55-741: The Orange County Convention Center is a convention center located in Orlando, Florida . Opened in 1983 as the Orange County Convention and Civic Center , it is the primary public convention center for the Central Florida region and the second-largest convention center in the United States, after McCormick Place in Chicago . The OCCC offers 7,000,000 sq ft (650,000 m) of space, 2,100,000 sq ft (200,000 m) of which
110-787: A Cinemark Theatres and offers varying live music and entertainment options each night. Notably CityWalks's Rising Star (a karaoke club with a live band), Red Coconut Club, and Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom (both a night club and restaurant). Some notable restaurants include the Cowfish, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Hard Rock Cafe , Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville , Bubba Gump Shrimp Company , Antojito's Authentic Mexican Food, and Bigfire American Fare. Casual dining locations include: Moe's Southwest Grill , BK Whopper Bar , Panda Express , Red Oven Pizza Bakery, and Voodoo Doughnut . The resort features eight official on-site hotels, totaling up to 11,000 rooms. All 11 hotels are located in close proximity to
165-504: A Universal Souvenir Cup. For additional costs, visitors could add park-to-park Meal Deal Access allowing them to eat meals in both parks. Universal Meal Deal was replaced on November 3, 2013, with Universal Quick Service Dining Plan. Universal Orlando features a large group of characters varying from Woody Woodpecker to Spider-Man . Visitors have three ways of dining with characters. At Loews Royal Pacific Resort, guests can eat breakfast with Universal Characters on select days. Throughout
220-519: A convention center. In Francophone countries, the term is palais des congrès (such as the Palais des Congrès de Paris ) or centre des congrès (such as the Centre des congrès de Quebec). The original convention centers or halls were in castles and palaces . Originally a hall in a castle would be designed to allow a large group of lords, knights and government officials to attend important meetings with
275-635: A cost of $ 32 million, opened up 8,200 sq ft (760 m) more. By 1998, the OCCC had 1,103,538 sq ft (102,522.0 m) of exhibition space over a total building space of over 4 million ft². In June 1998, the BCC got a fifth cent approved for the TDT, partly for a grand Phase V, which would add a total of 3 million ft² of space to the OCCC. That December, they paid Universal Orlando Resort $ 69 million for 239 acres (97 ha) of land across International Drive from
330-470: A free Universal Express Pass , which gives access to shorter lines at major attractions. The resort also features an organized transportation system, including water taxis , pathways, and moving walkways that connect many of the area's hotels and theme parks. Universal Orlando exceeded three of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in estimated 2021 attendance. After Universal Studios Florida opened on June 7, 1990, Universal Entertainment formed
385-579: A joint venture with The Blackstone Group and began planning a future expansion that would transform the single park into a multi-day destination resort. In late 1995, construction began on a new park, Universal Islands of Adventure . During this time, several new attractions were being built and opened at Universal Studios Florida, including Woody Woodpecker's KidZone , Men in Black: Alien Attack , and Animal Actors On Location! (formerly Animal Planet Live). Universal's Islands of Adventure opened to
440-799: A theme park that let visitors "Ride the Movies." The park is composed of themed areas and attractions based on the film industry. Visitors get themed dining and shopping, a variety of special events throughout the year, and may even catch an actual film crew at work on the backlot. The themes of Universal Studios Florida are targeted at making guests feel like they are on a movie set with rides, shows and attractions inspired by popular film, television, and music productions. The park currently consists of nine themed areas – Hollywood, Minion Land on Illumination Ave, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield and DreamWorks Land. The second park to open at
495-432: Is broken into two main routes. One provides transportation to all thirty Universal Partner hotels while the newest route began service to Orlando International Airport in 2016. Universal's Super Star Shuttle provides free transportation between Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Aquatica . Airport service is available for a fee to onsite hotel guests booking through Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations. The airport shuttle
550-556: Is exhibit space. The complex is located on the south end of International Drive , a major tourist area in Orlando. The original building (the "West Concourse") housed an 11,300-seat arena from 1983 to 1992. It hosted concerts by popular artists including Madonna , Tina Turner , Whitney Houston , Styx , Aerosmith , Mötley Crüe , and Hall and Oates . Its use declined after the Orlando Arena opened in 1989. The arena closed in 1992 and
