Author: Brian Glenn

More Halloween Horror Nights merchandise has arrived at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, including this year’s Stranger Things line – featuring Vecna. In Orlando, Stranger Things merch can be found at the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk and Universal Studios Florida, and the All Hallows’ Boutique in Islands of Adventure. The mech line predominantly features Vecna, Season 4’s iconic villain – which includes t-shirts, lanyards, pins, keychains, and mugs. In addition, a merch line focusing on the Hellfire Club is also available. Additional merchandise is expected to be released when the Halloween Tribute Store opens on Wednesday, August 31.…

Universal Orlando has adjusted the song selection process for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, now limiting the choices of 30 songs to 5 new tracks. The new tracks represent each genre of Rock, Pop/Disco, Country, Rap/Hip Hop, and Club/Electronica. The songs are: Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance Waterloo by ABBA Man! I Feel Like a Woman! by Shania Twain Humble by Kendrick Lamar Sandstorm by Darude Before the change, guests were allowed the option to choose from 6 songs per genre, which had been the same since the roller coaster opened in 2009. Don’t worry, though -…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from Aug 28, 2023, to Sept 4, 2023. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 32 kicks off this Friday, Sept 1, 2023, featuring a line-up of haunted houses that include Stranger Things, The Last of Us, Universal Monsters, Chucky, and more! Minion Land – which includes Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – is officially open! 2023’s Passholder Appreciation Days, which includes discounts, benefits, and menus exclusive to Universal Annual Passholders, continues through September 30. Refurbishments…

The medallion has risen! The Universal Studios Florida archway is now decorated for Halloween Horror Nights, which starts next Friday, September 1, 2023. The photos come courtesy of the RIP Tour Podcast. The archway features the headliners of this year – such as Stranger Things, The Last of Us, Chucky, the Universal Monsters, and The Exorcist: Believer. Each of the posters features zodiac symbology, tying it into this year’s theme. We recently did a guest appearance of their latest podcast talking the history of the Universal Monsters at Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights. You can find the podcast at the following…

Universal Orlando has announced that the Death Eaters will appear for the first time ever in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley on select dates from September 1 through November 4. Once inside Diagon Alley, guests will encounter the villainous Death Eaters – devoted followers of Lord Voldemort and practitioners of the Dark Arts. The interactive experience puts guests face-to-face with the Death Eaters as they roam through the streets of London, Diagon, and Knockturn Alley. A variety of Death Eater-themed merchandise will also be available for purchase. The Death Eaters first arrived at Universal Orlando in 2019, appearing as…

Universal Orlando has announced the theme for 2023’s Dead Coconut Club, the seasonal overlay for the Red Coconut Club in CityWalk, with this year being called “Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club in 3D”. Per Universal – “The frightful fiends of Monstergram Pictures have completed their latest B-movie epic: Target Planet Coconut, and they are premiering it at the one and only Dead Coconut Club.” If you visited the All Hallows’ Eve Boutique at Islands of Adventure during the Summer, you’d recognize that this continues the story of the Universal Monsters filming their B-movie. Universal Passholders will be amongst the…

Universal Orlando has scheduled Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Islands of Adventure for refurbishment. The attraction will be closed from February 5, 2024, until March 8, 2024, for its annual winter maintenance. Please keep in mind that these dates can change. Universal usually schedules maintenance for its water rides during the colder months, especially as attendance is softer. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards.

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from Aug 21, 2023, to Aug 27, 2023. Universal Orlando Minion Land – which includes Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – is officially open! 2023’s Passholder Appreciation Days, which includes discounts, benefits, and menus exclusive to Universal Annual Passholders, begins August 15 and continues through September 30. The Taste of Terror experience is available for guests who want to get a “taste” of what’s to come for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. Guests can…

Universal Orlando gave an “Early Sneak Peek” for their Halloween Horror Nights 32 merchandise by releasing several items in the newly-rethemed All Hallows’ Eve Boutique – which now predominantly features Dr. Oddfellow – in Islands of Adventure. Amongst Dr. Oddfellow’s “Traveling Oddities”, fans can find posters featuring characters from the different houses and zones that will be featured at this year’s event. As of now, the merchandise features 5 different design lines – Lil Boo’s Scary Halloween, Creepy Curiosities, Universal Monsters: Unmasked, Studios Screamers, and Chucky. It’s worth noting that the “Sneak Peek” is very much a sneak peek, as…

The iconic Universal City sign on the Upper Lot hillside has been demolished as site preparation continues for the new Fast & Furious Coaster. Demolition has been ongoing for the past few months around the Upper Lot; with the Animal Actors Stage, the Castle Theatre, and the Production Central store completely demolished now. In recent weeks, the hillside has seen additional site preparation with tree removal. There is no word as to whether Universal Studios will install a new sign once construction completes – but we’re crossing our fingers! Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on…