Family-Friendly Theme Park Attractions
By Michelle Rae Uy
Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando (Courtesy Universal Orlando)
Big, exciting things are coming at Universal Resort Orlando</a>; so if you’re planning a family vacation at the world’s favorite movie theme park, better plan your trip in time to enjoy its new offerings. From a new restaurant and new attractions to a Caribbean-inspired hotel and an innovative water park, there’s so much to look forward to at Universal Orlando in the coming months. Have a look.
(MORE: Insider Guide: Universal Orlando Resort)
NBC Sports Grill & Brew (Courtesy Universal Orlando)
New Restaurant: Sports fans will appreciate a sanctuary where they can grab ice-cold beer and watch a game or two. Coming soon at the CityWalk is the world’s first NBC Sports Grill & Brew, which promises to offer a more sophisticated sports dining experience to its guests. This new restaurant will feature an over 100-feet wide HD stadium welcome screen, open kettle grills, 100 HD TVs streaming live sports content and coverage, and more than 100 unique selections of craft and regional beer.
New Theme: While no concrete plans or dates have been announced yet, Universal Orlando is collaborating with video game industry leader Nintendo to bring and integrate Nintendo’s game world into a theme park for the first time in history. Plans include creating new attractions and experiences based on Nintendo’s most popular games, stories and characters.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong (Courtesy Universal Orlando)
New Ride: If you love Jurassic Park River Adventure and you’re impressed with Universal Studio Hollywood’s King Kong 360 3-D, then “Skull Island: Reign of Kong” will blow your mind. Travel to King Kong’s land, a mysterious and previously undiscovered prehistoric wilderness full of majestic creatures, hostile natives and an ancient temple, and go on an incredible adventure that will have you fighting for survival. With the help of “King Kong” director, Peter Jackson, this Islands of Adventure attraction is set to open in the summer of 2016.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (Courtesy Universal Orlando)
New Hotel: Relax in a Caribbean paradise in the middle of Universal Orlando, thanks to the park’s latest hotel addition, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. The Caribbean-inspired value-to-moderate hotel will feature 1,000 rooms and suites, a lagoon, a waterfall, gastronomic opportunities, and a resort-style pool with waters slide, beach and fire pit. This new hotel is also scheduled to open in the summer of 2016.
(MORE: How to Combine a Disney World and Universal Orlando Vacation)
New Park: Joining Universal’s two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, is Universal’s Volcano Bay, the resort’s first-ever onsite water park that promises an immersive experience for the guests. In 2017, families will have an opportunity to get wet, cool down and have fun in a unique and gorgeous setting as Volcano Bay will offer “radically innovative” and “boldly creative” attractions that will alter the meaning of “water park” forever.
Michelle Rae Uy contributed this to MiniTime. She is a travel writer based in Los Angeles and MiniTime’s Head of Content, who spends her free time on adventures and film photography.
