Are you ready to escape to the Caribbean in the middle of Orlando, Florida? Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando is a newer resort in Orlando. This hotels is between Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Royal Pacific, and Aventura at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Our family has been to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort many many times. We wanted to share our review of this Universal Orlando hotel in the middle of Orlando.

From the moment you walk into the lobby to check in at the front desk, you will hear the tropical music, see the bright colors, and smell the flowers. You will feel like you took a cruise ship to the Caribbean islands!

Benefits of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Before we jump into the hotel and amenities, I wanted to share some of the benefits of staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel. 

Early Park Admission

As with all on-property Universal Orlando resorts, Sapphire Falls includes early park admission for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (at Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure). This means you can access the Universal Parks (with a theme park ticket) one hour before the gates open to the general public.

Transportation

Another benefit we love with the Universal Orlando hotels is the transportation. You can also hop on a free water taxi and shuttle bus to the parks. For Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, our family enjoys the leisure boat ride to Universal CityWalk. It is a relaxing way to get from the hotel to Universal CityWalk and the Universal Parks.

Walking Distance to Volcano Bay

If you are visiting Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park, you can walk across the street to the secret entrance by Cabana Bay Beach Resort. We love this “secret entrance” to Volcano Bay. 

There are other benefits of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, but these are our favorite perks.

Accommodations at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

The Caribbean inspired Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort transports guests to paradise where blue waterfalls cascade across lush grounds and the invitation to cool relaxation is everywhere. The resort adds 1,000 rooms to Universal’s resort inventory.

These 1,000 guest rooms are broken down into Standard Rooms and Family Suites. We stayed in a Standard Room with a Pool View. They also offer Lagoon Views.

All of the rooms are non-smoking. 

The Standard rooms are 321 square feet, putting them squarely between a Standard room at Cabana Bay Beach Resort (300 square feet) and a Standard room at Royal Pacific (335 square feet). They feature two queen beds (there are some single King beds available, but not many), a 49″ flat screen TV (again, an upgrade from Cabana Bay), air conditioning, a mini fridge, hair dryer, coffee maker, 24-hour room service, WIFI, and in room safe.

Sapphire Falls resort hotel has 83 Family Suites on property. These suites come in a variety of styles and sizes from 529 square feet for the Kids Suite all the way up to 1,353 square feet for the Hospitality Suite.

Recreation at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

We found a ton of fun stuff to do at Sapphire Falls! From the largest pool on Universal Orlando property, to the water slide, to s’mores on the fire pit, games on the pool deck, and the arcade, you won’t lack for activities during your stay at Sapphire Falls.

Sapphire Falls also includes a fitness center and a Universal store for all your souvenir needs. Remember, as an on-property Universal Orlando Resort guest, you can use the amenities at any of the other four Universal resorts, including the outdoor pools, sand beaches, pool area, hot tub, game room, business center, and fitness centers. The Jack LaLanne Fitness Center right next door at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a great one to check out.

Dining at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Sapphire Falls offers several dining options, including a sit-down dining option, Amatista Cookhouse.

Rather than a food court like Cabana Bay, you can enjoy sandwiches, coffee, and ice cream at the New Dutch Trading Co. This option, just off the lobby, also includes sodas, s’mores kits, and other convenience items. We did find this grab and go shop to be rather expensive, as were all the dining options at the resort.

The Strong Water Tavern

This is a rum specialty bar that also serves dinner. Just off the lobby, the Strong Water Tavern offers an amazing view of the Universal Orlando parks and the water taxi waterway.

In addition to great rum offerings, Strong Water Tavern also has some great craft beers and a full liquor bar.

Amatista Cookhouse

Caribbean cuisine prepared in an exhibition kitchen makes Amatista Cookhouse an instantly inviting option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Whether dining indoors or out—or in one of the private dining areas—guests of Amatista Cookhouse will feel welcomed and relaxed in this vibrant and inspiring restaurant.

We had breakfast at Amatista Cookhouse (we were a bit late, so our only option was the buffet). The buffet had some standard options (eggs and bacon), as well as some interesting offerings, such as crustless quiche! We LOVED the bacon! Some of the best we’ve had at a resort buffet!

