For thrills with all the frills, make it Universal Orlando Resort

If you’re after all the fun beneath the Florida sun, this sprawling resort with its world-class theme parks, five-star hotels and superlative shopping and dining should be on your holiday radar. Here’s why…

Easy as 1-2-3

Universal Orlando Resort is home to not one, not two, but a trio of exceptional theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park – making any visit three times as fun. But it’s not all thrills and spills. There’s plenty of chills, too, with excellent shopping and dining at Universal CityWalk, and no fewer than eight resort hotels to stay in, all just minutes from the action. This may be the ultimate playground for kids, but adults will love it, too. In fact, you’ll wish you’d booked an extra week.

It’s a kind of magic

Be under no illusion: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which spans two theme parks, is a must-do for Muggles, Witches and Wizards. The cobblestoned Diagon Alley™ at Universal Studios Florida, with its wizardry shops and multi-dimensional thrill ride deep below Gringotts™ bank, will have you spellbound. With a Park-to-Park ticket, your next stop can be Platform 9¾™ at King’s Cross Station for the Hogwarts™ Express to Hogsmeade™ Station in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Jump on a flying motorbike with Hagrid™ and venture into the Forbidden Forest looking for Fluffy the three-headed dog and a Blast-Ended Skrewt as you go. Post-trip Butterbeer™ essential.

Lights, camera… action-packed

It’s not only sorcerers you’ll meet at Universal Studios Florida – you can hang out with all the cinematic greats. Take a trip with Gru and the mischievous Minions on Illumination’s Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™, immerse yourself in a thrilling 3D Transformers adventure with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, and channel your inner agent at The Bourne Stuntacular, a cool-as-you-like fusion of stagecraft and film. And don’t miss Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™, a whirlwind of drops, swirls and loops – all set to your choice of music. It gives a whole new meaning to hitting the high notes.

Islands in the sun

Imagine a place where Super Heroes really do exist, where dinosaurs aren’t extinct and where you can always expect the unexpected. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is that place. As you journey from themed island to island, you’ll come across every manner of costumed adventurer, from comic book favourites to King Kong. Will you be saving the day with Spider-Man on Marvel Super Hero Island? Riding amongst Raptors on the white-knuckle Jurassic World VelociCoaster? Or capering with the Cat in the Hat at the wonderfully whimsical Seuss Landing?

Make a splash

You’ll have a blast at Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park. Modelled as a paradise island, it’s all swaying palm trees and gushing torrents, with Krakatau at its centre. Experience an eruption of excitement on water slides and raft rides, not least on the Aqua Coaster, which will see your canoe twist and turn up the volcano before plunging through a waterfall (hint: you’ll get wet). If you’ve come to this tropical oasis for something a little more sedate, book a poolside cabana, order a cocktail and soak up the Florida sunshine.

Life is suite

Stay amid the magic at one of Universal’s resort hotels, which come in four categories. For upscale luxe, book one of the three Premier hotels, each with its own vibe. The glittering Hard Rock Hotel^® is pure rock’n’roll, the South-Seas-inspired Loews Royal Pacific Resort is for sipping Mai Tais on the beach, and vita è dolce at the Italianate Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Whichever of the three Premier resorts you choose, guests receive Free¹ Universal Express Unlimited, so you can skip the regular queues in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (valid theme park admission required; not valid at Universal’s Volcano Bay).

Perks in the park

Whether staying Premier or another of the four resort categories, every Universal hotel guest will receive exclusive perks including Early Park Admission² to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay, plus complimentary transportation to all three theme parks and Universal CityWalk (valid theme park admission required; select attractions). You can even use your room key card to buy merchandise and enjoy free delivery of your new purchases straight to your hotel. All you need to do is come along for the ride.

Book your Universal Orlando Resort holiday

All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 Universal Orlando holiday now with a low deposit from just £75pp.

© 2023 Jurassic World Universal Studios and Amblin. Minions TM & © Universal Studios. © 2023 MARVEL. TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2023 Hasbro. Dr. Seuss properties TM & © 2023 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved. Hard Rock Hotel ® Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort TM © 2023 UCF Hotel Venture. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2023 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Terms & Conditions

1 Requires theme park admission. Valid only at participating rides and attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Not valid at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Excludes separately ticketed events. Park-to-Park admission required to board the Hogwarts™ Express. Benefit 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. Available during normal theme park operating hours only. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.

2 Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening for Universal’s Volcano Bay. Valid at select attractions at each park. Attractions are subject to substitutions without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

Have an opinion on The Club that you’d like to share? Let us know

This article has been tagged Advertorial, Adventure