After being temporarily closed since March 12, count us among the many people who are thrilled that Universal Orlando Resort re-opened today to the public. It’s a sign of hope, recovery and some semblance of normalcy. Although we tend to focus on Disney Destinations, we are big fans of Universal Orlando and its “Let Yourself Woah” spirit! Home to three unique parks featuring more than 50 attractions, here’s our breakdown of why you should consider a visit to Universal Orlando Resort.
Precious Proximity
Time is valuable. Whether you’ve allotted three days or a full week to your vacation, time is money. And your time and dollars are well spent at Universal Orlando Resort.
Lovely stroll along the Universal Orlando walkways
No one really enjoys waiting for a bus or boat to arrive to take you from a hotel to a theme park. Rather than wait for transportation to arrive or pick you up, you can easily walk to and from the two theme parks - Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure - from and to the majority of the on-site Universal Orlando hotels. Two of the hotels – Aventura and Cabana Bay – boast their own exclusive entrance into Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay. If you prefer not to walk, Universal offers complimentary bus and water taxi service from its on-site hotels to the parks.
Don’t want to walk? There’s always a shuttle bus waiting to take you to and from the parks.
Once you’re in Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure, you don’t need to rely on a bus or water taxi to get you to the other park. It’s an easy walk through CityWalk – Universal’s entertainment district! There’s a more magical mode as well … more on that below.
Home to Harry Potter
Seven books. Eight films. The story of the Boy Who Lived has captivated millions of people worldwide. Universal Orlando allows you to step from reality to fantasy as you apparate from your muggle home to its immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Entering Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure
Universal’s Islands of Adventure is home to Hogsmeade, where you’ll find two attractions. You’ll walk through Hogwarts Castle – with talking portraits and potions classrooms – to experience an intense Quidditch match on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The newest Universal attraction, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure places you beyond the castle grounds into the dark Forbidden Forest.
Entering Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida
Home to Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Florida features Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts where you’ll break into a wizarding bank and encounter terrifying Death Eaters. You’ll also find Ollivander’s Wand Shop where the wand chooses the wizard. After purchasing an interactive wand, you too can perform magical spells in both areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Savor a bevy of flavors - from Butterbeer to Sticky Toffee Pudding - at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour
Both Harry Potter lands are dotted with incredible detail – from fantastical food including the signature wizarding beverage Butterbeer to narrow alleys filled with shops including one where you can outfit yourself with your very own robe.
Hop on board the Hogwarts Express to travel between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
You’ll need to purchase a park-to-park ticket to experience both parks in one day. As a true Harry Potter fan, there’s no other way to walk in the Chosen One’s footsteps. Bonus – you’ll receive access to the Hogwarts Express, the majestic train that transports you between the two Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands.
Thrills & Chills
Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, there is much more to explore at Universal. Thrill seekers can get their adrenaline pumping on rides like the Incredible Hulk Coaster where you’re launched upward of 150 feet and reach a top speed of 67 mph, or on Doctor Doom’s Fearfall where you’re blasted 185 feet into the sky then immediately dropped back down.
Contrary to popular belief, Universal also offers a variety of options for families with little ones who don’t meet height requirements for the heart-pumping attractions. Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is a bright, colorful area with a kid-friendly outdoor roller coaster and fun-sized playgrounds. On E.T. Adventure, you can board a flying bike and relive the story of everyone’s favorite extra-terrestrial.
Enjoy a cool beverage while waiting in line for attractions virtually at Volcano Bay.
When it’s time to cool down, head to Universal’s Volcano Bay, a water park like no other. There are thrill rides like Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides where you enter a transparent shoot and are plunged from the top of a volcano to the waters below. You can also chill by floating along the lazy river or relaxing on Waturi Beach. What makes Volcano Bay unique is that you don’t have to lug tubes around - they are waiting for you at the rides themselves - and the use of the TapuTapu, wearable technology that allows you to reserve your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy other experiences.
CityWalk
Milkshake menu at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Universal also features its own entertainment and dining district called CityWalk. It’s a great place to take a break from the parks and sample delicious food offerings – visit Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen for classic dishes, an all-day brunch menu and over-the-top dessert; buy souvenirs at unique stores; and enjoy a zany performance by the world-famous Blue Man Group.
Staying Onsite
The music doesn’t stop when you’re at the best pool at Universal - jam to music while swimming with underwater speakers at Hard Rock Hotel!
Universal Orlando Resort features eight on-property hotels categorized into various tiers. The new Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites are Value resorts; Cabana Bay Beach and Aventura are Prime Value resorts; Loews Sapphire Falls is the only Preferred resort; and Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel are the Premier hotels. All hotel categories offer a huge benefit - early access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay. While other guests are still sleeping, Universal’s on-property guests can enter the most popular section of the theme parks one hour early!
The Universal hotels also come with other benefits: resort-wide charging privileges using your room key - no need to bring your credit card to the parks; complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased at the parks to your hotel - no lugging heavy bags around while enjoying attractions; and free transportation from the hotels to the parks. Universal’s hotels all offer shuttle buses, and the Preferred and Premier hotels also allow guests to be transported via water taxi. As mentioned above, you can easily and safely walk from any of the Universal hotels to the theme parks.
Stay at Cabana Bay Beach with its private entrance into Volcano Bay water park.
Although the Preferred resorts are more expensive than the other categories. they offer Universal Express Unlimited which allows you to bypass the standby lines at the most popular attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as many times as you wish for the duration of your stay. With a value of more than $100 per day per person, we find that the additional cost of staying at a Preferred resort ends up being less than staying at a another hotel category and supplementing park tickets with the Express Unlimited option. Another bonus is that the Preferred resorts are in closer proximity to the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure entrances.
There’s so much to love about Universal Orlando Resort! What’s your favorite thing to do, see or eat while visiting?