Independent guide and review of Florida as a holiday destination

Universal Orlando Guide Books

Universal Orlando 2008: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure, ISBN 1887140743

Format: Paperback
Pages: 256 pages
Publisher: The Intrepid Traveler
Date: November 25, 2007
ISBN: 1887140743
Size: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches

Universal Orlando 2008: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure is an unofficial guide to Universal Orlando and is written by Kelly Monaghan.

The first edition was published in March 2000 and it has been revised each year ever since.

The 2008 edition has been fully updated to include the latest changes at CityWalk and includes the first reviews of Universal's newest attraction, the Blue Man Group.

Kelly Monaghan is no stranger to Orlando and also authors The Other Orlando: What to Do When You've Done Disney and Universal as well as other travel related titles.

It is by far the most comprehensive guide to Universal Orlando. An alternative or supplementary choice is Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida.

Like many of the theme park guide books, Universal Orlando 2008 has no photographs and just a few grey-scale maps, but it is packed full of useful information

The first chapter, Planning Your Escape, runs to some 30 pages and provides you with all the essential information when planning to visit Universal Studios Florida.

Buy This Book

As well as Amazon.com, Universal Orlando 2008: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure can also be bought at other book stores like Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

It covers everything from driving directions, how to get there without a car, access for the disabled, visiting with babies and emergencies to the best time of year to visit and even best day of the week and time of day.

All the ticket options are explained including the latest prices for one day tickets, passes and the Orlando FlexTicket. There is also a description of how the Universal Express system works and how to get the best out of it.

The two main chapters of the book cover the two parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with about 60 pages per park, split by "land"; for example, The Front Lot, Hollywood etc.

As well as detailed descriptions of every single ride, show and attraction, big or small, there is also general park information plus where to eat and shop.

Each attraction is reviewed in detail and rated along with how long they last and a one liner "Kelly says" synopsis. The Good Things to Know About section summarises any height restrictions and PG ratings.

There are also a list of Academy Awards (not to be missed attractions) and Runners Up if you are strapped for time plus great touring tips with one day touring plans for adults and kids.

The fourth chapter covers CityWalk, Universal's answer to Disney's Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney with around 30 pages of reviews of all the restaurants, shops and night-clubs.

Finally there are chapters on the three luxury resort hotels, the Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort plus other nearby hotels.

There have been many guide books written about the Orlando theme parks and the central region of Florida. We are in the process of reviewing many of them and our aim is to publish reviews of the best guide books on these pages.

Read all our Universal Studios book reviews

Note that most guide books are re-published annually so you can often pick up a bargain if you don't mind last year's edition.