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Should we? Or Shouldn’t we?
Deciding whether or not to stay on Universal property is a decision those of you planning to spend the majority - if not all - of your time at the Universal Orlando theme parks should seriously consider. Because there are only 3 resorts on-site, Loews and Universal can offer their guests an array of perks that are far more advantageous than those offered elsewhere.
So, Just What are Those Perks?
Unlimited Express Ride Access
While Express Passes are available to the general public - now by purchasing them outright (though they can at times run out by early afternoon) - guests have only to use their room key to gain access to the express lines at the rides. Each guest must show their room key, even the kids, to the ride attendant, and all day, every day – and as many times as you like - you will head straight for the express line, bypassing the sometimes lengthy “regular” line.
Just to give you an idea of how really huge this is, purchasing the Express Pass only allows you to use the express line once per ride (and yes, they will know if you try to fool them a second time since the pass is scanned at the entrance). And if you have a 2-park ticket, the separately purchased (and at times rather expensive) Express Pass will cost you even more to use at both parks. Additionally, the Express Passes can (and do) at times run out (generally by early afternoon) during peak vacationing seasons as they are sold in limited quantities to ensure that the Express queues remain…well…Express! If you are a Universal resort guest you have completely unlimited access at both parks at any time your park ticket is valid for.
Priority Seating
Priority seating is available to resort guests at select restaurants throughout CityWalk (with the exception of Emeril’s), Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure. Once again, all you have to do is to show your room key and you’ll be seated at the first available table that can accommodate your party. You can take advantage of this every day with the exception of Friday and Saturday evenings or holidays. Emeril’s, as well as several of the restaurants located throughout the Universal Orlando resorts, require actual reservations.
Preferred Show Seating
As a resort guest you can also enjoy the best seats in the house for most of the shows at the parks. Just show your room key (are you following the pattern here?) to the attendant, and they will direct you to where you should go.
Length-of-Stay Pass
Hotel guests may purchase a special length-of-stay pass at their resort, which allows them unlimited access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and to select CityWalk venues for the entire time they are staying at the resort. As these passes vary in price depending on your stay, they are only available through your hotel concierge. If you are interested in this type of pass, call 800-711-0080 or 407-363-8000 for details.
Package Delivery
Imagine not having to lug around your purchases all day or worry about leaving them in your stroller while you ride the rides and see the shows. As a resort guest, you can have your purchases (from most stores) delivered right to your room at no extra charge. The only drawback here is that they may not be delivered until the following day, so if Junior wants to play with his brand-new Men in Black blaster gun when he gets back to the room, make sure you keep it with you if you’re having your other purchases delivered.
Concierge Service
At every resort you will find a helpful, knowledgeable, and downright invaluable concierge staff. They can help with park tickets, vacation-planning services, VIP tours, and almost any other special requests or questions that you may have. They are at your service from approximately 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily.
Room Charging Privileges
With your key, you can charge your purchases as well as your meals back to your room (from most retailers and restaurants and wherever credit cards are accepted) throughout Universal Orlando. So if you are short of cash, don’t like to carry your credit card around the parks, or just prefer one bill, this is a great option. Separate cards for children are available with a preloaded spending limit (determined by you). This can be a big plus if you have kids old enough to take off on their own. It’s a great way to set limits on souvenir shopping for kids.
Complimentary Transportation
Complimentary transportation to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the other on-site resorts is available via the 46-passanger water taxis (a rather scenic way to travel, I might add) or by bus. Hours of operation generally run from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. Complimentary transportation to the Wet ‘N Wild water-park as well as SeaWorld is also available. Checking with the concierge is the best way to get the most up-to-date schedules.
All of the resorts are within walking distance to the parks - the Hard Rock Hotel being the closest. If you just can’t wait for the water taxi (as they can at times take quite a while to arrive) or you simply enjoy walking (and you had better on this vacation), it’s really not a bad option – even with kids along.
Transportation to Orlando’s Other Attractions
For those of you heading over to Walt Disney World (for a day or two anyway), Mears Transportation Services offers a scheduled shuttle service to Disney’s major theme parks throughout the day. The ride costs approximately $15 per person round-trip.
However, because the shuttle stops at all of the Universal Orlando resorts, it can take an hour or more to get there (and at times an hour or more to get back depending on the time of day and which resort you’re staying at). 24 hours’ notice and a reservation is required, so there isn’t a whole lot of room for spontaneity or changes in your schedule; a degree of advanced planning is a necessity.