605-569: Is included in park admission. Many attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure allow guests to utilize an Express Pass, with availability depending at each attraction. This pass admits guests to a separate line for the attraction, which is given priority status when boarding. Express Pass is not a virtual queuing service. Instead, passholders may enter the Universal Express line whenever they wish. This pass
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#1732844912291660-413: Is more commonly known, is one of the largest Halloween events in the U.S. From 1991 to 2001, the event was held at Universal Studios Florida. Halloween Horror Nights was moved to Islands of Adventure in 2002, and the 2004 event featured sections of both parks, but the event was moved back to Universal Studios Florida in 2006. The event celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010, its 25th anniversary in 2015, and
715-430: Is not included with park admission but can be bought for an additional fee. Fees change depending on date. Guests can choose to purchase one of two options: Express Pass, which gives guests access to the express line once per day on each participating attraction, or Express Unlimited Pass, which allows guests to skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times per day at participating attractions. The Universal Meal Deal
770-491: Is the same concept, CityWalk Orlando was given different venues and design. Universal also opened the resort's first onsite hotel in September 1999. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (originally Portofino Bay Hotel, a Loews Hotel) was operated and partially owned by Loews Hotels but was also partially owned by Universal and The Blackstone Group . The two theme parks, CityWalk, and the hotel were branded as Universal Studios Escape, however
825-535: The Fantastic Beasts franchise, Universal Monsters and Super Nintendo World . It was stated that the project would create 14,000 jobs. Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast , called Epic Universe "the largest investment we've ever made in a park". The complex will also include separate resort hotels, dining and retail facilities. In April 2020, NBCUniversal announced the park's opening would be delayed until 2024 due to
880-490: The COVID-19 pandemic . In July 2020, NBCUniversal announced that they would be pausing development on the new theme park "until the future becomes more certain". In March 2021, work on Epic Universe resumed. Epic Universe is slated to open on May 22, 2025. Universal CityWalk Orlando is an entertainment and retail district which opened on May 28, 1999, over the former parking lot and entrance of Universal Studios as part of
935-653: The Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved a location for the OCCCC in Orlando Central Park, on International Drive, and drew up plans for a 325,000 sq ft (30,200 m) gross area facility. The following year, BCC and Orlando Central Park agreed to give OCP one cent per taxed dollar of the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) each year for 30 years; in return, OCP would donate land for
990-524: The 30th anniversary in 2021. The event sometimes features an "icon" that presides over the terror each evening, along with seven to ten haunted houses and numerous unavoidable scare zones. It is a separately ticketed event. Rock the Universe is an annual Christian rock music festival that is located within Universal Studios Florida. It began in 1998 and has been running ever since. The event typically occurs in early September and lasts for two days. In 2019, Rock
1045-532: The Christmas celebrations within Universal Studios Florida. Generally, in February through to April, a parade and concert series inspired by New Orleans ' Mardi Gras party, is held within Universal Studios Florida. The event features merchandise especially for the celebration and is held usually on Friday and Saturday nights. Every event night guests will hear some of Louisiana's bands performing blues and zydeco . It
1100-917: The OCCC includes: The OCCC says it hosts events attracting about 1.5 million people annually, injecting $ 2.5 billion into the Central Florida economy. Convention center A convention center ( American English ; or conference centre in British English ) is a large building that is designed to hold a convention , where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees. Very large venues, suitable for major trade shows , are sometimes known as exhibition halls . Convention centers typically have at least one auditorium and may also contain concert halls , lecture halls , meeting rooms , and conference rooms . Some large resort area hotels include
1155-926: The South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center's North/South Building via an elevated, covered pedestrian walkway. The Hyatt Regency , a 1641-room hotel, also connects directly to the Convention Center via the Oversight Pedestrian Bridge and the Hyatt Skywalk. The elevated walkway connects the North, South and West concourses over International Drive and the Hilton Orlando. Additionally, Rosen Plaza and Rosen Centre, offering 800 and 1,334 guest rooms respectively, are situated along
