News

Universal Parks Launches Discover Universal Vacation Planning Content Site

February 15, 2022
Discover Universal Launch

It’s my absolute pleasure and (speaking on behalf of the team) a true passion to get to introduce the world to Discover Universal. The Discover Universal content hub was created in response to feedback we have received from you, our guests and — hopefully — potential future guests, about wanting a one-stop resource for learning everything you need to know about Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Here you’ll find informative articles, entertaining original video series and a brand new vacation planning podcast to give you the must-dos, must-eats, must-knows, how-tos, and so much more. 

We understand that the world is changing and so are the needs of our guests. So, we intend to create innovative ways to communicate with you through valuable content and rich storytelling. In the coming years, we’ll continue to listen to your comments left here, on our social channels, and in every survey taken as we hope to create content that puts the wants and needs of our guests at the forefront of our editorial mission. 

We hear you, we appreciate you, and we’re here to create for you.

Below you’ll find a sampling of what’s to come in the near future. Get ready to Discover Universal!

DISCOVER UNIVERSAL PODCAST

Podcasts are one of the fastest growing mediums for content consumption. So we want to make sure we have you covered no matter where or how you want to learn about our destination. Our Discover Universal Podcast hosts will give you the tips, tricks and must-know details to help you plan the most unforgettable vacation ever. Subscribe or follow wherever you listen to podcasts starting now!

RIDE GUYS

How fast does that ride go? Does it go upside down? What’s the ride height requirements? And what about hidden easter eggs? These are some of the questions our Ride Guys hosts hope to answer as they take you through an entertaining tour of the must-do attractions at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, and strap in to show you what the actual experiences are like. SHABOOM!

DINE & RIDE

In the past 20 years, theme park fare has matured, and our hosts are taking you on a culinary quest to taste their way all around Universal Orlando Resort. From doughnuts to pizza to sushi to Cowboy Ribeyes, you’ll see why a visit to our destination is about so much more than just the rides. *CHEF’S KISS!

CHECKED IN

Did you know that Universal Orlando Resort has eight themed hotels? Some of them just steps from the parks. On Checked In, our host will visit each hotel breaking down the theming, benefits, transportation, and amenities to help you choose the right hotel for you and your loved ones. 

All of this in addition to continuing to provide a slew of blogs and blog series to educate and entertain. We’re so excited to launch all of this new content! Please share your feedback with us wherever you find our content or you can email the team any time at DiscoverUniversal@universalorlando.com. And stay tuned as we announce more series in the coming months.

Cheers!

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33 Comments

  • Reply Cynthia Massicotte February 15, 2022 at 3:23 pm

    In our 48 years together we have traveled all over the world and have visited many amusement parks. Universal Orlando is our favorite. The reason is it is where we feel most welcome, from comfort in the hotels, parks, restaurants; staff always making us feel important and willing to meet our needs and easy rides for us. We are looking forward to reading your blogs about the park and our 5th visit next month, March 2022.

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 1, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      Hi Cynthia,

      I want you to know that reading this comment genuinely made my day. Thank you for your support!

  • Reply Jaylah February 15, 2022 at 3:26 pm

    As an annual pass holder, FL resident, mom to a Universal Kid and Broadcaster/content creator I am beyond excited to see this roll out and looking forward to hearing and seeing all the content to come! Only thing better than this would have been actually being apart of this and creating content for your team 😆 ! Congratulations and best of luck!!!

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 1, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      Well, who says you can’t be a part of it? Send us recommendations for content topics that you would love for us to cover and, who knows, maybe we’ll choose your rec.

      Email us at DiscoverUniversal@universalorlando.com.

  • Reply Neil Hartley-Smith February 15, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    This looks really good. My family all love UO and I am an AP holder who lives in the uk. Can’t wait to view the content prior to my Mardi Gras visit with family from the uk March/April.

  • Reply Scott February 15, 2022 at 10:09 pm

    So excited when I randomly say this on YouTube today! In the past ten years I’ve gone 5 times, my goal is to go at least once a year, family just went in November and going again in June! Looking forward to helpful and fun info! Universal is the best!

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 1, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      *extremely Golden Girls theme song voice*

      Thank you for being a fan!

  • Reply Stacy February 16, 2022 at 3:09 am

    So excited and looking forward to reading Universal news and updates. I’m coming in March 2022 and bringing 2 first-timers with me!

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    Reply Social Media Team February 16, 2022 at 7:33 am

    We look forward to seeing you next month, Stacy!

  • Reply Dusty Smith February 28, 2022 at 5:18 pm

    Thanks for getting this site together. My family and I are coming for a week-long vacation to Universal in May. I can’t wait to hear the upcoming podcasts!

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 1, 2022 at 4:41 pm

      Hi Dusty! Good news for your vacation, we should have the majority of Season 1 of the Podcast posted before your visit in May, so you will have all you need to plan the best visit imaginable. Look for the Discover Universal Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to Subscribe so you can be notified when new episodes get published.

      Also, since you’re coming in May when the temps will be inching closer to triple digits, may I suggest a ride on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. It’s probably our team’s favorite underrated ride, and, well, let’s just say it’s a guaranteed way to beat the heat. Have an awesome time on your trip!

