STAYING ON-SITE AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Universal Orlando Resort is easily a multi-day destination with 2 major theme parks, a water theme park, the CityWalk shopping and dining district, and everything to experience in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Our favorite way to maximize our time in the parks is by staying at an on-site hotel at Universal Orlando. The nearby hotels have some great theming, and also lots of perks for guests visiting the parks.

Universal Orlando offers eight on-site hotels at Universal Orlando, with great options for a variety of budgets and vacation styles. All of them offer awesome benefits for visiting Universal Orlando’s theme parks, especially for fans of the Wizarding World.

On-Site Hotel Benefits

Early Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: This is a pretty sweet benefit. Guests staying at an on-site hotel get access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the public! This is a great way to hit the area’s most popular rides with little wait. The schedule for Early Admission can vary, but one or both areas of the Wizarding World participates in Early Admission daily – plus there’s often a bonus attraction or two elsewhere in the park also open for Early Admission guests.

Complimentary Transportation: All the on-site resort offer complimentary, continuous transportation to and from CityWalk, which is easy walking distance to the theme parks. Most of the resorts have boat access to CityWalk and those that don’t have bus access instead.

All of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels also offer the following:

  • Proximity: Most of the resorts are also within walking distance of the theme parks, some as short as a 5-minute walk to the theme park entrances.
  • Hotel Ticket Pick-Up: All on-site hotels also offer an attraction ticket desk for easy pick-up of theme park tickets.
  • Multiple Dining Options: From on-site Starbuck’s, to quick grab-and-go dining courts, to fine dining options, the on-site hotels offer a variety of dining options to enjoy.

Stay Like a VIP

While all of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels offer the above benefits, Universal Orlando’s Premier hotels – Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort – take it several steps further with some incredible benefits, so that you feel like a VIP throughout your visit!

Unlimited Express Pass: Premier category hotels include complimentary Unlimited Express Pass for the length of your stay! This is a huge value, as unlimited Express Pass can often be $100 or more per person, per day when purchased separately. Unlimited Express Pass is valid at most major attractions in Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, so you can make sure to visit all your favorite rides!

Closest to the Action: There’s nothing quite like being able to hop back and forth between relaxing at your hotel and exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter quickly and easily, and it’s super easy to do with the Premier hotels! All of them offer complimentary water taxi service to the theme park entrances, dropping off at a location closer than any of their other on-site hotels with bus service. Plus, all of them are within easy walking distance of the theme park entrances – it’s sometimes taken us as little as 5 minutes to get between our hotel and the theme park turnstiles! Plus, going through security is faster via water taxi or walking path, as well. It’s perfect for getting to early admission at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the morning!

Priority Seating at Select Restaurants: While having a dining reservation is the best way to get into any Universal Orlando restaurants that take reservations, many table-service restaurants in the theme parks and CityWalk dining district offer priority seating for guests staying at one of the Premier resorts. So, if you decide last-minute to try for a table-service dinner, you can ask about priority seating with your hotel room key. Just note that guests with reservations will still have priority.

Plus, Universal Orlando’s Premier Resorts offer additional room options to add an extra special touch to your stay!

Club Level Services: Looking for a more inclusive experience to enjoy at your hotel while you explore the theme parks? Then Club Level at the Premier hotels should be on your list! All three Premier hotels offer Club Level rooms that include additional amenities and services, including the assistance of a personal concierge and special turn-down services. The biggest perk of Club Level is access to the resort’s Club Level lounge, which offers continental breakfast in the morning, snacks and soft drinks throughout the day, and appetizers and drinks (often including beer and wine) in the evening. It’s a great way to get a more inclusive feel to your stay, especially for taking breaks from the parks to relax at your hotel.

Awesome Kids Suites: Taking the kids on an adventure and want to have a full experience they’ll really enjoy? Check out one of the themed kids suites! All three Premier hotels offer these fun suites that offer a themed kids room along with a separate room for parents. This allows kids and parents to each have their own space – but rest assured that the only door to the hallway is from the parents’ room. You can choose from Despicable Me Kids Suites at the Portofino Bay Hotel, Jurassic World Kids Suites at the Royal Pacific Resort, and Future Rock Star Suites at the Hard Rock Hotel, so you can bring some extra space and extra fun to your stay.

Ready to explore the options? Contact me!

Unknown's avatar

Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.