Guides and Tips, Hotels

Top Reasons Staying at Universal Orlando Resort Will Save You Time, Money, and Your Sanity

January 19, 2023
Woman holding coffee in hotel bed

Staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel truly makes your vacation as spectacular as possible. Don’t be tempted by far-away imposters! Booking a hotel on property can help you in three critical ways: saving time, money, and sanity. Affordability is paramount to most families, and efficient use of time is as valuable as gold on vacation. Plus, these accommodations can reduce the overall stress you navigate during your trip!

Staying at one of the eight incredible hotels at Universal Orlando Resort gives you the best overall value for your theme park escape. Don’t believe it? Keep reading!

How To Save Time

Complimentary and quick transportation

Two woman enjoying the water taxi

Don’t spend your day looking for a parking spot, loading and unloading the trunk or trying to remember where you parked in the first place. Guests staying at a Universal hotel can take advantage of complimentary transportation between their hotel, Universal Orlando’s theme parks, and Universal CityWalk. Plus, you have a quick commute to go back and forth throughout the day as needed. With the shuttle or water taxi, you can arrive early or stay late (or both!) to take advantage of all the action, especially during special annual events that can go on as late as 2 am.

Read more about transportation options here.

Early Park Admission

Cabana at Volcano Bay

One of the best ways to save time is to avoid the long lines of some of the most popular rides and attractions. Getting to the park early, before most guests can enter, enables incredible access to relatively empty queues. Guests of all Universal Orlando’s hotels receive special access to the theme parks with Early Park Admission up to one hour before the theme park opens. Early admission includes Universal Volcano Bay, too! You will be shocked at how much you can do in one hour of focused ride time.

Valid theme park admission is required.

Resort-wide charging privileges

Family shopping for Wizarding World merchandise

You don’t have to meet up with teens to pay for their coffee orders. No need to compromise and force everyone to eat at the same restaurant for lunch. See an interactive wand or a super soft hoodie you must buy? No problem. Guests staying on-site can access resort-wide charging privileges with their room key (if you allow it). Ditch your bulky purse and roam hands-free!

Merchandise delivery

Woman holding out Wolverine Thor Rocket Plush Marvel

Why would you want to spend time storing your unique take-home gifts in your car or, worse, have to carry them around all day? Just have them delivered to your hotel! Universal Orlando hotel guests receive complimentary delivery of any merchandise purchased at stores throughout the resort. Go ahead and shop ‘til you drop. Universal will deliver it for you.

How To Save Money

Grab-and-go options for food and drinks

Man and woman leaving Grab and go at hotel

You don’t have to sit down at a restaurant to have your meals when you stay on-site at Universal Orlando Resort. Spend less money by using the grab-and-go options at the hotel — or there are even some throughout CityWalk and the theme parks. Universal does a great job of offering a variety of dining options for every budget (peak below for some sit down recs!) and it’s so convenient to make a quick stop for a snack or sandwich and get back to the fun.

Universal Express Unlimited

ExpressPass

One of the most impressive money-saving aspects of staying at select Universal hotels is the benefit of receiving complimentary Universal Express Unlimited passes. You will enjoy free Universal Express ride access allowing you to skip the regular lines at most attractions within Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. The cost of this amenity varies, but let’s just say that for my family of six, this is an absolute game-changer! Complimentary Universal Express Unlimited is available to guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Budget-friendly hotel options

Hotel Room service with family

There are hotel options for every budget and family at Universal Orlando Resort. Save money by choosing one of the value-priced hotels (that still offer unique and impressive accommodations and less-expensive food options). Universal’s Endless Summer Resort hotels, Surfside and Dockside, both have a California-cool vibe and offer shockingly affordable 2-bedrom suites that sleep up to six people.

How To Save Your Sanity

Take a siesta

Man and woman resting in pool with drinks

Staying at one of the eight Universal hotels gives you options you just wouldn’t have otherwise. When your home base is only minutes from the theme parks, you can easily head back, take a few hours to lounge at the pool, recharge with a nap or just get some quiet time. Relax, get refreshed, and then head back out for more fun!

Access to the concierge

Hotel Concierge smiling

Want to get reservations at Toothsome Chocolate Factory? How about getting recommendations for the best place to buy merchandise? The concierges at the hotels can help with all this and more. Let go of the stress you don’t need and let someone help you figure it out.

Enjoy a sit-down meal

Above view of dinner table

Treat yourself to a sit-down-and-stay-a-while kind of meal at one of the phenomenal dining options at the hotels. Whether it’s taking a leisurely morning to enjoy a hearty breakfast before a busy day in the theme park, or getting away from the crowds for dinner-time, you’ll be grateful for the chance to just take a breather and catch up with your family over a delicious meal.

Get more sleep

A woman laying in bed with a cup of coffee in hand

Some families adore being rope-droppers. They get up early and want to be in the park when it opens. When you are only 10 minutes away from the entrance, you can be like my family and sleep later and still get there early! Everyone knows the last 20 minutes of sleep is always the best.

Enjoy access to the gym and spa

People working out in hotel gym

If the gym equals stress relief to you, having the opportunity to get in a run, lift or stretching session before, during or after your time at the theme parks will be priceless. Guests at all Universal Orlando hotels have access to fitness centers at their hotel stocked with various equipment for your workout pleasure.

Spend a day at the pool

Man floating in hotel pool

With music, family-friendly entertainment, games, and activities at the Universal Orlando hotel pools, you can save money and sanity by opting for a pool day at your hotel. There is so much to do! Or if you prefer — and I’ve certainly had days like these — don’t do anything at all and just relax poolside.

Staying on property at Universal Orlando Resort hotels makes your vacation more manageable and more fun! It lets you decrease unnecessary stress from your adventure and increase your enjoyment quotient exponentially. Head here to book your stay!

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