Drhum Club Kantine

Lastly, you have the Drhum Club Kantine. This is the pool bar/cafe featuring a tapas-style menu that includes some amazing looking nachos! Of course, they also have some tropical adult beverages to enjoy poolside.

Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando is a hidden gem! This is one of our favorite hotels in Orlando. You can probably see why!

Ready to book your Caribbean getaway at Sapphire Falls Resort? Our team at Destinations to Explore is ready to help you plan your Caribbean escape.

Are you brave enough to ride the VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort? This is one of our favorite roller coasters in Orlando. You can find VelociCoaster at Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. 

From the moment you enter the attraction, riders will be confronted by Velociraptors from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster “Jurassic World” films – including fan-favorite Blue, along with Charlie, Delta and Echo – as they prepare to join the hunt alongside the ferocious pack in an epic, high-speed coaster chase.

Here are some of the jaw-dropping encounters that await guests in this new species of roller coaster:

• You will be able to peer into the Raptor paddock while venturing through the queue – and watch the hunt they are about to embark on unfold before their very eyes. Red flashing lights and a loud rumble will draw guests to a collection of adjacent windows, where they’ll witness the physical coaster roaring by at exhilarating speeds of 70 mph with the Raptor pack in hot pursuit.
• Next up in the queue are the stables, where the scent of wet dirt and vegetation from the paddock permeates the air, meaning one thing – Velociraptors are near. Here, they’ll come across Delta and Echo, who will scan the room, studying riders as they pass by – occasionally testing the limits of the grooming stations currently restraining them. This awe-inspiring moment will be the first face-to-face encounter guests will have with the Raptors – and they’ll be so close, guests will even feel their breath.
• Then, the hunt officially begins as guests board ride vehicles and take off on an intense coaster adventure where they’ll narrowly escape Blue, Charlie, Delta and Echo as they twist, turn and soar through the paddock.

And those are just the highlights; even more thrills and surprises await guests in Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

The original cast from the movies – Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and BD Wong – reprise their roles as Owen Grady, Claire Dearing and Dr. Henry Wu in the thrilling new attraction, which sends guests on an extreme adventure through the Raptor paddock and beyond with the films’ Velociraptor pack.

Riders will scream through a series of unbelievable near-misses and maneuvers, including two high-speed launches – the fastest reaching 70 mph in 2.4 seconds – a total of 12 seconds of weightlessness, a barrel roll just inches above the Islands of Adventure lagoon and the signature “Top Hat,” which will send riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop.

Are you ready to ride the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster?

Universal Orlando Resort has a lot of quick service (fast food) restaurants at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. You can get the typical theme park food like hamburgers and chicken nuggets. You can also find some really great fast food dining.

Today, we are going to share the top fast food restaurants at the Universal Orlando Parks.

Top Universal Orlando Fast Food

Thunder Falls Terrace

Our first restaurant to make the top fast food dining at Universal Orlando is called Thunder Falls Terrace. This quick service dining spot is located in Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure.

This restaurant has one of the best seats at Universal Orlando. Thunder Falls has outside seating with a view of the splash down for Jurassic Park River Adventure. You will stay dry! Your whole family will have a lot of fun watching everyone else get soaked!

Dine on BBQ Ribs, Rotisserie Chicken, Smoked Turkey Legs, Burgers, Wraps and Salads at Thunder Falls Terrace. For quick service dining, this is our favorite menu. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. 

Leaky Cauldron

The newest of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter eateries, Leaky Cauldron meets all the expectations for the Potter-loving fan. You will find yourself under a cathedral ceiling with views towards the guest rooms in the inn. The actual leaky cauldron is available for you to snap a photo of and the walls are adorned with articles and artifacts you’ll want to spend some time examining. 

You can dine on delicious menu items like Bangers and Mash, Fisherman’s Pie, or Toad in the Hole, which is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding, served with vegetables and onion gravy—it’s said to resemble toads peering out from a bog. The Kid’s Menu offers Fish and Chips, Macaroni Cheese, and Cottage Mini Pie. 

Don’t forget to pick up a Butterbeer for dessert. This is one of our hacks! You can buy a Butterbeer at Leaky Cauldron for lunch or just to avoid long lines. This location is a must do for fans of the Harry Potter stories and for anyone seeking a delicious and unique dining experience at Universal Orlando. 

