Universal Studios Archives - Alaska to Mickey

Grand Cayman is more than just 7 Mile Beach and Stingray City

Many tourist and cruise passengers spend their day on Grand Cayman at either 7 Mile Beach or Stingray City. Don’t get me wrong, these are awesome places. Seven Mile Beach is absolutely gorgeous even if it is quite crowded. And how could getting up close and personal with real live Stingrays be anything thing but amazing? But, Grand Cayman is so much more than just these activities. Let’s explore the Grand Cayman that’s not on the beach!

A very beautiful but crowded 7 Mile Beach

5 Intriguing things to do in Grand Cayman not on the beach

Mastic Trail

The Mastic Reserve was created to protect the rugged interior of Grand Cayman. This area is home to some of the last examples of a Caribbean lowland, semi-deciduous dry forest. Many kinds of animals and plants unique to the Cayman Islands live protected in this reserve.

The 2.3-mile walking trail is part of a 120-year-old well-traveled trail but was abandoned when the coastal roads came about. A guided tour (about 3 hours) will take you through an ancient dry forest of rare trees such as Cedar and Mahogany, as well as the Mastic tree. Through your exploration deep into the wild interior, you might see Wild Banana Orchids, native parrots, West Indian Woodpeckers, Caribbean Doves, butterflies, frogs, snakes (harmless), and more. This hike puts you in touch with the real, untouched Grand Cayman.

This rugged trail requires stable hiking shoes, lots of water, bug spray, and be in reasonably good shape. Hike not recommended for children under 8 or the elderly. A guided tour (Tue/Thurs mornings–highly recommended for all of the knowledge they can bring to the hike) costs $65.50 for adults/ $37.50 for children.

See a Blue Iguana in Grand Cayman as an activity not on the beach. — A Blue Iguana at Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park

Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park

This botanical garden is a rugged, wooded land that is home to many special species of reptiles, plants, and birds. You might see some chickatees (freshwater turtles native to the Caymans and Cuba), a rare Grand Cayman parrot or possibly an anole lizard but the highlight of your visit will probably be the blue iguana’s in their habitat. As you wander down the 1 km path viewing the local birds and plants you will marvel at the diversity of this lovely little park. You can also visit the visitor’s center, a heritage garden, a re-creation of a traditional Cayman home, garden, and farm. This botanical park is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on Grand Cayman beyond the beach. Admission is $10 for adults/$5 for children. Guided tours happen on Tues/Thurs afternoons at an additional cost.

The Turtle Farm

The Grand Cayman Turtle Center is a great family-friendly port excursion. The whole family will enjoy getting up close to and even getting to hold some endangered turtles. Educational programs teach you about the turtles, their preservation and protection. But, turtles aren’t all you will see! You can see crocodiles, iguanas, and sharks darting through Predator reef. There is also a small splash area with a waterslide for young kids. The Turtle Adventure Tour (includes all activities) is $45 for adults/$25 for children (you can get it all done in about 2 hours but you could also spend as many more). The Turtle Safari includes many activities but not all and is $30 for adults/$20 for children (usually takes an hour for tour).

Crystal Caves

Crystal Caves opened to visitors only a couple of years ago. Guided 1 1/2 hour tours take you through the three different caves–the open ceiling cave, the roots cave, and the lake cave. In these caves you will see limestone gardens of glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes, amazing examples of flowstone and shaped rock formations. Your guide will share a lot of information about the caves, their formation, and they fun nicknames they have give them. Reservations must be made in advance (a job for your travel advisor) and cost $40 for adults/ $30 for children under 12. What an awesome geology lesson!

Pedro St. James National Historic Site

Twenty minutes outside of George Town sits Pedro St. James Historic Site or Pedro Castle to the locals. This “Castle” is an elaborate three-story restored former Great House (built in the 1800s) that is best know as the birthplace of democracy in the islands. This historic building has taken many roles throughout the years–cotton plantation, courthouse, jail, and Government Assembly. Take a step back in time as you tour the authentic period rooms, learn about its’ history of pirate raids, tragedy, and triumph in the idyllic ocean setting. Part of a tour will include a 3D movie that will really help to bring the past alive. Guided tours cost $15 for adults/$5 children 6-12 (Self Guided are $10 for adults

Do you have a favorite activity that you have done in Grand Cayman? Is there something in Grand Cayman that you are dying to do? Let me know in the comments below.

