History
After Universal Studios Florida opened on June 7, 1990, Universal Entertainment formed a joint venture with The Blackstone Group and began planning a future expansion that would transform the single park into a multi-day destination resort. In late 1995, construction began on a new park, Universal Islands of Adventure. During this time, several new attractions were being built and opened at Universal Studios Florida, including Woody Woodpecker's KidZone,[7] Men in Black: Alien Attack, and Animal Actors On Location! (formerly Animal Planet Live).
Universal's Islands of Adventure opened to the general public on May 28, 1999, featuring six themed islands, including the Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island. The park opened to mediocre attendance, and as a result, several attractions were closed soon after, including Island Skipper Tours.
Universal Epic Universe opened to the public on May 22, 2025. It introduced 5 immersive worlds to the Universal Orlando Resort, Including Celestial Park, How To Train Your Dragon: Isle Of Berk, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe and the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Ministry Of Magic. On opening day the park was empty. Every wait time was less then 30 Minutes BESIDES Harry Potter and the battle at the Ministry with 300 Minute waits. The theme park also opened with 3 brand new hotels. Stella Nova and Terra Luna are space themed hotels, while the Helios Grand Hotel is a hotel themed to the god Helios. The hotel stands facing the theme park.
Along with the new theme park, the resort also opened a Florida version of Universal CityWalk from Universal Studios Hollywood. While it is the same concept, CityWalk Orlando was given different venues and design. Universal also opened the resort's first onsite hotel in September 1999. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (originally Portofino Bay Hotel, a Loews Hotel) was operated and partially owned by Loews Hotels but was also partially owned by Universal and The Blackstone Group. The two theme parks, CityWalk, and the hotel were branded as Universal Studios Escape, however the name was quickly changed to Universal Orlando Resort in July 2000 due to guest confusion over what the resort had to offer.[8]
In December 2000, Hard Rock Hotel opened as Universal Orlando's second onsite hotel. In 2001, Loews Royal Pacific Resort opened. In the midst of all these openings, two parking garages were constructed and the popular water park Wet 'n Wild Orlando was acquired.
In 2003, rumors began swirling that a Harry Potter themed attraction would be coming to Universal or one of the Disney parks. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be built as the seventh of the Islands of Adventure park. The attraction opened on June 18, 2010.
Shortly after the success of the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, rumors began to swirl once again, this time of a second Potter-themed area in Universal Studios Florida. It was announced shortly thereafter that Universal would begin construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, replacing Jaws: The Ride.[9] On July 8, 2014, Diagon Alley officially opened to the public.[10]
The Blackstone Group sold its stake in Universal Orlando in early 2011.[11] As of 2015, Universal Orlando Resort occupies 541 acres.[12]
As of 2024, Universal Orlando Resort currently occupies 1291 acre of land, with the expansion of Universal Epic Universe.
