When my maid of honor approached me about my bachelorette party, it didn’t take long for us to decide what to do. As a massive Harry Potter fan with a group of Potter fans as bridesmaids, our choice was simple. We were going to have a Universal Studios bachelorette party and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Why Universal Studios
Alcohol and Clubs
Apart from being the home of the Harry Potter park, there were a few reasons we chose to venture to Orlando for my party. A few of my bridesmaids were under the age of 21, so heavy drinking was out of the question. Most of my party (including myself) are not into clubs anyway. However, Universal has a few awesome adult drinks in the park that those of age can enjoy!
The Citywalk just outside of the parks has a number of clubs and bars you can visit at night if you are interested!
Universal Hotels
There are a ton of perks to staying in a Universal hotel. Ticket discounts, early park access, and even discounted or free entry to the Citywalk clubs are just a few!
Bridal Treatment!
I, of course, wore a fun veil and sash in the park. My bridesmaids also wore fun buttons. Workers at the park definitely gave us special treatment to make our day special! We were escorted to the front of the lines a few times, given a free replacement Harry Potter wand when one was lost, and given dozens of well wishes. It definitely made me feel special!
The biggest piece of advice I can give for brides is NOT to expect special treatment. If you are demanding or expecting special treatment, the staff will be less likely to offer it to you. Just be gracious when they put in that extra effort (because they definitely don’t have to!).
Special Memories with my Girls
Ultimately, the sole reason I chose Universal Studios was for lasting memories with my closest friends and family. I had bridesmaids that flew in from all over the country have an absolute blast at the parks. I will never have all of those girls together at the same time again! The photos and memories from my bachelorette weekend will last me a lifetime.
A Guide for Planning a Universal Studios Bachelorette Party
Finally, here are my final tips on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay for the best bachelorette party!
What to do
If you are visiting on a particularly busy weekend, I recommend splurging on a FastPass for the rides. They are purchased separately from the tickets and can be expensive, but it will allow you and your party to skip the lines on most rides!
Definitely take loads of photos during your party. You will cherish them forever! Great photo spots include the bridge in front of Hogwarts Castle, in front of the Knight Bus, with characters and performers, and even by purchasing ride photos.
Finally, ride the rides! Don’t rush through the parks to hit every single ride though. Take your time and enjoy the day!
Where to Eat
My favorite restaurants in and around Universal Studios are the following:
- The Leaky Cauldron – Diagon Alley, Universal Studios
- The Chocolate Emporium – Citywalk near lake
- Cowfish – Citywalk towards the middle of the pathway
The Leaky Cauldron is an absolute must for Harry Potter fans. They serve classic British meals and incredible drinks. Be sure to ask a server about the hidden vegetarian menu if you don’t eat meat!
The Chocolate Emporium is a massive steampunk restaurant near the big lake on the Citywalk. As the name suggests, this restaurant has some absolutely incredible desserts, but their food is delicious too! If you wear your veil, a steampunk hostess may approach your table and give you a good laugh! Vegetarian options are abundant.
Cowfish is a burger-sushi fusion restaurant on the Citywalk closer to the entrance. This is a perfect restaurant for sushi lovers dining with less interested parties. Their burgers, salads, and sushi are incredible. However, their specialty is a burger sushi roll! They have loads of vegetarian options as well.
Where to Stay for a Universal Studios Bachelorette Party
I’ll list a few hotels within each price range.
If you have the money, I definitely recommend staying in one of Universal’s Premier hotels. These suites are luxurious and offer a wide range of perks including a free fast pass for the parks, early park access, and high rated restaurants. Perfect for a celebrating bride!
Premier Hotels:
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort – sea and beach themed, with a private beach, pool, and luau restaurant
- Hard rock Hotel – rock and roll themed, featuring pools with underwater music, rock memorabilia, and acclaimed restaurants
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Italian inspired hotel with vistas, Italian restaurants, and multiple pools
With a mid-price range, brides can also celebrate and some of Universal’s Prime value hotels. These hotels are much more comfortable and roomy than their cheaper alternatives but do not include free fast passes for their guests. However, you will still have early park access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Prime Value Hotels:
- Universal’s Adventura Hotel – a modern hotel with views of all the Universal parks
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – retro 50s and 60s themed resort with a pool, lazy river, and bowling lanes
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Caribbean themed resort with steel drum performances, scenic views, and a boat ride to the parks
Universal’s cheapest hotel options are still great! The rooms are smaller, but who stays in the room all day anyway? These are great for stashing your things, getting ready, and sleeping before a big day at the parks.
Value Hotels:
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites – a beach-themed resort with standard rooms and suites that sleep up to 6 people
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Surfside Inna and Suites – nearly identical to the previous hotel, but with more family-sized suite options
Of course, you can always choose to stay off-site. Airbnb‘s are available around the Orlando area, as well as other hotels. You may find a better deal with a nearby hotel, but these generally do not offer perks such as early park admission. One nearby hotel I recommend is the DoubleTree by Hilton. It’s across the street from Universal’s entrance, and is often cheaper than Universal’s value hotels!
Wherever you decide to stay, I guarantee an incredibly fun time with your bridesmaids. Feel free to email me with specific questions, and congratulations on your engagement!
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