Recommend January 2016 - (Page 90)
A Universally
Entertaining
Experience
melissa bryant
onsitereview
Skull Island: Reign of Kong ride opens this summer.
Universal Orlando's New Attractions, Rides, Hotels...Oh My!
While some theme parks are seemingly
aimed at pleasing younger guests, Universal
Orlando Resort has its sights set on
providing universally appealing entertainment.
My recent trip to both Universal parks-
Universal Studios Orlando and Islands
of Adventure-saw me swatting away
three-dimensional comic book villains on
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
ride, zapping aliens on the Men in Black:
Alien Attack ride and ducking for cover from
Imhotep on the Revenge of the Mummy
ride-experiences I enjoyed just as much in
my youth as I did during this recent visit.
In the past few years, Universal Orlando
has launched 18 new experiences between
both parks, an onsite hotel, and Universal
CityWalk venues, and with a record-breaking
62 million travelers visiting Orlando in 2014,
demand for new attractions is certainly there.
Universal Orlando is meeting this demand
by increasing its hotel inventory to 5,200
rooms this year with the opening of the
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort-a number
that will soon rise to 5,600 when the
retro-themed Cabana Bay Beach Resort
completes its 400-room expansion in 2017.
I had the opportunity to stay onsite at
Cabana Bay and experience a slice of 1950s
Americana right down to the continental
breakfast served at the Bayliner Diner food
court, where I watched black-and-white
commercials from yesteryear while munching
on freshly made omelets and homestyle
90 january 2016
potatoes. Sitting there, I couldn't help but
wonder, if Universal Orlando's newest build
has its own lazy river, Galaxy Bowl bowling
alley and Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness
Studio, then there's no telling what will be in
store for guests at the Caribbean-inspired
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort when it opens
this summer.
What I can tell you is that the new
1,000-guestroom property will feature a
16,000-sq.ft. resort-style pool, a Calypso
Game room, and multiple dining options,
including poolside bar and grill Drhum Club
Kantine, with a seafood-laden, tapas-style
menu and an adjoining fire pit area; and
destination lobby lounge Strong Water Tavern,
where guests can sip rum and chow down
on ceviche. As with other onsite properties,
the hotel will be connected to CityWalk via
a complimentary water taxi service and/or
shuttle bus transportation so "guests can go
from park to pool in two seconds," says Russ
Dagon, executive v. p. and executive project
director, Universal Creative.
Guests of Sapphire Falls-as well as those
staying at the other onsite properties-receive
early theme park admission, resort-wide
charging privileges with their room key, and
complimentary delivery of merchandise to their
hotel purchased throughout the resort.
immersive attractions
"We're constantly looking for ways to improve
the guest experience," notes Dennis Quinn,
v.p. of destination sales, Universal Orlando
Resort. "I think it helps to have some of the
most relevant characters and stories, and then
you couple that with the latest technology
and it ends up being a great experience-an
experience that you can go to and enjoy as
an adult and enjoy as a child whether you're a
6-year-old, a 12-year-old or a 56-year-old."
For example, the jungle-themed Skull Island:
Reign of Kong ride, which opens this summer,
will feature actors in the ride's queue-a first
for Universal.
The news of a reimagined King Kongthemed ride is huge, but something even
more explosive is on the way. In 2017, two
attractions will be added-Fast & Furious:
Supercharged, a high-octane journey based
off of the "Fast & Furious" action-film franchise;
and the Race through New York Starring
Jimmy Fallon ride experience inspired by the
comedian's "Tonight Show" segment. Plus,
Universal will be introducing what is being
dubbed as its third theme park, Volcano Bay.
At just under 30 acres, this water park will offer
a tropically themed immersive environment
segmented into villages, with some geared
towards adventure-seekers and others geared
towards relaxation-seekers.
Agents take note: Universal is updating its
travel agent website, which is set to launch in a
couple of months.
contact information
Universal Orlando Resort: universaltravelagents.com
recommend.com
http://www.universaltravelagents.com
http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2016
Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: On Your 2016 Radar
Tour Talk: Travel Impressions
River Cruising: What’s Hot Now
AmaSerena
2016 Delta Air Lines Caribbean, Mexico & Latin America Guide
5 Places to Hang in Tokyo
The National Parks: Centennial Celebration
Universal Orlando
Value Travel
Egypt is Hot!
Recommend January 2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/feb2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/2019DeltaGuide
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/deltaguide2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/nov2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/oct2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/sept2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/SaintLucia2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/Guatemala/Guatemala
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/feb2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/jan2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/Jandelta2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/DeltaDec2017Guide
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/nov2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/oct2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/Martinique
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/septrec2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/DeltaGuideJan2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/Delta
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/saintlucia
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/november2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/oct2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/sept2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/prevue/mayjune2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/saintlucia
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/november2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/october2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/guatemala
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/september2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/trinidadtobago
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/delta2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/november2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/october2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/recommendoctober2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/september2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/CostaRIca
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/delta
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/recommendnovember2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/october2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/RecommendSeptember2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/guatemala2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Brazil2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/IsraelTravelPlanner2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS/Tahiti
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/mexicoweddingplanner2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/november2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/october2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/september2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may_2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/february2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/december_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/november_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/october_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/september_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/recommend/july_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/june_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/may_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/april_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/march2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/feb_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/December_2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/November_2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/Recommend/October2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/sept_2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/august_2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/july2010
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com