Universal Orlando Resort
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Taken in December 2004, this picture shows a walkway bridge (right) and the giant studio entrance (back) at Universal Studios Orlando. |
Universal Orlando Resort is a
theme park resort in
Orlando, Florida. It is a joint partnership between
NBC Universal and
The Blackstone Group. The resort consists of two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), CityWalk (a nighttime entertainment destination), and three
Loews hotels.
When expansion occurred in 1999, the resort was dubbed "Universal Studios Escape". A massive ad campaign featuring
Spider-man, a
Jurassic Park Triceratops, the T-1000 from Terminator, and other intellectual properties featured at the resort was launched. The resort was renamed to
Universal Studios Orlando, then Universal Orlando.
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One more view of studio entrance, Universal Orlando Resort, FL. |
Universal Orlando is located at 28.475° -81.470, north of the
International Drive resort Area, on a parcel of land framed by
Interstate 4 to the south,
State Road 435 (Florida) (Kirkman Road) to the east, Vineland Road to the north, and Turkey Lake Rd. to the west. The resort is directly accessible from
Interstate 4 via Exit 74B, which empties eastbound onto Universal Blvd. and westbound onto Hollywood Way.
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Panoramic view of Universal Orlando Resort, FL. |
CityWalk includes the 20 screen
Loews Universal Cineplex, numerous restaurants, shops, and clubs.
Dining
*
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville*
Hard Rock Cafe (this is the second Hard Rock Cafe built on Universal property. The first cafe was built near the Psycho house, E.T. Adventure, and Fievel's Playground. Although the first cafe was considered to be one of the largest in the chain Hard Rock Cafe closed down the restaurant to reopen in an even bigger facility and alongside Hard Rock Live in the Citywalk section)
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NASCAR Cafe
*
Emeril's Restaurant Orlando
*
NBA City*
Latin Quarter* Pastamoré Ristoranté & Market
*
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.Entertainment
*
Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom
* Pat O'Brien's
* CityJazz
* The Groove
* Hard Rock Live
* Red Coconut (formerly Decades Cafe)
Shopping
* Tommy Bahama
* Cartooniversal
* Cigarz at CityWalk
* Dapy
* The Endangered Species Store
* Fossil
* Fresh Produce
* Glow!
* Quiet Flight Surf Shop
* Universal Studios Store
* TCBY
* Barney Shop
Universal Studios Florida, opened in
1990, is a theme park that lets visitors "Ride the Movies." The park (or theme park) offers many shows and rides, along with countless other things for guests to see and do. Universal Studios combined with its sister park, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and several on-site hotels, combine to make a complete vacation destination.
Islands of Adventure is a
theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened in May 1999 as an expansion to the Universal Orlando Resort and
CityWalk areas. The park is composed of six distinct "islands", each having its own theme.
There are three themed hotels with transportation provided to CityWalk by boat. With the exception of a walkway from Hard Rock Hotel, the hotels are otherwise not directly connected to CityWalk and the theme parks, though they are on the same parcel of land. The hotels are operated by
Loews Hotels. Guests of the hotels receive complimentary Universal Express access to bypass the regular queue at most attractions at the theme parks.
Portofino Bay Hotel
A recreation of the
Mediterranean seaside resort village of
Portofino,
Italy.
Hard Rock Hotel
A musically-themed hotel. (It is totally separate from Hard Rock Cafe, which is located in CityWalk between the parks.)
Royal Pacific Resort
A tropical,
South Pacific themed hotel.
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Official Resort Site*
Universal Orlando Resort on Google Maps*
Universal Excitement - Fan site
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islandsofadventure.com - Fan site
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Port of Adventure - Fan site
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Universal Ignited - Fan site
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IOA Central - Fan site
*[
1]-Official site; formerly Universal Studios Escape page.
