Julie finally made it to Universal Epic Universe, and let's just say she's officially a convert!

After months of talking about Universal Orlando's newest theme park, Julie experienced it firsthand, and even a rainy start couldn't dampen her excitement. This week, Julie and Krystle dive into everything from the incredible immersive worlds and jaw-dropping attractions to the crowds, food, and little details that make Epic Universe unlike anything else at Universal Orlando.

Julie shares her first impressions of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Super Nintendo World. She's also breaking down her favorite attractions, including Stardust Racers, what surprised her most, and what it was really like navigating gluten-free dining throughout the park.

Plus, we're talking practical planning tips, whether one day at Epic Universe is actually enough, and how this experience has changed Julie's perspective on planning Universal Orlando vacations.

So, does Epic Universe really live up to all the hype? Julie has some thoughts, and she's already planning her return!

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We're going on the go for a special bonus episode from Universal Orlando!

Julie is sharing a quick recap of her Universal Orlando FAM trip with three fellow travel advisors. The trip included two days of training, a Club Level stay at Loews Portofino Bay, time in both original Universal parks, and a full day at Epic Universe!

She's also sharing a few highlights from her gluten-free dining experiences at Portofino Bay's Club Level lounge, Café L'air De La Sirène, and Mythos. And, of course, she couldn't leave without a frozen gluten-free Butterbeer!

This is just a little sneak peek of an incredible trip filled with unforgettable experiences and even better friendships. Julie will be back with Krystle during the regular weekly episode to dive into all the details, so stay tuned!

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Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustandwishespodcast
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For interest in vacation planning email us at: wanderlustandwishespodcast@gmail.com
Or fill out this quote request form: https://forms.gle/ZmN8C2akheQabF7B7

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort gives you something a little different from the other Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World. It has the tropical atmosphere, beaches, palm trees, and laid-back feel of an island vacation, but it also happens to sit at the hub of the Disney Skyliner.

So, do the transportation and resort atmosphere make up for just how big this resort actually is?

This week, we're unpacking everything Caribbean Beach has to offer, including the rooms, pools, dining, transportation, resort villages, fifth sleeper options, and the newer Little Mermaid-inspired rooms in Trinidad. And because this resort is so spread out, we're talking about something that matters a lot here: location, location, location.

We'll break down which villages make the most sense if your priority is the Skyliner, which put you closer to Old Port Royale and dining, and why Trinidad may not deserve the bad reputation it picked up during the old Pirate Room days.

Of course, we have to talk about the Skyliner. Caribbean Beach is the hub of the entire system, giving guests fantastic access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, plus easy resort hopping to Riviera, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. But if you're heading to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, you're still relying on buses.

We'll also talk about Fuentes del Morro Pool, Sebastian's Bistro, the fifth sleeper rooms, and whether Caribbean Beach offers enough of an upgrade to choose it over a Value Resort like Pop Century, especially when both give you Skyliner access.

And then there's the big question: Is Caribbean Beach too big, or is all that space part of what makes it feel like an actual vacation resort?

Resort Reviews is our weekly bonus series from Wanderlust and Wishes, where we're making our way through the Walt Disney World resorts in completely random order. No rankings determining who goes first and no playing favorites. Just one resort at a time and our take on what you really need to know before you book.

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Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustandwishespodcast
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For interest in vacation planning email us at: wanderlustandwishespodcast@gmail.com
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