Author: Brian Glenn

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns as the longest holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area offering brand new experiences to celebrate the holidays and create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Christmas Town joyfully bundles millions of twinkling lights, uplifting shows, iconic holiday light displays, culinary delights and award-winning attractions such Iron Gwazi every day from Nov. 14 through Jan. 9. Running for 57 consecutive days, the beloved event is included with park admission. Some of the all-new activities that make this year’s Christmas Town its biggest celebration yet include:  New! Holiday in the Sky –…

SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning Christmas Celebration is returning this year on select dates from November 11 through January 3. Visitors will see SeaWorld Orlando transformed into a “winter wonderland” with more than 3 million lights and the addition of new holiday experiences at Wild Artic Plaza during the event. The main feature of the festival is the Sea of Trees – immersing guests in a sea of twinkling holiday trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. Dazzling images come to life on more than 100 trees, including a giant glistening centerpiece that towers 70 feet above the water.…

Happy Halloween! Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from October 31, 2022, to November 6, 2022. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2022 ends tonight, October 31, 2022. On a side note, Ghoulish will not be running due to damage sustained from Hurricane Ian. The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle will also be running for its last night tonight. Refurbishments Revenge of the Mummy is still in Technical Rehearsal and may operate on a limited, unscheduled basis. There is no word as to when the ride will “officially” reopen. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from October 24, 2022, to October 30, 2022. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2022 enters the last week of the event’s run, with event dates all week except Tuesday, October 25, 2022. The event ends on Halloween Night, October 31, 2022. The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle will also be running for one more week, with the last day to encounter the Death Eaters on October 31, 2022. To raise awareness for PINKTOBER, the Hard Rock Hotel will light the front of the hotel in pink.…

UCF’s Themed Experience program and Universal Creative are announcing a unique and immersive learning experience available beginning in the Spring 2023 semester. Called the ‘UCF/Universal Creative Lab,’ the offering provides students with specially designed coursework and on-site sessions at Universal Orlando. Class members will also have opportunities to interact with Universal show producers, engineers, creative directors, executives, and other industry professionals with the goal of providing students with an in-depth look at the design and development process. “People love the energy and thrill of experiencing epic stories and exhilarating adventures and Universal is an incredible place to build a career,”…

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando is going pink this October in an effort to support breast cancer awareness with PINKTOBER. Hard Rock International’s 23rd annual PINKTOBER campaign supports the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. To raise awareness for PINKTOBER, the Hard Rock Hotel will light the front of the hotel in pink. In addition, select guest rooms will be outfitted in pink sheets. Every night these rooms are occupied during October, the hotel will donate a portion of the room rate to the American Cancer Society. Pink co-branded…

SeaWorld Orlando announced more details on their new coaster, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which is set to open in the Spring of 2023. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, SeaWorld bills the new coaster as the world’s first “Surf Coaster”. https://youtu.be/SlyavD6_jIY Riders will “feel the power of the ocean”. The innovative design elements that make this a first-of-its-kind roller coaster are the surfing launch and “wave jumping” motions that riders will experience. The unique surfboard-shaped ride vehicle will give riders an immersive experience from the moment it starts. They will be secured on the roller coaster in a surfing position and…

Universal Orlando has announced the return of its fan-favorite Mardi Gras celebration. Guests will let the good times roll when Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval kicks off next Spring, running daily from February 4 through April 16, 2023. The parkwide celebration will transform Universal Studios Florida into Florida’s biggest party, complete with mouthwatering cuisine inspired by Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Brazil to Belgium and beyond – plus a lively parade filled with vibrant floats where partygoers can catch beads by the handful. And on select nights, guests can cap the festivities with live concerts by top…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen will be opening at Universal CityWalk in early 2023. In addition, Universal is now hiring for the dining establishment and is seeking to employ approximately 250 candidates to fill a variety of newly-created positions. A sampling of the full and part-time positions available include: Restaurant Managers and Sous Chefs, Servers, Bussers, Runners, Hosts, Bartenders, Dessert Cashiers, Retail Associates, Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Bakers, Dishwashers, Receivers and Wardrobe attendants. Featuring an extensive menu of eclectic brunch, lunch, and dinner items, sumptuous milkshakes and desserts, and delectable confectionary treats,…

Busch Gardens Tampa has announced, Serengeti Flyer, the park’s all-new attraction set to open in Spring 2023. Once open, Serengeti Flyer will be the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, a screamin’ swing, upon opening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCUqMQlspGw Serengeti Flyer will feature twin dueling arms that soar progressively higher reaching speeds of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak, overlooking the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. Some seats will be even able to see as far as Downtown Tampa. Guests will be seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across two gondolas, allowing for 40 guests to…