Plan your Universal Orlando Trip
with
Mom Approved Travel
Looking for a Universal Travel Agent for Universal Orlando? You found the experts!
Mom Approved Travel is a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency who specializes in Universal family vacations!
With convenient and highly themed hotels, epic rides and attractions, delicious dining options, immersion in the the fantastical Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a Universal Orlando Resort vacation has everything you need for an epic vacation experience for the whole family with a wide variety of fun for all ages and thrill levels.
Using Mom Approved Travel takes away the overwhelm of planning a Universal Orlando trip by helping you with everything from the best time to travel, where to stay, how long to stay, what to do, dining reservations, assistance with transportation, giving you tips and tricks along the way to make the most of your precious vacation time and dollars in a way that fits YOUR family.
At Mom Approved Travel, one of our core beliefs is Moms should get to have fun on her Universal vacation too. What that means is, Mom should actually enjoy going on vacation – she should not be stressing or spending her precious time worrying about which attractions are kid-friendly, how to handle early entry, where to find Butterbeer, how best to navigate Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay or Epic Universe, spending hours researching all the packing things, or making sure she doesn’t miss important payment, activity, or deadline. Mom can spend her time and energy elsewhere (like finding the right Hogwarts house shirts for everyone) when she hires Mom Approved Travel!
Why book a Universal Orlando trip with
Mom Approved Travel?
We help busy Moms and families plan Universal vacations
Booking a Universal vacation with Mom Approved Travel
With a powerful combination of experience, expertise and connections, Mom Approved Travel will take away the overwhelm of planning a Universal vacation so you can focus on the fun!
It is important to know we are Professional Travel Advisors, not order takers. We do an initial phone consultation for each client and invest the time to find out your needs and get to know more about your family. Every Travel Advisor at Mom Approved Travel believes vacation memories are priceless. Your vacation is not simply a transaction to us, we want to ensure you have the ideal Universal vacation experience for your family.
MAT Advisors are extremely knowledgeable about the latest updates at Universal hotels and in the theme parks. We invest a lot of time in continued education, we leverage our extensive first-hand experience and our Advisors are always current on the highest levels of training offered by Universal Parks and Experiences.
When you book your Universal Vacation with a Mom Approved Travel Advisor, you’ll receive:
- 1 hour Early Park Admission – for multi-day ticket only purchases and all vacation packages
- Professional Universal Resort Vacation itinerary planning assistance
- Knowledge of how to minimize your time in line
- Peace of mind knowing you’re booking with a Universal “U-Preferred” Agency
Your Mom Approved Universal Travel Agent ensures you get a great value for your trip because they:
- Monitor your reservation for promotions until you travel, eliminating any worry about missing a promotion
- Share their first hand, expert knowledge of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Customize a Universal vacation package for your family
- Keep you informed throughout your vacation planning process
Because of our proven expertise, performance and relationship with the Universal Parks & Resorts – we are proud to be designated as a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency. We leverage our resources and our relationship with Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations to help you have the best Universal trip ever!
We work directly with Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations to utilize their Best Price Guarantee as we have firsthand access to currently available packages, pricing, and promotions. Click here to get started on your Universal Orlando Vacation with a Mom Approved Travel Universal Vacation Specialist!
What is there to do at Universal Orlando?
Universal has 4 parks parks of endless thrills, chill and fun!
Universal Orlando Resort is Four Universal Parks of: Endless awesome. Endless fun. Endless memories.
There is so much to explore on a Universal Studios Orlando vacation with 3 amazing theme parks to play in right now, and a brand new theme park, Universal Epic Universe coming soon in 2025!
Universal Studios Florida™
Universal Studios Florida is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and a Mom Approved favorite attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™! Big thrill rides like The Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit are some of the main attractions here, while family friendly attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™ inside Illumination’s Minion Land, the new Dreamworks Land and the classic E.T. Adventure ride offer something for everyone! Here guests can stroll down re-creations of a New York street, visit the waterfront docks of San Francisco, take a turn down Knockturn Alley or take your breath away with a view of a fire-breathing dragon!
Universal’s Islands of Adventure™
Universal’s Islands of Adventure was the second park to open at the resort in 1999 and features specially themed islands inviting guests to go on an adventure or immerse themselves in some of their favorite stories and adventures! Guests who love Jurassic Park can find themselves face to face with dinosaurs at the Raptor Encounter, testing their limits on the Velocicoaster or engaging in family friendly fun inside the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. This park is home to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ inside of Hogsmeade – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and the stunning Hogwarts Castle!
