Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Studios Japan has announced new Halloween-themed experiences that will be coming to the park from September 18 to November 8, 2020 The park also confirmed they will not be holding the daytime parade “Festa de Parade”, “Universal Surprise Halloween”, or it’s Halloween Horror Nights event due to the ongoing pandemic. Simply called “Halloween Event 2020”, Universal Studios Japan will be decorated with exciting decorations and Halloween appropriate music will be played throughout the park. Popular characters in costume will welcome guests, including Minions dressed up as monsters. Other experiences announced include Trick or Treating; where guests are encouraged to talk…

Passholder Appreciation Days continues at  Universal Orlando, and one of the benefits is exclusive menus and food items. Over at Lombard’s Seafood Grille at Universal Studios Florida, passholders can enjoy an AP Exclusive Prix Fixe Menu for $45+tax per person until September 30. Prix Fixe (pronounced pre-fix) is a French term that means “fixed price” and refers to a type of menu featuring a pre-selected list of dishes at a set price. In this case, Universal is offering a 3-course meal featuring a trio of samples on each dish. Don’t let the word sample make you think the meal wasn’t…

Voodoo Doughnut at Universal Orlando has released 2 new limited-time seasonal doughnuts for guests to enjoy; a Jack the Clown doughnut and Pumpkin Spice doughnut. The Jack the Clown doughnut features vanilla frosting, Bavarian filling, and raspberry jelly. The Pumpkin Spice is a large pumpkin-shaped doughnut with vanilla frosting and pumpkin spice Bavarian filling. Both doughnuts are available for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders starting today. General guests will be able to purchase both tomorrow. The doughnuts will be sold through November 1, 2020. Our quick review: While both doughnuts are good, we’re kind of over every specialty doughnut featuring raspberry…

LudoBird, known for Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s fried chicken-based menu, has permanently closed at CityWalk Hollywood. The restaurant opened in 2016, replacing Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom. LudoBird was one of many restaurants that remained closed after CityWalk’s re-opening in June. Part of the marquee has been removed, specifically the “Not your mother’s fried chicken…” slogan. No official replacement has been announced at this time.

Universal Studios Beijing has released a new concept art image of their upcoming Jurassic World: Isla Nublar land. The concept art comes courtesy of China State Construction Engineering Co. Jurassic World: Isla Nublar is one of 7 themed lands slated to open at Universal Studios Beijing, tentatively scheduled for May 2021. Details are limited, but the land is expected to feature several attractions, including a 3D ride similar to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Other lands include Hollywood Blvd., Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers: Metrobase, Minion Land, and WaterWorld. Stay tuned to…

Midnight Syndicate has teamed up with Universal Orlando to release a limited-edition “Music of Halloween Horror Nights” album on red vinyl featuring favorite songs from the event, as well as some unreleased material. The album is being sold in the Horror Nights Tribute Store. The limited-edition run of 500 copies are hand-numbered and pressed on red vinyl for $30+tax. For more than twenty years, the music of Midnight Syndicate has been a part of Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights. In the liner notes of the album, T.J. Mannarino, Vice President of Entertainment Art & Design at Universal Orlando says,…

The Inside Universal team discusses the latest on Universal, including the continuing effects of the pandemic on the Universal Parks & Resorts; including operational changes and impacts on current and future projects. 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 announced they are making a seasonal operational adjustment for their water park, Universal’s Volcano Bay. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, the park will now be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Universal states the change is “based on our operational needs and fall travel trends”. This is another operational adjustment made as Universal tries to steer through the troubles of the pandemic. Universal recently announced they were suspending operations at 2 of their hotels – Sapphire Falls and Aventura. Guests are encouraged to check UniversalOrlando.com for additional park hours and updates.

Universal Orlando has opened the remaining 2 rooms inside the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute store – themed to a spooky attic and the “Ghost with the Most”, Beetlejuice. The new rooms have been teased since the store opened, with a sign in the walkway saying “Coming Soon”. Guests first walk through a hallway full of photos of each year of Halloween Horror Nights before entering the new sections. The new Beetlejuice area pays homage to one of the original faces of Halloween Horror Nights, with décor inspired by iconic scenes from the film. Fans will notice many hidden references throughout…

Despite the event’s cancellation, Halloween Horror Nights lives on in 2020 with the Horror Nights Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida. The store, which opened 3 weeks ago, features many easter eggs and hidden references to past Horror Night elements, specifically Icons. Here are some of the Easter Eggs we’ve found around the store. Jack the Clown The Clown Prince of Pain is prominently featured in the Tribute Store, especially in the Carnival Room; but there are little nods found elsewhere in the room. First off, right behind the registers is a wagon advertising “Oddfellow’s Dark Carnival and Emporium”. Oddfellow…