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Universal Orlando

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File:Universal studio globe.jpg
Taken in August 2005. The famous Universal Globe.
File:Entrance universal.JPG
Taken in December 2004, this picture shows a walkway bridge (right) and the giant studio entrance (back) at Universal Studios Orlando.

Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is a joint partnership between NBC Universal and The Blackstone Group. The resort consists of two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure), Universal CityWalk (a night-time entertainment destination), and three Loews hotels. It is the largest property owned by Universal Studios Theme Parks, and is also the second largest resort in Orlando after the Walt Disney World Resort.

The resort began with the original Universal Studios Florida which opened in 1990. Expansion occurred in 1999, adding Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, several new hotels, and an enormous parking structure. The end result was a gargantuan resort destination much larger than Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as designed to be a head-to-head rival to Walt Disney World.

File:Universal Entrance.JPG
One more view of studio entrance, Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando is located at 28.475° -81.470, north of the International Drive resort area, on a parcel of land framed by I-4 to the south, Kirkman Road to the east, Vineland Road to the north, and Turkey Lake Road to the west. The resort is directly accessible from I-4 via Exit 74B, which empties eastbound onto Universal Boulevard and westbound onto Hollywood Way.

In 2007, Universal began considering the Wet 'n Wild park in Orlando, which it purchased in 1998, a part of Universal Orlando Resort. It is located adjacent to Universal Orlando property, across Interstate 4 at International Drive and Universal Boulevard.

Universal CityWalk

Panoramic view of Universal Orlando Resort, FL.

CityWalk includes the 20 screen AMC Universal Cineplex, numerous restaurants, shops, and clubs.

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida, opened in 1990, is a theme park that lets visitors "Ride the Movies." The theming in Universal Studio's is targeted at making guests feel like they are in a movie set with rides that are inspired by popular films. The park consists of six themed areas (Hollywood, Production Central, New York, San Francisco / Amity, World Expo and KidZone).

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened in May 1999 as an expansion to the Universal Orlando Resort and CityWalk areas. The park is composed of five distinct "islands", each having its own theme. Visitors start off in the Port of Entry and make thier way through the various islands.