Universal’s Volcano Bay™ Water Theme Park
Volcano Bay is Universal’s newest park and brings a new level of storytelling and immersion to water parks! This is a water park like no other with rides for all thrill levels as well as water play areas for smaller children. The park is also the first to use a new wristband based system for virtual lines, purchases, and interactive elements, called the Tapu Tapu! These wristbands have small digital screens that can be used to unlock interactive games and hold payment information for shopping, and reserve spots in virtual queues so you can avoid the lines and play or float instead!
Universal’s EPIC Universe (Grand Opening May 22, 2025)
A whole NEW level of experience is coming to Universal Orlando Resort with Epic Universe that will push the limits of your imagination as you travel into some of your favorite stories in 5 new immersive lands and experiences including:
- Celestial Park where the brand new Universal Helios Grand Hotel will anchor epic dining, shopping and entertainment and Starfall Racers, a brand new dual-launch coaster with a 48″ ride height.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic™
- Super Nintendo World™ where you can challenge Bowser on the Mario Kart™ ride, explore Donkey Kong Country™ and more!
- How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk where you can soar with dragons, feast like a Viking and more!
- Dark Universe details coming soon, but classic monster theming and the introduction of Dr Victoria Frankenstein will make for a spooky epic day!
What about staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel?
With all of the Universal hotel options available, there is a resort for everyone!
Mom Approved Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
One of the first decisions you need to make when planning a Universal Orlando vacation is where to stay. We know the importance of staying on property at the Universal Orlando Resort, as the onsite benefits truly deliver a great return on your vacation investment!
Universal Orlando hotels offer a range of exclusive theme park benefits, great dining, and entertainment.
Guests of ALL Universal Orlando on-site hotels enjoy:
- Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, one hour before the theme park opens (valid theme park admission required)
- Complimentary transportation to both theme parks and City Walk make getting around the resort fast and easy so you can make the most of your time
- Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel
- Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key card
Learn More: Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
Some exclusive (and very Mom Approved) benefits are reserved for Universal’s Premier Hotels.
These include AAA Four Diamond Award® properties Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel® and Loews Royal Pacific Resort!
- SKIP THE REGULAR LINES with Universal Express™ Unlimited ride access* in both theme parks
- Priority seating at select restaurants throughout both theme parks and enjoy first available seating at select Universal Orlando and CityWalk restaurants
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
We love feeling as if we have stepped right into the Italian Riviera and the European-styling of the Portofino Bay Hotel. Designed with the assistance of Stephen Spielburg, you will feel like you have truly arrived to the Italian seaside city of Portofino, complete with a man-made Portofino Bay past the lobby. The guest rooms are spectacular and dining options are deliciouso!
If Minion Land is a must-do attraction for the kids, they will love the Despicable Me Kids Suites available here, which are filled with fun and give the kids a space to call their own while parents rest and relax in the attached bedroom.
Hard Rock Hotel
The shortest commute to the Universal Parks is from the hippest place to lay your head. Only a few minutes walk and you are right in the middle of the action! A favorite of adults, teenagers, and older kids, the Hard Rock Hotel has been rocking the socks off of guests since 2001. The white stucco exterior, arched entryways, and rust-colored roof tiles play beautifully against the lush, green landscaping.
Inside, the lobby is a tribute to the rock-and-roll life complete with marble, chrome, and stage lighting. The lobby is filled with enough rock memorbilia to start another wing of Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Exhibits include outfits from Lady Gaga and Rihanna, and QR codes near each artifact let you take a self-guided memorabilia tour via your smartphone.
Future Rock Star Kids Suites allow the kids to have a spot to rock out while parents rest in the attached bedroom, and you can even check out a Fender guitar!
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
The exotic feel of this resort is an absolute favorite for young families to adults. Loews Royal Pacific Resort typically is the most budget friendly and most relaxing of Universal’s Premiere hotels. The South Seas–inspired theming is both relaxing and structured.
Guests enter the lobby—which received a thorough refurbishment in 2020—from a walkway two stories above an artificial stream that surrounds the resort. Once you’re inside, the lobby’s dark teakwood accents contrast nicely with the enormous amount of light coming in from the windows and three-story A-frame roof. Palms line the walkway through the lobby, which surrounds an enormous outdoor fountain.
Highly themed Jurassic Kids Suite offers immersive fun for dinosaur loving kiddos in a separate sleeping area from parents!
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
The brand new hotel located inside Universal Epic Universe’s Celestial Park, scheduled to open in May 2025.
