Author: Brian Glenn

It’s that time again! Halloween Horror Nights has kicked off their 2024 event at Universal Studios Hollywood! Hollywood has been on a hot streak since coming back from the COVID shutdown in 2020, featuring some of the best haunted houses in recent years, including original features like La Llorona, Monstruos, and Scarecrow: The Reaping. This year, the lineup includes a diverse range of horror films, from the supernatural scares of Insidious to the lighthearted fun of Ghostbusters or the violence of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Halloween Horror Nights has something for everyone. So, what were our first impressions of…

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels have announced the full schedule of their signature events for the Fall season. Loews Royal Pacific Resort Jake’s Beer Festival will be held Friday, October 4 from 6pm – 9pm. Jake’s Beer Festival happens only twice each year and features more than 50 craft beers and hard seltzers, along with chicken and waffles, flatbreads, Jake’s famous pretzel rods, grilled prawns, braised short ribs, and desserts featuring mini pavlova, blueberry and apple tart and German chocolate stout cake. Beer festival tickets are available here. The Wantilan Luau is held on Saturday evenings year-round from 6pm – 8:30pm,…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from September 16, 2024, to September 22, 2024. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 33 continues this week! The event features 10 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and one live show – as well as an insane offering of spooky-themed food & drink. 2024’s Passholder Appreciation Days, which includes discounts, benefits, and menus exclusive to Universal Annual Passholders, continues through September 30. The Universal Mega Movie Parade will begin to shift its start time due to the start of Halloween Horror Nights. The parade will start at…

Universal Orlando will expand the Universal Studios Store in Universal CityWalk to include two new dedicated areas featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, with an opening set for 2025. The expansion is currently under construction, taking over the former Cinnabon and Quiet Flight locations. The expanded retail location will offer merchandise inspired by all three lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando – including the new Ministry of Magic, opening in 2025 at Universal Epic Universe. Guests will also be able to enjoy their favorite Butterbeer treats – including the Cold,…

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort will debut a variety of all-new immersive experiences and exclusive merchandise inspired by Wicked, Universal Pictures’ highly-anticipated film releasing in theaters Nov 22, in October. Starting in late October, Universal Orlando will welcome guests to Wicked: The Experience – housed in the former location of the Hello Kitty/UNIVRS store – where they will have the unique opportunity to step into the fantastical Land of Oz. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience will “whisk guests along the yellow brick road” and into a variety of iconic Wicked locations from Shiz University to the Emerald City. Fanciful costumes and…

Universal Orlando has debuted 2 new Mini-Stay Pufts shoulder pal accessories at the HHN Tribute Store for Halloween Horror Nights 33. The Shoulder Pal is a small plush doll that can sit on your shoulder using a magnet. The item is priced at $22 and comes in two varieties: a Happy Puft and an Angry Puft. Halloween Horror Nights 33 will take place at Universal Studios Florida starting Friday, August 30, 2024. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards. Looking to book that HORROR-filled Universal vacation?…

The Hello Kitty Store has officially closed. Located between Production Central and Hollywood, the Hello Kitty Store was part of a blended store that included Betty Boop & UNIVRS merchandise. The closure was confirmed by Universal Orlando. All entrances to the store now feature the sign, “Please pardon our dust as we create an exciting new experience.”, with windows blacked out. Opening in 2016, the Hello Kitty Store replaced Lucy: A Tribute. The store had been transitioning away from the Hello Kitty/Sanrio theme for the last few years, shrinking the Hello Kitty footprint to one small area. Stay tuned to…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from September 9, 2024, to September 15, 2024. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 33 continues this week! The event features 10 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and one live show – as well as an insane offering of spooky-themed food & drink. 2024’s Passholder Appreciation Days, which includes discounts, benefits, and menus exclusive to Universal Annual Passholders, continues through September 30. The Universal Mega Movie Parade will begin to shift its start time due to the start of Halloween Horror Nights. The parade will start at…

The haunt season has returned! Halloween Horror Nights is back for its 33rd year, promising a line-up of 10 houses, 5 scare zones, and the returning Nightmare Fuel act with an entirely new show. This year, Universal is playing of the duality of horror and introducing SINIST3R and SURR3AL- each representing their own unique brand of fear. SINIST3R represents the sadistic, material horror like torture or murder; while SURR3AL represents the twisted world of the unexplainable supernatural world of horror. So, what were our first impressions of this year’s event? The first weekend tends to have that “new car…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that the new Hello Kitty & Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop will open at Universal CityWalk on Friday, September 6, 2024. The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, adorned with a giant signature Hello Kitty bow and framed by a pastel pink and white awning, will welcome guests to enjoy a unique, grab-and-go menu with the option to dine at any one of umbrella-covered tables located just outside the walk-up venue. The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe is the first of its kind to open in Los Angeles. The all-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe…