Universal's Islands of Adventures #1 in the World; TripAdvisor Shares Guide to Orlando Highlighting Airfare, Restaurants and Family-Friendly Hotels Bookable on the Site

World's Largest Travel Site Also Names Best Water Parks Across the Globe

NEWTON, Mass., July 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced its Travelers' Choice™ awards for amusement parks and water parks around the globe. This year's awards honor 244 attractions in total, including the top 25 in the world and dedicated lists for Asia, Canada, Europe, India, South America, South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers across the globe. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for amusement parks and water parks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

"Thrill-seekers can get their tickets to excitement at these Travelers' Choice award-winning attractions that have received rave reviews from the TripAdvisor community," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Appealing to the young and young at heart, these entertaining enclaves offer a variety of budget-friendly accommodations and dining options that are highly-rated on TripAdvisor."

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Amusement Parks in the U.S. and World

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Water Parks in the U.S. and World

Quick Guide to Orlando

Renowned as "The Theme Park Capital of the World," Orlando is home to seven of the top 10 Travelers' Choice award-winning amusement parks in the U.S., including Universal's Islands of Adventure at number one. In addition to boasting 538 attractions, the family-friendly city has 348 accommodations with an average nightly hotel rate of $161¹ on TripAdvisor.

Adventure-seekers can explore the city's myriad parks and sites without breaking the bank, as TripAdvisor has identified average roundtrip airfare from popular U.S. cities to Orlando over the next three months, as well as family-friendly value hotels and restaurants near award-winning attractions.

Average Roundtrip Airfare to Orlando 

"Off-Campus" and Seasonal Savings

On average, travelers can save 55 percent¹ by booking a hotel located outside of an Orlando amusement park. The most affordable time to enjoy a stay at an Orlando hotel is September when the average nightly hotel rate is $138², 26 percent less than its peak March price of $187 per night.

Staying and Eating Near Travelers' Choice Amusement Parks in Orlando

Universal's Islands of Adventure - Orlando, Florida

One day admission³: adult - $102, child - $97
Family-friendly value hotel⁴: The Point Orlando Resort - Average nightly rate for 2015: $135
Family-friendly restaurant⁵: Teak Neighborhood Grill, serving classic American fare including burgers, chicken wings, and pizza

Discovery Cove - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult and child - $379
Family-friendly value hotel: Floridays Resort Orlando - Average nightly rate for 2015: $223
Family-friendly restaurant: Hot Krust Panini Kitchen, offering gourmet grilled sandwiches, salads and soups

Magic Kingdom - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult - $105, child - $99
Family-friendly value hotel: Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations Club - Average nightly rate for 2015: $175
Family-friendly restaurant: Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant, serving Irish favorites including shepherd's pie, and fish and chips

Disney's Hollywood Studios - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult - $97, child - $91
Family-friendly value hotel: CLC Encantada Resort - Average nightly rate for 2015: $174
Family-friendly restaurant: Q'kenan, offering Latin cuisine such as empanadas and arepas

Universal Studios Florida - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult - $102, child - $97
Family-friendly value hotel: Rosen Shingle Creek - Average nightly rate for 2015: $194
Family-friendly restaurant: Border Grill Fresh-Mex serving enchiladas, quesadillas, and burritos

Disney's Animal Kingdom - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult - $97, child - $91
Family-friendly value hotel: Shades of Green Hotel - Average nightly rate for 2015: $112
Family-friendly restaurant: Sanaa - offering Indian cuisine such as lamb kefta sliders and naan

SeaWorld Orlando - Orlando, Florida:

One day admission: adult and child - $87 
Family-friendly value hotel: Marriott's Harbour Lake - Average nightly rate for 2015: $197
Family-friendly restaurant: First Watch - serving gourmet soups and sandwiches including Baja turkey burgers, Reubens and Monterey clubs

For the complete list of winners in the 2015 Travelers' Choice awards for amusement parks and water parks as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cAmusementParks 
www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cWaterParks

Notes to editors:

¹Average nightly rates of properties located both in and outside of Orlando parks are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 through December 31, 2015, aggregated from booking partners including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

²Average monthly hotel rates are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 through December 31, 2015, aggregated from booking partners including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

³Amusement park admissions are based on current pricing sourced from each of the award winning parks.

⁴Family-friendly value hotels have a minimum of three-and-a-half out of five TripAdvisor bubble rating and are located within five miles of each amusement park. Hotel pricing is based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 through December 31, 2015, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

⁵Family-friendly restaurants have a minimum of three-and-a-half out of five TripAdvisor bubble rating and are located within five miles of each amusement park.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 340 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 225 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.9 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, December 2014

**Source: Google Analytics, average monthly unique users, Q1 2015

CONTACT: Julie Cassetina

         (781) 800-5194

         jcassetina@tripadvisor.com