Endless Summer Resort : The Dockside Inn & Suites
AN ENDLESS SUMMER BEGINS
We began our adventure by checking into The Dockside Inn & Suites , one half of Universal ’ s Endless Summer Resort located right in the heart of Orlando . Inspired by sand , sea and breathtaking sunsets , this laidback , carefree coastal-vibe retreat is great for the budget conscious , is perfectly situated , and offers a heap of exclusive extras too .
Rooms are offered motel style , with plenty of standard rooms available alongside more spacious two-bedroom suites . Our own two-bedded affair , which can easily accommodate up to six , had two queen beds adjacent to a small dining and kitchenette with wide screen TV - perfect for the kids to share - alongside a standalone bedroom and family bathroom .
Located across two towers , it boasts a large suntrap outdoor pool , ample parking for your hire car , a central grab-n-go food offering of everything from fresh pastries to pizzas to juice boxes and milk , an onsite Universal store for any souvenirs you missed at the park , as well as a handy onsite Starbucks for grabbing a jet-lag busting early doors coffee .
Staying at a Universal Resort hotel also gifts visitors with exclusive benefits too .
You can get exclusive Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ up to an hour before the park opens , the opportunity to use your room key as your own charge card and can benefit from a shopping delivery service so that your CityWalk souvenirs can be delivered directly to your room ! And of course you have access to fun , free and easy transport courtesy of the complimentary shuttle buses that will whisk you from hotel door to theme park entrance throughout the day and night .
The sight of branded Universal Studios buses was the first jaw-drop moment for the littlest Readys : “ Mum , Mum , MUM !!!!, it ’ s , it ’ s Harry Potter ! OMG Harry Potter !” followed by an ear piercing “ MINIONS !”, and that was just a picture on a bus … so you can imagine how this trip progressed …
So , for the real fun bit , the parks .
Set around the lake at CityWalk , Universal ’ s entertainment and dining district where you ’ ll find a host of eateries from the instantly recognisable The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen™ and Hard Rock Cafe ® Orlando , alongside some other great restaurants , you ’ ll find Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure , Universal Orlando Resort ’ s two incredible theme parks , while just next door is Volcano Bay , a water ‘ theme ’ park with a difference . With hopper tickets you can travel between the parks as much as you wish during the day to target your favourite rides and attractions , and you can do this either by foot or by a very special train service … read on to discover more !
So , shuttle bus boarded , it was time for some real wow-factor , family fun .
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