Hotel Review of Loews Royal Pacific Resort + Visiting Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort hosted us at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. All opinions are my own.

Universal Orlando has always been one of our favorite destinations for family travel. From the incredible theming to the adrenaline-pumping attractions, it’s the kind of place where every visit feels a little different. On our most recent trip, we had the opportunity to explore the brand-new Epic Universe park while staying at the beautiful Loews Royal Pacific Resort—and it made the entire experience even more memorable.

If you’ve been reading Posh in Progress for a while, you know our family has visited Universal multiple times over the years. We’ve shared tips from previous stays, including our experiences exploring the parks and other Universal Orlando Resort hotels. (You can read more about our previous Universal stays here). Each visit feels special, but this trip was especially exciting because we finally got to experience Epic Universe, the newest park at Universal Studios Orlando Resort.

Staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort is one of the most popular Universal Orlando resort hotels, and it’s easy to see why. Inspired by the islands of the South Pacific, the resort feels like a tropical escape just minutes from the theme parks. From the moment we arrived, the lush landscaping, lagoon views, and warm island aesthetic made it feel like we had stepped into a relaxing resort vacation rather than a typical theme park hotel.

Why Royal Pacific Is One of the Best Universal Hotels

One of the biggest perks of staying at Universal Loews Royal Pacific Resort is the included Universal Express Unlimited pass. This benefit alone can be a game changer for families visiting the parks. Instead of waiting in long lines for many of the best rides at Universal Orlando, hotel guests at Royal Pacific can skip the regular lines at participating attractions. When you’re trying to maximize your time in the parks—especially with kids—this makes a huge difference. We were able to ride some of the most popular Universal Studios Orlando rides multiple times without spending hours in line. Other benefits of staying at Royal Pacific Universal include:

• Early park admission
• Water taxi transportation to the parks
• Walking path access to Universal CityWalk
• Priority seating at select Universal Orlando restaurants
• Rooms and Resort Atmosphere

Our room at Loews Royal Pacific was spacious, comfortable, and perfect for a family stay. The decor continues the island theme with natural tones, wood accents, and tropical touches that feel calming after a long day in the parks. One of our favorite parts of the resort is the lagoon-style pool. It’s large, beautiful, and has a fun waterslide that kids love. After a full day exploring the parks, it’s the perfect place to relax. We also loved how peaceful the resort feels compared to the energy of the theme parks. It truly gives you the best of both worlds: excitement during the day and a relaxing retreat in the evening.

Dining at Universal Orlando

Another highlight of staying at Universal Studios Orlando Resort is the incredible food scene. There are so many great Universal Orlando restaurants across the parks, CityWalk, and the hotels. At Loews Royal Pacific Resort, one of the standout dining spots is Islands Dining Room, which serves a fantastic breakfast buffet and Polynesian-inspired dishes.

Another guest favorite is Jake’s American Bar, a fun restaurant themed around a fictional explorer. It’s a great place to grab dinner after a long park day. Beyond the hotel, Universal CityWalk offers everything from quick bites to full sit-down restaurants, making it easy to find something everyone in the family will enjoy.

Experiencing Epic Universe

The biggest highlight of our trip was visiting Epic Universe, the newest park at Universal Studios Orlando Resort. Universal has taken immersive theme park design to another level with this park. Every land feels like stepping into a completely different world, with incredible attention to detail and some of the most advanced attractions we’ve ever experienced. If you’re planning a trip to Universal, Epic Universe is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

What Makes Epic Universe Special

Unlike the existing parks, Epic Universe is designed around a central hub called Celestial Park, which connects to several themed lands. Each portal transports you into a completely different environment. Some of the worlds include:

• Super Nintendo World
• Dark Universe
• The Wizarding World expansion
• How to Train Your Dragon land

Each land has its own attractions, restaurants, and immersive storytelling. For kids and adults alike, it feels like stepping inside your favorite movies and games. You can read a lot more about Epic Universe in my previous post here.

Exploring the Other Universal Orlando Theme Parks

While visiting Epic Universe was the highlight of this trip, we also spent time at the other two parks that make up the Universal Studios Orlando Resort: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend visiting both parks because each offers completely different experiences. Between them, you’ll find some of the best rides at Universal Orlando, incredible themed lands, and so many fun attractions for families.

One of the things we love about staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is how easy it is to access both parks. The water taxi takes you directly to Universal CityWalk, which sits right between the park entrances. From there, you can walk straight into either park within minutes. Because Royal Pacific guests also receive Universal Express Unlimited, we were able to experience many of the most popular Universal Studios Orlando rides without long waits.

