Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando has started the process of eliminating all remnants of A Day in the Park with Barney. The entrance sign, banners, the gift shop sign and even the iconic fountain statue have all been removed. The show originally closed “temporarily” last August as Universal made operational adjustments during the pandemic – but was confirmed last month that the closure had become permanent. A Day in the Park with Barney originally opened in KidZone back in 1995 and was one of the longest-running shows in the park before its closure. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on…

Construction walls have been removed near the “paddock area” of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, giving us our first glimpses of all the twists and turns, foliage, and the launch section of the track. Lining up with the Raptor Encounter entrance, the launch will send guests up to 70 mph and more than 150 feet in the air. The viewing fence offers some great views of the coaster, which should add a kinetic feel to the Jurassic Park area of the park. More details about the coaster will be revealed in the months ahead, including an official opening date. Stay tuned…

Universal Orlando has released their line-up of Jurassic World VelociCoaster merchandise throughout the resort as we get closer to the coaster’s opening. Shirts, hoodies, pins, socks, buttons, mugs, and more are available at the present time. Official “Grand Opening” merchandise was sold temporarily but has since been removed until a later time. Many of the items feature the tagline, “What could go wrong?” – hinting that the coaster will most likely feature the attraction trope of an experience going wrong. Other taglines include “Must Go Faster” and “Chaos Happens”. Merchandise is currently available at Jurassic Outfitters, a Jurassic Park merch…

Universal Orlando has pushed out a new update to their mobile app, introducing Universal Pay – a new feature that allows contactless payments for guests while in the parks with the use of their smartphone. Universal Pay uses a credit or debit card in the app’s virtual wallet and will create a unique QR code for each purchase for team members to scan. The feature also allows guests to control the spending limits of their party; setting it up for either full charging privileges, a set spending limit, or no spending whatsoever. Universal Pay is only accepted at Universal-owned stores…

We are joined by Seth Kubersky of the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando to discuss the latest edition of his guide; how it deals with the ongoing pandemic, and his thoughts in general on the Universal Orlando Resort, as well as Mardi Gras 2021. https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Universal-Orlando-Guides/dp/1628091185/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=unofficial+universal+guide+2021&qid=1613067217&sr=8-1 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 kicked off another year of Mardi Gras. Last year’s event was in the middle of a memorable run, celebrating 25 years of food, music, and fun until everything changed in March with the shutdown of the parks for the better part of 2 months. This year’s event returns in a much more different form, being held daily through Sunday, March 28. While most of what we love about Mardi Gras is present, it goes without saying that there are some noticeable changes due to the ongoing pandemic. Gone are the nightly parade and weekend concerts; with Universal…

Universal Orlando has announced that Volcano Bay will reopen from its seasonal closure on February 27, 2021. The water park closed in 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 around the park. Universal will still restrict capacity when the park reopens and is advising guests to check hours of operation or to call the capacity hotline at 1-407-817-8317.

The Purple Dinosaur has gone extinct as Universal Orlando has officially closed A Day in the Park with Barney. The show originally closed “temporarily” last August as Universal made operational adjustments during the pandemic – but that has now changed to a permanent closure. Despite the show’s temporary closure last year, the characters from the show would still meet guests out in KidZone – but they haven’t been since the new year began, leading to speculation of the show’s permanent closure. https://twitter.com/UniversalORL/status/1357038058630246401?s=20 A Day in the Park with Barney originally opened in KidZone back in 1995 and was one…

The Blue Man Group has announced that after 14 years, they are ending their run at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk. https://twitter.com/bluemangroup/status/1356323767954259968?s=20 The Blue Man Group debuted at Universal Orlando on June 2007 – replacing the Nickelodeon Studios. The show blended comedy, music, and colors for an energetic family experience. The show has 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 the Blue Man Group Theatre. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on Universal Parks & Resorts.

With California officials relaxing some stay-at-home guidelines, Universal Studios Hollywood is now allowed to reopen outdoor dining at their CityWalk dining venues. Universal Studios Hollywood has expanded outdoor seating at several restaurants, along with new outdoor dining areas in accordance with current safety guidelines. Select venues are open for limited operations from 12-8 pm daily, and individual venue hours may vary. Self-parking is complimentary during this re-opening phase. During this time, Universal is implementing enhanced safety policies and procedures, including sanitization, temperature screening, and physical distance measures. Indoor accommodations will be temporarily halted, based on the latest Government guidance. While…