Author: Brian Glenn

This year, Universal Studios Hollywood will be bringing back New Year’s Eve fireworks for the first time in a few years, Inside Universal has learned. In the past, CityWalk Hollywood offered a New Year’s Eve firework display, with the last one being held in 2014. The last version housed three different displays within the theme park itself – WaterWorld, Universal Plaza and Springfield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isXQR6YStEY&t=5s As of now, it’s not known where the firework display will take place – whether it will be held within the theme park, or CityWalk. Over at Universal Orlando, they celebrate the New Year with EVE…

Drew and Brian get together to share their final thoughts on Halloween Horror Nights 27 and the final Bill & Ted… (again.) Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes.

Walls have gone up around the former home of Upstart Crow confirming that Sephora – the popular cosmetic retail chain – will open in 2018. Upstart Crow, along with The Coffee Bean, closed at the end of August. This marks another change in a long line of Universal’s recent moves to transform CityWalk’s restaurant and retail offerings. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for continuing coverage on Universal Parks & Resorts.

The Holidays at Universal Orlando kicks off this weekend, and guests will be able to experience the all-new Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. The parade will feature some of guests’ favorite characters from some of the world’s most iconic franchises, including 15 intricately-detailed floats themed to popular characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions and DreamWorks Madagascar and Shrek. 16 larger-than-life balloons, with 13 of them created exclusively for Universal by Macy’s, will be featured – including Bob from Minions; the Dronkeys and Gingy from Shrek; and “a special gift that DreamWorks’ King Julien from Madagascar has gifted to…himself!” In addition, more than 100 colorful, choreographed holiday performers and characters will dance…

SeaWorld Orlando revealed the first-look at Infinity Falls rapids attraction’s new rafts at the IAAPA Expo 2017. The 8-passenger raft – designed by Intamin – features custom themeing and decor resembling supplies found on real white-water rafting expeditions. Aboard the raft, riders will embark on an adventure through a lush rainforest environment inspired by some of the world’s most incredible freshwater ecosystems. The new attraction will feature the world’s tallest drop on a river raft ride and allow visitors to experience the feel of exhilarating rapids. The ride will also feature an innovative elevator lift designed to transport the rafts…

This holiday season, Gaylord Palms Resort will introduce ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World for the first time in Orlando, showcasing different cultures and their wintertime festivities. In addition to this new ICE! attraction theme, other celebrations of the holidays will join to create the resort’s “Everything Christmas in One Extraordinary Place” event, Christmas at Gaylord Palms presented by FUJIFILM INSTAX. Celebrating the 15th season in Orlando, ICE! presented by Pepsi returns to Gaylord Palms to deliver frozen fun to everyone! This year’s ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World celebrates the world’s diverse holiday traditions, representing United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany and…

Blue Man Group at Universal CityWalk and Autism Speaks have teamed up to announce their third annual collaborative Blue Man Group performance on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Slight modifications will be made to the show including reducing sound and light levels at various moments during the performance and making headphones available upon request. The Blue Men will limit the amount of direct audience interaction and keep their approach to the audience more subdued. Blue Man Group will also create calming environments in the theater’s lobby for families seeking a break from the excitement. Tickets for children and adults are priced…

by Brian Glenn It’s over, dudes. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure has officially ended, seeing the duo “go back to 1991” to go on and become the “Great Ones”. After months of dreading the moment, it came and went with one hell of an emotional roller coaster on a bittersweet Saturday night. Fans lined up as early as park opening to ensure a spot to see the much-anticipated final show. As for the show itself, it was all a fan could ever ask for. Besides the countless improv moments – which has been a staple of the final show…

Universal Orlando Resort has announced two high-value hotel options that is expected to list prices starting at less than $100 per night. Set to begin opening in the summer of 2019, the hotels will feature a combined 2,800 guest rooms, including 1,450 two-bedroom suites. The 750-room and 2,050-room hotels will be located on the former Wet’n’Wild plot, a 64-acre site at the intersection of Universal Blvd. and International Drive, and will offer complimentary transportation across the destination. Amenities will include a combined three pools with poolside bars, two food courts with nearby coffee bars, plus poolside bars, fitness rooms, car rental facilities, resort-wide…

Universal Orlando has revealed more information on the new Fast & Furious – Supercharged attraction – opening Spring 2018 – including a look at the queue & ride vehicle. Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) will join the cast of the attraction, which includes Dom (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and the villain, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), in all-new setting and story. The attraction is based in “underground headquarters of the “Fast family.” Inside the queue, guests will see familiar places inspired by the films, like the Family Room – complete with photos of…