Author: Brian Glenn

Universal has announced DreamWorks Destination – an all-new interactive character experience coming to KidZone at Universal Studios Florida this Spring. Guests will be able to meet, greet, and dance with some of their favorite DreamWorks characters; including Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, Madagascar, and more. The experience will replace A Day in the Park with Barney, which closed earlier this year. DreamWorks Destination will open this spring and an exact opening date will be shared soon.

Attention beer fans! Universal Orlando has released a brand-new themed beer just in time for the opening of the VelociCoaster. The Jurassic World Isla Nublar IPA is now available throughout Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure; and can be found at Burger Digs, Thunder Falls Terrace, Natural Selections, and The Watering Hole. The beer tap is also worth checking out, as it’s inspired by the iconic Mososaurus feeding scene from the film, Jurassic World. As far as the taste – the beer is a pretty straightforward IPA, not too overpowering with the hops, and has a nice, subtle fruity finish.…

Universal Orlando has changed their safety guidelines, dropping its mandated outdoor mask requirement for visiting guests. Mask use is still required in indoor locations, including attractions, shops, and restaurants. The change comes as the CDC recently released new guidelines stating fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in a majority of settings. Universal has remained in contact with local health and government officials before making any adjustment. Per the Universal Orlando website: Face coverings are not mandatory while outdoors. Face coverings are still required in all indoor locations including shops and restaurants. Face coverings are required at…

Universal Orlando has announced that Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites will reopen on Wednesday, May 26, welcoming their first guests after temporarily closing at the beginning of the year. Surfside Inn and Suites originally was a part of Universal Orlando’s reopening in 2020 before closing earlier this year after its sister hotel – Dockside Inn and Suites – opened and was able to shoulder the reservation load for a while. Aventura Hotel is the last remaining hotel to open, with an expected reopening sometime in July. Surfside Inn and Suites is a part of Universal’s Value…

Universal Orlando has announced they are looking to fill more than 2,000 new Team Members for full-time, part-time, seasonal, and professional career opportunities across the entire resort. Positions are available in all areas including the in-house Call Center, Attractions, Aquatics, Food Services, Culinary, Custodial, Warehouse, Operations, Merchandise, Sales, and more. Universal Orlando is also hiring additional Lifeguards to support Universal’s Volcano Bay. In the coming weeks, specific hiring events will be held for these positions. Candidates interested in joining should apply online by visiting https://UniversalOrlandoJobs.com. Eligible candidates will then be contacted for an interview. There are also numerous professional career…

Universal Studios Florida will be opening a Jurassic World Tribute Store for the Summer to honor the opening of their newest attraction, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster – which opens June 10 at Islands of Adventure. The Tribute Store is a highly-themed store experience that offers merchandise and food centered around the ongoing event – in this case, a brand-new attraction’s opening. It originally became popular during Halloween Horror Nights, but has now appeared  in recent years at other themed events, including the Holidays and, most recently, Mardi Gras. The classic Jurassic arch will serve as the entrance facade for this…

Jurassic World VelociCoaster has begun technical rehearsals with the general public, better known as “Soft Opening”. For those unfamiliar, a “Soft Opening” is essentially a technical rehearsal of a new attraction or a final release candidate test for the ride. All the major components are installed and operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. “Soft Openings” are never promised. There is no guarantee the ride will be opening. The ride might only open for a period of time, all day, or not at all depending on any issues or changes. There is no…

Universal Orlando has announced that they will discontinue temperature checks and switch to 3-foot distancing markers beginning May 6. Dubbed “Getting Closer to Normal”, the adjustments come after the CDC has announced their recent changes to their guidelines and procedures, as well Universal consulting with local health and government officials. Other safety guidelines, including requiring face coverings, are still in effect. Those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are also still required to follow Universal’s guidelines. Temperature checks have been in use since the resort reopened last May after its shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These adjustments do not…

After months of waiting, Universal Orlando finally gave guests their first previews of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. The new attraction lets guests go on a “Raptor Run”, a high-speed chase alongside a pack of Velociraptors on the hunt. Construction began on the coaster back in 2019 and has been followed pretty heavily by fans waiting to see what Universal had to offer next in their line-up. Universal was kind enough to invite us out Monday morning to experience the VelociCoaster as many times as we wanted, and we made sure to take advantage of that. So what did we think?…

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has announced that starting today, they will be offering free admission for U.S. military veterans and their families to its SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks. U.S. military veterans and retirees must register their complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves and up to three dependents online at WavesofHonor.com before May 16. All tickets must be redeemed by June 27. As an added thank you, veterans and active military service members can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off. Service members and their direct dependents must have a valid active military ID to participate. Waves of…