It is our first time to travel south to sunny Florida. I was fortunate to be able to find a great deal on a Westjet flight for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids). We had a wonderful 8 day trip from Sept 10 to Sept 17, 2024.
On a Westjet flight to Florida from Calgary.
Day 1: It was our flight from YYC – LAX – MCO Orlando Airport (total of 9 hours travel time). My kids are really troopers. My oldest is 10 and my youngest is 7, and we packed light for our 8-day trip. Each person carried their own back-pack and carry on luggage. No check-in luggages for us to worry about! We had to go the airport at 4 am for our early flight, then we arrived at MCO Orlando airport on a Tuesday 6:30 pm. By the time we arrived, we were greeted with the very warm weather and it reminds us of the Philippines. We stayed in Rosen Inn International Hotel, which was just across Universal Studios Florida, and along International Avenue, which a great busy commercial area, home to the city’s convention center and near to Florida’s popular theme parks. They offered free shuttles to Universal Orlando Florida which is convenient for us; however, you have to book ahead in the night before at the reception.
Day 2: Universal Orlando Florida 
This is the exciting part! Our family have previously been to Universal Studios Japan, and we were eager to see and compare the experience. Me and hubby have also been to Universal Studios Singapore, which I would agree to be smaller.
We bought park tickets ahead on the official Universal Orlando website. We already planned going to Universal Studios Florida Park and Volcano Bay, so we got those park tickets which costed us $1172 CAD or $837 USD for our family of 4.
We were able to ride all attractions! We are very grateful that the kids are in the right age for all of us to enjoy riding together! Thank you God for such wonderful memories together. Nothing beats spending time and travelling together with my good boys.
Angelo’s favorite ride: Race Through New York Staring Jimmy Fallon
Lorenzo’s favorite show: The Bourne Stuntacular
Papa’s favorite ride: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
My favorite show: The Bourne Stuntacular
Our most thrilling ride: Revenge of the Mummy
After a fun and tiring day, we had dinner at Golden Corral Buffet, our favourite all you can eat buffet go to when we are in the US.
Check out the blog for the next day in this trip: Day 3 in Florida.