Three Broomsticks

Another Wizarding World of Harry Potter restaurants make our top fast food restaurants at Universal Orlando. This restaurant is called Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. If you can only dine at one Wizarding World of Harry Potter restaurant, we recommend Three Broomsticks. This is a fun restaurant themed after Three Broomsticks in the Harry Potter books and films.

You also have an incredible view on the patio. Don’t miss out on fun selfies in front of Hogwarts Castle and get up close with the new Velociraptor roller coaster. You can also pop over to Hog’s Head bar to pick up one of your favorite adult beverages.

Three Broomsticks features almost the exact same menu as the Leaky Cauldron. You will find entrees like Bangers and Mash, Fisherman’s Pie, or Toad in the Hole. The Kid’s Menu offers Fish and Chips, Macaroni Cheese, and Cottage Mini Pie. Of course, you can get a Butterbeer or Gilly Water at Three Broomsticks, too. We like to grab a Butterbeer and enjoy the view on the patio. 

Before you leave Three Broomsticks, be sure you walk to the left of the restaurant, behind Honeydukes to hear the house elves washing the dishes. This is really fun!

Fast Food Blvd

If you love the Simpsons, you will love this themed restaurant in Springfield at Universal Studios. There are several mini restaurants in this one big restaurant. You can get menu items like seafood, pizza, salads, turkey wraps, and even hamburgers. 

There are more entrees at Fast Food Blvd than any other fast food spot.

Plus, this restaurant is attached to Moe’s Tavern so you can pop over for a Duff Beer or a non alcoholic Flaming Moe. We love the Flaming Moe!

Today Cafe

One of the newest restaurants at Universal Orlando is the Today Cafe at Universal Studios. This restaurant features breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a ton of healthier menu items. Plus, it is one of the few places at the Universal Parks with breakfast.

If you are a fan of the Today show on NBC, you will love this restaurant. You feel like you are right on set with Al Roker.

Wimpy’s

If you are looking for the traditional theme park food of hamburger and french fries, you may want to try Wimpy’s. We also love Wimpy’s, because you can get Dole Whips!

Plus, this restaurant has an incredible view of the water ride called Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. Your family will enjoy the view while munching on your burger!

Do you have a favorite restaurant at Universal Parks? Did it make our list?

We are so excited about a new Easter Milkshake! YUM!

Universal just announced a new Easter treat at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk. This treat is a limited time milkshake themed as colorful as an Easter celebration.

This milkshake is called Easter Basket Milkshake. You can find it only this weekend from April 7-9.

This milkshake features a light pineapple flavor. It is topped with whipped topping and accented with popular Easter treats. These sweet treat include Peeps, a Chocolate Passionfruit crème egg, and jellybeans. You will also find green coconut shavings. This looks like “grass” of the Easter Basket.

It is the perfect Easter treat at Universal Orlando Resort.

Guests can enjoy an incredible selection of new and returning holiday menu items across the destination. Below are just a few of the merry and bright treats available for guests to try this year:

• Nutella Cheesecake Reindeer Pop: This all-new reindeer-themed cheesecake pop is rich with smooth Nutella and garnished with candied hazelnuts – available at Croissant Moon Bakery, located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  
• “Red Hot” Holiday Shake: Red Hot candies, crushed peppermint and a Christmas tree snack cake come together to create the newest photo-worthy milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen in Universal CityWalk
  
• Voodoo Doughnut: Holidays-themed Voodoo doughnuts will be available throughout the season with new flavors, including a gingerbread cake doughnut, green-glazed holiday gift doughnut and marble cake wreath doughnut
  
• Hot Chocolate Bomb: Back by popular demand, this epic hot chocolate bomb ornament is full of marshmallows and heartwarming cheer for guests to enjoy at TODAY Cafe, located at Universal Studios Florida. And this year, guests can try a new Grinch-themed hot chocolate bomb – filled with marshmallows and red-candied hearts – at Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  
• Vegan Brownie: Guests looking for a vegan sweet treat can delight in a classic holiday dessert colorfully decorated with frosting and other spirited embellishments – available in San Francisco at Universal Studios Florida or Croissant Moon Bakery at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  
• Hot Butterbeer: This fan-favorite is now available in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter all year long but is even more perfect to enjoy during the holiday season

Which treat are you hoping to try during the holiday season?