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#17328449122911210-504: The Universal Orlando theme parks. The hotels offer guests free water taxi or shuttle bus service to the Universal Orlando theme parks. The hotels are sorted into three categories: Signature Collection, Prime Value Hotels, and Value Inn and Suites. On select nights in September through early November, Universal Studios Florida is transformed for the annual Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights . Halloween Horror Nights, or HHN as it
1265-623: The Universe took place in early February for the first time ever. Many Christian rock artists play throughout the event both nights. The resort offers special tickets, packages and church partnerships for that weekend. Select attractions are also open throughout the evenings. Grad Bash and Gradventure are two separate events held in April and May at the parks. Grad Bash is an event for graduating high school senior classes who can gather for an exclusive, all-night party at Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure. This event features live performances by some of
1320-533: The West Concourse. They are linked by elevated, covered pedestrian bridges as part of Orange County's master plan to improve connectivity and safety for convention-goers. In spring 2019 plans were submitted for a 340,000-square-foot expansion of the North/South Concourse. In spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and the expansion was cancelled citing shortfalls in tax collections necessary to fund
1375-696: The day, characters have meet and greets within the parks and make appearances during lunchtime at several theme park restaurants. During dinner, on select nights, guests can dine with Universal characters at Trattoria del Porto, The Kitchen and Islands Dining Room. The Marvel Super Heroes also appear in the Meet the Marvel Super Heroes attraction where the characters ride on motorcycles down the street of Marvel Super Hero Island. The transit system at Universal Orlando Resort consists of water taxis , buses, escalators, elevators, moving walkways , and pathways; connecting
1430-475: The entire resort. It also features well-known annual events, such as Universal's Halloween Horror Nights , along with a variety of live entertainment and shows. Universal Orlando ranks as one of the most visited resorts in the world with an annual attendance of 21 million as of 2017. Guests staying at certain hotels receive special perks such as early admission into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal's Volcano Bay, or in some cases, benefits such as
1485-490: The expansion that created the Universal Orlando Resort. Guests arrive at the resort park in one of two multi-story parking structures, then travel via covered moving sidewalks over Universal Boulevard into CityWalk. From there, guests can proceed into one of the theme parks. The Universal Store is its flagship store, offering merchandise from the three parks. CityWalk features shopping, nightclubs, dining venues, and
1540-425: The expansion. The OCCC consists of two buildings joined together by a covered pedestrian bridge. The West Building, opening in four phases from February 27, 1983 (with an initial 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m) of exhibition space) and 1996, is located on the south side of International Drive. The North/South Building, located on the north side of International Drive, was completed in 2003. In its entirety,
1595-427: The first four phases are referred to as the "West Building", and Phase V is referred to as the "North/South Building", as it is divided into North and South Exhibition Halls which can be joined to form one large exhibition space or subdivided into six different halls (North A1, North A2, North B, South A1, South A2, South B). The North/South Building has 950,282 sq ft (88,284.1 m) of exhibition space. Around
1650-515: The general public on May 28, 1999, featuring six themed islands, including the Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island . The park opened to mediocre attendance, and as a result, several attractions were closed soon after, including Island Skipper Tours . Along with the new theme park, the resort also opened a Florida version of Universal CityWalk from Universal Studios Hollywood . While it
1705-500: The initial facility, give the county an option to buy another 45 acres (18 ha) for future expansion, and commit adjacent lands for hotel and tourist development. Phase I was completed on February 25, 1983, at a cost of $ 54 million. The Boston Pops Orchestra played at the grand opening on February 26, 1983, and 14,000 people attended the open house on February 27, 1983. In June 1984, the BCC exercised its 45-acre (18 ha) option for $ 2 million and began planning Phase II. The TDT
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1760-589: The king. A more ancient tradition would have the king or lord decide disputes among his people. These administrative actions would be done in the great hall and would exhibit the wisdom of the king as judge to the general populace. One of the most famous convention center debacles happened in France on June 20, 1789. King Louis XVI locked a group known as the Third Estate out of the meeting hall in Versailles. This led to
