Pet Friendly Hotels at Universal Orlando

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You're traveling to Universal Orlando Resort and you want to bring your fur baby but your fur baby is not a Service Dog. Where can you stay? Obviously if you are traveling with a Service Dog you can stay at any resort you want but what about the regular dogdos? 

Don't worry. Universal Orlando has four pet friendly hotels that range in price from preferred to premier level. Unfortunately there are no value level resorts at Universal Orlando that are pet friendly.

1. Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort - Preferred Level Hotel, has the biggest pet walk we have ever seen that is literally the size of a pro football field! We have stayed here before and it was wonderful. Would recommend.

2. Lowes Royal Pacific- Premier Level Resort. Includes FREE Universal Unlimited Express Pass to skip the lines at some of the most popular attractions. We have not stayed here yet but it's on our list for 2024!

3. Lowes Portofino Bay - Premier Level Resort. Includes FREE Universal Unlimited Express Pass to skip the lines at some of the most popular attractions. We have not stayed here yet but it's on our list for 2024!

4. Hard Rock Hotel - Premier Level Resort, closest hotel to the parks. It's a 4 minute walk to the main gates or you can take a short boat ride to CityWalk. We love this hotel! There is a big pet walk with bag stations available and it's closeness to the parks make it ideal for midday breaks back at your room to escape from the crowds. Highly recommend!

When ya gotta go ya gotta go and we're gonna take a look at all of the Service Dog Relief Areas at Universal Parks in Orlando and Los Angeles. We will also cover which ones are our personal favorites.

Universal Orlando

At Universal Orlando there are 11 total Service Animal Relief Areas divided around the three parks and CityWalk shopping area.

At Universal Studios you will find Service Dog Relief Area in the following locations:

- To the left of the main entrance arch under the Rip Ride Rocket coaster. This are is large and secluded and is a favorite for morning stops before entering the park.

- Across from Animal Actors next to Kid Zone Pizza Company. This location is fair. It's large and off to the side however it's near an area also used for character meet and greets so it could get crowded.

-By the entrance to Men in Black next to the MIB Gear shop. This is a smaller area but is a bit secluded so it works well.

-New York Street near the library, under Rip Ride Rocket. This area is a favorite because it's towards the back of the park and is usually not crowded with guests wandering.

Islands of Adventure

At Islands of Adventure it gets tricky as some of the Service Dog Relief Areas are behind the scenes in Team Member Only areas. Please know that you ARE allowed to go back into these areas with your Service Animal but no photos or filming is allowed while back behind the scenes.

We will go over these areas first and then discuss the areas that are out in the open.

-In Seuss Landing behind Circus McGurkus Cafe and One Fish, Two Fish. This area is behind the scenes and you will see a Service Animal Relief sign pointing the way on the gate that leads backstage.

- Marvel Super Hero Island by Storm Force Accelatron. This area is behind the scenes and you will see Service Animal Relief signs pointing the way. This area is extremely hard to find so when you are walking back towards the ride stay to the right and you will see the signs leading you backsyage.

- In Lost Continent near the entrance to the former attraction Poseidon. This area was often closed by construction but when open is a pretty good spot that also has bags available for cleanup.

- To the left of the main entrance towards the exit of the park. This is a good location for pre/post day in the park as it is located close to the entrance and exit.

Volcano Bay

Full disclosure we have never been inside Volcano Bay, hard to go swimming when you travel alone with a Service Dog, but here are the locations as listed on the Universal App.

-Wave Village near ika Moana of Honu ika Moana

-Rainforest Village near Bambu restaurant

CityWalk

-Toward the back of the north parking garage. Hard to find and not close to the parks. Would not recommend.

-Instead use either of the two locations near the entrances to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure we listed above as both locations are outside the main gates and do not require park admission to access.

Universal Hollywood

Very limited options at this park as there are only three locations and one of them is outside the gates.

- Upper Lot to the left of the Main Entrance. This location is outside the gates, next to the security check and does not require park admission to access.

-Upper Lot by the entrance to the Studio Tram Tour.

- Lower Lot next to the Starway across from the Jurassic Lagoon.

We liked the one by Animal Actors best but since that entertainment has closed that location is no longer accessible. Huge bummer. Hopefully whatever takes it's place will also include an additional Service Animal Relief Area.