Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort, sometimes known as Universal Orlando or just “Universal,” and originally known as Universal Studios Escape, is an American theme park and entertainment resort complex headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It is the world’s largest theme park complex. The resort is operated by Universal Parks & Resorts, a branch of Comcast’s NBCUniversal, which owns and operates the Universal Orlando Resort. Universal Orlando is the second-largest resort in Greater Orlando, after the Walt Disney World Resort, which is also nearby, with 541 acres of land. It is the second-largest resort in Greater Orlando after the Walt Disney World Resort, which is also close.

There are two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure), a water theme park (Volcano Bay), a night-time entertainment complex (Universal CityWalk Orlando), eight Loews hotels (Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel, Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites, and Surfside Inn

In addition to Early Park Admission into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay, all of the hotel resorts provide complimentary shuttle service to the parks. Additional benefits include a complimentary unlimited Universal Express Pass that may be used at participating rides at Universal Studios Florida as well as Universal’s Islands of Adventure when staying at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Similar products are available at Volcano Bay, Halloween Horror Nights, and Rock the Universe, among other theme parks.

As of 2017, Universal Orlando Resort had a total annual attendance of 21 million visitors, making it one of the most visited resorts in the world. With Walt Disney World only 15 miles away, Universal Orlando is the company’s flagship resort. The resort is particularly competitive with Walt Disney World, which is also a flagship resort of the company.

The resort has eight official on-site hotels with a combined capacity of up to 9,000 rooms. The Universal Orlando theme parks are within walking distance of all eight of the hotel’s locations. The hotels provide free water taxi or shuttle bus transportation to and from the Universal Orlando theme parks for their guests. The hotels are divided into four categories: premier hotels, preferred hotels, prime value hotels, and value hotels. Premier hotels are the most luxurious accommodations available.

Guests can travel between the onsite hotels, Universal Partner Hotels, the theme parks, and other local attractions using an organized transportation system that runs throughout Universal Orlando and the surrounding area. The system is managed by Mears Transportation.

It is possible to travel between the resort and other parts of Orlando via the LYNX bus system.