Universal Orlando

Why would anyone go to Universal Orlando Resort and not do the rides? It’s a fair question, but, truth be told, this is how my husband and I typically experience the parks! After years of exploring (and practically growing up in) Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, we’ve got a whole new method for enjoying […]

Be the first to know about any future announcements by signing up for email updates! First, Universal unveiled Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure’s setting. Then the company gave us the new ride’s name, main character, and opening date. What more could possibly be left to discover? Well, how about the actual premise of the ride? […]

Be the first to know about when the Dark Arts show opens in Orlando by signing up for email updates! Inserting a projection-mapping show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is, arguably, one of the most clever developments we’ve seen come out of Universal across the past several years, if not longer – […]

One of the new imperatives that Comcast installed when it became the owner of NBCUniversal in 2011 is rather well known: open at least one new attraction each and every year, preferably at all three of the theme-park locations it fully controls (those would be Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort, and Universal Studios Japan, […]

Among the many diverse options across Universal Orlando Resort property, Jake’s American Bar at Royal Pacific Resort is one of my favorite restaurants. This location is fully themed and even has its own detailed backstory based on the legendary and fictitious pilot Jake McNally, who disappeared after a tremendous heartbreak. The in-depth theming, food, and service […]

It’s time for a little update on what is shaping up to be one of the single biggest projects that Universal Parks and Resorts has ever embarked upon in its roughly 55-year history. First, though, we should probably (quickly!) backtrack. Universal Beijing Resort, just the second full-fledged theme-park resort that Universal has ever made, was […]

Take our quiz and discover how well you know the former JAWS ride at Universal Studios Florida.  

One of the many perks of staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel is the chance to enjoy the amenities at all six resorts, no matter whether they fall in the category of being premier (Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort), preferred (Sapphire Falls Resort), or prime value (Cabana Bay Beach […]

Universal knows the value of not just a great vacation, but also loosening up and having a good time with your family and friends. Being a trusted adviser and patron of such things in the parks, I took on the oh-so-strenuous task of finding the best of what’s offered in the way of Universal Orlando […]

One of the age-old questions for theme parkers who are familiar with both coasts (or multiple global locations) is, “Does this park have what that park also has?” I have to admit, I’m guilty of the same question, and while I know the parks do their best to keep all locations just different enough to entice us on […]

It’s happened to the best of us. We plan a trip to the theme parks, take to counting down to the big day, and as the week approaches, our anticipation only grows – and then we see the weather report. There may be nothing that dampens (literally) your day more than the unpredictable weather of […]

The holidays are fast approaching. Vacation budgets are beginning to compete with turkey budgets, Christmas lists, and the cost of flying across the country to visit family. How are you supposed to collect memorable souvenirs from your Universal Orlando Resort trip without breaking the bank? Well, have no fear! I’m here to do the work […]

Loews Hotels, the company that manages all of Universal Orlando Resort’s various on-site hotels, started to experiment just a few years ago with two items that are gaining more and more traction among the public, particularly the younger demographic: handcrafted cocktails and limited-time, exclusive experiences (something which Universal itself has mastered, thanks to the likes […]

Universal Orlando is a thrilling themed destination, comprised of three wonderful parks that are filled with attractions and entertainment for people of all ages. With so much to do, it can be hard to determine just how to make the most out of a vacation here. And while what can be accomplished is directly related […]

Known for its thrills and adventure, Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect place to start the greatest adventure of your life! Whether you love to surround yourself with movie magic or you just enjoy Butterbeer, we can find you the perfect place to pop the question. 1. Ride photos Universal is famous for its larger-than-life […]

When planning a trip to Universal Orlando, one of the main concerns is, “How do I get around?” Universal actually makes this a breeze by offering quite a few different methods to explore. One of our favorite ways to head out for the day is the resort’s water-taxi service that brings guests from its on-site […]

It is no secret that Stranger Things, the hit Netflix original series, has been the flagship haunted house at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights – not only has it dominated the annual event’s social-media and press coverage, it’s also attained a place of prominence amongst its food and drink lineup and, of course, has garnered […]

It’s a beautiful day, and you and your family have finally made it to Universal Orlando Resort. You are eagerly making your way to the most anticipated ride; with every step moving quicker and each stride longer, you finally make it to the entrance. You are so excited to finally experience this attraction together. The […]

UPDATE 3:23 pm, 10.22.18: Universal keeps rolling out mobile order to more and more locations, and doing so in a much faster fashion than we had initially thought, just four short weeks ago – now four quick-service restaurants brandish the smart-phone feature, with more doubtless already in the pipeline. Each venue’s dedicated guide page in the […]

Editor’s note: special thanks to OI reader – and superfan – Libby Thomas for submitting the following article to us. Love Universal Orlando Resort? Don’t have a friend or family member with your same enthusiasm? Fear not, my friends – you can still go to your favorite theme park. Just do it alone! It sounds scary […]

Even though it doesn’t start for another two-and-a-half months, this year’s Halloween Horror Nights has already proven to be something of a return to form; the hallowed event used to be a more synchronized or cohesive affair, with a headlining icon that would set the year’s theme and tone both, with a set of haunted […]

UPDATE (07.29.18): during this year’s Midsummer Scream panel, Universal had a few surprises up its sleeve regarding the Killer Klowns from Outer Space scare zone – most, if not all, of the Klowns from the cult film will be represented on the streets of Universal Studios Florida, as will the infamous ice cream truck. Okay, yes […]

Scooby-Doo may be 49-years-old, but the franchise has managed to maintain a firm place in the pop-cultural landscape thanks to its nearly-infinite number of television series (which have continued on up through this year), films, direct-to-video releases, and spinoff tie-ins, which even include stage productions. Likewise, it’s already been 16 years since the two live-action […]

The original version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (located here in Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, but of course) has been remarkably stable across its eight-year lifespan, seeing only the smallest of – if any – changes. While this might initially seem like a rather standard state of affairs, given how infrequently Universal tinkers […]