Orlando

A guide to Universal Orlando Resort

By Eloise Barker

Four theme parks are better than one: that’s a universal truth. Help yourself to a blockbuster-sized portion of fun at Universal Orlando Resort. You’ll love Universal's fantastic hotels and huge helpings of dining and entertainment. Our inside guide tells you everything you need to know about making the most of your next holiday.

Start planning your Universal Orlando holiday

What's new

It's happening... Universal Epic Universe opens on 22 May 2025

The lowdown: Universal Orlando Resort is about to get even more epic.  Introducing a brand-new theme park – featuring five immersive worlds  –  only steps away from the spectacular Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. Get ready to be transported to the excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. 

Select tickets for Universal Epic Universe on sale now

Save up to 30%

Save up to 30% on your Universal Orlando Resort hotel stay when staying 7 nights or more*. Choose from all 11 Universal Orlando hotels including the brand new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel . Valid for selected 2025 travel. 

 

Valid for flight and hotel bookings when staying 7 nights or more on selected 2025 travel. Offer will show in red text should it be applicable. Price shown includes any discount. Subject to availabiity. T&Cs apply. 

Where to stay?

Stay at any of Universal's hotels and enjoy special access with your Universal Orlando Explorer ticket, giving you Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal Volcano Bay up to one hour before the park opens. (Valid theme park admission required. Select attractions.)

Value Inns and Suites provide a fun and affordable option, combining the convenience of a kitchenette in all rooms and suites so you can also self-serve. Or why not opt for Prime Value and lap up the comfort with more resort-style amenities. The Signature Collection is designed for those seeking more than quick-service dining and includes exclusive theme park benefits.

Stay for: It has its own dedicated entrance into the Universal Epic Universe. Say no more. The rooftop bar is pretty special too.

Per person,

Stay for: The biggest pool of any Universal Orlando hotel. You might be tempted by the rum bar, but kids will centre around the water slide.

Per person,

Stay for: The biggest pool of any Universal Orlando hotel. You might be tempted by the rum bar, but kids will centre around the water slide.

Per person,

Stay for: With its sleek design, smart-room technology and commanding views you're guaranteed a stylish stay.

Per person,

Stay for: Awash with a solar system of colours and spaceship-styled windows, this will be the launchpad for your Universal adventure.

Per person,

Stay for: You’ll find a charismatically retro hotel with two pools and in-room pizza delivery.

Per person,

Stay for: The warm colour scheme echoes sands and sunsets, and the natural woods are designed to make you feel like you're at the end of a pier.

Per person,

Universal Epic Universe

Celestial Park

The lowdown: It’s written in the stars that great days at Universal Epic Universe start at Celestial Park. This is the first world you’ll enter, and it’s where you’ll find portals to the other worlds. Before you launch into the rest of the park, launch into the sky on the Stardust Racers rollercoaster or ride the Constellation Carousel. Celestial Park is also home to Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which boasts its own entrance to Epic Universe.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Ministry of Magic™

The lowdown: Enter a magical corner of 1920s Paris, where fantastic beasts sneak into shop windows and put on magnifique shows at the circus. The Metro-Floo is the main mode of transport here, and it also just happens to move through time – travel to the British Ministry of Magic™ in the 1990s and walk through the huge, green-tiled atrium before boarding an omnidirectional lift on the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™

The lowdown: Experience many of your favourite video game characters like never before. From steering through iconic Mario Kart™ courses, to riding a mine cart through Donkey Kong Country™, to punching ? Blocks and collecting digital coins as you explore, it’s interactive fun for everyone. Discover SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Epic Universe.

How to Train your Dragon - Isle of Berk

The lowdown: Walk among Vikings and beneath flying dragons on the Isle of Berk. Meet Toothless, the cute but fierce Night Fury, in Haddock Paddock and learn how to ride a dragon – barrel rolls included – on the Champion Dragon Racer. Want to keep that high-flying feeling going? Board Hiccup's Wing Gliders to see Berk from a whole new perspective.

Dark Universe

The lowdown: Step through a crackling portal and enter a cemetery on the edge of Darkmoor village. Monsters dwell here, and so do thrill rides worthy of screams: head to Frankenstein Manor if you’ve got the guts and beware a full moon when you board the Curse of the Werewolf coaster. Iconic characters like Frankenstein’s Monster and the Invisible Man (if you can see him) even take time out of their scary-packed schedules for meet and greets.

