Universal Orlando Resort: For thrill seekers, the place to be in Theme Park town!
With another new and exciting roller coaster ready to open, and more exciting rides than the other Orlando theme parks combined, these days the Universal Resort in Orlando has become an amazingly competitive alternative to the four major Disney parks for those who are genuine thrill seekers.
Universal Orlando Resort is divided into two major theme parks — Universal Studios, the original park, and Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios attempts to focus more on the experience of a true working movie studio, although its focus, just like Islands of Adventure, is still on thrill rides.
With major attractions such as Men In Black: Alien Attack, Revenge of the Mummy, and Shrek 4D, the age range for the park's target markets range from the very young to later adult.
Islands of Adventure separates their attractions into various ‘islands’, again, any with thrill rides, but also separate and distinct theming. Among the most popular rides are Marvel Super Hero Island, including the internationally renowned Hulk coaster; Toon Lagoon; Jurassic Park; The Lost Continent; and Seuss Landing, the one ride designed primarily for the youngest tikes.
There are three on-site resorts to stay at depending on how much you want to spend; the Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and the Royal Pacific Resort. Portofino Bay is beautifully themed as a sea side resort in the Mediterranean, the Hard Rock is music themed with a contemporary feel, and the Royal Pacific Resort has a Polynesian/Hawaiian mood. All offer complimentary transportation to the Universal Parks and City Walk shopping district. A great bonus to staying at their resorts is you are able to use Universal’s Express Pass lines. Express Pass is a shorter wait for major attractions that most guests pay up to $100 for so they don’t have to wait up to two hours for some rides. As a guest at the resorts on Universal property, you just show your room key, and you have immediate, unlimited access to the Express Pass Line!
City Walk is a shopping and entertainment center at the entrance to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It features an AMC movie theater, night clubs to suit everybody’s tastes, and restaurants for every palate.
For families of members in the Armed Forces, you have great offers available. You can save up to 40% on hotel stays and even car rentals. Universal offers one free 2-park, seven day unlimited admission ticket to all United States Active Duty, and Retired military service members with a valid military photo I.D. You can also purchase additional 2-park, seven day unlimited admission tickets with a valid military photo I.D. for up to $35 off the retail price. They are available at your base ITT office and at the Shades of Green Resort on Disney World Property. These tickets will also allow you complimentary admission to the Universal City Walk clubs (age restrictions apply) during the period the tickets are used. This offer is available through December 18, 2009.
It's best to go directly to the Universal Orlando Resort web site to get the best deal — too often competing sites are total rip offs, and there's no way to accurately determine which sites are genuinely backed by the resort. Discounts for food and lodging are also available on the site.
Park hours are typically 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they lengthen to as late as 9 or 10 p.m. on some summer nights and during holidays such as during late December.
- by Jim Brown , Orlando Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jim Brown Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.
