Author: Brian Glenn

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from July 24, 2023, to July 30, 2023. Universal Orlando Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, and Minion Land  – which includes Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – have officially soft opened! A soft opening is a technical rehearsal where all the major components are operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. Operating hours can vary, and an opening is not guaranteed until the area officially opens – which hasn’t been announced yet.…

Today, Universal Orlando announced that a new DreamWorks land will open at Universal Studios Florida in 2024. Per Universal – As guests step into this new land, their imaginations will run wild as they take in the vibrant colors, sights and sounds that surround them. They will share special moments with their favorite characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse and explore themed, interactive play spaces and attractions that bring popular franchises like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda to life in the most imaginatively fun ways. Universal has teased that the new land is part of a collection of new entertainment…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from July 17, 2023, to July 23, 2023. Universal Orlando Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, and Minion Land  – which includes Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – have officially soft opened! A soft opening is a technical rehearsal where all the major components are operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. Operating hours can vary, and an opening is not guaranteed until the area officially opens – which hasn’t been announced yet.…

Toad has finally arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom! Guests can finally meet Toad inside Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood! Toad joins Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as characters that you can meet inside the land. The meet & greet is located right next to Peach’s Castle. As of now, no set times are available – but Toad started meeting guests around 2 pm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtaA66vXgy8 Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards.

Today, Universal Orlando invited select members of the media to get an early experience of their newest attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast. Universal describes the ride as a first-of-its-kind blaster attraction, that blends immersive sets, interactive game-based technology, custom animation, and an original storyline to create a “one-of-a-kind” attraction. The story goes that guests are entering Villain-Con – the largest convention for villains around the globe – where the headlining event is a challenge to see who has what it takes to become the newest member of the notorious supervillain group, the Vicious 6. As guests make their way through…

Villain-Con Minion Blast has begun technical rehearsals with the general public, better known as “Soft Opening”. For those unfamiliar, a “Soft Opening” is essentially a technical rehearsal of a new attraction or a final release candidate test for the ride. All the major components are installed and operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. “Soft Openings” are never promised. There is no guarantee the ride will be opening. The ride might only open for a period of time, all day, or not at all, depending on any issues or changes. There is no…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that Toad will finally be arriving to meet & greet guests. Starting July 15, guests will be able to meet Toad inside Super Nintendo World. Toad joins Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as characters that you can meet inside the land. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards.

Universal Orlando has shared more information on their new upcoming, first-of-its-kind blaster game attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast. Per Universal, guests will enter the attraction and will immediately be transported to Villain-Con – the largest convention for villains around the globe – where the headlining event is a challenge to see who has what it takes to become the newest member of the notorious supervillain group, the Vicious 6, featured in the hit film, Minions: Rise of Gru. As guests make their way through the convention, they’ll venture through the trade show floor, stocked with the latest gadgets, vehicles, and…

Universal Parks has released special “Preview” merchandise for their latest house announcement – Stranger Things. Featuring Season 4’s main villain, Vecna – guests can pick up the red & black t-shirt and hat at the 5 & Dime in Hollywood at Universal Studios Florida, or at the All Hallows’ Boutique at Islands of Adventure. Hollywood fans can get their preview merchandise at Universal Studio Store inside the park. The t-shirt is available for $33+tax, while the trucker hat is listed for $30+tax. The Preview Merchandise is available for a limited time, while supplies last. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for…

It’s time to return to the Upside Down! Universal has announced that Netflix’s Stranger Things will be featured as a haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. Based on the hit Netflix series, the show is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s; as the town deals with several paranormal events, including “the Upside Down”, an alternate dimension filled with dangerous entities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3Uz9sg130 This year, the maze will focus on Season 4’s events; where guests will come face-to-face with Vecna – who is hell-bent on obliterating the volatile barrier…