Know this: Stay at either Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and enjoy FREE⁸ Universal Express Unlimited ride access. This means you can skip the regular queues in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure – less waiting, and more time by the hotel pool. (Requires theme park admission. Not valid at Universal Volcano Bay or Universal Epic Universe).

Universal Studios Florida

Best for: Your favourite films made into blockbuster attractions, including: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™ and epic rides with TRANSFORMERS and Illumination's Minions.

The lowdown: At the studios, some of the best attractions are old favourites and nostalgic classics. Speaking of old – dare to disturb an ancient curse on Revenge of the Mummy and you’ll be at the mercy of a rollercoaster in the pitch dark. Slide, jump and boogie into the worlds of Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Trolls at DreamWorks Land. Meet the main ogre himself at Shrek's Swamp Meet and train in the art of kung fu with Po in Panda Village. Ride a positively awesome Trollercoaster and enjoy sweet tunes and treats galore in the Trolls area – or head back to Shrek’s domain for a Shrekzel (a pretzel shaped like Shrek’s head).

Know this… Mmm… doughnuts… unleash your inner Homer Simpson in Springfield, where you’ll find some of Universal Studios’ most instagrammable eats: there’s even a real-life Krusty Burger. Or make Minion mayhem at llumination’s Minion Cafe and tuck into a sweet treat at Bake My Day.

Queues you want to stand in

Who said queues had to be mundane? The waiting area at Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™ has a deliciously sweet banana aroma.

For the brave hearted

Brave the Ohno Drop Slide and you’ll have something to brag about: this speedy ride spits you out six feet above the pool: you’ll spend your last few moments in freefall.

Get up close and personal

Pose with a raptor for the ultimate photo, Blue the raptor found fame in the Jurassic World films, but now she likes taking selfies with park guests.

Universal Islands of Adventure

Best for: The Incredible Hulk Coaster® that'll elevate your superhuman prowess and Jurassic Park Velociraptors who look alarmingly happy to see you.

The lowdown: Island-hop between super heroes, dinosaurs and a giant ape called Kong. That’s King Kong to you. At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™ launch straight into the stories with a forbidden journey and learn to love some odd magical creatures in The Flight of the Hippogriff™. Let Hagrid, the incredibly kind half-giant and Hogwarts groundskeeper, take you on a rip-roaring journey through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, a ride inspired by his flying motorbike. Who knows what creatures you’ll see? After your fill of fun explore Skull Island: Reign of Kong™ and take your Mary Jane on the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®.

Know this… On a hot day, triple up on the water rides. Head to the back of the park for the Jurassic Park River Adventure, then jump on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls® and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges®. Done all three? You’ve gotta be soaking.

Don't miss

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Universal Orlando is the only place in the world where you can experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at three parks connected by the wonderful Hogwarts™ Express⁴. Diagon Alley™ is at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade™ is at Universal Islands of Adventure. Faithfully detailed, right down to the last shrunken head in Knockturn Alley, the world boasts magic, excitement, and astonishing rides. Look out for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™.

Universal Volcano Bay water theme park

Best for: Staying cool and seeking thrills. Try the Ko’okiri Body Plunge – a 125 foot drop through the middle of the park’s ginormous, vertiginous volcano.

The lowdown: Universal Volcano Bay is a surprisingly innovative ‘water theme park’, which uses the latest tech so you can queue virtually. That means you can be on the beach, slurping a rainbow soft-serve ice cream whilst you wait. There are a whopping 19 attractions – that's a lot for a water park, so you can easily spend a full day here. There are two rivers – one is calm, but one rushes you around like a rinse cycle.

Know this… You’ll be given a waterproof wearable – called a TapuTapu – which holds your place in the queue for your next ride.

Discover more at Universal CityWalk

The lowdown: What happens when you leave the parks? It’s time for the delights of Universal CityWalk: where you find restaurants, bars, clubs, escape rooms and mini golf all in one crazy place, just across the lagoon from the theme parks. Bet you never thought you’d find somewhere mad enough to combine Burgers and Sushi- well, The Cowfish® Sushi Burger Bar does. Like your guacamole served with a touch more lime? They mash it in front of your eyes at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. Does your shower lack backing singers? Live out your karaoke dream at CityWalk's Rising Star or or request a song from the New Orlean’s style duelling piano bar and you’ll probably sing along anyway at Pat O’Brien’s®.

