Universal Orlando -- the other multiple-park multiple-day theme park destination in Orlando-- has two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida; the CityWalk area of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues; and three hotels, the Portofino, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort. (Guests get fast-lane ride access!) All are connected by walkways and by waterways with free water-taxis.
1. Universal Orlando - Islands of Adventure Theme Park
Parents with small kids will want to spend time in Seuss Landing or in the gigantic Camp Jurassic play zone. Teens and 'tweens will spend the day in an adrenaline rush, hitting the thrill rides such as The Hulk and the Dueling Dragon coasters. Spiderman "ride" is good fun too.
2. Seuss Landing, Islands of Adventure
This area of the Islands of Adventure is great for little kids, completely themed around the beloved books of Dr. Seuss. You might find the Grinch here, for Grinchmas, during the Holiday Season.
3. Universal Studios Florida
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando .
This theme park at Universal Orlando has plenty of move-based attractions that kids will love: ET, the Revenge of the Mummy "dark ride", the Simpsons Ride, Jaws, and plenty more.
4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Finally, Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a sixth "island" area in Islands of Adventure, called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter", completely themed to Harry Potter. Opening will be in 2010.
5. Universal Orlando: Holiday Celebrations
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Universal Orlando has two major Holiday Season special events: at Universal Studios Florida, the nightly Macy's Holiday Parade has giant balloons and floats from the famous Thanksgiving parade in New York; and over at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure, get ready for Grinchmas.
6. Mardi Gras Weekends at Universal Orlando
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Every year, at Universal Studios Florida, Mardi Gras is celebrated with a 10-block parade, live music, and more, on weekends from early-February to mid-April. (Dates change every year, depending on when Easter and Mardi Gras occur.)
7. Blue Man Group
Photo by Ken Howard © BMP.
Blue Man Group is a performance by, well, blue men: an indescribable mix of mime, percussion, and antics involving the audience. Blue Man Group can be seen in New York City, Las Vegas, London, and other venues -- including Universal Orlando. Blue Man Group has a special theater in Universal Studios Florida, but performance-goers can get to the theater directly from CityWalk (no need for a ticket to the theme park.)
8. Universal Orlando Resorts: Hard Rock Hotel
The Hard Rock brand is famous for Hard Rock Cafe's filled with rock music memorabilia. This family-friendly resort has rock band theming, location close just a short walk from Universal Studios Florida, fast-lane access to top theme park attractions, frequent boat shuttles to CityWalk, large free-form pool with waterslide and sandy beach.
9. Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel
the Portofino Bay Hotel -- modeled on the town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera -- has a lovely harbor, photogenic architecture, and some cute Italian details; multiple restaurants and lounges; large beach pool with water slide, kiddie pool, quiet pool; kids' club, and all the conveniences (boat shuttle, fast-lane access to attractions) noted above.
10. Royal Pacific Resort
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.
As at the other two hotels in the Universal Orlando complex, guests at the Royal Pacific Resort can reach the parks by walkways or boat shuttles, and get fast-lane access to popular rides. The Royal Pacific has beautiful South Pacific landscaping and decor, waterfalls, large beach pool with a waterplay area.
