Governor Rick Scott was on hand last week as Universal Orlando helped him announce that the resort was going to be creating nearly 3,500 jobs in the Central Florida area. This is due to the huge expansion of the entire resort that will be complete later this year. Unlike many attractions in the past, the Universal Orlando expansion will create permanent positions within the resort, ranging in a variety of fields and pay levels.
While many of Governor Scott’s critics liken him to Voldemort from the Harry Potter series, it’s actually The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that is responsible for this huge increase in positions around the resort. Since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010, the resort has had record attendance, sales and profits. This has also lead to one of the largest expansions in resort history.
Not only will Universal Studios be home to the all new Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, in which guests will be able to explore the bank vaults of Gringott’s Wizard Bank and board the Hogwarts Express, but there are other new additions in every aspect of the resort as well.
Eight all new venues will be coming to CityWalk, the resorts Entertainment complex, with two of those venues already open. Antojitos Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened just a few weeks ago, while Red Oven Pizza opened late last year. There will be several more restaurants, including the all new Cowfish which will marry Sushi and Burgers in the flavorful Bergushi.
If that’s not big enough, Universal Orlando will open the first half of it’s 1,800 room hotel next month. Cabana Bay Beach Hotel, managed by Loews Hotels, will be welcoming guests beginning March 31st. The new hotel will be a throw back to the hotels that popped up along many beach side highways in the 50’s and 60’s. The hotel will feature a ten lane bowling alley and two huge pools, one of which will feature the largest lazy river on a hotel property.
The resort is now hiring all positions, with many starting immediately. Of the nearly 3,500 jobs, about 40% of those jobs will be managerial, high tech or highly skilled positions.
They include:
- Management opportunities in theme park operations, food and beverage, retail and hospitality
- Skilled technical positions
- Culinary positions
- Hourly positions in guest services, theme park operations, food and beverage, retail, hospitality and other areas
Stay tuned as we bring you more news from across the Universal Orlando resort. Be sure to follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills as we bring you the latest updates.