1815-636: The most popular artists, dance parties with DJs, and pre-parties at the Universal Music Plaza Stage in the Production Central section of Universal Studios Florida. Gradventure is very similar but is designed for graduating middle school students. Both events are sponsored by Coca-Cola . Macy's Holiday Parade brings some authentic balloons that are based on attractions in the parks in a 2 month long event in November and December that highlights
1870-404: The name was quickly changed to Universal Orlando Resort. In December 2000, Hard Rock Hotel opened as Universal Orlando's second onsite hotel. Despite its name, the hotel is owned by Loews Hotels, like Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and is not affiliated with Hard Rock International . In 2001, Loews Royal Pacific Resort opened. In the midst of all these openings, two parking garages were constructed and
1925-482: The opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, MCA moved forward with plans to expand from a single park into a large resort hoping to compete with Walt Disney World . In 1999, a second theme park called Universal Islands of Adventure opened in addition to Universal CityWalk , a shopping promenade and nightlife district that incorporates a variety of themed hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. A third park, 30-acre (12 ha) water park Universal Volcano Bay ,
1980-456: The original OCCC. The Martinez Convention Center Commission, named after then-Orange County chairman Mel Martinez , was created to oversee planning and construction of Phase V. Ground was broken on Phase V in August 2000 after a large convention organizer, Reed Exhibitions , agreed to move 42 conventions to Orlando into the new phase. It opened one month ahead of schedule in September 2003. Today,
2035-417: The parking structures, hotels, CityWalk, and theme parks. Additionally, strollers, wheelchairs, and electronic convenience vehicles can be rented for a daily fee. There is an organized bus transportation system, shuttling guests between onsite hotels, Universal Partner Hotels, theme parks, airport, and other area attractions. Mears Transportation runs this system. Orlando's LYNX bus system also connects
2090-408: The popular Harry Potter franchise, as well as Skull Island , based on the 2005 King Kong film, are the only islands that were added after the park opened. Hogsmeade opened to the public on June 18, 2010, and Skull Island opened to the public on July 13, 2016. Volcano Bay is the third theme park, a 27-acre water theme park that opened in 2017. It replaced Wet 'n Wild , owned by Universal, as
2145-590: The popular water park Wet 'n Wild Orlando was acquired. In 2003, rumors began swirling that a Harry Potter themed attraction would be coming to Universal or one of the Disney parks. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros. , officially announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be built as the seventh of the Islands of Adventure park. The attraction opened on June 18, 2010. Shortly after
2200-460: The property into two hotels that were part of one resort. On August 1, 2019, NBCUniversal announced that it was building a fourth theme park called Universal Epic Universe . It will be located a few miles south of the existing resort, within a larger 750-acre site. There will be five lands including a central hub and four other areas themed to How to Train Your Dragon , Wizarding Paris from
2255-399: The public. The Blackstone Group sold its stake in Universal Orlando in early 2011. As of 2015, Universal Orlando Resort occupies 541 acres (219 ha). As of 2024, Universal Orlando Resort currently occupies 1,291 acres (522 ha) of land with the expansion of Universal Epic Universe . The original theme park in the resort, Universal Studios Florida , opened on June 7, 1990, as
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2310-404: The resort to other places in the city. Onsite hotel guests can get to the theme parks and CityWalk by either boarding a water taxi or bus directly to CityWalk, or using walkways. The dock at CityWalk is located at the center of CityWalk and can be accessed via the bridges. Several hotels and a major airport are located within 20 minutes of Universal Orlando. Universal's Super Star Shuttle service
2365-588: The resort was Universal Islands of Adventure , opened on May 28, 1999. It is composed of eight distinct "islands" that are themed to various forms of adventures from literature. Visitors start off in the Port of Entry and make their way through the various islands – Marvel Super Hero Island , Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, the Lost Continent and Seuss Landing. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on
2420-509: The resort's water park. Wet 'n Wild was founded in 1977 by SeaWorld founder George Millay as one of the first major water parks. In 1998, Wet 'n Wild was acquired by Universal Destinations & Experiences , adding it to Universal Orlando. There were eighteen water slides and attractions at the water park. Popular attractions included the Storm, Bomb Bay, Disco H2O, Mach 5, and the Surge. Wet 'n Wild
