Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect place to celebrate anything! You can level up birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and any other milestone here. The thrilling rides, exciting shows and outrageously entertaining atmosphere give “main character energy” to anyone looking to make a special day even better. While any day at Universal is better than one just about anywhere else, some celebrations call for taking things up a notch.
To make a fantastic visit even more special, check out this guide to celebrating anything and everything at Universal Orlando Resort.
Get a Celebration Button
When celebrating at Universal Orlando Resort, start by getting a “celebration” button. Visit Guest Services at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe or any Universal hotel. Our team members love celebrating our guests and will personalize a birthday, anniversary or celebration button just for you. Wear it throughout the day, and you will get loads of well wishes.
Getting Festive in the Parks
While wearing your celebration button, many team members (and fellow visitors) are likely to acknowledge your big day with some well wishes. There’s something special about strangers congratulating you or wishing you a happy birthday that just gives you all of the warm and fuzzy feelings.
Taking a birthday spin on Constellation Carousel before treating yourself to a delicious pizza pie from Pizza Moon is a great way to commemorate getting another year older.
Celebrating with beloved characters is always entertaining and offers excellent photo opportunities for your special day. Check out Scooby-Doo and the gang, give Hello Kitty a high five, fist bump the Marvel Super Heroes and wave to some Minions.
Celebrations and dancing go hand-in-hand, so stop by the New York area of the theme park for the ¡Vamos! – Báilalo dance party, the Blues Brothers show and Beat Builders to get in some celebratory grooving.
PRO TIP: Make sure your birthday button is visible when you are meeting characters throughout the theme park or attending any of the shows. You may just get a special shoutout from your favorite characters or a unique participation opportunity in a show!
Want to enjoy the potential of more personalized singing and carrying on? Definitely head to the Mystic Fountain in Islands of Adventure’s The Lost Continent. Anyone can get fun (and funny) feedback from the Fountain, but if you say you are celebrating something, be prepared for lots of music, witty comments and squirting water.
Treat Yourself at Universal’s Restaurants
Planning an enjoyable, special meal is essential when celebrating something at Universal Orlando. Luckily, there are many places where you can find the right deliciousness for the big day. When making a reservation for any restaurant at Universal, add what you’re celebrating in the notes filed. You can also tell the host or server when you arrive. My favorite places to celebrate a special occasion are:
- Mythos Restaurant – Universal Islands of Adventure
- Lombard’s Seafood Grille – Universal Studios Florida
- Atlantic – Universal Epic Universe
- Bar Helios – Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
- Bice Ristorante – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Mama Della’s Ristorante – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar – Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Strong Water Tavern – Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
- The Palm – Hard Rock Hotel
- Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – Universal CityWalk
- Bigfire – Universal CityWalk
- Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food – Universal CityWalk
- Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville – Universal CityWalk
- VIVO Italian Kitchen – Universal CityWalk
- Hard Rock Cafe – Universal CityWalk
Celebrate At Universal Hotels
Staying on-site at a Universal Orlando hotel is a definite way to upgrade any celebration. The unbelievable pools, recreation activities, and fantastic restaurants can elevate any vacation. Be sure to add the special day to your reservation or talk to the hotel concierge. You will be surprised how many team members try hard to make you feel special.
To ensure something special awaits your celebration, call your hotel in advance to ask about pre-purchasing a celebration cake or other goodies for your trip. Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel all also offer a variety of in-room gifts for purchase.
Nine Extra Special Splurges At Universal Orlando
If you want to treat yourself or your traveling partner on the big day, there are many ways to upgrade your experience. You can find special touches and add-ons throughout the resort. Check out nine of our favorites.
- Be a VIP: For the ultimate Universal Orlando celebration, consider booking the VIP Experience. You will feel like the ultimate VIP while gaining backstage access, learning insider tips and getting front-of-the-line access to the most popular Universal attractions. It is a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Snag Universal Express Passes: If you’re staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort your hotel key doubles as free Universal Express Unlimited Passes. Spend more time having fun and less time waiting in line! If you aren’t staying at one of the three premier hotels, you can still purchase Express Passes.
- Rent a cabana: Volcano Bay is one of my favorite places at Universal Orlando Resort, and it is worth visiting anytime. For a special occasion, rent a cabana for the day and enjoy a private hideaway. The cabanas come with comfy lounge chairs, a stocked refrigerator, complimentary snacks, towel and locker service, and access to an exclusive menu of food and drink delivered directly to the cabana.
- Have a Butterbeer extravaganza: Did you know you can try Butterbeer in at least six different ways in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal? It is one of my most favorite drinks. If it’s yours, too, why not treat yourself to every delicious Butterbeer option? You can find Butterbeer cold, frozen, or hot, and in potted cream, ice cream, and fudge.
- Eat with Super heroes: After a day of adventure in the park, cap off the celebration with a Marvel Character Dinner at Cafe 4 in Marvel Super Hero Island while dining with Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Rogue. This meal will be no ordinary celebration dinner.
- Document the day: Buy a My Universal Photos package and let professional photographers capture the best moments of your festive day. All packages include unlimited digital downloads and other discounts, so you can share them on social media and relive the fun for years.
- Save room for dessert: Skip the guilt and take a day to enjoy all the sweet treats your tummy can handle. Slurp a giant milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Grab a dozen of the most uniquely delicious donuts at Voodoo Doughnuts. Or share the Kitchen Sink cake at The Kitchen in Hard Rock Hotel. This king of all cake slices feeds a family of four! There are so many ways to get your sugar fix!
- Book a Rum Tasting: If you are 21 or older, the specialty rum tasting at Strong Water Tavern at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is an entertaining way to mark a special occasion.
Celebrating at Universal Orlando Resort is always a good idea. No matter what you do or how you do it, you can make any occasion more spectacular at Universal Orlando. Everyone involved will have an incredible experience and create memories to last a lifetime.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate at Universal? Let us know in the comments below!
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