Of Central Florida’s theme parks, Universal Orlando is the largest outside of Walt Disney World.

Universal Studios Florida opened for business in June 1990, a relative late-comer on the scene, as by then, Walt Disney World already had three theme parks up and running. However, since then Universal Orlando has followed the Disney lead by expanding its offer.

A massive expansion occurred in 1999, with the addition of a second theme park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure. At the same time, Universal’s CityWalk, the resort’s shopping and entertainment district, opened for business, along with the resort’s first three on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort (discussed in Chapter 3: Staying in Style).

 2010 brought the Wizarding World of Harry Potter into Universal’s Islands of Adventure. For many years, the home to Orlando’s biggest, and baddest coasters, now this park is reaching out to a family market. It’s a tactic that’s shown huge benefits ever since, with increased visitor numbers. That’s led to a recent increase in the resort hotels at Universal Orlando, with the opening of Cabana Bay in 2014, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in 2016 and the Aventura in 2018. 

2017 saw the arrival of Universal's Volcano Bay water theme park, finally claiming to crack the biggest problem theme parks encounter, with the promise of no waiting in line.