Universal Studios Florida & Co-Nexion Conference 2025

Getting There

The Hotel and Convention Center

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando served as both our hotel and convention venue, and it proved to be an outstanding choice for travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and atmosphere. Upon landing, we took advantage of the dedicated shuttle service for Universal on-site resorts, making arrival smooth and effortless.

Our spacious king room overlooked the lagoon and water taxi dock, providing a calming view of boats gliding back and forth throughout the day. It struck an ideal balance between tranquility and proximity - quiet enough to recharge after long days yet fully connected to the energy of Universal Studios Florida.

One of Sapphire Falls’ most appreciated perks is its scenic water taxi, which offers what is arguably the most enjoyable and convenient transportation option to Universal CityWalk and the theme parks. The short boat ride across the lagoon feels less like transit and more like part of the vacation experience itself.

The resort is thoughtfully designed and expansive enough to host multiple large events simultaneously without ever feeling crowded. Guests have access to a resort-style pool with both shallow and deeper areas, a well-equipped fitness center, and welcoming common spaces that work equally well for relaxation or informal meetings.

Dining on property at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is well supported. The resort features two primary restaurant options: Strong Water Tavern, which offers a relaxed, inviting atmosphere with larger, shareable tapas, appetizers and a well-curated drink menu – and downstairs, Amatista Cookhouse, an upscale relaxed full-service restaurant on site, which we unfortunately didn’t have time to experience during this stay but remains a convenient choice for guests seeking a sit-down dining option without leaving the resort. In addition, the on-site café proved invaluable during long convention days, reliably offering hot breakfasts, quality coffee, gelato, a variety of drinks, sandwiches, salads, and essential sundries.

Adding a light touch of charm is the occasional surprise character appearance. While not so frequent that it disrupts your plans, it’s just common enough to create memorable moments. During our stay, we unexpectedly ran into King Louie, familiar from Madagascar and other films as the leader of the lemurs, making a lobby appearance—an easy reminder that at Universal, the experience extends beyond the park gates. Character meet-and-greets, parades, and seasonal events are part of the story.

Overall, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort delivers a rare combination of resort tranquility, event-ready infrastructure, and seamless access to Universal Orlando’s attractions, making it an excellent choice for leisure travelers, families, and hosted events alike. We’re happy to work through this and other resort and park options with you to tailor your visit based on your available time, interests, and specific needs.



Co-Nexion Travel Convention and Training

The heart of the trip was a multi-day 30-year anniversary of the Co-Nexion Travel Convention and Training. Training days started well before 8 AM and typically ended around 5 PM. With so much packed into the schedule, breakfast and lunch often overlapped with seminars and travel supplier meetings if you lingered over a meal. Days were full of workshops, sessions, and meetings designed for Travel Advisors and agency owners. The long hours were intense, but the professional rewards were significant and meaningful.

During the convention, I was honored to receive the Circle of Excellence Award for the third year in a row, as well as the Eddie’s Choice Award, given to only one agent each year for identifying meaningful, actionable issues. Being selected out of thousands of agents was a true highlight.

Because the convention schedule allowed limited time in the parks, we stayed an extra night to enjoy more of Universal Studios, ensuring we could experience attractions and areas that would have otherwise been missed.



CityWalk – Gateway to Exploring the Parks

With approximately eight hours of free time spread across three days, our exploration of Universal Orlando’s parks was necessarily selective. While this was nowhere near enough time to experience everything, it was more than enough to appreciate the scope, energy, and variety that defines the destination.

All park time began with a scenic boat ride to dock at Universal CityWalk, the lively pedestrian corridor that connects the hotels to the parks. We started here on our first evening after arrival, using CityWalk as both an introduction and a convenient dining hub.

During our stay, we enjoyed meals at the Hard Rock Café, featuring a pink Cadillac complete with a “God is my co-pilot,” (from the Blues Brothers movie) and at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, where live music played the entire time we were seated to eat. We also treated ourselves to ice cream at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Karaoke had to be skipped due to early mornings and packed schedules as did Antojitos authentic Mexican Food. CityWalk proved to be an easy, flexible option for dining and unwinding between meetings and park visits.

From CityWalk, guests pass the iconic rotating Universal Globe, then branch off toward either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure. With the parks just a short walk or scenic boat ride from the resort, we made the most of each available window.

Due to the time required for the convention, we were very limited in getting to experience the live entertainment and nightlife options. And did I mention karaoke?

Universal Islands of Adventure

We began in Islands of Adventure, where the scale and motion of the park are immediately apparent. Our first ride was Skull Island: Reign of Kong, followed by time spent watching others brave Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, where riders emerged thoroughly drenched after steep drops. Even while not riding, the park remains highly immersive rollercoasters thunder overhead, water rides splash nearby, and themed environments shift quickly as you move through the islands. The Jurassic Park River Adventure also fits in this section of the park near Kong.

The Marvel Super Heroes area of the park and The Incredible Hulk Coaster towers over all but Dr Doom's Fearfall, with attractions for Spiderman.

The Jurassic Park / Jurassic World area stood out for dinosaurs appeared at multiple points throughout the land, and we saw marquee attractions including high-speed VelociCoaster, which dominates the skyline. We also stopped at Burger Digs, located near the Jurassic Park Discovery Center for food and refuge during a rainstorm. One small but practical note for visitors: soda cups are barcoded, and once filled (even partially), refills are not permitted.

