If you have been to Universal Orlando Resort, you might already know there are 11 beautiful hotels to fit every vacation style and budget. But did you know the hotels of Universal Orlando Resort are home to Polynesian luaus, weekend brunches, wine festivals, live concerts, and seasonal dining as well? These events are must-dos whether Orlando is your vacation destination or if you live the local life.
Keep reading to learn more about the year-round events hosted at the hotels of Universal Orlando Resort to see which one is right for you for your next vacation!
Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Every Saturday at 6 p.m.
Aloha means hello and goodbye, but it also embodies the importance of embracing each other’s presence. When you first arrive at the Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, you are greeted by this aloha spirit with arrival lei, welcoming servers, live music, and a wide buffet fit for an island celebration. Check in is from 5:30-6 p.m. and allows plenty of time to explore the outdoor pavilion. Make sure you save time before or after the show to grab a group photo with the Luau performers to savor the aloha spirit.
Let’s talk dining! Arrive early to take full advantage of a variety of authentic Polynesian-inspired dishes, from fresh fish to fire-grilled beef and a locally sourced pit-roasted pig. The 21 and up crowd can also enjoy unlimited Mai Tais, beer, and wine. This experience is family-friendly and includes a kid’s buffet with familiar favorites. Make sure you save room for dessert as there are plenty of options!
PRO TIP: Grab some treats right before the performance starts so you can snack on sweets while watching the incredible dancers and musicians.
The Wantilan Luau performers take the audience on a journey throughout major islands of Polynesia with dance, music, and their attire. The entire experience wraps up around 8 p.m., so it’s flexible for those wanting to head back to the hotel or who want to continue the party at Universal CityWalk. This is an ideal experience for groups and celebrations ranging from birthdays, graduations, and family reunions!
Acoustic Brunch at Hard Rock Hotel
Every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Want a gentle start to your day? Might I recommend the Acoustic Brunch at Hard Rock Hotel? When you enter The Kitchen, you are greeted by the smell of warm syrup and the acoustic strum of a guitar.
The musician is stationed in the heart of the buffet and welcomes you in with a mix of modern and classic songs you can hum along to as you debate starting with the omelet or griddle stations. There truly is something delicious at every turn, so make sure you do a few laps to properly see everything. The buffet ranges from sweet to savory so no matter how you like your brunch, there is something for you! Personally, I love the Monkey Bread and French Toast for the breakfast side of my plate and the Carved New York Strip with roasted vegetables for my lunch side.
For guests 21 years and older, there are bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Or, for those traveling home on a Sunday afternoon, you can grab a cup of coffee, soak up the atmosphere, and let Universal Orlando Resort send you home with a stomach full of breakfast.
The music is the key element that turns the Acoustic Brunch into a cozy hideaway worth lingering for. So, grab that extra cup of coffee, and pause with this exclusive entertainment you can only enjoy on Sundays!
Harbor Nights at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
If you grew up with an Italian grandmother like I did, the only word you will ever need to know in Italian is mangia: eat! When you attend Harbor Nights at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you may just become fluent in this Italian word as well. Get ready for food, music, wine, and more food!
From the moment you arrive in the Harbor Piazza, it’ll feel like you have been transported over 4,000 miles to Italy. Follow the cobblestone streets and around the corner, you will find the Italian seaside village of Portofino decorated for this elegant evening. The piazza is full of lights, musical notes from roaming entertainers, and the smell of fresh-made pasta.
On the waterfront, a live band brings the energy as couples and friends swirl around the dance floor. On the other side of the piazza, you can hear the vibrato of opera singers singing out in Italian. At the end of the night there is a grand opera finale, so make sure you stick around to see it!
The only decision you will have to make is which wine and food to try at the multiple stations. While the menu does change for every event, you will often find fresh-made pasta, seafood dishes, beef, antipasto and decadent desserts, including gelato. Also included are unlimited wine samples. Samples range from red to white and everything in between, so you’re sure to find your old favorite — and maybe a new choice as well.
Event evenings are open to guests 21 years and older and are great for a date night, anniversary, or anyone who wants all the flavors of Italy without leaving Orlando, Florida.
Because Harbor Nights is only offered a few times each year, it’s worth keeping an eye out for future dates.
Velvet Sessions & Velvet Unplugged at Hard Rock Hotel
Ever wondered what’s it’s like to live the celebrity lifestyle? You know: Roll up to the mansion, toss your keys to the valet, and walk into a concert that has taken over the living room. Well, at Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel, you can experience just that!
These concerts transform the Hard Rock Hotel lobby into a concert hall complete with a stage, adoring fans, and even a veranda overlooking the pool if you want to step out and enjoy golden hour. Make sure you arrive early to enjoy specialty cocktails and appetizers until the show begins. For guests just dropping in for the evening, valet parking is included. This concert is reserved for guests 21 years and older and immerses you from the second you enter the lobby, bringing you closer to the music with nationally-recognized artists!
For those who enjoy a more laid-back experience, Velvet Unplugged is for you. This acoustic set features a limited audience and is so intimate you may start to wonder if the artist is singing right to you. This is not a traditional concert experience; it’s relaxed and allows you to experience the music you love up close. This experience comes with the option of standing tickets or a reserved table for a VIP-style evening. Since both event series are offered throughout the year, it’s worth checking regularly to see who’s performing next.
Seasonal Dining at Universal Orlando Hotels
No matter the time of year that you visit, Universal Orlando is sure to be cooking up something unique for you and your travel party. Select hotel dining locations serve special options during Universal Mardi Gras, Easter, Mother’s Day, Fourth of July, Universal Halloween Horror Nights, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s festivities. New Year’s Eve is especially popular, with several hotels hosting celebratory buffets, lively parties and rooftop events with incredible views.
The offerings change from year to year, which means every visit can bring something new to discover. Be sure to call the dining reservations line at 407-503-3463 to review all your options for your next visit!
One Final Tip
The best way to experience any of these events is coupled with a stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel. This allows you to linger until the final notes play before you are swept to sleep to dream of guitars, pasta, or the strums of a ukelele.
When visiting Universal Orlando Resort, make sure you check out the latest lineup of special events at the hotels! Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just spending time with the ones you hold dear, Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer so much more than a place to sleep. They’re destinations filled with memorable food, live entertainment, unique experiences, and plenty of reasons to come back again and again.
Click here to check out our guide to choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your visit.
Be sure to check out the latest lineup of hotel events and dining experiences during your next visit. You never know what unforgettable experience might be waiting just around the corner!
Which hotel event are you most interested in checking out? Comment and let us know!