Universal Orlando to Offer New Roundtrip Airport Shuttle Service

The exclusive new Universal SuperStar Shuttle service will provide dedicated welcome service and transportation between Orlando International Airport and Universal Orlando on-site hotels beginning September 1, 2015.  Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock® Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are all included in the service. Universal Partner Hotels are not included.

How Does it Work?

Guests arriving between 7am and 8:30pm will check in at Universal Orlando Resort Welcome Centers located in Terminal A and B of the Orlando International Airport within the Universal Studios Stores and receive a travel wallet with pre-printed materials and more information on where the shuttle will pick you up. The cost is $35 per person, tax inclusive (Children two (2) and under are Free). If you are arriving after 8:30pm and prior to 7:00am you will need to call our Shuttle Service provider directly to make arrangements for pick up. Once, aboard the shuttle you will be given more information on where to pick up your travel wallet and package documentation at your Universal Orlando Resort Hotel.

Guests will retrieve their own checked luggage from baggage claim before the shuttle departs.  The shuttle driver will assist with loading and unloading the shuttle.

How Long Does it Take?

The maximum wait time for a shuttle pick up will not exceed 30 Minutes once checked in. It’s important to note this is not a private or direct service. The service uses 12 passenger vans that will be filled with other On-Site Hotel guests. The shuttle may make stops at all 5 On-Site hotels. The actual number will depend on guest arrivals. The travel time to the Universal Orlando Resort is approximately 30 minutes each way.

What About Special Needs

The shuttles are ADA friendly. Guests will just need to make note of ADA accommodations at the time of reservation or when providing flight information.

Florida Law requires that children under five (5) have a safety seat in a vehicle. Car seats will be provided with this service.

How to Book the Universal SuperStar Shuttle

The Universal SuperStar Shuttle can be added to any Universal Parks and Resorts Vacation Package. Ask your Travel Agent for assistance in adding it to your reservations.

How to Save Money on Disney Souvenirs

Everyone loves to buy souvenirs on vacation. They are a great way to help you remember the great times you had on your trip. Disney souvenirs are no exception, but they can be pricey! We have a great insider tip to help you save a bundle on some of most popular Disney souvenirs. This is the ultimate way to save up to 70% off the same souvenirs you will find at the Disney Theme Parks.

Would you make a stop there to save money on Disney souvenirs?

Gator Spot Orlando Now Open

Gator Spot Orlando is a collaboration between Gatorland Orlando and Fun Spot America Theme Parks. Together they bring the excitement of live gators to International Drive at the Orlando Fun Spot location!

Monday, May 11th was the Grand Opening where we took the video below. Gator Spot offers an close and inexpensive way to experience famous Florida alligators right here on International Drive!

There are several areas with 5 to 6 foot gators, an area for Harvey and Lois, two large gators, Bouya the famous white gator and some other Florida wildlife for you and the whole family to enjoy. Don’t forget to feed the gators (extra cost)…we don’t want them hungry!

Have you been to Gatorland or Fun Spot Orlando? Will you visit Gator Spot?

New Starbucks at Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Discover the delightfully re-imagined Creature Comforts in Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park—now an exciting new STARBUCKS® coffee and specialty beverages location serving a selection of Disney baked goods and La Boulange™ pastry items!

Guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom can now enjoy Starbucks beverages at the reopened Creature Comforts in the Discovery Island section of the park. Menu items include regular Starbucks coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino blended beverages, breakfast sandwiches and pastries, as well as Disney created treats. Specialty items include Cotton Top Tamarin Cupcakes and Zebra Cupcakes.

A portion of the sale of each Starbucks Flat White Latte will benefit conservation programs already under way to help preserve the cotton-top tamarin in Colombia. In keeping with the park’s theme, décor in the new Starbucks includes carvings, warm African colors, Maasai shield designs and hand-painted coffee beans.

Other Walt Disney World Starbucks locations include:

• Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom park
• Trolley Car Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Fountain View at Epcot
• Two locations at Downtown Disney (Disney Springs)

Do you get a Starbucks beverage when you tour the Disney parks? Would you like to get one here?

Float by for Family-Friendly Fun at BOATHOUSE Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is in the midst of a transformation to Disney Springs. The largest expansion in Downtown Disney history, Disney Springs will provide even more opportunities for guests to relax and enjoy themselves. When completed in 2016, Disney Springs will double the shopping, dining and entertainment experiences, with an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands. Drawing inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs will include four interconnected neighborhoods: The Landing (opening in early 2015), Marketplace, West Side and Town Center (opening in 2016).

One of the new dining and entertainment establishments that’s already open to the public is the BOATHOUSE. An interactive experience by land and water, the Boathouse marina offers Guests private cruises and live entertainment.

