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Showing posts from June, 2021

T-Rex Restaurant

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of a pre-historic world when you explore T-REX, a dinosaur-themed cafe overflowing with hands-on discovery zones and creative cuisine. Guests will travel back 200 million years for a Jurassic adventure and megalosaurus-sized eats. Squawking pterosaurs, wooly mammoths, a massive octopus, and life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, including a 15 foot-tall T-Rex, make for a roaring good time. With themed rooms depicting diverse primordial landscapes from a color changing ice cavern to a fern forest budding with giant wasps, you can spend ages wandering from area to area. Every 20 minutes or so, witness a meteor shower complete with rumbling and fiery explosions. From salads to steaks, you can tear into tasty tectonic plates that every creature in your family will enjoy...

Sapphire Falls Resort

Escape to an island paradise at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. From the stone turret in the lobby to the inviting charm of each room and suite, you're surrounded by a vivid and textured haven that is inspired by landmarks of the islands. Blue waterfalls cascade over lush grounds and in the distance, the calming sounds of steel drums call you to take in the scenic views, ease into island time, and let go. Amid the beach area, palm trees, and pool you'll find Caribbean-themed dining options, including a contemporary watering hole offering rare vintage rums. And each day, the exclusive benefits of staying in Universal are yours to enjoy. Sapphire Falls offers standard, lagoon, and pool view rooms with either 2 queen beds or a king bed and a pull out sofa. The 2 queen rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests when a rollaway is requested (additional charge). Kids, king, Sapphire, hospitality, and presidential suites are available for those who prefer to have a little more space to spread ...

Endless Summer Resort

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites - is the newest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort. While the resorts offer the same amenities and room types, the main difference is the theming of each resort. With plenty of standard rooms and spacious, two-bedroom suites that sleep six, it’s a great spot for families of any size to base their Universal vacation. Inspired by sand, sea, and breathtaking sunsets, Dockside Inn has a coastal vibe and comes with all the fun and convenience of staying with Universal—including awesome theme park benefits.  The rooms at both Dockside and Surfside are themed a bit differently, but have the same layout in both the standard room and the 2-bedroom suite. The classic rooms with two queen beds come in a standard view or pool view. Families will feel like they are at a beachy retreat in the spacious, 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to six guests. The suites include a kitchenette area, a cool picnic t...

Raglan Road

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. The Walt Disney World Resort offers a number of opportunities to experience snippets of different countries throughout the property. One such experience that does not require a park ticket is the dining at Raglan Road. From the moment you cross the threshold, you are whisked away to the pubs and streets of Ireland. A meal at Raglan Road, located in Disney Springs, is a treat for each of your senses: the sounds of traditional and modern Irish Folk music; the feel of wood that has served as a landing spot of hospitality on two sides of the Atlantic; the sights of amazing footwork of the Irish step dancers; the smell of fresh fish and chips, bangers and mash, or shepherd’s pie; and the tastes of flights of beer from four of Ireland's provinces. And be sure to leave room for dessert - the bread & butter p...

Universal Express Passes 101

Do you LOVE amusement parks? Do you dislike lines? Do you love to feel like a VIP? Universal Express passes are the PERFECT way to experience Islands of Adventure and Universal---without the long waits! You can achieve this in a few ways! The first and best option is to stay at an onsite Universal Hotel. 3 of the onsite hotels provide UNLIMITED turns in the express lines, simply because you are a guest of that hotel. These hotels include: Loews Royal Pacific Resort Loews Hard Rock Hotel Loews Portofino Bay Resort The 2nd way is to purchase an express pass to work with your ticket for an added cost. Universal Express Passes allow guests to skip the regular standby line – and use a special Express Pass line – at most of the attractions in the 2 park system. Express Passes provide you a “cut the line” sort of VIP experience with around a 15 minute wait time. (In my experience, I have never waited over 10 minutes while in the Express Line.) There are basic Express Passes where you get 1 ...

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Get swept away to a place filled with tropical wonders, exotic food and carefree fun at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. A sparkling lagoon-style pool surrounded by a white sand beach and palms invites you to escape the hectic theme parks. Delectably innovative food and drinks delight every palate. Curl up in the comfort of your elegant island room or suite. Enter this tranquil South Seas retreat, leave the rest of the world behind, and unwind with all the benefits of being a Universal Orlando hotel guest. Whether you’re looking for standard rooms, club level rooms, or suites, Royal Pacific has a room for every travel party. The standard rooms, with two queen beds, come in garden or water view. These rooms can accommodate a fifth guest with a rollaway bed, offered at an additional charge per night. Guests get additional perks when upgrading to club level rooms or suites. You’ll get personalized concierge service, plus access to the private Royal Club Lounge, featuring complimentary continen...

