The new year is ushering in a few big changes at Universal Orlando Resort, including its largest hotel to date, eight new restaurants at CityWalk and the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
In March, the first segment of Universal Orlando Resort’s latest and largest onsite hotel, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, will open.
The first set of family suites to open, located in the Castaway building, will sleep up to six people and feature a kitchenette. Tower family suites and standard rooms, which sleep up to four people, will be available once the hotel has its grand opening in July—forming a total of 1,800 rooms.
The retro-inspired hotel will also include a 10-lane bowling alley and the Cabana Courtyard, with a 10,000-sq.-ft. zero-entry infinity pool, dive tower waterslide, interactive kids play area, cabanas for rent, and the Atomic Tonic pool bar.
Rates start at $104 per night for 7-night stays beginning March 31, 2014. Hotel guests also receive early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For more information, call (888) 273-1311 or visit universaltravelagents.com.
Universal’s popular Islands of Adventure theme park attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, will expand to Universal Studios Florida with the addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley and London. Guests can travel between “London” and Hogsmeade on the Hogwarts Express train to experience the new shops, restaurant and attraction, based on Gringotts bank, at the new Diagon Alley addition.
“Our vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences that combine into one, complete, magical journey,” says Alice Norsworthy, executive v.p., marketing and sales, Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal’s entertainment complex CityWalk, meanwhile, will add eight restaurants to the area, continuing with the theme of open kitchens and al fresco dining.
“We want Universal CityWalk to grow along with the rest of our destination,” says Ric Florell, senior v.p. and general manager of resort revenue operations, Universal Orlando. “We are bringing our guests an amazing new collection of experiences that will be world-class and offer something for everyone.”
The 2-level, 30-acre complex will add Red Oven Pizza Bakery, serving Neopolitan-style pizza; Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which will serve hot dogs from ball parks around the nation; The Cowfish, an Orlando outpost of the North Carolina spot blending burgers and sushi into “burgushi”; a modern Italian kitchen with homemade pasta; the ice cream shop Cold Stone Creamery; the sandwich shop Bread Box; and frozen yogurt shop Menchie’s.
For more information, visit universaltravelagents.com.
