November 14, 2014 – Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the dates for this year’s Grinchmas event, which spans from December 6 to January 3 on select days. Featuring a 60-foot Grinchmas tree in the heart of Universal Plaza, this year’s event will feature an interactive meet-and-greet with the Grinch and his dog Max alongside cookie and ornament decorating activities for kids and their families. Universal’s long running Studio Tour Whobilation will also continue on the Whoville backlot sets, featuring a small performance inspired by Ron Howard’s 2000 live action film. Like 2013’s event however, this year’s Grinchmas will likely not…
Author: Jon Fu
November 4, 2014 – This year’s Halloween Horror Nights event has just passed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the park will be slowing down anytime soon. As you’re about to see, Universal is continuing its ambitious efforts to completely revitalize the Upper Lot. With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Springfield on its plate (coupled with the up-and-coming Grinchmas holiday event), Universal has continued to add walls in and around the Upper Lot – practically blocking off the entrance to both the Studio Tour and the Lower Lot. Perhaps more surprisingly, Universal is also working on a few smaller…
November 2, 2014 – In this episode, we’re joined by Robert Niles of Theme Park Insider to discuss Universal Studios Hollywood’s recent developments and the impact of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the theme park industry. You can read Robert’s latest book Theme Park Insider Visits The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at this link. Audio Direct download: November 1, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (018) November 1, 2014 Podcast Jon Fu Jon Fu is the editor-in-chief of Inside Universal. Jon originally founded InsideUniversal.net in 2006 as a summer hobby aimed at providing families and fans a resource for all…
Editor’s note: As Halloween Horror Nights 2014 continues, Inside Universal will be offering a comprehensive overview of the entire event categorized into three sections: the Upper Lot, the Lower Lot and the backlot experiences. Of course, given the nature of reviews, this article will contain spoilers. For spoiler-free advice on planning, please be sure to read our Survival Guide, First Stab/Early Entry article and VIP Experience review for a complete overview of this year’s event. Alien vs. Predator A long awaited, highly requested property finally made its way to Halloween Horror Nights this year with the introduction Alien vs. Predator.…
October 24, 2014 – Following recent controversy surrounding The Purge scare zone at Halloween Horror Nights, Universal has removed the auctioneer and her platform located in front of the flaming towers. Based off the successful Purge franchise, the auctioneer would catcall advancing guests with suggestive commentary – oftentimes calling out bids for selected guests with crude remarks based on their appearance and gender. While explicit in nature, the auctioneer would provide some contextual information on the Purge franchise, which posits a day in which all crime is legal. This annual day of release would alleviate crime within the United States…
Editor’s note: As Halloween Horror Nights 2014 continues, Inside Universal will be offering a comprehensive overview of the entire event categorized into three sections: the Upper Lot, the Lower Lot and the backlot experiences. Of course, given the nature of reviews, this article will contain spoilers. For spoiler-free advice on planning, please be sure to read our Survival Guide, First Stab/Early Entry article and VIP Experience review for a complete overview of this year’s event. Clowns 3D Music by Slash Much like years past, this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event brought yet another rock hero to Halloween Horror Nights. Indeed,…
October 12, 2014 – In this episode, Jonathan Green, Chris Glass and Jon Fu discuss the ongoing work on Universal’s Lankershim entrance, Soundstage 28 and Halloween Horror Nights. Audio Direct download: October 11, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (017) October 11, 2014 Podcast Jon Fu Jon Fu is the editor-in-chief of Inside Universal. Jon originally founded InsideUniversal.net in 2006 as a summer hobby aimed at providing families and fans a resource for all things “Universal Studios Hollywood.” Since then, the website has taken him throughout the United States and around the world – including to places like Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios…
October 6, 2014 – With Halloween Horror Nights well underway, we thought we’d take a look at some of the bigger projects currently occurring at the park. Despite the Transformers photo opportunity finally opening last week, Universal Studios Hollywood continues to be the cornerstone of construction – not only for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but also for Springfield, Fast and Furious: Supercharged, the site of Stage 28 and much, much more. It’s a jam packed update, so let’s get started. Park Update Index » Halloween Horror Nights » Lankershim Boulevard » Parking Lot Expansion » The Wizarding World…
October 4, 2014 – As we initially reported in July, Universal has completed construction on a more permanent Transformers meet-and-greet photo opportunity located on the Lower Lot. While Universal has operated an interactive Transformers meet-and-greet since 2013 (a year after Transformers: The Ride 3D’s debut), the park eventually scrapped its original gray-and-black setup earlier this Spring in favor of a more sophisticated structure that matches the Lower Lot’s decor – continuing the yellow and dark brown motif that surrounds the Transformers attraction. Like its predecessor, the renovated meet-and-greet features its own queue space alongside a custom built buggy picture car…
October 5, 2014 – Since questions have arisen concerning the difference between First Stab and Early Entry, we thought we’d clear some confusion by delineating their differences here. First Stab To start, First Stab only applies to annual pass members and their invited guests who have access to both daytime admission and to the nighttime event. Day/Night ticket holders who have access to both Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Studios Hollywood may not enter unless they are accompanied by an annual pass holder. As expected, the annual pass member must be present within the party to take advantage of First…