10 Reasons You Need A Girls Getaway at Universal Orlando
In no particular order…
Universal Orlando Resort: There’s Something for Everyone!
I just returned from a 3-day trip to Universal Orlando Resort to do some exploring since it had been several years since my last visit. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much this incredible resort has to offer guests of all ages. There is truly something for everyone here!
First off, I cannot stress this point enough: I highly recommend staying at a Preferred or Premier Hotel if it’s within your budget. These resorts include Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (Preferred), Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel (all Premier Hotel). You may wonder what my reasoning is here… Not only are these hotels absolutely gorgeous and are loaded with fabulous amenities, but their main mode of transportation to CityWalk to get to the main entrances of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are via Water Taxi. This means you’ll be going through security at your resort just prior to boarding the water taxi rather than waiting in the security line at CityWalk where the vast majority of guests will be entering from. I was in awe taking the water taxi and seeing the lines and masses of people waiting to enter CityWalk to start their day of fun. You’ll save quite a bit of time this way.
In addition, staying at a Premier Hotel will give you access to Universal’s Express Unlimited lines in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Guests can pay $89.99 (or more!) for the Universal Express access per person, per day if they stay at a different resort, but this is automatically included when you stay at a Premier Hotel for all of your guests for all ticketed days of your stay. What does this mean? You essentially get to walk on to almost every attraction at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with little to no wait at all. Another huge time saver here – get more done in less time.
If a Preferred or Premier Hotel isn’t in your budget, that’s OK! I’m here to help you navigate through your Universal Orlando Resort vacation and will help you with all the tips and tricks I know. The Value (Endless Summer Resort essentially features two resorts in one: Dockside Inn & Suites and Surfside Inn & Suites) and Prime Value hotels (Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel) are also amazing. Have you ever stayed at a hotel with a bowling alley? Or with a lazy river at one of their two expansive pools? Or maybe a rooftop bar with incredible views of the entire resort and local area is more your speed? Every single hotel has its own vibe and perks, so no matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong. Some of these hotels even offer value-priced suites to accommodate families of up to 6 or 8 (AND they offer connecting rooms and suites if you need even more space than that).
While many think of thrill rides when they think of Universal Orlando Resort, I assure you as a non-thrill ride gal myself that there’s something for everyone here. You absolutely need to get a ticket with park-to-park admission to be able to hop on the Hogwarts Express to ride between Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. And if you decide to go the opposite direction, you’ll get an entirely different train ride going back to Hogsmeade from Diagon Alley. Even if you know nothing about Harry Potter, you’ll enjoy being immersed in the incredible atmosphere at both parks… oh, and don’t forget to try the ButterBeer and Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice (the ButterBeer is great but I’m definitely hooked on Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice).
There are attractions, shows, and play areas for even the youngest guests in both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Seuss Landing is a perfectly themed land for young kids to enjoy their Dr. Seuss favorites at Islands of Adventure, and kids will love having a dance party with some of their favorite Dreamworks friends in Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone at Universal Studios. Want to take turns going on some of the thrill rides that your kids can’t (or won’t) ride yet? Universal has family waiting rooms at many major attractions for your child swaps so nobody misses out on any of the fun.
Did I mention that Universal also has an amazing water park called Volcano Bay? If you opt for the 3-park ticket when you plan your vacation, you’ll be able to visit Volcano Bay as well to check out all the amazing slides, the lazy rivers, and kid water play areas. One of the coolest perks for guests visiting Volcano Bay: you receive a wristband when you arrive called TapuTapu. Want to ride a slide but don’t want to wait in line? No problem! Simply use your TapuTapu at the entrance of the slide and it’ll give you a time to return so you can go have fun (or relax!) while you wait for your turn. Talk about maximizing your time! Volcano Bay does have cabanas available to rent for the day if you’d like some private space to call your own, which can be especially helpful when you have children with you – or maybe a group of adults that want a home base for the day to live in luxury. You’ll be guaranteed a shady spot for kiddos to nap or for you to simply relax on your padded lounge chairs while your server brings you food and drinks from any of the dining venues inside Volcano Bay!
Speaking of dining, there’s no shortage of dining options throughout the entire Universal Orlando Resort. Whether you’re interested in a nice sit-down dinner in the parks, a quick breakfast on the go, or a leisurely meal at any of the resorts, you’ll find a little bit of something for everyone. I personally am a huge fan of the food at Mythos at Islands of Adventure. The Beef Medallions I ordered for dinner were definitely my favorite meal of the trip. The beef was so tender and flavorful… There’s a reason that Mythos has been rated the Best Theme Park Restaurant in the WORLD! I also enjoyed my chicken sandwich at the Leaky Cauldron at Universal Studios for lunch… it wouldn’t have been complete without Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice (did I mention how much I love that drink?!)
Wondering what you can do when you’re not in the parks? Every pool at each resort is amazing! Many offer zero-entry access for small children and have splash pads for younger kids to play in. And something that blew me away when touring the resorts… swim-diapers at all of the pools at the Universal Orlando Resort is COMPLIMENTARY! You just saved space in your luggage for extra souvenirs! If you’ve ever taken a vacation and had to pack diapers, you know what I’m talking about here. Want to stay at Hard Rock Hotel but really want to check out the pool with the lazy river at Cabana Bay? When you stay on-site at Universal Orlando Resort at a Prime Value, Preferred or Premier Hotel, you can pool hop! All of the resorts also have ping-pong tables and jumbo Connect-Four games to play in the pool areas (some also have pool tables and fire pits). Oh, and they have cabanas to rent at the pools of every resort (with the exception of Endless Summer.)
CityWalk is loaded with dining and shopping, but there’s also mini-golf and a movie theatre – perfect for evenings on your rest days after you’ve been splashing at the pool all day. Or check out Galaxy Bowl at Cabana Bay – you can grab a meal here and have some fun at their bowling alley. Sapphire Falls offers rum tasting at Strong Water Tavern. Hopefully, the Wantilian Luau will be back at Loews Royal Pacific Resort soon, along with the Caribbean Carnaval at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Check out the memorabilia at Hard Rock Hotel. Adults can enjoy the nighttime entertainment at CityWalk (Pat O’Brien’s is a fun dueling piano bar!) Or if you love a good karaoke bar, don’t miss out on the fun at Rising Star, also at CityWalk.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg… Let’s start planning your Universal Orlando Resort Vacation today!!!
Aly Hirst
Universal Orlando testing new Virtual Line
Universal Orlando has started testing a new system for getting a Virtual Line pass for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. They will be testing this new system through the end of July and so far it is only for one ride. Follow these steps to make your Virtual Line pass. Steps 1-5 only need to be completed once.
- Activate your Virtual Line account at https://vltest.universalorlando.com/#. For a smoother in-park experience, make your account before you go.
- Select your party size
- Enter your email and password- you can use your Universal account information if you already have an account for the app.
- Click accept and log in/create
- Review your selections and click confirm
- Click on the attraction you want to reserve
- Click get on and receive the time to come back
When it’s your time to go back, go to the ride entrance and click on the attraction. That will bring up your QR code for the team member to scan.
July 7, 2021 was the first day they had this new system and it is working better for everyone. The old system filled up quickly at the set times they released passes. The current system allows you to make reservations at any time throughout the day and also has times that the passes expire making it flow better. You do have to physically be in the parks, not just nearby like the previous system.
Kelly Van Eerden
Universal Orland Resort Expert
Universal Orlando Resorts
Universal Orlando Resort is known for action and thrills, but did you know that they also have 8 amazing resorts you can stay at, right in the middle of the action? Plus all guests staying at onsite resorts get Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one-hour before the parks open, whether you’re staying in one of the most luxurious rooms onsite at a Premier Resort, or staying in a family-suite at one of the budget-conscious Endless Summer Resorts in the Value category. When you shop in the parks, guests at any of the onsite resorts can send the packages back to your resort so you don’t have to carry around your purchases all day.
With theming and room types to suit all groups and budgets, there’s a resort for everyone at Universal Orlando Resort. How would you like to stay in an Italian fishing village? Or maybe you’d prefer to stay somewhere where the latest technology is? When you visit Universal Orlando Resort, these are just two of the several amazing resort options you’ll have to pick from… let’s check them all out!
Universal Orlando Premier Resorts
When you stay at one of the three Premier Resorts, you’ll get a few added perks that you won’t receive at the other resorts onsite. The biggest benefit to staying is having access to the Unlimited Express Pass which allows you to bypass the regular line at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Another advantage to staying at a Premier Resort is the proximity of these resorts to all that Universal Orlando has to offer. They are within walking distance and have a water taxi that drops you off in CityWalk near the gates of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
For an extra perk, stay in a club level room at a Premier Resort for complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, hot and cold Hors d’oeuvres, coffee, water, and soft drinks and more!
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Want to come back to a relaxing Italian fishing village after a day at the parks? Portofino Bay will be just the place to come back after a fun packed day at the parks. This resort will make you feel like you’re actually spending time in Portofino, Italy with sports cars, Vespas, outdoor cafes and shops on the breathtaking piazza. Portofino Bay has 3 separate pools to choose from; you can have your choice of lively or calming pools, depending on your mood. There are 9 different restaurant options to choose from including one serving gelato to help enhance your Italian experience. For a unique experience to treat the kids while still enjoying the Premier Resort experience, you can book a Minion-themed kid suite.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Immerse yourself in a Polynesian paradise when you stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. From the recently updated lobby to the island themed rooms, you’ll feel like you are actually in the South Sea. Royal Pacific has 5 different restaurants to choose from that will offer a variety of food to enjoy including a market to grab your food on the go. The pool has cabanas to rent for a day if you’re looking for something different on your day off from the parks. The pool area has a stationary boat with a fun splash area for families to enjoy. The pool area at this resort does not have a slide.
Hard Rock Hotel
Stay where the rock stars stay and live like royalty. At Hard Rock Hotel, you can feel like a rock star with great service and memorabilia all over the place. The theming even extends to the pool where you can listen to the tunes underwater while you swim. The pool offers cabana rentals to relax and recharge in during the day and has a slide for the kids (and you!) to enjoy. Hard Rock has 5 great options for dining including The Kitchen which you will not want to miss; The desserts here are some of the best! Hard Rock Hotel is the closest of all of the resorts to the parks. It’s about a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance of Universal Studios Florida.
Preferred Resort
This level currently has only one resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Hotel. A short walk from Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls also has water taxis as a perk for staying here. Another perk is you won’t need to worry about hopping on a shuttle to get to Volcano Bay — you’ll be able to walk there in just a few minutes.
Loews Sapphire Falls Hotel
Step foot into the Carribean while staying at Loews Sapphire Falls Hotel. From the moment you enter the lobby, you feel like you are walking into a Carribean island ready to relax and recharge. Beginning May 19, this hotel will be open to guests again. Here, you can spend a day at the 16,000 square foot pool. This pool has a water slide, cabanas to rent and a sandy beach to enjoy. There are four different restaurants at Sapphire Falls, including Strong Water Tavern which serves rare vintage rums.
Prime Value
Does the thought of being able to walk to an amazing water park sound like something that would peak your interest? When you stay at a Prime Value Resort, you won’t need to worry about hopping on a shuttle to get to Volcano Bay — you’ll be able to walk there in just a few minutes. From these resorts, you will be able to grab a shuttle to CityWalk where you can shop, eat, and enter Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Take a step back in time to the 1950s and 60s at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. There are many different activities to do at this resort, from bowling to picking time at your favorite pool, there’s enough for everyone to enjoy. There are two different pool experiences you can choose from, the lazy river and the Cabana Courtyard. The Cabana Courtyard pool Sihas a slide to enjoy and cabanas you can rent for the day. At Cabana Bay, there are six different restaurants, but the star of the show is Bayliner Diner where there is something for everyone.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Experience all the latest technology at the Aventura Hotel. Starting on July 1st when it reopens, take a look at the amazing views this resort has to offer of all three of the Universal Orlando theme parks. Aventura Hotel has four different dining experiences including Bar 17 Bistro which boasts amazing views from the rooftop of the hotel. This modern resort may be more suited for older kids and adults and has the smallest pool on property. It does however offer a small splash pad for younger children.
Value Resorts
Looking for a little extra space on a smaller budget? Staying at one of the two hotels within the Value Resort category can accommodate families with up to 6 people without breaking the bank. And you’ll still have the complimentary shuttle around Universal Orlando Resort and Early Park Admission to get you into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one-hour before the parks open.
Endless Summer- Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites
If you love the water and a good deal, these resorts will be a perfect fit for you. Surfside is a smaller surf-style resort, while Dockside is a larger beach-themed resort. At Dockside, you can find two different pools, a children’s play area, and beaches. Surfside has one surfboard-shaped pool. The biggest benefit of these resorts is the two-bedroom family suites. They offer one room for the parents, a mini kitchen with a picnic table to eat at, and two other queen beds for the kids. They each offer one main quick service restaurant, pool bars and pizza delivery. An added bonus at Surfside is the amazing view of the lake. Surfside is set to re-open on May 4.
