If you aren’t a frequent visitor to the Orlando area, it’s easy to get confused about what different destinations may offer. Universal Orlando Resort is a completely different destination from Walt Disney World with its own property, hotels, and attractions. Read below to find out why you will want to visit Universal for your family’s next vacation.
Universal Orlando Has Three Parks
Islands of Adventure Park
This park includes Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade), Toon Lagoon, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, Skull Island, and The Lost Continent. There is fun to be found for everyone in your travel party! Dinosaur fanatics, thrill seekers, Dr. Seuss fans, super hero admirers and more! One section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade) is in this park, and includes a beautiful backdrop of Hogwarts Castle. You can ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Flight of the Hippogriff, Hogwarts Express, or Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey. In addition, you can watch shows, cast spells with interactive wands, dine at Three Broomsticks, and send a letter at the Owl Post.
Volcano Bay Water Park
This water park is like no other. Volcano Bay hosts winding rivers, slides for all ages, wave pools, cabanas & places to relax, beach area, dining, and more. Guests will receive a wristband known as TapuTapu, which can be used to hold your place in line, to capture photos, and to interact with features throughout the water park. The center of the park hosts the volcano, Krakatau, which is 200 feet tall and has a waterslide inside! You can enjoy numerous other waterslides, a relaxing beach area, cabana rentals, a lazy river, and splash areas for little ones. After you have spent all your energy in the water, you will have plenty of dining options where you can relax and enjoy.
Universal Studios
This theme park includes New York, San Francisco, Hollywood, World Expo, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley), Illumination’s Minion Land, and Springfield (Home of the Simpsons). Once again, there is something for everyone, all themed after your favorite TV shows and movies! Dragons, villains, celebrities and animated favorites … you will find them all in this park. The second section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley) is in this park. Both sections are connected by the Hogwarts Express. Once in Diagon Alley, you can dine at The Leaky Cauldron, experiment with interactive wands, ride Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts, meet the Knight Bus conductor, visit Gringotts Money Exchange, watch live entertainment, and explore Knockturn Alley.
Your Universal Orlando park tickets can include access to one, two, or all three parks!
In order to see all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you will want to visit both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. If you purchase a park-to-park ticket, it will also allow you to ride The Hogwarts Express between the two lands.
Coming in 2025 – EPIC Universe!
Your travel agent can help you decide which type of tickets might be best for your travel party.
Universal Orlando Has Eight Hotels On Site!
You will be staying right in the middle of all the excitement when you stay at a Universal Orlando hotel. Choose from value resorts, prime value, preferred or premier. You will have choices of standard rooms, water views, suites, and club-level rooms. There is literally a perfect option for each and every travel party.
Another perk of staying on site is that you will have Early Park Admission! This means your party will get to beat some of the crowds and walk through the gates one hour before official park opening! Either Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios will have early park admission during your stay. You can confirm which park will open early on your app. Universal’s Volcano Bay will also allow you to enter 30 minutes prior to park opening when Early Park Admission is available.
If you choose to stay at a premier-level resort, you will receive FREE express passes to skip the regular standby lines on most attractions!
All hotels on-site have boat or bus options to get to the parks easily. You will not believe how close all hotels and park are located to each other. It makes for such an enjoyable experience when you can literally walk a few steps and enjoy a completely new experience!
Value Hotels
Dockside Inn and Suites (Universal’s Endless Summer Resort)
Surfside Inn and Suites (Universal’s Endless Summer Resort)
Prime Value Hotels
Aventura Hotel
Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Preferred Hotel
Premier Hotels
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Hard Rock Hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
And get ready for TWO new hotels in 2025
Stella Nova Resort
Terra Luna Resort
Universal Orlando Has Attractions, Entertainment, and Rides for All Ages
Little ones can enjoy the kids’ play areas and slower rides. (Click here for our blog!) In addition, the whole family will find fun in the motion-simulated rides, parades, and shows. Above all, the thrill-seekers in your group will be ecstatic over the choices of coasters! There truly is something for everyone.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
We truly cannot say enough about this land and how incredible it is. It is perfectly themed down to the very last detail. You can find hidden secrets throughout, interact with magical wands, ride an amazing roller coaster on a motorbike, dine at themed restaurants, watch Molly Weasley’s favorite singer take stage, join Harry Potter on unforgettable adventures, purchase items with Gringotts bank notes, and completely immerse yourself in this magical world.
Universal CityWalk
Are you more into shopping and dining rather than riding a coaster? No worries … Universal CityWalk is for you. Find over 20 Restaurants, miniature golf courses, a movie theatre, shops, desserts, bars, live music, and much more. Additionally, CityWalk is right in the middle of all the hotels and parks so it’s convenient to everything! Hop over for a quick bite to eat, or spend a few hours exploring.
Ready to Book Your Vacation?
Click here for a no-obligation quote to visit Universal Orlando Resort. Don’t forget that there is NO CHARGE to book your trip with The Magic for Less Travel and you will receive a BOOKING BONUS as a thank you for working with us!
