Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando has announced that Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will reopen on Tuesday, May 18, welcoming their first guests after temporarily closing last Summer. Universal suspended operations at Sapphire Falls last August due to ongoing issues and uncertainty with the pandemic. Universal states that details for the other hotels, including Aventura Hotel and Endless Summer – Surfide Inn & Suites, will be announced at a later time. The Caribbean-themed resort features 1,000 rooms, including 77 suites. Sapphire Falls originally opened in 2016. Guests who stay at the hotel receive exclusive on-site benefits, including Early Park Admission. For more information, including…

Jurassic World reopened at Universal Studios Hollywood during the Taste of Universal event, offering guests its first look at some of the newly-updates scenes, including the new finale featuring the incredible Indominus Rex animatronic. Predator Cove also received a massive reworking – ditching the pterodactyl corpses and now featuring a destroyed Gyrosphere vehicle, and the return of the Compies playing tug-of-war with a hat. Some of the video shown was updated highlighting the escape of the I-Rex, who also now appears right before the lift hill. The big change was the finale, specifically right before the drop, which features a…

Guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood for today’s Taste of Universal event were in for a surprise as several rides opened, including the brand-new Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VLlNtbRlJs The ride is scheduled to officially open when Universal Studios Hollywood reopens next week on April 16th. “Soft Openings” are never promised. There is…

In a surprising turn of events, Starbucks Coffee in CityWalk Hollywood has officially closed. A sign is now posted at the entrance informing patrons of the permanent closure. Starbucks is the latest of many CityWalk locations to close this year. With the closure coming so suddenly, it’s safe to assume there are no current plans as to what will replace it. The good news if you’re still looking to get your Starbucks fix is that the location inside Universal Studios Hollywood is still open for all your Venti needs. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on Universal…

Universal Orlando has announced that Jurassic World VelociCoaster will be officially opening on June 10, 2021! According to the Universal press release, once inside the queue, guests are greeted by Dr. Wu as they learn about the cutting-edge new coaster, which Jurassic World is touting as its newest “carnivore expansion.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNVu7kuSOn0 “Along the way, they’ll hear the screams of fellow riders as they rapidly roar by with Blue, Delta, Charlie and Echo right on their heels – and even come face-to-face with a few hungry Velociraptors who are anxiously awaiting being released from their stables. As the adrenaline builds and…

Universal Orlando has announced they are once again extending the Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval event at Universal Studios Florida until May 2 due to increased demand. The event features more than 70 dishes and beverages from 13 locations around the globe, and with the park vibrantly decorated and featuring costumed dancers and stilt performers just like years prior (just at a safe distance). Guests will also have the first-ever opportunity to get up close with the intricately-detailed Mardi Gras floats that will be stationed throughout the theme park. Guests can also celebrate Mardi Gras at select venues…

With Universal Studios Hollywood finally announcing a reopening date, we discuss our thoughts and views on the past year of the park’s closures and expected safety protocols going forward. We also discuss the Taste of Universal event that is currently being held at Universal Studios Hollywood. Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes. In addition, you can also follow us on Spotify to listen to podcast episodes on their app.

Universal Orlando has opened the new Universal Studios Store, featuring merchandise of the popular films and characters featured at the resort – including The Simpsons, Marvel, Despicable Me, and more. Billed as the “Premier Retail Experience”, the new store replaces several retail locations, including Fossil and the Island Clothing Co. – which closed last January. The store features a modern, clean look with the exception of a small section dedicated to Harry Potter wands, which features an awesome painted ceiling featuring the constellations of all 4 Hogwarts houses. Harry Potter merchandise undoubtedly takes up a good chunk of the store…

Universal Orlando has raised the price of their Prime Parking option to $50, increasing by $10 from the previous $40 rate. Universal Orlando offers guests to park their vehicles in one of 2 huge, enclosed parking garages. The Prime parking option allows guests to park closest to the moving sidewalks and main entrance to the resort. The standard parking rate remains at $26. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on Universal Parks & Resorts.

After a little more than a year of being closed, Universal Studios Hollywood will officially reopen on April 16! Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood will be available to California residents only and can be purchased online beginning on Thursday, April 8. Pass Members will be offered a series of complimentary Bonus Days on select days from Thursday, April 15 through Sunday, May 16; these Bonus Days can be reserved by Annual and Season Pass Members online starting on Monday, April 5.  Annual and Season Pass Members will be able to resume regular use of their passes starting on Monday, May…