Author: Brian Glenn

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…

Universal Orlando has announced that Nightingales: Blood Pit, a new original haunted house, will be featured at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 29. Guests will be transported to ancient Rome where they must escape the gladiator arena as the bloodthirsty nightingales begin to feed on the dead and dying. But with nothing to protect them, will they make it out alive or become part of history… According to Universal, the story of the house finds us in Ancient Rome and is suffering its worst drought in centuries. The ruthless emperor has declared the gladiatorial games to continue nonstop until the…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!”, a new ride set to open in 2020. In this all-new fully immersive experience, guests will assume the roles of stray puppies as they join a familiar cast of leading characters from The Secret Life of Pets – Max, Snowball, Gidget, Chloe, and Duke, along with a host of other animal friends – on the ultimate quest of finding forever homes. “We are thrilled to be able to bring another exciting Illumination movie-based ride to our guests,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood.  “The…

Universal Orlando Resort has shared all-new images of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites. The all-new Value category resort is being billed as Universal Orlando Resort’s most affordable hotel. Surfside Inn and Suites will open on June 27, 2019 and its sister property, Dockside Inn and Suites, will open in Spring 2020. The hotels will feature a combined 2,800 guest rooms, including 1,450 two-bedroom suites. Surfside Inn & Suites draws inspiration from the ocean, featuring vibrant surf and wave-like features everywhere – in addition to sand-colored flooring, sea glass-inspired couches, and light fixtures…

Universal Orlando has announced that Bigfire, their new, full-service restaurant, will open in CityWalk this Summer. According to the Universal press release, Bigfire will feature unique theming designed to make guests feel as though they have stepped into a grand lakeside lodge, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of summers spent by the water. The two-story venue will feature warm modern surroundings, from a cozy fireplace to cast iron and wood design elements mixed with nostalgic camp lanterns and oversized plaid blankets. As guests step onto the outside patio, they will be greeted with twinkling lights, comfortable seating and lawn games for the entire…

Today, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced that it will officially open Tigris, a triple-launch steel roller coaster, on Friday, April 19, 2019. The new attraction is Florida’s tallest launch coaster and the ninth coaster in the park’s collection. Tigris will catapult riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward and backward motion, exhilarating drops, a 150-foot skyward surge, and an inverted heartline roll, reaching a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour. Tigris joins a top-rated list of favorites for coaster enthusiasts, including Cheetah Hunt, the park’s longest coaster, SheiKra, a 200-foot tall floorless dive coaster,…