovery Cove is a hidden, tropical oasis within the hustle and bustle of the City Beautiful. Owned and operated by SeaWorld, it’s an all-inclusive escape from reality and a rare find in our city. While the park itself isn’t difficult to tour freehand, we’re here with six tips […]

Mini golf is a great go-to for a wide variety of reasons – family bonding, a simple date night, or just an easy, non-theme park activity. But how do you decide which putt putt course to pick with all that’s offered in Orlando? That’s where we come in! Here’s our list of the best mini […]