Let your favorite Mom Approved Travel Advisor help you find the perfect resort for your people so you can start making memories by clicking here to get started on your Universal Orlando Vacation!
What dining options are at Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando Resort offers great sit down and quick service options at the Universal hotels, CityWalk and inside the theme parks.
Your Dining options at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando Resort offers a variety of dining options to satisfy every appetite, from quick bites to sit-down meals wherever you are: in the theme parks, at a Universal Resort hotel or while shopping at CityWalk.
Universal Resort Hotel Dining
Some of the best hidden gems for a sit-down dining option are located inside the Universal hotels. From authentic Italian dishes at Mama Della’s Ristorante at Loews Portofino, to the renowned steak experience at The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel there are bites available for all tastes. Reservations are not always needed, but strongly recommended during moderate to busy travel dates.
Universal Theme Park Dining
When you think of theme park food, many people immediately think of chicken tenders and hamburgers, and while those options are absolutely available- Universal theme park dining goes beyond typical theme park fare.
There are award winning full-service restaurants like Mythos Restaurant inside Islands of Universal, immersive theme counter service options like Minion Cafe or the Leaky Cauldron inside Universal Studios Florida, and fun grab and go bites at Green Eggs and Ham Cafe. Oh and don’t worry, Butterbeer flows freely at both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
CityWalk
Known as the Epicenter of Awesome, CityWalk is close to everything and has great dining options for everyone from favorite sit-down restaurants like Mom Approved favorite – Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, to grab and go options you can order on the run with the Universal Resort Orlando App like Voodoo donut. You’ll never go hungry at CityWalk!
What special events are at Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando Resort offers seasonal special events throughout the year for even more fun!
Special Events you can enjoy at Universal Orlando
Universal Rock the Universe
Early in the year, usually in January, you can “rock, ride and rejoice” at Florida’s biggest Christian music festival in a weekend full of the biggest names in Christian music. This is a separately ticketed event that takes place in Universal Studios Florida.Universal’s Mardi Gras
This family friendly Spring event is not to be missed! On select nights, your whole family will enjoy a spectacular parade with BEAUTIFUL floats, engaging street performers, concerts, vibrant music, colorful costumes and countless beads flying through the air being tossed from the floats in a family friendly atmosphere. This event offers a tasty festival of flavors inspired by the bayou and includes kid-friendly choices as well. The festival is included with your admission, but the festival food booths are a separate cost.Halloween Horror Nights
On select dates in the Fall, the Universal Studios Florida theme park closes a little early to guests so it can host the separately ticketed event, Halloween Horror Nights. Don’t worry if it is not your thing, Universal’s other theme park, Islands of Adventure operates as usual. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is the World’s Premier Halloween Event full of Terrifying Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, live entertainment, themed food and merchandise. If spooky season is your thing, then we have an event for you! Please note, there is a recommended minimum age of 13 to attend.Learn more: What are Universal Halloween Horror Nights?
Holidays at Universal Orlando
Celebrating the holidays is done in a big way at Universal Orlando with Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Grinchmas including The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular, seasonal decor, holiday sweets and treats, festive merchandise and more.Learn More: How does Universal Orlando celebrate the Holiday season?
How do you work with a
Mom Approved
Universal Orlando
Expert Travel Agent?
You want to experience an Epic Universal Orlando vacation as either a standalone trip or as an addition to an Orlando vacation.
You have decided you want to use an experienced, trusted family Universal Trip Planner at Mom Approved Travel.
Now what?
Working with a Mom Approved Travel Advisor to plan your Universal Vacation is easy, promise! You can now rest easy knowing our team is made up of avid Universal experts who maintain the highest levels of training for Universal Orlando and Universal Parks and Experiences.
The very first step is to fill out our Universal Trip Request form.
If you already have a MAT Travel Advisor, or you know who you would like to use, fill out our quote request and choose their name from the dropdown menu.
If you are unsure which MAT Travel Advisor
you would like to work with, or if you are looking for a
Universal Orlando Travel agent near you:
Visit our MAT Team page to meet our expert Universal Travel Advisors to learn more about them,
or
Fill out our Universal Trip quote request and select “surprise me” from the dropdown menu and we will match you with a MAT Advisor and Universal Orlando Trip Planning Specialist to fit your family best based on your responses.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Universal Trip
Booking your Universal Orlando vacation package with a Mom Approved Travel Advisor is complimentary for most vacation packages. There are some circumstances, such as a ticket only purchase, we may charge a service fee which will be disclosed upfront. There are no hidden fees working with Mom Approved Travel.
