The popular T-Rex and jeep photo op have returned to the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure. The original photo op was removed due to the construction of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. The new location is located right between Thunder Falls Terrace and the splashdown of the Jurassic Park River Adventure. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on Universal Parks & Resorts.
Author: Brian Glenn
Brian Glenn
Brian may be reached at brian.g@insideuniversal.net - Editor-in-Chief
Universal Parks & Resorts has announced they have selected a developer to design, build and manage an affordable housing community near the International Drive corridor. The area identified as a high priority by Orange County’s Housing for All Task Force. This is a first-ever approach that brings a theme park entertainment company and its pledge of land and creative resources together with an experienced affordable housing developer to find a unique solution to one of Central Florida’s most pressing issues. The scope and scale of this initiative are expected to reach near-record levels for affordable housing communities across the nation.…
Knott’s Berry Farm has announced they are officially reopening on May 21, 2021, after spending the past year closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The park will reopen to season passholders May 6, with plans for a grand reopening to the general public on May 21 for a summer-long, Knott’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. During the 100th anniversary celebration, guests can experience the brand-new Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair, a 4-D interactive dark ride that pays tribute to the classic attraction from 35 years ago. Guests also will have the opportunity to meet Knott’s all-new lovable costumed characters and…
Universal Orlando has announced that Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will reopen on Tuesday, May 18, welcoming their first guests after temporarily closing last Summer. Universal suspended operations at Sapphire Falls last August due to ongoing issues and uncertainty with the pandemic. Universal states that details for the other hotels, including Aventura Hotel and Endless Summer – Surfide Inn & Suites, will be announced at a later time. The Caribbean-themed resort features 1,000 rooms, including 77 suites. Sapphire Falls originally opened in 2016. Guests who stay at the hotel receive exclusive on-site benefits, including Early Park Admission. For more information, including…
Jurassic World reopened at Universal Studios Hollywood during the Taste of Universal event, offering guests its first look at some of the newly-updates scenes, including the new finale featuring the incredible Indominus Rex animatronic. Predator Cove also received a massive reworking – ditching the pterodactyl corpses and now featuring a destroyed Gyrosphere vehicle, and the return of the Compies playing tug-of-war with a hat. Some of the video shown was updated highlighting the escape of the I-Rex, who also now appears right before the lift hill. The big change was the finale, specifically right before the drop, which features a…
Guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood for today’s Taste of Universal event were in for a surprise as several rides opened, including the brand-new Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VLlNtbRlJs The ride is scheduled to officially open when Universal Studios Hollywood reopens next week on April 16th. “Soft Openings” are never promised. There is…
In a surprising turn of events, Starbucks Coffee in CityWalk Hollywood has officially closed. A sign is now posted at the entrance informing patrons of the permanent closure. Starbucks is the latest of many CityWalk locations to close this year. With the closure coming so suddenly, it’s safe to assume there are no current plans as to what will replace it. The good news if you’re still looking to get your Starbucks fix is that the location inside Universal Studios Hollywood is still open for all your Venti needs. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest on Universal…
Universal Orlando has announced that Jurassic World VelociCoaster will be officially opening on June 10, 2021! According to the Universal press release, once inside the queue, guests are greeted by Dr. Wu as they learn about the cutting-edge new coaster, which Jurassic World is touting as its newest “carnivore expansion.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNVu7kuSOn0 “Along the way, they’ll hear the screams of fellow riders as they rapidly roar by with Blue, Delta, Charlie and Echo right on their heels – and even come face-to-face with a few hungry Velociraptors who are anxiously awaiting being released from their stables. As the adrenaline builds and…
Universal Orlando has announced they are once again extending the Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval event at Universal Studios Florida until May 2 due to increased demand. The event features more than 70 dishes and beverages from 13 locations around the globe, and with the park vibrantly decorated and featuring costumed dancers and stilt performers just like years prior (just at a safe distance). Guests will also have the first-ever opportunity to get up close with the intricately-detailed Mardi Gras floats that will be stationed throughout the theme park. Guests can also celebrate Mardi Gras at select venues…
With Universal Studios Hollywood finally announcing a reopening date, we discuss our thoughts and views on the past year of the park’s closures and expected safety protocols going forward. We also discuss the Taste of Universal event that is currently being held at Universal Studios Hollywood. 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.