So, we have been to both Universal parks in the USA. As of right now, the only one with Super Nintendo World is the one in Cali, and you might not know this, but we are big Nintendo fans. Naturally, we booked a trip to there. Here are our takeaways for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood in California:
✨ It looks really cool. It’s definitely themed. We love the area where you enter.
✨ The rides that are there are fun.
✨ Bowser’s castle is very well done. It is definitely our favorite part of the whole park.
❌ It is VERY crowded.
❌ We were expecting it to be much… bigger.
❌ There aren’t a lot of rides or things to do for older kids.
In summary, we had fun, but we won’t go back. There simply wasn’t enough to do for us to stay in that area for long which was a bummer. We are hoping that the Super Nintendo that is planned for Florida in 2025 will be bigger and will include more rides and/or activities for older kids.
After living in Colorado for two years, Rocky Mountain National Park is still one of our favorites, and we try to take everyone that visits.
☀️ We prefer the park in June-October. June will still have quite a bit of snow on the mountains which is nice, but late September or early October is the best time to see the Aspen trees (which are a must see).
🚗 Take the less traveled roads! There are a few dirt roads that lead to pretty places. Trail Ridge is common, but it’s also a must see if you’re going during the warmer months when it’s open.
🫎 We saw our first moose in this park! Look for them in areas with vegetation. You can see moose fairly frequently along Highway 34 in the Kawuneeche Valley or on the east side of the park near rivers and lakes.
NOTE: I feel like this is a given, but never approach a moose, and ALWAYS be prepared for wildlife in any National Park.
Want me to tell you a secret?
When we planned our trip to Arizona, Antelope Canyon wasn’t on the list. Actually, I found it the week before we left and booked it last minute.
We did the Lower Antelope Canyon with Dixie Tours. Our tour guide was absolutely amazing and taught us a lot about Navajo culture during the journey.
Want my suggestions?
✨ Book it early
In the summer, it’ll book out quickly. We went in February, thankfully, but even then it was pretty busy.
✨ Go in the off season
Again, we went in February, and the weather was pretty nice. There were a lot more people than I was expecting, but there is a much larger crowd in the summer.
✨ There are many steep areas, tight passes, and steps that are like ladders. Bring good shoes, and be ready to climb down into the canyon.
✨ Remember: While you are there, you are on Navajo Nation land. The Navajo Nation has different laws and codes that you have to follow, and they even have their own court system! It’s pretty cool.
✨ General Rules: No video footage in the canyon, no bags, and no food/beverages (water is allowed)
Even if these two hikes are all you do in Moab, you’ll be getting a taste of two national parks in a day.
1. Delicate Arch Trail @ Arches National Park
This trail is a moderate 3-mile round trip. There is loose gravel and a bit of climbing involved. It takes you to stunning views of Delicate Arch. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset.
AND
2. Grand Viewpoint Trail @ Canyonlands National Park
This trial is an easy 1.8 mile trail (though still not wheelchair accessible). The best part is that you can see the amazing views without the hike if you want to skip on the walk.