Aventura Hotel

Updated 7/26/2022 Be sure to request a Resort Guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules. Looking for a modern and stylish place to stay? Universal's Aventura Hotel offers exclusive theme park benefits, is within walking distance of Universal's Volcano Bay, offers great views of all three Universal Orlando theme parks, and is underscored by a design that is vibrant, free-flowing, and calming. It's your chill zone, your party place, your hangout, your refuge. And I might add..... it's just plain cool. The rooms and suites of Universal’s Aventura Hotel provide a serene, modern environment in which to rest the mind and body. Uncomplicated, clean, and bright, these accommodations are at once contemporary and engaging. Standard and deluxe rooms at Aventura offer 2 queen beds or a king bed and sleeper sofa. The deluxe rooms are a bit bigger than the standard rooms. The kids suite sleeps up to five guests ...

Grand Floridian Cafe

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Victorian Charm with a View - Drink in the views of the Grand Floridian Resort's rose gardens and courtyard pool as you dine on luxurious favorites. Open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Grand Floridian Cafe is a hidden gem that offers moderately priced cuisine with maximum flavor. Start your day with a casual mix of breakfast and lunch favorites they like to call "Blunch.” Menu offerings include Eggs Benedict, signature Lobster ‘Thermidor’ Burger, and freshly prepared salads, soups, and sandwiches. Some of the same selections are available for dinner, with the addition of hearty entrées like New York Strip Steak, Buttermilk-Fried Chicken, and Mizo-Glazed Salmon. If you’ve saved room for dessert, you can indulge in house-made goodies from the Grand Floridian Bakery. The Glowing Character Punch, served...

10 Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando

Many people are very familiar with the Walt Disney World Resort and the top tips and tricks for visiting, however, the same is not always true for Universal Orlando, so we wanted to make sure you were prepared with our top 10 tips for visiting the Universal Orlando Resort! 1. Don’t take a large backpack Many, if not most, of the attractions require guest to put their personal belongings in a locker before getting on the ride. This is not optional, so there are complimentary lockers provided at these select attractions. The lockers are approximately 8in x12in and can’t accommodate a larger bag. If you need to rent a larger locker, the cost is $2, which I'm sure you'd rather spend on some goodies at Honeydukes instead. 2. Take advantage of the Coke Freestyle mug If you are a soda drinker, the Coke Freestyle mug is a great value for your park days. Refill locations can be found all throughout the parks, unlike the Disney World Resort mugs, which can only be refilled at - you gues...

Hard Rock Hotel

Updated 7/26/2022 Be sure to request a Resort Guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules. Live like a rock star and savor the perks of rock ‘n’ roll royalty with impeccable surroundings, posh laid-back style, and show-stopping service when you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. Supremely talented chefs offer culinary nirvana from a famed steakhouse to delicious American classic cuisine. The California mission-style design—inspired by classic rock music—welcomes you to escape to a sensational world with a palm-lined swimming pool featuring underwater music, rock memorabilia, and recreation featuring live music—including some famous names. Your stay here rocks even more, because you get all the exclusive benefits of staying in Universal Orlando. Hard Rock Hotel’s standard guest rooms blend comfort and style in garden and pool view rooms. The deluxe rooms are oversized for maximum comfort and inc...

Maya Grill

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Savor the flavors of Mexico at Maya Grill, serving dinner daily. Here, the essence of ancient Mexico greets you in a majestic dining room accented by the welcoming Mayan motifs of fire, sun, and water. A glance at the menu reveals a delicious array of traditional platters and chef's specialties like Fajita Skillets and Baja Fish Tacos. Follow your entrée with desserts such as the Fried Baby Churros, Impossible Cake, or Sorbet.     At Maya Grill, there's something sweet and savory to satisfy most every palate. Maya Grill offers some unique Chefs Specialties, like Adobo Half Chicken, Sous Vide Short Rib, Chicken Enchiladas, and the Queso Fundido Burger. Maya Grill also offers wines and handcrafted cocktails. Maya Grill is located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. If you are traveling from a Dis...

Portofino Bay

Updated 6/18/2022 Be sure to request a Resort Guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules. Experience La Dolce Vita - the sweet life - at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort. Guests can relax in surroundings inspired by the beauty, romance, and charm of the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy. Wonderfully appointed rooms and suites welcome families home each day. Tempting outdoor cafes and shops dot the piazza around a serene harbor. Three enticing pools offer every level of relaxation. Incredible restaurants tempt every palate with flavorful culinary tours of Italy. Guests of the hotel also enjoy exclusive Universal Orlando Resort benefits. Portofino Bay offers standard rooms with garden or bay views. These rooms sleep up to 4 guests, and a 5th guest can be accommodated in a rollaway bed (additional charge). If you are looking to upgrade your experience, indulge in a club level roo...

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Updated 7/30/2022 - Be sure to request a resort guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules. Enjoy vibrant, retro style with rooms and suites brilliantly designed for fun and affordability at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Relax with a splash, surrounded by amazing iconic architecture inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s and sample a variety of options in the incredible food court. Every day comes with fun for all ages with two massive pools, a winding river, a bowling alley, and more. Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers standard rooms with two queen beds that sleep up to four guests. Family suites sleep up to six guests with two queen beds and a pull out sofa. The suite includes a sliding privacy partition and a compartmentalized bathroom layout so that three people can get ready at once. The suites include a kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. If you have your ...