Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando held the first Running Universal event as the inaugural Epic Character Race 5K and 10K was held over the weekend. Thousands of runners took part in the race, running through the empty roads of the Universal Orlando resort, with the opportunity to meet different characters stationed throughout the course. The finish line was set-up in the backstage areas near the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon attraction. While we didn’t run the race, we were part of the crowd at the finish line at Saturday’s soggy 5K race; but the rain did not slow the runners down,…

UPDATE – 2/18/2020 Universal Studios Hollywood has confirmed that The Walking Dead Attraction will close on March 4. From a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson – “After many years of thrilling guests, ‘The Walking Dead’ attraction will close on March 4. The area, now referred to as Pets Place, has been reimagined to accommodate the arrival of the new ride, ‘The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!’ We look forward to the return of ‘The Walking Dead’ as a focal point in our slate of Halloween Horror Nights mazes this fall.” It would appear that even though The Walking Dead…

As we approached Busch Gardens Tampa for the behind-the-walls construction tour of the upcoming Iron Gwazi, we couldn’t help but notice the newly-formed, intimidating lift hill in the sky, seemingly dwarfing the neighboring Sheikra. The skyline at Busch Gardens has certainly changed for the better. Iron Gwazi, which is set to open Spring 2020, is easily one of the most anticipated attractions of the year – not only in Central Florida but nationwide; and the team at Busch Gardens is fully aware of the hype. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), Iron Gwazi will be North America’s tallest hybrid coaster…

Mardi Gras starts Saturday, and Universal Orlando is getting ready to celebrate 25 years of letting the good times roll! On Wednesday, Universal invited Inside Universal for a sneak peek of this year’s event – previewing some of the new floats for this year’s parade, along with food, drink, and merchandise. The Mardi Gras event has evolved over the past several years for the better and has emerged as one of the must-do events in Orlando. Universal has expanded well beyond relying on the draw of its musical headliners and offers a much more well-rounded affair. The parade now features…

Universal Orlando’s Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, is set to return in 2021 –  running from Jan 29-30, 2021 at Universal Studios Florida. During the event, guests can enjoy a faith and fun-filled weekend at Universal Studios Florida with live music plus thrilling theme park attractions and entertainment. Rock the Universe guests also have access to a Saturday candle-lighting ceremony in the heart of Universal Studios Florida and Sunday morning worship service. 2020’s event just concluded this past weekend, featuring performances from Chris Tomlin, Switchfoot, TobyMac, and more. More information is expected to be released later this…

SeaWorld Orlando is in the midst of construction of their new roller coaster, Ice Breaker and invited Inside Universal to come to check out the progress. Ice Breaker will be SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster, featuring four launches, both backward and forward, and a 93-foot tall spike with a 100-degree angle. Guests will first launch up the spike, then launch forward halfway up the top hat, before coming back all the way up the 93-foot spike one last time before taking off at 52 mph over the top hat and into the tight turns and banks of the attraction -…

During a Q4 earnings conference call this morning, Comcast executives confirmed that Super Nintendo World will be a part of Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Universal’s Epic Universe, opening in 2023. During the call, Comcast executives were commenting on the upcoming opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, “From a creative standpoint it’s really unbelievable and that opens sometime – midyear this year and then we’re going to bring it to Hollywood and we’re going to bring it, obviously, in the fourth gate in Florida.” Executives continued on how they feel Nintendo is the next big thing for…

Confisco Grille at Universal’s Islands of Adventure has a new menu featuring a variety of dishes inspired by flavors from across the globe. The new Executive Chef of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Jason Glus, and his team created the new menu by re-visiting the story behind the venue. The all-new dishes reflect the “worldwide travels of visiting explorers”. Glus is infusing a mixture of global cuisines from Asia, Turkey, Greece, Russia, Poland and more into the reimagined menu. Since Universal’s Islands of Adventure first opened in 1999, the restaurant has served as a resting spot for guests coming through the…

Universal Studios Hollywood has shared more information on the upcoming attraction, Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash – including the voice talent returning to reprise their roles. The ride, set to open in Spring 2020, marks the first time the ensemble cast perform the voices of their iconic characters for a theme park attraction. The film’s talent and their alter egos include Patton Oswalt as Max, Kevin Hart as Snowball, Eric Stonestreet as Duke, Jenny Slate as Gidget, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy, Lake Bell as Chloe, Dana Carvey as Pops, Steve Coogan as Ozone, Chris Renaud as Norman, Hannibal…

UDPATE: 2/26/2020 P!Q and Fossil have now closed. Still no word as to what will be coming to this area. Original story below. Universal Orlando has its sights set on a corner row of stores in CityWalk, as several locations have closed and several more are expected to close soon. In the past month, Fresh Produce and Island Clothing Co. have closed. While it is not confirmed, Fossil and P!Q is expected to close later in the year. Both locations are currently offering discounted items throughout the store, seemingly in preparation for closing. The Island Clothing Co.’s closure has been…