If you are interested in learning more about cruises that go to Grand Cayman or a resort vacation just contact me above.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Overview of Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios in Orlando is the first theme park to open back up (on June 5th) after the pandemic closures. They have revamped their procedures to keep all their guests safe and healthy.

Universal Studios in Orlando consists of 2 theme parks (Universal Studios Orlando–USO, and Islands of Adventure–IOA) and a water park (Volcano Bay). Universal has sometimes been called the grown up version of Disney World. If you are wanting thrills and chills, then Universal is the place for you!

There are lots of great things to love about Universal Studios. But, this blog is going to cover just 5 things that we loved from our last trip.

5 Things to Love About Universal Studios

1) Hogwarts Express

Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station in Diagon Alley

Hogwarts Express is the train that takes guests from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Diagon Alley (USO) to Hogsmeade (IOA). The King’s Cross Train Station was so awesome to walk through. There are so many great details to make the walk through the station more interesting. The best part was the view out the window. How the creators take you through the countryside is awe-inspiring. The drama in the coach during the ride was very cool too.

You must have Park-to-Park tickets to ride the Hogwarts Express. For our family it was complely worth the extra cost. The train was a ride in itself and we went back and forth quite a few times during the day.

2) Interactive Wands from Ollivanders

Enjoy an interactive wand from Ollivanders at Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. — Discovering the fun with a Interactive Wand from Ollivanders.

Even the purchase of a wand from Ollivanders ($52 as of March 2020) is an event in and of itself. They make it quite fun as your wand picks YOU! After purchase you get to take your wand all over the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter looking for the special mediallions embedded in the ground (a map is also provided). Each time you discover a midallion stand upon it and wave your wand, cast a spell and see what happens. It is so exciting to anticipate what is going to happen each and every time. There are a few surprise locations so keep an eye out for those–check out the Slug ‘n Jug and take a look at your map in Knockturn Alley).

The interactive wand is definitely an extra. Your visit will be wonderful even if you don’t purchase one the first time you visit. In fact, finding the medallions takes time from your day so you might want to save it for a second or third visit. We were lucky to follow my neice along on her adventures through the Wizarding World. Oh, by the way, the wand will work for you each and every trip to Universal Studios.

3) The Attention to Detail

The attention to details is over the top at Universal Studios in Orlando. From the streets of San Francisco and New York to Diagon Alley in Universal Studios you are surrounded by buildings, shops, and rides that bring you right into that world. Even the ride queues are unbelievable with all the little things they include to bring you into the story. So awesome!

4) Staying at a Universal Resort

When you stay at a Universal Resort you can take advantage of Early Entrance to the theme parks. It was so great to be able to get into the park early. There were hardly any people and we could get onto rides so quickly. Loved that!

The other super cool thing about staying at a Universal Resort is that if you stay in a deluxe resort such as the Lowes Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, and Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel you also get a Universal Express Pass for every member of your party. This is good for your entire stay. You can even check in early and use the pass on check in day. The benefit of the Express pass can be well worth the extra cost of the resort.

5) Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure was definitely my FAVORITE activity at Universal Studios. We waited for over an hour for this ride the first time and we loved it so much we thought the hour was totally worth it and we did it again later. I have NEVER EVER waited for an hour for a ride and thought it was that worth it. The queue was pretty cool too.

There were so many awesome things about this ride. The ride vehicle was fun no matter which position you take. Both the motorcycle and the sidecar are great fun. The smooth speed of the ride was fantastic. There is enough excitement but not super scary. The scenery that you fly through is magical. I loved the forest. Then, the greatest thing is the story throughout and the surprise along the way! I cannot express how much I LOVED this ride!!!

So, do you have things you love about Universal Studios in Orlando? What do you think about my choices? Do you agree or not? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.