Universal Orlando Resort 

HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling.

Jurassic World franchise TM & © 2024 Universal City Studios LLC and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. © Nintendo. Nintendo trademarks are properties of Nintendo. Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. © 2024 MARVEL. The Simpsons TM & © 20th Television. Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2024 Hasbro. Jurassic Park and Jurassic World TM & © 2024 Universal Studios LLC and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. Dr. Seuss properties TM & © 2024 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends TM & © Ward Productions, Inc. Popeye © 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc. TM Hearst Holdings, Inc. Hollywood Drive-In Golf and associated logos are trademarks of Adventure Golf Design & Development, Inc. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. TM & © 2024 Par. Pic. Jimmy Buffett’s ® Margaritaville ® Jimmy Buffett. The Cowfish and all related logos TM The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, LLC. Pat O’Brien’s, Hurricane Glass logo, Have Fun and Iron Grill Design ® Pat O’Brien’s Bar, Inc. © 2024 Pat O’Brien’s Bar, Inc. ©2024 Voodoo Doughnut, LLC. TM & © 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. © 2024 Universal Studios. ©2024 Cinemark USA, Inc. Century Theatres, CinéArts, Rave, Tinseltown, and XD are Cinemark brands. “Cinemark” is a registered service mark of Cinemark USA, Inc. Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Live ® Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. Aventura Hotel TM & © 2024 UCF Hotel Venture IV. Cabana Bay Beach Resort TM & © 2024 UCF Hotel Venture II. Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort TM & © 2024 UCF Hotel Venture. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2024 UCF Hotel Venture III. © 2024 UCF Hotel Venture V. UNIVERSAL TM & © Universal Studios. ENDLESS SUMMER registered trademarks, Bruce Brown Films, LLC. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Early Park Admission 

Valid theme park admission and Universal Orlando hotel validation required. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to: (a) Universal Studios Florida and/or Universal Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando; (b) Universal Volcano Bay (weather permitting); and/or (c) Universal Epic Universe (opening 2025). Valid at select attractions at each park. Park-to-Park admission required to board the Hogwarts™ Express. Benefit is non-transferable. Parks, attractions, operational times, and offerings for the Early Park Admission benefit may vary and are subject to substitutions, change, availability, capacity and/or cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed. Additional restrictions may apply.

Universal Express Unlimited

Requires theme park admission. Valid only at participating rides and attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, during normal theme park operating hours. Not valid at Universal Volcano Bay or at Universal Epic Universe. Excludes separately ticketed events. Benefit is non-transferable and valid only for guests of Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, for the number of guests staying in the room for the length of hotel stay. Express ride access is a separate line with a shorter wait time at participating rides and attractions. Present valid room key card to the attendant upon entering the queue for a participating ride and attraction. Parks, attractions, operational times, and benefits are subject to substitutions, change, availability, capacity and/or cancellation without notice, and not guaranteed. Additional restrictions may apply

Save up to 30% on your Universal Orlando Resort hotel stay.

1. Savings of up to 30% at Universal Orlando Resort hotels applies to new bookings only and is applicable to the accommodation aspect of the booking only based on a minimum 7- night stay.

2. Savings apply to new flight + hotel holiday package bookings including a Universal Orlando Resort hotel in Orlando for a minimum of 7 nights .

3. All savings where stated are “up to” and are based on 2 adults sharing (unless otherwise stated).

4. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.

5. The specified offer will appear in red text during the booking process, should it be applicable as black out dates may apply.

6. Offer is subject to availability. Not combinable with any other offer, unless otherwise indicated.

7. To take advantage of the offer, holiday packages must be booked for selected travel between 1 January - 31 December 2025 inclusive.

8. All hotels and holiday packages are subject to availability. Additional resort/hotel taxes may apply.

9. British Airways Holidays reserve the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time.

10. British Airways Holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply, please see ba.com for details.

11. All information is correct at time of publishing online – 26 November 2023 errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).

12. All holiday packages are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. The British Airways Holidays ATOL number is 5985.

Terms and conditions

  • Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
  • Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
  • Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
  • Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
  • Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
  • Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
  • Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
  • Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply