When the Neon Laughed and the Castle Glowed

Kicking off the adventure in style, with the Orlando Informer sign glowing bright and everyone buzzing with excitement.

The moment we walked through those gates and saw that glowing Orlando Informer sign, it hit me — we were finally here. No crowds, no rush, just pure theme park magic stretched out ahead of us like an all-you-can-eat buffet of fun. My dad, Doug, had that wide-eyed look like he was 20 again, and my nephews, Eli and Noah? Beaming. I’d been hyping this trip like it was a blockbuster sequel, and from that opening moment, it delivered.

Riding the Hulk coaster, everyone looks thrilled, gripping the overhead restraints with a mix of excitement and a hint of nervous anticipation.

Starting with Hulk was a power move. I’d wanted to ride it back in 2016, but it was closed for a full track replacement. This time, no such disappointment. The kids were practically vibrating in their seats as we shot out of that launch tunnel like human cannonballs. And my dad? His laughter echoed louder than the coaster. We came off trying to walk straight, but failing because we were all still buzzing from the adrenaline. That’s when I knew — this trip was gonna be something special.

Everyone is bracing themselves with big grins and a mix of nervous, excited faces as the log flume plunges down. This splashdown moment sums up the day perfectly!

Then came the log flume. You’d think after doing Hulk and VelociCoaster we’d be all tough and stoic. Nope. We screamed like we were being chased by velociraptors. The photo says it all — four wild-eyed grins, arms thrown up, and water spraying in perfect cinematic timing. It was chaos, it was ridiculous, it was exactly the kind of memory I was hoping to make with them.

Caught in the middle of the action on Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, their grins say it all — pure thrill and excitement.

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure was the dark horse. I expected fun, sure — but I didn’t expect it to be one of the smoothest and most immersive coasters I’ve ever ridden. We waited 45 minutes, which, on an OI night, felt like an eternity. But the moment the ride started? Worth it. The way it zips and dives and has you literally grinning through a forest — that grin stuck with us the rest of the night.

Everyone's faces are priceless mid-ride on the VelociCoaster, a mix of sheer terror and pure exhilaration caught at just the right moment.

And then came the VelociCoaster. Oh man. Nothing — absolutely nothing — could have prepared us for that launch. I think I blacked out for a second. The ride felt like it was personally trying to yeet us into the moon. Twice. I rode it back-to-back and it never got old. That snapshot, frozen in time mid-ride, has become the definitive portrait of this trip — part panic, part ecstasy, all awesome.

The magic of Hogwarts bathed in golden sunset light, setting the perfect mood for a Saturday evening adventure.

As the sun dipped low, we wandered over to Hogwarts. I stopped for a minute and just took in the view. That warm golden light across the castle made it feel like we’d stepped into the pages of a storybook. The boys were off grabbing Butterbeer with my dad, and for a moment, I just stood there, anchored in this perfect summer evening. Theme park magic is real — and sometimes, it glows.

An enchanting night scene with Hogwarts glowing against the sky, as folks stroll toward the magical castle under the moonlight.

Later that night, Hogwarts transformed under moonlight. The cobblestones echoed with hushed voices and laughter, and the castle gleamed like something out of a dream. We walked together toward it, slower now, the rush of rides giving way to reverence. There’s something about seeing it at night — you can almost hear the soundtrack swelling in your head. Pure cinematic perfection.

A magical evening stroll through Diagon Alley, with the cobblestones glistening under the warm glow of the streetlights.

Diagon Alley was pure ambience. The crowds were thin, letting us really soak in every crooked shop window and flickering lantern. We lingered there longer than we planned, just exploring, laughing, uncovering little park secrets. Eli and Noah got into a wand duel that drew actual applause from a couple walking by. It was like letting them live a little bit of the magic they’d only seen on screens until now.

Enjoying a late-night snack with a colorful donut, right under the cheerful gaze of a giant cartoon figure at Universal.

Around 11 p.m., we found ourselves under the candy-colored gaze of Lard Lad. Donuts the size of your face? Yes please. That moment of just the four of us munching giant snacks under neon lights — no plans, no clocks — felt like the truest definition of vacation. Just soaked in icing and laughter.

A couple of folks are cruising through an empty street on scooters, basking in the glow of the neon signs above. It's got that peaceful, after-hours vibe as the day winds down.

And then there was that cool-down drift at the end. After midnight, the park thinned out to just the real die-hards. The kids had finally crashed, so my dad and I did one last slow cruise, watching scooters glide past under glowing signs. Everything was quiet freedom, that sweet in-between time after the noise but before goodbye.

I’ve already got my December tickets booked with Meg, but this one? This boy’s trip? It’s going down in history. Tired feet, full hearts, and the echo of coaster screams still ringing in our ears.