Author: Brian Glenn

The Raptor Encounter meet & greet at Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure has temporarily moved to a new area as Universal continues land preparation for a new Jurassic Park attraction. The meet & greet is now located adjacent to Pizza Preddatoria, in an area formerly occupied by a seating area. The old Raptor Encounter area has now been completely walled off. Universal has yet to announce what the new project entails, but rumors indicate a coaster is likely coming to the area. Like always, nothing is official until Universal makes it official. It is believed that a new Raptor…

We’re back with a photo update around the Universal Orlando. Other than the Jurassic Park project and Dockside Inn & Suites, a lot of the projects are putting the finishing touches and wrapping up as they enter the final phase of construction. Let’s get started! Park Update Index » Universal’s Endless Summer Resort » Bigfire Restaurant » Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure » Jurassic Park Project » Today Cafe » Hollywood Walk of Fame » New Universal Monster/Horror Store » New Universal Resort Freestyle Cup » A Little Bit of this, A Little Bit of that Universal’s Endless Summer Resort…

Tigris is officially open Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! The new attraction is Florida’s tallest launch coaster and the ninth coaster in the park’s collection. Busch Gardens invited us out to ride the new coaster yesterday before it officially opened to the public. Tigris is located in the Stanleyville area of the theme park in the former home of Tidal Wave – right next to Jungala, which houses the park’s endangered Bengal tigers. In an effort to reuse and recycle, most of the parts from the old attraction, Tidal Wave, was demoed and recycled to use in the construction of Tigris…

The Hard Rock Cafe is staying at Universal’s CityWalk in Orlando for the foreseeable future. Hard Rock International today announced a lease renewal with Universal Orlando Resort to maintain Hard Rock Cafe’s presence in the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex for another 20 years, keeping the venue open at its current location through 2039. Hard Rock Cafe Orlando stands in Universal Orlando CityWalk and features a multi-level Cafe, expansive Rock Shop and 3,000-person concert venue. The “Coliseum of Rock” is home to more pieces of music memorabilia than any other Hard Rock Cafe in the world. The Hard Rock Cafe has…

Universal Orlando has revealed some of the major magical creatures guests will encounter on the upcoming Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster. The attraction, which is set to open on June 13, will combine a new level of storytelling and innovative coaster technology with rich environments and sets – including an actual forest with more than 1,200 live trees. It will also give guests the unique opportunity to join Hagrid – one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter films – on a journey to one of the most mysterious places in the wizarding world – the Forbidden Forest. With Hagrid as…

Universal Studios Hollywood has begun the marketing blitz for the much anticipated Jurassic World: The Ride, set to open this Summer, with a brand-new commercial. The commercial begins on the Universal backlot, where several film productions are taking place; when a T-Rex begins to stomp her way through the sets and sound stages, sending cast and crew running for their lives as T-Rex finally makes her way through the famous Universal archway. https://youtu.be/FE5OXcYnHRE “Jurassic World—The Ride” will debut an original storyline that takes place within the theme park as depicted in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s film, Jurassic World, on…

Universal Orlando has raised ticket prices on one-day tickets. Universal uses dynamic pricing, meaning prices fluctuate depending on the time of year you visit, charging at a higher price at a time of greater demand. An Anytime, One Day, One Park ticket has increased to $135+tax, an increase of $6. A Regular One Day, One Park ticket has increased to $125+tax, up $3, and finally, a Value One Day, One Park ticket has increased to $115+tax, up $1. Two day, two park tickets have increased by $10. Florida Resident rates remain unchanged. For a full breakdown of pricing, and to…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that Holidayz in Hell, a new original haunted house, will be featured at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 2019 during a Monsterpalooza panel today. https://twitter.com/horrornights/status/1117544559599390721?s=21 The maze will feature an original score by Electronic Music Artist and Producer Figure and offer guests new reasons to dread the holidays.  The maze is set to include scenes featuring a tortured Tunnel of Love, inhabited by a crazed Cupid on a quest for hearts to break or take; an unhinged Uncle Sam will create a sinister “July 4th killerbration”; treacherous turkeys; and a sick Santa will adorn Christmas…

Universal Studios Florida has repurposed their old Terminator 2:3D gift shop into a Monster Shop. The Cyber Image Store has moved away from being a “pop culture” shop and has expanded the Universal’s Classic Monsters presence. The store is located in Hollywood between the unnamed Terminator 2:3D replacement and the Horror Make-Up show, serving as an exit for both. In addition to the Classic Monsters, merchandise from other horror properties are available for sale – including Ghostbusters, Psycho, and The Walking Dead. The horror merchandise is located closer to the exit of the Horror Make-Up show, while some remnants of…

KareKare Curl has officially opened at Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s water park. SeaWorld invited us out yesterday for the ceremonial opening and to preview the new slide. “KareKare” means “waves” in the Maori language and when combined with “Curl” meaning in a curved shape, this new ride could be described as a “curve-shaped wave” which riders will experience when climbing the vertical wave wall.  True to its name and holding two passengers, this new slide delivers a high-adrenaline, weightless adventure. The slide is short, but thrilling – featuring a 35-foot drop that eventually leads you up into the vertical wall. Due…