Getting Oriented in Universal Orlando
Although the resort is constantly expanding with land purchases and new hotels, the core of the Universal Orlando Resort is tucked into a corner created by the intersection of Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road (Highway 435), midway between Downtown Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort. Here you'll be about 15 minutes from each and just 10 minutes from SeaWorld.
- Universal Studios Florida. This theme park is the centerpiece of Universal Orlando, a creative and quirky tribute to Hollywood past, present, and future. Overall, the collection of wild rides, quiet retreats, live shows, street characters, and clever movies (both 3-D and 4-D) are as entertaining as the motion pictures they celebrate. Another plus is that they’re always adding something new. Always.
- Islands of Adventure. Certainly the most significant addition to any Orlando theme park came when Islands of Adventure introduced an entire land dedicated to Harry Potter, which, in turn, sparked a substantial surge in attendance (and inspired an equally inventive Harry Potter land at neighboring Universal Studios). Also here are Spider-Man, the Hulk, velociraptors, the Cat in the Hat, and dozens of other characters that give guests every reason to head to the islands.
- CityWalk. Even when the parks are closed (especially when the parks are closed), locals and visitors come to this sprawling entertainment and retail complex to watch movies, dine at theme restaurants, shop for everything from cigars to surf wear to tattoos, and stay up late at nightclubs that mimic party time in the French Quarter, Jamaica, and the coolest clubs of New York City.
- Volcano Bay. After closing its distant Wet ’n Wild water park, Universal premiered this sprawling South Seas–style "water theme park" in 2017, making a big splash indeed. The flood of high-energy aquatic thrills are balanced by quiet areas with shaded cabanas and white-sand beaches.