Want to learn more about the resorts? Come join my Universal Groups on Facebook:
Portofino Bay: https://www.facebook.com/groups/universalportofinobayfans
Royal Pacific: https://www.facebook.com/groups/royalpacificfans
Hard Rock: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardrockorlandofans
Sapphire Falls: https://www.facebook.com/groups/universalsapphirefallsfans
Cabana Bay: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cabanabayfans
Aventura: https://www.facebook.com/groups/universalaventurafans
Endless Summer Resorts: https://www.facebook.com/groups/endlesssumerresortfans
Kelly VanEerden
Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Advisor
Now, more than ever, travelers are seeking assistance from travel professionals with planning their future vacations. With so much uncertainty in the world, having an expert in your corner helping you every step of the way not only helps to give you peace of mind when planning your trip, but it also ensures that you will be able to rest easy knowing that your Travel Advisor has thought of everything for you.
So, why should you use a Travel Advisor ?
- You won’t pay anything additional for your vacation package when you book with a Travel Advisor versus booking your vacation directly through the destination.
- Utilizing an expert that can personalize your entire vacation is truly invaluable; the expertise and knowledge you’ll gain from using an Advisor will help ensure your vacation is as relaxing and worry-free as possible!
- Using a Travel Advisor is a huge time-saver! There are way more important things you could be doing than wasting time comparing prices on countless confusing travel websites.
- Travel Advisors have access to quickly find deals and special offers that may not be clearly visible for you to find in your searches.
- You can’t beat the customer service when you book with a Travel Advisor . You’ll never get an automated answering service when you call your Travel Advisor . Need suggestions or help sorting something out? You’ll get through to your Advisor a lot quicker than you would if you booked through some of those websites you search through. And your Advisor will do everything they can to help you get what you need, stat!
- Your Travel Advisor will be your main point of contact from the time you start planning until after you return from your trip. They can also be as much (or as little) involved in the planning process as you’d like them to be.
- Not sure where you want to travel? Your Travel Advisor will help you come up with some great ideas for destinations, while also keeping your budget in mind.
- Your Travel Advisor will follow up and follow through to see that all of your special needs and requests are met whenever possible, as well as make sure you are aware about any deals that you may be entitled to.
- When you use a Travel Advisor , you can rest assured that in the event something goes wrong on your trip or you have an emergency requiring last minute changes, your Travel Advisor will be there to do the legwork for you so you don’t need to worry about any of that.
- Most online travel booking sites require you to pay your entire trip cost up front, regardless of when you book. When you book with a Travel Advisor , you may be able to set up a payment plan to make smaller payments over time.
Travel Advisors love what they do and truly value your business!
Aly Hirst - Gilbertsville, PA
Lead Travel Planner & Certified Autism Travel Professional™
Hi, I’m Aly Hirst, Lead Travel Planner with Living with the Magic Vacations! For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a Disney-obsessed gal. Even though I didn’t take many Disney vacations growing up, I can remember requesting the old vacation planning videos that Disney use to send in the mail; I would watch them over and over again to learn every nook and cranny of the Walt Disney World Resort as well as the Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Lines. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity in college to participate in the Disney College Program for a semester – who didn’t want to spend a semester of college living and working at the Walt Disney World Resort? (Bonus for me – I moved down to Orlando in January that year so it was the best winter escape for me from snowy New England!)
Epic Character Race Packages
nDisney runner and a long time Universal Orlando fan, I have been not so secretly hoping for a Universal Orlando race series. I started getting my hopes up last year with the inaugural Minions run at Universal Hollywood.
And then it happened. Universal Orlando announced their Epic Character Race 5k & 10k for February 1st and 2nd of 2020.
The races will consist of a 5k on Saturday, February 1st. This race will wind through Universal Studios Florida and hit some of the backlot. The 10k will be on Sunday and will hit both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
While the course maps and characters have not been released yet. It makes my Universal heary giddy to think of the potential run through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Through the Streets of New York and or Hollywood or the crazy curves of Suess Landing.
While the races are currently open to register for Annual Passholders only. Universal Orlando has released Epic Character run Packages that will allow non-passholders early registration access. With a minimum of a three night stay at Universal Orlando resorts you can secure your registration and have all the benefits of staying with Universal. Plus they truly have a price range for every budget.
There are options for both the standard registration and the VIP registrations for both the 5k and the 10k. The VIP registrations jnclude a Post race breakfast, commemorating water bottle and exclusive charcter meet and greets and photo op.
For non-runners Universal Orlando has got you too with the Epic fan registration which includes reserved seating and complimentary snacks to cheer on your favorite runner or just to watch the action.
It looks to be, ahem, an Epic time and you know Inaugural races are always the best. With the race distances being 5k and 10k, you don’t have to be Fast or Furious to take part
