Author: Brian Glenn

Brian may be reached at brian.g@insideuniversal.net - Editor-in-Chief

Universal Orlando Resort has officially launched Mobile Express Pick Up, a new in-park food ordering service that allows guests to place and purchase food and drink orders from their mobile device via The Official Universal Orlando Resort App. Mobile Express Pick Up is now available at select dining locations in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; including Burger Digs, Richter’s Burgers, Mel’s Drive-in, and more. For other venues, just look for this symbol on the UO App: This new feature helps guests save time and order food wherever they may be in the park – including when waiting…

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One of the more common complaints from fans of Horror Nights past is they miss the old days where they didn’t have to enter a haunted house in a conga line. Since last night was light on the crowds, Universal Orlando decided to test out “line pulsing” at each house throughout the night. Line pulsing is when guests are separated into smaller groups to enter a haunted house, usually in groups of 8-10. There are pros and cons to pulsing, with the biggest positive being the feeling of “isolation”, allowing visitors a chance to walk at their own pace through the…

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The new Globus Mundi store has soft opened inside the Wizarding World – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. The store, themed to a magical travel agency, sells an assortment of merchandise based on travel – including luggage tags, as well as Hogwarts Express and Platform 9 3/4 merch. The new shop replaced an unused third wand room inside of Ollivanders wand shop. Photos taken by forum user, MICHAELRG.

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Universal Parks have begun selling new replica wands based on the upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The wands are available at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, sold inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The wands are available for a limited time through January and are not interactive. There are 8 wands available, and they include: Newt Scamander Theseus Scamander Queenie Goldstein Porpentina Goldstein Nicolas Flamel Leta Lestrange Albus Dumbledore Gellert Grindelwald Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will know the Grindelwald’s wand is the Elder Wand that will eventually be used by Dumbledore, then followed by…

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Universal Orlando Resort today revealed six additional headlining acts and ticket details for Rock the Universe 2019. Florida’s biggest Christian music festival will take place on all-new dates, Feb. 1 and 2, and feature live performances, worship services and access to thrilling attractions at Universal Studios Florida. Guests will enjoy two nights of live concerts by the genre’s top artists, including these new additions to the stellar lineup: ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2019 HEADLINING ACTS Friday, Feb. 1 Saturday, Feb. 2 Lecrae Skillet Matthew West Bethel Music Big Daddy Weave Crowder Colton Dixon Francesca Battistelli Matt Maher Micah Tyler Rhett Walker…

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For the first time, Universal Studios Hollywood will allow guests to take a “lights on” walk-through of one of their mazes – Stranger Things – during the day, providing an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at how the Upside Down comes to life at Halloween Horror Nights. From Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2, guests can take the self-guided tour of the “Stranger Things” maze, which is included in the price of daytime admission to the theme park. Working collaboratively with Netflix and the creators of the hit show, the maze is an authentic representation of “Stranger Things,” designed to transport guests into…

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For the first time ever, Universal Studios Hollywood will be hosting their first-ever kid-friendly Halloween celebration, inviting all children (12 and under) to dress up and go Trick-or-Treating at the park along with some of their favorite characters on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 10 am to 4 pm. Halloween-themed characters located throughout the theme park include Hello Kitty as The Bride of Frankenstein, Illumination’s Minion Monsters, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, Scooby Doo and the gang, Curious George, Woody Woodpecker, Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy. A Halloween Party in the Plaza will also be taking place;…

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Chris Lord, Chris Glass, and Sydney Newman are back to discuss the latest around Universal Studios Hollywood; including our last meet-up, a Horror Nights washout, Secret Life of Pets/Globe Theater talk, Super Nintendo World talk, and more! As always, we answer your questions. Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes. In addition, you can also follow us on Spotify to listen to podcast episodes on their app.

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We’re back with an update around the Universal Orlando. Other than the big project of the unnamed Harry Potter Coaster, this update focuses on small projects and new merchandise featured at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Park Update Index » Emeril’s Orlando Replacement » CineMark Theater » Dr. Doom’s Fear Fall New Restraints » Harry Potter Coaster » Sindbad Theater » Globus Mundi Store » New Fantastic Beasts Wands & Merchandise » New Grinch Merchandise » A Little Bit of this, A Little Bit of that Emeril’s Orlando Replacement Universal Orlando has yet to make any announcement…

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Universal Studios Hollywood has released the official soundtrack used for the Halloween Horror Nights maze, Universal Monsters, which can now be heard around the world on Spotify. The soundtrack was composed by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, Slash. https://open.spotify.com/album/1W55V4EU1FYiIdtEa8jRUF The popular maze pays homage to iconic classic Monsters by underscoring each of their unique attributes and reimagining them into terrifying modern day characters.  The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, Dracula’s Bride, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Mummy are among those featured in the maze. “This maze is the ultimate…

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