The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2017

Seth Kubersky has worked for more than 20 years as a theatrical artist, culture critic, and travel journalist. In addition to coauthoring The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, & the Best of Central Florida, Seth is also a contributor to The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas. Kubersky also writes for TouringPlans.com and Orlando Attractions Magazine. Every week, you can read Seth's coverage of Orlando's art and entertainment scene in his column Live Active Cultures, featured in each issue of the Orlando Weekly, Central Florida's leading alternative newspaper. Seth lives in downtown Orlando, FL, with his wife, Genevieve, and their cat, Brubeck.

List of Maps VII

About the Authors VIII

Dedication IX


Introduction

Why “Unofficial”? 1

Universal Orlando: An Overview 7

UNIVERSAL LEXICON IN A NUTSHELL 18–19

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR 19

CRITICAL COMPARISON OF ATTRACTIONS FOUND AT BOTH UNIVERSAL
STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD AND UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 24


PART ONE Planning Before You Leave Home 25

Gathering Information 25

IMPORTANT UNIVERSAL ADDRESSES 26

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO PHONE NUMBERS 27

Timing Your Visit 28

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO CLIMATE 31

Allocating Money 34

UNIVERSAL VS. WDW ADMISSIONS 35

Making the Most of Your Time and Money at Universal Orlando 44


PART TWO Accommodations 68

The Basic Considerations 68

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels 101 71

Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Services and Amenities 74

Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Profiles 79

Universal Orlando Vacation Packages 89

Off-Site Lodging Options 92

Hotels and Motels: Rated and Ranked 109

A Word About Toll-Free Telephone Numbers 112

The 30 Best Hotel Values 112

THE 30 BEST HOTEL VALUES 113

HOW THE HOTELS COMPARE 114–117

HOTEL INFORMATION CHART 117–124


PART THREE Arriving and Getting Around 125

Getting There 125

Getting Oriented 134


PART FOUR Bare Necessities 138

Money, Etc. 138

Problems and Unusual Situations 140

Services 145

Universal Orlando for Guests with Special Needs 153


PART FIVE Universal Orlando with Kids 160

It’s a Small Universe, After All 160

About The Unofficial Guide Touring Plans 164

Stuff to Think About 165

Strollers 166

Lost Children 169

Universal, Kids, and Scary Stuff 170

SMALL-CHILD FRIGHT-POTENTIAL TABLE 172–174

POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC ATTRACTIONS FOR GROWN-UPS 176

ATTRACTION HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS 177

Universal Characters 179

CHARACTER-GREETING LOCATIONS 182

Babysitting 183


PART SIX Dining and Shopping at Universal Orlando 184

Character Meals 187

Universal Orlando Dining Plans 188

Fast Food in Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks 189


TOP SIX SNACKS OUTSIDE THE WIZARDING WORLD 194


Universal Orlando Quick-Service Restaurant Mini-Profiles 198

Universal Orlando Full-Service Restaurant Profiles 213

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE 214–215

TOP SIX MILK SHAKES AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 220

Dining Near Universal Orlando 238

Shopping at Universal Orlando 239

Shopping Near Universal Orlando 243


PART SEVEN Universal Studios Florida 245

Getting Oriented at Universal Studios Florida 246

Universal Studios Florida Attractions 247

Live Entertainment at Universal Studios Florida 280

Special Events at Universal Studios Florida 283

Universal Studios Florida Touring Plans 295


PART EIGHT Universal’s Islands of Adventure 299

Getting Oriented at Universal’s Islands of Adventure 302

Universal’s Islands of Adventure Attractions 303

Special Events at Universal’s Islands of Adventure 333

Universal’s Islands of Adventure Touring Plans 334


PART NINE Universal Orlando CityWalk 336

Arriving and Parking 337

Admission Prices 337

Contacting CityWalk 340

CityWalk Clubs 340

CityWalk Entertainment 342


PART TEN Universal’s Volcano Bay 347

Getting to Universal’s Volcano Bay 348

Operating Hours and Admission Price 348

Universal’s Volcano Bay Attractions 348


Appendix 351

Index 354


Touring Plans 369