  • Reply Wayne February 28, 2022 at 10:12 pm

    When I see vacation planning site I recoil in terror at the thought of Disney. I NEVER want to see Universal turn into the completely non spontaneous horror that Disney has turned into. The great thing about Universal is we as fans and the public can still create our own vacation, how we want to do things. Not what an app or something else tells us to do, not a vacation where we have to reserve every minute detail up to the specific second. The reason Universal is gaining while Disney is losing steam, is just that the lack of being able to do what you want when you want. I love Universal, and pray it never changes, at least not in those ways. In other words, please don’t turn into Disney.

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 1, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      Well, Wayne, 4/5 of the Discover Universal Team will be at Universal Studios Florida this Thursday for lunch. How about you come meet up for a Butterbeer on us?

      How’s THAT for spontaneity.

      Hit us up at DiscoverUniversal@universalorlando.com if interested.

  • Reply Lynn March 2, 2022 at 9:37 am

    I just booked a vacation at Universal Orlando for September this year!!! My daughter and I are so excited since it is during Horror Nights …. so happy I found this site. Looking forward to the Checked In series coming in May since we are staying @ Lowes Portofino. This resort looks imitating with just the size alone!!

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 2, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Good choice, Lynn! That’s one of our DU Team’s favorite Universal Orlando Hotels. We just had our end-of-year celebration at Mama Della’s Ristorante at Portofino and it was delicious. Keep an eye out for Checked In launching sometime this summer.

  • Reply Brian March 2, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    My wife and I have decided to surprise our 12 year son with a Universal trip this April, and this podcast is EXACTLY what we were hoping to hear about. Any special suggestions to help us really have a special moment there?

  • Reply Tami Swenson March 12, 2022 at 10:32 am

    So excited for this! I’m from Massachusetts and we’ve taken many trips to Universal. I did my first solo trip in November and upgraded to annual pass so I can get down there more times throughout the year. Seeing people’s posts throughout the year or things like this gets me so excited for future trips. There’s always more to learn no matter how many times you’ve been before!

  • Reply LisaHKing March 23, 2022 at 10:39 am

    I was there in 2019 I am truly missing universal I love this place 😥

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel March 23, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      It’s been too long. Hope we get to welcome you back soon! Wishing you health and happiness to you and yours!

  • Reply LisaHKing March 23, 2022 at 10:40 am

    My son loves it too

  • Reply Kevin Sherrets March 24, 2022 at 7:26 am

    I want to work for universal. 20+ years in radio broadcast and production. I’m here to take your podcasts to the next level.

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    Reply Social Media Team April 20, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    Hi Philomena! Wheelchairs and ECVs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at our parks for you to rent throughout your visit.

  • Reply Charity July 23, 2022 at 11:16 am

    From San Francisco and will be taking my partner to USO in the fall for her very first visit! Thank you for launching this series and getting her ready for the ultimate adventure! Since she’s never been to either Disney or Universal ever, I figured her first trip had to be at USO and IOA. It’s been a while since I have been able to go to USO since the pandemic, so super excited to see what’s new in the parks since I last visited 3 years ago. Any suggestions where I should take her so that she will turn into the ultimate universal fan?

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      Reply Social Media Team July 23, 2022 at 11:39 am

      Hi there, we definitely recommend checking out our newest ride Jurassic Word VelociCoaster!

  • Reply Hillary Sivec July 27, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    As a regular devourer of Universal Orlando content, reading through Jimi Kunkel’s replies was a fun little find. I love nothing more than when someone seems like they truly enjoy what they do. Especially when what they do is bring the “regular people” even further into the world of Universal!

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      Reply Jimi Kunkel August 29, 2022 at 11:16 am

      Hi Hillary, thanks for taking notice of our small but mighty team. I meant every word of what I said, our group is fully committed to the wants and needs of our guests dictating the content we create.

      And yes, I can confirm that we all truly love what we do.

  • Reply Grace Rodriguez February 28, 2024 at 11:31 am

    My son currently 9 years old we have the higest annual pass since we live in Tennessee. His favorite is minions and jimmy ride. He has universal studios and island of adventure annual pass. Together we go fuj rides together. Look forward to fun events mardi gra and Macys parade. My son and I have renewed our annual pass sincs 2021. We look forward to the food. My sons a picky eater. He loves louies pizza and chocolate chip cookies. We did the holiday tour in 2022 that was so much fun. We come to enjoy universal studios and island of adventure alway 6 to 7 times a year. Loved they extended our 202e and 2024 passes for additional 3 months thats a great perk. Gives me time to save to renew annual pass again in october 2024. My son will be back for his birthday when he turns 10 years olf. We been renewing our annual pass since he was 6 years old. Its been wonderful enjoy 20 % off food and drnks. Wonderful they adding more fun park like epic. We definitely getting all 3 annual park passes. My son excited. I upload all his videos and content of all our travels on his you tube channel gabriel playhouse @wepa580. I am always posting his adventures since we been going there. He so excited and happier at universal studios and island of adventure than Disney. I just bought our 2023 and 2024 annual Disney pass for his 9th birthday. He did not seem so excited as he with Universal studios and island of adventure. Now he saw email video you guys sent us for new opening of epic in 2025. What month does it officially open? As a single mom I save in advance to purchase the annual pass. So I womder will they have separate annual pass for the park epic???

    • Reply Digital Guest Communications February 28, 2024 at 12:06 pm

      Hi Grace. We are thrilled to hear that you and your son continue to enjoy your visits! Universal Epic Universe will open in 2025. An official grand opening date will be
      revealed in the months ahead. More information on Annual Pass offerings for Universal Epic Universe will be revealed at a later time.

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