30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray 30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray 30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray 30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray
  • The Shop
  • Style
  • 30A
  • Family Travel
  • Beauty
  • Photo Sessions
  • Podcast
  • 30A Map, Tees & Prints
  • Links
    • 30A Map
    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop My Posts
    • Beauty Favorites

Universal Orlando and Endless Summer Resort

Home / Travel / Universal Orlando and Endless Summer Resort
November 9, 2019May 2, 2023
/Travel
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Wizarding World

This post comes in collaboration with Universal Orlando Hotels. All opinions expressed are my own.

For Endless Summer hotel rates and booking, click here.

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I love traveling with my family and also that I’m a bit of a Harry Potter nerd. Give me theme parks, pool time plus an adventure with my crew and I’m a happy camper. This time around, we took both girls, which was our first trip taking a toddler anywhere like this.

Let me tell ya ALL about it…

Hotel Vibe

Beachy Cool at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort

Remember how much I loved the vintage style of Universal’s Cabana Bay Resort when we stayed there? The Loews Hotel group at Universal Orlando has such fun themed resorts and Endless Summer’s fresh coastal, shore-inspired theme was perfection. It was sunny, relaxed and so inviting. Think shades of blue from ocean to aqua mixed with warm sunset oranges and yellows plus lush greens and natural wood tones to complete the palette.

In the lobby, a giant wooden wave curves behind the check-in desk and fishing net fixtures float down from the ceiling. Beach Break Café, the main onsite dining hub, welcomes with neon waves, woo​den swings and surfer style.​​​​​ Nearby is a Starbucks, an arcade room, the gym and an expansive pool deck just beyond the lobby.

Weather note: For our November visit, it was in the 70s and 80s!

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Beach Break Cafe
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Lobby

Endless Summer Resort Suites

Sleeps up to Six

We absolutely loved the style and layout of our room. In addition to standard rooms, Endless Summer also has spacious two-bedroom suites. First, the beachy decor helped us feel right at home as soon as we opened the door. Happy turquoise accents, a bold water-inspired curtain, a surf board and throw pillows that read SUN, BEACH and SURF give just the right elevated coastal vibes you’d expect from a resort with summer in its name.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Suite
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Beach Theme
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - In Room

The suites also have a kitchenette, picnic table for in-room dining, and a second bedroom to separate parents, kids or make room for a larger party.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Beach Decor

Pool Area

As soon as I saw the huge fish-shaped pool, I knew my girls would LOVE splashing around. One end is zero-entry with bubbling fountains, which was perfect for little ones like Collins and kept her entertained in one main area. Endless Summer also has life jackets if needed, which we used. Let me tell you, she did not want to take it off! Emery wanted to swim all over and made friends with a couple other girls visiting.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Pool Girls
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Pool

Collins was having a ball and when she was ready to be out, she settled in on a chair without any prompting or coaxing. What can I say? The girl knows how to relax.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Pool Fun
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Pool Vibes

Just off the pool deck is Sand Bar, a swimsuit friendly spot to grab drinks, food and my favorite – Frosé. I loved all the turquoise and white with a pop of yellow. And after a day of go-go-go starting at dawn, it was fabulous to sit and sip by the pool.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Sand Bar
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Frose

Onsite Dining

I mentioned the Beach Break Café downstairs and having that onsite is so convenient! It has a “grab and go” area with drinks, snacks and kid-friendly food (which you can also take to the pool) plus hot and cold food stations that serve a variety of quick service options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For dinner one night, we had a mix of burgers, mac and cheese, and a carne asada bowl. We devoured it!

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Beach Break

If your family is anything like mine, you might also want to take advantage of the in-room pizza delivery, which we did another night after a full day at the parks and pool. By evening, the thought of getting this crew out of swimsuits and ready for a sit-down somewhere seemed like too much. Hot pizza in bed in pajamas sounded amazing. So that’s exactly what we did.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Pizza Delivery

Now onto the parks…

About Universal Orlando

If you’re new to the Universal fam, there are three parks that make up Universal Orlando: Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™. CityWalk is the surrounding shopping, dining and entertainment area that also serves as the park entrances. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:

Universal Studios Florida – This park has seven main areas with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ at the top of our list. The others are Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Production Central, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone™ and World Expo. (park map here) More on what we loved most below.

Islands of Adventure – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™, Jurassic Park™, Marvel Super Hero Island®, Port of Entry™, Seuss Landing™, Skull Island: Reign of Kong™, The Lost Continent™, and Toon Lagoon™. (park map here) More on what we loved most below.

Universal’s Volcano Bay™ – Rainforest Village, River Village, Water Village and, of course, the Volcano. (park map here) More on what we loved most below.