We are so excited to announce the holidays are coming back to Universal Orlando Resort. You can rip open a holiday gift of nonstop awesome where they can join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, The Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s – and it’s all included with theme park admission.

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The streets of Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and London will become beautifully adorned with themed decorations, garlands and lights as the sounds of special holiday-themed performances fill the air.

Guests can sip on hot Butterbeer while they listen to Christmas carols from the Frog Choir comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant croaking frogs, as well as the unique holiday hits of one of the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensations, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.

Guests can cap off their evening in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure to enjoy “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” – a spectacular transformation of Hogwarts castle with a stunning projection of holiday spirit and Christmas moments inspired by beloved Harry Potter films.

Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

See the maven of mischief himself during Grinchmas at Universal Orlando where guests can enjoy the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” – a hilarious live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring The Grinch with special appearances by the merry Whos from Who-ville.

And the celebration continues in Seuss Landing, which is completely transformed into a holiday wonderland filled with yuletide décor, including oversized candy canes, Christmas trees, wreaths and beautiful tinsel ornamenting the land. And guests can keep an eye out for resident Whos spreading Who-liday joy as they prepare for their favorite holiday.

Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida

With the return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, guests can experience the excitement as more  than 30 larger-than-life balloons take the streets of Universal Studios Florida, along with appearances by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and other fan-favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar.

This parade also features beautifully decorated floats and hundreds of festive performers that fill the streets with holiday cheer. And guests won’t want to miss the spectacular finale led by the one and only Santa Claus as he passes by and lights the breathtaking 80-foot Christmas Tree that has become a holiday icon at Universal Studios Florida.

In addition to these spectacular experiences, there are even more holiday festivities in store around every corner, including delicious food and beverage options and themed merchandise perfect for gifting that will have guests feeling the holiday spirit throughout their visit.

And the merriment continues at Universal Orlando’s hotels, where guests will be surrounded by incredible seasonal décor and enjoy holiday activities like festive meals, strolling carolers, holiday crafts and more.

Ready to book your holiday vacation to Universal Orlando?

The most notorious Halloween Horror Nights icons in Universal Orlando history will join forces to inflict unimaginable terror upon guests in the all-original haunted house – Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured. 

The sinister new experience will thrust guests into a monstrous “Hell of Fame” where they’ll face The Caretaker, The Director, The Usher, The Storyteller, Jack the Clown, Chance and more as part of Halloween Horror Nights 2021, celebrating 30 years of fear select nights from September 3 through October 31.

• The Caretaker, a once well-respected surgeon who has become eerily infatuated with the removal of internal organs – especially while his patients are conscious
• The Director, an aspiring filmmaker obsessed with capturing the suffering and torture of his victims on film – placing them in their very own living horror movie
• The Usher, who seeks to invoke violent vengeance on those who don’t follow the rules of his theater
• The Storyteller, who stops at nothing to entrap guests into her latest tales of terror, where no one lives happily ever after
• Jack the Clown – the original Halloween Horror Nights icon and the most feared of them all – and his assistant Chance, a deadly pair who thrive on tormenting victims in ways that embody their sick sense of humor

This fall, the brutal cruelty and madness of this collection of foreboding figures will be unleashed in Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured. Guests will quickly realize they’re the hunted as they desperately try to escape the grasp of each character within its ominous domain.

From The Storyteller’s infamous bed of razor-sharp nails to the cadaver-filled mortuary run by The Caretaker, harrowing horrors will await guests at every turn – giving them no choice but to face the most horrifying legends in Halloween Horror Nights history.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights begins Friday, September 3 and runs select nights through Sunday, October 31 – featuring 10 elaborately-themed haunted houses, five scare zones and live entertainment based on everything from horror and pop culture greats to original abominations that go beyond guests’ darkest nightmares. And when they need a break from the screams, guests can enjoy access to Universal Studios’ most exhilarating rides and attractions.

All tickets and vacation packages for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are on sale now, including a variety of Fear Passes that allow guests to visit the event on multiple nights starting at $129.99. Call us at 877-918-8941, message us via Messenger, or request a quote to buy your tickets or a Halloween Horror Nights package.