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Get ready for the biggest party at Universal Studios! The 2026 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras celebration features epic weekend concerts, a full parade, and delicious food. This annual festival at Universal takes place February 7 through April 4, 2026 and is perfect for date night. In this post, we take a look at what to expect…
Let’s eat! Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2026 has a smaller selection this year, with 13 food and beverage booths (keep reading for the FULL MENU). This annual festival at Universal takes place from February 7 through April 4, 2026, and is perfect for date night. In our expert guide to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras food…
Orlando is one of the best cities to celebrate the biggest party night of the year. With so many things to do for New Year’s Eve in Orlando it can be hard to decide where to go for the big night. One exciting venue full of energy and celebration is Universal Orlando CityWalk. New Year’s…
The brand-new Universal Helios Grand Hotel opened in April 2025, welcoming guests to a romantic, upscale vacation experience. From the moment you step inside, you’re transported to a Mediterranean getaway with beautiful stone walls, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, gelato samples, and a Helios statue overlooking your dedicated entrance to Epic Universe. Pack your suitcase, choose…
Universal Orlando is loved by many Orlando couples because of the thrills and excitement found around every corner. The holiday season at Universal Orlando takes the joy of the holidays and amps up the excitement. Both theme parks are decked out for the holidays, the Universal Orlando hotels are decorated, and CityWalk gets in on…
Here’s what to expect at Universal Volcano Bay Nights, happening this fall on select nights, What’s included, what can you do, and more.
Halloween isn’t just for haunted houses. Universal Orlando’s hotels each bring the spooky season to life with their own themed lobbies and bars, making them an unforgettable spot for a date night. This year, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, and Loews Portofino Bay are standing out with festive flair. These three standout…
Spooky season is here, and Universal Orlando knows how to throw a haunted bash better than anyone else in Orlando. Their annual terror fest, Halloween Horror Nights, has consistently won Amusement Today’s “Best Halloween Event” award, with terrifying scarezones and haunted houses. But it may not be your fang, errr I mean, thing. If you’re…
The spooky Halloween season begins early here in Orlando, and this year is another special moment for Halloween Horror Nights. The spooks at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kick off on select nights from August 29 – November 2, 2025. This year, Universal Orlando is offering fans a new HHN experience like no other! It’s every Halloween…
You can now get Butterbeer at Universal CityWalk—no park ticket needed. Discover this new date night spot with sweet treats, themed shopping, and nostalgic vibes.
The moment I stepped through the electrified portal into Dark Universe, I knew this land was going to be different. And not just because of the eerie lighting or the Danny Elfman soundtrack crawling through the stone walkways—this place is alive in the most chilling, cinematic way. It feels like you wandered onto the set…
No matter the time of year, you can experience paradise at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Of all the water parks in Orlando, Volcano Bay is a great choice for grown-ups and couples. But, the best day at Universal’s Volcano Bay takes planning. Read on for tips just for couples. We’ll start off with the basics and…
With heart-pounding thrill rides, action-packed shows, and incredible themed lands, Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect place for an adventurous day date. For a picture-perfect finish, stick around to catch a dazzling nighttime spectacular, complete with fireworks. Our guide to viewing fireworks at Universal Orlando has everything you need to plan the grand finale, from…
I really love a good escape room. From solving puzzles as a team to taking in the elaborate theming, visiting an Orlando escape room on a date night always feels like the perfect way to spend time with my husband. But escape rooms also make me more than a little anxious. The solution? Universal Orlando…
Few places in Orlando are as exciting as Universal Orlando. Two thrilling theme parks, an unbelievable water park, multiple resort hotels, and energetic CityWalk all add up to a great date night destination. So how do you choose the best restaurants at Universal Orlando for date night? It’s all right here. Updated March 2025 by…
As much as we love heading into Universal Orlando’s theme parks for some fun, it can be very pricey. February to end of March is a great time to venture into Universal because of the epic Mardi Gras celebration. But you can actually enjoy some of the festivities of Universal’s Mardi Gras without needing a…
Follow the yellow brick road to Universal Orlando Resort for Wicked: The Experience, based on the highly anticipated film.
Before I stopped drinking several months ago, one of my biggest concerns was what it would be like to visit Orlando theme parks like Universal Orlando Resort sober. For as long as I’ve lived in Central Florida, I’ve equated visiting its theme parks with sipping a cocktail while strolling to the next attraction. Quickly after…
Get ready to crank up the neon and rock out to the coolest store in Universal Studios. That’s right, the Summer Tribute Store is back, and this year it’s taking us on a bodacious blast from the past to the totally awesome 1980s! Starting May 24, Universal Orlando Resort guests can rediscover some of their…
Just because you are heading to your favorite bar or restaurant, it doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy an adult beverage. Maybe you chose to quit drinking as growing movements like Dry January gain momentum. Or perhaps you’re just looking for ways to be more healthful, including alcohol-free date ideas. We already love the many…
I recently surprised my husband with a little staycation at Universal’s Cabana Bay Resort for his birthday. You may not immediately think of romance when you think of Cabana Bay, but stick with me – there’s lots to love. I’m here to share with you what we loved about this unique place to stay in…
Central Florida is home to so many activities for locals. How lucky are we to have endless ways to connect with our loved ones right in our backyard?! You may be familiar with the major theme parks and the annual pass benefits they have to offer, but what about some of our other local favorites?…
As a theme park journalist, I spend a lot of time in Central Florida’s theme parks during the Christmas season. From the holidays at Walt Disney World to SeaWorld, I’ve experienced most of what these parks have to offer during the holidays. In recent years, the holidays at Universal Orlando Resort have become a favorite—especially…
It’s time to head to the Universal Orlando Wizarding World of Harry Potter for some drinks! No pub crawl would be complete without some specialty beverages and snacks. Whether you want Butterbeer in all its forms, or to try some of the specialty beers exclusive to the “Harry Potter World,” your tastebuds will be spellbound….
There is so much fun to be had at Orlando’s theme parks right now. Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, and SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival are all underway this spring. But which Orlando theme park festival is the best? While it would be awesome if we could do it all…
Universal Orlando has some amazing resort properties with entertaining night life, tasty food options and unique drinks. And you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy them! Welcoming locals and hotel guests, each resort on property has fun bars and speciality drinks. Try a bar hop or stick to one resort for a…
Celebrate Easter’s delicious side at one of four Universal Orlando Resort hotels hosting epicurean happenings this Sunday, April 1st. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort each welcome guests for chef-inspired Easter buffets plus live entertainment and fun for the whole family. Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay…
The time for corned beef and cabbage, Guinness draft beers (or green beer if you prefer), and Irish whiskey will be here soon for St. Patrick’s Day in Orlando. March 17, 2026: St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday (womp womp), but thankfully, there are many events scheduled for the weekend! This St. Patrick’s Day…
Local Orlando events this weekend and things to do this month, updated weekly with the latest events.
Curated by local experts, our guide to Orlando restaurants for Valentine’s Day is organized by atmosphere and romance factor.
When it comes to birthdays, kids aren’t the only ones who deserve an epic birthday celebration. Everyone deserves to let loose and celebrate another year around the sun. Looking for a few suggestions to celebrate another year wiser? Look no further, we’ve put together a collection of birthday ideas for adults. FEATURED IDEA: Fire &…
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