Gold Conference - Universal Studios

Ginny Scott on 08 May 2014
This year Travel Counsellors congratulated its top performing ‘Gold Travel Counsellors’ by taking us all to Orlando for a long weekend!

The weekend was hosted at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios which is just steps from the two amazing theme parks, plus all the surrounding action. It is a really beautiful and elegant Italian themed hotel modelled on the seaside village of Portofino. The bedrooms, public areas and gardens are all Italian themed with piazzas, cobbled walk ways, outdoor cafes and bars – and the hotel is just a short boat ride from the park. If you are staying at the this hotel, they will automatically upgrade your park pass to the Universal Express pass which allows you to skip the regular lines and also gives you early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

On our first day, we enjoyed a VIP tour of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This was such a great day as we didn’t have to queue for any rides and we also got taken for a behind the scenes guided walk as well. We enjoyed various rides such as ‘Despicable Me’, ‘Transformers’, and ‘Men in Black’ as well as walked around the new Harry Potter attraction – the rail link on Hogwarts Express is almost ready to open – how exciting!

In the evening we returned to the park for drinks and dinner at the Hard Rock Café which welcomed us by putting TRAVEL COUNSELLORS’ name up in lights – the evening was great fun with lots of music memorabilia adorning the walls and a lively atmosphere.

Afterwards we were taken to see a live performance of the Blue Man Show which was a unique experience with a lot of audience participation but perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea!

The following day, I went down to Boggy Creek for a 90 minute airboat ride over the Everglades – something I hadn’t done on my previous two trips to Orlando. It was a fabulous trip and whilst we didn’t see a huge amount of wildlife, I would thoroughly recommend it.

That evening we had our gala dinner at the Venetian Ballroom at the Portofino and we had a Motown tribute band as the entertainment.

Our final day, and we decided to head to Gatorland to see the big alligators. I am not sure which of my colleagues told me it was a good idea to get in and feed them, but the one behind me started moving very fast!

All too quickly and it was time to go home. BA flights were good both ways – the hotel was superb – and the venue was just one of the best Gold conferences we have ever had.

I would love to go back and do it all over again!!