Universal Orlando Resort Hopping Guide (2024)

Universal is known for theme parks full of wizards, dinosaurs, superheroes, and aliens, but they also have a great selection of hotels full of places to explore and unique activities in impressively themed environments. So in the spirit of the popular Walt Disney World pastime of “resort hopping” here is our guide to resort hopping at Universal Orlando – from directions between the hotels to attractions worth your time at each hotel.

Resort hopping is visiting one or more hotels at Univeral Orlando to experience the hotel ambiance, amenities, drinks, and food. Resort hopping is an easy and great way to sample the Universal hotels, think of it as a try-before-you-buy option. Universal resort hopping is more convenient and relaxing than at Disney and Universal hotel guests can pool hop (except for guests at Endless Summer).

Ok, it’s time to chart a path for our journey. Universal Orlando has nine separate hotels as of 2024 spread over three distinct resort groups, with another opening in 2025:

1. North Main Campus Hotels – Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay, accessed by walking, boat, bus, or ride share off Universal Blvd and located east of Universal Studios Florida.
2. South Main Campus Hotels – Cabana Bay, Aventura, Sapphire Falls, and Royal Pacific hotels. These hotels are located off Hollywood and Adventure Way and are south of the Islands of Adventure theme park. Accessible by walking, bus, or ride share but only Sapphire Falls and Royal Pacific have boat access (though Aventura and Cabana Bay guests can walk to and use either boat landing). Cabana Bay is connected to the other hotels by a pedestrian bridge at the northeastern corner of the parking lot.
3. Endless Summer Hotels – Located off Universal Blvd south of USF and IOA, Surfside & Dockside are only accessible by bus or ride share. Jumping between Surfside and Dockside is easier said than done – there is one crosswalk across Universal Blvd near the Dockside lobby otherwise you’ll have to transfer buses at CityWalk.
4. Opening 2025 Epic Universe Hotels – Located 20 minutes south of the North Universal Orlando campus, the southern Epic Universe campus has three hotels: Stella Luna, Terra Nova, and Grand Helios.

We suggest touring the hotels in groups – for example, see all the south main campus hotels at once before moving to the north main campus hotels. CityWalk acts as a hub for all the hotels, Endless Summer is accessed by bus through CityWalk and all boats drop off at the CityWalk dock, so as you plan your path remember you will have to return to CityWalk. Finally, make use of Universal Orlando boats and buses to travel between hotels.

For example, this fall I’m going to resort hop with friends one afternoon. We are staying at Endless Summer Dockside, so we will use the bus and travel to CityWalk and transfer to the Cabana Bay bus. We will tour Cabana Bay, take the bridge to Aventura, walk over to Sapphire Falls, explore Royal Pacific, and then take the boat to CityWalk. After a break, we’ll boat to Portofino, walk to Hard Rock, and finally walk back to the CityWalk to end the tour. This plan is easy to modify – if one are staying at Cabana Bay you could do the same plan but take the bus to Endless Summer whenever you pass through CityWalk.

Universal’s hotels are full resorts with on-site dining, a pool, an arcade, a gift shop, a fitness center, and Starbucks – but you really want to try the unique things at the resorts. Below are some of our suggestions for unique attractions at the resorts.

Endless Summer Surfside & Dockside are sister hotels located south of the main Universal Orlando property and is connected to CityWalk by an 8-minute bus ride. Universal’s value hotels are designed and priced to compete with the two-star hotels and motels on I-Drive. Both hotels have a gift shop, quick service dining location, and bar – Dockside is inside while the Surfside bar is attached to the pool.

Cabana Bay is a popular midcentury modern hotel for guests who love resort amenities at a reasonable price and there are lots of things for a resort hopping guest to check out. The resort features two pool areas, including one with a lazy river, two pool bars, a BOWLING ALLEY, a milkshake bar, and a hotel lobby bar that feels out of your grandfather’s cabinet. It is magical to just vibe and chill at Cabana Bay. Aventura is a sleek, modern resort with one cool trick – a 17th-floor bar! Bar 17 provides spectacular views of Volcano Bay and Islands of Adventure with delicious co*cktails and small plates. Take the elevator up to Bar 17 even if you don’t want to snack just for the views. Sapphire Falls’ gorgeous waterfalls are worth a visit and while you are there visit Strong Water Tavern. In our opinion, Strong Water has the best craft co*cktails at Universal and excellent small plates.

Roayl Pacific is a chill, modern South Pacific beach resort. Unique shopping is located next to the pool, a high end sushi bar also acts as the resort’s lobby bar, and Jake’s American Bar is an ex-pat beer bar. On Saturday evenings is the Wantilan Luau an all-you-can-eat luau featuring island delicacies and dancers. Hard Rock Hotel features gardens, rock memorabilia all over the resort, and the Velvet Bar in the lobby. Portofino Bay is a gorgeous recreation of the bay at Portofino, Italy. The port is full of small shops and restaurants for sampling including hosting the quarterly Harbor Nights festivals. Along the port is the Thirsty Fish pub, which is worth it if you hike to the hotel.

CityWalk is Universal Orlando’s shopping and dining district which everyone must walk through to access USF, IOA, or other resorts. When at CityWalk visit the chocolate shop at Toothsome, the Epic Universe preview center for Nintendo merchandise, and the Univeral Studios Store for all things Universal Orlando. Resort hopping is a great time to sample new restaurants. Bigfire and Antojitos have lively bars with full liquor, wine, and beer options and NBC Sports Grill & Brew has dozens of TVs turned to sports and a wide assortment of appetizers and draft beers. Speaking of bars, the Red Coconut Club turns into a seasonal bar with decorations and unique co*cktails.

• Most restaurant restaurants, bars, and lounges open after 4:00 p.m., so consider visiting the hotels in the early evening.
• The boat ride from CityWalk to Portofino Bay is iconic, especially at night. We highly recommend making the boat trip to Portofino instead of walking or taking the bus.
• Remember, you are visiting hotels, be respectful of those staying there.

What are your trips for hotel hopping around the Universal Orlando Resort? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!