Yesterday I had the super fun opportunity to help welcome Universal Orlando Resort and a few of the stars of "Despicable Me" to Chicago.

Along with Kris Cane, AKA: Little Tech Girl and Renee Keats, "Windy City Momma", we invited a batch of our favorite bloggers to "Breakfast with the Minions"





They were all in town to reveal some of the park's coolest new attractions and to let our batch of parenting bloggers know what they can expect when they come to visit this year.





We all gathered at the beautiful Wit Hotel Rooftop, the "IT" spot for drinks on any given night in Chicago.  But yesterday it wasn't brimming with beautiful young professionals grabbing an after work cocktail. Instead it was full of fun-loving kids, little and big, enjoying an amazing breakfast and a meet-up with Gru, the minions, and a few of the creative minds behind some of the park's most popular rides.



After a little mingling, we got to hear about the newly renovated Spiderman ride, the fantastic CityWalk parade, and the all new Despicable Me "Minion Mayhem" attraction.  It was fascinating to hear how the producers and artists that create attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter", go about bringing their visions to life.  My two boys LOVED those Harry Potter books and I am definitely planning on taking them to see that attraction this year, before they get too big!  Although are you ever really too big for Harry Potter?  I think not.

I also learned that there are actually two different parks at Universal Orlando Resort.
 
Universal offers  "experiences that place you in the center of the action, such as Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - the world’s first high-tech coaster to combine hit music, high-speed maneuvers and personalized video. It also has blockbuster TV- and film-based attractions such as Revenge of the Mummy, Shrek 4-D and Men In Black: Alien Attack".

 While Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park has some of the most technologically advanced attractions and thrill rides ever created. It has seven individually themed islands, each with its own attractions, restaurants and shops. .

Also at Islands of Adventure is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter –again...I NEED to get my boys there!


One of the best ways to visit Universal Orlando Resort  is to stay at one of its three AAA Four- Diamond hotels. Each hotel is a quick stroll or water-taxi ride away from the theme parks. By staying on-site, you get Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and complimentary Universal Express Pass to completely bypass lines on select attractions and shows in both Universal Orlando Parks.  


After our 411 on all things Universal Orlando Resort, it was time for a little Minion/Gru dance parTAY! Even my 14 year old enjoyed those little buggers dancing and jumping with all the kids.   






Our morning with the Minions and the lovely folks at Universal was a really fun way to kick off summer break.  Our fam. goes to Orlando pretty much every March, and this year we will definitely be swinging on by Universal Orlando Resort to give those rides a GO!



*I was compensated for co-hosting the Universal Blogger Breakfast and for letting you all know about the cool stuff they have going on this year at Universal Orlando Resort.