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![]() The Universal Globe, the icon of the resort, with the gates to Universal Studios Florida in the background | |
Industry | |
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Founded | June 7, 1990 |
Headquarters | Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
Key people | Karen Irwin (President)[1] |
Products | 3 Theme parks, 8 Resorts |
Number of employees | 28,000 (2022) |
Parent | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
Website | www |
Universal Orlando |
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Theme parks |
Water parks |
Resort hotels |
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Entertainment district |
Universal Orlando Resort, often shortened to Universal Orlando, is a 541-acre (219 ha) theme park and entertainment resort complex located in Orlando, Florida. Following the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, MCA moved forward with plans to expand from a single park into a large resort hoping to compete with Walt Disney World. In 1999, a second theme park called Universal Islands of Adventure opened in addition to Universal CityWalk, a shopping promenade and nightlife district that incorporates a variety of themed hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. A third park, 30-acre (12 ha) water park Universal Volcano Bay, was added in 2017, and a fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, is scheduled to open in 2025.
The amusement destination was originally dubbed Universal Studios Escape, but the name was short-lived and changed to Universal Orlando Resort in July 2000. Notable additions over the years include Woody Woodpecker's KidZone at Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel and The Rising Star karaoke bar within CityWalk, as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed area, which spans two theme parks and significantly boosted attendance at the entire resort. It also features well-known annual events, such as Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, along with a variety of live entertainment and shows.
Universal Orlando ranks as one of the most visited resorts in the world with an annual attendance of 21 million as of 2017.[2] Guests staying at certain hotels receive special perks such as early admission into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal's Volcano Bay, or in some cases, benefits such as a free Universal Express Pass, which gives access to shorter lines at major attractions. The resort also features an organized transportation system, including water taxis, pathways, and moving walkways that connect many of the area's hotels and theme parks. Universal Orlando exceeded three of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in estimated 2021 attendance.[3][4][5]