We also explored The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, where guests lined up for Butterbeer while enjoying the richly detailed streets, shops, and castle views. There are several Harry Potter-themed areas spread across the parks, and we did not have time to visit them all on this trip. These are some spots to catch next time.

Even the decorative exteriors with monumental statues add to the experience in The Lost Continent, with ancient ruins and an interactive fountain. when entering Islands of Adventure or passing by the Mythos Restaurant, which is the 10-Time Winner #1 Theme Park Restaurant in the World” according to Theme Park Insider.

We also spent time in Seuss Landing, which offers a lighter, more whimsical contrast to the thrill-heavy areas of the park. Attractions included The Cat in the Hat, Caro-Seuss-el, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and the elevated High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, providing a relaxed, bird’s-eye view of the land. 



Universal Studios - Daytime

Our visit to Universal Studios Florida was brief, as we started this day later than planned. We mostly completed a walk around the lagoon, passing through but not having time to stop. Highlights within the Universal Studios Park for a future visit include:

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, located near Diagon Alley. and the streets of Hollywood/Production
• Diagon Alley / King’s Cross Station / Hogwarts Express - Connects Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure, allowing rapid travel between the Wizarding Worlds.
• Hollywood/Production Central - the entry area with attractions like Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and themed shops.
• Springfield - The Simpsons, with colorful streets, themed dining, and photo opportunities with the Simpsons characters.
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged - high-speed thrill ride, complementing other action-oriented attractions.
• Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone - rides and activities for younger guests.

Despite the limited time, the walk provided a sense of the scale, theming, and detail of the park, giving us a feel for its vibrant streets, shops, and character experiences.



Universal Studios - Private After-Hours Event

One evening, our convention host had arranged a private after-hours event inside Universal Studios, offering exclusive access once the park had closed to the general public. The event was centered in the New York area and Hollywood/Production Central, creating a lively yet uncrowded atmosphere.

The night began with a quick late-night bite at Minions Café, right inside the park, followed by a stop at the pizza shop near Revenge of the Mummy ride and the Blues Brothers stage. The evening featured live music at the Blues Brothers stage, dancing, and rides including Revenge of the Mummy and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, all accessible without the usual crowds.

As we exited the park, we encountered a giant robot outside Transformers: The Ride – 3D, providing a perfectly eccentric and memorable end to the night - an experience that felt distinctly Universal.



Other Universal Park Experiences in Orlando

Universal Studios has several additional experiences outside the parks we visited that we didn’t get to include and remain for a future trip:

• Epic Universe – A NEW (for 2025) park requiring a separate ticket and reachable via shuttle or private transport. Major features include:
• Super Nintendo World, based on these classic video game characters
• Universal Monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and others...
• DreamWorks Animation land featuring Shrek, Kung Fu Panda,...
• Additional rides, experiences and lands from Universal’s storytelling. 

• Universal Volcano Bay Water Park’s vast water park experience, reachable via shuttle from CityWalk or by car, where you can find the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, and more!

• VIP or behind-the-scenes tours – Available at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure; guided tours begin at designated park locations and provide limited-access insights into attractions and operations.

Orlando and other Regional Activities

Had we been able to stay longer, there was so much more to explore in Orlando and nearby attractions from high-energy theme parks to educational, natural, and more relaxed excursions - making it a destination that rewards both first-time visitors and repeat travelers. 

• Kennedy Space Center and Museum - For those interested in science and history, a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center and Museum at Cape Canaveral is must-see. This experience offers an incredible look at NASA’s launch facilities and the history of U.S. space exploration, though this requires advance reservations.

• SeaWorld Orlando - Combines marine life encounters with large-scale attractions and roller coasters, offering a mix of educational exhibits and thrill rides suitable for a full day visit.

• Discovery Cove - A limited-capacity, all-inclusive experience focused on relaxation and close-up animal encounters, including snorkeling, lagoons, and curated nature experiences. Reservations are required well in advance.

• Walt Disney World Resort - While often treated as a separate destination, many vacationers choose to combine Universal and Disney experiences, either with a single-day visit or as part of a longer stay. We can help coordinate ticketing, transportation, and pacing between the two resorts based on your priorities.

• Other nearby attractions - The Greater Orlando area also offers nature parks, airboat and water adventures, cultural sites, and unique local experiences that extend beyond traditional theme parks and can be added to a customized itinerary.

In Summary

The trip blended thorough professional development with theme-park fun, food adventures, and memorable moments. From early-morning training and industry awards to rollercoasters, wizarding worlds, and after-hours dancing in the park, it was an energizing mix of achievement and adventure. We have so much more to experience and look forward to our return – like karaoke (or not).



Call Out

As Travel Advisors, we are available to help plan your vacation for solo travelers, couples, families, friends, reunions, or clubs from a world of travel options within your budget. You don’t have to navigate this alone, which can be reassuring in both finding and deciding on an adventure or relaxation, and when you need assistance away from home. Whether it is Universal Studios and Loews Sapphire Resort, Orlando parks and attractions, a Cruise and Rail tour of Alaska, a gentle European River Cruise through history, a round-the-world-cruise, or an expedition cruise, we are here to help to make your next dream adventure a reality!