Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Studios Hollywood has updated their operational safety guidelines, now requiring guests ages 12 and older to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours of visit to enter the theme park beginning October 7. This update comes in conjunction with LA County’s Public Health Order. Guests under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine can enter without proof of a negative test result. Regardless of vaccination status, Universal is still requiring face coverings to be worn at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Per Universal’s website: Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination…

Universal Studios Japan has announced they will expand Super Nintendo World to include a new area themed after Donkey Kong – set to open in 2024. The area will feature a roller coaster, interactive experiences, and themed merchandise and food. Guests will be able to take a walk through the lush jungles where Donkey Kong and his friends live. Nintendo’s Donkey Kong franchise started with an arcade game in 1981 and quickly captured the hearts of fans around the world. Since then, the Donkey Kong game series has continually delivered more games on Nintendo video game systems. With the addition…

Howl-O-Scream has kicked off its “Inaugural Fear” as SeaWorld welcomes its first event dedicated to the Horror Haunt season. In years past, the park has relied on the family aspect with its Spooktacular event (which still continues this year during the daytime), with Busch Gardens Tampa doing the heavy lifting in the scary. This year, both parks are offering up a double-combo of Halloween fun. The event definitely isn’t perfect, with some of the experience being a little rough around the edges – lacking that polish compared to other longtime haunt events around the area; but growing pains are to…

Universal Beijing Resort today celebrated a monumental milestone today with the grand opening of Universal Studios Beijing, Universal CityWalk Beijing, and two hotels – The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel. Mr. Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts, Mr. Song Yu, Party Secretary and Chairman of Beijing Tourism Group, and Mr. Tom Mehrmann, President and General Manager of Beijing International Resort Co., Ltd. Theme Park and Resort Management Branch, along with other invited guests attended the grand opening ceremony. Representatives of the constructors and partners of the Universal Beijing Resort project and Team Members…

Universal Studios Hollywood has shared some details at the food & drink menu featured at Halloween Horror Nights 2021, running select nights through Sunday, October 31. Inspired by the “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” maze, guests can dine on Leatherface’s infamous Texas Family BBQ and savor a variety of unique, horror-inspired food offerings. The Roadhouse BBQ-style restaurant run by cannibals features grilled favorites such as: BBQ Pork Ribs BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich served with crinkle-cut fries Texas Chili & Cheese Nachos: Texas Chili with smoked brisket and chuck roast topped with cheese, pickled jalapeños, and sour cream drizzle 22” Monster Hot…

Universal Orlando has announced that Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, is back – officially returning to Universal Studios Florida on January 28-30, 2022. Fans and youth groups can come together to enjoy performances by some of Christian music’s top artists, powerful worship experiences, and Universal’s theme park attractions. The event kicks off Friday night with feature performances by GRAMMY award-winning Christian pop duo, for KING & COUNTRY, Dove award-winning contemporary Christian artist, Matthew West, and more. Saturday night performances include GRAMMY award-winning contemporary Christian rock band, Casting Crowns, multiple GRAMMY award-winning Christian rock artist, Zach Williams, Dove…

It’s been an interesting couple of years, to say the least. No one expected that the last night of Halloween Horror Nights 29 would be our last bit of Horrah for nearly 2 years. After 672 days, Halloween Horror Nights is back to celebrate 30 years and 30 fears! It’s still hard to imagine, too. Even though I was amped for this year, there was a part of me that refused to believe it was Horror Nights season. It wasn’t until I first stepped into Universal Studios where it finally hit me. The sound of horror-appropriate rock music mixed in…

The dark side of the wizarding world is coming back to Universal as the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” nighttime show is set to return to Islands of Adventure on September 18. The nighttime show will continuously run nightly from dusk until the park closes. Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle went on hiatus in 2020 while Universal adjusted operations during the pandemic. Guests will watch as some of the awe-inspiring moments and creatures, including Dementors, Aragog, Mountain Trolls, Thestrals, and more, inspired by the Harry Potter films come to life on Hogwarts castle through state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects, lighting and more…

Universal Beijing Resort has announced its official grand opening will be on September 20, 2021. The new Resort includes the Universal Studios Beijing theme park, two resort hotels (The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and the NUO Resort Hotel), and Universal CityWalk Beijing. Once open, Universal Studios Beijing will be the largest Universal Studios in the world, with 37 rides and attractions in the seven immersive themed lands of the park, as well as 24 shows and performances in the resort all day long. Universal Beijing Resort will be undergoing Trial Operations, aka “Soft Opening”, from September 1st to 19th. Keep…

Universal Orlando has opened the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store – an immersive retail location designed to celebrate the upcoming 30th year of Horror, with themed rooms decked with specialty merchandise, a variety of unique treats, and more. The popular store has become a staple of recent Horror Nights. While in years past, the store celebrated the intellectual properties at the event (like last year’s with Frankenstein/Bride and Beetlejuice); this year, the Tribute Store is a literal tribute to Horror Nights history – with every room filled with nods, props, and photos from the past. Guests can pick up shirts,…