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Orlando, Florida
Where to Stay and Play in America's Family Fun Capital
Part One
By Elisa Ast All
The Portofino Bay is located at 5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando. Contact them at 877-837-2273 or www.universalstudios.com.
From the hotel you can take a fun boat ride throughout the Universal compound, accessing Universal's theme parks and CityWalk, a hotbed of restaurants and nightlife.
Universal Studios theme park offers rides based on popular movies such as The Terminator, Back to the Future and Men in Black. There's also fun for the kids! Sing and clap along at "A Day in the Park with Barney" and "Woody Woodpecker's KidZone."
Islands of Adventure theme park adds more to the mix. Explore the whimsical world of "Seuss Landing" and encounter all of Dr. Seuss' wonderful characters. Discover the myths and legends of "The Lost Continent." Journey back in time at "Jurassic Park." Laugh with your favorite cartoon and comic strip characters on "Toon Lagoon." Then enter "Marvel Super Hero Island," where you'll experience "The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man."
A bonus: If you stay at a Universal hotel, you'll get a pass to use in the theme parks that enables you to go to attractions' short lines for hotel guests only! It made a big difference in our wait time.
CityWalk offers live music, casual and fine dining, specialty shopping and more. Attractions include Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Motown Cafe, Emeril's Restaurant, NASCAR Cafe, NBA City, Latin Quarter, Hard Rock Cafe and Universal Cineplex, among others. It's loads of fun, but – as with all attractions in Orlando – wear good walking shoes!
We were excited to explore the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort. Being on the Disney property, minutes from the Magic Kingdom, was a thrill.