Universal Studios Florida

At Universal Studios Florida, the park focuses on movies, TV, and immersive storytelling. It’s home to several of the most iconic rides of Universal Studios in Orlando, and it’s always a must-do when we visit. One of our favorite attractions is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which combines a thrilling roller coaster with incredible visual effects inside Gringotts Bank. Even if you’ve ridden it before, it’s the kind of attraction that feels exciting every time.

Another classic is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster where you get to choose your own soundtrack while you ride. It’s one of the most unique Universal Studios Orlando rides because you can customize your experience depending on the music you select. We also always enjoy Transformers: The Ride 3D, which blends motion simulation with massive screens to make you feel like you’re part of an action movie.

For Harry Potter fans, walking through Diagon Alley is an experience in itself. The detail is incredible, from the dragon perched atop Gringotts Bank to the shops and hidden magical moments throughout the area. Universal Studios Florida is also packed with great dining options, making it a fantastic place to explore some of the best Universal Orlando restaurants throughout the day.

Islands of Adventure

Right next door is Islands of Adventure, which is home to many of the most thrilling best rides at Universal Orlando. This park is known for its roller coasters and immersive lands, and it’s where you’ll find several of our family’s all-time favorite attractions. One of the most talked-about rides is Jurassic World VelociCoaster. It’s one of the most intense roller coasters at any theme park, with incredible speed, smooth launches, and stunning views of the park.

Another fan favorite is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which might be one of the best themed roller coasters ever created. Riding through the Forbidden Forest while encountering magical creatures makes the entire experience feel like you’ve stepped directly into the Wizarding World. We also love The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, which is a classic attraction that still holds up years after it first opened.

Between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Hero Island, and Seuss Landing, Islands of Adventure offers something for every age group. If you’re trying to experience as many rides of Universal Studios in Orlando as possible in one trip, this park is absolutely essential.

Volcano Bay: Universal’s Incredible Water Park

Although we didn’t visit Volcano Bay on this particular trip, we did experience it during a previous visit to Universal Orlando Resort, and it’s still one of our favorite water parks anywhere. Volcano Bay is centered around a massive volcano called Krakatau, which you can see from almost anywhere in the park.

The design feels more like a tropical island resort than a typical water park, with lush landscaping, beautiful beaches, and incredible water attractions. Some of the highlights include the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which sends riders through the volcano on a water-powered coaster, and the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, one of the most thrilling water slides we’ve ever tried.

What makes Volcano Bay unique is its TapuTapu wearable system, which allows you to reserve rides virtually instead of standing in long lines. If you’re planning a longer trip to Universal Studios Orlando Resort, adding Volcano Bay to your itinerary is definitely worth considering. You can read more about our experience there in my full guide to Volcano Bay here.

Why Staying at Royal Pacific Makes the Trip Better

When visiting the parks, where you stay can make a huge difference in your overall experience. Staying at Royal Pacific Resort puts you just minutes from the parks and gives you perks that make navigating the parks much easier. For example, the water taxi from Loews Royal Pacific takes you directly to CityWalk, and from there it’s a short walk to the park entrances. After a long day riding attractions and exploring the parks, it’s incredibly convenient to return to a relaxing resort instead of dealing with traffic or long drives. For families planning to experience as many Universal Studios Orlando rides as possible, staying on property is absolutely worth considering.

A Perfect Family Theme Park Vacation

One of the things I love most about visiting Universal Studios Orlando Resort is that it truly offers something for everyone. Kids love the immersive lands and character experiences. Teenagers are drawn to the thrilling roller coasters. And adults appreciate the incredible theming, restaurants, and resorts. For our family, this trip was especially fun because we were able to experience the excitement of Epic Universe while also enjoying the comfort of Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Between the beautiful tropical atmosphere, the convenient location, and the Express Pass perks, Royal Pacific continues to be one of the best choices among Universal Orlando resort hotels.

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Planning Your Visit

If you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando Resort, here are a few tips based on our experience: Stay at a Universal hotel if possible. Properties like Loews Royal Pacific Resort offer perks that make your park experience smoother. Take advantage of early park admission. This allows you to ride some of the most popular attractions before crowds arrive. Plan time to explore the resorts and CityWalk. Some of the best Universal Orlando restaurants are located outside the parks. Don’t miss Epic Universe. It’s one of the most ambitious theme park expansions ever created and absolutely worth visiting.

Final Thoughts

Our hosted stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and visit to Epic Universe made this Universal trip one we’ll never forget. Between the incredible rides of Universal Studios in Orlando, the immersive storytelling, and the relaxing tropical atmosphere of Royal Pacific, the entire experience felt like the perfect balance of excitement and vacation. Universal continues to raise the bar for theme park experiences, and with the addition of Epic Universe, there’s never been a better time to plan a trip. For our family, it was another unforgettable adventure and I know we’ll be back again soon.