Over the past few years, Universal Orlando has increased its offerings with new attractions, new theme parks, and new hotels! This year will surely be an EPIC year with the opening of Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe! Once Epic Universe opens this May, Universal Orlando will include four theme parks and 11 hotels. These additions will make Universal Orlando a multi-day stay. With awesome benefits, multiple pricing tiers, and a variety of hotel options, there’s never been a better time to book a Universal vacation package. Learn more about the benefits of staying at a Universal resort below:
Early Park Admission
One of the biggest benefits of staying at a Universal hotel is Early Park Admission. Early Park Admission allows you to enter Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure one hour before the park opens to day guests. Guests at Volcano Bay can also enter the park up to an hour early. Some of the resort’s most popular rides are available during this time, like the thrill rides at the Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, Minion Mayhem, and The Hulk. This makes getting in line up to an hour early a huge benefit! Attractions and parks rotate throughout the year, so checking the current Early Park Admission attraction list before your trip is important. Early Park Admission is available at Islands of Adventure from January through March 31, 2025. Available attractions include:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
- Flight of the Hippogriff™
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Ollivanders™
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™
Free Transportation
Getting around Universal Orlando is super convenient. All Universal resorts offer shuttle buses to and from CityWalk and Volcano Bay (even if the hotel provides alternative transportation methods). Many of the resort’s hotels are within walking distance of CityWalk, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure, including Universal’s top-tier Signature Collection hotels. Aventura Hotel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort are within short walking distance of Volcano Bay. In addition, guests staying at Signature Collection resorts can utilize complimentary water taxis.
Proximity to the Parks
Universal Resort’s layout allows quick trips between the parks and on-site hotels. Whether you walk, take a shuttle, or use a water taxi, you can get from your hotel to a theme park entrance in about 20 minutes. This means you’ll spend less time getting around and more time enjoying the parks! When Helios Grand Hotel, Universal’s newest resort, opens with Epic Universe, it will be the closest hotel to any theme park at Universal. The hotel is directly adjacent to the park and will have a dedicated park entrance just for resort guests!
Complimentary Unlimited Express Passes—Select Resorts
If you choose to stay at one of Universal’s Signature Collection hotels, you get free Universal Express Unlimited Passes every night of your stay! Express Passes allow you to skip the lines at many attractions at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as many times as you want in a day. To get this benefit of staying at a Universal hotel, you must book a stay at one of the resort’s Signature hotels: Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel®, Royal Pacific, or Sapphire Falls. The passes are given to everyone listed in your party for each night of your stay, including your check-in and check-out dates.
Don’t miss out on this incredible Universal hotel benefit. Call 1-888-678-TRIP to get started!
Merchandise Delivery
With free merchandise delivery to your Universal hotel, you don’t have to worry about lugging your purchases around the park, storing them in a stroller throughout the day, or planning your shopping for late at night when you’re about to leave. With this Universal hotel benefit, you can shop when and how you want. Go to a merchandise check-out counter with your purchases and ask a Team Member if merchandise delivery is available at that location. If so, your purchase will be delivered to your resort the next day.
Priority Seating at Select Restaurants
Signature Collection hotel guests get priority reservations at select restaurants across the Universal Resort. This can be beneficial when attempting to book the most in-demand restaurants during the busiest times of the year.
Fun Family Suites
Universal’s family suites offer spacious accommodations and lots of fun for kids! These suites have two separate spaces: a bedroom for adults with a king-sized bed, desk, bathroom, and loveseat and a themed bedroom with two twin beds. Royal Pacific Resort offers Jurassic World-themed suites where kids can sleep in their own Gyrospheres. The Future Rock Star rooms at Hard Rock Hotel include vibrant colors and rock ’n’ roll memorabilia inside the room. Minions fans will love the Despicable Me suites at Portofino Bay. If you want the space of a family suite without over-the-top theming, the family suites at Cabana Bay and Aventura offer affordable options with fantastic views of Volcano Bay and other parts of the Universal Resort.
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Universal Hotels with Wishing On A Star Travel!
There’s no doubt—EPIC times are ahead for Universal! With amazing perks, improved offerings, and new features added each year, now’s the time to book your Universal vacation! If you’re looking for something new to enhance your Orlando vacation after having “done” Disney, booking a stay at a Universal hotel is a great option! Our Wishing On A Star Travel travel agents will help you plan a fantastic Universal vacation. The first step is to get a free vacation quote!
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