2475-532: The revolutionary group holding their meeting in an indoor tennis court. This was the first modern democratic conference center and lead to the Tennis Court Oath and the French Revolution . Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort , often shortened to Universal Orlando , is a 1,291-acre (522 ha) theme park and entertainment resort complex located in Orlando, Florida . Following
2530-431: The same time, the Oversight Pedestrian Bridge was built over International Drive connecting the two buildings. In 2004, OCCC acted as a staging area for relief operations following Hurricane Charley , Frances and Jeanne . Disruptions to convention operations were minimal, and a feared reduction of convention booking did not occur afterward. In 2009, the Hilton Orlando, a 1400-room luxury hotel, opened. It adjoins with
2585-400: The success of the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, rumors began to swirl once again, this time of a second Potter-themed area in Universal Studios Florida. It was announced shortly thereafter that Universal would begin construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, replacing Jaws: The Ride . On July 8, 2014, Diagon Alley officially opened to
2640-505: Was a ticketed meal plan for park visitors. It allowed visitors of either theme park to eat all day long from lunch through dinner at select restaurants. These included Mel's Drive-In and Louie's Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios Florida and Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, Comic Strip Cafe, and the Burger Digs at Islands of Adventure . The selection food was limited and drinks were not included. Beverages could be purchased through
2695-646: Was added in 2017, and a fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe , is scheduled to open in 2025. The amusement destination was originally dubbed Universal Studios Escape , but the name was short-lived and changed to Universal Orlando Resort in July 2000. Notable additions over the years include Woody Woodpecker's KidZone at Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel and The Rising Star karaoke bar within CityWalk, as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed area, which spans two theme parks and significantly boosted attendance at
2750-622: Was begun. By December 1992, "Civic" was dropped from the name, and the facility became the Orange County Convention Center. Phase III was completed in January 1996, adding 383,400 sq ft (35,620 m) of exhibition space, at a cost of $ 219.5 million. Phase IV followed that August at a cost of $ 198.7 million, adding another 367,200 sq ft (34,110 m) of exhibition space and about 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m) more meeting space. A retrofit of Phase I, completed in December 1997 at
2805-439: Was born out of a 1977 law passed by Florida's State Legislature. The law permit counties to collect a "Tourist Development Tax" on top of regular sales tax on hotel room stays, with the approval of the county's voters, for state-approved purposes. In a special election in April 1978, the voters of Orange County approved a 2% Tourist Development Tax (the limit set by the state) to build a convention and civic center. That August,
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#17328449122912860-412: Was located at the intersection of International Drive and Universal Boulevard, about half a mile south of the Universal Orlando parking garage. Wet 'n Wild officially closed on December 31, 2016, due to the opening of Volcano Bay. It was announced on March 21, 2017, that the land once occupied by Wet 'n Wild would be transformed into Universal's seventh hotel. It was later learned that Universal would split
2915-468: Was permitted for the TDT, increasing it to 4%. The BCC approved an additional three phases to the OCCCC (Phases II A , III and IV), and improvements to the Citrus Bowl , its first non-Convention Center TDT project. Phase II A , completed in December 1990, added 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m) more support space, used largely for office space and registration. The next month, planning for Phase III
2970-400: Was raised to 3% by a state law in 1986, and groundbreaking occurred in February 1987 on Phase II. It was completed in January 1989, adding 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m) of exhibition space to increase it to 344,790 sq ft (32,032 m) of total exhibition space, and adding 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m) of meeting and support space. That same month, an additional 1%
3025-505: Was renovated and converted into the main exhibition hall in 1996. On April 18, 2012, the American Institute of Architects 's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places". Solar panels on the roof of the South Concourse provide 1 MW of power. The center is host to hundreds of events annually including IAAPA Expo and MegaCon . The Orange County Convention and Civic Center (OCCCC)
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