Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Studios Japan has announced that it will hold its grand opening of Super Nintendo World on March 18, 2021. The multi-layered land, with familiar landmarks such as Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle, Toad’s House, and the familiar look of a Super Mario Bros game level, will feature several attractions – headlined by Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge. The original grand opening was set for February 4th of this year but was delayed when a new state of emergency was issued to the Osaka Prefecture due to the ongoing pandemic. The land had been in “soft opening” mode for limited guests since…

The Horrah returns! Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is back – returning this fall for its much-anticipated 30th year on select nights beginning on September 3 through October 31. Featuring the tagline, “Never Go Alone” – guests will face 10 terrifying haunted houses, five twisted scare zones and two outrageous live shows based on some of the biggest names in horror and pop culture – including the first house announced, Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice was the first “ghost host” of Halloween Horror Nights – originally called ‘Fright Nights’ – during the event’s debut in 1991. As Halloween Horror Nights celebrates a milestone…

Universal Orlando has confirmed that Epic Universe will resume construction immediately and that their new theme park is back in business! Epic Universe was announced in August 2019 with construction underway until work paused in mid-2020, as the company adjusted plans in the midst of the pandemic.  The restart will begin immediately – but is expected to take several months before reaching full-speed as Universal re-staffs for the project and reassembles its vendor and contractor teams. Universal states that restarting Epic Universe will result in hundreds of jobs within Universal and thousands of jobs across Central Florida; and will infuse…

The park is finally open!… Kinda… Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a new “Taste of Universal” food festival that will be held inside the park on weekends beginning March 12. Tickets for Friday start at $44+tax. Tickets for Saturdays and Sundays start at $49+tax. Children 3-9 are $25+tax. Discounted admission tickets will be available for Universal Annual and Season Pass members. Adult tickets include 5 menu selections, while the child’s ticket includes 3 selections. Items must be redeemed on the day of your visit. Guests will be able to take in the incredible environments that surround them as they enjoy…

The Habit Burger Grill will officially open at CityWalk Hollywood on March 1. Featuring a menu of charbroiled burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and more; the restaurant will be open Monday – Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy The Habit al fresco on an exterior patio or order for takeout. Contactless options such as pick-up and delivery are available via The Habit Mobile App, online at order.habitburger.com, and via DoorDash, Postmates and Uber Eats. Guests also have additional convenient ordering options including state-of-the-art indoor self-serve kiosks and ordering ahead via phone. The burger chain replaces Smashburger, which closed…

Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park reopened today after a nearly 4-month long closure. The park closed last November due to expected lower demand in the cooler winter months, especially as the Resort navigated its way through the pandemic. During the closure, Universal performed annual maintenance on the water park, with much of the signage and decor getting a fresh coat of paint. Many of the wooden elements, mainly the bridge areas, looked newly refreshed. Universal will still restrict capacity to the park and is advising guests to check hours of operation or to call the capacity hotline at 1-407-817-8317.…

Universal Orlando Resort is offering a new vacation package for guests, saving 40 percent on a 4-day, 4-night stay, starting at $1,388 (after savings, based on a family of four.) This limited-time offer includes: Four days of fun and park-to-park access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Four-night accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, where hotel guests get exclusive theme park benefits like Early Park Admission to access the parks an hour before the general public, complimentary transportation throughout the destination, and delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the theme parks and Universal CityWalk to their hotel…

Universal Orlando has begun the process of removing the Blue Man Group from the resort as signage and advertisements for the show are now gone. The massive sign marquee on the Sound Stage has been painted over with blue paint, with the box office signage and the illuminated banners that lined the walkway now blacked out. The Blue Man Group announced their closure earlier this month, ending their 14-year run at Universal Orlando. The show had remained closed due to the pandemic since March 2020, never having a proper send-off. No decision has been announced as to what will replace…

It seems like we’re getting closer and closer to Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s opening as a new sign was recently installed near the attraction’s entrance. Located across from the Watering Hole, the new sign teases the coaster’s opening of Summer 2021 and is themed exactly like the signage seen in the Jurassic World franchise. It is expected that the current Jurassic Park area will feature elements from both eras of the franchise – with areas near the VelociCoaster featuring the modern design of Jurassic World. Recently, more construction walls were removed near the “paddock area”, giving us our first glimpses of…

After months of speculation, we finally have confirmation that a new Universal Studios Store is coming to CityWalk at Universal Orlando. Several pieces of concept art can now be seen around the construction walls, giving us our first look at Universal’s new “Premier Retail Experience”. The corner space was the former home of several retail locations, including Fossil and the Island Clothing Co. – which closed last January. Although we now have official confirmation of the store, Universal has yet to announce any details – including an opening date. It is expected that the store will feature several highly-themed rooms,…