Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando has opened Central Park Crêpes, a new food stand located near the entrance of Central Park in Universal Studios Florida. For those unaware, crêpes are just like pancakes, maybe even better. Some call them really thin pancakes; Universal Orlando says they’re “handcakes”. The stand offers the choice of either sweet or savory crêpes: Chicken & Goat Cheese $7.99 Grilled Chicken, mushrooms, pesto, arugula, goat cheese Smoked Brisket $7.99 Smoked brisket, pepper jack cheese, coleslaw, golden BBQ ranch Vegan Sausage $7.99 Vegan mozzarella, Gardien sausage, vegan pesto, diced tomatoes, balsamic glaze  Lemon Blueberry $6.99 Lemon mascarpone, blueberries, lemon curd,…

SeaWorld Orlando’s annual Craft Beer Festival returns with access to more than 100 crafts brews, taking place Saturdays and Sundays through September 20. Guests can sample a mix of domestic and local Florida favorite breweries and savor more than 20 food items expertly paired to preferred brews. In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures, capacity will be significantly limited to create even more open space for a visit that provides ample opportunity to maintain social distancing. The festival will feature food and beverage locations that are appropriately spaced throughout the park to encourage physical distancing,…

SeaWorld Orlando is hosting a week-long Celebration of Sharks from August 9 to August 16 as Discovery Channel holds its annual Shark Week programming. Included with park admission, all guests are invited to celebrate sharks at SeaWorld Orlando. Join the Shark Team’s Animal Care Specialists at Shark Shallows for special shark presentations on August 15 and 16 at 1 pm. Visit Fin’s Gifts to receive 40% off of select shark merchandise. In honor of Mako, Pass Members will also receive 50% off of Quick Que Unlimited during the shark celebration for use on all of the park’s rides. For an…

Busch Gardens Tampa has announced that its annual Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, will return this fall for its 21st year in a modified form to adhere to pandemic safety guidelines; featuring open-air scare zones and entertainment. The event will run for 18 nights every Friday through Sunday from September 25 – November 1, 2020. Per Busch Gardens, the creative production team has been consulting with medical experts and to modify this year’s event content, with enhanced health and safety measures while staying true to the core of this fan-favorite experience. This year’s event will focus on “freakishly fun-themed” open-air scare zones…

We’re back with a photo update around the Universal Orlando Resort! This month, we take a look around the Resort; specifically, progress on the Jurassic Park coaster construction as well as other small projects and happenings around the 2 parks. Park Update Index » CityWalk » Central Park Crepes » Temporary Attraction Closures » Jurassic Park Coaster » Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey Locker Expansion » Socially Distanced Meet & Greets » A Little Bit of this, A Little Bit of that CityWalk The former homes of P!Q, Fossil, Fresh Produce, and Island Clothing Co have been completely gutted…

Knott’s Berry Farm has confirmed that their Halloween event, Knott’s Scary Farm, is cancelled for the 2020 season due to “continued operating restrictions related to the pandemic”. Jon Storbeck, Vice President & General Manager of Knott’s Berry Farm, released a message on their official website confirming the cancellation: The unique features of Scary Farm will not allow us to operate within the constraints recommended by the CDC and public health experts.  We know that this news is disappointing, but we look forward with great enthusiasm to making 2021 Knott’s Scary Farm our best year ever.  Knott’s Berry Farm remains closed…

From August 10 to September 30, 2020, Universal Orlando is showing its annual passholders a whole lotta love with exclusive menus, discounts, and benefits with the return of Passholder Appreciation Days. Passholder benefits during Passholder Days include: The return of the VIP entrance with UOAP dedicated turnstiles at both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Premier Passholder Dedicated Parking Lane. Premier and Preferred Passholders will be able to take advantage of an extra hour with Early Park Admission through Sept 30. Early Park Admission for Power and Seasonal Passholders is valid on weekdays only through Sept 30. Passholders…

Universal Orlando has confirmed that several of their attractions will close temporarily beginning August 9th. The attractions are: Kang and Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl Poseidon’s Fury Fast & Furious – Supercharged Storm Force Accelatron Fear Factor Live A Day in the Park with Barney Universal states the decision was made to shift focus on their marquee attractions. Team members will be moved to new roles throughout the resort. Fear Factor Live and A Day in the Park with Barney have been closed since reopening, with the Fear Factor Live stage serving as a U-Rest Area for guests – a socially-distanced…

The Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store has opened at Universal Studios Florida despite the event’s cancellation this year. The popular store has become a staple of recent Horror Nights, with several themed rooms featuring event merchandise. Celebrating “30 Years of Fear”, this year’s rooms are based on Frankenstein’s Castle/Lab and Jack’s Carnival of Carnage, featuring throwbacks and nods to icons and events of year’s past. A 3rd room is expected to open later.  Keep a sharp eye for the hidden easter eggs throughout the Carnival room. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byI6OsVoe0o&lc=UgxC-tAMbEvp3WiF4_V4AaABAg Much of the merchandise found in the store was released online several weeks…

Universal Parks and Resorts has announced that 2020’s Halloween Horror Nights event has been canceled at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, with hopes to bring back the event in 2021. Here’s the official statement: Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort have made the difficult decision to not hold Halloween Horror Nights events this year. Universal Studios Hollywood continues to face ongoing business restrictions and uncertainty around its opening timeframe.  Universal Orlando Resort will be focusing exclusively on operating its theme parks for daytime guests, using the enhanced health and safety procedures already in place.  We know this decision…