Quicksilver Tours and Transportation also offers transportation between the Universal Orlando resorts and Disney theme parks (among other routes) with rates that run approximately $65 to $70 roundtrip for up to 4 people in a town car or approximately $85 roundtrip for up to 10 people in a shuttle. Quicksilver, however, offers a more personalized service as they pick you (and only you) up at your resort, at a time that you choose, and transport you directly to the Disney theme park (or other destination) of your choice.
The company that’s best for your family depends on how large your family is, what type of schedule you prefer to follow, and if you mind making your way along a circuit of stops or prefer a more direct route to your destination.
Onsite Child Care & Children’s Programs
All of the on-site Loews Hotels at Universal offer supervised childcare – each featuring fun filled activities, meals, and peace of mind for parents in need of a night off. See the individual resort listings for details. In-room care is also available (though an outside service). You can either make arrangements directly or through the hotel concierge (again, please see the resort listings for details regarding this service).
Loews Hotels Programs
All three of the Universal Orlando resorts are part of the renowned collection of Loews Hotels. Loews, in addition to offering distinctive services and amenities for their guests, are renowned for their superior accommodations and exceptional personal service.
Understanding how important their guests are, they also offer an array of unique programs to make your stay an experience that you won’t soon forget. Programs of particular interest to families include Loews Loves Kids, Loews Loves Little Kids, Loews Loves Pets, and Loews First. These programs offer specialized amenities and services to families traveling together, ensuring that everyone has a great experience.
Many hotels are finally catching on that kids are important too, but Loews takes it to a whole other level.
Loews Loves Kids
Loews hotels offer unique kids’ suites (details below), games to borrow, supervised activity programs, and a kids’ check-in desk (for kids 10 and under) complete with a special welcome gift just for them. Child-proofing kits are available for those traveling with toddlers under 4, and cribs and bedside rails are available at no additional charge. As a perk for the parents, kids under 18 always stay free. (Rollaway beds are available for a fee.)
Loews Loves Little Kids
Similar to the program listed just above, Loews now caters to tinier tots with their Loews Loves Little Kids program - featuring select Fisher Price toys and products appropriate for even the youngest traveler in the family. Baby gear (including infant swings, potty seats, and more), as well as toddler friendly toys are all available to borrow from the hotel during your stay.
T Loews
Short for Teen Loews
This program takes into consideration that teens have needs very different from those of both younger children and adults. At Loews, teens receive a backpack filled with teenrelated items.
The Family Concierge
Another great program offered with kids in mind is the family concierge. Just let the hotel know ahead of time that you will be traveling with your kids, and the family concierge will put together a list of local family-friendly activities, the hotel’s family-and kid-friendly activities, amenities, and special offers, as well as contact information for the family concierge in case you need to get in touch with them for additional information.
All of the lists can be faxed or mailed so you have the information ahead of time.
Loews Loves Pets
Since Loews thinks of every generation, it is no surprise that they also recognize the family pet. If you just can’t bear to leave Fido at home, no worries, Loews loves pets.
Not only are pets welcome, they’re pampered. From veterinarian-approved meals served via room service to assorted supplies such as bedding, toys, leashes, and food just to name a few, the family pet may find vacationing here a pretty good deal. Pet-sitting and pet-walking services are also available and can be arranged through the concierge. All resorts have pet-walking areas, pet-friendly attractions, and some have pet-friendly restaurants. For further details, check with the hotel. Special door hangers are provided to let the housekeeping staff know that there is a pet in the room.
On-Call Amenities
When I mentioned personalized service before, I wasn’t kidding. Loews Hotels pride themselves on making your stay an experience that you won’t soon forget, and part of what that entails is attention to detail. Loews has a long (and I mean long) list of items that you can borrow during your stay, with just a handful listed below:
-Special pillows such as hypoallergenic, non-snore, foam, and neck rolls
-Chenille throws for curling up and getting comfortable
-Video or CD players as well as movies to watch
-Itty Bitty Booklight
-Nightlights
-Humidifiers
-First-aid kits
Be sure to check www.loewshotels.com for a complete list of available items
Loews First
For those who travel frequently (and even those who don’t) Loews offers an array of extra benefits and services to make your travels just a bit easier, and just a bit more pleasant. For details on how to join (and to find out what all of the added benefits are) check out www.loewsfirst.com to see if joining is right for you.
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