Universal Hotels – operated by Loews Hotels

  • Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort (read my post here)
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort
  • – Surfside Inn and Suites
  • – Dockside Inn and Suites
  • Universal’s Aventura Hotel
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort (South Pacific themed)
  • Hard Rock Hotel (music themed)
  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (Italy themed)

Benefits of Staying on Property

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Globe

Early access one hour before. If you have a specific ride in mind or want to get ahead of the crowds, early access is a big deal. With our room key, we were able to go straight to Diagon Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and do a ton before it felt crowded. Most of the rides have no wait time. It’s also a great time for photos because there are fewer people in the background.

Free upgrade to Universal Express™ Unlimited if you stay at select hotels. The Universal Express is Universal’s tool to help you avoid lines and wait times when the park gets busy. It allows you to go into a different line at a fraction of the wait, which in our experience was often under five or ten minutes. You can choose from the standard Universal Express, which allows you to skip the line one time per ride or the Universal Express Unlimited, which allows you to skip the line an unlimited number of times per ride. Volcano Bay uses a different system called Virtual Line and the watchbands they provide, called Tapu Tapu allow you to tap your wrist to “get in line” and see on the watch how much time remains until your turn. The Premiere hotels where this upgrade is included is Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Free shuttle bus or water taxi from the hotel to the park. Water taxis are available at several hotels (not ours this time) and shuttles are available from all properties every 10-15 minutes. It took around 10 minutes to go from the lobby to the shuttle to the park, but depends on how many people are in line for the shuttle.

Plus, free merchandise delivery from the parks to your room and priority seating at select Universal Orlando restaurants!

What I Packed

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Wizarding World

Comfy shoes are essential. And I mean 100% non-negotiable. Right before our trip, I grabbed a new pair of these shoes for myself and a youth version for Emery. Mine have Cloudfoam which makes a world of difference when walking 10-20K steps around the park. I highly recommend these for a day at the parks.

I also found these adorable glasses and ties on Amazon for the girls to wear as little Gryffindors. You can find a ton of merchandise at the hotel and park, but if you want to plan ahead, here are a few favorites.

Don’t forget swimsuits and pool clothes. If you’re planning to do the wet playzone (Curious George) or go on a wet ride, you may want to wear swimsuits to the park.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Mel's Diner

Universal Orlando Trip Tips

Check the Height Requirements

If you’re traveling with a toddler or young kids, you’ll need to know their height to plan ahead or check it as you enter the park. Emery was more than tall enough for all rides, but Collins had a shorter list to work with.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Height Requirement

Bring a Stroller

We planned to bring a stroller for Collins since she’s only 1 and I knew she wouldn’t be able to walk everywhere herself — nor did I want to carry her everywhere! It was such a perk to have the stroller to stash drinks or bags in, but also, with a stroller, you can’t ride the escalators or go up stairs on the rides. You have to take the elevator which turned out to be a bit of a perk since those lines were separate (and typically shorter). If you’re on the fence about taking a stroller, it might be worthwhile to go ahead and bring it. And if it’s easier to travel without it, you can also rent a stroller onsite.

Toddler Friendly Areas

This was a big one for us this trip. I knew we’d have to trade off big kid and little kid activities to please everyone.

At Universal Studios, toddlers can do:

  • Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (with stationary seating)
  • Shrek 4-D (with stationary seating)
  • Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl (which Collins loved!)
  • Knight Bus™
  • Ollivanders™
  • Gringotts™ Money Exchange
  • Fievel’s Playland™
  • Curious George Goes to Town℠ wet play area
  • several options in Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone.
  • Hogwarts™ Express (with park-to-park admission)

At Islands of Adventure, toddlers can do

  • Caro-Seuss-el™
  • If I Ran the Zoo™ play area
  • Storm Force Accelatron®
  • Camp Jurassic™ play area
  • The Mystic Fountain
  • Poseidon’s Fury (though she was scared by the fire at the end)
  • Me Ship the Olive® play area
  • Hogwarts™ Express (with park-to-park admission)

Many other elements have an interactive element or something to “do” that wasn’t specifically a ride.

Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Collins Diagon

Elementary Age Favorites

Emery is 8 and at the in-between age where the little kid stuff isn’t always thrilling but the big kid/adult stuff might be too scary. For instance, this trip we rode the brand new ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ and while I absolutely LOVED it, she was slightly terrified. Just gauge how into the coasters and simulator style rides your kid is, but with that in mind, here are a few essentials for elementary age park-goers.

