Author: Jonathan Green

Last Saturday, we held our fourth annual member meet-up at Universal Studios Hollywood. As with all our previous meet-ups, the tone was informal as fans gathered to talk about theme parks and connect. Our day began with a gathering at CityWalk where we connected and enjoyed several conversations as we waited for participants to arrive. Once our time frame was over, we proceeded to head to the Universal arch for a customary photo. From there, we made the trek to the Lower Lot and enjoyed Gate A access to Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers. After conquering the…

In this episode, Jonathan Green, Chris Glass and Jon Fu discuss Universal Studios Hollywood’s top ten defining moments, Universal’s new attendance record, Forbidden Journey’s revised picture quality, WaterWorld’s refurbishment, backlot construction and more! Agenda » 0:01:15 – Follow Up » 0:04:55 – 4th Annual Member Meetup » 0:06:41 – Universal Studios Hollywood’s Top 10 Defining Moments of 2016 » 0:18:24 – Universal Studios Hollywood closes due to capacity; poised to set a new attendance record » 0:25:43 – Hogsmeade lighting tests – A possible nighttime show? » 0:34:35 – WaterWorld will undergo refurbishment from early January to April » 0:43:14…

Today at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was joined by Ron Meyer, Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal, Ernest Wooden Jr., President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director, along with a representative from the Board of Airport Commissioners to announce this year’s record breaking year for Los Angeles’s economy. Today’s announcements come as no surprise as the Los Angeles tourism industry continues to grow at rapid pace, with Universal Studios Hollywood playing a major role in the growth of tourism in Los Angeles. With the opening of…

With the holidays in full swing, Knott’s Berry Farm invited us to take a special look at their holiday festivities, which run from November 19 – January 8, 2017. While the Southern California theme park market is saturated with holiday promotions, Knott’s Merry Farm manages to carve out a special niche by focusing on retrospective holiday décor and celebrations. To put it succinctly, the event has an analog feel that contrasts heavily with the technology-laden overlays that the Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood both have to offer. This isn’t a bad thing per say, but it does mean that…

As Inside Universal reported earlier this week, guests can now experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey without the use of 3D glasses. The ride’s media and projectors have now been configured for 2D. Guests are no longer given 3D glasses as a result of the recent modification to the ride. When The Wizarding World of Harry Potter debuted earlier this year at Universal Studios Hollywood, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was initially touted as the first domestic 3D iteration of the popular Harry Potter attraction. Universal Studios Japan, meanwhile, was the first Forbidden Journey attraction to use 3D…

Universal’s new soundstages on the backlot will be named Soundstage 29 and 31. These new stages are expected to replace the existing Soundstage 29 and 31 facilities, which currently border Transformers: The Ride – 3D on the Lower Lot. These older soundstages are expected to be torn down for future theme park expansion. Inside Universal has learned that both Soundstage 29 and 31 are currently in use – with sets and lighting already installed at the new facilities. Despite the soft opening of both stages, the offices and editing rooms (which flank the front half of the new combined structure)…

We’re back for the next installment of our photo update series with a broad view of the latest projects occurring at Universal Studios Hollywood. In this update, we’ll be looking at the first signs of Grinchmas, Springfield’s newest additions and progress on Universal’s 5-year plan. So without further ado, let’s begin! Park Update Index » Lankershim Entrance » E.T./Jurassic Park Parking Structure » CityWalk Hollywood » Grinchmas » Springfield » The Secret Life of Pets » Universal’s 5-Year Plan Lankershim Entrance Hollywood After months of construction, crews have finally completed the tunnel that connects 10 Universal City Plaza to the…

Based off the blockbuster film The Purge: Election Year, this year’s park-wide scare zone capitalizes on this year’s presidential campaign in an experience that’s split into three distinct sections: Universal Boulevard, Universal Plaza, the tunnel walkway to the backlot and the metropolitan sets. Review Beginning with the Upper Lot and Universal Plaza, Universal has decided to focus much of the Purge in an open-air walkthrough that’s reminiscent of a large outdoor maze known as the Purge Gauntlet. Starting inside Universal Plaza, guests will narrowly dodge chainsaws, knives and piping with plenty of large-scale props including abandoned vehicles complete with beeping…

Despite being shot by Dr. Loomis several times, Michael Myers is back – this time searching for babysitter Laurie Strode, his target from the first Halloween film. With Laurie Strode in the hospital after the events of Halloween, Myers storms into the hospital facilities in a fit of rage in search of Strode, killing anyone who gets in his way. Welcome to the setting of Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield. Review Acting primarily as a continuation of the incredibly popular 2015 maze Halloween: Michael Myers Comes Home, it must not come as a surprise that 2016 would have Michael Myers…

With Freddy Krueger determined to haunt Elm Street after lying dormant for close to a decade in hell, the serial killer enlists in the services of Jason Voorhees to recoup his power by killing the citizens of Springwood. However, as Freddy would soon find out, it’s nearly impossible to have two iconic slashers coexist peacefully without declaring all-our war. Thus, the battle between Freddy and Jason is born. Review Bringing together two of horror’s most infamous icons and inspired by the 2003 film that bares the same name as the maze, Freddy vs. Jason pits two titans against each other…