With a persistent love of Disney and Harry Potter, I was destined to enjoy the parks. However, I had my first and only visit to Walt Disney World at 10 months old and never visited Disneyland or Universal. That all changed in my mid-20's! The first time I spotted Hogwarts Castle at Universal, I was hooked.

 

The immersive experience, enduring charm of each park's attention to details, afternoons relaxing by the pool, wonder of fireworks, thrill of the rides, unique dining experiences, seeing characters and places come to life, and the enjoyment of being a kid again (except this time, with margaritas!) are what make these parks so fun as an adult. For me, the real adventure comes from the familiarity of old favorites, as well as the excitement of trying something new.

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• Favorite Park: Diagon Alley at Universal Studios

• Favorite Ride: Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

• Most Underrated Ride: The Mummy at Universal Studios

• Favorite Disney Movie: Mulan

Unlike most people, I fell in love with Disney during several family trips as a teenager! To me, the the thrill of getting there early for rope drop, running with my sisters to grab FastPasses and then getting on the first train for Space Mountain or Rock "n" Roller Coaster was such a crazy and special time with family. Plus, it required a lot of strategy and problem solving, something a young aspiring engineer couldn't get enough of - and definitely still can't. 

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As an adult, my appreciation for a little relaxation has also grown with time. Whether it's Universal, Disneyland or good ol' Walt Disney World, a delicious meal, afternoon swim, and quiet evening stroll through the parks along with all the strategizing are now staples of what make an adventure magical to me.

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• Favorite Park: Hollywood Studios

• Favorite Ride: Avatar: Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom

• Most Underrated Ride: Soarin' at EPCOT

• Favorite Disney Movie: The Lion King & Toy Story

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Adam is a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and the UniversalANDU Sales Training Program. CLIA#: 00431292  

I fell in love with Disney World when I was a child, going on family vacations with my two siblings and parents. We were always the first people in line at the parks and would "walk with purpose" to be on the first car of the day. But my main focus was the characters! I wanted to meet every one and make sure to get their signature in my autograph book.

 

What I like now about Disney World, is that they do everything 100%. They are dedicated to the entire experience, ensuring that the intricate details of each park, ride, show, shop, cast member uniform, restaurant, and on and on truly making me feel like I am in a magical world. Plus! it is fun for all ages. I loved it as a kid and I love it as an adult as I get to experience it again and again with my my family (and all its new members!)

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• Favorite Park: Hollywood Studios

• Favorite Ride: Toy Story Mania & Tower of Terror

• Most Underrated Ride: Carousel of Progress & People Mover

• ​Favorite Disney Movie: Mary Poppins and Ratatouille

Although I went to Disney as a kid, it wasn’t until I was able to go to both Universal Studios and Disney World as an adult that I really began to appreciate and fall in love with the magic. Since my first trip to Universal Studios to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in college and then coming back to Disney World the next year, I’ve tried to make it to see the magic every year. There’s just nothing quite like that first step down Main Street USA and just truly feeling at home!

 

The best part of both Disney and Universal is the chance to escape all the pressures of this life and live into that joyous, childlike wonder that the parks create. There are rides for everyone, immersive lands, and tons of different foods and even cultures to experience in the parks. Put it all together and you are given memories to last a lifetime! 

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• Favorite Park: Epcot 

• Favorite Ride: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster & Cosmic Rewind 

• Most Underrated Ride: The Mummy at Universal Studios

• Favorite Disney Movie: Mulan

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Kayla is a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and UniversalANDU Sales Training Program. CLIA#: 00517749

As a kid my grandparents took my siblings and me to Disney World and Universal Orlando every summer. At the time, I didn’t appreciate it fully, I just saw it as another family vacation. Then I first took my 4 year old for the first time! Seeing my son’s eyes light up every time he saw a character, every time he went on a ride and with every Mickey pretzel is something completely indescribable. 

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From the little details in the park that were around when I was a kid to the newer attractions, Disney has a way of captivating you.  As an adult I’ve been able to enjoy Disney in a different way, from the firework displays to trying the occasional adult beverage in Epcot. Even just the little things, like sitting by the pool with my family. It’s sharing the magic with my family that brings my childhood back to life.

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• Favorite Park: Hollywood Studios - Galaxy's Edge 

• Favorite Ride: Jurassic Park River Adventure

• Most Underrated Ride: Soarin' at Epcot

• Favorite Disney Movie: The Lion King (and Avengers: Endgame!)

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Tony is a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and UniversalANDU Sales Training Program. CLIA#: 00042332

I'm a Harry Potter fan and love the immersive experiences at Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure. Whether seeing the Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon in Diagon Alley or trying my first Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice (my favorite!) in Hogsmeade, I always feel transported to another world. 

 

I also love the excitement of the roller-coasters and thrill rides like  Hargid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the Velocicoaster and Skull Island Reign of Kong. And when I'm feeling a little nostalgia for the field trips and family vacations from my childhood I still go back for ride around The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train ride (and yes, I still enjoy it too). In the end, a simple chat with the team members or character meeting make this feel like my home away from home. 

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• Favorite Park: Universal Islands of Adventure

• Favorite Ride: Hargid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 

• Most Underrated Ride: Skull Island Reign of Kong

• Favorite Disney Movie: Beauty and the Beast

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Val is a graduate of the UniversalANDU Sales Training Program.

CLIA#: 00520671