News Summary
Grande Lakes Orlando is enhancing family vacations with luxury accommodations and unique amenities, coinciding with the upcoming Epic Universe theme park. This resort, featuring The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, offers exclusive packages, outdoor activities, and a focus on family-friendly experiences. The new theme park, set to open in 2025, promises immersive adventures across five distinct themed worlds, making Grande Lakes an attractive option for families seeking relaxation and fun.
Orlando, Florida – A New Family Vacation Destination Emerges with Grande Lakes Resort and the Upcoming Epic Universe Theme Park
Grande Lakes Orlando, a prominent luxury resort situated in Orlando, Florida, is now offering an enhanced family vacation experience, especially with the opening of the new Epic Universe theme park in 2025. This resort, positioned conveniently close to the park, provides travelers with upscale accommodations and a broad array of amenities designed for relaxation and entertainment, making it an attractive option for families planning their next getaway.
Luxury Accommodations and Exclusive Offers
The resort features two renowned hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, both offering luxury lodging options. Guests staying at these properties can take advantage of numerous amenities including a rejuvenating spa services, an 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor recreational activities, and a waterpark suitable for guests of all ages. Ritz Kids programming is also available, providing children with engaging activities during their stay.
To attract visitors, Grande Lakes Orlando is promoting its “Upgrade & Away” package. This special offer includes complimentary access to the Club Lounge when reserving a suite, which offers exclusive seating and premium amenities. The package also includes activities managed by Ritz Kids for two children and private transportation to Epic Universe, ensuring seamless travel from the resort to the new theme park.
Leisure and Natural Settings
The expansive grounds of Grande Lakes Orlando encompass twelve lakes and extensive landscaping, enabling various outdoor leisure activities such as boating, fishing, and nature walks. These natural settings add to the resort’s appeal as a tranquil retreat in the bustling Orlando area.
Golf and Resort Management Expertise
Marriott’s Global Golf Division oversees a portfolio of 45 golf courses across 14 countries, offering nearly 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has maintained a leadership position in integrated resort and golf management since 1970, consistently producing award-winning business results, and further enhances the appeal of Grande Lakes Orlando for golf enthusiasts.
Epic Universe: A New Dimension in Family Entertainment
The Epic Universe theme park, set to open on May 22, 2025, marks Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth major park. Covering 750 acres, the park features a hub-and-spoke layout with five distinct themed worlds, designed to provide immersive experiences for visitors of all ages.
Main Attractions and Themed Areas
- Super Nintendo World: With attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and a Donkey Kong Country roller coaster, this area offers interactive adventures inspired by popular Nintendo characters.
- Dark Universe: Featuring horror-themed rides based on classic Universal monsters, appealing to fans of spooky stories.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic area invites guests to join Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a fresh adventure filled with magical experiences.
- How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk includes interactive rides and live shows, bringing the beloved film series to life.
Dining, Hotels, and Access
Epic Universe will host over 30 dining locations offering more than 100 menu items with a focus on elevated food options, immersive themes, and unique dining experiences across the themed worlds. Visitors can choose from accommodations like the Universal Helios Grand Hotel—a Greek mythology-themed hotel with Mediterranean aesthetics featuring a dedicated park entrance—and two Prime Value Hotels: Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort.
Entry logistics include complimentary shuttle buses from Universal’s existing hotels and a multi-park ticket system, facilitating easy access for guests. The park will also offer advanced ticket purchasing options, with discounts available through authorized resellers. Ticket prices start at approximately $139+ for a single-day pass, with higher pricing during peak demand days. Annual passes for Universal Orlando are priced between $121 and $173, depending on the date and type of pass purchased.
Strategic Impact on Orlando Tourism
The opening of Epic Universe aims to extend visitors’ stays in Orlando and intensify competition in the region’s theme park market, primarily challenging Disney’s established offerings. The new park is expected to attract families from across the country and internationally, boosting local tourism and hospitality industries.
Conclusion
With its combination of luxury accommodations, outdoor leisure amenities, and a highly anticipated new theme park, Grande Lakes Orlando is positioned as a premier family vacation destination. The accessibility and extensive attractions of Epic Universe are expected to create new opportunities for visitors to enjoy an immersive entertainment experience in Orlando’s vibrant tourism landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Golf Wire: An Epic Golf Escape – Orlando
- Reuters: What to Expect from Florida’s New Epic Universe Theme Park
- Visit Orlando: Insider Guide to Epic Universe
- Fox Business: Universal Aims to Cut Disney’s Theme Park Lead
- Disney Tourist Blog: Epic Universe Previews Open to General Public
- Wikipedia: Epic Universe
- Google Search: Epic Universe Theme Park
- Google Scholar: Epic Universe Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Epic Universe
- Google News: Epic Universe Orlando
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
