We are going to Universal Orlando this spring!

We are Disney people. Never really had any desire to go to Universal Orlando, that is, until our daughter started reading the Harry Potter series.  If you are an HP person, Universal Orlando is a must-do vacation.
This is our off year for Disney.  Well technically last year was supposed to be our off year, but then I booked that Disney Cruise one day while my husband was at work. So now this year REALLY is a no Disney year, though I will demand we swing through Disney Springs while we are in Orlando.
We are also going to spend the 2nd half of our trip visiting my mother at the beach, but that part is a secret, so shhhhhhhh!

Where to stay?
The benefit of Universal Resorts is that there are fewer choices than Disney so it is NOT nearly as overwhelming picking a place to stay.  They all have great amenities and are VERY close to the parks.  Travel time will be significantly less at Universal.
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​*Aventura Hotel opens August 2018

We chose to stay a Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. I sent some clients there this fall and they absolutely loved it, so we wanted to check it out for ourselves.  We decided to stay in a club level room, because I want to be able to review that service for all 5 of my Blog readers. :)
​The Premier Resorts and Royal Pacific Resort also have some really great perks that to me, make the extra cost worth it.

The perk that most appeals to our family is the Universal Express Unlimited ride access. It is like Disney's Fastpass, except, dare I say it, better. Although Disney does offer their Fastpass for free to all ticketed guests, and allows for advanced selections up to 60 days prior to your visit. Universal does charge for this option and a less expensive option of a basic Express Pass.  Universal requires regular park ticket purchase and then you add one of the Express Pass options if you are interested in that.  However, staying at either Premier Resorts or Royal Pacific adds the Unlimited Pass as a complimentary perk.
This pass is for use at both Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.

• Allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to participating attractions at both Universal Studios Florida AND Islands of Adventure theme parks
• Express Access is a separate line with a shorter wait time at each valid attraction
• Valid for unlimited use at each participating attraction
• Universal Express™ pass is not valid for admission to either theme park; separate theme park admission is required

Park Tickets
We chose to purchase the 3 park 3 day park-to-park ticket option. To me, the ticket options is where Universal leans into being a little confusing.
In a nut-shell, if you want to be able to ride the train, Hogwarts Express, and you will, you will need to purchase park to park tickets. It's like Disney's park hopper.  You will have unlimited access to both parks with a 2 park to park ticket, and we will have access to all 3 parks with our tickets.

Three Parks?
Yes!  Universal opened it's state of the art water park this past year, Volcano Bay.

Have you been to Universal Orlando? Tell me about your experience.  What are some must dos? Was there a restaurant that you love or perhaps didn't love? Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience. Did you see the Blue Man Group? Is that worth doing?

You realize a T-shirt post is right around the corner. LOL I really do need some sort of intervention.