Author: Brian Glenn

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at the Universal Parks around the world, from March 9, 2020 to March 15, 2020. Universal Orlando Mardi Gras continues at Universal Studios Florida. This weekend will feature 3 concerts at the event, with Luis Fonsi performing Friday, March 13, The All-American Rejects performing Saturday, March 14, and Diana Ross performing Sunday, March 15. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort’s Rum Dinner will be held Saturday, March 14. Held in the hotel’s Amatista’s private dining room, guests can enjoy for a special five-course dinner, paired with unique cask-aged Diplomático rums. Tickets are $85+tax. Refurbishments The…

Universal Studios Hollywood has released our first look inside their new attraction, Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!, will opens March 27, 2020. Credit: Hamilton Pytluk / Universal Studios Hollywood The innovative ride will blend live, dimensional and animated characters with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping to fully immerse guests in a bustling New York City landscape. The attraction will feature 64 technologically-advanced animated figures, with Universal touting the figures’ “depth of mobility and function programmed within each of these loveable characters creates an experience unlike any other theme park ride.” Seated within ride vehicles that resemble cardboard boxes—reminiscent…

Universal has decided to postpone Peacock Live!, its first-ever two-day fan festival, which was scheduled to take place March 28-29, 2020 at Universal Studios Hollywood. The event’s postponement is due to “uncertainty surrounding some of the event’s programming elements.” Obviously, the elephant in the room is the possible precaution due to the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Universal intends to reschedule the event, but the date will be determined at a later time. Guests can request a full refund for their Peacock Live! tickets, or exchange them for 1-day tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests must contact the Universal Studios…

Universal Orlando Resort has provided a sneak peek of the food and drink options that will be offered at its newest and eighth hotel, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, opening this month on March 17. The all-American Pier 8 Market offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu will offer extra-affordable options for everyone from comfort foods, fresh salads and sandwiches, desserts, and a variety of convenient grab-and-go options; with all dishes priced under $12. Some of the items that can be found on the menu include the Dockside Wrap, pastrami with swiss cheese,…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at the Universal Parks around the world, from March 2nd, 2020 to March 8, 2020. Universal Orlando Mardi Gras continues at Universal Studios Florida. This week, the Carnival Around The Universe Tasting Tent will feature a menu inspired by the Brazilian Carnival – including Pao de Quejo and Sugared Sweet Plantains. This weekend will feature 2 concerts at the event, with REO Speedwagon performing Saturday, March 7, and Dustin Lynch performing Sunday, March 8. Refurbishments The following attractions are closed for refurbishment. At Universal Studios Florida, Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show will be…

UPDATE 3/11/2020 Universal Studios Japan has extended the closure of the park to Sunday, March 22, 2020. Original story below. Universal Studios Japan is taking measures in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and will be temporarily closing the park for a couple of weeks – from Saturday, February 29th, 2020 to Sunday, March 15th, 2020. From Universal Studios Japan’s official site: Universal Studios Japan announces the temporary closure of our park in order to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus within the nation. We will carefully monitor the situation. The period that we are closed may…

We are joined by Joe from Parkscope and Touring Plans to discuss all the happenings at Universal Orlando from the past month – specifically Mardi Gras 2020, where we interview Blake Braswell, Creative Development Group – Show Director for Mardi Gras, about this year’s event. We also discuss Running Universal’s inaugural Epic Character Race, The Bourne Shoptacular (aka gift shop) opening, and more – including the recent announcement of Bob Chapek becoming Disney’s new CEO as Robert Iger steps down. Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal…

Universal Orlando Resort revealed the first look at its newest addition, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites – which will be grand opening on March 17, 2020. The first look photos of Dockside Inn and Suites guest areas include its casual dining food court – Pier 8 Market, the hotel lobby, resort-style pool and 2-Bedroom Suites. This first look gives guests a preview of the inspiration for Dockside Inn and Suites, designed to evoke the feeling of being surrounded by the sea from the shore and catching the sunset from beneath a pier. Dockside Inn and Suites…

Universal Studios Florida has remodeled the old Terminator 2:3D gift shop, Cyber Image, to coincide with the theme of the upcoming attraction – The Bourne Stuntacular, set to open this Spring – and now features merchandise of the stunt show. The store is located in Hollywood between the Bourne Stuntacular and the Horror Make-Up show, serving as an exit for both. A majority of the store features Bourne merchandise, but the beloved Classic Monsters merchandise that debuted last year is located closer to the exit of the Horror Make-Up Show. In addition to the Classic Monsters, merchandise from other properties…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! will be opening March 27, 2020. The innovative ride will blend live, dimensional and animated characters with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping to fully immerse guests in a bustling New York City landscape. The attraction will feature 64 technologically-advanced animated figures, with Universal touting the figures’ “depth of mobility and function programmed within each of these loveable characters creates an experience unlike any other theme park ride.” Seated within ride vehicles that resemble cardboard boxes—reminiscent of where Katie first finds her beloved Max as a puppy—guests will…