Universal Orlando: The Vacation Families Need

There is only one place in the world where you can do all these things in the same day:

• Experience the pulse-pounding thrill of accelerating from zero mph to 45 mph in two seconds – and then go weightless.
• Wander through a land with no straight lines.
• Test yourself against your deepest fears – darkness, speed, fire, the unknown, flesh -eating scarabs – and come out laughing
• Be pampered, relaxed – or rocked – at the world-class hotel of your choice.

That is Universal Orlando Resort – the answer to what today’s families desire from a vacation. Universal is not a place where parents simply watch their kids enjoy the same 1970’s-era amusement ride they went on as kids. This is a place where the entire family screams, shouts, laughs and relaxes.

Orlando’s newest vacation destination pushes boundaries and goes where today’s travelers want to go – from exhilarating, high-tech thrill rides unlike any other to luxurious resort hotels that give guests an entire new outlook on life.

Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, offer some of the most popular attractions ever created. Its three on-site Loews Hotels, the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort are among the most highly acclaimed in the industry. And its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers some of the hottest, most recognizable entertainment experiences in the world.

Everything Fun Is So Close.

One key to Universal Orlando’s success is how easy it is to experience and enjoy everything the destination has to offer.

At Universal Orlando, “on-site” hotel means just that. The hotels are a stroll or quick water-taxi ride away from the theme parks and the entertainment complex, yet provide enough separation so that guests feel they have found the perfect retreat. The closeness of the theme parks to the hotels makes it easy for guests at Universal Orlando to be on the go or do nothing but relax -- all in the same day. It’s a destination where guests can spend the morning playing bocce ball near a semi-private pool at the luxurious Portofino Bay Hotel and then spend the afternoon screaming their lungs out as they rocket from zero mph to 45 mph in two seconds aboard The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

World-Class Theme Parks.

The Universal Orlando experience begins with its two theme parks. Along with Academy Award- winning producer/director Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal Orlando set out to change the way people think about and enjoy theme park entertainment. Its attractions are based on pop-culture icons and blockbuster films – creating experiences such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios.

The five themed islands at Islands of Adventure are home to some of the most technologically advanced rides and attractions ever made – along with some of the world’s most belovedcharacters, including Cat-in-the-Hat, Spider-Man and the Dinosaurs of “Jurassic Park.” And Universal Studios is the theme park where guests “ride the movies.” Its blockbuster attractions, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and Shrek 4-D are based on blockbuster film concepts and in close collaboration between Universal’s creative team and each film’s creative team.

Blue Man Group, the wildly successful live entertainment experience has come to Universal Orlando Resort. Blue Man Group is accessible from both Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios adds a new dimension in live entertainment for Universal Orlando theme park tourists and Florida residents.

The unique style of Blue Man entertainment has been experienced by more than 10 million people worldwide. They have entertained audiences of all ages with their live stage shows, their touring rock concert, television programming and albums.

Nighttime Entertainment and World-Class Hotels.

For nighttime excitement, there is Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex with a collection of some of the most powerful and popular music and entertainment industry icons ever created including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Emeril’s Orlando, Hard Rock Live and dozens more clubs, restaurants and shops. See a List of CityWalk Restaurants.

Helping to round out the entire destination experience are Universal Orlando’s world-class hotels. The luxurious Portofino Bay Hotel, a Loews Hotel, features 750 rooms and re-creates the famed Mediterranean village of the same name; the Hard Rock Hotel features 650 rooms and showcases the unique style of a California mission, complete with Hard Rock touches that range from classic rock ‘n roll memorabilia to bellmen with purple hair. The Royal Pacific Resort has 1,000 rooms and is designed to be the most exotic hotel in North America – complete with an orchid court and hand-carvings straight from Bali.

Luxury Never Seen at a Theme Park Resort.

The entire Universal Orlando experience is created to be seamless, to come together for guests in a completely hassle-free way. The destination is sweeping, but has been planned so that the two theme parks are adjacent to each other, and the hotels and entertainment complex are all within walking distance.

To make your visit to the theme parks hassle-free, you can purchase Universal Express Plus passes to bypass regular lines on most attractions. And as an on-site hotel guest, you can simply show your room key at each ride to receive and enjoy preferred access at no cost. And on-site hotel guests can purchase souvenirs in the park can have them sent directly to their hotel room at the end of the day. Now that's convenience.

For More Information About Universal Orlando.

Universal Orlando Website