By Judy Antell
Universal Studios, in
Orlando, Florida, has three
resort hotels---Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel---that offer a variety of accommodations and activities. Best of all are the perks of staying on-site.
Skip Lines
If you stay at one of the Universal resort hotels, you get free Universal Express access, letting you skip the lines at some rides.
Leave Car
You can walk over to both theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, and CityWalk, the entertainment area that has restaurants and a theater. There is also a free water taxi (fun for kids) and shuttle bus.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
The beach-themed Loews Royal Pacific Resort has a sushi bar, a weekly luau and a lagoon pool surrounded by palm trees with a water play area for kids. The luxurious rooms include kids-themed Jurassic Park suites with bunk beds.
Hard Rock Hotel
The hip Hard Rock Hotel is decorated with rock memorabilia and has music piped underwater in the pool. Live concerts add more rocking fun.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel transports you to Italy, with several Italian restaurants and Vespas and gondolas as decoration. There are three pools with water slides, bocce courts and over-the-top Dr. Seuss kids suites.
Resources
About the Author:
Judy Antell was the editor of Big Apple Parent for 13 years and continues to write for the monthly publication. Antell has been published in "The New York Times," "Parents" magazine and on numerous websites. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and a Master of Arts degree in literature and drama from Washington University.