Go for classic American steakhouse fare and stay for the atmosphere, a uniquely engaging setting featuring spectacular dream boats from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s at the BOATHOUSE Downtown Disney. Take a romantic guided tour aboard the Captain’s Italian Water Taxi or the 19th-century steamboat Lady Rose and enjoy a champagne toast and chocolate-covered strawberries. Or experience the excitement of Amphicar tours in vintage vehicles, where you’ll enter the water with a splash, embarking on a 20-minute tour of Downtown Disney. The Amphicars can be seen in the video above. Looks like fun, doesn’t it?

The newest dining option just opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This new dining area is called the Harambe Marketplace. Choose from a quartet of unique locations offering food and refreshments that reflect the spirit of Harambe!

Constructed around an old colonial-era train depot and lorded over by an iconic water tower, this active marketplace showcases distinct personalities and diverse menus—created using produce and raw goods delivered daily by the local locomotive.

Here, the citizens of Harambe welcome travelers from all around the world, encouraging Guests of every age to tantalize their senses at one of the following locations:

• Kitamu Grill
• Famous Sausages
• Chef Mwanga’s
• Wanjohi Refreshments

After you’ve paid a visit to one or more windows, simply find yourself a table beneath ample shaded seating. Then, relax, eat and enjoy!

Frozen Fireworks Light Up Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Celebrate the coolest day ever with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf—and an amazing fireworks finale. There’s “snow” better way to end a Frozen day than with a spectacular flurry of awe-inspiring fireworks—set to the music of your favorite Disney winter fantasy! Chill with your cool Arendelle friends at the Event Stage and watch as the night sky explodes with icy magic!

Other Frozen Summer Fun includes:

Frozen Royal Welcome

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO BOOK A STAY AT LOEWS SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT, UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S NEWEST ON-SITE HOTEL

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Escape to an island jewel in the heart of an incredible adventure

Beginning today (July 21, 2015), you can be among the first to book reservations for the newest on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort – Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. The new resort will open in Summer 2016; reservations are now being accepted for stays beginning July 14, 2016.

Built around a lush, tropical lagoon and towering waterfall, the new, 1,000-room Caribbean-themed hideaway is the fifth hotel at Universal Orlando and will bring the number of on-site hotel rooms to 5,200.

Guests will be captivated by a vivid retreat that evokes a free-spirited, Caribbean sense of ease with a modern yet timeless feel.

Lobby

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Model Room Photos

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

The unforgettable island escape will feature Universal Orlando’s largest on-site, zero-entry pool at 16,000 square-feet, with a white sand beach, a water slide, cabanas and a fire pit.

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Dining options will include Amatista Cookhouse, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant with open exhibition kitchen and outdoor dining; Strong Water Tavern, a tapas-style rum-themed destination lobby lounge overlooking the hotel’s towering waterfalls and offering a tapas-style menu; Drhum Club Kantine, a poolside bar and grill serving freshly-grilled fare and specialty cocktails; New Dutch Trading Co., a quick-service marketplace; and 24-hour room service.

Amatista Cookhouse

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Strongwater Tavern

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

With value season rates from $119 per night for a seven-night stay or $143 per night for a four-night stay, and summer season rates starting at $176 per night for a seven-night stay or $206 per night for a four-night stay, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will offer incredible guest benefits, including:

• Early theme park admission
• Complimentary water taxi service and shuttle bus transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk
• Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to their hotel
• Resort-wide charging privileges with their room key
• And more!

Meeting space will also be available at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando.

Ballroom

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Meeting Room

© Universal Orlando Resort, 2015.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will be a preferred on-site hotel.

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Quote Today!

877-918-8941 or Request a Price Online

Unique Ice Cream at Epcot

One of the most popular sweet treats in the parks is ice cream! Ice cream at Epcot is anything but ordinary. Check out the unique options at L’Artisan des Glaces in France at Epcot.

Seduce your sweet tooth, indulge your cravings and give in to your innermost desires with a tantalizing stop at this artisanal French shop, where you can find 16 flavors of hand-crafted frozen treats, including ice cream and sorbet.

Full Throttle Sundays Thru August

Attention auto enthusiasts! Ride on over to American Q every Sunday (July 12th thru August) for live music, bar specials, and a great deal on the all-you-can-eat FLATBED BUFFET!

Park at the bar for drink specials like $3 Jack Daniel’s & Jack Daniel’s Fire Shots, $4 Well Drinksand $6 Pitchers of Draft Beer, and enjoy a live performance by Buddy Blues Band.

American Q is located at the B Resort & Spa. 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Phone: 407.827.3080.