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Universal Orlando

Florida Theme Park Resort

By Arthur Levine, About.com

Universal Orlando's globe icon at the entrance to Universal Studios Florida.

©Arthur Levine, 2008. Licensed to About.com.

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), a little over an hour away.
      Search for Tampa Airport fares at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
    • You could consider the smaller Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), about a half hour northeast of Universal Orlando.
      Search for Sanford Airport fares at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
  • 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.

What's New at Universal Orlando

New for 2009

New for 2008
The Simpsons Ride
Homer, Bart, Marge, and the rest of The Simpsons gang bring their enduringly popular, unique, and often hilarious worldview to Universal Studios Florida.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

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.

Universal Orlando's Theme Parks

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.

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