At Universal Studios, big kids will likely enjoy:

  • Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
  • Shrek 4D
  • TRANSFORMERSTM: The Ride-3D
  • Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
  • Revenge of the Mummy (depending on thrill level)
  • Fast & Furious – Supercharged
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™ (get in line early!)
  • Ollivanders™ (not a “ride” but more of an experience for HP fans)
  • Men in Black™ Alien Attack™
  • The Simpsons Ride™
  • Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

At Islands of Adventure, big kids will likely enjoy:

  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
  • Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®
  • Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong
  • Pteranodon Flyers
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure
  • Flight of the Hippogriff™
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ (depending on thrill level)
  • Poseidon’s Fury (not a “ride”)
  • The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™
  • Caro-Seuss-el™
  • One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™
  • The Cat in the Hat™

Ask For a Tour

Full disclosure, this isn’t always possible, especially if you’re visiting during a busy time, but it’s worth a try! They’ll let you know if it’s possible and if so, it’s the most amazing upgraded experience FOR FREE! You get to access special, off-limits areas, have a personal tour guide show you around and feel like a total VIP. At Men in Black Alien Attack, ask for the “Immigration Tour” when you enter the line. This lets you go on the control room floor and even fill out intake paperwork. Emery loved this!

That’s the only tour we were able to do, but I hear you can ask for a bank tour at Escape from Gringotts and see cool music memorabilia normally off-limits at Hard Rock Café.

Hope y’all enjoyed following along and hearing all about our experience. If you’re heading there with little ones, I hope this post was helpful and informative. And if you have any questions feel free to email me or leave a comment below.​​​​​​​

Try the Snacks

Some of our favorite bites weren’t full meals, but snacks along the way.

  • The Flaming Moe (inside Moe’s in Simpsons Land) it’s an orange soda that bubbles and is so fun to drink. Both my girls loved trying it!
  • The Big Pink donut (from Lard Lad Donut in Simpsons Land or Tea House of Horrors)
  • Giant cotton candy from Honk Honkers Gourmet Candy in Seuss Landing This is made to order and one easily goes for a group. Flavors like birthday cake and pink vanilla are so tasty! Plus you can add toppings.
  • Ice Cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley flavors like Earl Grey & Lavender, Butter Beer or Clotted Cream are delicious!
  • Frozen Butter Beer (from Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade) we like this so much more than the regular hot or cold versions
  • Chocolate Frog (from Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley or Honeydukes in Hogsmeade)
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Diagon Alley
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Butter Beer
Universal Endless Summer - 30A Mama - Moe's

For Endless Summer hotel rates and booking, click here.

0
Friday Feature: Family PJsPrevious PostChristmas Tree Kids Charcuterie BoardNext Post

Search product

About Jami

Jami Ray 30A Mama Small Business Services

Jami Ray

Jami is is a Florida lifestyle blogger, graphic designer, photographer, mom of two and your go-to branding gal sharing style, family travel + 30A sunsets.

Explore More

jamiray

Jami Ray
Happy October 1 to all who celebrate. Here’s t Happy October 1 to all who celebrate. 

Here’s to being a little more active and intentional about getting out to enjoy this gorgeous fall weather. ☀️ 

I also have this cute scalloped skirt and tank linked. Just comment LINK for a DM to shop now or save for later.
just a normal day counting down to The Eras Tour c just a normal day counting down to The Eras Tour concert film ✨
Doing my civic duty of taste testing an entire men Doing my civic duty of taste testing an entire menu of delicious dishes at tonight’s @watersoundvillagemarket preview. Sharing more in stories, but spoiler alert: you’re gonna love it when it opens Oct 14. 😋
When I posted about going through a miscarriage ea When I posted about going through a miscarriage earlier this year, I got an outpouring of messages — so many that it took me a solid 3 days to read through stories that were similar to mine, just so heartbreaking and heavy.

Unfortunately, it’s something that unites more people than you think. 

Most days now are good and happy and I can forget I ever went through that. It can feel like it happened to someone else. But there are also days it’s all I think about and I can’t help but imagine the what-ifs.

If you’re in the same boat, my heart goes out to you. 💕

Life is a crazy ride of ups and downs, but the more we can appreciate the ups, the brighter the day ahead.
It’s me. Hi. Just a gal who likes nice fonts, sh It’s me. Hi. Just a gal who likes nice fonts, shiny sequins, a pop of pink, cotton candy sunsets and the viral parmesan carrots that I ate as a dinner once again tonight. 🥕😋
Family date night for sushi 🍣 Hunter met us b Family date night for sushi 🍣 

Hunter met us by boat after his last trip of the day and I have to say, it’s hard to beat a Jon the 2nd roll with a cold rosé and a side of handstands for entertainment. 💕

Wearing this light and pretty @daughtersofindia dress, which is so nice as an early fall style since it’s breathable cotton for 90 degree days like today.
Podcast playing, skincare routine rolling and the Podcast playing, skincare routine rolling and the comfiest satin pajamas for tonight’s bedtime routine. 

