Author: Brian Glenn

Blue has arrived at the Raptor Encounter Meet & Greet at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. The new puppet was brought to life for the “Raptor Encounter” employing the exact computer-generated model and images used to create her for the big screen; and features a lot more realistic qualities compared to previous puppets, including blinking and sneering. https://youtu.be/Dte1Sb0tM-U Each Raptor bares 56 razor-sharp, bone-crushing teeth and lunges forward with curved talons that extend up to 12 inches from their 18-inch-long feet.  Towering 12 feet in height and 15 fee – from tail to snout. Blue, of course, became popular after…

Last Saturday, Universal Studios Hollywood joined M.E.N.D. to host their annual “Christmas in Spring” charity event in Pacoima. M.E.N.D. (Meet Each Need with Dignity) inspires to bring joy and hope to low income families. For the 27th year, both companies welcome hundreds of families on Saturday to an afternoon of games, food, and entertainment. Some of Universal Studios Hollywood’s most famous characters came out to interact with families, including SpongeBob SquarePants, King Julien, and Puss-in-Boots. Families eventually met Santa Claus alongside the “very merry, mischievous” Minions for photos and a gift. The “Christmas in Spring” is a charity event sponsored by…

Universal Orlando has released pricing and package information for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 28 – including prices for Frequent Fear Passes, behind-the-scenes tours, and Express passes; in addition to announcing all-new original scarezones, the return of the Academy of Villains dance show, and the addition of a 10th house. Tickets prices have increased this year. A single-day ticket to the event is $114.99 + tax, up $5 from last year; however you can purchase online ahead of time for a huge discount of $62.99 + tax for certain nights of the event. Frequent Fear Passes, which allows guests multiple…

It’s time for May’s photo update around Universal Studios Hollywood! This month, we take a look at some of the park’s projects that are wrapping up, and others that are just getting started! Let’s take a look around! Park Update Index » CityWalk Hollywood » Globe Theater » Grad Bash » DreamWorks Theater » Studio Tour » StarWay Refurbishment » Lower Lot » Halloween Horror Nights 2018 » WaterWorld » Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom » A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That CityWalk Hollywood In CityWalk, the big change was the demolition of Saddle Ranch, which…

Hangtime is now open at Knott’s Berry Farm! Built by Gerstlauer and replacing Boomerang, the newest coaster in the Knott’s family brings new features to California by not only being the first and only dive coaster in these parts but also bringing the steepest drop the SoCal crew has ever seen at a whopping 96 degrees! Courageous guests will also be treated to a lift hill that takes the train up at a 90-degree angle, straight up to the peak, where the coaster will then take a quick stop while riders are able to get a look at the thrills…

The Globe Theatre in the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood is set to close on July 1st, 2018, Inside Universal has learned. The theater originally opened in 1999, and has been used for corporate and other events. Reservations will no longer be accepted past the July 1st date. It is unknown at this time what Universal plans to do with the building after its closure. Earlier this year, we reported the Theater was set to be demolished to make way for the long-rumored Secret Life of Pets attraction – but those plans have not been confirmed by Universal. Stay tuned to Inside…

Starting this Friday, SeaWorld Orlando will be offering free beer to park guests all summer long. The free brews will be available at the park starting this Friday, May 18 through September 2, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to one hour before park close. Complimentary domestic and seasonal beers will be available to guests 21 years of age and older. Guests can visit Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen Patio and receive up to two complimentary 7-ounce beers per visit.  The park will rotate beer offerings throughout the summer starting off with SeaWorld’s very own Mako Red Ale. Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light,…

Universal has announced today that Trick ‘r Treat will be featured as a haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood. Based on the 2007 cult comedy/horror film, the movie focuses on 4 different Halloween-related plots tied together by the mysterious “trick-or-treater” Sam – who’s a stickler for following Halloween rules and traditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7RA5J0UCdM&feature=youtu.be While this is the first time the film will be used in Hollywood; this will be the 2nd time it will be featured in Orlando, as it was featured as a scare zone in the Central Park section of Universal Studios during last year’s 2017…

Ray Rush has officially opened at SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica water park, and SeaWorld was kind enough to invite us out to check out the new water slide. The nearly 60-foot tall attraction is being billed as a first of its kind family ride, that features three exciting slide elements. First, riders will be launched with powerful water jets designed to propel the rafts into the first of several enclosed tube sections. Next, riders enter a giant translucent sphere, rocking back and forth as waves of water swirl around them. Finally, riders will drop into the attraction’s signature element, an open-air…