Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando has shared more details on their upcoming Running Universal’s inaugural Epic Character Race 5K and 10K weekend, held at the Resort on February 1 & 2, 2020. The first-ever Epic Character Races will give participants ages five and up the unique opportunity to run surrounded by some of the most beloved characters from Universal – including the mischievous Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions franchises, Blue, the Velociraptor from the Jurassic World franchise, Shrek and friends from the DreamWorks Animation films, the heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons from Transformers, and more. Many of these characters will be…

Early this morning, Busch Gardens Tampa debuted the ride vehicle for their upcoming attraction, Iron Gwazi at the 2019 IAAPA Attractions Expo IAAPA Attractions Expo is the attractions industry’s premier trade show and conference,  hosting more than 38,000 industry professionals from around the world in Orlando this week. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, Iron Gwazi will be North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world; reaching 206 feet tall, and will feature a 91-degree drop, and reach top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include 3 inversions and 12 airtime…

Universal Studios Japan has released a new keyart visual for the upcoming Super Nintendo World, slated to open next year in 2020. The new visual shows off the multi-layered land, with familiar landmarks such as Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle, Toad’s House, and the familiar look of a Super Mario Bros game level. We also get a better look at the planned Yoshi omnimover attraction. The expansion is expected to cost 50 billion yen – or 432,882,000 million US dollars. Super Nintendo World is set to open in 2020, right before the opening of the Olympic Games which will be held…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced its next “Running Universal” race will feature DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls franchise on Sunday, April 26 with a 5K, a Kids’ 1K and a 10K run. Guests will run through the Theme Park and part of the Universal Backlot, passing iconic film sets, and finally crossing the finish line at 5 Towers on Universal CityWalk while being entertained by their favorite characters from the 2016 animated blockbuster and the upcoming sequel, Trolls World Tour, in theaters April 17, 2020 – such as Branch, Poppy, and Guy Diamond. Other DreamWorks Animation characters will also be on hand, such…

Yesterday morning at the IAAPA Conference, SeaWorld Orlando unveiled the ride car for their new 2020 roller coaster, Ice Breaker. Opening next Spring 2020, the family-friendly ride will be SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster. Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida — a 93-foot tall spike with 100-degree angle. Located near the Wild Arctic Attraction, the ride’s theme is reflective of this area with a nod to Ice Breaker’s conservation partner, Alaska SeaLife Center. Primarily dedicated to marine…

For the sake of clarity, this article discusses rumors and possible changes to the park. This is not a confirmation. CityWalk Hollywood is getting ready for another change, as the popular Hard Rock Cafe is set to close next year. Inside Universal has learned that Hard Rock Cafe’s last day of operation is scheduled for January 8, 2020. Rumors indicate that Universal will be replacing Hard Rock Cafe with Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Opening in CityWalk Orlando in 2016, the popular restaurant is a 19th Century Steampunk-themed, full-service restaurant – complete with two-level dining, a gift shop, and dessert bar; features a menu that features a…

Universal Orlando Resort’s eighth hotel, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, will open on March 17, 2020. An extra-affordable Value category hotel, Dockside Inn and Suites will join its sister property at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, Surfside Inn and Suites, which opened in June 2019. Dockside Inn and Suites will add 2,050 guest rooms to the Universal Orlando hotel portfolio by the end of 2020, featuring both standard rooms and spacious 2-Bedroom Suites – which can accommodate up to six people. With rates starting at just $85 per night, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort combines the quality guests…

The Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort are just around the corner, and Universal has revealed the food and beverage options guests can enjoy during the Holiday season; including some new dining experiences. From November 16, 2019 to January 5, 2020, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will offer a variety of tasty options for guests to indulge in. Universal will be offering a traditional Holidays meal of a mixed green salad, herb-roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, roasted potatoes, sautéed & steamed vegetables, served with a flaky-crusted apple pie for dessert. The Holiday meal will be available at…

Universal Cinemark at CityWalk has completed the theater enhancements in all 20 auditoriums, finishing the conversion and refurbishment a year after ending their AMC partnership. Each theater allows guests to relax on “Luxury Loungers”, Cinemark’s branded theater seats, with extendable footrests, cup holders and plush seating. The theatre also added the new Cinemark XD auditorium, which features expansive wall-to-wall screens, custom-engineered surround sound with multi-channel speakers and state-of-the-art projection systems capable of delivering 35 trillion colors. Universal Orlando invited us out to check out the new theater, giving us a pre-release viewing of Universal Pictures’ new Holiday film, Last Christmas.…

Knott’s Berry Farm is commemorating its 100th anniversary with its largest celebration ever, which includes the return of the beloved Bear-y Tales story in an all-new 4-D interactive dark ride. Knott’s is bringing to life a continuation of the classic attraction which was initially commissioned by the Knott Family and created in 1975 by the legendary attraction designer Rolly Crump. From the press release: “Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair” is a new 4-D interactive dark ride that will take guests on an exciting journey through reimagined show scenes that are reminiscent of the original dark ride, including the…