Set in southwest Orlando, the Universal Orlando comprises Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks, the 30-acre Universal CityWalk, an entertainment, dining and shopping area, and more than 250,000 square feet of destination-wide meeting space.
Universal Orlando is located 17 miles from Orlando International Airport and 10 miles from downtown Orlando.
Among the newest venues in Universal Orlando is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a 20-acre attraction in Islands of Adventure, which has visual landscapes of the popular films, attractions, rides and restaurants. (Group options include Harry Potter- themed menus custom designed for individual groups, dessert parties with Butterbeer and pumpkin tarts and concerts by Hogwarts students.)
The three luxury hotel venues in Universal Orlando come with their own themes: the 1,000-room Loews Royal Pacific Resort (85,000 square feet of meeting space), 750-room Portofino Bay Hotel (42,000 square feet of meeting space) and 650-room Hard Rock Hotel (6,000 square feet of meeting space).
Ready-made special event venues in Universal Orlando appeal to groups of all kinds. There are six themed streets (New York City, Hollywood Boulevard, Amity, San Francisco, Production Central and World Expo), five themed amphitheaters with seating capacities from 1,200 to 2,000 guests, production sound stages ranging in size from 8,800 to 22,000 square feet, unique meeting space venues at both parks and special Blue Man Group performances at the AQUOS Theater and block parties at CityWalk.
When the sun goes down, attendees have a dizzying array of entertainment and dining opportunities to consider. Upscale dining experiences such as the Palm Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel and Emeril's Tchoup Chop at Loews Royal Pacific Resort are popular choices. When some serious stress-reduction is in order, CityWalk's mix of restaurants such as the NASCAR Sports Grille and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and nightclubs like Pat O'Brien's Orlando, Latin Quarter and Bob Marley, A Tribute to Freedom are bastions of high-energy.
Tee time, anyone? Universal Orlando has a dedicated golf event director for groups to coordinate programs at nearby courses like MetroWest Golf Club and Orange County National Golf Center. For spa lovers, the Mandara Spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has 12 treatment rooms and a fitness center.
