Author: Brian Glenn

We’re changing up the format for this episode! Jonathan talks with Jerry Green, author of 25 Years Inside Universal Studios: From Tour Guide to Entertainment Director, where we discuss some history at Universal Studios Hollywood, and his role in growing Universal Parks & Resorts. https://www.amazon.com/Years-Inside-Universal-Studios-Entertainment/dp/168390057X Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes.

New Year’s is around the corner, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk Hollywood plans to celebrate as it rings in 2018 with its premier New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s Nashville concert, live music, a buffet dinner, Margaritas and Caribbean themed party favors. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and will culminate with a midnight Margarita toast along with a live steel drum performance, a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s New Year’s Eve concert, lots of dancing and an array of dining options. Fun party favors, including straw hats, colorful leis and NYE-themed noise makers, will be included. A…

Custom Gear Shop, the official gift shop for the Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction, opened over the weekend at Universal Studios Florida. The new gift shop features merchandise related to the film franchise, and the new attraction scheduled to open Spring 2018. Some of the merchandise includes t-shirts, tank tops, shot glasses, coffee mugs, wall posters, signs, and even jewelry. The store is located in the original queue/entrance area of the former Disaster attraction. Also worth noting, is that the gift shop will also serve as the exit of the attraction.

The final film star has been added to the talent line-up for this year’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter”. Natalia Tena, who played Nymphadora Tonks, is set to join this year’s event, which takes place from January 26-28, 2018. She will attend the special event alongside previously announced film talent Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley). This will be Tena’s first ever appearance at “A Celebration of Harry Potter.” She first joined the cast of the Harry Potter films in 2007 as Nymphadora Tonks in Harry Potter and the Order of the…

We’re back with this month’s photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood. There are quite a few construction projects and closures happening around the property. So let’s not waste any time and jump right into the update. Park Update Index » CityWalk Hollywood » Universal Express » New Animation Studio Store » DreamWorks Theater » Parisian Courtyard » StarWay Refurbishment » Lower Lot Expansion » Studio Infrastructure » A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That CityWalk Hollywood Just last week, Inside Universal broke the news that Saddle Ranch will be closing on January 2, 2018. As of…

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is undergoing an upgrade to the projection system, Inside Universal has learned. Although no specifics were given, we can report that Dome 1 of the attraction has already had the upgrades done and adjustments are still being made. Projectors have come a long way since the Simpsons Ride debuted almost 10 years ago – so it’s no surprise for Universal to upgrade to the latest tech available. Inside Universal’s own Tyler Crouch visited the ride on Sunday and confirms that the image is much clearer and brighter.

Beginning Thursday, December 7, guests can enjoy a dinner buffet with Marvel Super Heroes with the all-new Marvel Character Dinner. The dinner will be held inside Cafe 4 at Islands of Adventure, and will allow guests to eat and interact with Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Rogue. Each character will comes to your table to sign autographs and take photos – with one digital photo from My Universal Photos being included in the experience. Pricing per person for adults is $49.99+tax, children ages 3-9 $24.99+tax. Marvel Character Dinner will be available Thursday – Sunday, from 5p.m. – 7p.m. Reservations are recommended and can…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that their Front of the Line ticket will be renamed Universal Express – matching the terminology used at other Universal Resorts around the globe. The change will take effect on December 5, 2017. Any Front of the Line tickets purchased before that day will still receive the same benefits as Universal Express. Universal Express provides guests a separate line with a shorter wait time – with one-time express access to each ride, attraction and priority seating at select shows. Thanks to @AlexanderMBush for the heads-up.

The Holidays are in full swing at Universal Orlando, with returning favorites such as Grinchmas and Mannheim Steamroller, to new additions like Christmas in the Wizarding World and Universal’s new Holiday Parade; the line-up is definitely an incredible offerings to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit around the resort. Before this year, Universal Orlando Resort’s Holidays offerings have always been adequate. The Blues Brothers Christmas show and Grinchmas was always a treat for the Holiday season, but the Macy’s Parade began to grow a bit stale after so many years; and it never really felt like Christmas around the…

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Jonathan, Chris, and Tyler get together to discuss the recent rumor of New Year’s Eve fireworks coming back to Universal Studios, all the Christmas events – including the new Wizarding World decorations and Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts, and Knott’s Merry Farm. We also sprinkle in a bit of the new Nintendo news coming form Orlando, and wonder what that means for Hollywood. Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes.