‘If there is one thing the history of evolution has taught us, it’s that life will not be contained. Life breaks free’.

From the original Jurassic Park film in 1993, the quote by Dr Ian Malcom, played by Jeff Goldblum, feels especially relevant today. One month after travel restrictions to the US were lifted, I was desperate to escape the reality that kept us grounded for almost two years and make the most of my new freedom. I couldn’t think of anywhere more fitting to do so than at Universal Orlando – a place where you can travel to a different world, or worlds, entirely. 

Located in central Florida, Universal Orlando has expanded from its original movie-themed park into a multifaceted resort with two major theme parks – Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, both of which are home to the majestic Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There’s also Volcano Bay Waterpark, the CityWalk entertainment complex and a portfolio of hotels to suit every group, style and budget.

A new world

Theme parks offer the perfect antidote to life over the last year. Gates open at 8am and guests burst in from all walks of life, eager to escape to a post-lockdown world that has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with adventure and fun. Atmosphere is at an all-time high. Even before the Wizards, Superheroes and minions appear, the energy is magic.

Following the map, I make my way down beautifully manicured paths, shaded by tropical plants and with “prehistoric” fossil prints under my sandals. It’s 27C in mid-winter, with cloudless blue skies and not a hint of humidity. 

Occasionally, a soft breeze brushes aside the wild cycads and spiraling screw pines, revealing a glimpse of the ominous black tracks from Universal’s newest, most terrifying attraction yet: the Jurassic World Velocicoaster, a ride so fierce the usual description of “rollercoaster” doesn’t quite cover it. 

This apex predator of attractions is Florida’s fastest, tallest and most intense launch coaster, catapulting riders into the air at 70mph. Then there’s the small matter of an 80-degree drop, 360-degree inversions and a dynamic inverted stall that alone spans more than 30 metres of track. That roughly translates to riders rotating 360 degrees in their seat – that’s your body literally spinning around your heart. The story behind the attraction is that riders are fleeing a ferocious Velociraptor pack, inspired by the Jurassic World films, and this is expertly executed to thrilling effect.

As I work up the courage to ride, I am dwarfed by the 47-metre “top hat” of the coaster. After a year of stillness, watching the sheer power of this beast is enough to get me in a spin. We wait our turn, my feeble protestations drowned out by the gleeful screaming above me. At the point of no return, it soon becomes clear that this state-of-the-art coaster has nothing prehistoric about it.  

What happens next is a wild, incoherent two minutes of brilliant madness. Up, down, sideways, skimming the water and a stomach-knotting drop that feels like a freefalling bungee jump. As we roll back into base camp, I feel seriously discombobulated. My two feet are firmly back on the ground, but it will be a few hours yet until I came down from the high.

Elsewhere in Jurassic Park, there is an opportunity to interact with a raptor, a gentle gliding ride for children and a far more “tame” Jurassic River Adventure, which in typical theme park style, itself includes a 26 metre drop…

Universal Orlando is a joyous playground. Its USPs are its rollercoasters, family attractions and character interactions coupled with year-round sunshine and an omnipresent optimism, thanks to immersive storytelling designed to make you part of the story. As you step through the gates, the bleakness of the outside world is easily forgotten. With dedicated resort transport between the theme parks and a choice of eight hotels, from the minute you check in, the real world doesn’t exist for a time – and that is no bad thing. 

Budget breaks

The resort’s newest hotel offering is Universal’s Endless Summer, Dockside Inn and Suites. This is one of two value hotels, with room prices starting from £59 a night, making a stay here very desirable for clients hoping to travel to Orlando on a budget. The hotel also offers two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, which sleep up to six people.

These are a fantastic option for extended families, offered at a very competitive price (starting as low as £91 per night for a four-night stay). The extra space means no requirement to book two rooms and having a private kitchen to warm or prepare food is also a bonus for clients traveling with young children. 

Guests arriving from the UK will not be disappointed by the hotel’s spectacular pool area. Even in December, that famed Florida sunshine was doing its job. The cocktails at the pool bar provide an equally refreshing tonic.

Get carried away

While the Velocicoaster dominates the park at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, neighbouring Universal Studios also added a new attraction this year. In a less pulse-racing, but equally immersive experience, The Bourne Stuntacular uses advanced technology, live actors, extreme stunts and ultra-vivid visuals in a first-of-its-kind show.

I am stunned by the quality of the high-definition backdrop, which transports us Tangier, Washington DC and Dubai. Based on the widely popular Bourne films, the theatre almost becomes a building-sized virtual reality headset, giving you a front row seat to the action as Jason Bourne tackles his next mission. 

This time last year, the magic of movies kept us connected to a pandemic-free world. After such a bleak recess, theme parks like Universal Orlando have a unique ingredient of fantasy-turned-reality that cannot be replicated by everyday destinations. 

There’s something about curated fear and giddy excitement in a setting so “on”, it means you can really switch off. After our first day I realise that maybe the lightheaded, light-hearted feeling I have isn’t a result of the rapturous rollercoaster, but from being back in my happy place.

In the darkest times, a flight to the US and a frivolous ride on a rollercoaster seemed impassable.  But, Dr Malcolm was right, “Life finds a way”. 

Book it: Gold Medal offers a seven-night stay for a family of four at Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside Inn staying in a Standard room for £1,159pp, including flights with Virgin Atlantic and private transfers to the hotel. Also includes Universal Orlando Resort, 3 Park Explorer ticket. Based on 19 February 2022 departure. 
goldmedal.co.uk