Universal Orlando

Location

Universal Orlando is in (duh!) Orlando, Florida

Phone

407-224-4233

Universal Orlando Ticket Info

Reduced price for children, ages 3 to 9. 2 and under are free.

Universal Orlando offers two basic ticket options: A 1-day, 1-park ticket to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure; or, a 2-park ticket with park-hopping access to both parks for up to seven days.
Save money and time. Get Universal Orlando tickets in advance of your visit. Buy Discounted Tickets Online, Direct from Universal Orlando.

Other choices: a 3-park ticket that adds the nearby Wet 'n Wild, and ticket packages that include SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Africa, and Aquatica through Orlando Flex Tickets. For additional fees (which are quite high), Universal Orlando offers guided V.I.P. tours (reservations recommended).

The resort also offers Express Plus passes, which grant quick access to most attractions. (Unlike Disney's Fastpass program, Universal does not offer complimentary line bypass tickets.) Prices vary for Express Plus according to the time of year.

When to Go

The general rule is to zag when everyone else is zigging. If possible, try to plan your Universal Orlando trip away from holidays, school vacations (especially the week between Christmas and New Year's), and the early summer. For more info, go to Making the Most of your Florida Theme Park Vacation.

Getting to Universal Orlando

• Airport Info:
  • The primary airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO).
    Search for Orlando International Airport fares at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
  • You could also fly in to Tampa International Airport (TPA) or the smaller Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB).
• Driving Info
  • Universal Orlando is located off I-4. The actual address is 6000 Universal Boulevard.
  • From I-4 East: To Exit 75A and follow signs.
  • From I-4 West: To Exit 74B and follow signs.
  • From Orlando Airport: SR-528 W to I-4 E to Exit 75A and follow signs.

Universal Orlando Hotels

In addition to convenience, guests staying at Universal's three hotels receive great perks including quick access to most park attractions by showing their room cards. Read more about Universal Orlando's Hotel Benefits.

• Portofino Bay
  • Luxury with an Italian Accent- Portofino Bay Hotel overview.
  • Portofino Bay Photo Gallery
  • Compare rates for Portofino Bay Hotel at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
• Royal Pacific
  • The Royal Treatment--at a Commoner's Price- Royal Pacific Hotel overview.
  • Compare rates for Royal Pacific at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
• Hard Rock Hotel
  Compare rates for Hard Rock Hotel at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

• Other Area Hotels
  Compare rates for Orlando-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

What's New at Universal Orlando

2009

• Universal's New Rip-Roaring Coaster- Read about the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida in spring 2009.
• In late 2009/early 2010, Islands of Adventure will be introducing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a lavish new land based on the wildly popular Potter books and films. Read more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
  Wizarding World of Harry Potter Preview Photo Gallery

2008
The Simpsons Ride

Holidays Events at Universal Orlando

• Holidays 2008 Overview
• Hummable Humbug at Universal Orlando- An About.com exclusive interview and article.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

• Halloween Horror Nights 2008 Overview
• A Bloody Good Time at Halloween Horror Nights- An About.com exclusive interview with Michael Roddy. Learn more about Bloody Mary and Universal's 2008 Halloween event from Halloween Horror Night's creative director.

Other Things to Do at Universal Orlando

• The nearby Wet 'n Wild is part of Universal Orlando. Ticket packages are available that include admission to the water park as well as the two Universal theme parks.
• There is a wide array of dining options at CityWalk, inside the parks, and at the hotels. Among the best is Mythos at Islands of Adventure, perhaps the finest restaurant at a theme park. It offers wonderful, adventurous food, incredible atmosphere, and prices that are surprisingly affordable. Other good choices include The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel (very pricey steak house), Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Hotel (pricey Asian fare), and Latin Quarter at CityWalk (reasonably priced Latin cuisine). For a quick meal and a change of pace, consider the brick-oven pizza at the Portofino Bay's Splendido Pizzeria.
• In addition to restaurants, the always-hopping CityWalk offers nightclubs, a stage with complimentary entertainment, retail shops, and a movie theater.
• The concert venue Hard Rock Live presents live music, and Blue Man Group has its own theater at Universal Orlando.
• In partnership with Royal Caribbean International, Universal Orlando offers "Way More Than a Cruise" land and sea vacation packages.

Universal Orlando's Theme Parks

• Universal Studios Florida- Overview of the movie-themed park. Includes ride reviews.
• Islands of Adventure - Overview of Universal Orlando's second park. Includes ride reviews.

Official Site

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Overview

With two theme parks, three hotels, the CityWalk complex, nearby Wet 'n Wild, and other diversions, Universal Orlando isn't as large or diverse as its mousy neighbor up the street, but it's pretty darn huge and packed with fun in its own right. Less cohesive and lacking the warm and fuzzy Disney touch, the Universal Orlando parks nevertheless feature some of the very best attractions of their kind on the planet, including Spiderman, the Hulk coaster, and Revenge of the Mummy.

Universal has a brash, in-your-face attitude. If the sweet It's a Small World defines Walt Disney World, the carnivorous Jaws sets the tone at Universal. Things are always blowing up and out of control on its attractions. The CityWalk complex always pulsates with energy. Underwater speakers at the Hard Rock Hotel's pool ensure that guests never miss a lick of a searing guitar solo. If it's solace you seek, head to the Bahamas. If you want to pump up the action, head to Universal.