If you have already booked your Universal Orlando trip with Universal, depending on the circumstances we MAY be able to transfer it to the agency to allow your Advisor to assist without a fee.
If we are unable to transfer a vacation package or if you are staying offsite and already have tickets, we do offer a concierge planning option based on your needs.
Booking your Universal trip through Mom Approved Travel means you get dedicated access to a Professional Travel Planner who specializes in Universal Parks & Experiences who can tailor a trip for your family.
To get started, simply fill out our QUOTE REQUEST FORM and one of our Advisors will contact you for a quick, free consultation.
Absolutely! MAT Advisors are experienced understanding and setting up families with a wide range of special needs for success. Some of our Travel Advisors have backgrounds in special education, special needs in their own families, or hold certifications from IBCCES.
Whether it is dietary restrictions, physical handicap, neuro-divergent challenges, cognitive disabilities, hearing or visual disabilities, service animal travel or beyond, your MAT Advisor has the knowledge and expertise to make your Universal trip as comfortable as possible, so everyone can enjoy the epic fun!
Absolutely! While our core clientele are families, we absolutely assist clients in adult only trips to Universal Orlando, Honeymoons, Anniversary trips, girlfriend getaways, Halloween Horror Night scare trips and more.
Payment terms and conditions are set by the supplier, in this case, Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations.
If you are booking a Universal Vacation package more than 45 days out, you only need to pay a deposit to hold your trip.
Sometimes you will be required to pay in full as required by the supplier. For example, if you are purchasing tickets a la carte, or are booking a vacation package that travels in less than 45 days. All payment requirements vary based on the supplier, but your MAT Travel Advisor can answer questions about your specific components.
Your Mom Approved Travel Advisor monitors your reservations for promos and will apply them IF they save you money. Sometimes promotions do not apply to all dates, room types or are released on the same date as a price increase. Your MAT Advisor has your back and will make sure you get the best value for your hard earned vacation dollars.
Your payments will be processed into the UPRV secure payment portals by your Travel Advisor. The agency does not hold or deposit any of your vacation package funds into our company account.
UPRV accepts most major credit cards.
Any charges to your credit card will show up as a charge from the supplier, and not Mom Approved Travel.
Booking early is a great idea, as you can lock-in pricing and have the best choices for resort availability. It is smart to book early!
Historically, Universal vacation packages are released in the early summer for the following year- but MAT Advisors will have wait lists available if your dates are not released yet.
We can pull off some serious last-minute family travel!
Our Agency record, the client left the NEXT day.
While we prefer more than a day’s notice, we can work some muggle magic with most timeframes.
Don’t worry about last minute dining, we can help you through all of it. Reach out to an MAT Advisor and start packing!
There is no “perfect” age to take your child to Universal. Truly.
Seeing a child walk through the arch of Diagon Alley the first time, viewing a beloved character like the Cat in the Hat through the eyes of a toddler, watching a 6 year old experiencing a character in person they’ve only seen on screen, watching a pre-teen smile and act like a little kid again, watching a teenager take a selfie with Optimus Prime, walking through Hogsmeade with your adult child or strolling around Jurassic Park with spouse for the first time, or even experiencing Universal as a grandparent are all wonderful ways to experience the epic feels from seeing your favorite stories come to life!
Each family, and each child is a little different which is why it is best to talk to a Travel Advisor about YOUR situation.
Funny thing, that “certified Universal Travel Agent” term gets tossed around – but no such term legally exists.
There are regulations set forth by Universal what Travel Advisors and Travel Agencies can call themselves in the legal mumbo jumbo. Believe us, you WANT a Professional Travel Advisor who understands terms & conditions well! Certified Universal Travel Agent is not one of them.
However, Mom Approved Travel is an U-Preferred Travel Agency. We EARNED this designation given to us by Universal. All of our Travel Advisors maintain the highest level of Universal training. Our Advisors hold various certifications through travel industry associations with the highest professional standards.
When you book with Mom Approved Travel, you are hiring a trustworthy Travel Professional who specializes in Universal vacations.
Every Mom Approved Travel Advisor absolutely loves planning Universal vacations, it’s one of our “favorite children.” (shhhhh!) However, we also book Disney theme parks, cruises, all inclusives, ski, bucket list travel like Hawaii, Alaska, and more. We have Advisors that specialize in a wide range of family and no-kids vacations, ask your MAT Advisor for more information.
Universal Epic Universe is opening May 22, 2025!