S K I N C A R E
I have heard so many good things about @skinbetter and finally jumped in to see what the hype was about. Let me tell you, these have lived up to it and more. 

I absolutely love the AlphaRet Overnight Cream, the InterFuse Eye Cream and the Instant Effect Eye Gel. You guys know I’m a big fan of overnight creams and this one is GOOD. Find it online via @bvirtualhealth ✨ shop.bvirtualhealth.com

P A J A M A S
These silky satin pajamas feel incredibly luxurious and elegant. A bit of a royal pajama vibe, if you like to feel cool and cozy. Plus they come in a few different colors to suit your taste. I love this deep magenta set. Comment Pajamas for a link to these straight to your inbox.

P O D C A S T
Just finished listening to Scamanda and I have so many thoughts. Wow!! Anyone else listened to that one? 🤯
Life lesson # 1 💕 Life lesson # 1 💕
When it feels like fall for 20 minutes in the morn When it feels like fall for 20 minutes in the morning, but gets right back to a summer temp by lunch, this is the two piece set you need. With an iced coffee on the side. 

Via @ekouaerofficial 🛍️

Shop this look by commenting “link” or take a peek at my Amazon storefront and LTK page.
When you’re more of a Christmas girlie than fall When you’re more of a Christmas girlie than fall so you start early. 

PSA we’re less than 100 days til Christmas 🎅🎄🎁 

Shop the first of our pre-season launches with this Happy Holidays sparkle sweater online now at @30amama
POV: you start the day with a salty swim, pure joy POV: you start the day with a salty swim, pure joy and a happy pup living the dream 🐾💕
Happy weekend my friends! Feeling pretty in pink i Happy weekend my friends! Feeling pretty in pink in this sweet Crosby print from @cabana.seaside 💕 

(PS if you haven’t seen the Barbie movie, it’s now available to rent or buy, FYI).
What a fun evening hanging out in the gorgeous @bl What a fun evening hanging out in the gorgeous @blush_beauty_lounge_ at 30Avenue. 

Megan and her team have made this such a sweet place to stop in for a variety of beauty services. Blush even offers a membership plan to make the most of your investment. 

Check out the VIP memberships for facials, waxing and even body contouring. 

And as always you can shop the latest online at 30A Mama: shop.30amama.com 🛍️
If you’ve seen that episode of Succession, you k If you’ve seen that episode of Succession, you know this is a referred to as a ludicrously capacious bag (because the uber elite don’t carry anything). Well, there’s no change of shoes for the subway in my case, but I do have a laptop, iPad and gummy bears snuggled inside. 

I also love a good pink moment in my ootd, so if you’re looking for a sweet work wear outfit, let me remind you of the classic blazer / oversized tote combo that never gets old. 

I love that this pink one is light enough for September, but bold enough not to be boring. (Online now at 30A Mama).
Here’s to Sunday mornings with no alarms, slowly Here’s to Sunday mornings with no alarms, slowly easing into the day, making the most of snuggles, laughs and soaking in the little moments. 🤍

These @nest_designs pajamas are truly the softest, just made for good nights and good mornings. Check out these exact pajamas and more of their styles on my @shop.ltk page #ad #liketkit https://liketk.it/4il9R
what it’s like inside my head 💕 ➡️ swip what it’s like inside my head 💕 

➡️ swipe
Load More Follow on Instagram

  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Jami and Hunter Cape San Blas
    Almost 40 And Pregnant – But This Isn’t That AnnouncementAugust 6, 2023
  • Jami Ray - 30A Murals and Colorful Wall Art Around 30A-Sarah Page Art Grand Boulevard
    30A Murals and Colorful Wall ArtJuly 25, 2023
  • Bridgerton Aesthetic regency era style Bridgeton party
    What to Wear to a Bridgerton Style Party + 30 Looks to Shop NowMay 10, 2023
  • 30A Mama - Pizza by the Sea 30A Restaurant
    30A Dining: Our Favorite Family Friendly Places to Eat with KidsMay 2, 2023
  • Jami and Hunter Cape San Blas
    Almost 40 And Pregnant – But This Isn’t That AnnouncementAugust 6, 2023
  • 30A Playgrounds - Alys Beach
    Our Favorite 30A PlaygroundsJanuary 9, 2020
  • 30A Mama - Pizza by the Sea 30A Restaurant
    30A Dining: Our Favorite Family Friendly Places to Eat with KidsMay 2, 2023
  • Jami Ray Into the Mystic-1
    Seacrest Beach Staycation: Into the MysticSeptember 8, 2022
Shop 30A Mama
30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray 30A Mama™  |  Jami Ray
Jami Ray © 2023 All Rights Reserved