We would like to welcome Tiffany, who brings us a great article about staying on-site at Universal Orlando Resort!
Universal Orlando Resort is a wonderful place to take a family vacation. There is something for everyone to enjoy. There are two parks right next to each other with the incredible CityWalk connected to both of them.
CityWalk is filled with restaurants and many great places to spend a fun evening. Universal has partnerships with many other attractions around the Orlando area too. With so much to offer, Universal would be a great place for you to take your next family vacation, but that’s not even the best part. The perfect way to make your vacation one to remember is to stay on property.
Currently Universal Orlando Resort has four hotels to offer their visitors. All four hotels offer early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They are also within walking distance of Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. All four hotels offer shuttle bus transportation to the parks and CityWalk. There are three deluxe hotels. These three hotels also offer complimentary water taxis, along with priority seating at select restaurants and Universal Express ride access in the parks.
The first of the three deluxe hotels is Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. The theme of this hotel is the Italian Riviera. You will be immersed in Italy the moment you walk in. From the cobblestone streets to the outdoor cafes, everything about this hotel stays in the theme. The hotel rooms are spacious and luxurious. There is a spa onsite, three pools, and 8 restaurants, including a Starbucks. Portofino also has 24 hour room service you can enjoy. If the romance and charm of Italy is not for you, then maybe you will enjoy the second deluxe hotel.
The Hard Rock Hotel takes their guests in a completely different direction. You can live your rock and roll fantasy while you party like a celebrity. To begin with, The Hard Rock Hotel has over $1 million worth of memorabilia on display. Imagine the photo ops! Outside is the pool, with a sand beach, fountains, and slide. Plus, it has underwater speakers playing music! There are 5 restaurants to enjoy, including The Palm Restaurant and The Kitchen. Room service is available 24 hours for rock stars that like to take a quiet night in their room. For 10 months out of the year, you can also enjoy Velvet Sessions on the last Thursday of the month. The Velvet Bar hosts with live music from well-known artists. But if the rock star life is not for you, check out the third deluxe hotel.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort will have you feeling like you’ve just stepped into a tropical paradise. Enjoy the beauty of the South Seas with palm trees and gorgeous flower displays, complete with a torch lighting ceremony and even a luau. The lagoon-style pool will transport you to island time with its white sandy beaches. Just kick back and relax, soaking in the sun, or enjoy a game of ping pong or shuffleboard with the family. When you’re ready to eat, Royal Pacific offers 6 restaurants. Make sure you take a night at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop and enjoy Emeril Lagasse’s take on Asian and Polynesian cuisine.
For the more budget conscious, Universal Orlando Resort includes a brand new hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. This resort will transport you back in time. The retro theme is evident as soon as you get to the front door. With its moderate and value price plus family suites, it is a perfect place for a family to have a wonderful vacation together. The suites sleep up to 6 people, great for larger families, and contain kitchenettes.
The Cabana Bay Resort has two pools, one in each courtyard, both complete with a sand beach and zero entry. The north courtyard pool features a waterslide while the south courtyard pool boasts a lazy river. But if you get tired of swimming, Cabana Bay also has a 10-lane bowling alley, called Galaxy Bowl. While you’re perfecting your game, you can enjoy the full-service restaurant as well. In addition to the restaurant at Galaxy Bowl, you can also take a meal at the Bayliner Diner food court.
If these options aren’t enough for you, Universal will be adding a fifth hotel to their resort in 2016. The Caribbean themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will offer waterfalls, a white sand beach, a water slide, and many more dining options to choose from. It will be located between Cabana Bay and Royal Pacific. No word on when reservations will be available, but it is set to open in the summer of 2016.
By staying at one of these fine hotels, you will be steps away from the action. All the hotels are within walking distance of both parks and CityWalk. You’ll be able to get in the parks early to enjoy Harry Potter for an hour before the general public. With the popularity of Harry Potter right now, that hour could be the difference between getting to ride your favorite ride or standing in an hour long line later.
You will also be entitled to charging privileges with your room key, as well as complimentary delivery of things you buy in the parks. But the best part of staying on Universal property is getting to take advantage of the package deals offered. By booking a package you can save money on your hotel, park tickets, dining, and other activities listed as add-ons. Plus, everything is in one place, on one reservation. It takes the stress out of vacationing when everything is already in place. You can just check in and start enjoying your time at the Universal Orlando Resort.
So take a chance and stay on Universal property the next time you visit. I’m confident that you will have a great time. Hope to see you there!
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