This past week I was over at Universal Studios Florida with the plan of just going with the flow. I had no plans and just wanted to head in an enjoy a slow paced day at the park. I made it on The Mummy coaster one last time before it was closed a day later for a very lengthy refurbishment. Then I headed over to Central Park Crepes for my favorite snack a Strawberry Hazelnut Crepe and then sat at a table in the shade to eat it while I people watched a bit. Things were going great until I decided to head over to Islands of Adventure to continue my leisurely visit and maybe grab a churro.

Shortly after I entered the park I stopped inside the Import Market & Export Candy shop to check it out. This place has going through a bit of change recently.

It’s packed with all things candy and sweet treats. As you first walk in there are lots of prepackaged popcorn, chocolate bars and many different kinds of sweets.

How can you say no to Chewy Unicorn Treats or some birthday cake dough bites. They even have Back to the Future chocolate bars and Simpson’s themed chocolate covered bacon bars.

Along the back wall is where most of the recent changes have taken place. There is now a fresh fudge kitchen, and then a long treat counter with tons of themed items.

The cupcakes are so cute, almost too cute to eat but not quite. They also had red velvet whoopee pies, rice crispy treats with all different kinds of candy mixed inside, and of course a smorgasbord of candy coated apples.

But just as I was about to head back out into the park I figured I would check on the penny press machine that is usually in this store. As I walked up to where it usually was I noticed it had gotten taller, and offered more pennies than usual.

I quickly transferred into my collector mode and started documenting the new machine and of course these beautiful new designs. The cabinet is the same style and design wood that the previous machine was I guess it kind of matches the inside of this shop. The machine has the touch screen interface we have become quite familiar with, and the pennies cost $1 per design or all 8 for $5. Thankfully no change to the cost.

The full set of penny designs was a bit interesting to me. Usually they keep Islands of Adventure themed in this park and Universal Studios themes in that park, but for this set the designs were a mix of both parks all in one. We can see the classic Universal Studios Globe logo, the Back to the Future Delorean, Jaws, Kong, E.T. Woody Woodypecker, Bumblebee the Transformer, and a nice new Velocicoaster coin.

I do really love this set as almost a complete overview of their greatest hits within the Universal theme parks, well maybe not Woody. With this new set safely stored away I headed out into the park and back into leisure mode and eventually got a churro from my favorite snack stand within the park. It was a great day even though I didn’t really accomplish much. But I think every so often I have to remind myself to do this and really enjoy these amazing parks. Not everyone has access to them like we do and I never want to take that for granted.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and make sure you take some time for yourself to just go slow and enjoy the journey. But if you come across a pressed penny machine be sure to Keep on Pressing!

---