Universal Orlando Resort is easily a multi-day destination, especially with its recent new water theme park, Volcano Bay, and everything to experience in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Our favorite way to maximize our time in the parks is by staying at an on-site hotel at Universal Orlando. The nearby hotels have some great theming, and also lots of perks for guests visiting the parks.
First of all, there are six on-site hotels at Universal Orlando. In the Premiere category, there’s the Hard Rock Hotel and the Portofino Bay Hotel. In the Preferred category, there’s the Royal Pacific Resort and Sapphire Falls. In the Prime Value category, there’s the Cabana Bay Beach Resort and the Aventura Resort. In June, the 1st half of the new Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, will open in the Value category, which will offer the lowest rates of any Universal property.
Early Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: This is a pretty sweet benefit. Guests staying at an on-site hotel get access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the public! This is a great way to hit the area’s most popular rides with little wait. The schedule for Early Admission can vary, but one or both areas of the Wizarding World participates in Early Admission daily.
Complimentary Transportation: All the on-site resort offer complimentary, continuous transportation to and from CityWalk, which is easy walking distance to the theme parks. Most of the resorts have boat access to CityWalk and those that don’t have bus access. All of the resorts are also walking distance (Cabana Bay’s walk is a bit long, though).
CityWalk Party Pass: If you’d like to party the night away at some of CityWalk’s best night clubs, then you’ll love the included CityWalk Party Pass. This gives you club-to-club access at select venues at CityWalk. Note that you must be 21 or older to enter most venues.
Complimentary Transportation to SeaWorld & Aquatica: If you’d like to spend a day at SeaWorld or their water park Aquatica during your visit, you can also take advantage of free, scheduled transportation from your resort hotel. Please note reservations are required.
Unlimited Express Pass (select hotels only): Premiere category resorts and the Royal Pacific Resort include complimentary Unlimited Express Pass for the length of your stay! This is a huge value that can be worth up to $89 per person, per day. Unlimited Express Pass is valid at most major attractions in Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, so you can make sure to visit all your favorite rides!
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I’m Elizabeth, and I’m a planner, a vacation enthusiast, and quite the nerd. Even better, I’m dedicated to helping you plan an unforgettable vacation without all the stress. I like to say that I specialize in nerd travel – to me, being a nerd has always meant being unashamedly passionate about the stories I love. This is why I love planning for my favorite destinations – these are places that can take you right into the world of your imagination and make it real. If you’re just a grown-up kid like me, you’ll love these destinations, too. Whether you’re imagining fairytale castles or adventures with wizards and dragons, I can help you make it happen! I’m putting all that I’ve learned about vacation planning and my nerdy love of fantasy to work for you, so that you can write your amazing vacation story. Visit my blog NerdTravelPro.com to learn more about how you can get help planning your next adventure, and come visit me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for even more vacation fun and tips. Contact me at elizabeth@theaffordablemouse.com to start planning.
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