Orlando is my favourite destination, so when I was invited on an action‑packed trip focused on all things Universal, I was delighted!

Flying directly with Aer Lingus was great. Clearing immigration in Dublin is so handy but do give yourself at least three and a half hours, as it gets very busy and you should expect to queue. I recommend downloading the MPC app so you can submit your travel document, photo and customs declaration information in advance, which removes the need for the paper form and speeds things up. Aer Lingus have upgraded their aircraft to Orlando with a 2‑4‑2 seat configuration, which works really well for both families and couples. The onboard entertainment is fantastic with lots of new releases, games and series, and the service was excellent.

I stayed at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which offers great value for money in an excellent location. Its iconic architecture is inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s, creating a warm and fun atmosphere, with 50s and 60s music playing throughout the hotel. Rooms are vibrant and retro in style, and there are family suites with a small kitchenette that can sleep up to eight. Facilities include two massive sand‑beach swimming pools, one with a dive‑tower‑themed water slide and the other beside a relaxing lazy river, plus poolside bars, a bowling alley, gym and gaming arcade. The Bayliner Diner food court is ideal for a quick, easy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Prices are very reasonable with lots of choice, and I highly recommend the Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries (around $11), they were delicious. There is a Starbucks on site and, as a Universal hotel guest, you can also dine in the sister hotels. You have a direct walking path to Universal Volcano Bay too, which is a real bonus.

I also visited several Universal hotels. I have previously stayed at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Endless Summer Resort Dockside with my family, so it was fantastic to experience more of Universal’s collection. With three new hotels on the horizon, I think another trip will definitely be on the cards.

Staying at a Universal hotel comes with excellent benefits: one hour early park access, free water taxis and shuttles between the parks and hotels, free merchandise delivery from the shops to your Universal hotel, and the ability to use your room key to charge purchases across the resort. Guests staying at select hotels (Portofino, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific Resort) also enjoy Express access to skip the regular lines at most attractions, which is absolutely the way to go if you want to maximise your time and experiences.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is located across the road from Cabana Bay and is where you can take the water taxi to CityWalk and the parks. This hotel brings Caribbean‑inspired relaxation and tropical elegance to Universal Orlando, offering an island escape in the heart of all the action. It feels very fresh, with a beautifully landscaped resort‑style pool and water slide, surrounded by cascading waterfalls. We enjoyed dinner at Strong Water Tavern, which has a unique location overlooking the lagoon, and an excellent breakfast at Amatista Cookhouse, which offered a very reasonably priced buffet and à la carte options.

Beside Sapphire Falls is Universal’s Aventura Hotel. Anyone techy in the family will love this hotel. It is modern and smart with an open lobby, market‑style dining space, striking pool area and a rooftop bar with fantastic views across all three Universal parks and International Drive. It is also within walking distance of Universal’s Volcano Bay, just across the road.

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, Dockside Inn & Suites, is located on International Drive and is inspired by sand, sea and breathtaking sunsets with relaxed coastal vibes. I have stayed here with my family and really valued the early park admission combined with the convenience of being right on I‑Drive. It features standard rooms and spacious two‑bedroom suites that sleep up to six, so it is designed with families of all sizes in mind. There are 2,050 rooms, two resort‑style pools with pool bars, a lobby bar, a large food court and, of course, a Starbucks. The sister hotel, Surfside Inn and Suites, is just across the way with a further 750 rooms.

If you want to live like a rock star, Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel is the place to be. I have stayed here and loved its laid‑back yet luxurious style and service. The palm‑lined swimming pool features underwater music, which is such a cool touch. Breakfast at The Kitchen was amazing, and this casual, all‑day restaurant with eclectic décor also serves lunch and dinner. A huge bonus of staying at Hard Rock is the free Universal Express Unlimited ride access with valid theme park admission. On top of that, you can even reserve one of 20 Fender guitars, complete with headphones and a Fender Mustang floor amplifier, to create a pop‑up studio right in your room.

Another premier hotel offering free Universal Express Unlimited ride access is Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This hotel is inspired by the South Pacific, with swaying palm trees, towering bamboo, sparkling waterfalls, an Orchid Court Lounge and white sands around a lagoon‑style pool. It feels like an oasis of comfort, style and sophistication. I had dinner at Jake’s American Bar, which pays homage to the fabled South Seas explorer Jake McNally, whose seaplane floats in the lagoon.

Volcano Bay is a tropical‑themed water park at Universal Orlando Resort, and this was my first visit. It will not be my last. If you buy the 3 Park Explorer ticket, this is the included water park and it is a fantastic way to break up your theme park days. The park is split into four villages centred around the 200‑foot‑tall Krakatau volcano, and there are 21 attractions. One of my favourites was “TeAwa The Fearless River”, a thrilling white‑water ride that takes you through rapids and choppy waves, which was so much fun. There are plenty of places to sit, and during peak season I would recommend reserving a private cabana. Again, staying at a Universal hotel means you can enjoy one hour of Early Park Admission, which is ideal for securing a great spot early in the day.

I was also lucky enough to experience a VIP Tour of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This really is the red‑carpet treatment, with an experienced guide leading you straight to the most popular rides and skipping every line. You can build your own itinerary, which is brilliant. First on my list was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit ( Update, this ride is no longer there). As you strap in, you choose the song you want to hear, then with adrenaline pumping and music thumping you climb at a 90‑degree angle before that first ferocious drop. Reaching speeds of up to 65 mph, it is a blast from beginning to end and one of my absolute favourites. This ride is no longer there and is being replaced. 

There is genuinely something for everyone at Universal Orlando, from superheroes and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. Your favourite films will transport you beyond the screen and behind the scenes. With Universal’s Epic Universe theme park opening on 22 May 2025, I already know I will be heading back. If you would like to start planning your own Universal Orlando holiday of a lifetime, I would love to help you make it happen.