There is nothing I love more than Halloween, unless it’s Halloween plus my favorite Florida theme park. For 2009, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights will have 8 haunted houses, 6 “scare zones”, and 2 new live shows. The park does a great job of reworking these shows every year, so you could make it an annual event and never see the same thing twice. Universal’s hanuted houses are scary too, and are not for kids or faint-hearted adults.

The theme for 2009 at Universal is “Ripped from the Silver Screen” with haunted houses and events focused on your favorite horror movies. You’ll see scenes from classics like Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein, plus new favorites like Saw, Child’s Play and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures (who knows where that one came from!). Most of your favorite rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure will also be open, so take a break from all the horror by hitting up the new Simpsons ride or the classic arcade-style Men in Black.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights are open on the following dates for 2009:

October 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-25, 28-31

Most nights the park is open from 6:30 pm to 2 am, though it closes at midnight on Sundays. While this is one of the best Halloween attractions in the country, it’s also one of the most crowded, so it helps to know how to beat the crowds. Read more »

I’ve mentioned in many posts that I hate waiting in long lines. I know some people feel like that 90 minute wait is part of the theme park experience, but I’d rather wait 5-10 minutes and walk right on to the ride. The good news is that Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure offer plenty of ways to experience major rides and attractions without waiting in line, and you can do it without spending an extra dime.

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Many people who have visited Orlando’s Universal Studios park in the past will be surprised at just how much the resort has evolved. There are now two major parks, three hotels, and the CityWalk Entertainment complex. Read more »

The Universal Resort offers three on-site hotels that truly five-star, world-class destinations, with a price tag to match. So why bother reviewing these hotels if the price is so high? Simply put, Universal’s hotels come with the greatest theme park perk ever. Guests of the hotels get free front-of-the-access to all the major rides and attractions in the park! Can you imagine a sweeter deal?! All you have to do is show your room key to the ride attendents and you can breeze past the lines.

So what, you’re thinking, if the prices are too high for me to afford it? While the rack rates at the three hotels are all over $300 a night, the smart traveler can easily get a room at one of Universal’s hotels for $150-175/night by shopping around.

The first place to look is Priceline. Not only do they seem to have some of the best hotel deals around, but they have the lowest booking fees too. There’s nothing I hate worse than finding a low price for a hotel on Expedia or Orbitz then finding out I’m paying an extra $50 or so in booking fees. Read more »

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando and want to make sure you’re not stuck in long lines? Try visiting the park during off-peak times. Like Walt Disney World, Universal is a lot more fun when you’re not fighting your way through crowds. Read more »

This blog has grown out of my love of Universal Studios theme park. While I’ve always been a Disney fan, it seems like Universal is getting better every year, and their hotels and attractions are truly outstanding (Spiderman ride anyone?) I’ll be posting news, reviews, and tips to help make your trip more fun.

The first thing you should know about me is that I HATE CROWDS. If it comes down to going to the park and waiting in long lines all day, count me out. Luckily, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure offer ways to see the park and ride all the rides without experiencing the dreaded 90 minute wait time. Read more »